The players gathered in the central hall, their eyes glued to the massive screen displaying their rankings. Ryoma Saito stood at 8th place, his name illuminated in bold letters. Just above him, at 7th, was Shun Nakamura.
"Not bad for a washed-up striker," Shun said, leaning against the wall with a smirk. "But don't get too comfortable. You're just barely scraping by."
Ryoma ignored him, focusing on Ego Jinpachi as he strode into the room. The man's imposing presence silenced the murmurs.
"Congratulations," Ego began, his tone dripping with mockery, "to those of you who survived the first challenge. But don't let it inflate your ego just yet. The real battle starts now."
The screen flickered, revealing the words: Team Battle Challenge – 3v3 Survival.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Ego grinned, savoring the tension. "You'll form teams of three. Each team will face off against another. The winners move on, while the losers… well, you know the drill. Only one thing matters: victory."
---
Ryoma scanned the room. Forming a team was critical, and every second counted. As he moved, a towering figure approached him—Junpei Takahashi, a defender built like a wall.
"You've got speed and skill," Junpei said, crossing his arms. "I've got defense. Let's team up."
Before Ryoma could respond, another voice chimed in. "Count me in."
Hiroto Matsuda stepped forward, a wiry midfielder with sharp eyes. "I can control the game in midfield. Between the three of us, we've got balance."
Ryoma nodded, assessing them. "Fine. Let's do this."
---
Their opponents were announced moments later. Ryoma's team would face none other than Shun Nakamura's.
Shun's team consisted of Haruto Kiyama, a strategist who specialized in exploiting weaknesses, and Akira Yamada, a physical powerhouse with a knack for scoring.
"Looks like fate has a sense of humor," Shun said, flashing a confident grin. "Let's see if you can keep up, Saito."
---
The match began in a flurry of motion. Shun immediately took control, weaving through Ryoma's team with ease. He passed to Akira, who bulldozed his way through Junpei and slammed the ball into the net.
"1-0," Shun called out, smirking. "This is too easy."
Ryoma's team regrouped, tension crackling in the air. Hiroto pulled them into a quick huddle.
"Listen," Hiroto said, his tone sharp. "Shun's their key. He's orchestrating everything. If we shut him down, we can break their rhythm."
Junpei nodded. "Leave the defense to me. Saito, you'll need to outplay him."
Ryoma's eyes narrowed. "I will."
---
As the match continued, Ryoma's team began to adapt. Junpei used his size to block Akira's advances, while Hiroto controlled the midfield, disrupting Haruto's strategies.
Ryoma waited for his moment. When Shun attempted another flashy dribble, Ryoma intercepted, stealing the ball with a quick tackle.
"Not this time," Ryoma muttered, sprinting down the field.
Shun was on his heels, his presence a shadow that pressed down on Ryoma. But this time, Ryoma's ego burned brighter.
He feinted left, forcing Shun to shift his weight, then cut sharply to the right. With a clear path, he launched a shot that rocketed past the goalkeeper and into the net.
"Goal!" Ego's voice rang out. "Now that's how a striker takes control!"
---
The score was tied, and the tension was palpable. Both teams fought tooth and nail, each player pushing themselves to the limit.
With only a minute left, Hiroto intercepted a pass from Haruto and sent a precise through-ball to Ryoma. Shun and Akira closed in, forming a wall of defense.
Ryoma's mind raced. He couldn't afford to hesitate.
He feinted a shot, causing Akira to lunge forward. Then, with a deft touch, he flicked the ball over both defenders.
As the ball dropped, Ryoma leapt into the air, connecting with a powerful volley.
The ball slammed into the back of the net.
"Goal! Match over!" Ego declared. "Ryoma Saito's team advances!"
---
Ryoma stood in the center of the field, panting heavily. Shun approached him, a mix of frustration and admiration in his eyes.
"Not bad, Saito," Shun said, his smirk returning. "Looks like you're not as washed-up as I thought. But this isn't over."
Ryoma met his gaze, his voice steady. "It never is."
---
Author's Note:
The rivalry heats up! What did you think of Ryoma's performance? Can he continue to rise, or will the challenges ahead break him? Leave your thoughts below, and don't forget to add this story to your library!