1 1: Moving to Japan

My name is Zachary Ibrahim, son of Wisdom Ibrahim a retired defender from Manshine City.

I was born in Manchester England even though my father and mother are originally from Lagos Nigeria. Currently I was on the plane flying to Japan reminiscing about my time in England. Even though my father was a club legend at City, I always had the dream to play for the worlds greatest club, La Real. My father was always against it, he wanted me to follow in his footsteps and play for his club but I was always the hard headed type, so he can thank my mum for that.

He was always the type of player I inspired to be, someone who could control the game from the midfield but still be able to put in strong tackles from the back line but also push up and score goals.

The absolute definition of a box to box player, so I put in the work since the tender age of 5 years old in order to become a good player. There where many times I gave up saying my training was to long and hard but I always came back. Eventually there came many improvements, thanks to my dad supporting me both physically and mentally I was able to surpass most of my age mates.

For my local club I dominated from midfield, commanding the back line getting in many crucial tackles, being an incredible playmaker, but still also being my teams best attacker finishing top in all scoring charts.

At some point it became a blessing and a curse since no one could tell which was my best position and of course with showing this much talent scouts where everywhere to be seen though I rejected all of them waiting for the one I wanted the most.

However with my fathers ties to Manshine I was forced into joining City's academy. I instantly became the talk of the town, the son of a City legend following in his fathers footsteps. They where already calling me the next Wisdom Ibrahim, a title I always tried to get away from.

But academy life was definitely a struggle, the grueling challenges you had to face week in week out was tuff to deal with. The jump from my former level of play was astronomical.

At first I struggled greatly during games and practice, but with time I started to pull my weight.

Since my father was a tall athletic defender my genes where good and I had no siblings to rob them from me. So within a few years I grew past most of the kids, and with that I went back to dominating. Doing the same stuff I did on the district level but at an even better level.

I was now 15 as well as being 6'3 with a athletic build. My hair grew out a lot so I decided to get dreads and to make it look cool I dyed them a little. But unfortunately my mom disapproved so I got some beautiful black love as well as a strong earful.

But suddenly tragedy hit, my aunt from my mothers side got cancer. She lived in Japan by herself and with my grandparents being to old to care for her and my mom being her only sibling we had to go.

And because I loved her very much I was glad to move, we made frequent visits ever since I was born so I had a good grasp of Japanese. I was of course a little disappointed since I had to leave my career behind but I didn't care as there was a certain person I wanted to meet, his name was Itoshi Sae, a player from La Real academy as well as a new gen 11 player. 

So I was now on my way to Japan to live there and pursue my career.

{2 MONTHS LATER}

We officially moved in to Japan, since my aunt was living in a place called Aomori that's where we settled. They said there team was actually really good and would frequently qualify for nationals. Today was also my first day of school so that was exciting, "ZAAAACCCCHHHHH!! WILL YOU COME DOWN STAIRS WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!!" Hearing the scream of a dem- of my mother I quickly made my way downstairs travelling at speeds I didn't think I was capable of.

{AT THE SCHOOL}

Finally arriving at school I was faced with a triple story school, honestly one of the biggest I've ever seen. Compared to those in England it was practically double it's size.

"Ok Zach we're here, there are obviously rules you already know your gonna follow so I'm gonna be brief. Don't offend your teachers and always stand up for yourself and others. We taught you ourselves so don't disappoint us." Nodding I get out of the car and charge forward towards the school.

{IN THE CLASSROOM}

"Okay class settle down now."

The classroom was relatively big holding around 30 students but there was instantly a group of 11 people you could just tell where bad news.

"Well class today we have a new student coming in, he's originally from England but moved down here just recently. So be kind with him and welcome him with open arms."

I then stepped through the door holding my chin up not letting anyone smell my nervousness.

"Hello every one, my name is Zachary Ibrahim, and just like sir said I am from England. Manchester to be specific. I hope you all welcome me."

Everyone was instantly in a trance since foreigners aren't very common in Japan. But then a girls hand went up.

"What do you like to do?"

Surprised that someone actually replied to me I quickly responded saying, "Football is definitely my favorite, I went to an academy there in England."

"Ohhhhhhhh." That's when one of the 11 boys from the back said something. "You play football huh? You should tryout for the school." Quickly responding I said, "Where can I tryout." "Come with us at break. We'll introduce you to coach."

{AT TRYOUTS}

After the 11 guys took me to see the coach we immediately began my trial, I was pretty confident because Japan isn't exactly hailed as a top footballing country and I was proven right as I was completely dominating.

In all the physical test I passed with flying colors. So when we got to the 11 on 11 was where I proved my worth. It was starters verse the rest. Before this the substitutes have never won a game but with me by there side things quickly changed. We where playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation with me playing as a CAM which was my best position.

So as soon as the game kicked off the massacre started, even though I was playing in an attacking role I dropped back a little to support my team.

There where quite a lot of spectators watching the match of the new kid from England and they where very much treated to a game.

Throughout the whole game it looked like 11v1 and 1 was winning. I was everywhere doing everything and for the whole 45 minutes they couldn't do anything. Though my team did support me a little bit, I did most of the work with the game ending 6-0 with me scoring all 6.

After the game was over I went over to my classmate to shake hands but he denied it saying he was going easy before limping away with an angry look on his face. But good news is I made the team.

{7 DAYS LATER}

Believe it or not I managed to settle in quite nicely, after a couple of training sessions I managed to make friend with my teammates with Nameoka Ryo my opponent from the other day still disliking me. But after the training session coach told us we will be playing a friendly game with a school called Hakuho School Soccer Club.

Walking on to the pitch we where met with Hakuho, we where gonna be playing a 4-2-3-1 with me at CAM and Ryo up top. I was pretty excited to be making my debut but still a little nervous.

Ryo instantly walked up to the other team but was met by a kid with purple hair that was tied in a bun. "You ready to lose shrimp, today ain't your lucky day, you better count your lucky stars cause with our new weapon we ain't losing". They where doing some simple bickering before the purple haired kid replied, "Well I'm sure he doesn't hold a candle to our genius."