Following the defeat of the Black Sun, many of the Legendary Bladers went their separate ways, with the exception of a select few. Unlike the majority of his comrades, Tsubasa Otori had remained in Japan, content to study under Ryo's guidance and instruction until he was old enough to become the new Director of the WBBA.

As they grew older, Kyoya Tategami and Hikaru Hasama's relationship had slowly blossomed into romance; together, they went on to manage, and oversee the company the Leone wielder had inherited from his father: TC.

Benkei Hanawa had proceeded to pursue his passion, which was second to Beyblade … With the support and financial help of his "hero," he was able to open his own chain of restaurants, which he had affectionately named "Bull Burger," in honour of his partner, Dark Bull. He had even gone as far as naming a special dish after Kyoya's signature move.

As for Kenta Yumiya, he constantly divided himself between working at the WBBA, and training with Flash Sagittario. Ever since Nemesis's defeat, the new Legendary Blader of Summer had vowed that he would continue to grow stronger until he felt that he could completely control and master the power which had been bestowed upon him by the Dragon Emperor, Ryuga.

And finally, after years of friendship, and camaraderie, Gingka Hagane and Madoka Amano confessed the affection they had shared for one another since the day they met. In the years that would soon follow, they would go on to become the proud parents of a tiny, baby girl: Anashi Hagane.

†††

"Go, Fireblaze! Burning Fire Strike," a young blader yelled over the roar of the crowd. In a split second, the stadium was filled with flames, and the volcanic beat of wings could be heard by every audience member, as a magnificent phoenix made a straight nosedive for the Beyblade below it: Aries 145D.

"N-no … It's impossible. I-I lost … to a girl?" The other blader said as he fell to his knees, unable to come to grips with the outcome of the battle.

"There you have it, folks!" The announcer exclaimed happily. "The last regular member for the Japanese team has been decided; the winners are Burn Fireblaze and Anashi Hagane!"

Calling her bey back to her hand, Anashi pocketed Fireblaze and made her way over to the stands where the Director, her friends, and her parents currently stood, with smiles on their faces.

"Congratulations, Anashi." The Director said, offering her praise, as well as a handshake.

"Thank you, Mr. Otori," she replied in a sweet, bell-like voice.

Watching as they raced down from the stands, Anashi soon found herself enveloped in a group hug, courtesy of her best friends: Miyako Otori, Rika Yumiya, and Kotomi Hanawa (the daughters of Tsubasa, Kenta, and Benkei, respectively).

Miyako was practically the spitting image of her father – she had hypnotizing, golden eyes, and voluminous silver hair. She moved with grace, and elegance, similarly to a swan, however, her attacks were anything but gentle. Due to her father's busy schedule, Eagle had been passed down to her, with a few modifications.

As for Rika, she normally kept her green hair styled in a simple pixie cut, claiming that it was easier to maintain. She had also inherited her father's impossibly dark, chocolate coloured eyes, which were always teeming with life, and joy.

That left Kotomi. Unlike her father, Kotomi had long, lavender hair, and had exceptional talent in the culinary department. While Benkei's "cooking" was limited to hamburgers, Kotomi could make just about anything if left to her own devices.

"That was one intense battle," Miyako said with a smirk, as she patted Anashi on the back.

"Indeed, it was; you fought well," a new voice said, causing Anashi and the others to look up in surprise. Standing a few feet away from the girls was Hikaru Tategami, and her husband.

Similarly to her teenage years, Hikaru still sported a dark, blue mini skirt and blazer, along with her trusty iPad. Her husband, however, had changed dramatically. Instead of his usual wardrobe – which, more times than not, revealed his abdominal muscles – he now sported a black suit, a starched white shirt, and a powder-blue silk tie to match his royal blue eyes, which commanded a large array of attention. His hunter green hair also had grown longer, noticeably, and now hung freely around his broad shoulders.

"It's been a while, Kyoya. You look good; have you been working out," Gingka spoke up, breaking the silence. Unfortunately, his last statement earned him a death glare from the wild King of the Beasts.

Rolling her eyes, Hikaru redirected her attention to the four teenage girls standing before her.

"So this is the team that will represent Japan at the World Championships, huh?"

"That's right!" Kotomi spoke up, "We're gonna take on the world!"

"Is that so? It would appear, however, that you are missing something," Kyoya said, his deep, smoky voice causing Kotomi to fall silent.

"What are you talking about?"

"That's what I would like to know. We have everything we need right here," Miyako stated, while motioning to her friends.

"Actually … what he just said is true," Tsubasa spoke up, causing his daughter, and her friends to look up at him in astonishment. "In previous years, a team had to meet certain requirements prior to entering the World Championships. Each team had to consist of at least one athletic supporter, one mechanic, a sub member, an advanced guard, a second-in-command, and a commander."

"So what's the issue?"

"Over time, things have changed. The WBBA has agreed to oversee, and handle all issues, or repairs, regarding the Beyblades, themselves, in order to ensure that illegal upgrades are not added before a match. That said, it will not be necessary for a team to provide their own mechanic, and we have also eliminated the positions of a second-in-command, and an advanced guard."

"Why?" Miyako asked, still unsure if the conversation was headed south or not.

"We removed those positions, with the exception of the commander, because most members on a team hardly care about what position they hold, so long as they get to battle. On your registration sheet, none of you wanted the position of the sub member, or the commander."

Turning to her friends, Miyako demanded to know what position each of them had signed up for.

"I competed to become a regular member." Kotomi spoke up.

"I was originally going to be the mechanic," Rika said, "but I guess I'll have to become a regular, instead."

"I didn't want to be a sub member, but I didn't want to be the commander, either," Anashi said, while focusing her gaze on her feet. As the commander, the individual would also be responsible for acting as the team's coach, something Anashi could never picture herself doing.

Frowning, Miyako considered all of the information that had been shared with her. They still needed at least three bladers who would definitely be competing as regulars, a sub member, a manager, and a commander.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to face her teammates.

"Are any of you willing to become the manager …?"

"… I … I suppose I could do it," Rika said softly. She was still highly inexperienced, which was why she had wanted to become the team's mechanic in the first place. If she took the position of the manager, she could still be a vital part of the team, without having to be involved in all of the battles.

"And … is anyone willing to become the sub member?" Miyako asked hopefully.

Upon hearing this, both Kotomi and Anashi's eyes turned to the ground. Neither of them wanted the position. The same could be said for Miyako. All three of them had no desire to give up their ability to battle in the World Championships.

"If I may, I might just have a solution to your problem," Hikaru said.

"Are you going to sign up," Miyako asked in disbelief. "That would be amazing. It would be so cool to see you in the stadium again, and if you joined we would have the first representative team made up completely of girls!"

Hikaru blinked a few times, not quite believing what she had just heard. As for Tsubasa, he already had a rough idea regarding where this conversation was headed, and none of the girls would like it.

"Um, no … I will not be signing up," she said despondently. "My days of blading were over a long time ago."

Taking a step closer to his wife, Kyoya draped an arm around her waist, and drew her closer to his side.

"Now, then, follow me."

"Huh," the four girls said simultaneously.

"There's someone I want you all to meet," Hikaru explained.

"And just who would that be?" Miyako asked.

"You're about to find out …" Kyoya said as he took his wife's hand, and led the others to the neighbouring arena at the end of the hall.

Upon entry, the arena was filled with smoke, and audience members were gasping in shock.

The stadium floor looked like hell – as though a war had taken place. One of the bladers was lying on his back, and his bey was lodged firmly into the wall behind him. He looked completely exhausted, and his body was covered by a thin sheen of sweat.

"I-is he gonna be okay?" Rika asked, while subtly shifting behind Kotomi.

"He's not the one you should be worried about …" Kyoya said huskily, his eyes burning with inimical satisfaction.

Confused by the Legendary Blader's words, Rika peered around her larger teammate, and spotted what– or rather who Kyoya was referring to.

Standing opposite of the fallen blader was a young man, with cold, unsettling heliotrope eyes, and a single, ivory fang which protruded from the edge of his mouth. His skin had a soft tan, while retaining an eerie coldness to the point where someone could take him for dead. Wordlessly, he called his bey back to his hand – far too quickly for anyone to see what type of blade he had – and made his way down the stadium stairs. His muscles rolled powerfully beneath his clothes as he moved, until he came to a halt before the Legendary Blader of Spring.

Due to the new proximity, Rika could see that the man's eyes were like that of a soldier – eyes which had seen smoke and bloodshed.

"There you have it, folks. Akio Tanaka has lost, and the winner is Hikoya Tategami!" Blader DJ bellowed, causing everyone to fall silent upon hearing the blader's surname.

"Oh my God …" Kotomi exclaimed. "D-does that m-mean that he's your …"

"That is correct," Kyoya cut in. "My son will be joining you in the World Championships. Because a commander and sub member for Team Japan could not be decided amongst yourselves, Hikoya meets the qualifications to act as and represent both."

Nervously, the girls flicked their gaze to male's pale, powerful features. Self-assurance and control burned in his lilac coloured eyes, and the way he held his shoulders hinted at discipline and authority.

Before any of them could extend a friendly "hello," the other blader from earlier released an enraged growl, and surged forward, his vulpine eyes fixed on the blue haired man. Furious, and humiliated by his defeat, he was prepared to take his anger out on the other male. What he wasn't prepared for was Hikoya's unearthly reflexes.

In one swift movement, he stepped to the side, allowing his former opponent – Akio – to launch himself at thin air … and fall flat on his face.

"Should be more careful; someone could get hurt," Hikoya murmured, his voice laced with dark promises of pain and misery, before he exited the arena.