(Unleash every ounce of strength we’ve built up until now—)
(For us nobodies, the last ticket we can fight for is right there!!)
Nijiro Nanase, filled with fighting spirit, strode toward the passage exit and shouted,
“I’m going to become a member of the Japan National Team!”
Meanwhile, in the ‘TOP 6’ lounge—
“What’s taking so long, Rin? Haven’t they finished forming teams yet? I’m dying to crush them already!”
“Childish. Just finish them off quickly later. Don’t waste time.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll make it quick.”
Before Kudo Tōya from Team B could lose his temper, Ryusei Shido suddenly burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Little Ryūma, Little Rin—don’t let me kick your brains out later!”
Kudo smirked, flicking his bangs back as he looked at Rin Itoshi and Ryūma Banjō.
“Heh. Soon you’ll understand what ‘God’s Eye’ really means!”
Ryūma Banjō didn’t hold back a grin. Resting his right arm casually on Rin’s shoulder, he laughed.
“What a lame name. Personally, I think it’s nowhere near as cool as our Blitz Shot. Don’t you agree, Rin?”
“Didn’t I tell you before, Ryūma Banjō—keep your arm off my shoulder.”
“Or I’ll snap it off.”
Rin’s tone turned icy. Ryūma chuckled awkwardly and withdrew his hand. He was about to say something else when three figures appeared at the end of the passage.
“Oh? Looks like our teammates are here, Rin.”
Rin ignored Ryūma’s antics and turned toward the corridor. When the figures came into view, he spoke calmly,
“Hiori and Isagi, huh.”
Ryūma jogged forward immediately, slinging his arm over Yo Hiori’s shoulder.
“Ha! I knew you’d choose us, Hiori.”
“Yeah, of all the TOP 6, I only really know you and Rin. So of course I picked you guys.”
Ryūma grinned mischievously. “But what if Rin wasn’t on my team? Would you still pick me—or him?” Fresh chapters posted on novel-fire.net
Hiori scratched his head, thinking a moment before replying awkwardly,
“Uh... you, Ryūma. Rin doesn’t really need me that much, and working with you just feels smoother.”
“As for Rin, his ability doesn’t exactly require my help...”
“No need to explain, Hiori. My bad for asking.”
“Being this popular, it’s only natural that I’d get picked!”
Ryūma laughed, then turned to Yoichi Isagi.
“By the way, Isagi—you joined because of Rin, didn’t you?”
“Huh? Ryūma, how’d you know?”
“Heh, I saw that fire in your eyes. You might as well be shouting, ‘I’m gonna beat Rin!’”
Yoichi looked a little embarrassed to be called out but answered earnestly,
“Yeah, that’s right! I’ll surpass him—from right by his side!”
“I believe you can, Isagi. With how fast you’ve grown, it’s only a matter of time before you overtake him.”
Yoichi scratched the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly.
“Thanks, Ryūma. I’ll do my best!”
Beside him, Nijiro Nanase seized the chance to step up and introduce himself.
“Um, I’m Nijiro—a first-year. Nice to meet you!”
Ryūma smiled at the bright, cheerful boy and shook his hand.
“Nice to meet you too. I’m Ryūma Banjō, a second-year. Relax, kid.”
From across the field, Rin frowned and called impatiently,
“How long are you guys going to chat? Get to your positions! We’re about to start!”
“Alright, alright, we’re on it, Rin! Okay everyone, stay sharp on defense,” Ryūma said, heading toward the center circle.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Hiori.
“Hiori, keep an eye on Kudo Tōya. He said his ability’s taken a huge leap recently.”
“Got it, Ryūma. I’ll make sure to lock him down.”
Satisfied with the response, Ryūma joined Rin at the center and grinned.
On the other side, Kudo Tōya was giving orders to his Team B players.
“You two just stick close to me. Remember—one stays near, the other keeps distance.”
“As for you, focus on defense and interceptions.”
As Kudo directed his teammates, Ryusei Shido smiled slyly with his hands behind his back.
“Haha, look at you, acting all serious, Coach Tōya~”
“Shut it, Ryusei. And don’t you dare start a fight on the field. No violence!”
“Yeah, yeah. You got it!”
Kudo shook his head at Ryusei’s teasing grin and turned toward the center circle. Just as he was about to take his position, a furious voice erupted.
“Hey! Red-haired! Who the hell are you telling to defend?!”
Kudo turned, intrigued by the outburst.
“Huh, quite the temper.”
“What? You don’t wanna defend? Fine—switch with the big guy.”
“You stay by me and let him handle defense. You’re about the same size anyway.”
He pointed at Kyohei Shiguma as he spoke to the enraged Shōei Barō.
Indeed, the one Kudo had assigned to defense was none other than Shōei Barō himself!
“You red-haired bastard, you think you can order me around?”
“I’ll move on my own terms—don’t you dare try to command me!”
Kudo couldn’t hold back a laugh and replied mockingly,
“Sorry, couldn’t help it.”
“I just didn’t expect someone ranked outside the top six—no, the top seven—to be this confident.”
“And you think I’m ordering you? No, I’m telling you how to win.”
“Let me spell it out: the field you see, and the one I see—are completely different.”
“So don’t use that walnut-sized brain of yours to question my calls.”
Barō’s fury boiled over. He stormed forward, hand shooting up to grab Kudo’s collar.
Kudo didn’t flinch—his face calm, unbothered. Just as Barō’s hand neared his neck,
Ryusei Shido stepped in and clamped Barō’s wrist in an iron grip, sneering coldly.
“Hey, picking a fight with my partner? You got a death wish?”
“Or maybe you wanna brawl? Relax—I’ll make sure to snap that wrist of yours clean off.”
Barō gritted his teeth, wincing from the pain but still growled defiantly,
He tried to yank his hand free, but it was useless.
Ryusei Shido’s grip was like a vise, locking Barō’s wrist firmly in place.