Chapitre 23: Chapter 23 : Team V!
The stadium was charged with an electric buzz as Team Z and Team V took their positions on the field. Isagi's gaze swept over Team V's formidable lineup. Seeing the players up close—players who were soon to join the top 20 in the NEL—was a stark reminder of the immense talent they were up against. He could feel the weight of the challenge pressing down on him.
As the whistle blew for the kick-off, Team V started with the ball. Reo, holding possession, looked up to face Kira, who had already positioned himself with a defensive stance. Isagi knew Kira well, having seen him repeatedly in training. There was no easy way past him, not even for a player like Reo, who thrived on his ability to manipulate the ball.
Across the field, Nagi sprinted forward, making his move toward the midfield. Isagi's sharp eyes caught the motion, and he immediately issued a command to Raichi. Without hesitation, Raichi followed through, sticking closely to Nagi, denying him the space to cause trouble.
Reo, weaving through the defensive lines, saw Nagi being bottled up and quickly made the decision to pass. The ball flew to Zantetsu, who was positioned to the right, just past Naruhaya. Zantetsu trapped the ball effortlessly, but Chigiri closed in fast. A swift move from Zantetsu saw the ball sent behind Chigiri, but it wasn't enough to shake Raichi, who had already anticipated the pass.
Raichi, with a glint in his eye, intercepted the ball as if it were part of a well-rehearsed choreography. He slid it swiftly to Isagi, who had been in motion from the moment the ball left Zantetsu's feet. The play had been fluid, natural, and as always, Isagi's vision for the game was sharp. He saw Raichi's effort as a key link in the chain, and now, the game was in his hands.
For a split second, everything seemed to slow down. Isagi was face-to-face with Reo, the distance between them closing. Isagi knew that Reo—always the composed strategist—wouldn't give up his position easily. Reo backed off just enough to keep Isagi guessing, blocking all the obvious passing lanes, waiting for Isagi to make the first move.
Isagi didn't flinch. He knew exactly what Reo was thinking. He could already see the mental calculations running behind those focused eyes. The space was tight, but that was all Isagi needed. With the flick of his foot, the ball curved through the air, slipping past Reo and landing at the feet of one player who could break open the defense—a player whose ability to wreak havoc on the field was undeniable.
"Don't disappoint me now, Monster!"
Bachira's voice was filled with excitement. The ball was his now. He hadn't expected the pass to come so early, but he was already in full flight as soon as he trapped the ball. The defenders had no chance of containing him—not once he hit his stride. Two defenders closed in on him, but Bachira was in full-on rampage mode. They might as well have been statues for all the good they did in stopping him.
Reo, realizing the danger too late, turned back to defend, his steps heavy with the weight of realization. He'd seen the brilliance of Isagi's pass, the precision, the curve, the spin—it was everything he admired. But now, he was forced to face the consequences. It was not just about stopping the attack; it was about stopping Bachira, who was on the warpath.
As Bachira surged forward, Isagi, having already played his part, remained motionless. He watched with cold focus as his team surged forward in full throttle. Behind him, Naruhaya and Chigiri made their runs, and Raichi carved out a path, leaving Nagi to fend for himself. Isagi didn't move from his position—he didn't need to. His trust in his teammates was absolute. The plan was unfolding perfectly, and now all he had to do was watch it come to fruition.
Igaguri, sprinting up the field with newfound respect for Isagi, realized that the man wasn't lying. Isagi wasn't just a leader—he was an architect of chaos. With a burst of his own, Igaguri raced to capitalize on the space being created, to make his mark. This was Isagi's gift to them—to the team. But he knew it wouldn't last forever. There were too many unknowns. Too many players who would rise to challenge them. In a few moments, the tides could change. But for now, Isagi had made his move, and the game was his.
Bachira, now within striking distance of the goal, faked a shot, his body poised to deceive the last defender. Reo, racing back, lunged with a desperation tackle, hoping to stop the inevitable. But Bachira's composure was unshaken. With a fluid flick of his heel, he passed it to Kira, positioned perfectly to receive the ball and execute the final touch.
Kira didn't disappoint. He slotted the ball past the helpless goalkeeper, and the net bulged with the first goal of the match. Team Z had struck first—3 minutes into the game, and the score was already in their favor.
Reo, sprawled on the ground, stared at the aftermath of his failed attempt. He had underestimated Team Z's offensive power. They were no longer just strategic. They were a force of nature—a whirlwind of skill and speed. There was no longer any set play, no neat and tidy gameplan. There was only chaos, and they had embraced it.
"The hell…!"
Reo muttered under his breath, fury flashing in his eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. They were supposed to be the ones dictating the flow of the game, not Team Z.
But Isagi, standing at the sidelines with a knowing glance, didn't flinch. He didn't need to say a word. The message was clear. You don't need a strategy to beat us.
Reo's words were laced with resentment.
"I'll make you regret that decision!"
But Isagi already knew: The game had only just begun.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone