One landed on soft moss in a dense clearing.
Ryju adjusted his stance. "Everyone good?"
"Yeah," Rei said, brushing dirt off her shoulder.
Kuroyami crouched low, scanning the area. "No signs of other teams yet. But they'll come."
Kenshiro stretched. "Could've at least given us time to nap first."
"You just teleported through space!" Shun snapped. "How are you still tired?"
"I'm gifted," Kenshiro said flatly.
"Remember what the Spiritual King said before we dropped in—lose the flag, you're out. We have to both defend and capture."
Goro clenched his fists. "Then we take the fight to them."
Suddenly, rustling from the bushes.
Everyone froze.
Three figures stepped out of the shadows. A team in green, bearing twin serpent emblems on their uniforms. The one in front, tall and lean with sharp eyes, grinned.
"Team One, huh? Lucky us," he said, cracking his knuckles. "We get to eliminate the first crew."
Ryju's eyes narrowed. "Name?"
"Kazuto, Team Nine. And we're coming for that red flag."
His teammates flanked him—one wielded a chain-blade, the other pulled out throwing needles already glowing with purple Spiritual Force.
"You're a funny one," Goro said, cracking a grin at the trembling enemy.
Rei smirked beside him. "For real. Their spiritual force is so weak, I can sense it without even trying."
"That's enough talking," Shun muttered.
Before the others could react, he vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared mid-air above the three enemy fighters. His foot was already spiraling up his leg with green spiritual energy.
"Spiritual Kick: Tempest Fang!"
A blast echoed through the forest. The three enemies collapsed instantly, unconscious before they even hit the ground.
Kazuto, barely conscious, raised his head. "What… the hell…?"
Shun turned away without a second glance. "Can I go now? I've got business to take care of."
Ryju narrowed his eyes, watching Shun with a subtle concern.
"What's wrong with him?" he wondered. "He's acting different."
"Alright," Ryju said aloud. "Everyone, split into groups of two. Shun, you'll go with Goro. Rei, you're with Kuroyami. Me and Kenshiro will stay back and defend the flag."
"Got it," Rei nodded. "Don't let anyone take our flag."
"I don't plan on letting that happen," Ryju said with confidence.
Shun turned to Goro. "Come on. We're out."
"Alright. Be safe," Goro replied.
With a burst of movement, Shun and Goro disappeared into the trees.
Kuroyami nodded toward Ryju. "I'm counting on you."
Kenshiro lazily waved as he followed Rei. "Okay."
And just like that, the teams were off—scouts hunting flags while the others stood to defend.
Now only Ryju and Kenshiro remained in the clearing.
Ryju stood tall, flag in hand, senses sharp.
Kenshiro laid down in the grass.
"I'm taking a nap," he said flatly. "Wake me when something interesting happens."
Ryju sighed. "Fine. But you better be at full power when I do."
"No problem," Kenshiro replied, already half-asleep.
Elsewhere, across the forest…
Uzuki Team 8 | South Forest Sector
stood in the shadows, surrounded by his squad.
"Jake. Hana. Stay here with the rest of the team. You're on defense," he ordered.
Jake nodded. "Yes, sir."
"I promise we'll protect the flag," Hana added.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest...
Tension stirred within Team 17 | East Forest Sector.
"I'm the leader, so I'll decide what we do," a tall boy said proudly.
"No, you're not! I'm the leader!" another boy snapped.
Misa, their quiet yet commanding teammate, stepped between them.
"How about this," she said coolly. "You two come with me. The rest of the group stays back and defends."
Both boys immediately straightened up.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Back in the treetops, Kuroyami narrowed his eyes.
"I see a group," he said to Rei.
Rei grinned. "Then let's attack."
Elsewhere, Shun moved quickly through the woods, Goro just behind him.
"Why are you in such a rush?" Goro asked, keeping pace.
"I'm looking for the group that rejected me," Shun said, his voice low and cold. "The ones who called me weak."
Goro's eyes widened. "So… this is personal?"
"We'll find them," Shun said, narrowing his eyes. His breath fogged slightly in the cool air. "I'm going to get my revenge."
Shun clenched his fists. "Weak. That's what they called me. Never again."
Back at the clearing, Ryju's ears perked up.
"I hear a lot of noise," he said, standing.
Kenshiro rolled over. "I know. I can't even sleep."
Suddenly, Shun's voice rang out in the distance.
"Found them. There!"
Goro clenched his fists. "Let's show them how strong you are now."
Shun's eyes blazed. "Yeah."
A pulse echoed across the forest, followed by the voice of the Spiritual King.
"Team 45 has been eliminated."
Rei's eyes gleamed. "The party just got started."
Kuroyami nodded. "Now it's time."
Shun cracked his knuckles. "Oh yeah."
Goro stepped forward. "Time to get serious."
High in the branches, Uzuki watched it all unfold with a smile.
"This just got interesting."
Hana tightened her gloves. "It's time to defend."
"Yeah, big sis," Jake said, trying to sound tough.
Elsewhere, Misa turned to her squad. "It's going to get serious."
The two boys stepped forward. "Stay behind us!"
Back at the clearing, the Spiritual King's voice echoed again, surprised.
"Already? That was quick."
Team 1 | South Forest Sector
Kenshiro sat up, yawning. "First group down, huh?"
Ryju stood beside him, flag at the ready.
He looked out into the forest, where battles were igniting.
"The real game," he said, his voice low and determined, "has just begun."
To Be Continued...
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