Yoichi watched Team X's chaotic state and involuntarily gulped, turning to look at Ryōsuke beside him.
'If Kira hadn't anticipated this situation and prepared countermeasures, our Team Z would be in the same position... As expected of him...'
Just as Team X teetered on the edge of complete discord, a tall figure intercepted the ball from his teammate's feet and charged toward Team Z's half with blazing speed.
Shoei Baro!
His teammates desperately gave chase but couldn't match his pace.
"He's too fast! We have to stop him!" Yoichi called out, positioning himself before the oncoming threat.
But Shoei charged forward with an expressionless face — his eyes carrying a contemptuous look as if regarding an insect, emanating such terrifying pressure that Yoichi felt nearly paralyzed.
Don't appear before me.
Trash.
I'll kill you.
Yoichi felt Shoei's intense pressure bearing down on him, making it hard to breathe.
'Which way will he attack? Left or right?'
In that moment of hesitation, Shoei struck.
He swiftly lifted his foot, placed it before the ball, then forcefully stepped down, using his heel to chip it.
The ball soared over Yoichi's head, and while he stood dazed, Shoei burst past him, chest puffed out, skillfully controlling the ball as he charged toward the goal.
That single move showed how far his soccer skills surpassed his opponent's.
"Someone stop him!" Yoichi shouted.
"Shut up!" Jingo roared, rushing toward Shoei as Rensuke came in from the other side to help.
But Shoei easily nutmegged past them both, appearing instantly before the goal.
Shot!
The soccer ball curved in a perfect arc past the goalkeeper at incredible speed. Okuhito Iemon could only watch helplessly as it flew into the net.
"So... so amazing..."
Team Z stood dumbfounded as Shoei displayed his incomparable offensive ability, equalizing the score in mere moments.
The joy from earlier vanished from their faces.
"Listen well, you idiots. Soccer isn't my friend or anything else — it's merely a servant that makes me shine. On this field, I am king." Shoei stood expressionlessly before Team Z's goal, arms spread slightly.
His gestures and demeanor radiated arrogant contempt, as if everyone else were mere insects beneath his notice.
His gaze fixed on Ryōsuke, silently declaring the vast gulf between their abilities.
Ryōsuke furrowed his brows, studying Shoei intently. While others expected him to be provoked by the taunts, he simply paused before speaking.
"Um, did anyone ask for your opinion? Isn't it kind of embarrassing to make such chuunibyou speeches out of nowhere?"
Shoei froze, confusion flickering across his face. Then veins bulged on his forehead as his composure cracked, "You..."
Unable to form a proper response, he retreated from the penalty area, muttering "how annoying" under his breath.
"Hey hey hey, Iemon, what was that?! Can't you handle basic goalkeeping?"
"I've never played goalkeeper before..."
As his teammates began to argue, Ryōsuke approached with a finger to his lips.
"Shh, no fighting. We're a team now — this isn't the time for conflict." He gestured toward the opponent's half, "Look, after Baro's goal, their formation has stabilized. They've figured out their strategy."
Just as he noted, Shoei's brilliant play had calmed his teammates, making them realize a crucial fact: their only path to victory lay in rallying around their new ace.
The once-chaotic team's spirit lifted, boosted by the equalizing goal.
At Ryōsuke's words, the others grew quiet.
"Should we double-team Baro?" Yoichi asked.
"We need better defense against him, but not after he has the ball — we need to prevent him from receiving it in the first place." A composed smile crossed Ryōsuke's face as he turned toward the opponent's half, "Leave the next attack to me. I'll take Baro on directly."
Though Shoei had equalized with his goal, Ryōsuke saw this as an opportunity.
Though this goal might shake Team Z's confidence, Ryōsuke knew that leading them to victory would strengthen their trust in him as a leader.
By proving himself now, he could prevent Wataru's future betrayal — a betrayal born from doubting Team Z's chances of winning.
Each goal Ryōsuke scored would reinforce a crucial lesson: victory comes through teamwork, motivating everyone to give their all.
Meanwhile, Team X's reliance on Shoei as their ace was a double-edged sword. Their predictable strategy of feeding him the ball at every chance made them easier to counter.
Their newfound confidence hinged entirely on Shoei's brilliant display. Taking him down would shatter their team's spirit.
Ryōsuke had made up his mind: he would face Shoei one-on-one.
And crush them completely!
❖❖❖
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