Ego stood before them, his cold gaze scanning the group.
Julias, Daichi, Keiji, Kaito, Kuroka, Sora, Koresei, and Takura—each of them had proven themselves. But now, they faced something far greater.
"In one week," Ego began, his voice unwavering, "you will be going against five world-class players. This is not a game. This is your first real test."
The room tensed. Even Julias narrowed his eyes.
"You have all shown potential, but potential means nothing if it isn't sharpened to its absolute limit." Ego's eyes settled on Kaito for a moment. "Even you, Isagi."
Kaito clenched his fists.
Ego smirked.
"Training starts now."
The teams were set.
Team Julias: Julias, Daichi, Keiji. Team Kaito: Kaito, Kuroka, Sora, Koresei, and Takura.
Julias cracked his neck. "Let's get this over with."
Kuroka grinned. "Tch, acting high and mighty, huh?"
Keiji, now wielding Emperor's Impact using his copy technique, nodded. "Let's see how much stronger we've all gotten."
The whistle blew.
Immediately, Julias took control.
His movements were untouchable. His presence was undeniable.
Takura tried to pass to Kaito—Julias intercepted.
Kuroka tried to outrun him—Julias was already ahead.
Even Kaito, who had entered The Zone before, felt the overwhelming weight of Julias's presence.
But Kaito wasn't the same as before.
Julias charged in—his regal presence unstoppable.
Kaito met him head-on.
They clashed—blow for blow, attack for attack.
Kaito's instincts adapted. Every time Julias moved, Kaito read the play.
For the first time—Julias felt challenged.
His smirk disappeared.
His body tensed.
The pressure of competition ignited him.
And then—
Julias entered The Zone.
The King Devours All
The moment Julias awakened, the entire match shifted.
Keiji and Daichi worked in perfect harmony with him.
Julias cut through everyone.
Kuroka? Outplayed.
Sora? Overwhelmed.
Kaito? Still standing.
The match ended 5-3, with Julias's team winning.
But Kaito had pushed him to his limit.
As they walked off the field, Julias turned to Kaito.
"You're not bad," he said with a grin. "But not good enough yet."
Kaito exhaled, his eyes burning.
He had more work to do.
And he wouldn't stop until he reached the top.
Though this was all Ego's Plan...