The tension in the air was palpable as the remaining teams gathered in the pristine, sterile viewing room. Screens flashed replays of past matches, and the murmurs of nervous anticipation filled the room. Kuroka Bachira's team, freshly recovering from their grueling tie against Daichi's monstrous performance, now locked eyes with the last two remaining teams:
Keiji Mikage's Team Keiji Mikage (The Chameleon): A player renowned for his ability to copy techniques with unnerving accuracy. Every move he saw could become part of his arsenal, making him unpredictable and impossible to read. Raiju Okami (The Wolf): A relentless beast on the field, with unmatched speed, agility, and the raw power to shatter defenses with his shots. Akari Kunigami (The Hero Prodigy): The son of the legendary defender Rensuke Kunigami, Akari was a true striker. His strength, speed, and precision made him the perfect all-around player, and his confidence radiated through every play.Young Julias Team: Young Julias (The Crowned Prince of England): A regal presence on the field. His dominance was absolute, and his signature move, Emperor's Impact, had singlehandedly dismantled every team in his path.T akura Kemura (The Quiet Playmaker): A silent genius who controlled the game like a conductor. His vision and creativity turned ordinary plays into extraordinary ones. Korsei Shinzuka (The Phantom): A deceptive and elusive player who struck when least expected, slipping past defenses with ghost-like precision.Match 1: Kuroka's Team vs. Keiji Mikage's Team
Kuroka's team took the field against Keiji Mikage's formidable trio. The weight of their earlier match still lingered, but Kuroka's sharp, commanding gaze signaled that he wouldn't allow fatigue to be an excuse.
The whistle blew.
From the start, Keiji Mikage lived up to his nickname. Within minutes, he had analyzed Kuroka's curved strikes, Kaito's Final Smash, and Sora's pinpoint passes. He began copying them flawlessly, turning their own strengths against them.
Raiju Okami tore through the field like a storm, his insane speed leaving defenders scrambling. Akari Kunigami delivered crushing shots that tested Sora's defensive resilience to the limit.
But Kuroka's team wasn't about to roll over.
Kuroka led the charge, his commanding presence forcing openings where there were none. His curved shots kept Raiju and Akari busy, while Kaito's determination reached a fever pitch.
Finally, with the score tied at 3–3, the final play came down to Kaito.
With seconds left on the clock, Kaito unleashed his Final Smash. Keiji, having predicted it, lunged to block—but Kaito had baited him. He sent a last-second pass to Sora, who calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Final Score: 4–3.
Kuroka's team had barely scraped by, but the victory was theirs. They had the chance to recruit one player, and without hesitation, they chose:
Keiji Mikage.
"Interesting choice," Keiji said, his smirk never wavering. "Let's see if your team can keep up with me."
Match 2: Daichi Kurogane vs. Young Julias' Team
The stadium fell silent as Daichi's team stepped onto the field to face Young Julias and his terrifying trio.
From the moment the whistle blew, it was clear this would be a massacre.
Julias radiated an almost divine aura, commanding the field with an effortless grace that made him seem untouchable. His teammates, Takura and Korsei, complemented him perfectly, turning every play into an unstoppable masterpiece.
Daichi fought like a man possessed, his awakened power on full display. He intercepted passes, blocked shots, and even scored twice against the hologram goalkeeper—something no one had done before.
But it wasn't enough.
Julias activated his signature move, Emperor's Impact.
The sheer force of the strike left Daichi's team frozen, unable to react. The ball blasted into the net, leaving even Daichi's monstrous strength in the dust.
Final Score: 6–2.
As the whistle blew, Daichi knelt on the field, his fists clenched. He had given everything, but even his newfound strength couldn't overcome Julias' godlike dominance.
Ego's voice echoed through the stadium.
"Daichi Kurogane, your team is eliminated. However, your performance has earned you a second chance. You will join Young Julias' team moving forward."
Julias smirked, extending a hand to Daichi. "With your strength, we'll be unstoppable."
Daichi hesitated, then took his hand. "I'll prove I'm more than just strength."
The Aftermath
Kuroka's team, now bolstered by Keiji Mikage, stood in the viewing room, watching the replays of Julias' match.
"Emperor's Impact, huh?" Kuroka muttered. "That's going to be a problem."
Kaito, leaning against the wall, clenched his fists. "We barely survived Keiji's team. Julias will destroy us."
Sora shot him a sharp look. "If you're scared, leave. The rest of us will fight."
Keiji chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "Relax. I've already analyzed that move. All we need is the perfect counter."
As the tension between them simmered, Ego's voice cut through the room.
"Prepare yourselves, players. The next round will separate the kings from the pawns."
The screen flickered, revealing the tournament bracket.
Next Match: Kuroka Bachira's Team vs. Young Julias' Team.
The room fell silent.
Kuroka's smirk widened. "Let's see how the Crowned Prince handles a Tyrant."
To be continued...