Chapter 69

Haruto and Ayaka usually chatted casually, but Isane greeted them rather formally, looking somewhat reserved.

She's not good at dealing with this type of girl; even if she spends all her time with Kiyone, she still finds it hard to adapt to her overly familiar style.

"Good morning, car... Ayaka."

After greeting Ayaka, Ayaka spun around and stood in front of Haruto.

What new information has our intelligence brokers obtained?

"Indeed~"

"Munechika encountered a miraculous event?"

"No, no, quite the opposite. Even his Zanpakuto, which counters lightning-based Kidō, was taken back by the Mikazuki Clan."

Ayaka shook her finger in denial.

"That is..."

"Oh, I understand."

Before Haruto could finish speaking, he nodded thoughtfully.

"Huh? No way? You guessed it so quickly?"

Seeing how quickly Haruto reacted, Ayaka said in a drawn-out tone.

"It wasn't difficult to begin with, and you've given such obvious hints--"

Haruto alone has displayed two advanced Kidō: Raikōhō and Tōzanshō.

Without the ability to counter Zanpakuto, let alone the destructive power of the Raikōhō, even the Byakurai Munechika couldn't handle it.

But!

It was precisely because he abandoned his family's Zanpakuto that Munechika was able to advance further: he...

The immense effort Zanpakuto will not be wasted.

"Munechika's Zanpakuto has been unleashed."

"Yes, do you want to—"

Haruto smiled and declined Ayaka's offer:

"No need for that trouble."

"He's probably already waiting for me at the sixth-grade training ground, right? What exactly are his abilities?"

I'll try and see.

"... Pfft."

Ayaka made a face, clearly not satisfied.

"You know, sometimes being a little silly makes you more likable... Don't you agree, Isane?"

"Hey, hey?"

Isane was suddenly called out, was a little taken aback.

"You're talking about a girl, right...?"

"Huh? Is that so?"

Ayaka was still pretending to be stupid, but Isane seemed to have a sudden realization and began to mutter words like "becoming stupid" under her breath.

"Isane!"

"Stupid... huh!?"

"Don't listen to Ayaka's nonsense, she's here to help Ms. Mutsuki find someone."

Haruto turned and shouted into the distance:

"Practice on your own this afternoon. Tomorrow morning, gather at the Shin'yō Grand Auditorium according to the order drawn by lot, and head to the World of the Living to officially begin the Konsō teachings."

"... yes!"

After hearing the responses from the younger generation.

"Let's go."

Okay~

Ayaka responded first, then pulled Isane along and followed Haruto's footsteps.

The sixth-grade training ground.

This was the testing ground for the Shakkahō, except that all the targets used to measure the Kidō have been removed.

It will make the space seem a bit more spacious.

The sixth-grade quarterly exams were originally supposed to be held at the Grand Martial Arts Arena, but given the embarrassing situation of the previous quarter ending without any matches, the venue had to be moved back here—the fifth-grade students fight more intensely and lack sufficient self-awareness (referred to as "B-level"), so they need a larger venue to perform well.

When Haruto entered, the already small audience seats were not only packed with teachers and students, but also with some members of the Gotei 13 dressed in Shihakushō.

"Such a big show?"

Hundreds of eyes were fixed on the doorway at the same time, and even someone as carefree as Ayaka couldn't bear it.

"Perhaps it's because of the Live-Blade Match that they've gained some fame."

Munechika, representing Class Two, challenges himself.

Even Haruto only just found out about this, so it seems Munechika didn't publicize it much. These Soul Reaper probably came to watch the excitement during their rest time, rather than coming specifically for the two of them.

"Oh?"

Haruto walked towards one side of the training ground, glancing at Munechika, who was sitting cross-legged opposite him.

"His demeanor has become more composed."

Without a doubt, the venue was prepared specifically for the two of them, and Munechika had been waiting for them for quite some time.

"It seems that the release of his Zanpakuto has significantly increased Munechika's Reiatsu."

The release of Zanpakuto is usually accompanied by an increase in Reiatsu.

The increase in power level increases as the Rei'i Grade decreases... but the difficulty of unlocking it also increases exponentially.

When Munechika Live-Blade Match, his Rei'i Grade had just reached the Ninth Class. If he hadn't reached that level, Munechika wouldn't have focused his training on releasing his Zanpakuto. Now, he has actually broken through to the Seventh Class, which is quite a leap.

After all, if we go back six months, Haruto would have been at this level.

This is also the source of Munechika's confidence in challenging him.

"Combined with the unknown abilities of his Zanpakuto, and knowing that I can use advanced Kidō, he certainly has the qualifications to fight."

"Pity..."

The saying a scholar who has been Munechika.

"Despair."

Haruto stood on the other side of the training ground, first nodding to Mutsuki- sensei in the referee's seat, then quickly glancing at the audience.

"Juzu Izumi isn't here?"

The whispers in the audience did not escape his ears.

The support groups of friends and family members on Class 1's side were naturally present, but the atmosphere on Class 2's side was a bit strange.

"Interesting..."

Just then, Munechika was directly opposite the training ground, slowly gripped his sword and stood up straight from his seated position. He no longer had the calm demeanor he had just displayed; the violent Reiatsu within him was like a dormant volcano about to erupt.

"Munechika!"

Haruto smiled and greeted Munechika loudly, but the latter ignored him.

But no response is also a form of response; this simple probe allowed Haruto to roughly understand Munechika's state of mind.

"Ms. Mutsuki, is he alright?"

Haruto felt he had to say something.

The fight started without any build-up, which is not Soul Reaper... After all, some Zanpakuto wielders even need to take time to explain things during their fights.

"You're the one who's late, okay?"

Mutsuki rolled her eyes at Haruto from a distance.

Munechika's challenge was unexpected, but Haruto's failure to even come to the training ground was even more outrageous; she had already been standing there for more than ten minutes before she sent Ayaka to find Haruto, and now half an hour had passed in total.

If she didn't think she might not be able to win Haruto over, she definitely would have rushed up and given him a few whacks on the back of the head.

That's right.

Over the past six months, Mutsuki has found it increasingly difficult to understand her student... even though she has been promoted to the Fifth Seat Fifth Division.

It wasn't just because of the suggestion from acting vice-captain Sōsuke Aizen, but also because she was strong enough to be a Fifth Seat.

If Mutsuki hadn't insisted on not becoming the dean, Mitarai and her position would have been switched after the last quarterly exams.

Even if you want to trash talk, both sides have to agree.

"All right."

Haruto helplessly shrugged, then turned to face Munechika on the other side of the field.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, teacher."

"... Both sides are ready!"

Mutsuki didn't say anything more.

She wasn't entirely confident she could defeat Haruto, but if a fight broke out, Mutsuki would still have the advantage thanks to her Zanpakuto's abilities.

Although Munechika's Reiatsu has greatly increased, his only chance of winning against Haruto in his current state is that his Zanpakuto is abnormally powerful.

"Start!"

No sooner had Mutsuki saw Munechika one hand and, while drawing his sword, violently fling the scabbard out!

The words of liberation then rang out:

"Double-edged tailoring: Shiren!"

The audience seating area.

Even before the competition began, the whispered conversations among the students in Class Two never stopped.

Why didn't Juzu come?

This person is quite gossipy and curious.

"Exactly! Such an important competition, even if she's Mikazuki -kun's girlfriend, anyone in the class should be present!"

This stems from jealousy and resentment.

"I heard from the rumors... that Juzu -Mikazuki kun dumped her!"

This is a channel primarily used by close friends and acquaintances.

"What!?"

"Weren't they just all lovey-dovey together the day before yesterday?!"

Whether their intentions were good or bad, everyone with different motives was shocked.

"I heard it's pressure from the Mikazuki Clan..."

"Your information is inaccurate! I heard that Mikazuki intends to release his Zanpakuto in this way!"

Compared to his fair-weather friends, he also has the advantage of being a student of paparazzi.

"This works? A ruthless secret technique only nobles possess?"

These are some of the novels that Nanajūdō has read the most.

"Then I wouldn't know..."

"Ah, Miss Izumi is such a kind and understanding girl, even Mikazuki would give her up—"