Before Border

If You Only Knew

"The match between Tamakoma (Arashiyama Squad) and Ikoma Squad is to begin now, our commentators today are Jin in place of director Rindo, who had to cancel, and Kei, a border trigger technician." Kiora spoke. She was a default announcer who used to be an operator, but took the job due to the squad she worked with disbanding.

"Ah yes, I was brought here today to witness and narrate one of the first rank wars where my new trigger design was used: I call it Spider. But, I cannot take all the credit, since Jin helped me with the development." Kei spoke, and Jin nodded happily.

"Yes! It was a very fun project indeed." Jin glanced around to see that C-rankers and other agents that had come to watch were gawking at him. He smiled, knowing they wouldn't be paying much attention to him as soon as the match started. This would not be boring.

"Anyways, what are your predictions for the match, the new trigger included?" Kiora asked.

"Well, I if I may go first-" Kei asked, and Jin and Kiora nodded, "I think Ikoma Squad's use of Spider may confused Tamakoma a great deal, and make them more susceptible to surprise attack."

"A valid point. Thoughts, Jin?" Kiora asked.

"I agree that for most teams the new Spider trigger would be confusing, but I know Tamakoma is aware of Ikoma Squad's spider trigger holder, leaving them with the advantage of knowledge. Everything else, however, is a variable not many can predict." Except me. Jin continued in his head. He knew that Tamakoma could pull this one out easily.

"Alright, let's get started then!" The screens turned on, revealing that Tamakoma had chosen Cityscape B with windy weather. "Tamakoma has chosen the battlefield, and as we speak, the agents on each team are being transported to random spots on the map, and then their strategy is the only thing left from there." Kiora spoke.

"It looks like Inukai and Arashiyama are very close to each other, however, Tsuji has unluckily been placed on the opposite side of the map." Jin announced, but he knew it wasn't unfortunate for them. It was more luck.

"What is this? Tsuji doesn't seem to be meeting up with Arashiyama and Inukai! He has activated bagworm, and is no longer visible on radar!" Kiora commentated.

"Perhaps they aim to ambush some agents with Tsuji's Gunnar skills. I do not know much about this new Tamakoma team that Arashiyama has taken lead of. The youngest squad to ever make B-rank, composed of the youngest people to ever make C-rank. They climbed the ladder almost as quickly as Jin has, and they are now the reason the age requirement of 13 had been placed for new agents. They will hold this record forever, ladies and gentlemen." Kei sure knew a lot for just a technician.

"Yes, they have a very promising future if they keep their eyes on the road ahead of them right now. Starting at such a young age is a great advantage, I know because I did martial arts when I was very young, which is one reason why I am able to use unique fighting tactics. Just like Arashiyama." Jin smirked as Arashiyama and Inukai began to engage in a fight with Mizukami from the other unit.

Oki ~ Minamisawa ~ Ikoma ~ Mizukami

"It looks like Arashiyama and and Inukai have chosen to neglect meeting up with Tsuji as we expected, and are now attacking Mizukami before he can make his way to rendezvous with the rest of his team!" Kiora exclaimed.

"Give me cover!" Arashiyama excitedly commanded Inukai.

"Of course, for you, Jun-chan!" Inukai teased, smiling and firing at Mizukami.

Jin began the fight by making a few rookie mistakes...on purpose, but only Jin and Inukai knew. Jin could tell Mizukami was letting his guard down, and Arashiyama must have noticed too.

Quickly, Arashiyama hardened and allowed for no more "close calls" for himself. He aggressively took away all the space Mizukami would have used to swing his blade, leaving Mizukami unable to move without being hit by Arashiyama's or his own blade. Just then, Inukai unleashed a round straight at Mizukami.

Mizukami dodged all but 2 bullets, but this gave Arashiyama the opening he was waiting for. Before anyone could blink, Arashiyama had sliced right through Mizukami's heart.

Bail Out

"Tamakoma has scored!! No one saw this coming today, thoughts on the first member of Ikoma squad to go down, and the fight right before?" Kiora exclaimed, shock apparent in her voice.

"I think Tamakoma might have a few tricks up their sleeve. I won't say anything, but I have been watching some of their conditioning." Jin raised one eyebrow for mystery effect, and the crowd was visibly amazed. Everyone gawked and spoke in hushed voices to each other.

"They need to remember to be cautious though! Mizukami wasn't the spider trigger holder. Now that he is gone, it leaves Oki, Minamisawa, and Ikoma to be defeated. The playing field is now 3 vs 3, but not necessarily and even match! We've skimmed the surface of the secrets of Tamakoma, but what's to happen next?" Kei was now excited, clearly not having expected the surge of power that come from
Tamakoma.

Jin smiled to himself, knowing his friends would be able to pull this one out easily, and people would still think they didn't have much more than okay fighting style. The next units to go against them would be in for a surprise.

Jin wondered what Inukai, Tsuji, and Arashiyama had planned for the two snipers in Ikoma squad.

Just then, Jin noticed a Ibis bullet heading straight for Inukai's head.