The sun barely peeked over the horizon when Renji Kurogami stood on the pitch again, his muscles still aching from yesterday's brutal training. The air was thick with tension — today, they were back under the ruthless guidance of Ryusei Hoshigaki [old legend].
Kazuki Shindo stood beside him, the 20kg weight belt still strapped around his waist. His face was pale, his breathing labored, but his eyes were sharp with determination.
Hoshigaki arrived with his usual predatory smirk. "I hope you've rested well," he said, his tone mocking. "Because today… we're pushing your instincts to the limit."
He gestured to the field, where strange-looking setups had been arranged. Small enclosed grids, narrow lanes, and circular zones were scattered across the pitch.
"Today's training is called the Predator's Gauntlet," Hoshigaki announced. "It's simple — you'll each take turns playing 1v3. Your goal? Devour the defenders. Break through them by any means necessary."
Renji's eyes narrowed. "One versus three?"
"But there's a catch," Hoshigaki continued. "The defenders will rotate every 30 seconds — fresh legs, new pressure. You? You stay until you score."
Kazuki cursed under his breath. This wasn't training — it was torture.
"Shindo, you're up first," Hoshigaki barked.
Kazuki staggered forward, his weighted steps slow. The whistle blew — and the defenders rushed him. They closed in fast, bodies pressing tight, cutting off every angle.
Kazuki fought — his dribbling was sharp, his physicality undeniable. But the weight slowed him. Every push felt like moving through water. After two minutes, he still hadn't broken through.
"Enough!" Hoshigaki called. "Switch!"
Kazuki stumbled off the pitch, his legs giving out beneath him. Renji caught him before he hit the ground.
"Damn it," Kazuki muttered through gritted teeth. "I… I can't keep up."
Renji's jaw tightened. He wouldn't let that happen to him.
"Renji Kurogami — you're up!"
Renji stepped onto the field. The whistle blew. The three defenders closed in immediately.
Renji's eyes flashed. He danced around the first tackle, using his agility to slip past the second. But the third defender anticipated his move, cutting him off and forcing him back.
They're coordinated. But not perfect.
Renji shifted gears. He remembered the way Hoshigaki moved — the sheer hunger in his attacks, the unpredictable aggression. He focused… and copied.
Suddenly, his body moved differently — sharper, more feral. He surged forward, his foot feinting left before cutting right. The defenders reacted late. Renji broke through the first line.
But the next wave was already on him.
He didn't hesitate. He slashed through them, his body moving with newfound instinct. It wasn't perfect — not yet — but he could feel it. A sliver of Hoshigaki's skill, adapted to his own style.
After 90 seconds, he fired a powerful shot into the net. The ball slammed into the back of the goal.
"Goal!"
Hoshigaki's eyes gleamed with interest. "Not bad, Kurogami. You're starting to taste it."
Renji walked off the pitch, his heart pounding. He could feel it — 10% of Hoshigaki's key skill. It wasn't much… but it was a start.
Later, as they gathered for the next round, Kazuki looked up at Renji. "What… did you just do out there?"
Renji's lips curled into a grin. "I devoured them."
To be continued…