The score was 1-0, but no one on Team 2 looked shaken. If anything, the pressure only made them more dangerous.
Daichi Fujimoto grabbed the ball from the center circle, his eyes burning. "We're not backing down. Let's show them how much we've evolved!"
The whistle blew, and the game roared back to life.
Renji's vision scanned the field — but this time, Team 2's movements were sharper, faster. Riku Saionji took immediate control of the ball, his calm presence dictating the game's tempo. With a quick flick, he sent the ball to Kaede Arata.
Kenji Takahashi rushed in to intercept, but Kaede saw it coming. With a Cruyff Turn, he slipped past Kenji effortlessly.
"Too slow again," Kaede taunted.
But Shindo was already closing in. Kaede tried to switch directions, but Shindo's speed had evolved — he was faster, sharper. Their feet collided in a flurry of motion—
Shindo won.
But the moment Shindo gained possession, Sora Amagi was there. His Phantom Step made him almost untouchable as he pressed in from multiple angles.
Renji read the situation instantly. "Shindo! Over here!"
But before Shindo could pass, Amagi struck — a perfectly timed Poke Tackle, knocking the ball loose.
Riku Saionji was already in position. He seized the ball and sent a pinpoint long pass toward Haruto Inoue.
Inoue surged forward, his powerful frame barreling through Kenta Shimizu's challenge.
But Hajime Ueda wasn't letting him pass so easily. Timing his movement perfectly, Ueda executed a Sliding Tackle, sweeping the ball cleanly away.
The ball spun toward Renji. Without hesitation, he activated his Specter Drive, his unpredictable movement creating just enough space to escape Amagi's pursuit.
But then—
Rikuya Asano appeared. "I've got you!"
Renji's mind raced. He needed to switch gears — fast. With a swift turn, he unleashed his newest skill — Void Strike, sending the ball curving across the field.
The ball found Yuto Kisaragi.
Yuto didn't wait. Using his perfect passing, he linked up with Kazuya Mori. Mori's movements were smooth, controlled — and then explosive. With a sudden burst of speed, he surged into the box.
But Takuma Ogawa wasn't about to let him through.
Mori fired a shot—
Ogawa reacted instantly, diving—
But it was a feint. Mori pulled back at the last second, and with a delicate chip, the ball sailed over Ogawa's reach—
Goal.
2-0.
The tension on the field reached a breaking point. Team 2 wasn't about to let this slide.
Sho Nakata took the kickoff, immediately linking up with Sora Amagi. The two moved with perfect synergy, slicing through the midfield.
But Renji was waiting.
As Amagi tried to slip past with his Phantom Step, Renji read his movement perfectly. Timing his challenge, Renji stole the ball cleanly.
But before he could counter, Reiji Sakamoto was on him. Their physical clash was brutal — but Renji wasn't backing down. Using his Hawk's Eye, he saw the opening—
And unleashed a Rabona Pass to Yuto.
The field opened up. Yuto surged forward, his vision finding Kazuya Mori—
But Kaede Arata intercepted, his own evolved awareness reading the play.
Team 2 countered instantly. The ball flew to Haruto Inoue, who used his strength to bulldoze through the defense.
He fired—
Jin Kazama reacted with lightning speed—
But the shot was too powerful.
2-1.
The match was far from over.
To be continued…