Chapter 18 - Tournament Part 4 (2/2)

”What the hell? Is he really a first year like us?” The students continued discussing.

”But she can still use her kido right?” A first year student asks.

”Are you an idiot? Did you see him move? There is no way he will give her any chance at using Kido.” A fourth year student replied.

”But what else can she do? She clearly is not going to be able to beat him in close combat, so kido is her only choice” the student retorted.

'So she wasn't strong enough...' Aizen thought to himself before he made a comment about the fight out loud.

”I can see how he is the strongest. It is quite remarkable that he was able to attain such a level of combat proficiency in less then a year.” Aizen smiled.

Byakuya nodded in agreement. He was also slightly surprised at Itachi's performance. He knew that Akemi had prior training in the families and was taught the basics of the four schools before coming to the academy.

”Yes, his flash steps and close combat techniques are definitely above the other students. But how is his kido?”

Ounabara remained silent. He knew that Itachi's talent in Kido was on par if not greater than his hakuda proficiency.

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Itachi watches a struggling Akemi get back on her feet. He knew this was just a school event. There was no need for him to attack someone who was still on the ground. He waited for Akemi to get back up. Akemi slowly struggles and gets up. She was shocked. She was expecting Itachi to be only slightly better than her at Hakuda, but the gap in skill surprised her. Akemi winces as she feels a pain in her torso from the last kick. If Itachi had continued attacking, she definitely would not be conscious. Akemi was relieved that she had another chance to fight but also infuriated that Itachi was not taking her seriously.

'The family head is watching me...I won't lose this.' She thought to herself.

”This is far from over.” Akemi said to Itachi before raising her hand. Itachi remains idle and watches her movements.

”Bakudo 37: Tsuriboshi! A bull ball of energy flies out towards Itachi. Six ropes fly out from the orb, latching on the ground. The energy in the center solidifies and stretches outward into an elastic cushion before it wraps around Itachi and locks him inside a cocoon-like object.

The audience stares shocked at the sudden turn of events. The students make comments to each other.

”Amazing that was a spell we never learned!”

”This must be the benefit of being part of the noble family.”

”Wow, I can't believe he was caught.”

Daiki had also woken up at this point and stared at the monitor in front of him displaying the fight. He had a grin on his face as he watched Itachi get trapped by the bakudo.

'Yes! I got him.' Akemi felt elated. She calmed her breathing before preparing a hado to finish him off.

”Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of-

Just as Akemi was about to finish her chant, the cocoon burst as it was cut into shreds and Itachi was standing in the center. Itachi sheaths his sword and vanishes instantly from Akemi's view. As Akemi tries to comprehend what just happened, shei suddenly feels a heavy hit to the back of her head before blacking out. The arena falls silent as Akemi falls unconscious to the ground with a loud thud.