Chapter 54: Taunts

"No way! What was that move just now?"

The members of Team Z were completely stunned by Nagi's actions.

That's the difference between a genius and an ordinary person.

"Now you know, you can't defeat us because my Nagi is a one-in-a-million genius, a genius among geniuses. You can't possibly surpass him, not even you, Kira. Maybe you're strong in Team Z, but compared to my Nagi, you're far behind."

Mikage Reo walked up to Kira, taunting him with a smile, showing no regard for his opponent.

However, Kira's expression remained calm as he calmly replied, "I understand the logic, and that goal was indeed beautiful... but, it wasn't you who scored it, right? Why are you so happy? People who don't know might think it was your goal."

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Kira's words, Mikage Reo's brow twitched.

"And, by the way, why do you keep saying 'my Nagi, my Nagi' as if he can't live without you? Are you obsessed or something?"

Kira sarcastically mocked Mikage Reo in a very calm tone. In the original work, he really became obsessed with Nagi to an insane extent.

Trash-talking is a part of competitive sports. It can boost one's morale to some extent and affect the opponent's mentality. And Mikage Reo's mentality is the most prone to collapse.

On the other hand, having the tables turned on him after just one goal, Kira wanted to retaliate a little.

"Well said!"

Bachira, who was on the side, also joined in with laughter.

"You fucker!"

With just two sentences, Mikage Reo's defenses were completely shattered, and he was about to rush forward and confront Kira. However, he was quickly stopped by Tsurugi Zantetsu, who was standing nearby.

"Calm down, Reo. This is a match, and it would be troublesome to receive a yellow card."

Tsurugi Zantetsu's words gradually calmed Mikage Reo down.

"In this match, I'll show you the difference between us. I'll trample on you, the so-called gem of the football world! Didn't Nagi's goal just now make you realize the gap between us?"

"Is that so? Then let's give it a try."

Kira responded with a smile, then turned his head to look at his teammates.

"Nagi Seishio's ball control and shooting technique just now were really amazing. Are you guys scared?"

"He's indeed strong, but that's what makes it interesting, right?"

Bachira smiled in response.

"That's why we have to defeat them fair and square."

Kunigami Rensuke's expression remained unchanged.

Isagi Yoichi raised his right fist, his expression firm.

If it were their former selves, they might have been somewhat affected by seeing that goal just now. But now, Team Z had undergone a transformation, and Nagi's talent and ability only further ignited their will to victory.

Advancing to the next round was inconsequential, winning this match was the most important thing.

"These guys... They really make me furious with their blind confidence in themselves."

Mikage Reo looked at Team Z's morale, which wasn't dampened by Nagi's goal just now. Instead, it seemed to have become even higher, which greatly annoyed him.

"This is getting troublesome, more and more troublesome."

Nagi said slowly.

"Well, it's our turn to attack this time."

Kira squinted his eyes slightly, his gaze fixed on V Team's goal in the half-field.

Soon, Team Z launched another attack. Bachira dribbled the ball forward, while Kira and Isagi provided support on the side.

"Is Kira involved in the attack? This is the first offensive move by Team Z."

Although Mikage Reo had just shown disdain for Team Z, he didn't show any signs of relaxation during the match. He calmly analyzed the situation.

Facing the attacking trio of Kira, Bachira, and Isagi, Mikage Reo searched for a breakthrough point in Team Z's defense.

There was no doubt that Kira of Team Z was strong comparatively, the others were weaker.

"We just need to cut off the connection between Kira and his teammates!"

Mikage Reo pondered.

'Isagi's abilities are limited. Although his passing vision is decent, both his speed and dribbling are not ideal. He's just a transitional point in the triangle attack.'

'So, the best plan for now is to double-team Bachira and force him to make a pass his only options for passing will be Isagi or Kira. And Isagi himself lacks offensive abilities; even if the ball is passed to him, he'll find a way to pass it to Kira.'

'As long as we closely mark Kira, it will be enough! No one else poses a threat besides him.'

After contemplating, a smile appeared on Mikage Reo's face. He quickly closed in on Kira, commanding his teammates to double-team Bachira and block his passing route to Kira.

"Kira, you will never get the ball in front of me! I will make you see the gap between us!"

Mikage Reo continued to mock Kira.

"In the match against Team Y, someone said the same thing to you."

Kira simply tilted his head slightly and glanced at Mikage Reo out of the corner of his eye. Although the potential passing routes had been cut off, he showed no signs of panic. Instead, he calmly moved towards the position of the opposing team's goal.

"Still bluffing?"

Mikage Reo could sense that Kira seemed extremely composed, as if he had no fear of their defense.

This person wasn't bluffing.

Wait...

In the midst of his confusion, a distinct gust of air surged from beside him.

Kira had already taken a step, swiftly passing by Mikage Reo with a blinding speeds.

"What?!"

Mikage Reo was dumbfounded in an instant. He considered himself a prodigy as well, and although he knew from videos and the previous match that Kira had impressive speed, he was currently in a defensive advantage and had seemingly cut off Kira's receiving route. He should have completely stopped Kira.

But at that moment, he realized he was gravely mistaken.

Kira's speed was even faster than he expected! Faster than when defending against Tsurugi Zantetsu just now!

"What is this guy planning?!"

In the instant he was surpassed by Kira, a hint of panic appeared on Mikage Reo's face for the first time.

"Pass it over there!"

And in Bachira's ear, the voice of the monster resounded once again!