Part 5

Team Z's practice field

Isagi Yoichi

Today's training, or rather testing, clearly showed how I'm the worst on the team. And that's despite the fact that even these monsters here are at the bottom! And the most important thing is that with my mind I realize that it's not true that Kira Reske can't be 290! He could have been called up to the national team! But it's all rumors.

So I decided to get into training. I'm going to do the workouts that will make me a better striker. Here in the Blue Prison they develop a striker, not a midfielder, or even a defender. However, with Matsumae Takahiro's skills and build, I don't think it's possible to be sure that he's a striker.

Thinking about this monster brought to mind several other monsters.... and that they were all suppressed by the Silent Genius. And his nickname is to match: genius, just an incredible genius, whose talent gave him for six months of active play to break into this project, and also to go with the team to the Nationals, although later he refused them; And is silent almost constantly, at least on the field - he is silent. You can't tell at first glance... but he seems to me to be the kind of egotist Ego is talking about. His demeanor and skills speak volumes. Though I must admit, a physique like his is hard to achieve.

In addition to this monster, there is another one, Bachira Meguru. He has shown incredible dribbling skills in training, and a good range of shot. It's worth noting that he's an excellent passer. This is evidenced by his constant glance around the pitch as if he is looking for someone, as well as his excellent passing. His body balance is off the charts!

There are a few others, the same Gagamaru..... Can hit from any position because of agility and his reactions.

It's worth recognizing that there's also Kunigami, who isn't low in the rankings either. Right after Bachira.

- Isagi-kun! Let's practice together! - Here comes Bachira...

- Can't sleep either?

- Uh-huh. So what's up?

- Sure, but before we start, I want to ask you about the selection. Why didn't you run and just stand there? - Bachira wasn't afraid of me when I ran. At the time, I thought he was sure he'd dodge.....

- It's simple. if Matsumae-kun hadn't hit me, I would have. - Surprisingly fair. Although, we're in the Blue Prison. - By the way, that's when my "Monster" told me that you have one too! Can you hear his voice?

"What the hell is he talking about?!"

- What monster?

- The one that lives inside every strong attacker! At least that's what I believe. - His ball control is unbelievable!

- The analysis of the three-day test has been completed. Please go to your rooms and wait.

A little timeskip.

- The ratings had been updated! - Suddenly the screen in their room turned on, and Jinpachi looked up at them. In that same second, the small patch on the left side of each training suit started beeping, and after three such beeps, another number took the place of the previous one.

- Few~, was this a demonstration? - A well-built black-haired dude with short straight hair that was cut short on both sides was surprised. His name was Okuhito Iemon.

- Hmm, 275. - Said Isagi.

- Well, it looks like the biggest change happened here with Matsumae-kun. - Kira smiled and poked his finger at Matsumae's number 265.

- Wait, he has the highest number among us!!!? - Raichi was fired up with competitive spirit as usual and wanted to complain about the ranking, but the next thing Jinpachi told them certainly ruined his mood. Everyone except Matsumae, that is. His mental state was clearly stable, because he hadn't reacted in any way at all so far...

- You also have to consider that you're still pretty much the worst team. You have to remember that 25 players have already been kicked out. - Those words of Jinpachi struck Isagi the hardest.

- What?! Then I'll still be the last one...'' - A tall and long 190 cm tall teenager with black hair dyed blond at the tips looked at Isagi. His name was Jin Gagamaru and he was the tallest of Team Z.

- So even sharing my food didn't really do anything for your improvement...'' - He asked the kid.

While this room is all about food, it's worth mentioning that all food was developmentally beneficial, while those who were higher ranked received more delicious food. Each player would receive a certain amount of food each day depending on their ranking. If your ranking remained the same, you would always receive the same things. So after socializing for a while, Team Z started sharing their food. At least some of them did. Others were more greedy with their food because it was for their smoother development in training.

- Damn, so I've been training with garbage all this time? - Raichi was most infuriated by this revealing fact.

- Hey. You know you're part of Team Z too, right? - Matsumae asked with a slightly raised eyebrow. - And you do realize that you're not the very first one on that team, right? А?

- Tz... - Raichi didn't say anything else and stared at Jinpachi while furrowing his brows. His internal monologue, was more of just a long string of insults to various people on this team... and, of course, self-praise.

- Listen up, first selection is about to begin. All teams will compete on a round robin basis. There are five teams in each block, making a total of 25 teams. Only 2 teams will advance from each block, and the best forwards from the losing teams.... From now on, it's all or nothing. - Jinpachi continued to explain the next stage.

Chigiri was the first to see the glaring contradiction. Unless, of course, you count our protagonist, and that's what he noticed: Every one of them was a forward. This meant that some of them had to play roles they had never played before. This would spell disaster, and matches would end based solely on luck, or a particularly strong player would drag the whole team through. And they had such a player in Matsumae Takahiro.

Firstly, in Chigiri's opinion, this player had incredible striking, positioning, passing, and tackling skills, which combined to make him a versatile enough striker that many clubs in even the Premier League would likely take him, albeit only as a reserve. However, let's not forget, his speed, dribbling, stamina, balance, and ambidextrousness.... with such a set-up, he will turn into a coveted young star of not only the weakest teams in the APL.

- Isn't that beautiful? Soccer at its core is a sport about scoring goals. The positioning system and the tactics that come with it may be ingrained in your heads, but it's just one part of soccer's long history. At first, soccer was a sport in which every player acted as an attacker. So our soccer will start from that starting point. And from there, solidify your knowledge of soccer from the ground up! - After a brief pause in his speech, where no one said anything but looked at Jinpachi somewhat confused, he began to list how everything works. - All speech ends, then you unpolished gems, get moving! The first match will be between Team Z and Team X. - With those last words, he passed out.

- All right, as long as I'm on the field... I don't care who the striker is... I will be the best player of this match! - Declared our protagonist, but then hesitated. - Although no... I'd rather take the position of goalkeeper. - Thus, he started discussing the positions. He had already seen the team arguing over who would be the main striker in their formation. And in the end, Kira won the game of 'rock, paper, scissors' in the first match....

Locker room discussion before the match. We're half an hour away from the match.

- Are you really going to stand in such a scheme? A simple 4-4-2? A balanced game? Kuon, do you realize that we have all strikers on the team? - Matsumae nonchalantly looked at the tactical board. Sitting next to that board was Wataru Kuon, who seemed to have volunteered to be the tactician for the team.

- You're right, but I couldn't think of a better tactic, for the reason that it's perfect for transitioning from defense to offense, and it's also quite strong against a team of only attackers. - These two were listened to by the whole team. Even though they had their own thoughts, they decided to trust Kuon themselves, especially Matsumae, who had earned the respect of even a player like Mad Raichi. - And although the pressure on the center of the field will be high.... but it'll give the defenders an advantage as well. You mentioned that we have a team of only strikers.

- So you're suggesting that a team of strikers start on defense, against teams that will definitely go on the offensive? - Matsumae arched an eyebrow.

- It turns out that way... So you're suggesting we change everything? Then what would you do differently? - Kuon asked now.

- I suggest a 4-2-4 scheme. - Kuon raised a questioning gesture, but Matsumae continued. - Yes, no one uses this scheme now as the original, but nevertheless, in our case it is ideal. In my personal opinion, look in this scheme in case of anything in the offense will be 8 people. All attack, all midfield and wing defenders. In this case the defense will be taken on three people: Goalkeeper and two central defenders. We know everyone's weapons, so even with the weapons it will be clear who will stand where. - Looking at the drawn diagram, he drew another one, next to the other, but before this one:

4-4-2

ST: Kira

СА: Bachira

LW: Isagi

RW: Imamura

СМ: Raichi, Kunigami.

LB: Kuon

RB: Chigiri

CB: Naruhaya, Gagamaru.

GK: Matsumae.

It was a reasonable strategy, and it may well have worked. But most of the players had different strengths that were wasted. It also relied on Kunigami to drop back and defend, while the defenders would come forward into the center of the field to create a numerical advantage there.

- That's fine and all, but let's change things up, shall we? I've been watching you guys for a while now and I can probably give you the perfect role and position at this point until I see more. You can always object if you don't like it. - Matsumae went ahead and changed the board with a black marker. He started drawing a 4-2-4 scheme. - So I'll be the goalkeeper. Gagamaru, you'll stay where you are.... Your reflexes and agility are top-notch. And don't worry. I'll give you the freedom to move as you like if you want, but just don't forget your defense. - Jin only glanced at him and nodded.

- Of course.

- Great! From the looks of it, most of you haven't played any position other than striker. Let me tell you from the little experience I have, that as long as you don't play different positions, you'll never really find your main position that you're really good at. Okay, let's move on. Kunigami, I'd like you to play fullback. Your physical stats are obviously better than Naruhai's. Your strong long kicks, your height, your head game... you'll be our hope in the air with your serves! Just like you, Gagamaru!

- Okay, Matsumae-kun, I'll listen to you... but I'd like to change positions closer to the opponent's goal once in a while.

- No problem, but only if you don't succeed as a defender. Remember, we need a win! - Kunigami nodded. - Naruhaya, you'll be the CPU, your skill to get around players as well as your passing will be perfect

to help our team's attackers. You Isagi, you'll be in the midfield as well, almost for the same reasons. - Both of them nodded... even though they were a bit dissatisfied.

- What about me? - Asked Raichi.

- You'll play wingback, most likely right wingback, while Chigiri will be the left edge defender. - Raichi decided to be indignant.

- But why?!

- You have strong stamina, physique, and enough speed to protect us from right wing passes from fast attackers. Chigiri, on the other hand, wanted to be on defense, and he would be better off standing on the left, not only because he wants to, but because he would only get in the way on offense. - Chigiri, glanced at Matsumae with a frown, but dismissed it.

- Kuon, you will be one of the attackers like Kira, your jumping, leg strength, speed, and tactics will help our team get points. Kira, you're the best striker in the country according to the national team for a reason. Your physique, positioning, agility, as well as your kicks... also your receiving is not weak, you are the ideal striker in our team, as no one except Bachira from our team can give, easy to receive pass. - Kira, satisfied with my words continued to drink water, preparing for a long match. Speaking of Bachira...

4-2-4

ST: Kira, Kuon

LW:

RW: Bachira

CM: Isagi, Naruhaya

LB: Chigiri

RB: Raichi

CB: Gagamaru, Kunigami

GK: Matsumae

- Bachira to you now, you'll be our right wing forward. I've had time to note both your dribbling and passing. No one here is as good as you.

- Thanks for the compliment. I like the scheme.

- It's not bad, yeah, uh... - Said Kuon.

- Now you Imamura, your speed and punching technique will help us in the last position.

- I'll do my best!

4-2-4

ST: Kira, Kuon

LW: Imamura

RW: Bachira

CM: Isagi, Naruhaya

LB: Chigiri

RB: Raichi

CB: Gagamaru, Kunigami

GK: Matsumae

- What do you think of this scheme? Quon? About the tactics, I think it's needless to say that we should play along the way.... and don't worry about the goal and defense! But if the offense is lousy, I'll go on the attack myself. I think it's okay to say that you're the one who understood my tactics the most, Kuon. You and Kira with me are the backbone of our team. Let's push this team to dominate! - Matsumae, this time had talked a lot, and yet now he grinned like a sly fox and started to put on the soccer cleats that everyone here has the same. Kuon's squinted eyes were still the same as before, although the protagonist of our story could swear that this time he saw those eyes open slightly and look at him.

- All right, team! This is the first game lineup we made with our goalie's opinion in mind. Since no one said anything about it or complained about it, we'll go with it...'' - Kuon sighed and spoke his last words.

Somehow, Matsumae seemed to hold a high position in this group. Even when he could be rather arrogant at times, the others really thought about his spoken words and actions. In their heads, he was able to maintain his arrogance. Other than that, he wasn't a bad guy....

- After this match we will know better who is good at what position. Don't worry and let's move on. Let's believe in our abilities.

- Alright," Bachira simply agreed, putting on his Team Z uniform.

- Let's win this match!