The Tokyo metropolitan area consists of Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures: Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba.

In a detached house in Kanagawa Prefecture, a wooden sign at the entrance bore the Japanese characters for "Mitoma."

Under the morning sun, a boy wearing a white tracksuit, a black sports bag slung across his shoulder, and the words "Arima Middle School Football Club" printed on his back stood at the door, shouting:

"Kaoru! It's time to go! We'll miss the train if we don't hurry!"

As the boy shouted, the door opened. Another boy in a white tracksuit, a slice of bread in his mouth, hurriedly put on his shoes and ran out.

"Mom! Dad! I'm off!"

Kaoru Mitoma yelled into the house before quickly joining his friend.

The boy with the close-cropped hair was his childhood friend and football partner, Ao Tanaka.

The two had been companions since childhood, both aspiring to pursue football.

After training together in elementary school clubs, they advanced to the renowned national football powerhouse, Arima Middle School.

But genius is genius!

They joined the football club's first team (main lineup) as first-year students and stood out in the prefectural preliminaries, becoming one of Tokyo's four representative teams!

Although they didn't make it to the finals to achieve their dream of "conquering the nation," they gained a lot of experience and grew significantly over the past year.

Now, as second-year students, Kaoru Mitoma and Ao Tanaka were nationally recognized prodigies.

"Kaoru! You don't look too good!" Ao Tanaka walked ahead, hands behind his head, carefree.

Kaoru Mitoma looked troubled, pursing his lips, unsure how to bring it up.

Yesterday, he had received a youth training invitation from the professional football club "Kawasaki Frontale." He didn't want to be separated from his best friend, but he also didn't want to miss this opportunity, leaving him feeling conflicted.

"Probably just didn't sleep well!" Kaoru Mitoma forced a laugh.

Ao Tanaka nodded, then suddenly turned around, exclaiming loudly, "I didn't sleep well either! Just thinking about seeing Suker today got me too excited to sleep!"

Ao Tanaka exaggeratedly waved his arms, shouting, "That's Suker! The star player of Spanish giants Real Madrid, a three-time Ballon d'Or winner."

Ao Tanaka's eyes burned with passion as he raised a finger. "The best in the world!"

Kaoru Mitoma also seemed dazed.

Truth be told, he hadn't slept well either.

Due to their outstanding performance in the national tournament, these "prodigy players" from across the country had been selected for a summer training camp.

Among them were second-year prodigies like Kaoru Mitoma and Ao Tanaka.

There was also the forward from Osaka's Nagata Middle School, the national championship winners, Takumi Minamino.

The speedster from Fukuoka Prefecture, Takehiro Tomiyasu.

High school players like Junya Ito, Wataru Endo, and others.

In short, this was a training base gathering prodigy players from middle and high schools across Japan.

Every summer, they held intensive training to improve their skills.

This time, taking advantage of hosting the Club World Cup, they had even invited world-class stars like Suker, Srna, Kaka, and Alonso to teach them.

For these young players, the others might be impressive, but Suker was undoubtedly their idol!

The two took the train to the training base in Saitama Prefecture.

Starting today, they would undergo two weeks of training.

"Look, it's the defeated short striker."

A boy in a black tracksuit with "Nagata Middle School" printed on it turned around with a mocking expression.

Hearing this, Ao Tanaka angrily retorted, "Center-part guy! Next time, I'll definitely beat you!"

"Ce-center part?" Takumi Minamino's eyes widened.

"Kid! You need to learn to respect your seniors!"

"What seniors! Just wait until I defeat you, then you'll be crying!"

The two argued fiercely, while Kaoru Mitoma looked on helplessly.

Takumi Minamino said to Kaoru Mitoma, "Why do you play with this shorty?"

"Ao may be small, but he's very clever." Kaoru Mitoma pursed his lips. "And the world's best, Suker, wasn't tall at 15 either. Ao will grow!"

Kaoru Mitoma wasn't particularly fond of Takumi Minamino either.

The three argued noisily as they entered the training base, but they soon quieted down.

The high school students, like Junya Ito, were standing there.

For middle schoolers, especially in Japan, high school students naturally commanded respect. Moreover, Junya Ito was the top scorer in the high school national tournament, and Wataru Endo beside him had already made his debut at 16 in the J League for Shonan Bellmare's first team, playing six matches and scoring one goal.

This put them far ahead of these middle schoolers still playing with kids.

Under this pressure, they immediately behaved.

Soon, a bald middle-aged man walked over. His name was Kyo Inoue, the person in charge of this training camp, also serving as a coach.

Kyo Inoue had extensive youth training experience and had also trained at Santos, La Masia, and even in the Netherlands.

Standing on the podium, looking at the neatly lined-up young players, Kyo Inoue nodded slightly.

These were prodigies gathered from all over Japan, about 50 in total. But he would use a week to screen and eliminate, leaving only about 25, just enough to form a first team.

"Everyone, gather in the tactics room!"

In the tactics room, the prodigies from across the nation sat in rows.

Kyo Inoue stood on the platform, with a screen behind him showing Suker's back.

"You are all prodigy players selected from across the country. In middle school, high school, even in some professional circles and media, you have great reputations, but this is not something to be proud of!"

"I have trained in Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands. There, I've seen many prodigy players, like those who made their debut in the top five leagues at 16, even in top clubs!"

"Compared to them, you still have a long way to go. And standing at the pinnacle of the football world..."

Kyo Inoue slightly turned, pointing at Suker on the screen behind him. "...is him!"

"Real Madrid's number 9 core player, European Treble winner, top scorer in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Player of the Year, and three-time Ballon d'Or winner!"

"You start from here, join professional youth training, enter the professional first team. A few of you will perform exceptionally well, and you might join European leagues. Among those, a handful with outstanding ability and hard training might get a chance to play in the top five leagues!"

Kyo Inoue pointed at Suker on the screen. "And this is just the threshold to meet him!"

Hearing this, the young prodigies below looked grave.

They looked up at the big screen, feeling suffocated under the mountain-like pressure.

Kyo Inoue observed the changes in the young players' expressions and nodded. "This afternoon, Suker and other Real Madrid players will arrive here. They will play a match with us. Their time is limited, so I will hold selection matches this morning. The top four performing groups will get the chance to play against these top players."

"Of course, each group only has 20 minutes!"

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!—

The prodigies erupted in excitement.

They actually had a chance to play against Suker and others. It felt like a dream.

"Kaoru! Kaoru! We must get a spot! I want to play against Suker! He's my idol! You'll help me, right?" Ao Tanaka shook Kaoru Mitoma vigorously, his face full of excitement.

The others felt the same.

Even the high school students like Junya Ito were excited.

Thus, intense matches began at the training base.

Passing through the bustling city center, it headed toward Saitama Prefecture.

On board were Suker, Kaka, Srna, and Alonso.

After finishing the morning signing event, Suker headed to the second destination.

They all wore Real Madrid training kits and, led by Real Madrid staff and a translator, proceeded to the next event venue.

They already had a list of the young players.

Suker glanced through it and was startled.

Most of them were future Japanese national team players!

Especially Kaoru Mitoma, Junya Ito, Wataru Endo, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Takumi Minamino—all were top-five-league-level players. Of course, most were substitutes, but that was already remarkable for Asian players.

After all, not everyone could be Son Heung-min!

"Are we going to play against them?"

"Play? This is more like playing around."

"The oldest isn't even 18, right?"

"Feels a bit like bullying."

Real Madrid's event coordinator, José, grinned. "They even asked us not to go easy on them!"

Remembering the person in charge, Kyo Inoue, and the coaches bowing to him, José felt overwhelmed.

Why do people here love bowing so much!

"How can we not go easy? Otherwise, they won't stand a chance..." Suker waved his hand. "Just avoid physical contact. They're just kids. Don't defend too seriously. Treat it as having fun!"

Suker believed even their casual play would be too much for these youngsters.

So, they had to go easy!

After all, they couldn't take their money and then "bully" their kids.

"Anyway, use your judgment. After this match, the event ends!"

The coach arrived at the training ground, where the training camp director, Kyo Inoue, personally welcomed Suker and the others.

Through the translator, they learned about the camp's purpose and some details.

However, Suker and the others weren't interested and just wanted to finish the event quickly.

Soon, they were brought before the young players.

The youngsters were initially noisy, but when Suker and the others arrived, they fell silent.

They wide-eyed, looking Suker up and down, as if seeing a person for the first time.

"Can we start?" Suker asked.

Kyo Inoue immediately nodded, pointing to the locker room. "Equipment is prepared over there!"

"We don't need to change!" Suker shook his head.

No need for special gear to play with these kids!

Soon, Suker and the other four entered the field.

Since it was a 5v5 small-sided game, they temporarily had the translator join to make five people.

Seeing Suker and the others on the training field, the Japanese prodigies grew nervous.

"Now is the time to truly witness the ability of world-class players. I hope you seize this opportunity, understand?"

"Understand!" everyone shouted.

Soon, the first challenger team appeared.

It consisted of Junya Ito, Wataru Endo, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Takumi Minamino, and Hiroki Sakai—a miniature version of the future Japanese national team.

Junya Ito and the others warmed up actively, aiming to put on a good performance.

But off the field, the young players were extremely nervous.

"Will Senior Ito perform well?"

"Hard to say! After all, they're facing Real Madrid!"

"At least they can score one goal, right?"

The youngsters seemed very anxious.

Especially the other three teams waiting to play.

Junya Ito's group was the strongest. If they couldn't perform well, the others stood no chance.

Soon, the whistle blew.

Junya Ito and the others immediately started organizing their attack.

The Japanese young players had good footwork—or rather, they were all molded similarly. Their passing and advancement were decent, but too formulaic. Suker and the others could easily predict their passing patterns.

Tap!

Kaka stretched out his foot and immediately intercepted the ball, then turned and passed to Srna.

Srna lobbed the ball to Alonso, who headed it to Suker.

Suker turned slightly, left shoulder back, then sharply twisted his shoulders. He used his left shoulder to flick the ball to Kaka, who was making a run.

Kaka gently tapped the ball with his foot, sending it directly into the goal.

The ball never touched the ground. With astonishing stability, they scored.

Wow~~~~!!!!!!!!!!

The young players exclaimed in amazement.

Suker and the others scratched their heads. Under the admiring gazes, they felt like they were showing off.

Kaoru Mitoma's mouth hung open, his eyes wide.

The skill gap was too vast!

Suker and the others played as if it were nothing. Their ball control, their natural feel for the ball were on another level.

Soon, the first 20 minutes ended.

The score was 8:0.

Junya Ito crouched on the ground, gasping for breath.

He was the top scorer in the national tournament!

He had scored countless brilliant goals.

But here, he hadn't scored a single one.

Wataru Endo looked at Alonso. His proud passing and organization were completely suppressed. He had no ability to resist; the rhythm was utterly taken away.

Alonso hadn't even exerted much effort, and he already felt lost on how to play.

This was the ability of a world-class player !

This match had a huge impact on them.

Alonso noticed Wataru Endo and waved the translator over, saying a few words.

The translator walked to Wataru Endo. "Alonso says Your intentions are too obvious!"

Wataru Endo's eyes lit up. He immediately pulled the translator toward Alonso.

He wouldn't miss this learning opportunity.

Junya Ito saw this and, after a moment's thought, walked straight to Suker.

Junya Ito asked in broken English, "Please evaluate me!"

Suker tilted his head. "What?"

"Evaluate me!"

Suker frowned, listening carefully a few more times before understanding.

Suker thought for a moment, then responded in the same manner, "Your shooting! Too bad!"

Junya Ito felt as if struck by lightning.

His proud shooting skills were deemed "too bad" by Suker.

But it was true.

Weak power, not precise enough angles, indecisive shooting, and too many unnecessary small movements.

"Next group, let's finish quickly."

Suker urged.

Soon, the remaining three groups took their turns.

Suker and the others tried to go easy, letting them score a goal or two, but the serious youngsters didn't seem happy about it.

That guy Ao Tanaka, who looked like a protagonist from a Japanese sports manga, also liked to shout a lot.

He loudly asked Suker if they were going easy, and Suker almost gave him a knuckle sandwich.

What else could they do without going easy?

If they really crushed their spirits, what if they didn't get paid?

All four matches were practically one-sided. For Suker and the others, it was just fun—they didn't even break a sweat.

After the matches, they left amidst the bowing of the young players.

Suker didn't understand why these kids loved bowing so much.

Suker and the others left, but Kaoru Mitoma and the others truly felt the pressure from top-tier players.

Even though Suker and the others hadn't given their all.

"I've decided!"

After training, Kaoru Mitoma suddenly said.

"What?" Ao Tanaka asked.

Kaoru Mitoma turned around seriously. "Ao, I want to tell you—yesterday, I received a trial invitation from Kawasaki Frontale's youth team. I'm going for the trial!"

He pursed his lips. "I might—"

"You mean this?" Ao Tanaka pulled an invitation letter from his bag, grinning. "I have one too!"

Kaoru Mitoma exclaimed in surprise, "Kawasaki Frontale sent you an invitation too?"

Ao Tanaka nodded with a smile. "Of course!"

"Great!" Kaoru Mitoma jumped up and hugged Ao Tanaka. "We don't have to separate! We can keep playing together!"

"Let's go to Europe!" Kaoru Mitoma said excitedly. "You felt it in that match, right? The gap is too big. Only in Europe can we narrow it!"

"Let's go to Europe together!" Ao Tanaka laughed. "In Europe, we'll still be teammates!"

Kaoru Mitoma said determinedly, "I will make Suker acknowledge my ability!"

Ao Tanaka: "Let's work hard together!"