บท 509: João's brilliance

In the opening minutes, Hiro's team struggled to find their rhythm. Pass after pass missed its mark, leaving them disjointed and frustrated.

Then, in the 8th minute, disaster struck. João, ever alert, intercepted a careless pass from Kaoru. Kaoru, who had misjudged the ball, felt his heart lurch as he watched it stolen right before his eyes.

For a split second, panic gripped him, but Kaoru quickly steeled himself, determined to right his wrong.

João wasted no time.

With a burst of speed, he darted forward, his movements so fluid that Kenji could do nothing but watch as the Brazilian phenom left him in the dust.

Kaoru, however, was ready. He positioned himself like a grizzly bear towering over its prey, his eyes locked onto João, trying to read his next move.

'Which way will he go?' Kaoru's mind raced, every muscle in his body tense and ready.