Chapter 18 - Tournament Part 4

The crowd remains abuzz after watching the match. Itsuki was able to easily defeat Daiki Kuchiki, but was easily defeated by Akemi who was in the same grade.

"Wow, he lost so easily. Is this the true power of the noble families."

"She's only in her first year. I wonder who is stronger between her and that Uchiha fellow. And we can't forget that crazy strong sixth year. He defeated all of his opponents in an instant." The students continued their conversation as the medics carried Itsuki back.

In the next couple matches, Itachi and Hideki both face their opponents and easily win their matches moving them towards the semi final round. After the match, the winners were given thirty minutes to rest up as much as possible. The students in the stands also took a rest and moved about, talking about the various fights they witnessed.

"It's already at the semi-finals. I can't believe two first years made it this far in."

"They are from the advanced class. All the students there are exceptional."

"Yeah, but they are competing against that sixth year who has much more experience."

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"Well, there are certainly some exceptional students that joined this year" Aizen commented with a slight smile. Byakuya remained silent but took a slight glance at Akemi. He was naturally expectant of someone from his clan. Soi Fon also remained silent,

"Yes, they are certainly much more talented" The headmaster commented.

Ounabara nodded along with the headmaster's statement.

'I wonder if the finals will force Uchiha to use those eyes' Aizen thought before looking towards Itachi's direction.

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Thirty minutes quickly passes before the announcer reaches the stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we are finally in the semi-final round. With us right now, we have Uchiha, Itachi, who easily swept through every opponent using his exceptional Hakuda and Hoho techniques! And we have the exceptional young lady of the Kuchiki, who also swept through her opponents with ease, Kuchiki, Akemi!!!! LET THE FIRST SEMI FINAL MATCH BEGIN!!!!!"

The crowd roars in cheers as Itachi and Akemi make their way towards the ring. The two position themselves a few meters away.

"Time to show you the distance between us" Akemi comments before unsheathing her sword and charging towards Itachi.

Akemi coats her sword in electricity before slicing vertically towards Itachi. Itachi does not visibly react and maintains his stance. He looked at the oncoming Akemi without the slightest change in his expression. He watched as Akemi swung her sword. Right before the blade made contact, Itachi disappeared from his spot. Akemi was shocked but she still managed to turn to her side to see Itachi's fist flying in towards her face.

"Bakudo 8: Seki!" In the last moment Akemi crossed her arms in front of her and casted her kido. Itachi's fist struck towards the shield with great force, forming cracks as his hand is rebounded away. Itachi follows up with a quick jab and shatters the shield, forcing Akemi back a few meters. She still managed to find her footing, but before she could fully recover, Itachi once again appeared next to her. Akemi reacts promptly and tries to slash at Itachi multiple times. Itachi dodges each slash by a hair's width and finds an opening. Itachi grabs Akemi's wrist just as she was about to slash at him again and sends a solid kick towards her torso. Akemi grits her teeth as she feels her ribs shake from the force and is blown back as she tumbles across the arena. Itachi remained standing at his spot, choosing not to pursue while watching Akemi get back up.

The audience suddenly became quiet. Everything happened too quickly and Akemi was the only one that was injured. The silence is broken by the murmuring of students in awe of what just occurred.

"He's so fast!"

"I can't believe he can already used hoho to that degree"

"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.