Summer break was in full swing, but for Saijo, there was no time for relaxation. The encounter with Ayataro had ignited a fire within him—a burning desire to push beyond his limits and emerge stronger than ever. As the days grew hotter, so did his determination. He was no longer the same first-year student who had struggled to balance soccer with schoolwork. Now, he was a second-year with a renewed sense of purpose and an unquenchable thirst for improvement.
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The morning sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Saijo laced up his running shoes. He stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air. This was his time—his moment to push himself to the brink. He started with a slow jog, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat syncing with the steady thump of his footsteps.
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With each stride, memories of Ayataro's taunts replayed in his mind. The rage fueled his pace, and before long, he was sprinting through the quiet streets. His legs burned, but he welcomed the pain. It was a reminder of his goal, a symbol of his relentless pursuit of excellence.
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"Faster, Saijo!" he muttered to himself, pushing harder. "You can't let Ayataro's words haunt you. You have to be better. Stronger."
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He reached the park and began a series of extreme exercises. First up: pushups. He dropped to the ground and began counting. One, two, three... His muscles screamed in protest, but he ignored the pain. It was nothing compared to the humiliation of being bested by Ayataro.
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"Fifty... Sixty..." His arms trembled, but he refused to stop. "Ninety... One hundred..." Sweat dripped from his brow, pooling on the ground beneath him. "Two hundred... Three hundred..."
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By the time he reached a thousand pushups, his arms felt like lead, but he couldn't stop now. Next, he moved on to sit-ups, then squats, each exercise designed to push his body to its absolute limits.
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Hours passed, the sun climbing higher in the sky, but Saijo's determination never wavered. He envisioned himself on the soccer field, outmaneuvering his opponents, his stamina and strength unmatched.
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After his grueling routine, Saijo returned home and grabbed his soccer ball. The familiar weight of it in his hands brought a sense of comfort. He headed to the nearest field and began dribbling drills. He zigzagged through makeshift cones, his footwork growing more precise with each pass.
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"Keep moving, keep pushing," he told himself. "This is just the beginning."
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The field was empty, save for the occasional passerby who watched in awe as Saijo moved with lightning speed. He practiced his new finisher, the one he had been perfecting for weeks. He envisioned Ayataro's face as he unleashed a powerful shot, the ball rocketing towards the goal with pinpoint accuracy.
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"That's it," Saijo panted, a smile forming on his lips. "I'm getting there."
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But it wasn't just physical training that occupied Saijo's time. He knew that to become a better player, he needed to sharpen his mind as well. He spent hours studying game footage, analyzing the plays and strategies of top teams. He took meticulous notes, understanding the importance of positioning, timing, and decision-making.
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One evening, as he reviewed a particularly intense match between Kawasaki High and Yamanashi Technical, Gon called. "Hey Saijo, wanna join us for a game at the park? We could use some extra practice."
Saijo hesitated, glancing at the clock. He had already spent the entire day training, but the thought of playing with his friends was too enticing to pass up. "Sure, I'll be there in ten."
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The park was bustling with activity when Saijo arrived. Kaito, Elvis, and Gon were already there, stretching and warming up. "Ready for some action?" Kaito asked, grinning.
Saijo nodded, feeling the familiar rush of excitement. "Always."
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The game began, and Saijo could feel the difference in his performance almost immediately. His stamina was higher, his movements more fluid. He maneuvered past Gon with ease, his dribbling skills honed to perfection. Elvis tried to intercept, but Saijo was quicker, spinning past him and delivering a perfect pass to Kaito.
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"Nice one, Saijo!" Kaito called out, giving him a thumbs-up.
Saijo's heart swelled with pride. The countless hours of training were paying off. He could feel it in every muscle, every movement.
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As the game progressed, Saijo found himself reflecting on his journey. The trials, the failures, and the moments of self-doubt. Each one had shaped him, made him stronger. And now, standing here with his friends, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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They played until the sun began to set, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. Exhausted but exhilarated, they collapsed on the grass, laughing and catching their breath.
"That was intense," Gon said, wiping sweat from his brow. "You've really improved, Saijo."
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Saijo smiled, feeling a sense of fulfillment. "Thanks, Gon. But I couldn't have done it without you guys."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sky darken. Saijo knew that this was just the beginning. There were still countless hurdles to overcome, but with his friends by his side, he felt invincible.
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As they parted ways, Saijo headed home, his mind buzzing with plans for the future. He had pushed himself to his limits, but he knew there was always room for improvement. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opportunities to grow.
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The chapter ended with Saijo, drenched in sweat and exhaustion, standing alone on the field once again. His eyes burned with determination, his heart set on redemption. The journey ahead was daunting, but he knew that with hard work, perseverance, and belief in himself and his team, they could overcome any challenge.
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### End of Chapter 39