Captain Hiroto took it easy on the first day.

  He only used one hand.

  The moment the match began, Watari’s bde sparked to life.

  Takeminakata.

  Fast. Clean. Lightning surged through the air, the same technique I had seen in the Judgment Hall.

  But before I could even register it—

  BOOM.

  Watari was sent into the wall.

  I winced. Hard.

  He got up, of course. Stumbled, shook it off. Then—

  Takemikazuchi.

  I recognized that name. This time, it was like he was lightning itself. Faster than before. He disappeared from my vision, a blur of pure speed.

  But the captain?

  He didn’t even move.

  Didn’t take a step. Didn’t raise a hand.

  Just tilted his head—

  And Watari was on the ground.

  This time, he didn’t get up.