The sun burned hot over the riverbank, but Raimon was more fired up than ever. After their explosive win against Wild Junior High, morale was sky-high. The field was alive with movement—Endou diving for impossible saves, Goenji nailing Fire Tornados with mechanical precision, and even Kabeyama pulling off awkward but effective blocks.
At the far edge, Sakuragi Hanamichi crouched like a coiled spring, studying the ball at his feet. His red hair gleamed under the sun as he burst forward, leaping high into the air and crashing down with a wild twist. The ball slammed into the makeshift goal net with a satisfying thud.
"Crimson Dunk!" he grinned, rubbing the spot on his forehead where the impact still tingled. "Needs more height."
Endou jogged over, wiping sweat from his brow. "That move of yours... it's not just for defense, is it?"
"You noticed?" Sakuragi smirked. "I got plans. That Wild team woke something up in me. Felt like I was back on the basketball court. Those who control rebounds... control the game."
Goenji walked by, towel draped around his neck. "Just don't forget this is soccer, not basketball."
"You say that, but that spinny jump move of yours? Pretty sure it's just a rebound dunk with fire. I could probably copy it."
Goenji paused. "You could... copy Fire Tornado?"
"Easily. But mine's better."
Endou laughed nervously. "O-okay, let's not start a hissatsu war."
On the Bridge Above the Field
A group of figures stood watching Raimon's practice from the bridge. At first, the team assumed they were fans. Endou shouted up, waving.
"Hey! You came to see us? Watch this!"
He turned and nodded to the others. "Let's give 'em a show!"
Goenji launched a Fire Tornado. Sakuragi threw in a Leo Impact. Even Domon flexed with a risky slide interception.
But then a car rolled up. Natsumi stepped out, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"Endou! Stop immediately!"
"Huh? What's wrong? They're fans!"
"Those aren't fans. They're spies from Mikage Sennou."
The entire field froze.
Sakuragi squinted up. "Tch. Lame. So they need binoculars to win a game?"
Natsumi nodded. "They've been collecting data on us. From now on, no more showing off in public."
That Night – Secret Meeting
In a dark room somewhere in Mikage Sennou, two players reviewed footage.
"Their formations are simple. But their striker... Goenji... he's dangerous."
"And that redhead... the data on him is inconsistent."
Sugimori, the captain, leaned forward. "Then he's the wild card. We'll shut him down first."
Back at Raimon Dorms
Most of the team had retired for the night, but Sakuragi was still awake. Sitting on the rooftop with a bottle of water, he looked at the stars.
"Those bastards think just by taking notes on me they can understand my genius—as if."
He stood up, and with a silent nod to the night sky, headed off.
Next Day – Riverbank Again
The team returned for light drills, still restricted from using their hissatsu in public. But their energy felt heavier today. Tense.
Sugimori and Arata from Mikage Sennou appeared near the trees, hands in their pockets, pretending to be casual.
"Oh, it's you again," Goenji muttered.
"What's the matter? Not showing off anymore?" Sugimori taunted.
Sakuragi yawned. "You again. Let me guess—you watched Goenji's Fire Tornado 100 times and think you can use it now?"
Arata smirked. "What if we can?"
Without warning, Arata ran forward, ball at his feet, and launched Fire Tornado—almost identical to Goenji's.
Endou dove for it. "Nekketsu Punch!"
BOOM! He deflected it, but barely.
The team stared.
"They copied it...?" Domon gasped.
Goenji stepped forward, angry. "You think that's all it takes?"
He launched a Fire Tornado of his own—only for Sugimori to block it using Shoot Pocket, a defensive hissatsu that vacuumed the ball into his chest.
"They're serious," Endou muttered.
Then a whistle blew. Natsumi pulled up again. "That's enough! If they want to play, let them do it officially."
Later – At the Dorms
The team looked worn out. The pressure of being copied, of spies, of training restrictions... it was hitting hard.
Sakuragi threw a towel over his shoulder and leaned on a bench. "Listen up. Y'all acting like you already lost."
Everyone looked at him.
"So what if they copied Fire Tornado? Anyone can spin and kick. Doesn't mean they own it."
Goenji narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"
Sakuragi stood up and smirked. "I could copy your move tomorrow. I've got the hops, the spin, the form. But I don't. You know why?"
The team waited.
"Because Leo Impact's better."
Kabeyama blinked. "Huh?!"
"I said what I said. It's mine. My style. Let them copy all they want—when I bring something new to the field, they won't know what hit 'em."
Domon started laughing. "You're insane. But I needed to hear that."
Natsumi stepped forward again, this time with something different in her voice. "Actually... there's something you all should see."
She paused, then smiled. "There's a training facility used by the original Inazuma Eleven. It's hidden, secure, and completely private. I'm authorizing you all to use it."
The team roared.
Inabikari Training Facility – Midnight
The doors creaked open. Sakuragi stepped inside, greeted by the vastness of the facility. Vaulted ceilings, reinforced walls, energy-cushioned floors. Once used by the legendary Inazuma Eleven.
"Now this is a gym."
From that moment on, Sakuragi trained like a man possessed. He sprinted with resistance bands, practiced vertical jumps on gravity pads, and pounded target dummies with variations of Leo Impact and Crimson Dunk.
Meanwhile, across the facility:
Goenji focused on refining his Fire Tornado, a combination of speed and precision that cut through the air like lightning. Each kick was sharper, each spin more powerful.Endou worked diligently on his Nekketsu Punch, practicing his footwork and timing to make the move more reliable in high-pressure situations.Domon(Bobby) dedicated himself to defensive drills, sliding and intercepting with a mix of grit and flair, each movement fueled by determination.Kabeyama practised trying to stop shotsSomeoka practised Dragon Crash to perfect it .
Others practised dribbling or shooting drills.
Hours passed. Somewhere above, a surveillance camera blinked. Aki watched from the control room. She was supposed to shut everything down after the team's training session, but when she saw Sakuragi sneak in, she let the cameras roll.
Sakuragi wasn't showing off. He wasn't trying to be cool. He was hungry.
"He's really... something else," she whispered.
Inabikari Facility, Late Night
While the rest of Raimon hit the showers, Sakuragi stayed behind, alone. He set up three dummies, stacked tires into a pyramid, and ran a full solo drill.
"Again!"
Leo Impact. Crimson Dunk. He kept trying those moves, making them consistent; the sweat poured down like rain.
THUD.
He panted, hands on his knees. "It doesn't matter if they have data on me or not; as long as I keep getting better, I will surpass their expectations."
Fade out.