Although Mikasa's attacks had suppressed Annie in momentum, did that guarantee Mikasa's victory?
Not necessarily. At least, Ryo wasn't so optimistic.
And he wasn't the only one with this thought.
"Eren, this isn't looking good for Mikasa," Armin whispered, concern evident in his tone.
Eren frowned. "How? Mikasa's completely dominating!"
Armin shook his head. "No, this is Annie's strategy."
Though he was rooting for Mikasa, their childhood friendship outweighed his regard for Annie. Yet, as much as Armin wanted Mikasa to win, his analytical mind couldn't ignore the reality.
"Mikasa's attacks are relentless, but..." Armin hesitated, glancing back at the field. Annie's defense, though seemingly faltering, wasn't collapsing. Armin had noticed something others might have missed—Annie's breathing rhythm was still steady. Her endurance and composure were untouched.
Mikasa, on the other hand, was slowing. Though her strikes had weakened Annie's stance, the sheer effort was taking its toll. Her attacks weren't as sharp, and her breathing had become uneven.
"If this keeps up," Armin said, his voice low, "Mikasa might tire herself out. That's when Annie will strike back."
Eren's eyes widened. He turned his attention back to the duel. Sure enough, Annie's movements were shifting. She wasn't just defending now—she was baiting. A fierce determination had returned to her eyes.
Eren clenched his fists. He recognized that expression—it was the same look Annie had when she defeated him and Reiner.
Could Mikasa handle Annie's counter?
Ryo, standing to the side, had already seen through Mikasa's plan.
"Mikasa Ackerman," he murmured to himself, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "You never fail to impress me."
Unlike most onlookers, Ryo had noticed the subtle deception in Mikasa's strategy. She wasn't truly exhausted. She had adjusted her attacks, slowly reducing her power and speed just enough to make Annie believe she was weakening.
The bait was irresistible.
"Will Annie fall for it?" Ryo wondered aloud. From his vantage point, he could see the risk Mikasa was taking. The margin for error was slim, but if Annie took the bait, victory would be Mikasa's.
Then, it happened. Annie blocked one of Mikasa's strikes with a calculated backhand, and in an instant, she seized the opportunity to counter. Her hand latched onto Mikasa's arm, yanking her off balance.
Ryo's sharp eyes caught the motion. "Ah, tai chi-style redirection," he murmured. "Interesting."
Annie pulled Mikasa forward, disrupting her stance and exposing her defenses. In a split second, Mikasa staggered, her right foot shooting forward to regain balance.
"It's over, Mikasa Ackerman," Annie whispered as they passed each other.
But Mikasa's sharp reply froze Annie in place.
"Really? I think so too."
Before Annie could process Mikasa's words, she felt a sudden shift. The arm she had grabbed was now locking her own, and Mikasa's free hand had already struck her body with precision.
Annie's vision blurred as her world spun. Her center of gravity vanished, and before she knew it, she was airborne.
The crowd erupted in gasps and cheers as Mikasa executed a flawless throw, sending Annie crashing to the ground.
Ryo chuckled softly. "Perfectly played, Mikasa."
Annie lay on her back, her chest heaving as she stared up at the sky. Mikasa stood over her, calm and unwavering.
"That's the difference between you and me," Mikasa said, her voice quiet but firm.
Annie didn't respond immediately. She simply closed her eyes, a faint smile curling her lips. For the first time in a long while, she felt the thrill of being genuinely outmatched.
Ryo clapped his hands, stepping forward to break the tension. "An impressive match from both of you," he said, his tone light but respectful. "It seems we've all learned something today."
The recruits around them broke into applause, their cheers filling the air. While Mikasa's victory was celebrated, the duel had also highlighted Annie's resilience and skill.
But one thing was clear: Mikasa Ackerman was a force to be reckoned with.