Chapter 225: The Selection Assembly (5)
Loki raised his hand casually.
"Sae Itoshi, would you like to join me?"
He spoke with full confidence:
"Your younger brother joined me in the first round, and I admire his talent. If possible, I'd like to have the full Itoshi brothers pair on my team."
"Even though you didn't play in Stage One, your recommended value is still 100 million based on your past performance. But I recognize your ability — you have the potential to be a world-class midfielder.
So my offer is 200 million."
....
"No."
Sae cut him off coldly before Loki even finished.
Loki blinked, realizing he had stepped on a landmine.
Did I insult him with too low an offer? Probably.
In the past, Hiori used to be his assistant, and now Hiori's valuation is even higher…
That must feel uncomfortable.
Loki nodded internally, convinced he had found the reason.
It's not like the brothers are on bad terms… so the only explanation is that he felt undervalued.
"Ah well… looks like I don't have a connection with this midfielder after all."
He smiled lightly and stepped back, giving the stage to Chris.
....
Chris — who only had Isagi so far — was extremely eager.
He had said before that his playing style relied heavily on midfield support.
He wasn't as strong as Lavinho in solo carries, and with two top midfielders gone, he couldn't risk losing another.
He gritted his teeth:
"250 million. How about it?"
With this, he would still have enough cap space to sign a 300-million-range player and fill the rest with cheap ones.
But Sae still refused.
....
"I've already teamed up with Isagi once. He's improved a lot, yes, but I came here to grow myself.
I want to play with people I've never tried before."
Lavinho shrugged.
"Not interested. You're the type that fits Noa's robot-team. I'm not letting you limit my freedom."
Then when it was Shinichi's turn—
Sae spoke again.
"I refuse to join your team, Shinichi."
He looked straight at the boy sitting upon the throne.
"I admit your grand ambition is appealing. For someone like you, I'm willing to return to this barren football country."
"But…"
Sae's eyes sharpened.
"In a draft like this, you expect me to wag my tail and join after you've already chosen another midfielder?"
"Don't insult me."
Shinichi paused, lowering the stylus he almost used to write a price.
A faint smirk spread on his lips.
"Heh… just as I thought. Sae Itoshi — you're far more interesting than I expected."
He leaned back.
"Fine. Try it, Sae. Stand against me again in this New Hero League, and prove your value."
Shinichi withdrew his offer.
....
With that, Sae's only options were Snuffy's Ubers or Noa's Bastard München.
But Noa already had Charles — another midfielder — so Sae's actual realistic destination was one.
Snuffy tapped the tablet thoughtfully.
"Hmm… honestly, I haven't followed your recent activity. You've barely played, and the old matches don't give much reference…"
"But since Shinichi praised you like that…"
He wrote:
"260 million."
"That'll do."
Sae didn't even wait for Noa's offer.
He joined Snuffy.
....
Snuffy's team was now nearly full.
With only 240 million left, he barely had room for more — he wasn't sure he could even afford Lorenzo.
Kaiser's 500-million offer had been brutal.
But Snuffy looked completely unfazed.
....
"Emmm, my turn again…"
After Sae's signing, Chris immediately chose Argentina's national team midfielder — the freckled prodigy, Pablo Cabassos.
"Pablo. We need a midfielder. 350 million. Help me take Noa down?"
Pablo nodded casually.
"Sure. We agreed earlier anyway — if the other midfielders get taken, I'll join you."
He didn't even listen to the other offers — clearly this was a promise made during the tryout stage.
"But next time I visit your place, don't half-ass it."
"Relax, I'll handle everything."
Chris patted his chest proudly.
No one complained; this type of pre-arranged promise was legal within the rules.
Only Lavinho looked jealous — Pablo was the perfect midfielder for him, but Chris struck first.
....
Lavinho rubbed his chin.
"Man, this is rough. Bachira said he wants to try other teams too…Looks like I'm running out of options."
He hadn't given any promises during tryouts (or taught anything), so he had no advantage at all.
But what he did have was money.
So he stopped thinking entirely.
"Leonardo—come here. 350 million."
"Our first-stage performance was the worst, right?
Don't you want to star in the greatest comeback story ever?"
....
Leonardo Luna — the noble prince known as Ray-Ar — looked speechless.
"Are you serious…?"
They were from the same league and had battled endlessly.
Now Lavinho wanted to team up?
But then… Leonardo paused.
Actually, it made sense.
They knew each other's playstyles extremely well.
Same league, same tactics — it was unexpectedly compatible.
And he was curious what it would feel like to team up with FC Barcha's star.
"Alright… I'll go crazy with you this once."
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