The air was thick with tension. After their hard-fought 3-2 victory against Team Sigma, Team Zeta returned to the training grounds — but the celebration was short-lived. There was no time to relax, no time to dwell on their success.
Because this wasn't enough.
Renji Kurogami stood alone at the edge of the field, the weight of his ambition pressing down on him. He had scored five goals so far — more than anyone else on his team. But his hunger only grew. The more he evolved, the more he realized how far he still had to go.
But this wasn't a one-man game. Not anymore.
"You're pushing too far ahead," Sora Amagi's voice cut through Renji's thoughts.
Renji turned, his expression unreadable. "And what's wrong with that? If I slow down, I'll be left behind."
Sora's eyes narrowed. "That's exactly the problem. If you leave everyone behind, we'll never win. You're strong, Renji — no one's denying that. But this isn't a fight for survival anymore. This is a war. And we won't win it alone."
Before Renji could respond, their coach called them together.
"We've got three days until the next match," the coach began. "Team Delta won't be like Sigma. They're a defensive powerhouse, and their ability to shut down attacks is second to none. If we don't find a way to break their formation, we're done."
The team exchanged tense glances. They all knew the stakes — only the top 10 goal-scorers and the goalkeeper with the most saves would move to the next stage. There was no room for hesitation.
"Which is why we're changing the way we train," the coach continued. "No more individual brilliance. From now on, we move as one."
The next three days were brutal. The team drilled relentlessly, focusing on coordinated attacks and fluid positioning. Real football tactics came into play — quick one-twos, overlapping runs, and third-man combinations.
Kaede Arata became the heart of their midfield, using his vision and ball control to dictate the pace. Riku Saionji worked on his off-the-ball movement, finding gaps in the defense and creating space for others.
Sora Amagi pushed his Phantom Step to new limits, developing an almost unnatural ability to disappear and reappear in dangerous positions.
But the one who evolved fastest — and most dangerously — was still Renji.
His spatial awareness had become razor-sharp, allowing him to see plays develop seconds before they happened. And his ability to copy and modify his teammates' techniques made him an unpredictable force.
"Renji's turning into a monster," Shun Takagi muttered during a break, watching as Renji dismantled their defense in a practice match.
But it wasn't just Renji. The fire in the team had been lit — and it was spreading.
Yamada Goro's physicality made him a perfect target man, holding up play and drawing defenders. Haruto Inoue's relentless energy made him a nightmare on the wings.
And in goal, Jin Kazama was an immovable wall. His reflexes and anticipation had reached a new level, making him the anchor of their defense.
On the final day of training, something shifted.
During a practice match, Renji intercepted a pass and drove forward, his eyes locked on the goal. Two defenders closed in — but before they could react, Renji executed Sora's Phantom Step.
But it wasn't just a copy. It was faster, sharper — more dangerous.
He broke through the defense and fired a shot from outside the box — a powerful, curving strike that slammed into the top corner.
"Renji!" Sora's voice was sharp. "You can't just steal everything!"
"I'm not stealing," Renji said quietly. "I'm devouring."
But even as the words left his mouth, he felt it — the strain on his body, the exhaustion creeping in. He was evolving too fast… and it was starting to take its toll.
As the team gathered for their final strategy session, the mood was tense.
"Our next match against Team Delta will decide everything," the coach said. "They're the most defensive team in this competition — but their counterattacks are lethal. We'll need to break them down without leaving ourselves exposed."
Renji's eyes burned with determination. "Then we'll break them."
But even as he spoke, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered a warning. He was moving too fast, pushing too far ahead. And if he wasn't careful… he might leave everyone behind.
The storm was coming. And Team Zeta would either rise together — or fall apart.
Current Standings:
Renji Kurogami — 5 goals
Sora Amagi — 3 goals
Kaede Arata — 2 goals
Riku Saionji — 2 goals
Haruto Inoue — 1 goal
Reiji Sakamoto — 1 goal
Shun Takagi — 0 goals
Yamada Goro — 0 goals
Itsuki Maeda — 0 goals
Jin Kazama — Most saves (4)
The fire had been lit — and the flames were only growing stronger.