The field was electric. The air itself felt heavy with the pressure of 26 players fighting for survival — and for their egos. Everyone had evolved through brutal training, and now it was a battle of who could dominate, who could devour, and who would be left behind.
The score was still locked at 0-0, but it didn't feel like it. Every second was a war.
Renji stood near the halfway line, his breathing steady despite the pace. His Hawk's Eye vision scanned the field, tracking every movement — every shift in weight, every subtle feint. But even with his enhanced vision, the sheer level of play was overwhelming.
Team 2 had possession, and they were pushing hard.
Kaede Arata controlled the ball on the left wing, his eyes locked on the goal. Kenji Takahashi rushed in to challenge him, but Kaede's footwork was too sharp. With a quick Elastico, he slipped past Kenji like a ghost.
"Too slow," Kaede muttered, his eyes already searching for his next move.
But Hajime Ueda wasn't fooled. He read Kaede's intentions and closed in fast, his timing perfect. Just as Kaede prepared to send a cross, Ueda lunged—
"Got you!"
But Kaede anticipated it. Instead of the cross, he cut inside with a swift Rabona Fake, leaving Ueda off-balance.
"Damn it—!" Ueda cursed, trying to recover.
Kaede saw the opening and launched a curling cross toward the box.
Renji's eyes locked on the ball — but so did Shun Takagi's. The speedster was already making his move, cutting in behind the defenders.
But before the ball could reach him—
"Not today!"
Jin Kazama leaped into the air, his timing perfect. With an explosive punch, he sent the ball flying out of the danger zone.
"Nice save, Jin!" Renji called out.
But there was no time to celebrate. The ball dropped near the center of the field — right between Yuto Kisaragi and Riku Saionji.
Two of the best playmakers in EOS.
They collided instantly, their battle like a chess match at lightning speed. Yuto used his quick passing to keep the ball moving, but Riku's field vision let him intercept every attempt to break away.
"You're not getting past me, Kisaragi," Riku said, his voice calm but focused.
"We'll see about that." Yuto's eyes narrowed.
In a flash, Yuto shifted into a Double Touch, sliding the ball past Riku and creating just enough space.
Renji saw it happening — and more importantly, he saw the opportunity.
"Yuto! Over here!"
Yuto didn't hesitate. The pass came fast and clean. Renji took the ball in stride, his body already moving.
But before he could push forward—
"Not so fast."
Sora Amagi was there, his Phantom Step making him appear right in Renji's path.
Renji's mind raced. He couldn't outpace Amagi in a straight sprint, and the pressure was closing in.
So he didn't try.
Instead, Renji activated his Specter Drive — not at full power, but just enough to shift his momentum unpredictably. With a sudden burst of speed, he slipped past Amagi's reach.
But Amagi recovered instantly, matching his pace.
"You're not shaking me that easily," Amagi growled.
Renji grinned. "I don't need to."
In a split second, Renji used his newest skill — Void Strike. His foot met the ball with perfect precision, sending it flying with a strange, almost unnatural curve.
It wasn't a shot. It was a pass — and it was heading straight for Kazuki Shindo.
Shindo's eyes lit up. He sprinted forward, ready to capitalize—
But Reiji Sakamoto was right on him.
"You think I'm letting you through?!" Reiji roared, his physicality crashing into Shindo like a wall.
But Shindo didn't back down. With a sudden burst of speed, he slipped past Reiji's challenge and went for the shot—
"Not happening!"
Takuma Ogawa dove, his reaction time flawless. The ball bounced away — but right into the path of Tetsuya Aikawa.
"This is mine!" Aikawa roared, his eyes blazing.
But Haruto Inoue was there — and their clash was explosive. Aikawa tried to push through with brute force, but Haruto's positioning was perfect.
In a flash, Haruto executed a Standing Tackle, cleanly stripping the ball away.
But just as he turned to clear it—
Renji was there.
"You're wide open."
Renji didn't wait. He activated his Hawk's Eye vision, tracking the perfect opening — and with a swift, controlled Outside Foot Shot, he sent the ball rocketing toward the goal.
"Damn it—!" Takuma Ogawa reacted fast—
But not fast enough.
The ball slammed into the back of the net.
1-0.
Renji stood there, his chest rising and falling. The field was silent for a heartbeat — and then the roar of their competitive spirits exploded.
The match was far from over.
To be continued…