Chapter 25: "Team Z vs Team W Pt. 4"
The whistle blew.
It echoed through the field.
Signaling yet another kickoff.
Team W lined up sluggishly, their heads hung low.
The energy completely drained from their posture.
Morale was nonexistent—
Each player was simply going through the motions.
Only the Wanima Brothers continued to move with purpose.
Though even their trademark intensity had begun to wane.
Keisuke gritted his teeth.
As he took possession of the ball at midfield.
"C'mon, Junichi! We've still got this!"
His voice carried a desperation that bordered on pleading.
Junichi responded with a subtle nod.
But his movements lacked their usual fire.
The rest of Team W barely moved into position.
Their sluggishness glaringly obvious.
Team Z immediately pounced.
With precision honed from their relentless training.
They boxed in Keisuke and forced an early turnover.
Bachira intercepted the ball with a cheeky grin.
"Thanks for the warm-up!"
He teased, slipping past Junichi with ease.
From there, Team Z's offense was fluid and unstoppable.
Passes zipped between them like clockwork—
Raichi to Kuon, Kuon to Bachira, Bachira to Isagi.
The Wanima Brothers chased, but it was futile.
Team W's defense was scattered.
And their will to fight had evaporated.
Isagi received the final pass unmarked at the edge of the penalty box.
With practiced precision, he struck the ball low and hard into the bottom corner.
Goal!
5-0
The clock ticked mercilessly onward.
With ten minutes left, Team W's spirit shattered entirely.
The Wanima Brothers had nothing left.
Keisuke, once a whirlwind of taunts and energy.
Stood still as the ball rolled to his feet at kickoff.
His shoulders slumped, and he muttered.
"I don't wanna play anymore…"
Junichi placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
His expression empty.
Neither moved as the whistle blew again.
Team Z wasted no time.
They pressed forward aggressively.
Exploiting the total collapse of their opponents.
Bachira danced past the defenders with ease.
While Kunigami and Raichi drew attention away with clever positioning.
The ball eventually found its way back to Isagi.
Who buried another clean shot into the net.
Goal!
6-0
Whistle after whistle.
Team W crumbled further.
Each kickoff was sloppier than the last.
The Wanima Brothers stopped making runs.
Their teammates jogged half-heartedly.
And their voices had long gone silent.
For Isagi, this was the perfect opportunity.
He saw an opening not just to win but to dominate.
Each goal brought him closer to the points he needed.
"This is my chance to devour Baro's talent!"
He thought.
His eyes sharp and calculating.
Another whistle.
Goal!
7-0
And then another.
Goal!
8-0.
Isagi was on fire.
Methodically dismantling the remnants of Team W with surgical precision.
He wasn't just playing soccer.
He was hunting.
Finally, the long-awaited final whistle blew.
"Pip, Pip, Piiiip!"
It signaled the end of the match.
The loudspeakers crackled to life, announcing the winner.
"Fifth Stratum Game 3, Winner: Team Z!"
Team Z erupted in celebration.
Their hard work and preparation rewarded.
Raichi flexed his arms, roaring in triumph.
While Bachira danced in delight.
Chigiri smiled faintly.
Glancing at the Wanima Brothers.
Who stood frozen near the center circle.
Their heads bowed in defeat.
Isagi stood slightly apart from his team, taking it all in.
His heart pounded not just from the physical exertion.
But from the points of what he had just won.
[Win Against Team W (Match) - Round 3]
Reward:
+100 Points for Winning
Match Performance Points:
+250 Points (+50 x 5 per goal scored)
+60 Points (+30 x 2 per assist)
+200 Points for being named MVP of the match.
Total Points Earned for this Mission:
= 610 Points
He clenched his fists.
The satisfaction from this match surging through him.
For Team W.
It was utter humiliation.
For Team Z.
It was the start of something bigger.
...
Team Z's Changing Room.
The sound of the shower echoed in the quiet space.
As Isagi stood under the hot spray.
"Sshhhhhh~"
Eyes closed.
He let the warmth melt away the fatigue of their crushing victory over Team W.
The taste of victory was sweet.
But his focus wasn't on the past.
It was on what he has in mind.
After a few moments, he opened his eyes.
A familiar screen hovered in his vision.
[Name: Yoichi Isagi]
- Status -
(1) Physical Fitness: B-
(2) Soccer Technique: B
(3) Game Intelligence: A
(4) Talents: (1/~)
(5) Devour Shop: 2570 Points
His grin widened.
His special training had already paid off, but now?
Now, it was time to take another leap.
He tapped on the Devour Shop.
The list of talents flickered before him.
Names of talents he could devour from opponents he'd faced.
One talent stood out, King's Will (S).
With a single, decisive tap, Isagi selected it.
[Devour—King's Will (S)]
The confirmation triggered a rush.
His body hummed with energy as a surge of heat coursed through him.
Faster and fiercer than before.
His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened.
And his breathing steadied into a rhythm of calm control.
He felt unstoppable.
[Name: Yoichi Isagi]
- Status -
(1) Physical Fitness: A-
(2) Soccer Technique: B+
(3) Game Intelligence: A
(4) Talents: (2/~)
(5) Devour Shop: 70 Points
Satisfied, he turned off the water and grabbed his towel.
Drying off quickly.
He tied it around his waist and stepped out of the shower.
The locker room buzzed with noise.
As the rest of Team Z returned from the cafeteria, laughing and joking.
When Isagi walked in, the room froze.
Conversations halted mid-sentence.
Jaws dropped.
For a moment, no one recognized him.
Naruhaya was the first to react.
"Wait, who the hell are you?!"
His eyes squinted before widening in realization.
"No way... ISAGI?!"
The room erupted.
"WHAT?! Isagi, is that you?"
Kira gawked, pointing at his chest.
"Since when were you... ripped?!"
Raichi narrowed his eyes.
"Did you switch bodies or something? This doesn't add up."
Isagi paused.
Cocking an eyebrow, acting oblivious.
"What are you talking about? I'm still the same as before."
Kunigami came forward.
He frowned.
Looking up and down at Isagi.
"No, they're right. You... look off."
"Did you hit the gym more without us knowing?"
Then Raichi added.
"Or drink some magic protein shake?"
Isagi laughed.
Keeping his tone casual.
"Come on, guys. You're imagining things."
Kira remained skeptical.
"I don't know what's weirder."
He muttered.
"Your new look, or the fact you look like you belong on a magazine cover."
Bachira burst into laughter.
Walking behind him.
Then throwing an arm around Isagi.
"Does it really matter guys? He's still the same ol' Isagi~!♪"
Everybody in the room agreed.
Breaking the initial shock.
"Well, whatever you did, it's working,"
Kunigami said.
"Alright, enough messing around."
Kuon cut in.
His tone firm but calm.
"We've got bigger things to worry about."
Isagi nodded.
"Exactly. We don't know how much time we'll have to train before the next match."
Before anyone could reply.
The monitor in the locker room buzzed to life.
Drawing all eyes to the screen.
Jinpachi Ego's face appeared.
"Congrats on winning the third match of the Fifth Stratum, Team Z."
Ego began.
His voice sharp and to the point.
"However, the fourth match between Team Y and Team X had also concluded."
That caught everyone off guard.
"Wait, already?!"
Imamura exclaimed.
Leaning forward.
The room buzzed with curiosity.
No one expected another match to finish so soon after theirs.
And more importantly, they all wanted to know the result.
They remembered Baro from Team X—the King.
His physical dominance on the field had left a strong impression.
A player like that wasn't easy to defeat.
Jinpachi then continued.
"Team Y has defeated Team X with a score of 4-3."
The announcement hit like a wave.
Silence filled the room as the players processed the news.
Baro, the unstoppable force they'd faced.
Though not for them.
Had been taken down?
"That's... unexpected,"
Kunigami muttered.
Breaking the silence.
Raichi crossed his arms, frowning.
"Team Y must have some serious firepower to pull that off."
Isagi's eyes narrowed.
His mind already racing through scenarios.
This wasn't just about Baro's loss.
It was about what kind of team could overcome him.
Whatever was coming next, they knew one thing for sure.
They needed to step up.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone