Without wasting another second, Team SSSN charged at Rinko in unison, their movements a coordinated dance of aggression.Sun led the charge, his staff spinning like a blur, while Scarlet flanked from the left, brandishing his saber.Sage came in from the right, hefting his massive sword with a determined roar, and Neptune ran with SageThe forest shook with their combined footsteps, leaves rustling and dirt kicking up as the four fighters converged on their lone opponent.The energy in the arena was palpable, the crowd on the edge of their seats as they watched the four-on-one assault unfold.Rinko stood still, his posture calm yet poised, his katana held firmly in his grip.His silver hair gleamed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, and his sharp eyes followed their every move.He exhaled slowly, steadying himself, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his blade.The moment Sun's staff came within striking range, Rinko moved. He sidestepped the initial swing, his katana meeting the staff with a sharp clang.Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed, but Rinko didn't linger. With fluid precision, he spun on his heel, using the momentum to deflect Scarlet's saber. The clash of steel rang through the arena, a sharp echo that signaled the intensity of the battle.Scarlet and Sun pressed the attack, their relentless blows coming in rapid succession.Rinko, however, maintained his composure, weaving through their strikes with calculated precision.Every swing of Scarlet's saber and every strike of Sun's staff met either the sharp edge of Rinko's katana or the air where he had been just moments before.The two attackers synchronized their movements, delivering a powerful kick aimed squarely at Rinko's torso.Reacting instantly, Rinko crossed his arms, absorbing the impact.Rinko's aura went from 100% to 97%.The sheer force of their combined attack sent him skidding backward, his boots digging into the dirt to regain footing.Before he could recover fully, Sage capitalized on the moment. With a thunderous cry, he charged forward, his massive sword Pilgrim descending in a devastating arc meant to cut Rinko down.Rinko's eyes flickered toward the incoming attack, and with a graceful twist of his body, he narrowly evaded the blade.The massive sword cleaved into the ground where Rinko had stood, kicking up a cloud of dirt and debris.Rinko's boots barely touched the dirt before Neptune joined the fray.The trident-wielder's weapon shifted in his hands, transforming into a sleek spear. Neptune lunged forward, the spear tip glinting as it aimed for Rinko's midsection.Rinko met the attack with a quick parry, his katana deflecting the spear's thrust with a sharp clang.The force of the impact sent vibrations up his arm, but Rinko held firm, twisting his blade to redirect the weapon harmlessly to the side.Then he saw it.In the reflection of his katana's polished blade, he caught a glimpse of the others.Sun, Scarlet, and Sage were closing in from behind, their movements coordinated, their weapons poised to exploit what they thought was an opening in his defense.With a calm exhale, Rinko reached into his pouch and dropped a pair of smoke bombs at his feet. A sharp click triggered a sudden eruption of thick, gray smoke that engulfed the immediate area."Cough-cough! What the?!" Scarlet exclaimed, his voice muffled by the haze. Sun waved his staff wildly, trying to clear the smoke, while Neptune tensed, his spear ready but his vision obscured.The audience collectively gasped, leaning forward in their seats to catch even a glimpse of what was happening within the cloud.The screens flickered as the automated cameras struggled to capture the swift chaos unfolding within the arena. The thick smoke billowed across the battlefield, obscuring visibility for both the fighters and the audience.Sage, who had been standing just beside Sun, suddenly pulled within the smoke, disappearing into the haze with a sharp, muffled sound."Sage!" Sun shouted, instinctively stepping forward to pursue him, only for Neptune to grab his shoulder and pull him back."Don't rush in! It's what he wants," Neptune warned, his voice steady but tense.Sun clenched his fists, his golden eyes darting between the smoke and Neptune.Neptune continued, "We're already in his trap. Splitting us up is exactly what he's after!"Despite his frustration, Sun took Neptune's words into account. The three remaining members of Team SSSN formed a tight triangle, their backs to one another, their weapons raised as their eyes scanned the dissipating smoke for any sign of Rinko.Without warning, Sage's body came hurtling out of the smoke like a ragdoll, crashing into the dirt with a heavy, resounding thud that echoed across the arena.He gritted his teeth and struggled to rise, but before he could react, Rinko emerged from the smoke like a phantom, his katana gleaming.Rinko's first slash came fast, striking across Sage's chest and forcing his aura to flare in defense.Sage swung Pilgrim in retaliation, but Rinko ducked beneath the massive blade, delivering a precise slash to Sage's arm, then his abdomen in rapid succession.Each blow was clean and efficient, chipping away at Sage's aura with merciless precision.Every time Sage attempts to counter Rinko, Rinko will dodge and also countering his counter with a slash somewhere in between Sage's swings.The crowd roared as the screen displayed Sage's aura level dropping rapidly. It had been at 78%, but now the numbers plummeted with every calculated strike from Rinko. 60%. 45%. 30%.Sage growled in frustration, attempting another wild swing to create distance, but Rinko sidestepped with ease.With a sharp pivot, he delivered a slash aimed at Sage's neck, the blade stopping just short as Sage's aura absorbed the damage. The screen now showed a critical warning: Aura Level: 15%"Not done yet!" Sage roared, mustering his strength for one last desperate counter.But Rinko was already moving, faster than Sage could react.In a blur of motion, Rinko swept low and delivered a devastating upward kick to Sage's jaw. The impact sent Sage flying out of the arena, his massive frame skidding to a halt near the edge of the platform.The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps as Sage groaned, his aura completely depleted. His body slumped in defeat, lying just outside the ring.As the smoke cleared, Rinko stood tall, katana resting lightly in his hand, his posture relaxed yet commanding.The remaining members of Team SSSN froze as they took in the sight: Rinko standing just ahead of the dissipating smoke, Sage's defeated form sprawled in the distance."Sage.." Sun muttered, his eyes narrowing"Divide and conquer..." Neptune murmured, gripping his spear tighter.Scarlet clenched his saber, his knuckles whitening.Rinko's eyes flicked toward them, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Uh—One down," he said quietly, his voice carrying through the arena like a warning. He raised his katana and pointed it at the remaining three. "Who's next?"The crowd roared in approval as the commentators chimed in with excitement."Unbelievable! Rinko has just eliminated Sage Ayana with surgical succession! The smoke was a masterstroke—what a display of strategy and skill!"On the sidelines, the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR leaned forward, their faces a mix of awe and anxiety."Did you see that?" Ruby gasped, her silver eyes wide. "He took out Sage like it was nothing!""He didn't just overpower him," Blake added, her voice thoughtful. "He dismantled him. Every move was calculated."Back in the arena, Sun, Scarlet, and Neptune tightened their formations. They knew they had to step up their game if they wanted to stand a chance against the enigma that was Rinko.Scarlet gritted his teeth, his frustration bubbling over.Without waiting for a signal, Scarlet dashed forward, pulling out Hook, his trusty modified-flintlock handgun, with a fiery determination to combine it with his saber Darling in a relentless assault."Scarlet, wait—!" Sun shouted, alarm flashing across his face as he reached out to stop his teammate.But it was too late-Scarlet was already charging headlong into danger."This is bad," Neptune muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon as it shifted seamlessly from a trident into a sleek rifle.Neptune raised it, training his sights on Rinko, hoping to cover Scarlet from afar.Rinko, however, didn't flinch. He watched Scarlet's approach with a calm, almost detached gaze. The corners of his lips tugged into a faint smirk as he read the boy's movements."Hmph," Scarlet muttered, swinging Darling against Rinko Schnee.It's blade whistling through the air with force. Rinko met it effortlessly with his katana, the clash of steel reverberating through the arena.The sheer strength behind Scarlet's strike caused the ground beneath Rinko's feet to crack slightly, but he held his stance firm, his katana unwavering."Huh.. Not bad," Rinko remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.Scarlet gritted his teeth, he pushed Rinko back. He quickly aimed Hook at close range and pulled the trigger.A barrage of shots rang out, each one aimed directly at Rinko's chest.Bang-Bang-Bang-Bang!Rinko's response was instantaneous. In one fluid motion, he twisted his katana to deflect the incoming bullets, each one ricocheting harmlessly into the surrounding forest. The speed and precision of his movements were so seamless that the bullets never came close to landing a hit.Scarlet's eyes widened in disbelief. "You've gotta be kidding me!"But Rinko wasn't done yet. His sharp eyes locked onto Scarlet as he closed the distance in an instant.Before Scarlet could react, Rinko's katana sliced across his chest in a controlled but punishing arc.The blow sent Scarlet staggering backward, his aura rippling as it absorbed the impact."Ugh—!" Scarlet groaned, clutching his chest. His aura meter on the screen dropped from 80% to 64%, the stark difference drawing audible gasps from the crowd.Rinko moved to press the advantage, stepping forward with a calm yet relentless focus.His blade gleamed as he raised it for another strike, but a sudden burst of energy bolts from Neptune's rifle interrupted his momentum.The shots tore through the air, their crackling energy forcing Rinko to halt his assault.He twisted his katana to deflect the incoming barrage.Each bolt met the flat of his blade with a flash of sparks, ricocheting harmlessly into the dirt around him.Rinko's eyes darted toward the treeline, where Neptune knelt in a sharpshooter stance, his rifle aimed steadily at his target.Neptune fired another volley, attempting to pin Rinko in place.This time, however, Rinko didn't deflect the shots. Instead, he ducked low and moved with a fluidity that seemed almost unnatural, weaving through the deadly projectiles with precision.Each step he took brought him closer to Neptune, the gap between them shrinking rapidly.Scarlet, still reeling from the earlier strike, grits his teeth and forced himself upright.He wasn't out of the fight yet.With Darling in hand, he charged at Rinko's flank, hoping to catch him off guard."Hey! Eyes on me!" Scarlet shouted, swinging his saber in a wide arc.Rinko didn't even glance at Scarlet as he sidestepped the initial swing, his katana rising effortlessly to parry the follow-up strike.Scarlet gritted his teeth, frustration etched across his face as he tried to find an opening.With a sharp twist of his wrist, Scarlet pointed his handgun, Hook, at Rinko. But instead of firing a bullet, the mechanism on the handle whirred to life, and a grappling hook shot out with a metallic clink.The hook's claws extended, aiming to clamp onto Rinko's thigh and throw him off balance.Rinko's sharp eyes caught the movement instantly.With a fluid motion, he released one hand from his katana and caught the grappling hook mid-flight, stopping it mere inches from his leg.Scarlet's eyes widened in disbelief.Rinko gave a faint smirk, tugging the grappling line with a calculated pull. Scarlet stumbled forward, his footing thrown off as he was yanked toward Rinko like a fish caught on a line.Before Scarlet could react, Rinko's knee shot upward with precision and force, driving into Scarlet's face with a sickening,BAM.The sound echoed through the arena, followed by a collective gasp from the audience.His aura flared in response, absorbing most of the damage, but his meter on the screen visibly dipped from 64% to 42%."Scarlet!" Neptune's voice rang out from the treeline, panic evident as he fired Tri-Hard rifle mode.Scarlet groaned, his body trembling as he tried to steady himself. His defenses were down, and Rinko wasn't one to waste an opportunity.Rinko dodged the blue bolts heading for him while his attention was at Scarlet.With a sharp step forward, Rinko closed the gap and delivered a swift, precise slash across Scarlet's torso. The impact caused his aura to flicker violently, dropping from 42% to 23%.Neptune stopped firing, Rinko's too close to Scarlet.Scarlet staggered, his breath ragged, but Rinko wasn't finished.In a single fluid motion, he thrust his katana forward, striking Scarlet square in the chest. The force of the blow sent Scarlet hurtling backward, his aura dipping even further-from 23% to a precarious 17%.The crowd collectively gasped as Scarlet hit the ground with a thud, the wind knocked out of him.He groaned, trying to push himself up, but Rinko was already on him. With a burst of speed, Rinko dashed forward, his movements a blur, and delivered a powerful kick to Scarlet's face.BAM!The impact was decisive, and Scarlet's body went limp as he fell unconscious.The arena fell silent for a brief moment as Rinko stood over Scarlet's unconscious form.His eyes flicked down to the discarded grappling hook nearby. He crouched, picking it up and turning it over in his hand as though admiring its craftsmanship."Hmm.. I like the design." Rinko shrugged before tossing the hook with casual indifference. It landed near Scarlet's unconscious body with a dull clink, a subtle acknowledgment of the effort the young fighter had put in.The screen above the arena flared red as Scarlet's name dimmed, and the announcer's voice echoed through the stands."Scarlet David has been eliminated!"The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps, the tension in the arena climbing as Team SSSN was now one man down."Damn it!" Neptune cursed under his breath, his grip on his weapon tightening as his jaw clenched. "He's picking us off one by one..."Sun, standing nearby, exchanged a quick glance with Neptune. His usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of fierce determination."We can't let him keep this up," Sun said, spinning his gunchucks as he stepped forward.The two fighters readied themselves as Rinko straightened, his katana gleaming in the light.His calm, almost bored expression sent a chill through the arena as he turned his attention to the remaining members of Team SSSN."Two down, two to go," Rinko said, his voice hinting at amusement.The tension in the arena was palpable as the crowd leaned forward in their seats, watching the battle intensify. Sun and Neptune had no time to dwell on Scarlet's defeat-Rinko had already shifted his cold, calculating gaze toward them.Sun bolted forward, with a fierce battlecry, closing the distance with a burst of speed."AGHH!"His gunchucks whirred, and with a practiced motion, he unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes. Each swing of his weapon was precise, aimed at finding a chink in Rinko's impeccable defense.Rinko, however, met Sun head-on, his katana moving with a fluidity that seemed almost effortless. Steel clashed against steel, the sound reverberating throughout the arena. Rinko sidestepped one of Sun's strikes and deflected another, his movements economical yet powerful.But Sun wasn't finished. With a flick of his wrist, his gunchucks shifted seamlessly into their firearm mode, and a shot rang out.The bullet was a mere inch away from Rinko's face when he tilted his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the projectile. It grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of crimson before disappearing into the sky.Sun, however, took the opportunity to press his advantage, his strikes coming faster and harder. Bursts of gunfire accompanied each swing, the muzzle flashes lighting up the battlefield.Rinko dodged and weaved, his katana moving in a blur as he deflected some strikes and sidestepped others.It seemed like Sun might have him on the defensive for a brief moment, but Rinko's movements never lost their precision.From the treeline, Neptune joined the fray. With a calculated throw, he hurled Tri-Hard in its trident form directly at Rinko. The weapon spun through the air, its tips glowing with electrical energy.Rinko's sharp eyes caught the incoming threat. He sidestepped Sun's next strike and spun on his heel, raising his katana to meet the trident mid-flight. Sparks exploded as the weapons collided, the force of the impact sending the trident careening off-course and embedding itself into the dirt.Neptune wasn't deterred. He dashed forward, retrieving Tri-Hard with a quick pull and sweeping it in at Rinko. The trident's prongs crackled with energy, each swing leaving trails of static in the air.Rinko blocked Neptune's strike with his katana, the collision sending shockwaves rippling through the ground.Neptune pressed the attack, aiming thrusts and sweeps at Rinko while Sun circled to flank him.Sun leaped into the air, spinning his gunchucks above his head before bringing them down with a fiery explosion of strikes and bullets aimed at Rinko's back.Rinko reacted in an instant. Pivoting, he parried Neptune's trident with a kunai while twisting his body to block Sun's aerial attack with the flat of his katana.The sheer force of the block caused a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying.Sun landed, immediately spinning into another flurry of strikes. His attacks were wild yet coordinated with Neptune's, forcing Rinko to split his attention between the two fighters.Neptune lunged, stabbing forward with Tri-Hard, the prongs sparking with energy. Rinko sidestepped the thrust and deflected a strike from Sun, moving like water through their attacks.Rinko's movements were almost too fast to follow. He ducked under Neptune's swing, kicked Sun's weapon arm to disrupt his rhythm, and countered with a precise slash at Neptune's torso.Neptune barely managed to block the blow with the shaft of his trident, but the impact sent him skidding backward, his aura flickering as the strain of the battle took its toll.Sun didn't give up. With a yell, he swung his gunchucks in a wide arc, releasing a burst of fire at Rinko's feet to disrupt his footing.Rinko leaped backward, avoiding the bullets with ease. As he landed, he crouched low and dashed forward, closing the gap between him and Sun in an instant.Before Sun could react, Rinko brought the hilt of his katana down onto his forehead with brutal precision, sending Sun sprawling to the ground."Sun!" Neptune shouted, charging forward to defend his teammate.Rinko turned, meeting Neptune's attack with a swift parry, the sound of their weapons clashing echoing through the arena. Neptune swung with renewed determination, his strikes faster and harder, but Rinko's katana moved like an extension of his arm, deflecting each blow with surgical precision.Sun groaned, forcing himself back to his feet. His aura was flickering dangerously, but his resolve burned brighter than ever."Neptune, go high!" Sun shouted, spinning his gunchucks and charging at Rinko once more.Neptune nodded, leaping into the air with a grace that belied his earlier hesitation. Rinko looked between the two fighters, his calm demeanor unshaken as they launched their coordinated attack.'Maa.. They're improving, I'd say I'm a bit proud of them.' Rinko thought as he let out a sigh.With a soft shrug, Rinko pulled out his kunai from earlier and tossed it casually into the air. He watched it twirl gracefully, knowing the perfect moment to strike was coming.As Neptune and Sun closed in on him, their movements almost in unison, Rinko moved like a shadow. He shifted his weight and leaped just as their attacks were about to land, using his incredible speed and precision to his advantage.In midair, Rinko kicked the kunai that had been hovering above him, sending it flying directly toward Sun's face."Ugh!" He groaned as his aura absorbed the sharp tip of the Kunai.Rinko landed with his blade ready, and slashed at Neptune but blocked it just in timeCLANG"Sun, a little help?!" Neptune called out, his voice laced with urgency as he pushed against Rinko's relentless pressure.Rinko landed gracefully, his eyes gleaming with a knowing spark. As Neptune's feet touched the ground, Rinko was already in motion again. With a single fluid motion, he swung his blade expertly, breaking Neptune's defenses.CLANGSeeing Neptune's exposed torso, Rinko slashed without hesitation, from 24% to 14%."Neptune!" Sun called out as he just recovered from the sudden Kunai strike.It all happened too fast.Neptune gasped, feeling the sting of the blow, his knees buckling beneath him as he staggered to the ground. "No...!" he whispered, his face contorting in pain and disbelief.The screen above flashed red, the ominous numbers confirming his fate. His aura had been shattered, and his chances of recovery had all but vanished."There you go, folks! Neptune Vasilias has been eliminated! There's only one-on-one left!" Professor Port's voice echoed across the arena, the excitement in his tone matching the roar of the crowd.The audience erupted into applause, the energy of the moment electrifying the atmosphere.The battle had been intense, but now it was down to Sun and Rinko-two fighters with very different styles, both brimming with fighting spirit."It's Hot vs Cold!" Port continued, his voice rising with dramatic flair. "Who will come out on top in this final showdown?"Rinko moved like a shadow, sidestepping Sun's downward swing with such fluidity that it almost seemed effortless. As Sun spun to regain momentum, Rinko's katana darted out like lightning, forcing Sun to pivot and block just in time. The clang of metal reverberated across the arena.Not giving Sun a moment to breathe, Rinko dropped low and swept Sun's legs out from under him. Sun hit the ground hard but reacted on instinct, rolling to the side as Rinko's blade slashed mere inches from his head.Sun sprang to his feet, his gunchucks transforming back into a staff in one smooth motion.Sun launched a relentless series of strikes, each one aimed at Rinko's vitals. Rinko met the onslaught with measured precision, his katana parrying the staff's rapid blows.Sparks flew as steel met steel, the force of each impact causing the air around them to crackle with energy.CLANG! TING! CLANG!Then, with a flick of his blade, Rinko slashed dirt from the arena floor into Sun's face."Augh!" Sun yelled, stumbling back as he clawed at his eyes.Rinko didn't waste a second. He surged forward, driving his elbow into Sun's chest with enough force to knock the wind out of him.Before Sun could recover, Rinko grabbed his arm, twisting it with enough precision to unbalance him.Using Sun's momentum against him, Rinko yanked him forward and slammed him into the ground with a resounding,BAM!The crowd winced collectively at the sound, their eyes glued to the screen.Sun groaned but barely had time to register the pain before Rinko moved again, locking him into a grapple. With his legs coiled tightly around Sun's torso and his arms securing a chokehold, Rinko immobilized his opponent in a matter of seconds."D-damn! Cough!" Sun wheezed, his body thrashing in desperation. He clawed at Rinko's arm, trying to pry himself free, but Rinko's hold was unyielding.The audience watched in stunned silence as the energy meter tracking Sun's aura plummeted. It dropped rapidly, 54%, 43%, 31% with each second that Rinko maintained the chokehold.Sun's movements slowed, his strength fading as his aura dipped into critical levels."This is it for Sun!" the announcer exclaimed. "Rinko's calculated takedown is absolutely brutal!"As Sun's aura reached 15%, a loud buzzer echoed through the arena, signaling his elimination. Rinko released him immediately, letting Sun slump to the ground.The crowd roared, a mixture of shock, excitement, and admiration for the sheer skill and precision Rinko had demonstrated throughout the match.Cheers and applause echoed through the arena, creating a thunderous crescendo that nearly drowned out the sound of Doctor Oobleck's voice."It was a spectacular display of strategy and strength! The winner is Rinko Schnee from Beacon Academy!" Oobleck declared, his enthusiasm palpable.The audience erupted even louder, with many spectators on their feet, some chanting Rinko's name.Among them, Team RWBY and Team JNPR exchanged awed looks, clearly impressed by the level of finesse their teammate had shown."Rinko Schnee! Rinko Schnee! Rinko Schnee!!"Rinko slowly straightened himself, brushing off dirt and dust from his coat with calm precision. His demeanor remained composed despite the crowd's fervor.His silver hair gleamed under the arena lights as his sharp gaze briefly scanned the cheering audience.Then his eyes shifted back to the arena floor, where Sun was on his knees, clutching his neck as he worked to steady his breathing. The defeated leader of Team SSSN had given his all, and his exhaustion was evident, but his spirit remained intact.Without a word, Rinko approached Sun, his katana already sheathed. He extended a hand down to the defeated combatant, his expression softened by a small, sincere smile."You did well," Rinko said in a calm, respectful tone.Sun blinked in surprise, his golden eyes meeting Rinko's. The crowd seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of Sun's response. For a moment, it looked as though Sun might push the hand away out of frustration, but then his trademark grin returned."Yeah, well... you didn't make it easy on us," Sun replied with a laugh as he clasped Rinko's hand. With a firm tug, Rinko hoisted Sun back to his feet with ease."What can I say? It's four against one." Rinko shrugged as Sun chuckled."You got a point," Sun replied as both him and Rinko laughed.The two stood facing each other, and for the first time, there was no sense of animosity or competition. Instead, there was mutual respect."That was insane!" Scarlet's groan interrupted the moment as he staggered back into consciousness, rubbing his head. "Did you have to kick me so hard?"Neptune joined him, nursing his sore arms. "Yeah, man. You fight like you're auditioning for a one-man action movie."Rinko turned to them with a raised brow but smirked. "Then maybe next time, I'll make it a little less cinematic."Sun chuckled, clapping Rinko on the back as the announcers began discussing the highlights of the match. "You know, Schnee, you're alright. But next time, we're gonna win."Sage joined the conversation, "You've got our respect, Rinko Schnee. You are a worthy opponent."Rinko gave a small nod, the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes.The arena lights dimmed slightly as the screen displayed slow-motion replays of the match, and the crowd's cheers grew louder.Rinko, however, remained focused on his opponents, quietly ensuring they were alright before walking to the edge of the arena.Team RWBY and Team JNPR watched from the stands with wide smiles. Yang nudged Weiss with a grin."Looks like your brother knows how to make an impression," Yang teased.Weiss crossed her arms but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "I expected nothing less."[End]