The Tokyo Shadow Cup prequalifiers bracket dropped online at midnight
Within minutes it was trending
Group C was instantly dubbed The Bracket of Death
Four elite youth teams from different systems
One wild card
A nameless club entry with no official roster no sponsor no press
Only a nickname circulating in whispers
The Ghost Playmaker's team
Coaches from across Tokyo groaned
One called it cursed
Another refused to prep till it was confirmed
One even joked he'd rather fake an injury than coach against that unknown
---
At Hibiki's apartment Amano stared at the screen and sighed
"I told you we'd get the worst possible draw"
Hibiki was too busy laughing
"Bro this is a movie script. We're up against Shinkyo FC, Kaijo Youth, Tokyo West, and that weird military prep school"
Amano pinched his nose
"They all play different philosophies. Possession obsession. Vertical chaos. Pure defense. And those military guys…they mark man-to-man with military code callouts. It's ridiculous"
Hibiki grabbed a marker
"Alright then professor. Show me how we win this anime arc"
Amano stood and started drawing on the window glass
Not tactics
But triggers
Player tendencies
When a fullback slightly turns his head left before making a backpass
When a keeper scratches his gloves three seconds before launching long
He wasn't studying teams
He was studying their unconscious
---
Meanwhile Coach Kurosawa stared at the same bracket
He leaned back
And laughed
"This is perfect"
The assistant coach blinked
"Sir…they're up against monsters"
Kurosawa's voice dropped cold and confident
"Exactly"
"Let them break him"
"Let the whole city see how terrifying he is when he stops playing nice"