The early morning sun beat down on Raimon's training ground, where Goenji and Kabeyama were locked in yet another attempt at perfecting the Inazuma Drop. Goenji soared through the air like a flaming comet, his Fire Tornado kicks gaining more precision each day. Kabeyama, however, was having a rougher time.
"I-I'm sorry! I looked down again!" Kabeyama groaned, lying flat on the ground after another botched landing.
Endou Mamoru scratched his head and turned to Aki. "It's not the jump that's the problem—it's the fear. He just needs to trust himself... and Goenji."
Sakuragi Hanamichi, shirt half untucked, yawned as he approached the field, munching on a rice ball.
"Still doing your little circus act, huh?" he said, eyeing the two practicing. "You sure that's soccer, not synchronized swimming?"
"Sakuragi! You're late again!" Aki scolded.
He shrugged. "Greatness doesn't punch a time card."
Just then, Natsumi appeared with a hefty stack of old soccer manuals.
"I went through all this trouble to find training techniques for the Inazuma Drop, and you're telling me he's scared of heights?" she sighed.
Kabeyama flinched. "I didn't think it'd be this hard, okay?!"
"He needs more than manuals," Endou said, looking determined. "He needs motivation. Let me handle his training."
Later That Day...
Raimon was finishing up their regular drills. The team's spirits were high, but there was one outlier.
"I'm takin' it easy today," Bobby said, stretching his arms. "Still getting used to the rhythm."
Sakuragi wasn't buying it.
"Rhythm? This ain't a waltz, Bobby. You gonna dance around the field next game?"
Bobby chuckled. "You're one to talk, Red-Hair. You've got more style than substance."
Sakuragi gave him a sideways grin. "Just wait. I've got a surprise cooking."
Next Day: Wild Junior High
The bus arrived at Wild Jr. High, an outdoor stadium surrounded by forested cliffs and rock faces. The wind howled.
"This place feels more like a battlefield than a soccer pitch," Shourinji muttered.
Waiting at the gate were three familiar figures—Kabeyama's younger brother and two friends.
"Big Bro! Crush 'em like you did the Royals!" his brother shouted.
Kabeyama's face darkened with pressure.
The whistle blew. The match began.
Kickoff
Goenji launched into a Fire Tornado the moment he received the ball. It looked perfect—but just before the shot could connect, Wild Jr.'s captain, Ryouta Torii, leaped impossibly high and intercepted it.
"Whoa! That guy's got ups!" Sakuragi blinked.
Wild immediately countered with two moves: Condor Dive and Tarzan Kick.
Endou clenched his fists. "Come on… Nekketsu Punch!"
He punched the ball aside, but the force made him stumble.
Kevin picked up the loose ball, only to be smashed by a defender—Shishiou.
"Kevin!" Aki shouted.
Kevin winced, gripping his ankle. "I'm done... Coach, sub me out."
Endou looked around. "Bobby, you're in."
Bobby nodded. "On it."
But something else stirred. Goenji jogged to Endou.
"We're short a striker. We need options."
Sakuragi stepped forward.
"I'll do it."
Endou blinked. "You sure? We need solid passing and mobility."
"Trust me. You need someone to own the skies."
Flashback: Sakuragi's Basketball Days
In his mind's eye, Sakuragi saw a gym packed with noise. Shohoku vs. Ryonan.
Akagi's voice echoed: "Those who control rebounds control the game."
Sakuragi smirked. "Rebounds, huh...? It's not basketball... but same rules apply."
He looked at Wild Jr.'s huge center. A tank of a player with a square jaw and hair like a jungle beast.
"Yo, Gori!" he shouted.
The Wild player turned, confused.
"Yeah, you! Lemme show you how we fly in Tokyo."
Mid-Match: The Rebound Battle Begins
Sakuragi began intercepting aerial passes like a madman. He read the arcs, predicted Wild's vertical game, and leapt into the air like a spring-loaded tiger.
"Did he just... jump over Gori?!" Shishido shouted.
Kabeyama gasped. "No way!"
Sakuragi landed with a thud, rolled, then delivered a back pass to Goenji.
"Keep that fire ready, pretty boy."
Goenji stared. "...Not bad."
Late Game: Wild Attempts a Comeback
After a midfield scramble, Wild Jr. unleashed a new hissatsu: Sky Beast Barrage.
The ball rocketed high, then came crashing down with layered spin.
Endou readied himself. "I got it—!"
But from the side, Sakuragi yelled: "CRIMSON DUNK!!"
He launched upward, twisting mid-air, and slammed his forehead into the ball, reddish energy surrounded his head that struck the ball.
BOOM.
The ball ricocheted out of bounds.
Silence.
Then cheers.
"Did he just HEADBUTT a hissatsu shot?!" Aki shouted.
Sakuragi landed, rubbing his skull. "Ow. Worth it, I didnt realise it could be used defensively as well .
Final Minutes: The Finisher
With the score still tied 0-0, Goenji received a pass from Endou.
Goenji looked to Kabeyama. "Let's do this."
Kabeyama nodded nervously. "Right!"
Goenji sprinted forward, then jumped. Kabeyama followed, spinning his body as Goenji stepped on his back.
"INAZUMA DROP!"
The ball curved like lightning in the air and smashed past Wild's keeper.
GOAL!
Raimon took the lead.
Aftermath
Raimon huddled, catching their breath.
"He really did it," Shourinji said, stunned.
"I'll never make fun of his hair again," Bobby muttered.
Kabeyama's little brother jumped in excitement. "That redhead was like a flying gorilla!"
Sakuragi overheard. He twitched.
"...Did that brat just call me a Gorilla?"
Goenji smirked. "Now you know how Kabeyama feels."
Sakuragi laughed. "Tch. If I'm the gorilla, you're the sparkler."
They fist-bumped.
End Scene: Royal Academy Commander
In a dark office, a phone clicked.
"Raimon wins again? Hmph. Time to move things forward."
Fade out.
Special Move File Move Name: Crimson Dunk
User: Sakuragi Hanamichi
Type: Power / All-Round
Element: Fire (with Earth influence)
Description:
A high-impact aerial technique that combines brute strength, elite jumping ability, and mid-air control. Sakuragi leaps with incredible vertical momentum—like a basketball dunk—and slams the ball down with either a powerful headbutt or overhead kick. The sheer force can blow past defenders or interrupt hissatsu techniques in mid-air.