"Nice one, Rin!"
Yoichi Isagi jogged up beside Rin Itoshi, raising his hand for a high-five.
But Rin ignored him completely, walking back toward his side of the field and saying,
"Good. That's how it should be—play the decoy and pass the ball to me."
On the other side, Seishiro Nagi called out,
"Ryūma, with the teamwork we just showed, we definitely have a chance to win!"
Ryūma knew Nagi was only trying to comfort him, but he also understood all too well—there wouldn't be another lucky goal from here on out.
White Team possession. Leonardo Luna takes the kickoff!
After the whistle, Luna passed the ball to Julian Loki.
The instant Loki touched the ball, he burst into motion, charging straight toward the Red Team's side.
Once he crossed into their half, even with Yoichi Isagi throwing everything he had at him, Loki still dribbled past with ease.
"Yoichi, go cover the other side! Leave him to me!"
Ryūma sprinted toward Loki, who was pushing deeper into their defense.
(It's kinda cruel leaving Adam to Yoichi, but I can't just let Loki keep running wild!)
(Good luck, Yoichi!)
He cut across sharply, stepping into Loki's path.
"I told you—I can still go faster!"
The words had barely left Loki's mouth before he kicked into another burst of speed, flying past Ryūma in a blur.
"I know that! But so can I!"
"You really are interesting!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Loki noticed Ryūma actually keeping up.
But his expression didn't change. Just as Ryūma was about to draw level, Loki flicked the ball sharply toward the left flank.
"Tch!"
Ryūma forced himself to stop, but he'd already been running at top speed—there was no way to change direction immediately.
(That cross is fast! No time to adjust—guess I'll just go for it!)
Jyubei Aryu leapt up to intercept the soaring ball with his head, but Dada Silva's massive frame blocked him midair.
Silva powered through and headed the ball backward.
Ryūma, just regaining his footing, saw it happen and cursed inwardly.
(Damn it! Cavasoz got it!)
"Nagi, stick to the plan!"
"Yeah! This time we're stopping him!"
Yoichi Isagi charged at Pablo Cavasoz, with Nagi two steps behind.
Their strategy was simple—if they couldn't take him together, they'd attack front and back. Even if the ball got past Yoichi, Nagi's monstrous ball control would be there to stop it.
Cavasoz read their intentions immediately, smiling faintly.
"Not a bad idea, but your plan's too obvious—and your field of view's too narrow."
Yoichi froze for a split second, then saw Cavasoz whip a curving pass forward.
(It's fine. Nagi's still there!)
(Only Nagi…)
As Yoichi turned to look—
(Adam!?)
Sure enough, Adam Blake had used his strength to knock Nagi aside, cleanly trapping the incoming pass.
He juggled the ball upward, pivoted on his left foot, and spun, striking the ball with his right.
[Thud!!]
"It's over!"
Yoichi lunged forward to intercept, but Adam had already gone for a direct shot.
Just then, a figure darted into the path of the ball. Seeing it, Yoichi's thoughts raced.
(Savior… you!)
(Stop him, Ryūma!!)
Ryūma, wreathed in purple flames, sprinted full speed toward the incoming shot.
But before he could reach it, a thunderous voice rang out.
"Orééé!!!"
[Smack!!]
GOAL!! Red Team 2:2 White Team
Ryūma skidded to a stop, gritting his teeth as he glared at the figure.
"Hmph. You're one hell of a brute tank, Dada Silva!"
At the last moment, just before Ryūma could block it, Silva had leapt up and smashed the ball into the net with a sudden header!
Silva didn't understand a word Ryūma said, but he laughed maniacally all the same.
"Hahaha! I'll crush you all!"
"What are you so proud of? It was my pass that made it happen!"
Pablo Cavasoz grinned smugly. Adam Blake glanced over and muttered,
"World's biggest narcissist."
Unlike the White Team, the five players of the Red Team fell silent, each lost in thought.
Finally, Ryūma broke the quiet.
"Everyone, we need to change our tactics—especially you, Aryu."
"Find a way to avoid Dada. Otherwise, your aerial advantage means nothing."
"I'll take him next. Yoichi and Nagi, same plan as before."
"Aryu, Adam's yours. He's physically strong too, but if you're careful, you should be able to win the jump."
Then Ryūma turned toward Rin Itoshi, who was preparing for the kickoff.
"Hey, Rin! Hold on a second."
"Here's what we'll do next…"
Rin paused for a moment before replying,
"The success rate's low. That Leonardo Luna guy's predictive ability matches mine—maybe even surpasses it."
"Your plan might get completely read halfway through."
Ryūma smiled faintly.
"Of course I know that. But it's worth a try, isn't it?"
"Luna might see through it, but that doesn't mean he'll stop us."
"He's still grinning like it's a joke—that means he's not taking this seriously."
"If we time it right, even if he reacts, he won't be able to stop us."
Rin said nothing more, walking straight to the center circle.
Ryūma barely caught the quiet murmur that followed—"Yeah."
Red Team possession. Rin Itoshi takes the kickoff!
"Nagi, Yoichi, Aryu—keep up with us and block your marks with everything you've got!"
"This attack's on me and Rin! Let's tear a massive hole in their defense!!"
As soon as Ryūma finished shouting, Rin passed the ball left to Yoichi Isagi.
Yoichi didn't speed up to dribble forward—instead, he slowed down slightly, waiting for the bait to bite...
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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