Just as Ryūma Banjō's right foot was about to strike the ball, Yoichi Isagi suddenly darted in front of Seishiro Nagi, determined to get into position before the prodigy could react.
Ryūma glanced at Isagi's movement and smirked inwardly.
(Heh, still too young, Isagi. Without vision beyond your limits, you'll crumble before a true monster.)
The next instant, Isagi's expression shifted sharply. He realized Ryūma wasn't aiming to shoot at all.
Ryūma's right foot hit the ball—only to push it toward his left. Then, leaping again, he swung with his left foot and sent a powerful pass straight toward Nagi.
Although Isagi reacted instantly, Nagi caught the ball mid-air with effortless control.
(Ah, that's it, Isagi. Come on—try to stop me.)
(I'll give this ball life with my first touch. Then you'll fall right into my rhythm!)
Seeing Nagi's monstrous ball control, Isagi had no choice but to go for the interception.
But that was exactly what Nagi wanted. He spun lightly, flicking the ball upward with his heel.
The ball instantly arced over Isagi's head.
He'd been completely beaten.
(You can't stop me, Isagi. Because I am...)
(The Creator of the Field!!)
As the ball descended, Nagi didn't hesitate for a second—he volleyed it back toward Ryūma.
Isagi's tackle had slowed the play just long enough for Bachira and Chigiri to return to defend, but that too was part of Ryūma and Nagi's plan.
In a match this exhausting, stamina was the greatest enemy.
(How many times can you sprint like that?)
(How many more times can you get back in time?)
Hyōma Chigiri was living proof of that struggle—drenched in sweat, chest heaving, yet still sprinting desperately toward Ryūma.
He knew Barō alone couldn't stop Ryūma's next shot.
If the ball reached Ryūma before he did, it was over.
They say human potential is limitless—but this was pushing it to the edge.
Chigiri forced his exhausted body forward, arriving just two strides ahead of the falling ball.
"Hey! You still good? Even if it kills you, block that shot!"
"Don't need you to tell me—I'll stop him no matter what!"
Ryūma ignored both Barō and Chigiri, eyes locked on the descending ball, his grin growing sharper.
(Haha, Nagi… you really see me as a monster, huh? The ball's ridiculously high—and I've got two defenders on me!)
(Barō and Chigiri aren't pushovers either… you really trust me that much, Nagi?)
(Hm? The curve of this pass—hah, so that's your plan. You selfish bastard!)
Ryūma turned his head toward Nagi, meeting his blazing gaze.
(Fine, fine… I'll give you this one.)
(But if you can't catch it, I'm messing up that white hair of yours!)
Barō saw Ryūma getting ready to charge and immediately stepped up, shouting,
"Quick! Steal the ball and pass it to me!"
Chigiri knew time was running out and sprinted toward the falling ball without a word.
"Out of my way!"
"What the hell!?"
Hearing the commotion behind him, Chigiri instinctively looked back—just in time to see a flash of purple blur past him.
In his field of vision, only one figure remained—collapsed on the ground.
(Huh!? Barō!?)
Realizing what had happened, Chigiri whipped his head back toward the play.
He saw Ryūma leaping into the air just as the ball dropped toward him. His arms swung back wide, and when the ball was about three meters off the ground—
Ryūma's right foot shot upward like a cannon, smashing into the descending ball mid-air!
Chigiri froze, stunned.
(What!? From that angle, there's no way he can shoot at the goal!)
(Wait… he's aiming toward—)
[BOOM!!]
Under everyone's shocked gaze, the ball didn't head for the goal—but straight toward Seishiro Nagi!
Still catching his breath from the last play, Isagi's eyes widened.
(A back pass!?)
(Too late! Nagi's already repositioning—there's no way I can reach it first.)
(Then there's only one thing I can do!!)
(I'll predict Nagi's shooting lane—and cut him off there!!)
Out of the corner of his eye, Isagi read Nagi's movements and took off in the opposite direction.
Nagi noticed Isagi's shift but didn't care—his focus was entirely on controlling Ryūma's pass.
If he failed here, his perfect chance would vanish.
He stretched out his right foot to meet the falling ball.
"Ah, damn—so heavy!"
With a brilliant first touch, Nagi somehow managed to absorb the impact of Ryūma's fierce overhead kick, cushioning the ball perfectly.
Then, with a fluid motion, he flicked it up again, repositioned his body, and prepared to shoot.
At that exact moment, Isagi sprinted into Nagi's predicted shooting lane, eyes fixed on the prodigy's right foot.
(It's coming!! A direct shot right after that monstrous trap!!)
As Nagi landed, Isagi jumped to the side—the perfect position to block his strike.
(Shoot? No… trap!!)
Nagi's right foot swept just past the ball, suspending it mid-air. His leg then pulled back again.
(A feint!? Damn it!)
(Huh? Bachira!?)
As Nagi was about to strike, Meguru Bachira suddenly slid in from the opposite direction, aiming to tackle the ball.
But what happened next left Isagi speechless.
Nagi's right foot once again stopped short—barely brushing the ball to keep it floating—and then, with his left heel, he flicked it up into the air, sending it spinning to his right.
He hopped forward, positioning himself in front of it, and raised his right leg again.
"Damn it!!!"
Isagi couldn't even reset his stance—he lunged desperately into Nagi's shooting path.
He knew if he hesitated for even a second, he'd never block it.
"How pathetic, Isagi."
"But this time—I win!"
As Nagi's confident voice echoed, the ball struck by his right foot didn't fly forward.
Instead, it soared straight up into the air.
Then, Nagi's left foot pushed off the ground, his body rising high as his right leg swung back in a wide arc—ready to unleash his final strike.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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