Kazuichi stood among his friends, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. His heart thumped steadily in his chest, a controlled rhythm that belied the turmoil within. He knew that today's matches would be unlike any they had experienced before. The stakes were higher, the tension palpable. And with Ryuunosuke's cryptic announcement still fresh in everyone's mind, there was an undercurrent of urgency that none could ignore.
"Kazuichi," Arisu's voice drew his attention. She stood beside him, her expression serious yet calm. "What's the plan? We don't know who we'll be up against."
Kazuichi paused for a moment, considering their options. "We'll need to stay sharp. Focus on defense first, and gauge our opponents' strategies. We can't afford to go all out right away—there might be more matches after this."
