The next day, on the training grounds of the Shinō Spiritual Academy.
In the audience seats, Shinigami from various divisions, noble families, and even some from Rukongai had taken their places, filling the massive area to the very last seat.
"This many people came to watch… several times more than during our matches yesterday." Standing in line for the draw, Kusaka Sōjirō couldn't help but sigh.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō shook his head and said, "After all, this is the official competition, not some kids' game like the academy tournament. Besides, it's not just that there are more people, the status of the audience keeps rising."
"Look over there..." He pointed toward the center of the stands.
Kusaka followed Tōshirō's gaze and saw the captains of each division seated neatly in a row, 2nd Division Captain Soi Fon, 3rd Division Captain Ichimaru Gin, 5th Division Captain Aizen…
Aside from Unohana Retsu and Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who were in charge of tournament logistics, Zaraki Kenpachi, who was participating as a contestant, and Shiba Isshin, serving as a guest judge, nearly all other captains were seated in the stands.
Besides the opening ceremony, this was the first time Kusaka had seen such an intimidating lineup in one place. He couldn't help but tense up, his fingers unconsciously brushing over the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
With so many captains appearing at once, wouldn't that create enormous pressure later when it came time to fight?!
A massive spiritual projection screen hung in the center of the arena, continuously displaying the tournament rules.
Including the three who advanced from the academy group, the official group had a total of 330 participants, and the tournament followed the same single-elimination format as the academy group.
All participants first had to step up and draw numbered lots. For this purpose, the organizing team had prepared a total of 165 pairs of numbers. The subsequent matches would proceed in order, from pair number 1 to pair number 165.
"Contestants, please come forward by division order and draw your lots!" Chōjirō Sasakibe's voice echoed through the entire area over the speakers.
Per protocol, Arata had been assigned directly under the First Division, so he was currently standing in line with the First Division.
His gaze scanned the stands. In the VIP section, Rangiku was waving at him, the gardenia necklace on her chest glittering in the sun.
At the 4th Division medical team's seat beside her, Kotetsu Isane, in her familiar nurse uniform, was bowed over organizing a medical kit.
"First Division, Saitō Arata!"
Upon hearing his name, Arata composed himself and stepped up to the drawing table.
As he reached into the box of tiles, a barrier of spiritual particles blocked any attempt at peeking.
His fingertips touched a cold jasper tile. When he flipped it over, he saw the number "42" engraved on it.
"Number 42." Shiba Isshin whistled from the judges' bench. "Looks like we'll have to wait until this afternoon for Arata's match!"
Arata nodded slightly and was about to step back when he caught Aizen from the 5th Division adjusting his glasses and staring directly at him.
The gleam in the glasses sent a chill down his spine, like being watched by a dangerous predator.
"Next contestant, continue drawing!"
When he returned to his place, Arata found Zaraki Kenpachi sizing him up with a wide grin. "You, brat, don't you dare lose before you get to me. I signed up for this dumb show because of you."
The battle-hungry captain slapped his shoulder with such force it would've broken a regular lieutenant's bone.
"Captain Zaraki, you're joking." Arata calmly dispelled the blow with spiritual pressure. "But you'd better make sure someone else doesn't eliminate you early."
Zaraki laughed, loud as thunder, drawing glances from everyone nearby.
Yachiru used the chance to leap onto his back, her pink hair brushing against Arata's face. "Little Arata, want a lollipop? I secretly took it from Ikkaku~"
Arata took the lollipop wrapped in pink paper, wearing an expression half laughter, half exasperation, and tucked it into his sleeve under Kenpachi's mocking gaze. "Thank you, Vice-Captain Yachiru, I'll eat it later."
The drawing ceremony lasted a full hour. When the last contestant, Shiba Kaien from the 13th Division, finished drawing his number, Chōjirō Sasakibe announced the match schedule for the first round.
"First match: 6th Division, Kuchiki Byakuya versus 13th Division, Shiba Kaien!"
As soon as he said it, the crowd exploded.
Both were prominent fighters of the younger generation, and Kuchiki Byakuya was also heir to one of the five great noble families.
Arata noticed that Tōshirō and the others had already squeezed into the front row. The white-haired boy stared at the ring unmoving, clearly not wanting to miss a single detail.
"Arata-senpai!" Hinamori Momo suddenly appeared from the crowd, holding a still-warm rice ball in her hands. "Would you like something to eat first? The tournament will last all day."
The girl's concern warmed Arata's heart. When he accepted the onigiri, his fingertips brushed her bandaged hand, the scar left from yesterday's high-level Kidō.
"Hinamori, your hand…"
"It's fine now!" Hinamori Momo smiled and twirled her wrist. "Vice-Captain Kotetsu's healing is super powerful. There's no trace of it this morning!"
At the mention of Isane, Arata's Adam's apple twitched subtly.
As if adjusting his collar, he turned his gaze toward the medical team. He caught Isane just as she was dressing a team member's wound. The collar of her nurse uniform had shifted slightly with the motion, revealing a faint black strap underneath.
"Arata-kun?"
A gentle voice suddenly sounded behind him.
When he turned around, he almost bumped into Isane carrying a medical box. She wore a white coat over her uniform, but even that couldn't hide her curves.
"Isane-san." Arata's voice was slightly tense. "Yesterday's examination report was very detailed. Thank you sincerely."
"T-that's… my job…" Isane's ears turned red, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the edge of her white coat.
When she looked up and met Arata's eyes, both simultaneously recalled the scene from the break room the day before.
"Ah! Vice-Captain Kotetsu!" Hinamori Momo suddenly jumped into the conversation. "Kira said earlier he felt a bit dizzy. Could you please check on him?"
Isane nodded as if someone had just granted her a pardon. "O-of course! I'll go right away!" She quickly bowed to Arata and nearly ran off.
Hinamori Momo blinked mischievously a few times. "Could it be something happened between Arata-senpai and Vice-Captain Kotetsu?"
"Don't make silly guesses, you're still just a kid." Arata gently flicked her forehead with a finger, but he had already noticed that Tōshirō was standing behind Hinamori, watching him with a probing gaze.
At that moment, a deafening roar erupted from the ring.
Everyone instantly turned and saw Senbonzakura, Kuchiki Byakuya's blade, forming a beautiful array of flying blades, while Kaien knelt on one knee, his body covered in wounds of all sizes.
"The winner has been decided!" Chōjirō Sasakibe's voice echoed through the arena. "Kuchiki Byakuya wins!"
Ginrei Kuchiki in the stands nodded slightly, not at all surprised by the result.
What Arata watched more closely was Aizen's expression, the 5th Division captain was smiling and politely clapping, but the eyes behind his glasses never left Kuchiki Byakuya, as if analyzing something.
Match after match passed without pause.
By the time the sun had climbed to its peak, more than thirty duels had already concluded. Arata observed the battles in passing and simulated tactics in his head until Shiba Isshin's loud voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Forty-second match, First Division, Saitō Arata versus nobleman Hatake Hayata!"