Chapter 26: Team V Battle
Step… Step… Step…
"Let's claim our final victory!"
"Let's go!"
"Push forward!"
"Finish this with a perfect record, Team Z!"
"YEAH!!"
…
Hm?
Isagi Yoichi walked just ahead of Yūshin Seiichi. And from behind, Seiichi noticed something.
That guy… something's different about him today.
Seiichi narrowed his eyes, observing silently.
As expected of the protagonist. He's evolving again… without even realizing it.
3…
2…
1…
KICKOFF!
The whistle blew. The final match began. Team V had the opening possession.
Nagi Seishiro tapped the ball to Mikage Reo and immediately surged forward, sprinting up the pitch and positioning himself behind Seiichi.
Show me, genius.
After watching that match footage, Nagi felt something stir—an emotion he rarely experienced.
The desire to win.
Seiichi glanced back.
The little genius is serious today.
He smirked.
Seems like someone's overdue for a proper defeat.
"Everyone, stop their buildup! Their midfield core is Reo—don't let him operate freely!" Hiori Yo's voice rang from Team Z's goalpost.
"It's too late. Let's start with a little message. Nagi!" Reo grinned and leaned into a long pass.
Boom!
The ball carved a clean arc toward Nagi's sprinting path.
"Perfect pass, Reo," Nagi muttered.
He leapt, extending his right leg to receive it in full stride—
Bang!
But before it could reach him, a figure cut across the sky, braids trailing like a blur of lightning. Seiichi launched into the air and intercepted it with his chest.
"You're underestimating me, little genius."
Seiichi landed smoothly, then pivoted off his right foot and burst forward toward Team V's half.
"Tch! He predicted that?" Reo's eyes sharpened. He bolted into a defensive stance to cut off the advance.
Come at me, monster.
He braced.
But Seiichi didn't take the bait. He slipped a quick pass to Bachira Meguru, who was overlapping on the right.
Why take one defender when you can 2v1?
Damn it!
Reo turned and chased after him.
As long as we stay on him, Team Z's attack can't thrive!
He pressed in from behind, locking onto Seiichi's movement.
"You're not shaking me off, freak!"
Seiichi didn't even look at him. He suddenly feinted, then dashed left into space.
What is he planning now?!
"I see you, Seiichi!" Bachira called out, already in motion.
Bang!
The ball flew toward the zone Seiichi had just broken into.
Good—if he stops it, I can steal it!
But—
He's not stopping it?!
Seiichi tapped it lightly with his left toe, then exploded forward off his right leg—blitzing into the box.
Too fast! I can't catch up—
A flash of white streaked beside Reo.
It was Nagi.
Nagi?!
Reo's eyes widened. He'd never seen Nagi move with that kind of desperation.
"I've got you now, monster."
Nagi's eyes locked onto Seiichi.
Seiichi didn't look back.
He lifted his leg for the shot.
"Not a chance!"
Nagi slid in for the block—
But at the last moment, Seiichi flicked the ball left with his right foot, slipping by effortlessly and facing the goal uncontested.
…He's incredible.
Nagi's breath caught as he lay on the turf, staring at the back of the one who passed him.
"Watch Seiichi!"
Reo braced himself, sprinting to close the angle.
But—
Bang!
Seiichi didn't shoot.
He back-heeled it.
A perfect pass.
A blur streaked in from the left—it was Chigiri Hyōma.
Bang!
A clean strike.
The ball rocketed into the top-right corner.
Drop!
Goal.
Team Z: 1 — Team V: 0
"Beautiful!"
"Nice pass, Seiichi!"
…
Nagi slowly sat up, still stunned.
Why am I feeling this?
Why… do I want to beat that guy so badly?
His deep gray eyes shimmered—and slowly turned a burning blue, like stars igniting in the void.
"…Reo."
Nagi's voice was quiet. Focused.
"Huh?"
Reo turned toward him, stunned.
"I want to try something."
Drop!
The whistle blew. Team V kicked off again.
Reo immediately sent the ball up the left flank.
Come on, Reo.
Nagi received it and charged straight at Team Z's defense.
"No way—he's going solo?!"
Raichi lunged in first.
But Nagi didn't hesitate. He gently chipped the ball upward—
Raichi stepped back instinctively to block the dribble—but Nagi rolled it between his legs.
"What the—?! I didn't expect that!"
"Igarashi ! Cut him off!" Raichi shouted.
"I'm on it!"
Nagi ignored him. He dropped a perfect pass to Zantetsu, who was sprinting down the wing.
Zantetsu met eyes with Nagi, nodded, and tapped it back to center.
"No space to shoot!" Igarashi warned as he closed in again.
But Nagi wasn't slowing down.
He wanted to confirm it—that emotion burning inside.
Starfire roared in his chest.
He leapt, locked onto the ball midair, spun 360 degrees, and—
Boom!
A stunning volley blasted past Gagmaru's fingertips.
Ding! Goal.
Team V: 1 — Team Z: 1
Nagi hit the ground and sat up, panting.
What's happening to me?
My blood… it's burning.
"Nagi, you bastard…" Reo ran over, still shocked.
"Nagi…?"
The boy stood up, eyes shining.
"Football is… kinda fun."
…
Seiichi wiped sweat from his temple, narrowing his eyes.
So the sleepy little genius finally woke up?
Good.
As an egoist, I'll devour you too.
His pupils flared with blue flame.
…
Elsewhere on the pitch…
"So strong…"
Isagi watched in awe, heart pounding.
The power those two just unleashed—Seiichi and Nagi—it shook him.
But he didn't flinch. He clenched his fists.
I don't care how powerful they are.
Whether it's Yūshin Seiichi… or Nagi Seishiro…
I'll surpass you both.
I'm the one who will win.
Blue flame surged in his chest.
I'm the protagonist of this story!