The team bus rolled to a stop outside the grand stadium in Tokyo.
Jim stared out the window at the towering arena, its glass walls reflecting the energy of the city. This was it—the beginning of everything.
The boys of Phantom Force stepped off the bus, duffel bags slung over their shoulders. A few nervous eyes glanced around… except for Volt, who stretched like he was about to hit the beach.
Inside the player entrance tunnel, they were immediately met with a chilling welcome.
Standing near the locker room doors were Daigo Renshiro, captain of Ironheart Academy, with Reiji Tetsuma, Ayato Kisaragi, and Kota Minami flanking him like a final boss squad.
Reiji smirked. "Look what we have here. Phantom Force, huh? More like Phantom Fluke."
Daigo crossed his arms, eyes cold. "Never heard of you. Must be a filler team."
Jim stepped forward, fists clenched. "You'll remember the name after today."
Volt joined him, eyes locked on Reiji. "We'll see who disappears after kickoff."
Reiji laughed. "Cute. You've got fire. Too bad fire doesn't melt iron."
But before things could heat up further, Alex calmly walked between his teammates.
"Let them talk," he said, hands in pockets. "Words are cheap. When we beat them, they'll go quiet on their own."
That cut deeper than anything else said.
Even Ayato raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued.
The tension hung heavy… then Coach Tenjo called out, "Move out, team."
The squad walked past their rivals. Jim kept his gaze forward, but he felt it—this was real now.
One Hour Later – Stadium Tunnel
The roar of the crowd thundered above them.
Ironheart banners flew in the air. Their fans filled the stands like a crimson wave.
Phantom Force gathered in the tunnel, moments away from walking out.
Nerves kicked in.
"They've got the crowd too…" one teammate mumbled.
Alex glanced at the team. "Then we silence the crowd."
Volt smirked, voice loud and confident, "We're not here to impress anyone. We're here to win. You hear that, Jim?"
Jim nodded, tightening his boots. "Loud and clear."
Volt raised a fist. "Let's make Tokyo remember Phantom Force."
The ref's whistle echoed down the tunnel.
Doors opened.
Lights flared.
And the match—their first battle in the Type 1 Tournament—was about to begin.
The locker room tunnel buzzed with tension.
Alex stood calmly in front of his squad, eyes steady, voice firm.
"They're stronger. They're louder. They've got more fans. So what?" he said.
His teammates looked at him, some biting their lips, some with shoulders low.
"We've trained hard. We've come far. Now's the time to show them we don't kneel for giants—we drag them down."
Volt blinked. "Yo... I didn't know you could talk like a captain."
Alex glanced at him. "Shut up, Volt."
The team chuckled, tension breaking just a little.
But the moment they stepped on the pitch… reality hit hard.
The whistle blew.
Ironheart took the ball within seconds.
Their forward—Ayato Kisaragi—activated his sprite.
A massive blazing phoenix flared up behind him, wings spreading with a screech that cut through the air.
He darted through Phantom Force's midfield like fire tearing through dry grass.
Defenders couldn't even react—let alone stop him.
In a blur of flames and feathers, the ball slammed into the net.
The crowd exploded.
Ayato smirked, turning toward Phantom Force.
"You're not ready for this league," he shouted. "I'm the boss here!"
Jim's eyes widened. He didn't even see the move, just the aftermath.
Daigo Renshiro walked past, cool as ever.
"Told you. Phantom Fluke."
Kickoff again.
Phantom Force tried to build momentum—but Ironheart was everywhere. The midfield cracked, and from midfield, their midfielder Reiji launched a long shot that curled right into the top corner.
2-0.
Alex clenched his fists, breathing hard.
He turned to look at his teammates.
Their heads were down.
Body language defeated.
Only Volt still had a fire in his eyes.
Alex stepped forward.
"Look at you guys… we're not even 30 minutes in and you've already lost the psychological war."
The team looked up, startled.
"You think we win every game? No. But we don't fold."
His voice rose, sharp and fiery.
"You only lose when you give up."
A beat.
"Now get up. Fight. Show them we're not flukes—we're Phantom Force."
The silence cracked.
Volt pumped his fist. "Damn, bro! Who are you and what did you do with emo tree-boy Alex?"
Alex shot him a glare. "Shut up, Volt."
Laughter. Spirits lifted.
The team stood taller.
They weren't done yet.
They were just getting started.