CHAPTER 52: U17 TOKYO WOLVES

All the players were ready with their eyes locked on Minato sensei. Haruma appeared nervous, his heartbeat unsteady.

Just then Kento walks in the scene with Mio in his arms, he says, "Hey everyone, that was an incredible and really thrilling game, we enjoyed every bit of it, right Mio?"

Mio, beaming with excitement, nodded eagerly, "Yeah it was the best!"

The players smiled and nodded at Kento and Mio, before turning their anxious gazes back on Minato sensei.

Minato sensei gave a small nod and began, "This year, The Tokyo Wolves will be going with a 4-1-2-1-2 formation." He paused for a moment letting it sink in.

"Which includes a goalkeeper, four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers."

All the eyes remained locked on Minato sensei, the air thick with tension, a heavy silence was settled all over on players.

Minato sensei continued, "For the goalkeeper we will have Kurogami."

Kurogami kept standing tall with a serious face, as everyone turned to him, offering polite, slow applause.

Minato sensei nodded, and moved on, "And for the right back we have Zora."

Smiles spread across all the players faces, as the players near Zora began to pat his back and his hair, while he stood with a smile.

Minato sensei continued with a smile of his own "And at the left back we will have Makoto"

Makoto let out a quiet breath of relief, a smile tugging at his lips.

"And for the two center backs," Minato sensei went on, "We have Haru and Kabuto."

Haru clenched his fist in a burst of energy, gaining cheers and pats on his back, while Kabuto grinned widely, clearly thrilled.

"And for Midfield." Minato sensei continued, "our center defensive midfielder will be... Itsuki."

A big smile spread across Itsuki’s face before he let out a triumphant roar, earning a big applause from the team. Haruma was watching him with a proud smile.

"And for our two center midfielders," Minato sensei went on, "We have Izaya and Nagisa."

With a burst of energy Izaya beamed and leapt up onto Jiho’s back in celebration, nearly knocking him off balance as the team laughed around them.

Nagisa smiles calmly with all players around him claps and reaches out to shake his hand shaking his hand in quiet congratulations.

Minaro sensei then announced, "And for our center attacking midfielder we have... Jiho."

Jiho’s eyes widened, clenching his jaw as emotions rushed in as tears began to welled up in his eyes as he quickly began to wipe them off, trying to hold himself.

Izaya smiled warmly and gently began to stroke his back, joined by the others who were around him, rubbing his shoulder quietly steadying him.

Haruma was watching Jiho with a soft and steady smile. Kurogami kept standing with a serious face, eyes locked forward on Minato sensei.

"And now leading our frontline, our Strikers will be Raya and Haruma!" Minato sensei concluded with a smile.

Haruma let in a big shaky breath, his face falling and chest rising as emotions took over him, disbelief, pride all colliding at once.

Kento began smiling warmly at him. Mio was clapping enthusiastically, her eyes shining with admiration and joy.

Izaya and Haru standing nearby began patting Haruma’s back with genuine smiles. Itsuki was clapping with pure joy while Kabuto stepped in close and held him from his shoulder, rubbing it in quiet solidarity.

Jiho, smiling, stepped closer and ruffled Haruma’s hair. While Nagisa clapped with a genuine smile on his face.

Kurogami, standing on a short distance, turned his head to Haruma, watching him in silence.

Haruma with slight tears in his eyes looks up to Minato sensei and gives him a firm, grateful nod, who smiles and returns the nod.

Minato sensei glanced over all the players before adding, "To those who aren’t in the starting eleven, don’t look down on yourselves, you all will get your chance."

All the players who didn’t get selected nodded with smiles, their faces showing genuine support and pride for their teammates.

Minato sensei paused letting the moment before speaking up, "And now, I’ll announce the captain of this year’s U17 Tokyo Wolves"

Raya’s smiles grew wider and brighter, with everyone glowing with hope, casting warm glances his way.

With a commanding tone, Minato sensei declared, "The captain of The U17 Tokyo Wolves is Kurogami Shikyo."

A wave of shock ripple through everyone, their eyes wide in disbelief, expressions frozen. Raya was taken back, his smile faded into both unease and confusion.

Kento’s smiles grew with pride, while Mio continued clapping with the same energy.

Unlike others Haruma listened to the announcement with straight, composed expressions.

On the other hand, Kurogami was standing tall, his posture firm and commanding, with his arms folded on his back, his face a mask of focus.

"And the Vice Captain is," Minato sensei continued, "Raya Katsuro."

Everyone seemed stunned and confused, unable to process the unexpected declaration.

Meanwhile Raya let out a soft sigh and a warm, calm smile spread across his face, as he folded his arms behind on his back, and stood tall, embracing the moment with quiet dignity.

Minato sensei nodded and said, "Alright, we are done for today. I’ll inform you all about tomorrow’s training, for now, do all you want but sleep on time." He turns to Kento Sensei and gestures to him to walk. Now noth Minato and Kento walk away with Mio waving hand at Haruma who waved back.

Once everyone left, leaving the players and Raon alone. Makoto steps up, "Raon, what happened here, it’s Raya who deserved to be the captain."

Haru joined in, "Yeah, only Raya can lead us to the victory, we have no faith in Kurogami!"

Raon appeared slightly taken aback he turned to Kurogami who stood tall, unaffected by any of their words.

Raon smiled hesitantly and turned back to the players, "Well, it’s Minato sensei’s decision, and I thought that you all will respect it!"

"We respect the decision!" Nagisa spoke up, "But it’s just not fair, and we have no faith in Kurogami, we would like you to talk about this with Minato sensei."

"Guys!" Raya finally spoke up, "Don’t say that Kurogami can be a brilliant captain, the way he guided his team and led them to victory was something I couldn’t do, I have no objections with Kurogami being the captain!"

"Raya you are different!" Rei chimed in, "You have lost but it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be the captain! and as players we aren’t comfortable playing under Kurogami, he is arrogant and selfish!"

Raon turned to Kurogami who stood emotionless, there was a flicker of sympathy in Raon’s eyes seeing the team’s hatred for him.

"As a player I have no objection!"

Every eye turned to the Voice as it was Jiho who said that.

Everyone appeared stunned and confused seeing Jiho taking Kurogami’s favor. Meanwhile Kurogami was still emotionless, eyes fixed ahead.

"Jiho?" Haru said, appearing stunned.

Jiho sighed, "Yes he is arrogant but he is not selfish! He guided the team like a true leader, giving us a plan and a path towards victory!"

Haruma looks up with steady eyes, "I also don’t have any objections, no doubt Raya is a great player and a captain, but to win this tournament we need Kurogami as our captain!"

"I also don’t have any objections!" Itsuki spoke up, appearing confident in his words.

"Me too!" Kabuto added with a serious face.

"I don’t object as well!" Zora joined in.

Raya smiles, "I don’t object either," he turned to the players who were on his side, "Come on guys, we are a team! we can’t divide like this, and I’m the vice captain. I’m always here, we have to play as one!"

Izaya smiles brightly, "Well if Raya doesn’t have any problem then i don’t have too, I’m confident that if Minato sensei and Raya think Kurogami can be a good captain then why not!"

Raya smiles at Izaya’s words, "That’s right, we all don’t have as much knowledge as Minato sensei have, and truly I believe myself that Kurogami can do better than me... and if he doesn’t then as a vice captain I’ll guide him."

The players on Raya’s side slightly smiled and nodded in agreement, igniting a smile on both Raya and Raon’s faces.

Smiling warmly, Raya walked and stood face to face with Kurogami who was looking at him with a serious face. All the others watched the exchange with steady eyes.

Raya moved his hand for a shake. "Kurogami, together let’s lead this team to glory!"

Kurogami was looking back at him with a serious face before clasping his hand and giving a firm shake.

A smile appeared on everyone’s faces, Haruma was smiling warmly at them. Raon was the one who appeared the most happy.

Jiho smiles brightly before clasping his hand together in a clap drawing everyone’s attention.

"Now!" Jiho began, "As The One, U17 Tokyo Wolves squad it’s Ice cream time!" he announced enthusiastically.

Izaya threw both his arms up in the air, "Yeaahhh! ice cream, we are having an ice cream!"

Everyone began chatting among each other, appearing ready and excited.

Nagisa yamn with heavy lidded eyes, "Ahh man I’m tired, you all go ahead I’ll take a nap!"

As he began to walk, Raya came and wrapped his one arm on Nagisa’s neck, stopping him.

"Well there’s no way we’ll go without you!" Raya said with a smile.

Kurogami sighed and began in a calm tone, "It’s a great idea but I think we should rest!"

"Absolutely not!" Jiho chimed in with visible energy, "How did you even think that we’ll go without the captain!"

Kurogami rolled his eyes, shaking his head and looking outside the field, "Alright, but we have to be quick!"

As everyone began to gather their stuff, preparing to leave. Ichimaru spoke up loud, "Wait a second!" drawing everyone’s attention.

Having everyone’s attention Ichimaru spoke up, "And it’s a perfect time for the players who got selected to give us a treat!"

"Ehh!" Jiho said with a brow furrowed, "I never said that!"

"Come on!" Subaru chimed in, "You guys are in the starting eleven you should treat us!"

"Fair enough!" Raya said with a genuine smile, "It will be our treat!"

All the players who didn’t get selected broke into smiles.

"Alright let’s go!" Kurogami said and began leading the way with everyone following behind him.

Raya having a playful banter with Nagisa, Izaya irritating Jiho who was shouting back at him with Kabuto and everyone laughing at them. While Itsuki and Haruma were smiling, walking just behind Kurogami, who was leading with a slight smile on his face.