Metal City's public battle plaza was alive as always. Bladers filled the stadium, launching their Beys, challenging anyone who made eye contact. It was the usual routine of spin battles, cheers, and the clash of metal.
But today, a new presence entered the stadium.
Hikaru Hasama.
She didn't announce herself. She didn't need to. Her sharp, composed gait cut through the scattered noise. With Storm Acquario clipped to her belt, her steps were light, yet every stride carried the quiet confidence of a Blader who never wasted motion.
As she approached the stadium, a group of local Bladers were finishing up a match. One of them, a tall boy with a loud voice, noticed her standing near the launch platform.
"You here to battle, girl?" he called out, smirking. "You don't look like you're here for a spin."
Hikaru's expression didn't change. She stepped forward, unclipping Acquario from her belt. "I'll take the next match."
The boy laughed, gesturing to his group. "Alright, boys. Let's see if she can handle it. One round, standard rules."
Hikaru nodded.
Near the far side of the plaza, Gingka, Kenta, Madoka, and Aarav had just arrived, having heard whispers of a new Blader stepping up. Kenta was bouncing with excitement.
"Gingka! That's her! That's the new Blader everyone's talking about!"
Gingka folded his arms, grinning. "Looks like today's gonna be interesting."
Madoka raised her device, scanning Capricorn's specs. "Storm Acquario M145Q… solid build, but it's the user we should watch."
Aarav didn't speak. His gaze remained steady on the stadium, arms crossed as he silently observed Hikaru's movements.
The match was set.
Hikaru stood on one side, calm and focused. The opposing Blader on the other, spinning his launcher with casual bravado.
"Three! Two! One! Let it rip!"
Both launchers snapped.
Acquario burst onto the stadium floor with a sharp, clean spin, its movement tight, controlled. The opposing Beyblade, a heavy attacker, slammed into the stadium with raw force, bouncing slightly from the impact.
The clash began.
The opposing Blader wasted no time, driving his Beyblade straight toward Acquario with aggressive lunges. But Hikaru didn't react. Capricorn shifted effortlessly, its movements subtle but precise, dodging the attacks with minimal motion.
"Come on! Stand still!" the Blader shouted, frustration building as his attacks met nothing but air.
Madoka, watching closely, smiled. "She's controlling the center without staying still. That's advanced footwork for a Bey."
Gingka's grin widened. "She's not even trying to clash. She's just moving."
Aarav's eyes didn't blink.
The opposing Beyblade lunged again, but this time, Acquario responded.
With a swift directional shift, Capricorn's spin accelerated into a sharp arc, clipping the opponent's Beyblade from the side—not with brute force, but with precise timing.
The impact destabilized the opponent's blade, sending it wobbling.
"Aquario. Spiral Press."
Hikaru's voice was calm, but the command was absolute.
Storm Aquario executed a series of tight rotational spins, each pass pressing the opponent's blade further off-balance. It wasn't flashy. It wasn't loud. It was clean, effective, and final.
The opposing Beyblade lost its spin, collapsing onto its side.
Match over.
The crowd murmured. There were no explosive reactions, but there was no denying the dominance on display.
Kenta's jaw dropped. "That was… so simple."
Madoka nodded. "She dismantled his offense with timing, not force."
Gingka chuckled. "I like her style. She doesn't waste a move."
Aarav's gaze stayed fixed. He hadn't moved since the match started, but now, his hand gently tapped Phoenix clipped at his side.
The opposing Blader retrieved his Beyblade, offering no snide remarks this time. Hikaru, as calm as when she arrived, clipped Capricorn back to her belt and stepped away from the stadium.
As she turned, her eyes met Gingka's first.
He smiled, giving her a thumbs up. "Nice spin out there."
Her gaze shifted slightly—to Aarav. Their eyes met. No words were exchanged, but in that brief moment, Hikaru acknowledged him—not as an opponent, not as a threat—but as a Blader who understood what a battle should be.
She gave a small nod.
Then, without ceremony, she walked away, leaving the plaza just as quietly as she had arrived.
Gingka stretched, hands behind his head. "Looks like Metal City just got itself another tough Blader."
Kenta was still buzzing. "I want to battle her one day!"
Madoka smiled, lowering her device. "You'll need to refine your control first, Kenta."
Aarav didn't say anything. He watched where Hikaru had disappeared, his grip on Phoenix tightening slightly.
It wasn't a challenge. It wasn't a rivalry.
It was the simple understanding between Bladers.
Sooner or later, they would battle.
But not today.
Today, she had simply shown them how she spins.