The sun was now high in the sky, casting long shadows across the pristine training field. The atmosphere was thick with tension as EOS Team 2 and the Old Legends stepped onto the pitch.
The EOS Team 2 players, eager to prove themselves, had their eyes burning with determination. They knew they weren't the top-ranked players, but this was their chance to make a statement—to show that they were worthy of standing on the same field as legends.
The Old Legends, on the other hand, stood with an air of confidence. These were former superstars who had ruled the professional stage. Even though they were past their prime, their experience, technique, and footballing IQ were unmatched.
From the sidelines, EOS Top 11, along with some remaining members of the World 11, watched in silence. Renji leaned forward slightly, his eyes scanning the field.
"Let's see how much the gap really is," he muttered.
The whistle blew, and the Old Legends took possession first. Seiji Nakamura, the legendary center-midfielder from FC Yokohama, received the ball effortlessly. His movements were precise, refined—there was no wasted motion.
Rikuya Asano, EOS Team 2's midfielder, rushed in to press him.
Nakamura didn't even flinch.
With a simple shift of his body, he completely negated the pressure, rolling the ball away before flicking it forward with the outside of his boot.
A perfect no-look pass.
The ball landed at the feet of Daigo Fushimi, the relentless forward from Nagoya Titans.
The moment Fushimi received the ball, he accelerated toward the goal with terrifying precision. Kenji Takahashi, one of EOS Team 2's defenders, tried to block him, but—
Flick!
Fushimi lifted the ball over Kenji's foot and nutmegged him in one fluid motion.
The crowd gasped.
"Shit!" Kenji cursed as he turned, but it was too late—Fushimi was already inside the penalty area.
Just as Fushimi was about to take the shot, a figure rushed in from the side—Isamu Oda!
Oda lunged forward, blocking Fushimi's shooting angle, forcing him to adjust.
This split-second delay was all Jin Kazama, EOS's second-best goalkeeper, needed.
"I won't let this in!" Jin roared.
Fushimi fired—Jin reacted instantly.
With an incredible diving save, he punched the ball away, sending it flying toward the midfield.
The EOS players immediately counterattacked.
Sorao Hamada sprinted forward, receiving the clearance. With two quick touches, he advanced, looking for options.
But the Old Legends weren't shaken.
Ryohei Sakamoto, the midfield general from Sapporo Blades, calmly adjusted the defensive structure.
Sorao knew he couldn't hesitate. He had to break through before the defense settled.
He sent a through ball to Kenta Shimizu, who dashed toward the right flank.
Kenta's speed was insane!
He reached the ball first and immediately whipped a cross into the box—a powerful, curving delivery.
In the middle, Sho Nakata was ready. He jumped high, going for a header!
But—
Shogo Mizuki, the legendary goalkeeper of the Old Legends, didn't even move.
Because Hiroshi Takeuchi, the Osaka Vortex's center-back, was already there.
"Not happening."
Takeuchi leaped higher than Nakata, heading the ball away with ease.
EOS Team 2 had launched an explosive counterattack, but the Old Legends blocked it effortlessly.
From the sidelines, Renji narrowed his eyes.
"This isn't just experience. This is control. They dictate everything."
Sunil Rajput smirked beside him. "Now do you see the gap?"
Renji clenched his fists. "Tch… I see it."
But seeing it wasn't enough.
They had to overcome it.
To Be Continued…