天翔神 ("Tenshoushin"), equivalent to the Skylord title on PSN and XBL VF5FS Rank Mode, is a rank that only the most dedicated and elite have achieved. Since the release of the game in Summer 2010 to Japan arcades, only five players have risen amongst the field of strong players to gain this rank. The rank is extremely difficult to obtain yet easy to lose; thus, it is fairly rare to see two active Tenshoushin-ranked players at any given time. Recently, Buster (LI) obtained the title at the 2nd Hamaotsu Cup, making him the 2nd active Tenshoushin player currently. Reorao (GO) (commonly known as Gorgeous) achieved the rank earlier this year. The two players decided to wage battle against each other at the conlcusion of the 2013 Tokyo Bay Area Cup, Vol. 8 tournament. Who will come out on top and be able to keep their hard-earned titles!?

The video of the 3rd Tenshoushin Ranking Battle - ReoRao vs Buster ranking battle was originally streamed by Newton Ooyama and the archive is available in their Ustream channel. For those that don't have time to watch the video, you can click on the spoiler below for the results.

Reorao (left) and Buster (right). Photos of the players were taken and edited from Battlecore's 2012 Beat-Tribe Cup Photostream.​

Spoiler: Results of the Tenshoushin Ranking Battle

Buster took the first two matches to put Reorao into a Demotion Match situation. Reorao was able to win that match and return the favor to Buster. Nevertheless, Buster prevailed and won the next three matches to remain a Tenshoushin ranked player, while Reorao was demoted back to Bakuenshin.

Thus, Buster is currently the only "active" VF player with the Tenshoushin rank in Japan arcades. Itoshun was the first player to obtain the rank and successfully defend (or survive) his two Tenshoushin ranking battles. Itoshun is currently "retired," however, the King not too long ago played some matches...

Links to the previous Tenshoushin Ranking Battles
The First Tenshoushin Ranking Battle - Joseph vs Itoshun
The Second Tenshoushin Ranking Battle - Itoshun vs Sarudera