Announcement:"First Match: Team 8 vs Team 4!"
Uzuki stepped forward, eyes sharp."Naomi, go."
Naomi Fujikawa moved gracefully, her hair swaying like silk in the breeze."No problem."
From Team 4, a hesitant girl glanced nervously."Why me? That's Uzuki's team..."
Uzuki's voice cut through sharply."So? Just get down there!"
The girl sighed, then leapt into the arena."Alright."
Renji's voice rang out loud and clear:"Team 8 sends out Naomi Fujikawa! Team 4 sends out Mei Saito!"
Kurosaki's tone was fierce."Let the battle begin!"
In a flash, the two referees vanished from sight.
Naomi raised her hand, calm and confident."I don't plan to make this long. Don't resist. Mirage Shard!"
Glittering crystals shimmered in the air, suspended like deadly stars. With a sharp motion downward, they rained like knives.
Mei flipped and weaved, narrowly dodging."You didn't hear what I said," Naomi scowled.
Naomi's Ability: Crystal MirageShe can summon luminous shards that reflect and refract light, creating illusions to confuse opponents. They serve as both weapons and shields. Her mastery of deception makes her deadly.
Mei dashed forward, sparks crackling at her fingertips."Is that all? Take this—Spark Jab!"
Electricity shot out as her fingers jabbed. Naomi flinched slightly.
"How did that feel?"
Mei's Ability: Static Touch A charged ability delivering minor electric shocks—small, fast, and painful like static, but focused and weaponized.
Naomi smirked."That was an illusion. I told you not to resist."
Mei gritted her teeth."And what if I don't care?"
Suddenly, Naomi's body shattered into shards—
"Mirage Step!"
—and she reappeared behind Mei, a crystalline spike pressed to her throat.
Mei's voice trembled."I give up! You win!"
Renji announced,"Match over. Naomi is the winner."
Kurosaki nodded,"Next fighters, step up."
Naomi flicked her hair, cool and collected."There. No one had to get hurt."
Uzuki rolled his eyes."It was boring. But at least you didn't lose."
Announcement:"Second Match: Team 1 vs Team 4!"
Ryju stepped forward, a fierce glint in his eyes."Who wants this one?"
Kuroyami answered without hesitation."I'll go."
Rei raised an eyebrow."You sure?"
"Yeah," Kuroyami said firmly.
Shun gave him a nod of encouragement."You got this."
Kuroyami jumped into the arena.
From Team 6, a boy called out:"Sora, it's your turn."
Renji announced,"Team 1 sends Kuroyami Kurata! Team 6 sends Sora Kamikaze!"
Kurosaki commanded,"Begin!"
Sora spread his radiant wings wide.
—Sora's Ability: Wrath of the Wings—Wind-powered wings that slash and fly. Each flap sends blades of air. He can summon tornadoes, heighten reflexes, and unleash devastating aerial combos.
Sora sneered,"Just quit. I can tell—you don't even have an ability."
Kuroyami steadied himself."Full Body Spiritual Force!"
The wind whipped violently around him.
This wind is intense, Kuroyami thought.
Suddenly, the Spiritual King appeared beside Rika—Ryju's mother.
"Can you set up the barriers?"
Her voice was calm and commanding."Of course."
With a single chant,"Spiritual Barrier!"
Clear, glowing walls shimmered into place—protecting the crowd but leaving the battlefield open.
Sora dashed forward, slicing with a gust of wind. Kuroyami met him with his sword.
"Spiritual Slash!" Kuroyami shouted, releasing a wave of dark energy—
—but Sora easily batted it aside.
"Ashen Feathers of the Wind!"
Sora shed hundreds of glowing feathers that transformed into deadly blades.
There's... hundreds of them?! Kuroyami panicked.
"You can't block them all!" Sora taunted.
Slashes came from every direction, cutting through Kuroyami's uniform. Blood seeped through, but he stood firm.
"I… I'll keep fighting…" Kuroyami gasped.
His knees buckled under the assault.
"Let me end your pain."
Sora gathered the feathers into a sharp arrow and aimed at Kuroyami's back.
"I want peace… I want to bring peace!" Kuroyami whispered.
"You can't bring peace if you're weak. Bye-bye."
Suddenly—
SLAM!
In a flash, Ryju, Kenshiro, and Kurosaki appeared.
Ryju's hand glowed with spiritual energy. Kenshiro held Kuroyami's head steady. Kurosaki's blade was pressed against Sora's neck.
Wooden tendrils wrapped tightly around Sora's limbs, and a dome of bark formed a shield around Kuroyami.
Kurosaki said coldly,"The match is over."
Ryju commanded,"Walk away."
Kenshiro warned,"I promised—hurt him, and you die."
The audience murmured in awe.
"They moved so fast!""Did you see that?"
Renji's voice broke through the noise."Winner: Sora Kamikaze."
Team 4, watching closely, whispered:"Do we move?""No… if they try something, then we do."
Sora grumbled,"Fine. I'm not going to kill him. Let me go."
They released him, and he flew back to his team.
Renji's calm voice rang out again."Next match: Team 10 vs Team 42."