The morning haze clung to the field as Mirko Kovac paced across the pitch, clipboard in hand and whistle around his neck. The players of Seikyou High were already in formation, split into two teams for a full-field practice match. Sweat glistened on their foreheads, but determination shone brighter in their eyes.
Barou Shoei tied his laces with methodical precision. Every motion was deliberate. He wasn't just preparing for a game—he was preparing to prove a point. His ego still burned from the previous day's clash with Ryuu and Sakuraba. He hadn't admitted it aloud, but Kovac's words struck a chord.
He rose, flexing his legs and staring across the field where Ryuu stood talking with the midfielders. Sakuraba barked orders to the defense, already taking the role of captain on his squad.
"Listen up," Kovac called. "Today's match is a test. I want to see how you've grown. Team A, led by Ryuu. Team B, led by Sakuraba. No hand-holding. Play to win."
Barou was placed on Ryuu's team.
Ryuu glanced his way. "You ready to destroy them, Barou?"
Barou gave a toothy grin. "Just don't get in my way."
The whistle blew.
---
Kick-off.
Ryuu tapped the ball to a midfielder. They passed it around, trying to find rhythm. Barou, impatient, drifted forward, eyes locked on the goal. He hovered near the edge of the box, waiting.
The ball came to him at last. He received it cleanly with a sole trap and immediately performed a La Croqueta—shifting the ball with the inside of one foot to the other to glide past his marker.
Sakuraba was already charging. "Not this time, Barou!"
Barou gritted his teeth. He faked a shot, then used a Chop Dribble, slashing the ball across his body with his right foot and bursting to the left. Sakuraba stumbled, barely recovering.
Barou lined up a shot. He could hear the keeper shuffle.
He fired—a powerful low shot aimed to the far corner.
Thud.
Saved. The keeper barely managed to parry it wide.
Barou clicked his tongue.
---
Sakuraba launched a counterattack. His team worked like a machine, quick one-twos between midfielders before slicing a through ball down the right wing. Their striker cut inside.
Goal.
Team B: 1. Team A: 0.
Ryuu gathered the team near midfield. "Barou, we need to sync. You're going in blind."
"Sync with what? I'm breaking ankles while you're chatting."
"You're breaking ankles, but not scoring. You want to win or not?"
Barou hesitated.
Kovac shouted from the sidelines, "Trust is not surrender! It's a weapon! Use it!"
The words echoed.
---
Second half.
Barou began watching. His Predator Eye sharpened. He noticed the subtle shifts in defenders' hips, the quick glances they made before lunging.
The next ball he received, he didn't dribble. He passed.
A sharp flick to Ryuu, who instantly sent it back. One-two.
Barou dashed forward. Another defender approached.
He used a Double Touch—a quick tap with the right, then left—to sidestep him and bolted into the box.
The keeper rushed out.
This time, Barou didn't power through. He chipped it.
Goal.
Ryuu whooped. "That's what I'm talking about!"
Barou smirked. "Don't get used to it."
---
The match continued. Team A started dominating.
Barou pulled off a Marseille Turn—spinning with the ball under his cleats to escape pressure.
Ryuu scored the next goal, assisted by Barou.
Sakuraba's voice rang out from the back. "Watch him! He's adapting!"
Their defense tightened, but Barou's unpredictability had taken root. He didn't just dribble. He read the game. He passed when needed. He struck when it mattered.
Kovac nodded, satisfied. "He's learning."
---
Final score: Team A – 3, Team B – 2.
The players gathered as Kovac stepped forward.
"Today, you showed what growth looks like. Barou, you're still arrogant. But you're learning how to weaponize it. That makes you dangerous."
Barou crossed his arms, a rare flicker of respect in his eyes.
Sakuraba walked by, giving Barou a pat on the back. "Not bad, lone wolf."
Barou chuckled. "I'm still king. But maybe… even kings need knights."
Ryuu laughed. "Then let's win the war together."
As they walked off the field, the team felt different. Not just stronger—closer. And though the journey to the top was still long, a spark had been lit.
Barou was evolving.
Not just as a player, but as a teammate.