The match between Sabadell and FC Barcelona was in full swing. The stadium was filled with the chants of the fans of both teams, each hoping to see their team triumph. After a tense first half, the two teams were tied, and neither could take the lead. Spectacular dribbling, precise passing and daring saves made each minute more thrilling than the last.
In the stands, the tension was palpable. Heated discussions arose among the fans. A man, wearing a Barça jersey, shouted:
"We have to score! They are starting to take over!"
"Don't worry," replied his friend next to him, "we still have time."
In the Sabadell supporters' section, another voice could be heard, this time more confident:
"It's all going to happen now. We just need an opening."
And that opening came. In the 82nd minute, a foul was committed near the edge of Barcelona's penalty area. The referee whistled a free kick in favor of Sabadell. The fans from both sides held their breath as Fukuda Tatsuya stepped in front of the ball.
In the stands, an excited Alejandro turned to Orochi.
"Do you think he'll make it?" he asked, his eyes shining with hope.
A confident Orochi nodded. "Without a doubt. It's Fukuda. He has the talent to turn that free kick into a goal."
On the pitch, Fukuda moved slightly away from the ball, concentrating. The stadium fell silent. Barcelona's defenders formed a solid wall, and the goalkeeper adjusted his stance, ready to pounce in any direction.
Fukuda took a deep breath and took off. His right foot struck the ball with surgical precision, sending it soaring just above the wall of defenders. The spin on the ball was perfect. The Barcelona goalkeeper dove, but he could only just graze the leather. The ball flew into the top corner, drawing cries of admiration from the stands.
"GOOOAAAL!!!" roared the Sabadell fans.
"I can't believe it! He did it!" shouted a Sabadell fan, while another raised his arms in victory.
"How did he do that?" murmured a stunned Barça fan.
Applause erupted from all sides. The Sabadell players rushed to congratulate Fukuda, while the Barcelona fans stood there in shock at the perfection of the free-kick.
Alejandro, meanwhile, turned to Orochi, his eyes wide. "You were right! That was incredible!"
Orochi, a satisfied smile on his face, simply replied, "I told you so. Fukuda is special."
The final whistle sounded shortly after. Sabadell had just secured a memorable victory against one of the best teams in Spain, and that victory would remain etched in their memory, as would Fukuda's free kick. It was the beginning of a promising career for him, a moment that would mark the beginning of his legend.
Orochi watched, inspired. He knew that one day, he too would be on that pitch, writing his own story. However, he also knew that during the season Fukuda would suffer a major injury that would end his playing career.
Unfortunately, even though I love Fukuda very much, I can't do anything for him. So I'll let the story follow its normal course. But I'll take him where he couldn't go with the team he's going to create. I swear!
As Orochi stared at the field, lost in thought, his mother, Maria, called out to him softly, interrupting his reverie.
"Orochi, be careful, stay close to us until we get out of the stadium," she said with a slight note of worry.
Orochi smiled at his mother, understanding her thoughtfulness. "Don't worry, Mom, I'm here."
Maria nodded, but insisted, "This stadium is huge, and there are a lot of people. I just want to make sure you don't get lost."
"I promise to stay close," he replied confidently, before joining Alejandro and his father. The family left the stadium quietly, discussing Fukuda's performance and Sabadell's victory. The road home was uneventful, the streets still bustling with chatter from the fans.
A few weeks later, Orochi's life returned to normal. He continued to train hard and excel at school. Despite his young age, he never slackened and maintained a balance between his passions and responsibilities.
One evening, when they were all gathered at the table for dinner, Takechi, his father, put down his glass and, with a mysterious smile, said: "Orochi, I have great news for you."
Intrigued, Orochi straightened up. "What, Dad?"
Takechi stared into his son's eyes, his smile growing. "You have been selected to join the FC Barcelona junior team. Congratulations, my son."
Orochi's heart raced. He couldn't believe his ears. FC Barcelona, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he was now part of their junior team. Not only that, but he was also one of the youngest on the team.
Alejandro, still as excited as ever, nearly jumped out of his chair. "Orochi, this is incredible!"
Orochi, however, remained silent for a moment, too moved to respond. Then, a wave of determination crossed his eyes. "Thank you, Dad. I won't disappoint you."
A few days after his selection was announced, Orochi received a package from FC Barcelona. Opening the box with excitement, he discovered a complete set: a jersey in the club's colors, socks, shin guards, and brand new shoes. He stroked the jersey with an amazed smile.
"Look, Dad, this is for me!" Orochi exclaimed, his heart pounding.
Takechi nodded proudly. "It's real now, Orochi. You're part of Barça."
A week later, the big day of the first training session arrived. Orochi, nervous but excited, proudly put on his new gear. Takechi, wanting to be there for this special moment, decided to accompany him to the training center.
"I just want to make sure everything goes well on your first day," Takechi said with a smile.
On the way, they discussed the future, Takechi encouraging his son to stay humble and focused. "You're going to meet some really good players. So don't hesitate to make friends and get along with your teammates."
Arriving at the center, Orochi felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Groups of young players were already on the field, warming up under the watchful eye of the coaches. A few parents chatted among themselves, giving each other advice and encouragement.
"My son has been on the team for a year now, and the progress is impressive," a father told Takechi.
"You'll see, the coaching here is of a very high standard," another mother added.
Orochi, meanwhile, was watching his future teammates closely, recognizing some faces from past competitions. The young talents were warming up, while a coach blew his whistle to signal the start of the session. Orochi turned one last time to his father, who smiled warmly at him.
As the whistle blew, all the young players quickly gathered in the center of the field. The coach, a man in his forties, with an imposing build but a kind face, was watching them closely. When everyone was in place, he stepped forward and introduced himself in a clear voice.
"I'm Coach Parker," he said, looking over his team. "Welcome to the new season. You're here for a reason: you've been selected from the best young talents in the region, and our goal is simple. We're in the National Junior League, a league that brings together the best junior teams in the country, including teams like Real Sociedad, Espanyol, and of course our biggest rivals: Atlético Madrid Junior and Real Madrid Junior."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"Our goal this season is to finish first. Not just to compete, but to dominate. I want you to give your all, to make every practice an opportunity to improve. This team has the potential to win the league, and together, we're going to make it happen."
The young players looked at each other, excited but aware of the pressure that was now on them. Orochi, in the middle of the group, felt his heart race but still had his dead fish and calm eyes. The adrenaline was already rising in him at the thought of this competition, of these matches against the best.
"So," Coach Parker concluded, "get ready. The work starts today."