The stadium lights blazed over the pitch as Team Z and Team Y stood across from each other. The crowd's roar was deafening, and every member of Team Z felt the weight of this match after their crushing loss to Team Q. The name "Akari Kunigami" echoed through the arena, with fans cheering for the Hero Prodigy. His confidence radiated as he stood at the center of Team Y, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"I'll show you what a hero is," Akari declared, his voice calm but powerful.
Team Y:
#230 – Akari Kunigami
The Hero Prodigy. A versatile and confident striker with raw power, speed, and precision. Akari thrives in moments of pressure, often claiming, "A hero shines brightest in adversity."
#231 – Daiki Shiba
A composed defensive midfielder known for shutting down counterattacks and controlling the pace of the game.
#232 – Takashi "Stretchy" Miyamoto
A bizarrely flexible goalkeeper who uses his incredible reach and agility to block even the most impossible shots.
#233 – Kota Minami
A fast winger with deadly crossing ability and sharp decision-making.
#234 – Hiroto Shindo
A physical center-back who excels in one-on-one duels and aerial battles.
#235 – Eiji Sasaki
A tactician on the field who excels in reading plays and setting up teammates for scoring opportunities.
#236 – Junpei Otomo
A clinical finisher in the penalty box who rarely misses golden chances.
#237 – Ryosuke Hanami
A flashy dribbler who thrives in breaking through defenses with skill moves.
#238 – Yuto Hasegawa
A player with incredible stamina who runs tirelessly, creating spaces for teammates.
#239 – Kazuki Toriyama
A defensive player who specializes in aggressive tackles and interceptions.
#240 – Reiji Kagawa A crafty midfielder with excellent passing vision and long-range shooting accuracy.
#241 – Satoshi IzumiA striker who focuses on quick, darting movements inside the box to confuse defenders.
#242 – Keigo TanakaA free-kick specialist who's deadly with set pieces from any angle.
#243 – Naoki Fujimoto A calm and reliable defender with an impressive ability to clear dangerous balls.
#244 – Sho Yamada An unpredictable forward with a knack for last-minute goals.
#245 – Kenji Sakamoto A midfielder who's known for delivering pinpoint crosses into the box.
#246 – Haruto Yamazaki A defensive midfielder with a talent for breaking up plays.
#247 – Tsubasa Araki A backup striker who thrives in chaotic situations and rebounds.
#248 – Kenta Ogasawara A tactician who's constantly analyzing the opposition's weaknesses.
#249 – Yuki Kamiyama A winger who combines speed and technical ability to dominate the flanks.
#250 – Ryota Nakamura A calm and composed center-back who rarely makes mistakes.
#251 – Masaki Aoyama A skilled defensive midfielder with an aggressive playing style.
#252 – Hiroshi Takeda A backup midfielder who provides depth to Team Y's lineup.
#253 – Taro Nishikawa A versatile defender who can play in multiple positions.
#254 – Riku Onodera A backup goalkeeper with solid reflexes but lacks experience.
#255 – Daigo Matsumoto A physical midfielder who excels in disrupting opponents' rhythm.
#256 – Shun Kobayashi A striker who relies on instinct and positioning inside the box.
#257 – Minoru Fushimi A left-back who pushes forward frequently to support attacks.
#258 – Kaito Arata A quick and agile player who thrives in counterattacks.
First Half
The referee's whistle blew, and the match was on. Team Y took immediate control of the ball, with Daiki Shiba (#231) orchestrating their midfield.
"Stay sharp! He's going for a through ball!" shouted Riku Hayashi (#285) as he tried to intercept.
But Shiba feinted, flicking the ball to Kota Minami (#233) on the wing. Minami sprinted past Itsuki Hoshino (#287) with ease and sent a precise cross into the box.
"This is mine!" yelled Akari Kunigami (#230) as he leaped over Team Z's defense, smashing a header toward the goal.
"Not on my watch!" bellowed Kaito Isagi (#280), rushing in to block. The ball ricocheted off Kaito's head and out of bounds, saving Team Z temporarily.
Team Z managed to hold their ground for the next few minutes, with Sora Himekawa (#290) playing a critical role.
"Sora, over here!" Kaito called, making a run toward the goal.
Sora delivered a pinpoint pass, splitting Team Y's defense. Kaito went for his Direct Shot, but Takashi "Stretchy" Miyamoto (#232) defied gravity, stretching his body and catching the ball mid-air.
"Nice try, kid," Stretchy said with a grin. "But that won't work on me."
The momentum swung back to Team Y, and Hiroto Shindo (#234) launched a long ball toward Akari.
"I've got this!" yelled Tetsuya Gojo (#291), trying to intercept.
But Akari spun past him effortlessly, his movements fluid and calculated. As he approached the box, he unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner of the net.
"Goal! Team Y takes the lead, 1-0!" the announcer boomed.
"Damn it! That guy's insane," growled Kuroka (#281), clenching his fists.
Second Half
The second half began with Team Z looking more focused. Sora orchestrated their attacks, using quick passes to break through Team Y's midfield.
"Kuroka, catch this!" Sora yelled, sending a through ball into space.
Kuroka controlled it expertly, turning to face the goal. He ignored Kaito, who was positioned perfectly for a pass.
"This is my moment!" Kuroka shouted, launching a bicycle kick toward the top corner.
The crowd gasped as the ball soared through the air, but Stretchy Miyamoto was there again, contorting his body unnaturally to grab the ball with one hand.
"Not even close," Stretchy said, smirking.
Team Y immediately launched a counterattack. Minami sprinted down the wing, sending a low cross into the box.
"Akari, finish it!" he shouted.
Akari darted past Kaito, his body a blur. With a single touch, he controlled the ball and fired it into the bottom corner.
"Goal! Akari Kunigami strikes again! Team Y leads 2-0!"
"This guy's unstoppable..." muttered Sora, sweat dripping down his face.
With only five minutes left, Team Z refused to give up. Sora intercepted a pass and threaded the ball to Kaito.
"Go, Kaito!" Sora yelled.
Kaito sprinted forward, faking past two defenders. He unleashed his Direct Shot, and this time, the ball rocketed past Stretchy, who barely missed it.
"Goal! Team Z pulls one back, 2-1!"
In the dying moments of the match, Team Z pressed hard for an equalizer. Sora stole the ball and passed it to Kaito, who was in perfect position.
"Finish it!" Sora yelled.
But Kuroka intercepted the pass, shouting, "This is my game!"
Kuroka went for another bicycle kick, but Stretchy caught it again with ease.
"You're predictable," Stretchy taunted, launching the ball toward Akari.
Akari dribbled past the exhausted defenders and coolly slotted the ball into the net just as the whistle blew.
"Goal! Akari Kunigami seals it! Team Y wins 3-1!"
Aftermath
In the locker room, the mood was tense. Kuroka was furious, but his teammates ignored him.
"We lost because of you," Kaito finally said, glaring at Kuroka.
Meanwhile, Sora sat quietly, his fists clenched. He vowed to improve and never let Kuroka ruin another game.
Kuroka dropped to #282, while Toma Iguchi (#281) moved up. The gap between Team Z and the stronger teams seemed wider than ever, but the fire to improve burned brighter in all of them—except for Kuroka, who stormed out, muttering about his "useless teammates."