The tension on the field was suffocating. Every player moved like a beast unleashed, their eyes burning with the desperation to survive. The score stood at 2-1 in favor of Team 1, but everyone knew this was far from over.
Renji Kurogami stood at the center of it all, his presence undeniable. But this time, the others weren't just following his lead—they were rising to match him.
"We're not done yet!" Daichi Fujimoto roared as Team 2 pushed forward.
Fujimoto surged ahead with incredible speed, his movement sharp and calculated. Ryota Minami ran alongside him, the two forwards linking up with dangerous precision.
"Stay sharp!" Renji called out, eyes scanning the field.
Kaede Arata received the ball, and with a perfect No-Touch Turn, he spun past Kenji Takahashi.
"Tch—he's fast!" Takahashi growled, giving chase.
Arata sent a long, curling pass toward Riku Saionji, but before it could reach him—
"Not happening!"
Kazuki Shindo exploded forward, his Thunderclap Drive making him a blur as he intercepted the ball. But the instant he gained control, Sora Amagi was already on him.
"Let's see how fast you really are!" Amagi challenged.
Shindo grinned. "Catch me if you can."
With lightning speed, Shindo executed a flawless La Croqueta, shifting the ball from one foot to the other and slipping past Amagi's tackle. But just as he broke free, Sho Nakata came crashing in with a fierce Sliding Tackle—and this time, he connected.
The ball spilled loose.
"Mine!" Riku Saionji swooped in and claimed it, his vision already mapping the perfect play.
But Renji was already there.
"I won't let you take control!" Renji's voice cut through the chaos.
He activated his Specter Drive, his body weaving like a shadow. With an almost supernatural sense of timing, he anticipated Saionji's next move and lunged—stealing the ball cleanly.
But Renji wasn't done.
Combining his Void Strike with the improved vision he'd gained from Nakamura's training, he launched the ball forward with deadly accuracy.
"Go, Aikawa!"
Tetsuya Aikawa charged forward, his powerful frame plowing through defenders. As the ball soared toward him, he prepared to strike—
But Hideo Morita saw it coming.
With a perfectly timed Intercept, Morita cut off the pass and immediately countered.
"Push forward!" Morita barked, sending the ball to Sora Amagi.
This was Amagi's moment.
With dazzling footwork, Amagi used his Phantom Step, his movements unpredictable as he slipped past Kenta Shimizu and Hajime Ueda. He saw his opening—and took it.
"Amagi shoots!"
But Jin Kazama was ready.
Diving with incredible reflexes, Kazama stretched out and punched the ball away, sending it flying back toward midfield.
"It's still in play!"
Renji's eyes locked on the ball—but this time, he wasn't alone.
Kazuya Mori was there, his tactical brilliance on full display.
"I'll handle this," Mori said calmly, taking control with a flawless first touch.
But Kaede Arata wasn't backing down.
"Not without a fight!"
Arata closed the distance, his challenge fierce. The two midfielders clashed, their egos igniting in a battle of vision and technique.
And as they fought for control, the entire field erupted into chaos—
The survival match had only just begun.
To be continued…