Let me tell you a story, folks. Just a few months ago, I, Josh “Shinobi” Abastado, was living the dream, calling the shots as the in-game leader for the legendary Cloud9 Blue VALORANT squad. Fast forward to 2026, and boom—here I am, a free agent, ready to write the next chapter of my esports saga. The journey with C9 was nothing short of a rollercoaster, packed with hype, heartbreak, and that relentless grind to the top. Man, what a time it was!

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My Reign and the Squad's Glory Days 🏆

When I first joined the Cloud9 Blue family back in July, the vibe was absolutely electric. I stepped into that IGL role with one mission: to lead the boys to victory. And let me tell you, we had some moments that were straight-up legendary. Our trophy cabinet might not have gotten the big one, but we were a force to be reckoned with:

  • Immortals First Light: We came in hot and secured a solid second place. The plays, the clutches... it was pure magic!

  • Pulse Invitational: Another runner-up finish. The competition was fierce, but we showed our class.

  • PAX Arena Invitational: You guessed it—second place again! We were consistently at the top, always in the mix.

Even when we weren't grabbing silverware, we were in the thick of it. Finishing 5-6th at the FaZe Clan Invitational and grabbing third at both the Pittsburgh Knights and NSG x Renegades events proved we weren't just a flash in the pan. We were contenders, period.

The Heartbreak That Changed Everything 💔

But then came the big one—the First Strike North American regional finals. This wasn't just any tournament; this was Riot's first sponsored major, the biggest VALORANT event on the planet at the time. The pressure was insane, the stakes were sky-high... and we fell short. Failing to qualify for those finals was a gut punch, no cap. It's the kind of moment that makes you reevaluate everything. After that, things got quiet. Our last outing was a 5-8th finish in the qualifiers, and then... radio silence on the competitive front until this upcoming JBL Quantum Cup.

The Parting of Ways & What's Next for Yours Truly ✌️

So, here we are. Cloud9 and I have decided to part ways. It's bittersweet, for real. I'm incredibly grateful to the org for the opportunity and for being so supportive as I look toward the future. In my announcement, I made sure to give them their flowers—thanking them for the time and for letting me freely seek out new adventures. Shoutout to my fans too! Your support has been absolutely 'unending,' and I carry that energy with me.

My Cloud9 Blue Timeline Achievement/Event The Vibe
July 2025 Joined Cloud9 Blue All hype, new beginnings!
Late 2025 Multiple 2nd/3rd place finishes We're on fire! 🔥
Early 2026 Missed First Strike Finals Major setback 😔
December 2026 Released from Cloud9 On to the next one! 🚀

Now, the million-dollar question: What's next for Shinobi? The esports world is my oyster in 2026! I'm exploring all options, looking for a new squad where I can bring my IGL experience, strategic mind, and that never-say-die attitude. Will I pop up in another top-tier NA team? Could an international offer come knocking? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure—I'm not done competing. Not by a long shot.

As for Cloud9 Blue, they've got the JBL Quantum Cup this weekend, supposedly facing off against Team SoloMid. Will they field a replacement for me last minute? Your guess is as good as mine. I wish the team nothing but the best of luck; those guys are still my brothers in arms.

So, this isn't a goodbye to the scene—it's a 'see you later.' To my fans, stay tuned. The Shinobi saga is far from over. The grind continues, the fire burns brighter, and the next highlight reel is just waiting to be made. It's time to find my new home and shoot for the stars! #ShinobiUnleashed