The morning of the match broke under a heavy, grey sky.
Nathan stood in the team's staging room, staring at the updated bracket projected on the wall. After the chaotic first round, thirty-two teams had been cut in half. The Round of 16 was set. Eight matches to decide the quarterfinalists.
And their next opponent was locked in: The Eastern Dominion.
"It's Kaito Shimizu," Nathan said, turning back to the group. "He's fast, he's aggressive, and he's carrying an SS-Rank class. We're going to need everyone focused."
He caught Smithy's eye. "You're in the main lineup today. Your shadow control can disrupt their vanguard. We need that control."
