Heavens Arena was currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity. The number of challengers and spectators had grown so rapidly that the management ran out of rings, leading to the recent commencement of a massive construction project to build a second tower, turning the landmark into a twin-tower complex.
Even in the midst of this chaotic expansion, the heat of battle on the 200th floor remained as intense as ever. Today, a fierce clash between Floor Masters and those aiming for their seats was about to begin.
"Hello, everyone!! Today we have a special treat—a non-traditional match! It's time for a three-on-three Team Battle!!"
This Team Battle was a new addition to the Arena's experimental roster. The rules were high-stakes: winning teams gained significantly more points, but losing teams suffered an equally sharp deduction.
"Our very first Team Battle features a luxury lineup where every participant is a Floor Master! This is a legendary clash that is guaranteed to shake up the rankings!!"
The Arena had recently overhauled its traditional system of 'ten wins for Floor Master status and four losses for expulsion.' Now, it used a point-based system where fighters were ranked by their win-loss ratio. It was a dynamic environment where fighters had to keep competing to earn points, while those who sat idle would find themselves automatically demoted.
Currently, Kastro and Gordon held the top two spots in the rankings by a wide margin. In a recent match, Gordon had just reclaimed the number one spot for the first time in two months.
"Joining me for today's play-by-play is a man who was somehow officially hired as a regular—our favorite long-haired commentator!!"
"Heh. I expect a magnificent match that will be nominated for this year's Best Bout. However, since we are colleagues now, I think it's about time you used my name…"
"Moving right along! First, let's welcome the men who appeared suddenly in a Heavens Arena that had seen far less blood since the departure of that sadistic clown, Hisoka! The new dark heroes for the bloodthirsty masses, the trio you know and love—The Bombers!!"
Heavy metal music blared in sync with the announcement. Beneath the flashing spotlights, three men emerged from the entrance.
"First up, the physical powerhouse of the trio! The man who welcomes enemy attacks just to pump himself up in a display of pure pro-wrestling grit—the 'Power' Bomber, Bara!!"
"He often finds himself at a point disadvantage, but his KO rate is exceptionally high," the long-haired man noted. "He looks like a brawler, but he's capable of throwing very compact, efficient strikes. A fine fighter."
Bara, his long hair tied back and his face adorned with war paint, entered shirtless. He flexed his muscles—which had grown considerably since his time on Greed Island—and let out a roar in response to the guttural cheers of the crowd.
"Next, the technician! A combat expert who gives his opponents no openings with his graceful, rapid-fire combinations—the 'Skill' Bomber, Sub!!"
"His total balance is superb. His transitions between techniques are seamless. Unlike Bara, he tends to win via technical knockouts through point accumulation."
Sub, the man with the perennially squinted eyes, hadn't changed much in appearance since Greed Island, but his technique had been significantly refined through countless battles at the Arena. He reached the ring where Bara was waiting, and the two bumped fists with fearless grins.
"And finally! The man himself! The cruel, ruthless bomber who explodes anyone he catches!! The highest-ranked of the three and currently skyrocketing at Rank 7—the leader of The Bombers, Genthru!!"
"Strong," the commentator stated flatly. "He lacks Bara's raw power and Sub's pure technique, but he has no weaknesses. And that explosion once he grabs you is a literal death sentence. He is a serious contender for the top of the rankings."
Genthru emerged with a refreshing smile that stood in stark contrast to his brutal fighting style. He walked through a chorus of cheers and terrified screams, looking perfectly at home. Back when he had been tied up by Hisoka, he had sensed a miserable end to his life; now, he and his comrades were enjoying the absolute peak of their careers.
"There it is! Their signature pose—the three-way thumbs-up! Will they dye the ring red with blood again today?!"
As the Bombers gathered in the ring, the background music shifted to a more upbeat, pop-inspired tune. The opposite entrance gate was bathed in bright light.
"And here are the heroes standing against the villainous Bombers!!"
A surprisingly small silhouette entered. This boy had climbed the ranks to become the youngest Floor Master, filling the void left by Gon and Killua.
"First up, the youngest Floor Master and the favorite of every big sister and brother in the crowd! The tiny powerhouse wielding the world-renowned Shingen-ryu—it's Zushi!!"
"His rank is still low, but his daily growth is remarkable. He's a fighter overflowing with youth. I'm sure we'll see him evolve even further during this match."
Zushi, looking a bit nervous but energetic, gave a loud "Osu!" and climbed into the ring. He glared at the Bombers, his spirit burning with a determination not to lose.
"Next! The 'Angry Tiger' who just fell to Rank 2 after Gordon overtook him in points!! Will his twin tigers tear the enemy apart today? It's Kastro!!"
"His performance since his loss to Hisoka has been truly stellar. His precision and physical abilities have improved visibly. In fact, Kastro and Gordon are working so hard that there's a proposal to reset the points every year just to keep things competitive."
Kastro had discarded his large, theatrical cape in favor of simple kung fu attire and shoes. His long hair was tied back in a ponytail. By removing the blind spots his previous outfit created, he had returned to the look of a pure martial artist, which also made it harder for opponents to spot the tells of his "Double" ability.
"And finally, the man of the hour! The man who turned the second season of the anime into a massive success and single-handedly lowered the average age of our audience!! Rumor has it his sponsorship deals with toy and animation companies are astronomical—it's the real-life Beyblade, Gido!!"
"A truly fascinating evolution—"
"DO YOUR BEST, GIDO!!" a child screamed from the stands.
"...Do your best," the commentator repeated dryly.
To the tune of an unnecessarily high-energy anime theme song, a small man entered while spinning rapidly. His vibrant outfit was covered in jagged, colorful armor at the shoulders and elbows. When he stopped spinning, his face looked like a rugged transformation hero. He spread his arms wide as the children in the audience erupted in cheers.
"Gwahaha! The rotation of the stars is in my hands!!"
"IN HIS HANDS!!" the children (and a few deep-voiced adults) roared back.
With all participants in the ring, the specific rules were explained:
Significant point fluctuations based on win/loss.
Three consecutive one-on-one matches with no mid-match substitutions.
The team with the most individual wins takes the match, though losing fighters still earn individual performance points.
"Let's get this started immediately! Who are our first combatants?!"
In a Team Battle, the first match was crucial for momentum. Bara and Zushi stepped forward.
"What?! We've started with the biggest physical disparity possible! The 'big sister' fans are already screaming in agony!!"
"Actually, it's not a bad matchup," the commentator noted. "Zushi is a technical fighter who is still growing. He likely has a higher win probability against Bara than he would against Sub or Genthru."
As the massive Bara and the young Zushi faced off in the center of the ring, the staggering difference in their physiques was obvious to everyone. Bara's mocking grin and Zushi's determined, tight-lipped expression perfectly illustrated the current gap in their experience.
"The betting odds are in! Bara is the heavy favorite with a ten-to-one lead!! And there's the opening gong!"
"Fight!!"
Zushi lunged forward the moment the match was called. He used his small frame to its full advantage, leaping and dancing around Bara while unleashing a relentless barrage of strikes.
Bara didn't even bother to defend. He didn't retreat; he simply took every blow directly to his body.
"Heh... heh..."
Zushi backed away to catch his breath after the flurry. Bara, bleeding slightly from his nose and mouth but otherwise unfazed, didn't even pursue him. He just laughed.
"Your hits are light! I can take a hundred of those and it won't mean a thing!!"
"...You're as amazing as I thought. You're really strong," Zushi panted.
Zushi was leading in points, but it was clear to everyone who was being pushed to the brink. Zushi caught his breath and rushed in for another barrage, but Bara let out a raw, powerful full-swing that blew Zushi away, guard and all.
"Playtime is over. Try to make your screams sound pathetic for the fans, okay?"
While a few twisted spectators got excited at the prospect of the "Leorio-style" beating about to occur, the majority of the crowd let out worried cries.
Zushi, however, focused his aura and shifted his stance.
"I know I can't beat you as I am now... but I'm still nowhere near those people!"
"Huh?" Bara grunted.
"Here I go! This is my Nen ability: Idol of Aspiration — Virtual Fighter!!"
A massive amount of aura swirled around Zushi. His stance shifted away from the refined Shingen-ryu style into something rougher, yet more powerful and unrefined.
"Select: Gon! Let's go!!"
Zushi charged with a level of explosive force he hadn't shown before. He pulled back a fist and swung with a massive haymaker. Whether it was veteran instinct or pure luck, Bara managed to pull up a guard just as the blow connected.
"Gah?!"
Unlike the previous hits he had tanked, this strike sent a shockwave deep into Bara's core, even through his guard.
(What the hell was that?! The power just spiked through the roof!)
Zushi's ability, Idol of Aspiration: Virtual Fighter, allowed him to "operate" his own body to mimic the combat style and abilities of others. The conditions were strict: he had to explain the ability and receive permission/instruction from the person he wanted to mimic, and he had to harbor a deep, sincere admiration for their strength.
The restrictions were equally heavy. He could only maintain a mimicry for one minute. Furthermore, the "reproduction" was scaled down based on Zushi's own mastery of Shingen-ryu. If he ever believed he had truly surpassed the person he was mimicking, he would lose the ability to use their style. It didn't make him "instantly" stronger, but it provided a terrifyingly unpredictable shift in combat style.
"Why you...! Don't get cocky!"
"Time's up! Select: Killua!"
Immediately after holding his own in a contest of strength, Zushi's "gear" shifted. Sudden speed and lethal precision targeted Bara's vitals. Zushi was accumulating damage while maintaining his point lead—it was a calculated, faithful style of attack that suited Zushi's honest nature.
"...Alright. I acknowledge you."
"Hah... hah... Select: Wing!!"
He chose the style of the Shingen-ryu master he had watched and admired from the closest distance.
"You're strong enough that I can't afford to play around anymore," Bara growled.
The mimicry, which allowed Zushi to fight at a level slightly beyond his natural capacity, certainly reached Bara. However, it couldn't fully bridge the gap in their fundamental "base" power. Fighting beyond his limits meant Zushi's aura was being consumed like water.
"Zushi is knocked out! The winner is Bara!!"
As Zushi's movements slowed from exhaustion, Bara landed a finishing blow and let out a victory roar. Internally, however, he offered a salute to the young fighter whose growth would surely be explosive from here on out.
"That was a good fight. You earned that win," Kastro said as he stepped toward the ring.
"So you're my opponent? I'll secure our victory right here," Sub replied, stepping up to meet him.
The second match of the Team Battle—Kastro vs. Sub—was about to begin.
***
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