June 2015 – Berlin, Germany
UEFA Champions League Final
Real Madrid vs Juventus
The roar of 70,000 fans in Berlin's Olympiastadion was deafening. Sae stood at midfield, his expression ice cold under the night lights. Across from him stood legends: Buffon. Chiellini. Pirlo. Pogba. Tevez.
The old guard of Juventus. The European kings in waiting.
Sae wasn't nervous.
He wasn't excited.
He was ready.
---
The Final Begins
The opening whistle blew.
Within 10 minutes, Juventus had taken control. Pirlo orchestrated the midfield like a conductor. Pogba was a whirlwind of energy. Madrid looked overwhelmed.
But Sae—he waited. Studied.
And then… in the 28th minute, he struck.
A clever movement off the ball, drifting right—he pulled Marchisio just enough to open a passing lane from Kroos. He received the ball, flicked it behind with a heel-touch, and spun through two defenders.
One pass.
One motion.
One goal.
Ronaldo converted. 1–0.
The stadium erupted. But Sae didn't celebrate. He simply jogged back.
His thoughts whispered:
> "One step closer."
---
Media Frenzy – The Itoshi Storm
Back in Japan, the match was being broadcast live.
Split-screen coverage flashed between the Champions League Final and a special profile on Rin Itoshi, who had just helped Japan's U17 team defeat Brazil in a dramatic 3–2 win.
The announcer said:
> "One brother conquers Europe… the other builds his legend at La Masia. Is this the greatest sibling rivalry in football?"
Japanese media exploded:
"Sae or Rin: Who will lead Japan?"
"Should Rin be fast-tracked to the senior team?"
"Do they need both?"
Fans were taking sides.
And within the senior team, so were the players.
---
Halftime – Madrid Locker Room
"Keep possession. Don't let Pirlo breathe," Ancelotti barked.
Sae wasn't listening. His mind drifted—not from distraction, but from cold calculation.
He thought of Rin.
He could feel it. The world was turning toward his brother. The "second genius." The "other Itoshi."
He clenched his fist.
> "There's no 'other.' I am the only one."
---
Second Half – The Crown Battle
Juventus came back swinging.
Tevez equalized in the 57th minute. Momentum shifted. Madrid wavered.
Then came the moment.
Minute 74. Sae picked the ball up deep in midfield. Pogba charged at him. Sae slowed… stopped… then burst forward with a sudden surge, cutting left.
Two defenders closed.
He chipped it forward—not to Ronaldo, but to Benzema, who volleyed it in.
2–1.
Benzema ran to him. "You're unbelievable."
Sae didn't even smile.
> "I told you. I don't miss."
---
Full-Time – Real Madrid: Champions of Europe
When the final whistle blew, confetti rained down.
Ramos lifted the trophy. Modrić shouted with joy. Ronaldo posed with his signature grin.
Sae stood behind them, slightly apart. His first Champions League title. At 16.
The world watched him.
The cameras zoomed in.
And he simply turned and walked down the tunnel—alone.
---
Tokyo – Fractures in the Samurai
Back at Japan's training camp for the Copa America preparations, the atmosphere was tense.
Veterans like Honda and Kagawa began to feel it: the balance was shifting.
During a film session, Honda said bluntly:
> "The kid doesn't play with us. He plays above us."
Kagawa replied quietly: "Or beyond us."
Sae noticed.
In training, they stopped passing to him as often. Instructions became passive-aggressive.
Even the manager, Halilhodžić, was hesitant.
Sae's aura wasn't normal—it was heavy. It commanded. It unsettled.
---
Syncing with the Template
Late one night, alone at the facility gym, Sae stared at his reflection in the mirror.
He was stronger now. Sharper. Faster.
But what he saw wasn't just himself anymore.
He was syncing more deeply with the original Itoshi Sae—not just in skill, but in ego, in outlook, in detachment.
He whispered:
> "I don't need teammates. I need results."
In his mind, a faint voice echoed.
> "The field is mine alone."
His passes became more surgical. His vision more ruthless. His play more isolated—but brilliant.
He was becoming the Sae Itoshi the world feared.
---
Rin's Response – An Open Challenge
After the Champions League Final, Rin posted his first public comment on social media.
Just one sentence, in Japanese:
> "Enjoy your crown while it lasts."
Attached was a short clip of his latest match—where he curled in a free-kick from 30 meters.
The message was clear.
> War was coming.
---
End of Chapter 14