The countdown to the match against the World 11 had begun. Three days to evolve—or be crushed. Every player in EOS knew what was at stake, and their desperation to improve created an atmosphere so intense it was suffocating.
Day 2 – Training Under the Legends
Morning broke over the EOS training grounds, but no one had rested properly. The relentless push for evolution had begun the moment Kaizen announced the match.
Riku Saionji vs. Ryohei Sakamoto – The Chess Match
Riku had sought out the old playmaker, Ryohei Sakamoto, whose ability to control the rhythm of the game was legendary.
"You're a smart player," Sakamoto said, watching Riku analyze the field. "But intelligence alone won't let you dominate."
Riku frowned. "Then what will?"
Sakamoto smirked. "Control. The ability to manipulate time and space on the pitch."
Their training session was unlike any other. No physical drills, no shooting practice. Instead, Sakamoto forced Riku into countless decision-making scenarios, limiting his options and forcing him to create solutions on the spot.
By the end of the session, Riku was exhausted. But his vision had sharpened—he was beginning to see the game on a different level.
Tetsuya Aikawa vs. Daigo Fushimi – The Striker's Curse
Aikawa hadn't scored a single goal in the last match. That humiliation burned in his mind.
"I need to score," he growled.
Daigo Fushimi, the relentless striker from the old legends, stood in front of him. "Your problem isn't scoring," he said coldly. "It's your mindset."
Aikawa's eyes narrowed.
Fushimi kicked a ball at him with insane power, forcing Aikawa to dodge at the last second. Then another. And another.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Aikawa shouted.
"You're scared."
Aikawa's fists clenched. "I'm NOT—"
Fushimi's eyes gleamed. "Then prove it. Show me you're ready to die for a goal."
Aikawa's training was brutal. He was forced to shoot under pressure, fight through tackles, and push past his breaking point. He needed a breakthrough—something that would force him into a killer instinct.
Sora Amagi vs. Shinobu Hayashi – The Art of Chaos
Sora Amagi was dangerous because he was unpredictable. But Shinobu Hayashi, the legend known for his lightning agility, saw a flaw in Amagi's game.
"You're unpredictable," Hayashi said, dodging one of Amagi's feints with ease. "But that's not enough."
Amagi scoffed. "You can't react if you don't know what's coming."
Hayashi smirked. "You think too small. You're tricking individuals. I'll teach you how to trick entire teams."
Their session focused on deception—not just faking out a single opponent, but manipulating defenders, keepers, and even teammates to think they knew what Amagi would do.
By the end, Amagi's unpredictability had evolved into something more terrifying—calculated deception.
Renji Kurogami vs. Nakamura & Kobayashi – The Midnight Evolution
While the others trained under the sun, Renji's true battle began when night fell.
Under the dim glow of the training grounds, Seiji Nakamura and Eiji Kobayashi stood before him. The session had only one rule: Renji wasn't allowed to use any of his copied moves.
"This is stupid," Renji muttered.
"Then leave," Nakamura said casually.
Renji gritted his teeth. He hated it. His copied skills were his strength—but here, they were his chains.
For hours, Nakamura and Kobayashi dismantled his game. Every instinct he relied on was denied. Every move he tried was countered. It was like playing football without his weapons.
By the time the night ended, Renji collapsed to his knees.
And yet, deep inside him—something had awakened.
To be continue....