Chapter 16: "Team Z vs Team X Pt. 1"
The air in Team Z's room was charged with anticipation.
As the players gathered in a circle.
Rock, paper, scissors became the battlefield to settle disputes.
With each round.
The room buzzed with groans and cheers as players were eliminated from contention.
Finally, the last four stood.
Raichi, Gagamaru, Bachira, and Isagi.
"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"
All three picked scissors—except Isagi.
His rock stood triumphant.
Kuon clapped his hands.
"Alright, Isagi. You won. Like we agreed, you get first pick and call the shots. Choose your position and assign the rest."
Isagi didn't hesitate.
"I'll be the striker."
The others exchanged looks, but no one protested.
Kuon nodded.
"Alright, what about the rest of us?"
Isagi scanned the room.
Pointing at each player as he spoke.
"Gagamaru, you're the goalkeeper."
Gagamaru tilted his head.
"Me? Why?"
"Your instincts are sharp, and you've got the agility to react to shots no one else can stop. You're the best fit."
The tall player shrugged.
"Hah, I'll keep the goal safe then."
"Lemon,"
Isagi continued.
"You'll be the right fullback. Stay solid and support the defense."
Lemon nodded.
"Guess I can do that."
"Imamura, you'll be left fullback. You're adaptable, so you'll handle overlaps and cover when needed."
Imamura scratched his head.
"Uh, sure. I guess."
"Kuon, you're one of the center backs. You're great at reading the game, so anchor the defense."
"Got it."
Kuon said with a smile.
"Raichi, you're the sweeper,"
Isagi declared.
"Use your strength and stamina to clean up any threats before they reach the box."
Raichi cracked his knuckles.
"Heh, I'll crush anyone who tries."
"Naruhaya, you're the defensive midfielder,"
Isagi continued.
"Disrupt their attacks and feed the ball forward."
"Understood,"
Naruhaya replied with a determined nod.
"Chigiri, you're the right winger,"
"Your speed is our weapon. Use it to tear through their defense."
Chigiri flipped his hair.
"Fine."
"Bachira, you're the left winger. Your dribbling will break their structure and create chances for everyone."
"Sounds fun~,"
Bachira chimed with a grin.
"Kira, you're the attacking midfielder. Your precision is key for linking plays and finishing from outside the box if needed."
Kira crossed his arms but nodded.
"Naturally."
"And Kunigami,"
Isagi finished.
"You're the center midfielder. Control the tempo and look for opportunities to take shots when the chance arises."
Kunigami gave him a thumbs-up.
"I'll do my part."
As Isagi stepped back.
The team exchanged glances.
There was a moment of silence before Raichi broke it.
"Oi, Isagi. How'd you figure out all of that? You nailed everyone's strengths like you've been watching us for months."
Gagamaru raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that's weird. You even got my goalkeeping instincts right."
Chigiri frowned slightly, glancing at Isagi.
"You've been keeping tabs on all of us this whole time?"
Isagi scratched the back of his head.
Trying to downplay it.
"I just… paid attention during training and the tag match. That's all."
The others didn't press further.
Though confusion lingered in their expressions.
"Whatever," Raichi finally said.
"As long as this works, I don't care."
Bachira laughed, patting Isagi on the back.
"You're sneaky, Isagi, but I like it."
As they broke off to prepare for the upcoming match.
Their subdued reactions weren't just about trust in Isagi.
It was because of Jinpachi Ego's earlier revelation.
Flashback
"Listen up, failures,"
Jinpachi began.
"Only the top two teams will advance after 10 matches. But…"
He paused.
"The worst three teams? Eliminated. Erased. Done."
Gasps echoed through the room.
And panic crept into the players' eyes.
"But don't despair just yet,"
Jinpachi added.
"There's a way to save your sorry hides."
"Even if your team finishes in the bottom three, the top scorer from each eliminated team will still advance to the next selection."
The room buzzed with murmurs.
Questions overlapping each other.
Jinpachi raised his hand to silence them.
"This isn't just about being a team player. You need to prove you're the best, even if your team drags you down. Score the most goals, and you'll survive. Simple."
Jinpachi added.
"This system is designed to push you to the limit. Will you work as a team to climb to the top? Or will you abandon your teammates and claw your way forward alone? That choice is yours. But make no mistake—indecision leads to failure."
A timer appeared on the screen.
Ticking down from two hours.
"And for your first match…"
Jinpachi leaned closer to the camera.
His grin widening.
"You'll face Team X. Prepare yourselves, because in two hours, your match begins."
Present
Isagi watched them all.
Sensing their unspoken doubts.
"They're testing me too. If I can't lead them to victory, they'll break apart. I have to prove that this team can win with me at the center."
…
Two hours had passed.
Now Team Z stood at the Fifth Stratum Center Field.
Preparing for their first official match in the First Selection.
The atmosphere was tense.
The players lined up in their designated positions.
And a large monitor was placed on the side of the field.
To keep track of the goals scored throughout the match.
The field was massive.
With artificial turf stretching out ahead.
The goalposts standing tall at each end.
On one side, a voice crackled through the speakers.
Drawing everyone's attention.
"To assist us with determining fouls, a VAR system will be used for this game,"
A hush fell over the field, and Team Z exchanged glances.
This meant that no dirty tricks could be hidden.
And every move would be under intense scrutiny.
Kunigami, standing near the front of the team.
Suddenly spoke up.
"Hey guys, Team X is here."
Team Z turned their heads in unison.
Their eyes fixing on the doors across the field.
The tension in the air thickened.
As Team X began to walk out.
Emerging from the shadows like a pack of wolves.
They were imposing.
Every one of them exuding an intimidating presence.
But it was the mysterious figure at the front that Isagi's attention.
He moved with an air of confidence.
His gaze sharp and unwavering.
The speaker's voice rang out again.
"Now, it's time for the first 45 minutes of the Fifth Stratum's... very first game! Team Z vs Team X!"
The announcement reverberated across the field.
As Team Z's players stood tall, sizing up their opponents.
The air between the teams was thick with competitiveness.
Team X walked toward their positions.
The most notable being the mysterious figure leading them.
Shoei Baro.
Isagi, standing at the front of Team Z.
Scanned Team X calmy.
His mind processing their physical builds.
Their techniques, and their technical abilities.
Evaluating their strengths and weaknesses.
Bachira, who stood next to him.
Spoke up with his usual playful tone.
"Feelin' nervous, Isagi?"
Bachira grinned.
Bouncing on his feet.
"Well, I'm all snug. ♪ In football, you can't win unless you're having fun!"
Isagi smiled back.
Shaking his head.
"Nah... If anything, I'm excited!"
It was true.
Team X, despite their intimidating entrance.
Didn't seem that impressive once Isagi finished analyzing them.
Lemon, Team Z's most physically average player.
Had similar stats to most of Team X.
The rest of them were on roughly the same level.
Competent players but nothing extraordinary.
Their physical fitness and soccer technique were average, at best.
That was when Isagi realized.
Team Z had the upper hand in both physicality and skill.
His teammates, even those who were relatively unremarkable.
Outclassed the majority of Team X in all the categories that mattered.
But there was one player that stood out.
Like a towering figure among the rest.
Isagi's gaze zeroed in on Shoei Baro.
His eyes narrowing.
The man was a beast.
The rest of Team X's players didn't even come close to him.
In terms of skill, power, and presence.
Baro's Shooting Power alone would make him a formidable force.
With A+ rated shooting.
Isagi knew that Baro was capable of turning any opportunity into a deadly strike.
But what struck Isagi the most was Baro's talent.
King's Will (S).
Baro's presence on the field was commanding.
His talent allowed him to dominate not just physically but mentally as well.
Pushing his teammates to play at a higher level simply by his presence.
His confidence was contagious.
And it seemed as if everyone around him either stepped up their game or crumbled beneath his pressure.
As he analyzed Baro's stats further.
Baro's S-rated physical fitness, combined with his A+ Shooting and B+ Dribbling.
Made him an overwhelming opponent.
He could dominate the ball, tear through defenses.
And most importantly, finish with deadly power and precision.
But Isagi was ready.
Team Z had the numerical advantage in skill and fitness.
But if they were to win.
It all depended on neutralizing Baro's presence on the field.
The game was about to begin.
He needed to keep his eye on Baro.
Bachira nudged him with a mischievous grin.
"Ready, Isagi? Time to have some fun!"
Isagi nodded.
He had prepared for this moment.
It's time to show them what we've got!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone