The moon hung high over the EOS training field, casting long shadows across the grass. The night air was cool, but Renji Kurogami's body burned with exertion. Sweat dripped from his chin as he pushed himself through drill after drill, his muscles screaming for rest — but his mind refused to let up.
I won't be left behind.
He dashed forward, the ball at his feet. A sudden burst of speed — his body flickered to the right, but the ball cut left. It was his modified version of Hoshigaki's key skill — Specter Drive — and tonight, it felt sharper than ever.
Renji's vision had changed. Thanks to the blindfold training under Seiji Nakamura [Old Legend], his field awareness had evolved. He could sense the space around him in ways he hadn't before — the ball's position, the flow of movement, even the shift of air when he moved.
That new vision pushed his Specter Drive closer to perfection.
He stopped abruptly, breathing heavily.
"Still awake, Kurogami?"
Renji turned. Seiji Nakamura [Old Legend] walked toward him, his calm eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"I thought you'd show up," Renji said, wiping his face with his sleeve.
Nakamura smirked. "You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone who didn't know how to stop, even when his body begged for rest."
"I can't stop," Renji said, his voice low. "Not when everyone else is evolving. I need to be the best — I will be the best."
Nakamura's eyes softened. "That's a dangerous mindset."
"But it's the only way," Renji shot back. "If I hesitate, even for a second, someone like Mori will surpass me. I won't let that happen."
Nakamura studied him for a long moment. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Alright," he said. "Show me your Specter Drive."
Renji didn't hesitate. He took off — his body moved fluidly, his vision guiding him. He weaved through invisible defenders, his speed and unpredictability making it seem like his body was in two places at once. The ball stuck to his feet like it was part of him, and when he finally stopped, his chest heaved from the effort.
"Not bad," Nakamura said. "But you're still relying on tricks. Let me show you something."
The next moment, Nakamura had the ball. Renji blinked — and then Nakamura was gone.
No… not gone — he's—
Renji spun, but the ball was already behind him. Nakamura moved with a grace Renji had never seen, his body shifting so smoothly that it felt like the air itself bent around him. His control was absolute, and his vision… terrifying.
"Speed isn't enough," Nakamura said calmly. "If you want to master Specter Drive, you need to see the entire field — not just the ball, not just your opponent. Everything."
Renji's fists clenched. "Then teach me."
Nakamura smiled. "That's what I'm here for."
The Next Day — Nakamura's Training, Day 2
The morning sun was relentless as Group 1 gathered on the field. Kazuya Mori stretched lazily, his eyes flicking toward Renji with a knowing smirk.
"You look tired, Kurogami," Mori teased. "Didn't sleep well?"
Renji didn't answer. His focus was entirely on the day's training.
"Today," Nakamura began, "we refine your vision. Yesterday, you started learning to read the field without your eyes. Now, we take it further."
He tossed a ball into the air — and without warning, kicked it high. The ball soared, and Nakamura's voice rang out:
"Find it."
The group scattered, their eyes skyward. But the sun's glare made it nearly impossible to track the ball. Renji squinted, trying to follow it — and then felt something shift.
He closed his eyes.
Listen.
The faint sound of the ball cutting through the air. The shift of wind. The subtle tension in the players around him, each preparing to jump.
He moved.
The ball descended — and Renji was already there. He leaped, his body twisting mid-air. The ball met his chest, and he controlled it perfectly on the ground.
When he opened his eyes, Nakamura was smiling.
"Well done."
Later That Afternoon — One-on-One Drills
Renji stood across from Mori. Their rivalry had only grown sharper, and today was no different. The whistle blew — and they both exploded into motion.
Renji activated his Specter Drive, his body flickering left before cutting right. But Mori didn't bite. He stayed patient, his eyes locked on Renji's movements.
But Renji's vision was different now. He saw the gap in Mori's stance — the slight weight shift to his left leg.
There.
Renji pushed forward — but at the last second, Mori stepped back, using Renji's own momentum against him.
The ball slipped away. Mori surged past him, his speed and control impeccable.
"Too slow," Mori called over his shoulder.
Renji gritted his teeth — but then the corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk.
Not this time.
He activated his Specter Drive again — and this time, it was sharper. Faster. He intercepted Mori before he could shoot, the ball snapping back to Renji's feet.
"Nice try," Renji said, his eyes gleaming.
But Mori only smiled. "I was waiting for this."
Before Renji could react, Mori closed the distance — and in one smooth motion, stole the ball back. He pivoted and fired a perfect shot into the goal.
The whistle blew — and Renji stared after the ball.
"You're good, Renji," Mori said, walking past him. "But don't forget — I'm evolving too."
(To be continued…)