The days following the first training session were intense for Orochi. His daily routine was set like clockwork. Although he was only seven years old, his past experience made each day almost predictable. At school, he effortlessly dominated his classes, his knowledge far surpassing that of his classmates. Math, science, history, everything seemed so simple that he sometimes wondered if he should deliberately slow down so as not to attract too much attention. However, he kept it to himself, knowing that he had to give the impression of a normal child.
What really mattered to him was soccer and its practices. Every day, after school, Orochi went to a park near his house to perfect his technique. He started with a basic warm-up: stretching, light running, and some juggling. Then he began his dribbling exercises. He would set up cones and run around them at a frightening speed for his age, working on both his control and his speed of execution. Then came the shots on goal. Alone, he would imagine different match situations, creating challenges for himself: "What if I had to score in the last minute?" He would repeat these sequences tirelessly, until each move was engraved in his muscle memory.
On weekends, his father would often accompany him, encouraging him to push his limits while making sure not to exhaust him. Takechi saw a bright future in his son, but he wanted Orochi to maintain a balance between passion and moderation. Alejandro, for his part, was his most ardent supporter, often there to watch him train and motivate him.
Then finally came the day of the first match of the season. Orochi woke up before dawn, full of energy. He quickly put on his running shoes and went out for his morning run. The fresh morning air gave him a clarity of mind that he particularly appreciated. His footsteps echoed on the empty sidewalk, while he already imagined every moment of the match that awaited him. After a good hour of running, he went home for a yoga session. Working on his flexibility and breathing, he knew that mental and physical preparation were essential to avoid injuries and remain efficient on the field.
After his session, he joined his father who was waiting to take him to the club. It was a special day, not only for Orochi, but for the entire FC Barcelona junior team. This first match would be played away against CD Villanueva, a formidable team for their level.
Arriving at the club, Orochi got on the bus with his teammates. The atmosphere inside was shared between excitement and nervousness. Some players, like Pablo, seemed relaxed, talking happily about their weekend or listening to music. Others, more serious like Raúl, concentrated in silence, headphones screwed to their ears. Orochi, meanwhile, watched calmly, eyes half-closed, thinking about how he would guide his team today. A few of his comrades came to chat with him, seeking advice or simply to share their expectations for the match.
"Orochi, do you think we're going to win today?" asked Tim, one of the youngest players on the team.
"If we play the way we train, there's no reason to doubt. Stay focused, do what you know how to do and everything will be fine," Orochi replied with a calm smile, which reassured the young player.
When they arrived at the CD Villanueva stadium, Coach Parker spoke just before the players got off the bus. "Listen up guys. This is our first game of the season, and it's away. It won't be easy, but I want you to stay focused. Don't let yourselves be distracted by the environment or the pressure. Focus on our game, on your movements, on the team. Okay?"
A "Yes, coach!" rang out in unison, all motivated by his words.
The group then headed to the locker room. The sound of cleats on the ground, the smell of the locker room, all of it reminded Orochi of the big games he had played in his previous life. It was familiar, almost comforting. Once everyone was settled, Coach Parker gave them the team lineup.
"Okay, listen to me carefully. Here's the formation for today. We're going to play 4-2-3-1. Our defensive line will be solid, with Pablo and Raúl in the center. Tim and Marco on the wings. In midfield, we'll have two ball-winners: Diego and Nico. You guys are the pillars of our defense. In front of them, as playmakers…" He paused, his gaze settling on Orochi. "Orochi, you'll wear the captain's armband today, and you'll have the number 10. You'll be our leader. I expect you to set the pace of the game and guide the team." »
A murmur ran through the locker room, but no one was really surprised. Everyone knew that Orochi had that aura of a natural leader, even if he was the youngest in the team.
The coach continued: "On the wings, we will have Luis on the left and Esteban on the right. Finally, up front, Matteo will be our main striker. Our goal today is simple: impose our game, keep possession and finish our moves. We want to win, and we want to win cleanly."
Orochi listened attentively, his mind already focused on the upcoming match. After putting on his jersey with the number 10 and tying the captain's armband around his arm, he stood up to speak to his teammates.
"Listen, guys. Today is our day. We've worked hard, and we're ready. Stay calm, follow the coach's plan, and most importantly, have fun. It's by enjoying the game that we give our best. If we do what we know how to do, nothing can stop us."
His teammates nodded, some of them slapping their fists against their palms, ready to give it their all.
They left the locker room, ready to enter the field. The air was thick with excitement and nervousness. Orochi led his teammates with confidence.
The kickoff was given, and from the first minutes, Orochi stood out. Positioned in the heart of the midfield, he controlled the tempo of the match with disconcerting ease. He carefully observed each movement of his opponents, anticipating their actions with surgical precision. His experience, although hidden behind his young age, made him able to see the game like no one else on the field. He began to think that it was time to train with his "Emperor's Eyes", that unique ability that allowed him to instantly analyze the weaknesses of his opponents.
In the fifth minute, Orochi made a long, millimeter-perfect pass to Esteban on the right wing, unbalancing the entire opposing defense. Esteban controlled the ball, dribbled past a defender, and then attempted a curling shot that ended just wide of the post. The missed opportunity drew a sigh from the crowd, but in Orochi's head, everything was calculated. He already saw the flaws in the CD Villanueva defense and mentally prepared his next move.
Every time Orochi touched the ball, he took a moment to analyze his surroundings. With his "Emperor's Eyes", he could see the nervousness of some defenders, their postures slightly tilted backwards, a sign of early fatigue. He thought he could exploit this by forcing them to run after the ball.
In the fifteenth minute, a new opportunity presented itself. Orochi recovered the ball in midfield, elegantly avoiding two opponents who were trying to press him. With a simple glance, he scanned the entire field, locating Matteo, the forward in the lead, already in a breaking position. Orochi then made a deep pass, with perfect precision, which crossed the entire CD Villanueva defense. Matteo, alone in front of the goalkeeper, scored without difficulty. It was Orochi's first assist.
Orochi, always calm and focused, thought quickly. It's too easy... But if I keep distributing the ball like that, the defense will close in on me. I'll have to vary my actions. He then decided to pick up the pace slightly, to surprise the opponent.
Shortly after, another opportunity presented itself. On a corner won by Luis, Orochi approached to shoot. He observed the layout of the CD Villanueva players in the area and noticed a flaw in their marking. They're leaving Pablo too much space, if they don't rectify it, I'll take advantage, he thought. He then took a tight corner towards the far post. Pablo, unmarked, jumped and placed a powerful header that deceived the goalkeeper. Second assist for Orochi. The score was now 2-0 for FC Barcelona.
With each action, Orochi gained more and more confidence. His influence on the game was undeniable. He totally controlled possession and dictated the pace of the match. The CD Villanueva defense seemed unable to contain him.
In the 30th minute, after being brought down by a defender at the edge of the area, Orochi found himself in the perfect position to attempt a free kick. This is the perfect opportunity to score, he thought as he placed the ball. He visualized the perfect path the ball would take, already imagining the trajectory it would take.
The referee blew his whistle, and Orochi took off calmly and precisely. His shot, perfectly curled, went over the wall and into the goalkeeper's left corner. 3-0 to FC Barcelona.
At the end of the first half, the team returned to the locker room. The atmosphere was relaxed but focused. Coach Parker entered with a broad smile, visibly satisfied with his players' performance.
"Guys, it's been a perfect game so far. You're doing exactly what I asked of you. Orochi, what you're doing is a great art. Keep it up and don't forget to keep the ball moving to wear down the opposing defense. Matteo, great job up front, but you're going to give way to Ricardo for the second half. Esteban, you're also going to be replaced by Jorge. We want to keep some fresh blood in attack."
Orochi nodded. He knew that the second half would be an opportunity for him to further accentuate his dominance over the game, while continuing to work on his "Emperor's Eyes."
From the start of the second half, Orochi continued to dominate the midfield. His touch on the ball was impeccable, his passes precise and intelligent. Every time he touched the ball, he looked around, anticipating the movements of his teammates and opponents.
In the 60th minute, Orochi decided to try an individual move. He recovered the ball 30 meters from the goal, eliminated two defenders with a quick dribble, and then found himself in front of the last defender. With a subtle feint, he put him out of position and hit hard with his right foot. The ball ended up in the side netting. 4-0.
Orochi never let up the pressure. In the 70th minute, he delivered another assist to Ricardo, who only had to adjust the goalkeeper. 5-0. A few minutes later, a quick counterattack allowed Luis, back on the field, to score a sixth goal, again after a brilliant pass from Orochi. 6-0.
Finally, in the last minutes of the match, Orochi found Jorge in the area with a hidden pass. Jorge made a perfect control and scored FC Barcelona's seventh goal. The final score was 7-0.