Chapter 24: Chapter 24 – Team W vs Team Z
With less than 24 hours before the match against Team W, Team Z ramped up their efforts in practice. The intensity on the field increased as passes became crisper, shots were more accurate, and the overall flow of their plays improved. Despite the progress, Raichi remained unsatisfied with his performance. Throughout practice, he had been consistently outplayed—not just by Kira, but also by Bachira, Kunigami, and even Isagi, who managed to escape Raichi's marking more than once. The frustration was mounting as Raichi realized that if he didn't improve his defense, he would be exploited repeatedly during the game.
As practice wrapped up, most of the team began heading off the field, but Raichi stayed behind, refusing to accept his results. Knowing he needed help, he swallowed his pride and called out to the one person he thought could give him advice.
"Kira!" Raichi shouted, causing Kira to stop and look back at him.
"Tell me how I can defend better," Raichi said firmly, his voice betraying a sense of urgency. He locked eyes with Kira, showing how serious he was. This wasn't typical for Raichi, who was known for his pride and reluctance to ask for help. The rest of the team paused, surprised by his sudden request. It was the first time any of them had heard Raichi ask anyone for advice on football.
Kira considered Raichi for a moment before asking, "What do you want to accomplish?"
"I want to stop Raito from ever scoring a goal," Raichi replied. "But his pace and timing are too difficult to figure out."
Kira, recalling their practice, offered his initial thoughts. "Then you should just stay close to him, like you did to me."
"It's not enough," Raichi said, frustration creeping into his voice. He was irritated by Kira's answer, but more so by his own inability to come up with a better solution.
Kira hummed thoughtfully, putting a hand on his chin as he considered a more helpful response. Then, an idea struck him—something his coach had taught him about defending tricky players.
"Well… I do have another piece of advice," Kira said, finally breaking his silence.
"What is it?" Raichi asked eagerly.
"Use your hands," Kira said, raising his right hand and showing his palm.
Raichi blinked, confused by the response. "Huh?" His voice betrayed his bafflement at Kira's suggestion, not understanding how using his hands could help him defend against Raito's speed and timing.
Kira saw the confusion in Raichi's expression and began to explain further, leaving Raichi curious but unsure of what to expect.
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The day of the match arrived, and the tension in the air was palpable. Team W started the offense, and right from the whistle, the Wanima Twins sprang into action, showcasing their signature passing combo. The two brothers, Keisuke and Junichi, moved as if they shared a mind, slicing effortlessly through Team Z's defense.
"Let's go, big bro! Where do you want me to pass? And what kind?" Keisuke called out, his eyes fixed on Junichi. Junichi responded with nothing more than a smile and a nod. Keisuke grinned. "Okay, as you wish! Coming right up!" he said confidently, understanding exactly what his brother had in mind.
Keisuke sent a low-powered pass, perfectly timed and placed, right in front of Junichi's feet. In an instant, the two executed a flawless one-two combo, bypassing Naruhaya in the process.
"Damn, sorry guys, they're all yours," Naruhaya shouted, trying to keep up as the Wanima twins moved forward, their synergy almost impossible to disrupt.
Kira, now positioned with the center-backs, watched closely as the twins continued their relentless attack. 'Their connection is incredibly strong,' Kira thought, impressed by their seamless coordination. But he noticed something. 'They're leaving their teammates behind. They've trapped themselves in enemy territory.' The twins were so focused on each other that the rest of Team W was left out of the play.
As the Wanima brothers approached the penalty box, Kira yelled, "Get ready, Chigiri!"
Keisuke perked up at the name. "Chigiri? You mean Chigiri the Glass Prodigy?" he asked, surprise in his voice. He turned to his brother, eyes gleaming. "Hey, bro! He's still playing football! What do you think of that?"
Junichi glanced at Chigiri with a wide, gleeful grin, his expression almost predatory. Keisuke translated his brother's malicious intent with a smirk. "That's right! It's over for you as an athlete, that's what my big bro says!"
Keisuke kicked the ball toward Junichi, intending to set up another one-two combination. But before it could reach its target, Kira stepped in, intercepting the pass cleanly.
"Alright, let's do ours now!" Kira called as he sent the ball to Isagi, initiating Team Z's counterattack.
Isagi received the ball and looked up, scanning for options. Just as he was about to move, a defender from Team W pressed him, catching him off guard. He quickly passed to Naruhaya, who trapped the ball with ease.
Naruhaya observed the field, noticing the flaw in Team W's approach. "Their defense is still in place because the Wanima twins only play with each other," he remarked, analyzing the situation.
"Yeah," Isagi agreed, "Let's probe their defense!"
Team Z quickly regrouped and initiated their own offensive combo, determined to break through Team W's defense. Naruhaya swiftly passed the ball to Bachira, who was grinning as always.
"Nice pass," Bachira said, wasting no time as he dribbled past two defenders with his signature flair. He dashed along the penalty box, keeping the ball glued to his feet as the last defender, who had been bypassed, tried to recover and block his passing route.
Bachira skillfully pulled back the ball, letting the defender slide past him again. With a quick glance up, he saw Iemon positioned inside the box and passed the ball to him. However, a defender was already closing in, ready to intercept the ball if Iemon took a touch.
Instead of receiving the ball, Iemon made a clever decision—he let it roll through his legs. The defender was caught off guard, having anticipated a touch, and was left out of position. The ball continued its journey to the other side of the field, where Kunigami waited, poised to strike.
Without hesitation, Kunigami unleashed a powerful shot toward the goal. But his marker was quick to react, blocking the shot with his body, specifically his stomach. The force of the block left the defender momentarily winded, but it also allowed the keeper to safely catch the ball, preventing the shot from reaching the net.
Team W's defense had clearly tightened up, refusing to let Team Z's creative play result in a goal. Both sides were pushing their limits, and it was becoming clear that breaking through Team W's fortified defense would require something extraordinary.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone