The arena screens flickered.
All six fighters stood barely upright.
Salt wind from the ocean drifted faintly through the open upper vents of the ship.
The system voice echoed:
"Energy signatures stabilized."
"Damage thresholds calculated."
"Final output comparison complete."
Silence.
Even the waves below felt quieter.
Nepal side. Japan side. Both waiting.
Riku didn't break eye contact with Kaito.
Mira stood steady. Toma adjusted his cracked gauntlet slightly.
Then—
The screen flashed.
MATCH RESULTS:
• Duel 1 – Riku vs Kaito → Draw
• Duel 2 – Mira vs Ayane → Mira Wins
• Duel 3 – Toma vs Haru → Haru Wins
Total Score:
NEPAL – 1
JAPAN – 1
1 DRAW
The arena murmured loudly.
The AI continued:
"Based on accumulated Core stability and platform endurance metrics…"
"Team Nepal retains 4% higher residual energy."
"Winner of Inter-Ship Round: TEAM C – NEPAL."
For a second—
No one reacted.
Then—
Nepali flags lifted. Cheers exploded. The ship echoed with applause.
But Japan's team did not look defeated.
Kaito exhaled slowly.
"Four percent…"
Haru laughed loudly.
"Next time, no calculations. I'll crush the platform."
Ayane adjusted her ribbon calmly.
"You're interesting opponents."
Ren Arashi — Japan's captain — stepped forward.
His eyes locked onto Riku.
"That energy fluctuation earlier."
Riku froze slightly.
Ren continued:
"You're standing at the edge of something dangerous."
The air felt heavier.
Bolt's aura flickered faintly again—
Just for a second.
This time—
Mira noticed.
She glanced at Riku.
He pretended not to.
Docking Alert
The ship's navigation system interrupted:
"Approaching next docking nation."
"Coordinates confirmed: Japan Territorial Port."
The massive tournament vessel slowed.
Through the arena glass walls—
Neon city lights reflected across the ocean surface.
Japan.
More teams waiting.
More Spirit Masters boarding.
More pressure.
Ren turned before leaving.
"Enjoy the victory," he said calmly.
"On this ship… wins don't stay simple."
Japan team exited.
Nepal stood alone for a moment.
Toma grinned.
"Four percent. I'll take it."
Mira crossed her arms.
"You felt it too, didn't you?"
Riku didn't answer immediately.
He looked at his gauntlet.
Lightning shimmered.
For a split second—
The blue turned darker again.
Then normal.
He smiled.
"Let's just keep winning."
But deep inside—
Something had begun.
⚡ End of Chapter 35