Chapter 24: "Team Z vs Team W Pt. 3"
The whistle blew again.
Signaling Team W's second offensive.
Based on Isagi's evaluation of Team W as a whole.
Every player besides the Wanima Brothers.
Their physical fitness, soccer technique and game intelligence.
Is slightly lower than Lemon's who had already undergone his own special training.
Team Z, now fully aware of the Wanima Brothers' devastating synergy.
Had recalibrated their approach.
Their plan to split the twins was in motion.
And every player on Team Z was ready to execute it with precision.
The Wanima Brothers exchanged a quick glance as they started their attack.
Keisuke roared.
"Let's get them this time, big bro!"
Junichi nodded silently.
His serious expression unwavering.
Team Z responded immediately.
Groups of two surged forward to press them.
Raichi and Kuon zeroed in on Keisuke.
While Kira and Bachira set their sights on Junichi.
Keisuke, with his trademark grin.
Called out to his brother, "Don't worry, Big Bro! I'll—"
But before he could finish.
Raichi lunged, blocking his path.
While Kuon moved to cut off his passing options.
At the same time, Bachira slipped through with his unpredictable footwork.
Stealing the ball cleanly from Junichi.
"Got it!"
Bachira grinned.
Already scanning the field for an opportunity.
He spotted Isagi nearby and sent a sharp pass his way.
"Isagi~!♪"
Isagi received the ball with perfect control.
Pivoting immediately to take advantage of the chaos unfolding among Team W's defenders.
The Wanima Brothers.
Momentarily disoriented from being separated, struggled to recover.
With the rest of Team W's defenders tied up by Kunigami, Imamura, Naruhaya, and Lemon.
The field ahead of Isagi opened up like a runway.
He bolted toward the goal, his vision sharp and focused.
The goalkeeper stood his ground, eyes locked on Isagi.
But Isagi had already planned his move.
Closing in, Isagi executed a series of feints.
His body shifting just enough to force the keeper to commit to a dive.
In an instant.
Isagi struck the ball cleanly to the opposite side.
The goalkeeper's outstretched hands hit nothing.
But air as the ball soared past him and into the net.
Goal!
2-0
Isagi raised his fist in triumph.
His teammates rushing over to celebrate.
Bachira clapped Isagi on the shoulder.
His grin as wide as ever.
"Nice one, Isagi! That was perfect!"
Isagi smiled, catching his breath.
"It's all thanks to everybody. We just have to keep this momentum going."
On the other side of the field.
The Wanima Brothers glared, their frustration evident.
Keisuke clenched his fists.
His grin replaced by a grimace.
"Damn it, Big Bro… they're actually pretty strong."
Junichi's usual stoic demeanor faltered for a moment.
As he exchanged a determined glance with his brother.
"Next time,"
Keisuke growled.
"We'll show them what happens when we get serious."
Team Z regrouped.
Their confidence growing as they prepared for the next play.
They knew the Wanima Brothers weren't done yet.
…
The whistle blew again.
And, Team W took possession once more.
This time, they had a plan.
Carefully crafted by the Wanima Brothers during the break.
Their players spread out.
The formation tighter, more deliberate.
Keisuke smirked as he surveyed the field.
"Let's give them a taste of their own medicine!"
Junichi nodded.
His serious gaze locking onto his twin.
The Wanima Brothers knew they'd be targeted and used this to their advantage.
As expected, Team Z's strategy was in full swing.
Kuon and Raichi isolated Keisuke.
While Bachira and Kira shadowed Junichi.
Naruhaya intercepted a sloppy pass.
And bolted down the field, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"This is my chance!"
Naruhaya thought.
Eager to prove his worth.
But before he could get too far.
A Team W defender charged in recklessly.
Knocking Naruhaya off balance and regaining possession.
The whistle blew—yellow card for excessive aggression.
But the damage was done.
Naruhaya sat on the ground, fists clenched.
"What the hell?!"
The referee's whistle restarted the play.
And Team W wasted no time.
The defender who earned the yellow card passed swiftly to a teammate.
Who began sprinting upfield.
Kunigami intercepted him near the halfway line with a solid tackle.
But Team W's plan showed its fangs.
Kunigami was immediately surrounded by three players.
Thinking quickly, Kunigami spotted an opening.
And launched a sharp pass into space.
"Isagi!"
He shouted.
Isagi had already anticipated the move.
And sprinted forward to claim the ball.
With practiced precision, he controlled the pass and pushed forward.
But just as quickly, Team W swarmed him with another trio of players.
The suffocating pressure forced him to reassess.
"I see how it is,"
Isagi muttered, reading the setup.
Team W copied their strategy.
Spotting an opportunity.
Isagi pivoted and sent a clean pass to Raichi.
"Raichi, it's all you!"
Raichi grinned ear to ear as he received the ball.
"Hell yeah! My time to shine!"
He barreled down the open field with unmatched ferocity.
Team W's defenders scrambled to react.
But their overcommitment to surrounding Isagi and Kunigami left gaps in their formation.
As Raichi neared the goal.
One last defender dashed in from the side.
Aiming to strip him of possession.
Raichi growled.
"Not on my watch!"
With raw determination, he feinted left, then right.
Leaving the defender in his dust.
Raichi cocked back his leg and unleashed a thunderous strike.
The ball rocketed forward.
Its trajectory straight and unrelenting.
Team W's goalkeeper dove.
His eyes wide, but it was no use.
The ball smashed into the back of the net like a missile.
Goal!
3-0
Raichi turned to his teammates.
Punching the air with a wild grin.
"That's how you do it!"
From the sidelines.
Naruhaya clapped reluctantly, muttering.
"Showoff..."
But couldn't hide his smile.
Isagi nodded in satisfaction.
Watching Team W scramble to regroup.
"Let's keep this up. They're starting to crack."
…
During the break.
Tension flared on Team W's side.
Keisuke Wanima threw his hands up in frustration.
Pacing in front of his teammates.
"What the hell is wrong with you guys? We had a plan, and none of you are sticking to it!"
Junichi nodded silently beside him.
His disapproving glare cutting through the group.
One of the defenders snapped back.
"What are you talking about? We did stick to the plan!"
"You're the ones not pulling your weight out there!"
Another chimed in.
"Yeah, you guys are supposed to be the aces, but what have you even done? Nothing!"
The argument escalated quickly.
With players shouting over one another.
Keisuke's voice boomed above the noise.
"Shut up! If you idiots could just—"
But before he could finish.
The whistle blew sharply.
Signaling the end of the break and the start of the next play.
"Dammit,"
Keisuke growled, jogging into position.
Junichi followed.
But their teammates were visibly flustered and disorganized.
Still fuming from the argument.
Team Z, on the other hand.
Was sharp and ready.
They'd seen the chaos brewing on the opposing team.
And knew exactly how to exploit it.
The match resumed.
And Team W's offense stumbled right from the start.
The Wanima Brothers hesitated for just a second.
Their teammates out of sync.
That was all the opening Team Z needed.
Kira darted in.
Snatching the ball from Junichi before he could pass to Keisuke.
"Thanks for the gift!"
Kira taunted.
Immediately sending the ball across the field to Isagi.
Isagi controlled the pass effortlessly.
Scanning the field as he ran.
Team W's defenders were in total disarray.
Some rushing toward him while others scrambled to cover their zones.
Their lack of coordination left glaring gaps in their defense.
"Too easy."
Isagi muttered.
Spotting Kunigami in an open space.
With a calculated pass, he sent the ball over.
Kunigami received it cleanly.
Taking a single touch before noticing Raichi charging down the flank.
"Raichi, incoming!"
Kunigami yelled, sending the ball his way.
Raichi didn't miss a beat.
Bulldozing through the midfield.
And drawing Team W's remaining defenders toward him.
With a sly grin, he sent a precise through ball to Kira.
Who had sprinted all the way to the edge of the penalty box.
Kira trapped the ball with ease.
His posture calm and composed.
He locked eyes with the goalkeeper.
Who was already panicking.
"Let's end this quickly,"
Kira whispered to himself.
Striking the ball with pinpoint accuracy.
The ball soared into the top corner of the net.
Leaving the goalkeeper flailing helplessly.
Goal!
4-0
Team Z was on fire.
The goal had taken less than five minutes.
Team W was left stunned.
Their disorganization and lack of unity painfully clear.
Back at the center circle.
Keisuke clenched his fists.
Glaring at his teammates.
"Get it together!"
He barked.
But Junichi, standing beside him.
Looked at the scoreboard and then at Team Z.
His expression unreadable.
For the first time.
Doubt flickered in the Wanima Brothers' eyes.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone