Team Y's possession—kickoff by their center forward!
Right after kickoff, Team Y's entire front three and four midfielders surged toward Team V, leaving only three players in their own half: the left midfielder and two defenders.
The center forward drove the ball into Team V's half. As soon as he ran into the triplets, he quickly passed to the left winger and then sprinted forward toward midfield.
Watching Team Y's near all-out offensive push, Ryūma couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
(What, another so-called "all-out attack" tactic? These guys are that confident?)
(If I steal the ball and counter, do they really think those three back there can stop me? They're practically giving me free points.)
(And I don't recognize a single one of them. Don't tell me they're all random nobodies.)
As he mocked them in his mind, Ryūma had already started his run to intercept the left winger.
But the moment he stepped forward, the left winger passed across to the right winger, who had already advanced into midfield.
Just as he prepared to drive deeper, Rin Itoshi suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Too predictable—"
Before Rin could finish, the right winger flicked the ball back with his heel to the right attacking midfielder just behind him.
Ryūma, sprinting back to cover, accelerated again to intercept the pass.
[Thud!]
As if baiting him, the right attacking midfielder launched a long ball over Ryūma's head, lofting it toward the left flank of Team V's defense!
(Hah? These nobodies think they can play me for a fool? Let's see if your pass is faster than my speed!)
Purple light flashed in Ryūma's eyes as his muscles tensed. His body lowered like a sprinter diving from the blocks, exploding toward his left backfield.
The ball dropped right in front of Team Y's left winger, who immediately swung for a shot.
Rin stepped into the shooting lane, but the ball never came—it was a pass!
It went to Team Y's right midfielder, who had already reached the edge of the penalty area. As the ball arrived, he too shaped up for a shot.
Yo Hiori rushed in instantly to block, while the rest of Team V filled the box.
"Nice work, everyone! Leave the rest to me!"
Ryūma had closed in on the right midfielder's side. But before he could stick out his foot, the midfielder sent another lofted ball across—this time toward the left forward in V's defensive third.
The ball plummeted, and without controlling it, the left forward shaped up for yet another shot.
(This time it's gotta be real, right?)
Though doubtful, Ryūma charged the shot path. Rin, however, darted the other way, convinced it would be another pass.
[Thud!]
Rin was right. It was another feint shot into a pass. What shocked him slightly was that the ball was actually heading his way.
But before it reached the box, Team Y's center forward dove in headfirst—meeting it with a stunning diving header straight into the net!
GOAL!! Team V 0–1 Team Y
"Beautiful header, Kobayashi! Your diving header's really improved."
"Haha, yeah, but don't forget to thank me for the assist."
"Thanks for the praise, Mii, and thanks for the pass, Matsutani."
Kobayashi Shima replied shyly, clearly the type who embarrassed easily.
These three were Team Y's offensive trident:
Center Forward: Kobayashi Shima
Left Winger: Matsutani Kageaki
Right Winger: Hisakawa Mii
"Huh? What was that just now? It didn't even look that special, so how did they score?"
Putian Daiwa scratched his head, completely baffled.
"Their coordination doesn't seem any weaker than ours."
"Ryūma, that weird feeling I mentioned—it's getting stronger.
Those three must be the core of Team Y's attack. I didn't see this kind of link-up in their match replays. Looks like we're not the only ones who've been growing."
"I'll take the kickoff. Let's see if their teamwork can really stop my shot."
Ryūma's interest was piqued. He had thought this would be a simple steamroll against nobodies, but clearly, there was more to it.
Team V's possession. Ryūma takes the kickoff!
"Well then~ let's see how your defense handles this."
He drove straight at Kobayashi, who stepped up to block. A quick shoulder drop, burst of speed, and Chop Feint—simple yet lethal.
His terrifying pace blew past Kobayashi as Ryūma charged into midfield.
"S-sorry! I really tried, but I couldn't keep up!"
Kobayashi called out apologetically while still chasing Ryūma, who was already deep in their half.
"Everyone—five of you, stop him!"
Matsutani Kageaki shouted across midfield. Ryūma was surrounded now: Kobayashi chasing from behind, Matsutani closing in from the right, and three more defenders blocking the front.
"Being surrounded? That's the least of my worries right now!"
Ryūma suddenly pushed the ball to the left and sprinted after it. Reaching it, he planted his right foot, leaned his body, and swung his left leg back wide—then snapped off a shot the instant the opening appeared!
[Thud!]
"Don't think you'll score that easily!"
Team Y's right back threw himself in front, taking the shot full in the face to block it.
The rebound flew out toward the edge of the box—where Team Y's right midfielder arrived just a meter away.
(Perfect! If I cut this out, I'll be the one to shut down Ryūma's very first attack!)
"Out of my way!"
The midfielder froze as a figure appeared in front of him out of nowhere. Before he could even react—
[BOOM!!]
GOAL!! Team V 1–1 Team Y
Ryūma straightened slowly, meeting the shocked, wide-eyed stares of Team Y with a mocking smirk.
"That's it? Your defense doesn't even compare to Team Z's."
Clearly, he still held a grudge about being toyed with earlier.
"Sorry, everyone! He got past me, and that's why we conceded..."
Kobayashi kept apologizing, truly believing the blame lay with him.
"It's not your fault, Kobayashi. Ryūma's just too strong."
"Yeah, exactly. We've studied replays over and over, and we still can't find a perfect way to shut that monster down."
Matsutani Kageaki and Hisakawa Mii both knew it wasn't Kobayashi's mistake. Even five of them together hadn't stopped Ryūma—they had only delayed his goal.
"Alright, everyone, get it together. It's just one goal. Don't forget our plan."
"Their defense isn't that strong. Today, we'll go head-to-head and see whose attack is stronger!"
"Let's move!"
Team Y's possession. Kickoff by Hisakawa Mii!