Chapter 80 - 404 13

Everyone on the sidelines stood frozen, watching with wide eyes, shock written all over their faces. From the stands Kento was watching with a proud smile, while Mio sitting next to him was beaming with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with pure joy. Back on the field, Haruma flashed a big smirk, clenching his jaw tightly he thrust a punch into the air in a silent yet powerful celebration. Slowly, Itsuki blinked out of his daze, his initial shock faded into a wide grin, as he broke into applause, "Yeahhh!" he screams, his voice ringing out, "That was amazing Harumaaaa!" Raon standing with a bright smile on his face, joined in on the applause. And just after him the rest of the team followed, their applause each around the field in unified appreciation. "That was one heck of a shot!" Raya said, still clapping with a wide smile on his face. Kabuto clapping with a wide relaxed smirk added, "Damn... this boy is really something different!" Kurogami standing nearby, watching Haruma with his arms crossed. His eyes were burning with the fire of revenge... Now Nagisa with closed eyes was standing before the ball. Letting out a deep breath, he slowly opened his eyes and a quiet calm quickly settled over his face. With a slight jog, Nagisa stepped forward and struck the ball cleanly, sending it flying through the air, gliding past the hurdles before slamming sharply on the target. The team burst into applause, their cheers echoing through the field. While Nagisa seemed calm and composed. "That was easy for him." Izaya said with a smile, clapping along... Next was Jiho, whose chest was raising and falling with quick, furious breaths. Letting out a sharp roar he stormed forward and struck the ball hardest. The ball rocketed towards the nets with. Smiling hesitantly, Itsuki said, "Don’t you guys think he puts a lot of power behind the shot?" The ball soared towards the nets, going completely off target, missing the huddles and net. Jiho screamed in frustration pulling his hair collapsing on knees... Now taking the shot, Raya jogged forward and struck the ball, sending it flying into the air, gliding past the hurdle and striking the target. The gathered players once again exploded into applause, praising Raya in murmur among themselves. Minato sensei was keeping a close eye on the game, noting down something on the notebook he was holding. On the stands, Mio was sitting calmly eating potato chips, while Kento was sitting next, appearing to be deep in thoughts. "This year’s U17 talent seem serious, I’m sure Minato will have a tough time finalizing the starting eleven" He sighs and leaned back, "And at the tournament it will be more difficult for me to pick a squad, man I’m screwed!" he thought, flashing a lazy smile... Next up, Zora, one of the center backs, was standing in Middle of the field facing the net far ahead of him. Behind him, the rest of the team was gathered in a loose formation, only Raya stood a few steps ahead of the group closer to Zora but still behind him in position. The ball was placed on the ground in front of Raya. Zora was taking quick breaths, while Raya was focused ahead. Minato sensei then brought the whistle to his mouth and blew out sharply, prompting Raya’s eyes to flash with determination, jogging forward and launching the ball soaring far towards the nets. As the ball was traveling through the air soaring towards the nets, Zora clenched his jaw, pulsing his muscles on the thigh before exploding into a sprint towards the nets chasing the ball flying towards the nets. Every eye was locked on him, with Kento watching with wide eyes. Zora rushed towards the ball as it hit the ground before the nets, bounced high right towards the nets. But before it could cross the goal line Zora came rushing in, launching himself in a bicycle kick stopping the ball before the nets and launching it back far away on the field. All the gathered players exploded into applause and roars of cheer, the air buzzing with their energetic cheers. Raon smiles brightly, "Woah, that was amazing!" Minato sensei nodded with a firm straight face and noted down something again in the notebook. Kento, seeming impressed, began clapping with a silent, thoughtful demeanour. Haruma had a look of appreciation on his face, applauding for him along with others.... Raya took another shot sending the ball flying towards the nets before another center back, Haru broke into a sprint chasing after the soaring ball towards the nets. Everyone was watching with clear anticipation. As the ball hits the ground before the nets aggressively bouncing towards the nets. Haru came rushing, throwing himself forward in the air, outstretching his leg forward, reaching the ball. With his face etched with fierce determination he outstretched his legs desperately but he fell short, the ball went inside the nets, and with a crash Haru fell inside the nets, letting out a frustrated roar smacking the ground. All the gathered teammates felt slightly bad for Haru, but almost immediately, Raon began applauding out loud, "You did great Haruuu! amazing efforts buddy!" Raon’s actions caused all the others to join in the applause, supporting Haru... "Kabuto you are up next." Minato sensei declared calmly. Kabuto smiles and walks forward, before leaning slightly on Haruma, "Now watch me Haruma." Haruma’s brow slightly furrowed in confusion, while Kabuto walked towards his position. Taking his position, Kabuto was now set for the test, with Raya positioned ready behind him. Minato sensei blew out the whistle sharply, prompting Raya to jog forward and launch the ball again towards the nets. While Kabuto remained still in his position maintaining a lazy smile. As the ball traveled the half distance Kabuto smiles grew wide and he exploded into a sprint chasing the ball. His running style was different, with his body appearing to be relaxed and loose even while running. Caught off guard, Yagami’s eyes widened as he swiftly shifted his body more to his left and outstretched his leg wide, barely managing to stop the ball, but losing his balance. Causing him to stumble slightly, losing the ball completely, but he quickly regained the ball again and frustratedly smacked it forward hitting the targeted cone... Ichimaru was up next, as he came running forward and leapt up high, meeting the ball cleanly with a solid header. But as he landed the ball had already crossed past from his right side. Caught off guard, Ichimaru panicked and threw his right foot in a desperate attempt to stop it, but his rush movement threw him off balance. He stumbled and the ball went inside the mini goal... Now it was Taro’s turn, who came running and leapt into the air, heading the ball away before landing smoothly and launching himself at his right, only to halt mid-step, because Raon’s pass was on the left side, as he failed miserably to predict the move... Taking a deep breath, It was Itsuki taking a few steps backwards before he burst into a sprint and leapt up high, connecting with a perfect header. As he was still in the air, he snapped his eyeballs to Raon who had already fired a pass to his left. Landing smoothly, Itsuki sprang to the left, outstretching his leg wide, barely stopping the ball with just the tips of his toes, still not in full control. Gritting his teeths in determination, he slightly shifted his right foot more to his right, giving his left foot to stretch more and trap the ball under his foot. Without missing a second, he rolled the ball to his right foot allowing him to regain his footing, before tapping the ball back to his left foot. and with a swing of his leg he met the ball with a powerful volley strike, firing it towards the targeted cone. But unfortunately he missed. The players from the sidelines groaned in disappointment, some holding their heads in disbelief. Haruma’s face fell, his hand reaching to his forehead. Raya shook his head, his voice low with sympathy, "A volley kick to hit the small cone on the ground... surely is difficult!" Itsuki kicked the ground frustratedly, clenching his fists tight, letting out a low growl of anger... Coming at last was Nagisa. He came running forward and leapt high up in the air heading the ball with pinpoint precision. As he landed only to find the ball was already coming to his left. He smoothly launched both of his legs to that direction, sliding in his left foot to stop the ball while using his right foot to steady his balance. The move was so cleaned and controlled that it left everyone watching in silent awe. With perfect control, Nagisa slightly tapped the ball upwards, quickly regaining his balance and twisted his body into a smooth spin, with his left foot swinging in the same motion meeting the ball with a powerful spinning volley kick, sending it flying forward, striking the targeted cone with effortless precision. Everyone from the sidelines fell into stunned silence, jaws dropping as they stared in utter disbelief. Raya and Itsuki’s eyes were popping out trying to process what they’d just witnessed. Haruma was watching with wide eyes, completely speechless as the words were stuck in his throat. From the stands, Kento sat frozen, his mouth agape, eyes locked on the field.