The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the EOS training field. The air was thick with exhaustion and tension, yet a strange kind of satisfaction filled Renji's chest. Seiji Nakamura's [old legend] training had finally ended — but the lessons he left behind still echoed in Renji's body and mind.
The final one-on-five challenge had pushed them all to the edge. Renji still felt the burn in his muscles, the sharpness of his enhanced vision. His modified version of Hoshigaki's "Specter Drive" was nearly complete — though it still lacked the raw impact of the original. But more importantly, his field awareness had evolved. Blindfolded training, two-ball matches, and the pressure of devouring the top-ranked players had honed his game.
And when Renji had finally stolen the ball from Nakamura — using Mori and Yuto's movements to set up the perfect trap — it felt like breaking through a wall. He wasn't satisfied. Not yet. But he was getting closer.
As they gathered on the sidelines, Nakamura stood in front of them, his sharp eyes scanning the exhausted players.
"You've grown," Nakamura said simply, his voice calm but firm. "But growth without hunger is nothing. Keep devouring. Keep evolving. Or you'll be left behind."
He looked directly at Renji. For a moment, there was the faintest hint of a smile.
"Let's see if you can keep up from here on out."
With that, Nakamura walked off the field, his training officially done. But the fire he'd lit in every one of them still burned.
That night at dinner, the mood was different. The top five — Mori, Aikawa, Yuto, Shindo, and Renji — sat together, their rivalry stronger than ever. But there was something new, too. A quiet respect.
"You've gotten better," Shindo admitted, still rolling his shoulder. "But don't think I'm going to let you stay ahead."
Renji smirked, the fire in his eyes flaring. "Then catch up."
Across the table, Mori sat silent — but his eyes never left Renji.
Later that night, as the others went to sleep, Renji once again headed to the training field. But this time, he wasn't alone.
"You really don't know when to stop," a voice called out. Renji turned to see Nakamura leaning against the fence, arms crossed.
"You're done training us," Renji said.
Nakamura shrugged. "Maybe. But I wanted to see how far you'd push yourself." He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me — do you really want to be the best? Or are you just scared of being left behind?"
Renji's fists clenched. "I'll devour them all. I won't stop until I'm the best."
Nakamura nodded slowly. "Then show me."
And just like that, the night's training began again.
But tomorrow… a new legend would take the stage.
To be continue...