Chapter 29: "Team Z vs Team Y Pt 1"
Both Team Z and Team Y arrived at the Fifth Stratum Center Field simultaneously.
Like rival packs of coyotes ready to pounce.
The glares exchanged were enough to set the turf on fire.
Team Z then pulled together into a huddle.
The circle was tight.
Their expressions serious but electric with determination.
Kuon cleared his throat.
"Listen up, Team Y's already lost one match. They're desperate. If they lose again, they're in deep trouble."
His gaze swept over everyone.
"That makes them dangerous. So no slip-ups, got it?"
Raichi cracked his knuckles.
"Dangerous? Hah! Bring it on!"
Bachira tilted his head.
A playful smirk on his face.
"Oh, Raichi's fired up~!♪"
"Should we pass him the ball just to see him trip over himself?"
Raichi glared.
"Say that again, spider legs!"
"Cool it, guys."
Kunigami interrupted.
"We're here to win. Don't let them throw us off."
Isagi's voice then cut through the noise.
"Execute the strategy just like we practiced, got that?"
Everyone nodded in unison.
Their resolve solidifying.
Afterwards he raised his voice high.
"Victory or Death!"
The team responded in unison.
Voices ringing loud and confident.
"Team Z!"
Breaking the huddle.
They jogged to their positions.
…
The whistle blew.
Isagi charged forward with the ball, his focus sharp.
But before he could get any further.
Three Team Y defenders closed in.
Forming an airtight wall around him.
"Alright, then."
Isagi muttered.
Left with no choice.
He tapped the ball backward with the heel of his foot.
"Bachira, you're up."
Bachira caught the ball effortlessly.
A mischievous grin spreading across his face.
He danced past the three defenders.
Each move a playful taunt.
As he approached the sideline.
Two more defenders moved in to block him.
Their coordination impeccable.
"Two guys? That's it?"
Bachira teased, practically skipping past them.
"You think that's enough for me~?♪"
"Actually, it's three."
Niko said.
Stepping in like a shadow.
His calm voice betrayed no emotion.
"I've analyzed your dribbling. You're not getting past me."
Bachira tilted his head, unimpressed.
"Well ain't you something, mophead?"
With a flick, he sent the ball sailing to Kira.
Positioned at an open space.
Kira then trapped the ball and took off.
But two defenders immediately swarmed him like flies.
"You guys don't let up, huh?"
Kira muttered.
Shaking his head.
He quickly passed the ball to Kunigami.
Kunigami saw the defenders closing in fast.
Without hesitation, he nudged the ball forward.
Threading it between their legs.
"Let's go!"
Raichi roared.
Sprinting to meet the pass.
"You can't stop me!"
But his celebration was premature.
Out of nowhere, Okawa and Niko flanked him from both sides.
Snatching the ball cleanly.
"WHAT?! Are you kidding me?!"
Raichi bellowed, fuming.
At the back, Isagi watched the chaos unfold.
His mind working overtime.
"So, Team Y's playing pure defense… They've studied us. Every move we make, they're shutting it down…"
He paused, then smirked.
"But they're not the only ones with a strategy."
Isagi darted forward.
"Team Z, now!"
The shift was immediate.
The field's energy flipped.
Catching Team Y off guard.
Kuon made the first move.
Intercepting Okawa with a surprising burst of speed.
From nowhere, Chigiri swooped in.
Stealing the ball and sprinting down the field in a flash.
"Wait—what?!"
Okawa yelped.
Spinning around too late to stop him.
Chigiri burned through the field.
His speed unmatched.
But before he could reach the goal.
Niko and two defenders stepped in his path.
Chigiri smirked. "Three guys? Smh."
With a subtle flick.
He passed the ball sideways to Isagi.
Who arrived perfectly on time.
Niko's eyes widened.
"Where did he—?!"
Isagi didn't wait for them to recover.
With his newfound strength and skill.
He feinted left, forcing Niko to step in that direction.
Then cut right with explosive speed.
The second defender lunged for the ball.
But Isagi quickly spun.
Keeping possession with precision.
The third defender rushed forward.
But Isagi's momentum and timing allowed him to slip past with a controlled nutmeg.
By the time Niko turned around.
He was already past them.
"This wasn't… supposed to happen."
Niko muttered.
Frozen in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Team Z locked down the rest of Team Y's defenders.
Keeping them occupied and clearing Isagi's path.
It was just Isagi and the goalkeeper now.
With a quick feint.
Isagi sent the keeper diving the wrong way.
Calmly, he struck the ball into the net.
Goal!
1-0
Team Z erupted in cheers.
Isagi turned to face Niko.
"Better update your analysis, mophead."
Niko stared back.
His expression unreadable.
…
The whistle blew again.
And it was Team Y's turn to attack.
Niko took possession and sprinted forward with deliberate precision.
Halfway up the field, he suddenly stopped.
Team Z froze, puzzled by the abrupt halt.
Even Isagi furrowed his brow.
Trying to decipher Niko's intent.
Then, his eyes widened as realization dawned.
While Niko paused.
The rest of Team Y had surged forward in perfect sync.
Okawa led the charge.
Positioning himself at the center.
Without hesitation, Niko launched a high, arcing pass.
The ball sailed into empty space.
Perfectly aligned with Team Y's advance.
Kuon, Imamura, and Naruhaya scrambled to intercept.
But three of Team Y's players blocked their paths.
Forming a human wall.
Kunigami and Raichi roared forward, trying to bulldoze through.
Only to be met by four more Team Y players.
Meanwhile, Okawa was already in place beneath the descending ball.
With a sharp trap, he redirected it to the far corner of the field.
Team Z collectively gasped.
The ball appeared to be heading straight out of bounds.
"What's he doing?!"
Raichi shouted.
But then, like a ghost materializing out of thin air.
Niko emerged at the ball's destination, trapping it cleanly.
"Where the hell did he come from?!"
Naruhaya blurted.
Niko's calm presence was short-lived.
As Isagi sprinted in front of him, cutting off his path.
"I know what you're doing."
Isagi said, his voice steady.
"Your plans's good, but it's not enough to fool me."
Niko smirked but didn't reply.
With a burst of speed.
He executed a series of rapid feints.
His movements fluid and deceptive.
Isagi tried to anticipate.
But one subtle shift caught him off guard.
The ball slipped through Isagi's legs.
And Niko darted past him.
"Damn it!"
Isagi gritted his teeth as he turned to recover.
By now, Niko was at the edge of Team Z's penalty area.
With a calculated strike, he aimed for the goal.
Gagamaru launched himself into action.
Stretching his body to its limit.
His hands blocked the ball.
Deflecting it to the far corner.
"Saved it!"
Bachira cheered.
But the celebration was premature.
Okawa was already there, ready to capitalize.
Niko, standing further back.
Made a subtle gesture—a circle with his fingers over his eye.
"I'll leave it to you, Okawa."
Niko said calmly.
Okawa smirked.
And, with flawless timing, executed a feint.
Gagamaru, despite his instincts.
Bit on the fake and dove the wrong way.
A second later, the ball soared into the net.
Goal!
1-1
Team Y erupted in cheers.
Their strategy perfectly executed.
Team Z, meanwhile, stood stunned.
With Isagi narrowing his eyes.
"So this is what we're up against…"
He muttered.
He clenched his fists.
"Fine. Two can play it that game."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone