With a smile on his face Kento began walking towards Minato, followed by Haruma and Kurogami.
Kento now stood before Minato who was facing him with a serious look.
"These are the boys I told you about." Kento said, gesturing towards Haruma and Kurogami standing on his sides.
Minato glanced at Haruma and Kurogami with sharp, serious eyes.
Kento turned to Haruma and Kurogami saying, "Come on, introduce yourselfs."
Kurogami stood straight and in a firm tone he said, "My name is Kurogami Shikyo, I'm seventeen years old and was the captain and Goalkeeper for Ryugen High."
Minato was gazing at Kurogami with sharp firm eyes before giving him a slow nod, he then turned to Haruma.
Haruma quickly stood straight, "M-My name is Haruma Kusaka, I'm seventeen years old and I was a Center Back for Hanaka High."
Minato's eyes narrowed, "Center Back?" he muttered.
Haruma seemed confused when Kento landed a firm hand on his shoulder and spoke up, "He'll play as a Striker now."
Haruma's eyes widened in disbelief, shooting a quick gaze at Kento who was smiling with his gaze fixed on Minato.
Kurogami stood with a straight face, unaffected by the news.
Fixing his firm eyes on Kento, Minato asked, "Are you sure that he really can be a striker for our junior side?" He sounded serious.
Kento nodded confidently, "Hundred percent sure." he declared with unwavering confidence. While Haruma kept his astonished gaze him
Nodding in agreement Minato said, "Being scouted by Kento means that you both have some serious skills. But still I wanna test you both."
Haruma and Kurogami kept his gaze on Minato, focusing on every word he was saying.
"This ain't any school club or tournament." Minato continues with a firm tone, "It's a national tournament! The players from this tournament will represent Japan on the world stage. So for that, I have to be sure that you really are worthy of playing on this big stage!"
"I'm ready for any challenge!" Kurogami declared boldly.
"Yeah me too!" Haruma chimed in with determined eyes.
Kento being proud added, "Ofcourse, feel free to put them in any challenge, I'm sure these two will surpass your expectations!"
Minato smiled and said, "Alright, you two have to compete against the best I got!" he gestures to his left.
Haruma, Kurogami and Kento followed his direction and saw young players wearing Tokyo Wolves training jerseys, standing tall, gazing at them.
Haruma and Kurogami were returning the stare with a determined, serious gaze.
Minato with a smirk spoke up, "We'll have a three on three match of forty five minutes, If you can beat them you'll have your spot."
Haruma with a determined gaze turned to Minato, "It's on." He accepted with a determined tone.
Kurogami smirked gazing at those players before shifting his gaze back to Minato, "Let's begin this then."
Minato with a confident smile calls out, "Raya, Subaru, Makoto!"
Three players from Tokyo Wolves Juniors stepped forward. Trio seemed determined and focused, gazing at Haruma and Kurogami.
Minato then shifted his gaze on the remaining Tokyo Wolves players and called out, "Any player willing to play on Haruma and Kurogami's side, step forward."
There was stillness from the gathered players of Tokyo wolves.
Haruma, Kurogami and Kento's gaze were locked onto the team, who stood uninterested in joining their side.
Suddenly a hand rose up, "Can I join them?" a soft voice called out, and a boy stepped forward, seeming younger than both Haruma and Kurogami, his short blonde hair was gently floating on his forehead, his smile bright and pure.
Minato smiled, "Itsuki?" he muttered before giving him a nod of approval.
Maintaining his pure smile, Itsuki walked, and stood on Haruma and Kurogami's side.
"You have ten minutes to strategize!" Minato said, "After ten minutes the game will begin!"
Haruma Kurogami locked Their determined gaze on their opposition, while Itsuki was gazing at them with a smile.
Meanwhile the Opposition, Raya, Subaru and Makoto were returning the stare with the same intensity of focus…
Now Haruma, Kurogami and Itsuki were gathered together on the side of the field, with Haruma and Kurogami fixing their suspicious gaze on Itsuki who was looking back at them with a smile.
"What?" Itsuki asked, maintaining his smile.
Fixing his suspicious gaze, Kurogami spoke up, "Are you sure you'll play fair with us by going against your friends?"
Itsuki's smile widened, "They aren't my friends" he said, "This team was formed a week back, so I don't personally know them, but yeah I can give you insight of their games."
"But why join us?" Haruma asked, seeming suspicious.
Itsuki turned to him and said, "I just wanted to get noticed my Kento Sensei, he's watching us, so I thought it might be my chance to get noticed by the coach of Japan U19"
Haruma and Kurogami slowly nodded in understanding.
"Well, I guess, We'll be good friends" Itsuki said, "My name is Itsuki Kato, in my final year of Mizuha High, and I serve as Center Mid, nice to meet you both."
Slightly nodding, Kurogami said, "Alright, we are a team of striker, center mid and a goalkeeper, and opponents are striker, goalkeeper and center back. All of them are great, especially Raya."
He turned, gazing at the one boy from those three boys. The boy named Raya stood guiding his side, his hair bright red with sharp facial features and an athletic build.
Haruma, Kurogami and Itsuki both were staring at Raya who was focused on strategizing with his team.
"He's a Striker" Itsuki said, "And his game is just unbelievable, he is so calculated and perfect that sometimes it feels like he's not even a human, and he's probably going to be the captain of our side."
Haruma and Kurogami were gazing at them with a serious look.
With a smile Itsuki added, "Subaru is a goalkeeper and Makoto is a center back, both are amazing!"
"Alright" Kurogami said, "I'll make sure they don't score, and you both make sure to score at least one, but score!"
Haruma and Itsuki locked eyes with him, both seeming determined.
Kurogami turned to Haruma and said, "Keep your eyes open"
Haruma got slightly confused, gazing at him, who was returning him a serious gaze.
Just then a whistle blew out, drawing their attention. As Haruma turned to the whistle he saw Minato, Kento and the remaining players gathered on the sidelines.
Haruma then turned to the other side of the field from where Raya Subaru and Makoto stepped on the field, their faces etched with intense focus.
Kurogami then stepped forward, stepping on the field followed by Itsuki. Taking a quick breath, Haruma too stepped on the field.