Testing Themselves
At practice, the atmosphere was different.
The usual jokes were gone. Every player was locked in, focused. They knew what was coming.
The session was brutal.
Shun pushed his body to the limit, refining his movement. Renji worked on defensive positioning. Ryo honed his speed and finishing.
Then—
"Let's simulate what's coming," the coach announced.
He pointed at Ryo.
"You're the dribbling monster now. Let's see if Shun and Renji can stop you."
Ryo grinned. "You're screwed."
The test began.
A Glimpse of What's Coming
Ryo came at them full force.
He feinted left, shifted right. His feet danced over the ball like lightning. A blur of movement.
Shun and Renji reacted instantly.
Shun lunged to intercept—Ryo nutmegged him.
Renji stepped in for backup—Ryo flicked the ball over his foot.
The next second— he was past them.
Renji gasped. "What the hell—?!"
Ryo turned back and smirked. "If I can do that, imagine what the real guy can do."
Shun clenched his fists.
The match was going to be a battlefield.
Final Words
After training, the team huddled together.
"Tomorrow," the captain said. "We step into hell."
No one spoke.
Then Shun smirked. "Then let's burn brighter than hell itself."
The team roared in agreement.
The next match was upon them.