The training field was alive with the sound of shouts, kicks, and drills, but inside the lounge, the atmosphere was electric for an entirely different reason. The massive TV screen displayed the World Cup Final, and everyone was glued to it.
Japan was facing Brazil, and the stakes couldn't be higher. For Kaito Isagi, however, this wasn't just about patriotism—it was personal.
The camera zoomed in on Yoichi Isagi (#10), the legendary forward of Japan, standing tall against Dada Silva (#11), the tank and ace of Brazil. Both were icons, and their duel on the pitch had been nothing short of breathtaking.
"That's Dad…" Kaito muttered, gripping the edge of his seat.
The match was tied 2–2, with five minutes left on the clock. Every pass, every dribble, every tackle had the room on edge.
Out of nowhere, Rensuke Kunigami (#9), Japan's stalwart defender turned striker, surged down the left wing. His immense physique allowed him to shrug off two Brazilian defenders before launching a pinpoint cross into the box.
"That's insane!" Sora Himekawa, seated next to Kaito, exclaimed.
The ball soared through the air, and Yoichi Isagi leaped, meeting it with a perfect chest trap. In one fluid motion, he spun, keeping the ball glued to his foot.
Bachira lunged forward, attempting to dispossess Yoichi, but Isagi feinted with a lightning-quick flick. He created just enough space to unleash his signature move—a Final Smash.
The ball rocketed off his foot, bending with such force and precision that the Brazilian goalkeeper barely had time to react.
"GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!" the commentator screamed as the ball tore into the back of the net.
The clock ticked down. Five seconds remained. Japan had won.
The room erupted in cheers, but Kaito sat silently, his gaze fixed on the screen. His father's triumphant smile filled him with a mix of pride and envy.
"That's the level I have to reach," he whispered. "No... I have to surpass it."
Kuroka, who had watched silently from the corner, scoffed.
"Admire your daddy all you want," he sneered. "But you'll never get there if you keep playing like you did yesterday."
Kaito clenched his fists but said nothing. He wouldn't let Kuroka's words get under his skin. Instead, he let them fuel his determination.
Meanwhile, on the field, the rest of Team Z was hard at work. Sora Himekawa (#284) practiced his passing, threading balls through impossibly tight gaps. Daichi Kurogane (#296), however, was struggling to keep up.
"Move faster, Kurogane!" Kuroka barked, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. "At this rate, you're just dead weight."
"I'm trying!" Daichi protested, sweat dripping down his face.
"Try harder!" Kuroka snapped, shoving the ball at him. "A king doesn't carry peasants."
The other players exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to intervene. Kuroka's humiliation of Daichi was becoming a daily occurrence, yet his own rank jump to #280 made his ego even harder to handle.
With Kuroka's rise after his victory over Kaito, Ego himself announced the new rankings:
#280 – Kuroka Bachira (The Tyrant King, regaining his edge)
#281 – Kaito Isagi (The team's ace, now fueled by his father's legacy)
#282 – Toma Iguchi
#283 – Renji Suda
#284 – Sora Himekawa (Earning respect as the team's new playmaker)
#285 – Kenta "Bear" Motosu
#286 – Juzo Nakamura
#287 – Itsuki Hoshino
#288 – Daigo Shigematsu
#289 – Yuji Tanabe
#290 – Tetsuya Gojo
#291 – Haruki Daisen
#292 – Osamu Inui
#293 – Makoto Ise
#294 – Jinro Matsuda
#295 – Akihiro Soma
#296 – Daichi Kurogane (The team's weakest link)