Everyone went back to their bases and put on dry clothes again, readying themselves for the fourth round.
"We have to make a new strategy this time," Ren said, brushing his wet hair back.
"You're right. I don't know how, but Team C always detects us," Zhi replied, wringing water from his sleeve.
"What do we do then?" Ren asked, rubbing his arms to shake off the last bit of chill.
"I got an idea. All you have to do is follow me and stay hidden," Zhi answered with a confident grin.
"I don't understand your plan, but I trust you. But what will happen if we get attacked by Team B?" Ren asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We have dealt with them before," Zhi answered calmly.
Meanwhile, Shin and Haru were also getting ready for the fourth round.
"Don't you think Team A is a burden for our victory?" Haru asked as he tightened the straps on his water gun.
"Yes. Ren always goes for a hiding spot and attacks us from every direction," Shin answered, loading his water balloons into a pouch.
"So, do you have any strategy for that?" Haru asked.
"Yes, we have to bring him to the place with fewer walls," Shin replied.
"That way, he won't be able to attack us from many directions," Haru said, nodding in approval.
"You get it right," Shin replied with a sly grin.
Ten minutes passed, and everyone came out of their bases. The fourth round had now begun.
Without wasting time, Ren and Zhi moved swiftly toward Team C. They spotted MyungJin and Jim crouched behind a structure, chatting quietly.
"There they are. Now, let's execute our plan," Zhi whispered.
Ren nodded and stepped behind Zhi like a shadow, staying low.
MyungJin suddenly perked up. "You heard that? Someone's around here," he muttered under his breath.
"Let me use my thermal vision," Jim replied in a hush. He activated his power and scanned the surroundings. A faint heat signature flickered behind a nearby wall.
"There's only one behind that wall," Jim said in a low voice, pointing discreetly.
"Let's attack him together," MyungJin suggested quietly.
"Yes. He might expect only one of us. We both rush him from the front," Jim replied.
They nodded to each other and dashed toward the wall. As they leapt into the air, aiming their guns, they were met with a surprise.
It was Ren and Zhi together.
"NOW!" Zhi yelled.
SPLOOSHSPLASHSPLAT
Ren hurled a volley of water balloons mid-air, the colorful projectiles bursting in a satisfying sequence against Jim and MyungJin. SPLASH! SPLASH!
In the same instant, Zhi blocked MyungJin and Jim's return fire using a towel like a shield. FWAP!
The moment MyungJin and Jim landed, they were already dripping wet, water streaming down their arms and backs.
"We're... soaked," MyungJin said in disbelief, blinking water from his eyes.
Team C was out.
Meanwhile, Shin and Haru also arrived at the scene, but found only the dripping forms of Jim and MyungJin walking off the field.
"They already soaked and out Team C," Shin muttered.
"Now, it's time for the plan," Haru said coolly.
"I leave this up to you," Shin said, disappearing behind a wall like a ghost.
Haru raised his gun, locked eyes on Zhi, and fired—SPLASH! SPLASH!—two direct hits to the face.
Zhi and Ren ducked behind cover.
"You recover yourself. I'll go and soak and out Haru," Ren said, handing Zhi his towel.
"Alright, I'll come for backup," Zhi replied.
Ren crept behind the walls, stalking Haru. Haru briefly glanced at Shin in the distance. Shin raised his hand in signal.
Haru understood and bolted. Ren followed, weaving behind walls. They arrived at an open space with few barriers.
"I can't use my powers here, or he'll know," Ren whispered to himself. "I have to go attack mode now."
Ren dashed into the open, his gun raised. PSHH-PSHH Water shots fired rapidly at Haru—but Haru swayed left, flipped sideways, and ducked smoothly. Not a single drop touched him.
"How is he doing it?" Ren whispered in frustration.
Click. Ren's water gun clicked empty.
Haru smirked. SHH-SPLASH! SHH-SPLASH! He returned fire, spraying water like a storm. Ren danced to dodge, but Haru's aim was pin-point sharp.
Then, for just a moment—FWSSHH—a stream of water passed through Ren's arm.
"What? I never miss!" Haru thought, alarmed.
Despite the odd glitch, Haru landed the final shots. SPLASH! SPLASH! Ren was soaked and out.
Zhi, now dry from the towel, approached cautiously. But Shin blocked his path.
"So, that was your strategy. Separate us and play one on one?" Zhi asked.
Shin didn't reply. He raised his gun.
Zhi mirrored the move. They fired—SHH! SPLASH! SPLASH!—a fierce exchange of water from both sides.
Suddenly—THUD! THWACK!—two water balloons slammed into Zhi from behind.
BOOM! SPLASH!
Zhi was soaked instantly. Haru had returned and sealed the match.
Shin and Haru were the victors of round four.
Everyone changed again and returned to their bases to prepare for the fifth and final round.
"We have to win this," Jim said, wringing his towel with determination.
"We need a strategy," MyungJin replied, tightening his vest.
"I have a plan," Jim said.
"What is it?" MyungJin asked.
"Haru and Shin never stay together. We attack Shin when Haru goes after A team," Jim explained.
"Then Zhi soaks out Haru, and we soak out Ren," MyungJin nodded. "Solid."
"All we have to do is stick to the plan," Jim said.
"Let's hope it works," MyungJin replied.
Ten minutes passed. The fifth round began.
"I need your towel," Zhi said to Ren.
"Here, take this," Ren replied, handing it over. "We'll win this round."
"I'm sure we will," Zhi said.
MyungJin and Jim sprinted straight toward Team B's base. They spotted Haru and Shin splitting up as predicted.
As Haru walked off into the open, they both ambushed Shin. SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLOOSH! Shin was drenched before he could counter.
"Everything is going as planned," MyungJin whispered.
"Let's see if the rest works out," Jim replied.
They tailed Haru secretly. But Haru, quick-witted, heard their steps and bolted for cover.
"He knows we're following," Jim said.
"Forget the plan. Let's soak him now," MyungJin replied.
They chased and fired. PSHHH! PSHHH! Haru vanished behind a wall.
"Faster! We can't lose him!" Jim called.
"Go on! I'll catch up!" MyungJin yelled.
Jim reached the corner and paused. Haru was already soaked—and standing before him was Ren.
"You can't hide now," Jim said, raising his gun.
"But I still can fight," Ren replied coolly.
Ren was out of balloons but fired his gun. SHH-SHH! Jim dodged and turned on his scope mode. A digital + crosshair locked onto Ren.
SPLOOSH! SPLASH! SPLAT! Jim landed shots.
Ren staggered, soaked and out.
Suddenly—SPLASH!—a stream of water hit Jim from the side. Zhi had struck.
Jim was soaked and out. MyungJin arrived seconds later.
Zhi stood waiting.
"So, it's only two of us left?" MyungJin asked.
"Yes," Zhi replied.
MyungJin fired—PSHH!—Zhi dodged and pulled out the towel.
"He's using it to block. I have to move in," MyungJin thought.
But Zhi surprised him, dashing forward and covering MyungJin's gun with the towel.
"Nice try!" MyungJin yelled, tearing it off.
He aimed again, but FWUMP! Zhi hurled a soaked towel full of water balloons—the one Ren gave him earlier.
BOOM! SPLOOSH!
MyungJin was soaked and out.
With that, Ren and Zhi won the fifth round.
"So, as now all five rounds have ended," Shin announced, stepping forward with a paper in hand, "MyungJin and Jim are in last position with one win and 110 points. I and Haru are in second position with two wins and 200 points. Zhi and Ren are in first position with two wins and 210 points."
"Yeah, WE WON!" Ren shouted, fist-pumping the air.
"And now, everyone, go and get ready for the Family Reunion ceremony," Shin said.
Everyone cheered and made their way out to prepare for the ceremony.