Reo and Seishirō rushed at full speed toward the opponent's half.
While advancing, Reo glanced at Ryōsuke's position — sure enough, he was still trapped under Zantetsu's marking, with no chance to get back on defense.
'What's this? All that talk about not letting us score again was just empty words after all?! Once we score this goal, we'll be completely even! Then your advantage will be gone, and we'll take the game in one go!'
His face showed a smug smile as he and Seishirō sprinted across the field, aiming straight for Team Z's goal.
Meanwhile, Ryōsuke also began to move.
"I won't let you through!" Zantetsu burst forth with his incredible speed, trying to contain him just like before.
Though Ryōsuke's speed had exceeded his expectations earlier, Zantetsu remained absolutely confident in his explosive short-distance speed — even Hyōma Chigiri couldn't match him.
There was no way this guy could break through his defensive position.
But the moment he started moving, he found the distance between himself and Ryōsuke widening.
"Too slow."
The speedster's voice whispered past Zantetsu's ear as the air rushed past his face.
"No... impossible!"
In that instant, Ryōsuke, with even more ridiculous speed, forcefully broke through the absolute defense.
❖ Total Concentration ➠ Thunder Breathing! ❖
❖ Thunderclap and Flash ➠ Straight Run! ❖
His full-power explosion unleashed an absurd initial acceleration!
"What kind of speed is this?!" Zantetsu's eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively reached out to grab him but couldn't even touch him.
In terms of initial speed, he had lost!
The other defending backs on the field couldn't even begin their starting motion.
"Impossible!"
"This guy outpaced Zantetsu on the first step?!"
"He's a monster! But at this distance, surely he can't catch up to defend! It's too far!"
On the other half of the field, Seishirō had already coordinated with Reo to penetrate Team Z's territory. If this shot went in, the score would be tied, and Team V, riding their momentum, would gain the advantage.
He continued dribbling forward when a familiar small figure appeared before him.
"I won't let you through." Asahi declared with absolute determination.
"Sorry, no offense, but why do people like you without talent keep trying? You can't stop me, right? If I were you, I would have given up already." Seishirō said with confusion, preparing to simply get past his opponent.
He casually moved the ball with his right foot, easily shifting Asahi's center of gravity, then suddenly changed direction with his left foot.
The Flip-Flap Dribble!
The dribble move was executed so perfectly that Asahi's balance was thrown off again—
"Even without talent, I won't give up so easily!" He shouted, simultaneously putting forth every ounce of his strength, as if burning himself up completely, forcefully stomping one foot down to maintain his balance.
He hadn't lost his defensive position!
"Oh?" His action slightly surprised Seishirō.
However, it was just mild surprise — even though Asahi hadn't immediately lost his defensive position, he could no longer change his posture or center of gravity. He would still be beaten.
"In the end, isn't this just pointless effort? Why create unnecessary trouble?" Seishirō pulled back with his left foot, spinning past Asahi in one smooth, beautiful motion.
At the same time, he created enough space for himself to shoot.
"Take them down, Nagi!" Reo shouted excitedly from the side as his friend raised his foot to shoot.
In front of him, Iemon's heart was racing, feeling like it might explode — he knew he had to stop this shot no matter what.
But could he really do it? Seishirō was a monster.
Everyone on Team Z's hearts were in their throats at this moment.
"Got it."
Seishirō whispered, and in that instant, his toe was about to touch the ball—
"You call this pointless effort?"
Ryōsuke's voice sounded by his ear.
Seishirō's eyes suddenly widened. This was the first time he showed an expression of surprise.
This guy had already appeared behind him, touching the ball at an even faster speed!
Interference successful! The shot was blocked, and Iemon immediately rushed forward, gathering the ball in his arms.
Successful defense!
"What?!" Reo froze in shock, unable to believe the shot had been blocked so directly.
He stared in disbelief at Ryōsuke's position on the field.
When he glanced back at the pursuing Zantetsu, realization finally dawned.
"He broke through Tsurugi's containment and made it back to defend at full speed?! That's impossible!" The smile vanished from Reo's face as he shouted at his teammate, "You idiot, you couldn't even do this right?!"
Even as the words left his mouth, he knew this wasn't Zantetsu's fault.
Ryōsuke's ability was terrifyingly beyond imagination. To sprint from the offensive end straight to defense and catch up to Seishirō — what kind of monster was this guy!
"Fall back, fall back!" With their attack thwarted, Reo rallied his teammates, "It's okay, Nagi! That was just luck! Let's defend this round and catch the next opportunity!"
Seishirō stood stunned for a moment, still processing his surprise at Ryōsuke's inexplicable feat. But he quickly snapped back to reality and retreated with his teammates, muttering under his breath.
"Defend, defend, we must stop them!"
"That was perfect timing, Kira!" Watching his teammate's incredible defensive return, Asahi nearly burst into tears.
Without him, Seishirō would have surely scored.
Ryōsuke patted his shoulder with a smile, "It's thanks to you, actually. Your desperate defense made Nagi take those extra moves, giving me that precious second I needed. Leave the rest to me."
❖❖❖
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