The Start of the International War

The digital wind whistled through the air as Hiroshi and his group ran at full speed. Each step seemed marked by the awareness that time was running out, and the blue light of the dimension around them blinded their senses, but nothing could stop them. The threat was getting closer, and with it, the imminent battle for survival.

Hiroshi glanced at Mai, Renji, and Ayumi. Each of them was trying to grasp the situation, keeping their emotions in check as they prepared for the unknown. Every corner of the dimension seemed to shift constantly, as if playing with their minds. Even the smallest mistake could prove fatal.

"We can't afford to make mistakes anymore," Hiroshi said firmly, though his eyes showed the growing anxiety. "We only have five minutes. We need to be ready."

Mai nodded, her face serious and focused. "Every move must be calculated. We can't afford to be overwhelmed again."

Renji, usually the most skeptical of the group, now seemed more determined than ever. "There's no room for uncertainty. If we're going to face a war, we have to give everything we've got."

Ayumi, a little more nervous than the others, clenched her fists. "I don't want to die in this place. I don't want to stay here forever."

With a quick nod, Hiroshi took the lead. "Let's go. Every second we waste brings us closer to the end."

The group moved in unison, running through increasingly unstable portals as the countdown ticked away. Their movements were fluid, precise, almost synchronized, as if they were fighting not just against time but against an unknown force. Hiroshi, with the power he had gained, felt an unusual strength inside him, but it didn't bring him peace. He knew the true challenge was yet to come.

A thought tormented him. Alexi had said that only one of them would leave this world. That phrase echoed in his mind, tying a knot in his stomach. Only one would have the right to escape, the others would remain trapped forever. It wasn't just a war against the other players but also an internal battle, against those he was fighting beside. Hiroshi couldn't forget that detail. The thought that one of them would have to remain trapped in that dimension pushed him to fight with every fiber of his being.

"This war," Mai murmured, "Isn't just a physical battle. It's a mental test, something much bigger. Alexi hasn't told us everything."

"I know," Hiroshi replied, without slowing down. "But we can't stop. Every piece of information we gather brings us closer to figuring out how to escape. And if we don't figure it out, we're left with only one option: death."

Hiroshi's tone was cold, but his determination burned like fire. The group had one goal: to figure out as quickly as possible how to escape this war and stop Alexi, the entity who seemed to be the puppet master behind all this chaos.

They stopped for a moment to catch their breath. The pressure was palpable, like a shadow bearing down on them, ready to suffocate them. The countdown was now under five minutes. The fear of failure was unbearable, but none of them showed it. Only together would they have a chance.

"Look," Ayumi said, pointing ahead. A large portal was forming, its blue halo flashing like a beacon. "That's our goal. We need to go through it."

The group approached cautiously, but just as they were about to step into the portal, a metallic, distorted laugh echoed through the air. Another message from Alexi.

"Do you really think you can escape this war?" the entity asked, its voice sharp as a blade. "There is no way out. Your only hope is to win."

"We won't give up," Hiroshi replied firmly, staring at the portal ahead of him. "Let's go, together!"

The group stepped forward, ready to jump into the portal. But suddenly, the air changed, and reality seemed to bend around them. They found themselves in a massive digital arena, with an imposing tower at the center. Alexi Kamuro, the entity who had trapped them, watched them from above with an impassive gaze.

The arena was vast, an endless battlefield. From the tower, Alexi raised a hand, and with a snap of his fingers, an enormous display appeared above their heads. The images of the team members appeared instantly, their photos side by side with the flags of their respective countries.

The flags showed the nationalities of the teams, the countries of origin of each group. Hiroshi's heart raced in his chest. The display updated instantly, and above the teams, the flags appeared: Japan vs Italy.

With another snap of his fingers, Alexi made the selections appear on the display. The faces of the Italian players emerged: Giulio Ferraro, Luca Bianchi, Alessandro Rizzi, and Federico Romano. Each of them wore a determined expression, ready to fight for their survival. 

For the Japanese team, the display also updated. Hiroshi, Mai, Renji, and Ayumi appeared, their faces shown proudly next to the Japanese flag.

Alexi spoke again, his voice echoing throughout the arena. "The first round begins now. Japan vs Italy. Are you ready to fight for your life?"

Hiroshi exchanged a look with Mai, Renji, and Ayumi. The challenge had begun, and there was no turning back. The battle would be ruthless. Only one would win, and only one would escape. Now, there was nothing left to do but fight.

With a deep breath, Hiroshi took the first step forward. The war for survival had officially begun.

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Information box

Italian Team:

Giulio Ferraro: Age: 28 years Gender: Male Hair: Short, dark hair, slightly messy, with a light brown tint at the roots Height Tall 6'1" (185cm) Build: muscular, with an athletic physique Eyes: Intense brown eyes, which seem to scrutinize everything with a calm determination Clothing Style: He wears a tight-fitting black jacket, resembling a sports suit, with silver lines running along the sides. His pants are black and fitted, paired with running shoes. He also wears black leather gloves, and a professional aura surrounds him Personality: Giulio is the silent type but extremely focused, with a calm leadership that doesn't need to be vocal. 

Luca Bianchi: Age: 25 years Gender: Male Hair: Blonde, short hair, neatly styled with a slight fringe covering his forehead Height: 5'9'' (175cm) Build: lean but muscular, showing agility rather than sheer strength Eyes: Light green eyes, lively and curious, always alert to the details around him Clothing Style: Luca wears a dark blue sports jacket with an upright collar, paired with casual dark jeans. His white sneakers and elegant watch give him a modern, stylish look Personality: A quick thinker who adapts fast to situations, Luca is pragmatic and reactive but also sociable, making him a good strategist for alliances.

Alessandro Rizzi: Age: 32 years Hair: Black hair, short but messy, giving him a disheveled yet determined look Height: Tall 6'3'' (190cm) Build: stocky, with well-defined muscles. His physique is imposing, showing he knows how to use his strength Eyes: Gray eyes, cold and piercing, always measuring the environment around him Clothing Style: He wears a black combat suit with red accents, designed to allow agility in movement. His shoes are sturdy, built to withstand prolonged periods of activity. He also has hand and arm protections Personality: Alessandro is the direct type. He prefers to act quickly and boldly. He's brave and not afraid of a challenge, though his impulsive nature can sometimes get him into trouble.

Federico Romano: Age: 27 years Hair: Light brown hair, short but well-kept, with a small tuft on his forehead Height: 5'11'' (180cm) Build: toned and agile, though less bulky than Alessandro. His strength lies in speed and endurance Eyes: Light blue eyes, bright and full of determination Clothing Style: Federico wears a gray combat suit with fluorescent yellow accents, designed for quick movements. He also wears headphones for sound control during combat. His shoes are lightweight but durable, perfect for fast sprints Personality: Federico is the most strategic of the group. He always thinks ahead before making a move, and his goal is to stay one step ahead of his opponents.