Ryūma Banjō steadied his breathing, trying to control the power behind his pass.
He wanted to make sure the ball reached Yo Hiori cleanly—perfect for a Direct Shot.
"Now!"
[Thud]
As Eita Otoya and two Team X defenders closed in, Ryūma decisively sent the ball toward Yo Hiori on the left flank of Team X's backfield.
At the same time, Ryūma sprinted toward Team X's penalty area to mislead the defense, making them think Hiori would return the ball to him.
That would force the opponents to split their focus and mark him, easing Hiori's pressure to shoot.
But as the ball approached, Yo Hiori's thoughts were different.
(Huh? What's with that position, Ryūma? Even if I pass it there, can you really take the shot?)
(Forget it! Stop overthinking, Hiori. If Ryūma's running there, he must have a reason.)
(The ball's coming fast—adjust, now! His position is sharp, one mistake and he won't reach it. But… I won't let you down, Ryūma!)
Before Hiori could think any further, Eita Otoya was already charging straight at him.
Knowing he had no time to hesitate, Hiori adjusted his stance and launched a long pass toward Ryūma Banjō, who had just broken into the left side of Team X's box.
As the ball soared toward him, Ryūma froze for a moment, puzzled.
(Huh? What's Hiori doing? He could've just gone for the shot! Why send it back to me?)
(He was practically unmarked—why not take it himself?)
(Don't tell me he saw me running in and thought I wanted him to pass it back?)
(So he actually passed because of that? You're way too obedient, Hiori. Don't just do whatever I want!)
(This kid… can't he be a little rebellious for once?)
Ryūma didn't actually blame Hiori—he was just exasperated.
He thought Hiori followed his words too literally—pass when told, never thinking twice.
He didn't have time to think more. The ball was dropping toward him, but the situation looked grim.
The right flank was swarmed with Team X players. Three defenders had him completely boxed in, with two more waiting for the ball to fall.
"Move it already! You done yet?" Ryūma snapped impatiently.
He hated being surrounded by three guys—if they were girls, maybe he wouldn't have minded.
But this? No chance.
Exploding forward, Ryūma rammed straight into the two players in front of him, knocking them off balance.
Breaking free, he leapt diagonally upward toward the descending ball, determined to reach it first.
"Heh. Your blind spot's in a perfect spot, Mr. Monster."
Tabito Karasu suddenly appeared ahead of him, cutting the ball off midair.
Landing smoothly, Ryūma reacted instantly and lunged toward Karasu again.
But the two Team X players who'd been waiting for the ball closed in at the same time, blocking his path.
He forced his way through them again, but it still slowed him down.
"Counterattack time~ Ninja!"
Karasu seized the moment and sent the ball flying toward Team X's midfield center.
"Don't let him get away, Triplets! Get the ball!"
Yo Hiori chased after Eita Otoya with everything he had, but Otoya's speed was on another level.
He not only widened the gap but also reached the ball before the triplet brothers who had been closer.
Still, the difference wasn't huge—by the time Otoya took possession, the triplets were already in front of him.
But Otoya completely dominated them.
His speed and flexibility made him untouchable. Even if they tried to foul him, they couldn't catch him—his body moved like liquid.
He slipped past all three effortlessly and was about to press forward again when a cold voice cut through the air.
"Your speed's about the same as his. Didn't think your brain was too."
It was Rin Itoshi.
Eita Otoya's mind blanked for a second—he couldn't figure out how Rin had predicted his move and intercepted the ball right after he slipped past the defenders.
His final dribble had been a nutmeg, but when he turned to find the ball, Rin already had it under control, driving it back toward his own penalty area.
Ryūma Banjō, running up the right side of Team X's midfield, had initially felt glad Rin recovered the ball—but after hearing that jab, he was fuming.
(Seriously? He might as well have said my name!)
Annoyed as he was, Ryūma still turned and dashed back toward Team X's penalty area.
The match came first. He could settle things with Rin afterward.
Charging into the center of Team X's backfield, Rin immediately met two defenders.
He dragged the ball back with his right foot, baiting them into lunging forward.
Then, with a swift motion, he feinted right—his left foot striking the ball toward that direction.
"Let's see you get past us!"
But Rin wasn't falling for it.
As they moved to block, he pulled the ball back again with his right foot, spun left with the ball under control, and slipped past both defenders with ease.
Almost at the same moment, a familiar voice called out:
"Finally faster than you for once, genius!"
Tabito Karasu's eyes gleamed as he intercepted Rin's path.
"Heh. One step too slow, Karasu."
Before Karasu could react, Rin sent the ball flying toward the right flank of Team X's backfield.
Two figures immediately exploded into motion, racing toward it—Eita Otoya and Ryūma Banjō.
Seeing Otoya keeping pace with him, Ryūma thought:
(He's still matching me after all that running? Not bad. Looks like this ninja's got stamina.)
(If this were the front or midfield, I'd have to think twice…)
(But here? This is the backfield!)
Purple light surged in Ryūma's eyes as he went all in, sprinting toward the ball's drop point.
Eita Otoya blinked, startled by Ryūma's reckless dash.
(What's he doing? He's nearly at the ball—why isn't he slowing down?)
(Even with his dribbling skills, catching it at that speed will send it flying!)
Still confused, Otoya pushed forward harder.
He didn't understand Ryūma's plan, but the best move was to cut him off head-on.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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