Chapter 69 - 404 3

error 3 But why join us?" Haruma asked, seeming suspicious. Itsuki turned to him and said, "I just wanted to get noticed by Kento Sensei...He’s watching over this game, so I thought it might be my chance to get noticed by the coach of Japan U-17." Haruma and Kurogami slowly nodded in understanding. "Well, I guess, We’ll be good friends" Itsuki said, "My name is Itsuki Kato, from Mizuha High, and I serve as Center Mid, nice to meet you both." Slightly nodding, Kurogami turned to the opposing side, "All of them must be very skilled if they are picked by Minato Sensei." Haruma and Itsuki turned too, gazing at their opposing team. One of the players from them stood guiding the other two, his hair bright red with sharp facial features and an athletic build. "He’s Raya." Itsuki said, "He’s a striker, his game is just unbelievable, he is so calculated and perfect that sometimes it feels like he’s not even a human, and he’s probably going to be the captain of our side." Haruma and Kurogami were gazing at them with a serious look. With a smile Itsuki added, "Subaru is a goalkeeper and Makoto is a center back, both are amazing!" "Alright" Kurogami said, "I’ll make sure they don’t score, and you both make sure to score at least one, but score!" Haruma and Itsuki locked eyes with him, both seeming determined. Kurogami turned to Haruma and said, "Keep your eyes open" Haruma got slightly confused, gazing at him, who was returning him a serious gaze. Just then a whistle blew out, drawing their attention, and as Haruma turned to the whistle he saw Minato, Kento and the remaining players gathered on the sidelines. Haruma then turned to the other side of the field from where Raya Subaru and Makoto stepped on the field, their faces etched with intense focus. Kurogami then stepped forward, stepping on the field followed by Itsuki. Taking a quick breath, Haruma too stepped on the field. Chapter 38 "The Breath Before the Storm" Kurogami took his position before the nets, his eyes calm yet focused. Itsuki stood at defense, his focus sharp and unwavering. Haruma walked with determined steps, standing at the center of the field, his gaze locked ahead where Raya, the opposing striker stood with a focused expression, exuding confidence. Both Haruma and Raya were staring at each other, both appearing focused. Raya stood ready with the ball under his foot, his entire posture exuding readiness to kickoff the game. Minato then brought the whistle up to his mouth and placed it between his lips, his gaze sweeping the players on field one last time before a sharp piercing blow echoed through the air, signalling the start. As the whistle echoed, Haruma quickly slid his foot in for the possession of the ball but Raya with perfect timing flicked the ball defetly to his side, dribbling past him in a blur. Just as Raya was about to charge forward, Haruma’s foot came sliding in from the left. With a burst of instinct Raya flicked the ball to his right, narrowly avoiding Haruma’s outstretched leg. For a fleeting moment their bodies were almost one. Raya’s breath hitched as he caught a glimpse of Haruma just next to him, their sides pressed together in a tensed silence. With a slight shove Raya nudged Haruma aside and brust forward, his pace quickening. Haruma, undeterred, matched his pace, running right with him, consistently pressing into him in an effort to force the ball away, yet, Raya’s control on the ball remained flawless and powerful. Haruma’s focus was unwavering, his eyes never leaving the ball when suddenly, Raya struggling with Haruma pressing on his right side, Frustrated, Raya swung his left foot back, aiming for a long pass, but in a flash Haruma read his move and quickly slid his right foot in for a block. Just as Raya’s foot was about to make contact with the ball, Haruma’s foot slid in for a flawless block. But just then, Raya’s eyes flashed with a sharp intent, and at the last second instead of shooting he stepped over from the ball and with his right foot he gently nudged the ball to his right side, sending it rolling between the legs of Haruma. Without wasting any other second, Raya dpun around Haruma’s back reaching the ball and charging past Haruma, leaving him in his wake, completely outpaced. From the sidelines, Minato broke into a proud grin. On the other hand, Kento was watching with a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips. Raya was charging forward at the nets, his eyes locked on a clear sight of Kurogami standing firm before the nets. Clenching his jaw in determination, Raya quickened his pace rushing at nets but suddenly Itsuki stepped between, blocking his path with his face set with intense focus. Raya, appearing unfazed began a rapid series of step over skill over the ball, his movements fast enough to make everyone watching lose their concentration. But Itsuki with unwavering focus, slid his foot right aiming directly for the ball. Raya, sensing the danger, reacted instantly and rolled the ball back, his foot remained firmly planted on top of the ball, keeping it just out of Itsuki’s reach. Both Itsuki and Raya held their positions, both appearing focused. Then in a flash Raya’s eyes widened in alarm, and in an instant he rolled the ball to his left. Just after the ball was shifted, Haruma’s foot came sliding in from behind, making contact with nothing but just air, his face twisted in fury as he missed the tackle. Now Raya stood between Haruma and Itsuki, his foot remained firmly planted on the top of the ball which was wide on his left. Itsuki with intense focus lunged at the ball, his foot moving perfectly for interception. At the same time Haruma quickly covered Raya from the right, blocking every Raya’s escape, leaving no space to send a pass. The air was heavy with anticipation, the smallest movement from Raya was crucial. Just as Itsuki’s foot neared the ball, Raya with all his might tapped the ball hard, sending it soaring into the air, leaving both Haruma and Itsuki stunned. Just as the ball flew up, Raya took a big jump, connecting the ball perfectly with his head, sending it flying towards the right over the head of Haruma, from where Makoto came rushing in, controlling the ball perfectly on his feets. Itsuki, with his face twisted in fury, charged at Makoto with relentless speed. Haruma, struggling to catch up with their speed, turned around to see Itsuki was about to close in on Makoto, but before he could Makoto sent a flying pass back in his direction. Haruma’s eyes widened, and as he turned around where Raya was, his heart skipped a beat... Raya was no way near him, he was already charging towards the nets with the ball soaring perfectly into his direction. The distance between him and Raya was now massive. Haruma’s eyes widened with a mix of panic and frustration as he sprinted after Raya. But Raya with unbreakable focus jumped controlling the ball effortlessly on his feets, and glanced up at the nets where stood, The Black Kallor, Kurogami. Inhaling deeply, Raya slightly leaned his body to his right and with a smooth deliberate movement he shot the ball with his left foot. Itsuki stood motionless, looking down with visible disappointment. Kurogami lay motionless on the ground, eyes wide with disbelief, his face wearing an expression of shock, unable to believe that he just conceded a goal. Haruma’s once relentless speed faded into a jog before he dropped to his knees, his head bowed. Minato grinning from ear to ear, clapping enthusiastically, then shot a playful glance at Kento, and with a teasing smirk, he began "I’m sorry Mr. Kento, but your boys are clearly lacking both technique and brains." Kento remained unfazed, still clapping with a beaming smile on his face. Minato turned his eyes back on the field, crossing his arms with a confident smile, as he continued casually, "I know that you’re desperate to win the World Cup, but you can’t just bring any player here who lacks the very basics of football." There was still no response from Kento, causing a flicker of confusion to flash across Minato’s face who turned to him... And just as his eyes landed on Kento his eyes shot open in disbelief. Kento’s face was twisted in a wild, maniac smirk, his eyes burning with intense madness. It was a madness unlike anything seen before, a sharp contrast to the bright, cheerful spirit he always carried. Now, his gaze was sharp, cold and solely locked on the field, with a slow whisper he began. "Speed, Technique, Focus, Discipline... Those win you games." He paused, his smirk widening, "But, Ferocity... The hunger to win!... The hunger to be the greatest... That’s what wins you... The World Cup!" With those words Kento let out a soft unsettling giggle, his eyes wide and dripping with unsettling delight. Watching him like this, Minato began sweating, instinctively he followed Kento’s gaze, and when he saw Haruma, his own eyes widened further. Haruma was still on his knees, his head bowed, and a Golden Aura began pulsing from his body like smoke, radiating with otherworldly intensity. Across the field, Kurogami lay still, releasing a Black Aura, contrasting sharply with Haruma’s.