Chapter 15 - Tournament Part 1 (1/2)

For the next two months up until the tournament day, Itachi and Itsuki trained diligently. Itachi no longer sent shadow clones to class and trained with his full power. Itsuki began increasing the weight on his training weights more and more and Itachi notes how quickly Itsuki is progressing in his strength, speed and technique. Even Itsuki's confidence rose with the training and Itachi notices that he was not the same weak boy anymore at the beginning of the semester. He also sparred with Taro at times. Itachi spent the rest of his effort mastering his kido and reiatsu control.

Two months quickly pass and the tournament approaches. Itsuki and Itachi both make their way towards the arena. When they arrive they see quite a few students who were lined up to participate. This was a good opportunity for some of the students to showcase their skill in front of the shinigami who came to spectate. There were a few first years from the advanced class that Itachi recognized such as Taro, Kenta, and Daiyu. He also saw Daiki and Akemi waiting in the lines. The rest of the students were mostly 5th and sixth who were close to graduating from the academy. A . Inside the arena, a large crowd could be heard already inside and more people from various parts of Rukongai and Sereitei were entering the arena. The line wasn't very long and there were not as many students participating as they thought there would be.

”I expected over a hundred people but there looks to be only half of that” Itsuki comments as he looks at the line.

”It's mostly those who are close to graduating and those who wish to make a good impression on the special guests” Itachi replied.

”Captain Kuchiki of the sixth division and Captain Soi Fon of the 2nd division. Some of the strongest shinigami in the soul society. Can't believe they will be spectating us.” Itsuki said nervously.

”Just do your best.” Itachi said calmly.

”Not everyone is calm like you” Itsuki said shaking his head and following behind Itachi.

The two of them wait in line until it is their turn to register. Itachi registers his name and then goes to the break room. He and Itsuki look up at the monitor after the line clears and the brackets appear on the screen with the students' names and year.

”Looks like I'm fighting a 3rd year.” Itsuki says while reading the bracket. Itachi looks for his name on the screen and sees he is matched up against Kenta Omaeda.

The announcer enters the middle of the arena and greets everyone as the arena quiets down. His voice could be heard through the speakers in the break room.

”Welcome everyone to the first annual Shino Academy Tournament! We'll get straight to the point! The rules of this tournament are simple! Participants are to fight in one on one matches. The use of your asauchi is allowed. The winner of the matches will be decided when one of the participants is rendered unconscious or unable to move. You are not allowed to kill your opponent. All matches up to the quarter finals have a five minute time limit. Any match after that has no time limit. If both participants are still standing at the end of the time limit, the one who has taken the least damage is deemed the winner. NOW THE TOURNAMENT WILL BEGIN!!!!!” The announcer finishes and the crowd cheers loudly.

The announcer names the first two students fighting. They enter the arena as the other participants watch from the break room. Itsuki has his eyes glued to the monitor while Itachi is paying attention elsewhere. He notices there is a VIP area and in the VIP area of the audience, five individuals could be seen watching, three of which were wearing captain's haori. Itachi makes them out to be Ounabara, the headmaster, Captain Aizen, Captain Soi Fon, and Captain Byakuya.

Some of the students also noticed the captains.

”Wow looks its captain Aizen, I didn't know he was coming today. One girl said with her eyes shining.

”Yeah, he is always the most approachable. A lot of people want to join the 5th division.”

'Aizen, so he came.' Itachi thought to himself before turning away.

Itachi looks back at the monitor and sees the students are still fighting. After three minutes pass, a winner is named and the announcer declares the next match.

”For the next match, first year Omaeda Kenta and first year Uchiha Itachi will be fighting!” The announcer says. Itachi glances at Kenta and nods before standing up and heading to the ring.

Kenta started panicking the moment he saw the roster. Why was he the one to fight that abnormal fellow. Taro had told him that Itachi was the one who killed the hollow that almost killed him. He wouldn't even stand a chance.

”Why me….” Kenta felt depressed. He thought this would be his time to show off in front of Captain Soi Fon.

He looked towards Taro who stood helpless. He didn't have any advice for his friend.