With Ash into the tournament center, the anxiety in the atmosphere was almost palpable. Any competent Blader's real ambition was to make it into the *Battle Bladers* tournament, which meant he had to battle his way through a tough series of games. This was not merely a matter of establishing himself but of getting into the ranks of the best.
Madoka and Kenta encouraged him from the benches. "Ash, you can do it!" With clenched fists in expectation, Kenta shouted.
"Try not to get flustered and use strategic thinking," Madoka went on. "It's not just about winning in the qualification matches; your adaptability is tested."
Ash put Storm Greninja into his hands and nodded. Ever since he had arrived in this world, he had come a long way. He had learned something new with each fight, and he was not about to give up now.
The stadium rang out with the booming voice of the tournament announcer. "Hello, Bladers! The qualification matches of the Battle Bladers are about to begin! Only those who win enough will be given a place in the final tournament! Who can be the best? LET'S FIND OUT!"
When the initial matchups were announced, the crowd applauded. Ash's first opponent, Daisuke Ryo, was visible when he glanced at the giant digital screen displaying the pairings. As he got onto the platform, Daisuke, a lanky, tall Blader with blue spiky hair, smiled. Thunder Leo, his Beyblade, was a Lightning-type attack Bey designed for powerful, fast attacks.
"So, you're the kid causing a commotion in the Blading universe?" Daisuke sneered. "We'll see if you're worth the hype."
Unfazed by the taunting, Ash grinned. "You'll see soon enough!"
The referee raised his hand. "*Bladers, prepare!"* Beyblades were placed onto launchers by both opponents.
"3… 2… 1… LET IT RIP!"
Thunder Leo and Storm Greninja sprinted into the stadium and collided instantly. When the two attack-types exchanged blows at high speed, sparks scattered. While Thunder Leo dodged around wildly in a bid to push Storm Greninja off guard, Daisuke smiled. "Ash, you're not the only one who's got speed!" Daisuke shouted. "Lightning Pounce, Thunder Leo!"
Suddenly, Thunder Leo darted forward, sending Storm Greninja flying with a powerful uppercut. Ash clinched his jaw. He's quick, but I've worked with speed before! Ash bellowed, "Dodge and counter with Aqua Dash!" as Storm Greninja snapped out of her stagger and landed harmlessly. Greninja parried Thunder Leo's relentless hits as she zoomed across the stadium, then went around it and struck with a good solid counterattack. Thunder Leo spun after it because of the blow and lost its momentum.
"No way!" Daisuke gasped.
Ash noticed his gap. "Tornado Surge! Storm Greninja" Storm Greninja was sped up by a sudden whirlpool of wind. It hit Thunder Leo once again, knocking it out of the stadium.
Ash was pointed out by the referee. "Ash Ketchum won!"
Ash pumped his fist in victory as the crowd applauded. Daisuke frowned but nodded in respect. "It's alright, child. You deserved it."
Takashi Renji, a Blader of heavy defense, was Ash's next adversary. Any attack rebounded off Stone Gargoyle, his Bey, harmlessly because he was built like an immovable object. Ash could not land a killer blow, so the fight turned into a test of endurance. His attacks on Stone Gargoyle were powerless for the first few minutes. Takashi folded his arms and smiled. "Stop it, child. You can't defeat my defense."
Ash narrowed his eyes. While defense is strong, it will have to run out of energy at some point. Ash had Storm Greninja loop around Stone Gargoyle with Aqua Dash, making it use up energy, instead of attacking head-on. Its spin finally started to slow down after a couple of minutes. "Now, Hydro Smash, Storm Greninja!" Storm Greninja struck Stone Gargoyle with full power as she sped up one last time. Deflated, the giant Bey swayed, stumbled, and fell on its side. "
"Winner: Ash Ketchum!"
Ash was but one victory short of securing his entry to the Battle Bladers tournament with three wins. Still, Shoji Kazama stood as his last opponent and an extremely formidable character. Shoji was infamous for his brutal tactics and fierce fighting style. Iron Fang, his Beyblade, was a gigantic Attack-type whose only function was utter annihilation.
Ash knew he was in for it the moment the fight began. "Iron Fang, Ravage Strike!" Shoji bellowed. Storm Greninja didn't even have time to respond before Iron Fang crashed into it with so much power that it was sent flying through the air. Ash's heart pounded. This guy is amazing! Storm Greninja was just getting her feet under her when *ron Fang was on her again, delivering another brutal strike. The constant hits wore down Storm Greninja's stamina.
Madoka and Kenta watched in horror. "Ash is in trouble!" Kenta uttered a gasp.
Madoka said, "He needs to turn this around fast."
Fists clenched on Ash. He needed to think. Iron Fang is powerful, but its application of force is in excess. Suppose I use its power against itself?
"Stay defensive, Storm Greninja!" Storm Greninja decided to sidestep instead of counterattack, letting Iron Fang burn energy with every reckless swing. Shoji's confidence mounted increasingly frustrated with the fight unfolding. "Battle me and get out of running!" Shoji growled.
"This is my opportunity!" Ash smiled. "Tornado Surge, Storm Greninja!" Iron Fang's equilibrium was upset when Storm Greninja launched its final assault, generating a strong wind current. Iron Fang took one last blow and flew from the stadium.
"Winner: Ash Ketchum!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. Ash had done it—he had officially qualified for Battle Bladers!
"Mine at last!" Ash grinned. "Tornado Surge, Storm Greninja!" Storm Greninja's balance was disrupted when it made its last attack, creating a powerful current of wind. Iron Fang got one last hit and soared out of the stadium.
"Winner: Ash Ketchum!"
The crowd roared with approval. Ash had succeeded—he had officially qualified as a Battle Blader!
Ash had three victories, and all he needed was one more to secure his position in the Battle Bladers tournament. Nevertheless, Shoji Kazama was his last opponent and an extremely powerful man. Shoji was known for his ruthless tactics and brutal combat style. His Beyblade, Iron Fang, was a gigantic Attack-type whose only mission was total devastation.
The moment the battle began, Ash knew he was in for a tough ride. "Ravage Strike, Iron Fang!" Shoji bellowed. Iron Fang knocked it so hard that it was sent flying across the air before Storm Greninja could even do anything. Ash's heart pounded. This guy is amazing! While Storm Greninja was trying to get her footing back, Iron Fang was on her again, landing another brutal blow.
Storm Greninja's endurance was depleted by the continuous blows.
Kenta and Madoka looked on in horror. "Ash is having problems!" Kenta let out a start.
"He needs to turn this around fast," Madoka stated.
Ash's fists clenched. He had to think. Despite its strength, Iron Fang uses excessive force. What if I turn its strength against it?
"Stay defensive, Storm Greninja!" Instead of attacking, Storm Greninja chose to sidestep, allowing Iron Fang to waste energy with each careless swing. As the fight progressed, Shoji's confidence grew more and more frustrated. "Fight me and stop running!" Shoji snarled.
Ash had three victories, and all he needed was one more to secure his position in the Battle Bladers tournament. Nevertheless, Shoji Kazama was his last opponent and an extremely powerful man. Shoji was known for his ruthless tactics and brutal combat style. His Beyblade, Iron Fang, was a gigantic Attack-type whose only mission was total devastation.
The moment the battle began, Ash knew he was in for a tough ride. "Ravage Strike, Iron Fang!" Shoji bellowed. Iron Fang knocked it so hard that it was sent flying across the air before Storm Greninja could even do anything. Ash's heart pounded. This guy is amazing! While Storm Greninja was trying to get her footing back, Iron Fang was on her again, landing another brutal blow
"Mine at last!" Ash grinned. "Tornado Surge, Storm Greninja!" Storm Greninja's last attack resulted in a powerful wind stream by disturbing its balance. Iron Fang took one last hit and flew out of the stadium.
"Ash Ketchum is the winner!"
The crowd went wild with applause. Ash did it—he was officially a Battle Blader!