The intensity of the match had reached its peak. Team Zeta led 3-1, but everyone on the field knew the game was far from over.
Epsilon's approach had been relentless, and now, they adapted again. Their formation wasn't just rotating—it was morphing, adjusting in real-time based on Team Zeta's movements.
"They're adjusting every second," Reiji Sakamoto muttered, sweat dripping down his face.
"We can't let them dictate the pace," Renji Kurogami said, his voice firm.
Epsilon pressed forward with renewed energy. Their rotating formation allowed them to create unpredictable passing lanes, and their movements forced Zeta's defenders to second-guess their positioning.
Kouta Hoshikawa received the ball in midfield. Instead of passing immediately, he turned sharply, dragging Yamada Goro out of position. With a sudden shift in tempo, he sent a precise through-ball to Rikuya Asano, who had already broken past the defensive line.
Asano didn't hesitate.
A lightning-fast cut-in dribble sent him past Itsuki Maeda, and before Jin Kazama could react, Asano fired a low-driven shot into the bottom corner.
3-2.
Team Epsilon wasn't backing down.
The pressure was on.
Renji clenched his fists. His Copycat ability had already allowed him to replicate and modify movements, but now, he needed to push further. He needed to devour their tactics.
When the game restarted, Renji moved differently.
Instead of waiting for an opening, he created one. He positioned himself deeper, taking on a playmaker role. Every pass, every movement of Epsilon's players—he analyzed and adapted.
The moment an Epsilon player tried to intercept, Renji used Rikuya Asano's deceptive positioning technique against them. He lured defenders in, then passed at the last second, opening space for Sora Amagi.
Sora didn't miss.
Using his newly unlocked Phantom Burst, he surged past his marker and fired a curled shot into the top corner.
4-2.
Team Zeta was evolving.
But Epsilon still had tricks up their sleeve.
With only minutes left, they switched to an all-out attack. Their midfielders pushed higher, their defenders stepped forward, and their movements became even more chaotic.
Hiroki Noguchi sent a long pass over the top—straight into the path of Daisuke Okamoto.
Okamoto went for a volley—
Jin Kazama reacted instantly.
Diving to his left, he stretched out his hand and parried the shot away with a powerful save.
The ball deflected into the air—
And just as another Epsilon player tried to head it in—
Kaede Arata cleared it with a crucial interception.
The counterattack was on.
Renji seized the moment.
He sprinted into the open space, receiving the ball from Riku Saionji. A defender rushed toward him—but this time, Renji didn't just dodge.
He absorbed the defender's movement pattern.
A subtle shift of weight—
A fake step—
And he was gone.
Breaking through the last line of defense, Renji charged toward goal.
The keeper rushed out—
Renji didn't hesitate.
A sharp chip shot soared over the goalkeeper—
And into the back of the net.
5-2.
The whistle blew.
Victory for Team Zeta.