"Yes!"
Mikasa's deep voice carried an unmistakable determination. Presented with the opportunity, she wouldn't let it slip away. If she could defeat Annie and prove her superiority, Eren would come to her for training next time.
"In that case, let's have a competition," Annie replied, taking her fighting stance.
Her stance resembled a boxer's, focusing on quick footwork and body flexibility. Annie relied on her agility to overcome opponents, a strategy that had allowed her to defeat Eren and Reiner previously. Despite their strength and height advantages, her skills dismantled their offense with ease.
However, Mikasa wasn't like the others. She was a formidable opponent, and Annie, though confident, remained cautious. Her posture reflected her readiness for battle.
"Haha, looks like you two are serious about this. How about I act as the notary?"
Ryo pushed through the crowd of onlookers, stepping up to mediate. His presence immediately made both women wary.
Though Ryo had never fought either of them directly, his strength was well-known. After the battle with the Titans, the officers had allowed him a month of solo training. Upon his return, his aura had shifted, carrying a faint but unmistakable murderous intent. It was the air of someone who had survived and killed in countless battles.
To skilled fighters like Annie and Mikasa, Ryo's transformation was impossible to ignore. He had grown even stronger.
"Fine by me," Annie said indifferently, her eyes scanning him cautiously. Though wary, she wasn't intimidated. Since Ryo wasn't stepping into the ring, there was no reason for her to hold back.
"What about you, Mikasa?" Ryo turned to her.
Mikasa didn't even glance at him. Her focus was solely on Annie. Like a blade unsheathed, her resolve was sharp and unyielding.
"It doesn't matter," she replied curtly, her words cold and direct.
At that moment, Mikasa exuded an aura of raw aggression, while Annie maintained the calmness of a seasoned defender. Mikasa was the sword, Annie the shield. One favored relentless offense, the other thrived on unshakable defense.
Their duel promised to be spectacular, and Ryo was tempted to grab a chair and watch the show.
"In that case, are you two ready?" Ryo asked.
Neither answered with words. Instead, they lunged at each other simultaneously, the battle commencing without any formalities.
"Going straight for the fight, huh? Interesting," Ryo murmured, crossing his arms as he observed.
Mikasa's strengths lay in her unmatched speed and raw power. Annie's advantage, however, came from her extensive combat experience and masterful technique. Both leaned into their respective strengths, trying to exploit the other's weaknesses.
Mikasa's attacks were relentless and calculated, each strike designed to compress Annie's reaction time. Annie's usual counters, reliant on exploiting her opponent's openings, were rendered ineffective under Mikasa's sheer speed and precision. Though Annie's defense held strong, she found it nearly impossible to launch an effective counter.
Ryo nodded in approval as he watched Mikasa's strategy unfold. It was clear she had analyzed Annie's earlier fights, including her matches against Eren. Mikasa's approach capitalized on Annie's defensive tendencies, forcing her into a corner.
This strategy, Ryo noted, was something he himself might use. However, his own lower-body training gave him an added edge. A stable center of gravity made him resistant to Annie's trips and throws, allowing him to press his advantage further. Mikasa, while impressively offensive, lacked the same defensive stability, though her raw talent compensated for it.
The recruits watching the fight were awestruck. Mikasa's relentless barrage left Annie with no openings, and Annie's famous counterattacks were nowhere to be seen. Most spectators assumed Mikasa's victory was inevitable.
Many began cheering for Mikasa, including her admirers like Marco and others who were enamored with her skill and presence.
Meanwhile, a smaller group worried for Annie.
Among them, Bertolt Hoover stood out. His concern for Annie wasn't merely that of a comrade. His admiration for her—both her stoic demeanor and her skill—was obvious to anyone who paid attention.
As Mikasa's relentless attacks continued, Bertolt clenched his fists.
Could Annie endure this?