CHAPTER 49: HEAT IN THEIR VEINS.

Before moving forward Kurogami gently nudges the ball to his left, where Nagisa was already in action moving forward with the ball at his feets.

Kabuto, wearing a confident smile began moving forward, followed closely by the others, quickly closing the distance.

Nagisa tapped the ball back to Raya who gave it back to Nagisa and Nagisa back to Raya, exchanging quick passes.

"One-touch method?" Haruma wondered, "Are they revealing their plan already? or setting a trap?"

With the ball at his feet, Raya was advancing forward, with Kabuto waiting ahead with an unsettling smile.

Just as they both neared, Raya with the ball suddenly moved to his left but to his surprise, Kabuto didn’t flinch. Even more surprising Raya hadn’t intended to dribble or pass, it was a fake one read perfectly by Kabuto.

Raya smirked and shifted to the right but sent a sharp pass to the left which rolled at Jingo’s feet, who collected it easily. Within moments, Zora closed in, pressing his shoulder into Jingo’s, trying to muscle him off the ball.

With a smirk, Jingo passed the ball backwards into the open space, prompting both Raya and Kabuto to collide shoulder to shoulder before sprinting at the ball.

Just as they reached the ball, Kabuto slid his foot forward at the ball, but Raya

quickly shifted the ball away, leaving Kabuto’s feet to make contact just with air.

Seizing the opportunity, Raya quickly gained full possession and spun around with the ball before bursting forward in a sprint.

Ichimaru quickly rushed in for a tackle but Raya effortlessly dribbled past him only to find Naoya now standing in his path.

Raya, showcasing his brilliance, dribbled past Naoya and continued surging forward only to find Itsuki ahead.

Raya’s smirk widened and continued moving forward. "Come on Itsuki, come at me!" he muttered to himself.

Just as Raya approached, Itsuki began to retreat slowly, his focus locked solely on the ball, not attempting any tackle, just eyeing Raya’s movements.

Raya smirked and shifted himself to the left with Itsuki mirroring him, blocking his left while still retreating, not making any move for a tackle.

Raya’s smirk grew wide and without wasting any more seconds, he performed a quick series of step over skill, before smoothly sending the ball from between Itsuki’s legs and into open space.

From where, Jingo came charging forward swinging his leg for a powerful shot. The goal was wide open for him, with Kurogami slightly tightening his stance, ready to make a dive.

Just as Jingo’s foot was about to strike the ball, Zora came sliding in, attempting to block the shot. But Jingo slowed his swing at the last minute and calmly moved the ball on the opposite side of Zora’s slide, creating plenty of space for a clear shot, yet, he chose not to take it.

Instead he sent a lofted pass towards the left wing. From where Nagisa leaped up high, followed by Ichimaru and Naoya’s own jumps. But it was Nagisa who connected, gently directing the ball downwards to bring it under control as he landed.

As the ball landed, both Ichimaru and Naoya slid their feets at it. But Nagisa skillfully pulled the ball back and nudged it further left before shifting his body to left and regaining full control, before drawing his foot for the shot. But again, Kabuto slid his foot in for a block. Reading it perfectly Nagisa faked the cuts to the opposite direction leaving Kabuto sliding past.

Now having a clear view of the goal. Nagisa’s eyes meet Kurogami who’s laser sharp eyes were already fixed on him.

"Shoot!" Raon screams out, his voice cutting through the tension, driven by sheer anticipation

Haruma and Jiho standing side to side, watched in breathless silence, with their eyes locked on the play.

With his face etched with unshaken focus, Nagisa took his time, not shooting just yet. Meanwhile Kurogami kept staring at him, silently daring him to take a shot.

Nagisa slightly tensed, slowly moved forward with the ball at his feet, before clenching his jaw and firing a shot towards the left. But Kurogami didn’t dive, instead he calmly began to shift his stance more to the left, keeping his eyes on the ball, quickly sensing that it was not meant for nets.

As the ball was sailing into the air, it curved wider to the far left, from where Raya came storming, leaping up high aiming a header at the right side of the nets.

With Kurogami to the left, the right side of the nets was clearly exposed.

As the ball was descending towards Raya’s head, Itsuki came running in leaping up beside him with his face etched with fierce determination, leaving everyone in awe.

Both Raya and Itsuki were in the air, their eyes locked on the ball. Then, with a thunderous roar Itsuki meets the ball with his head, clearing it out of the play.

Minato sensei blew out the whistle sharply as both Itsuki and Raya crashed down on the ground.

From the sidelines, Jiho and Tezuka broke into wild cheers, clapping fiercely with visible excitement. Haruma let out the breath he was holding, before smiling and joining the applauds.

On the field Kabuto rose to his feets, smiling and raising his arms in triumph, as Ichimaru and Naoya leapt onto his back, while Zora came running exchanging high fives.

Meanwhile Itsuki was still lying on the ground, facing endless blue skies, before a bright smile crossed his face, and with a triumphant fist he punched into the air, basking in the moment, until a black gloved hand appeared... It was Kurogami offering him his hand.

Without a word, Itsuki clasped his hands and Kurogami pulled him up to his feets.

"Good save!" Kurogami said with a straight face.

Itsuki nodded eagerly in response, his face lit with energy.

From the stands, Kento and Mio were clapping enthusiastically, clearly thrilled and joyous by the brilliant safe...

In the second round, Jingo was cautiously moving forward with the ball at his feets. When suddenly, Naoya came sliding his foot in for a tackle but Jingo almost reacted instantly and dribbled the ball, just passing him to find Zora already on his face.

Slightly panicking, Jingo pushed the ball forward into the open, from where Raya came running and gained possession. But before he could settle, Itsuki came charging from the opposite direction, colliding his shoulder against his.

The two were shoulder clashing, each battling for control.

Raya was visibly struggling to keep the possession as Itsuki was relentlessly pressing him, refusing to give him any space.

Raya, clearly frustrated, passed the ball to the left from where Nagisa came in taking the possession, locking his gaze forward on Kurogami who was already staring at him.

Nagisa slightly nudged the ball forward preparing to take the shot, but Kabuto came in to his, pressing hard for a tackle. Reading the pressure, Nagisa fakes the shot and traps the ball under his foot and spun around, turning his back on both nets and Kabuto.

Kabuto smirked and covered both of Nagisa’s back and nets. Leaning in he whispers, "Come on genius, show me your skills!"

Slightly irritated, Nagisa passed the ball to Jingo, before snapping his head back at Kabuto, shoving him aside before dashing forward. Kabuto’s smirk turned wicked as he broke into a sprint after him.

Jingo was advancing forward with the ball, but upon spotting Ichimaru and Naoya closing in. He sent a quick pass to Raya who quickly tapped it ahead to the onrushing Nagisa.

As the ball neared Nagisa, Kabuto once again appeared slamming his shoulder into Nagisa’s, forcefully trying to push him away.

With his eyes burning with irritation, Nagisa shoved Kabuto aside and surged towards the ball gaining possession. Yet again, Kabuto catches up, pressing his shoulder hard against him.

Nagisa, now clearly frustrated, side eyed Kabuto before launching into a dribble with perfect control, causing Kabuto to lose his focus.

With a burst of grace Nagisa glided past Kabuto and swung his foot for a shot. But just as his foot strikes the ball... Kabuto’s foot came in between intercepting the shot with a perfectly timed tackle. The impact disrupted Nagisa’s balance, sending him stumbling.

Just before anyone could make any move, Zora came sprinting, and with a powerful strike cleared the ball away from the play.

A wave of applause erupted from Kurogami’s team standing on the sidelines. Haruma clapped with a bright smile, while Jiho was bouncing on his feets cheering out loud with boundless energy.

Zora and Kabuto exchanged triumphant smiles, and fists bumped each other before jogging back to take their positions. Naoya, Ichimaru and Itsuki with big smiles followed suit, ready to resume the game.

Standing tall before the nets, Kurogami clapped out loud for his team.

Meanwhile Raya, Nagisa and Jingo huddles together, discussing their next move. The rest of their team were watching from the sidelines, face serious and focused.

Raya stood with renewed energy and sharp determination, rallying both Nagisa and Jingo with confident words, as they prepared for the final round.