The forest had grown quieter.
Not peaceful.
Just… thinner.
Fewer voices.
Fewer movements.
Fewer mistakes.
Students had been eliminated across Thunder Basin.
The remaining squads— were stronger.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
Raizen walked at the front.
Silent.
Focused.
Daigo carried the banner across his back.
Grip tighter than before.
Akari moved through the trees above them.
A shadow between branches.
Inside Raizen's mind—
Astra spoke:
"Remaining student count decreasing."
"Estimated active squads: five."
Daigo exhaled.
"…Five?"
Akari dropped beside them.
"That means no weak teams left."
Raizen nodded once.
Exactly.
The Map of the Basin
They reached a narrow clearing surrounded by stone walls.
Natural enclosure.
Limited exits.
Raizen crouched.
Drew lines in the dirt.
Ridges.
Water paths.
Tree density.
Previous engagements.
Akari watched closely.
"You're predicting movement."
Raizen shook his head.
"Not predicting."
Three marks.
Placed deliberately.
"Constraining."
Daigo frowned.
"…That sounds the same."
Raizen pointed.
"Water."
Then—
"High ground."
Then—
"Cover."
Akari's eyes sharpened.
"…So no matter what they want—"
Raizen finished:
"They come here."
He marked the center.
"The last battlefield."
Astra Confirms
Inside—
Astra processed.
"Convergence probability: 82%."
Daigo laughed quietly.
"So we're basically waiting for the final round."
Raizen stood.
"…No."
A glance toward the basin.
"It's already started."
Contact
Branches shifted.
Akari moved first.
"Contact."
Three figures stepped forward.
Controlled.
Confident.
A familiar voice:
"Well… you made it."
Rei Kurogane
Lightning flickered faintly across his arms.
Two teammates behind him.
Disciplined.
Ready.
Daigo sighed.
"…Of course it's you."
Rei's eyes locked onto Raizen.
Measured.
Interested.
"Looks like we finally get a real fight."
Raizen said nothing.
Akari spoke quietly:
"…He's not leaving."
Rei rolled his shoulders.
"Banner still intact?"
Daigo tapped it.
"Try and take it."
A faint smile.
Lightning sparked.
"I will."
Above the Basin
High above—
Kaito Ren leaned forward.
"Oh this is good."
Beside him—
Takeshi Aran remained still.
Ren smirked.
"Strongest squads. Same place."
Aran spoke quietly.
"…Not yet."
Ren glanced at him.
"They're still measuring."
The Stillness Before Impact
Back in the clearing—
No one moved.
Wind passed through the trees.
Four fighters.
Two squads.
No wasted motion.
No rushed decision.
Just awareness.
Inside Raizen—
Astra:
"Opponent analysis updating."
"Speed: extremely high."
"Threat level: significant."
Raizen's grip tightened slightly.
Rei stepped forward.
"…You're different."
Lightning flickered.
"Let's see how much."
Raizen reached for his sword.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Akari drew.
Arrow locked.
Daigo planted the banner.
Feet grounded.
The clearing went silent.
The Storm Forms
Above Thunder Basin—
Clouds thickened.
Wind shifted.
Lightning cracked across the sky.
Ren looked up.
"…You feel that?"
Aran didn't look away from the battlefield.
"…Yes."
His voice was quiet.
Certain.
"…The storm is gathering."
And below—
It had already begun.