Chapter 27:Awakening the Beast

Anri?" Ego asked, his eyes glued to the screen as he analyzed the intense match between Team V and Team Z. The energy in the air was electric, thick with anticipation.

Anri stood beside him, arms crossed, trying to match his focus. "Hmm… is it when an ordinary person suddenly transforms into someone extraordinary?" she ventured, her voice curious yet uncertain.

"That's just naive fantasy," Ego snapped, his response cutting through the air with sharp precision. Anri flinched slightly at the harshness of his tone, her composed expression faltering for a moment.

"Awakening isn't some miraculous transformation," he continued, gaze fixed on the match. "It only happens after someone has accumulated experience and deep consideration. Through repeated failures, trial and error, or by pushing oneself beyond all known limits in the relentless pursuit of victory. It's in those moments, when the fragmented pieces of one's successes and failures begin to coalesce, that the ego finally blossoms."

As Ego spoke, the camera zoomed in on the field where Team Z had just intercepted another of Team V's attacks. Reo's growing frustration was palpable as his attempts to orchestrate the offense were repeatedly thwarted.

"In other words, 'Awakening' is the precise moment when you discover your true self," Ego concluded, his voice low but firm. "But it only reveals itself under the most extreme pressure."

Just as he finished, the sound of the referee's whistle echoed from the monitor, signaling the end of the first half. Team Z had held their own, but both teams knew the real battle would come after the break.

Ego leaned back in his chair, fingers intertwined, resting them in front of his face. His expression was thoughtful yet calculating. "Now then," he murmured, almost to himself, "let's see who among them has the strength to dominate this blue frenzy."

"Wait! 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," Mikage Reo boasted, a smug smile gracing his face. "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."

Kira's expression remained calm as he replied coolly, "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?" Mikage Reo's brow twitched, caught off guard.

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

The tension shifted in the air, and Mikage Reo's defenses were rattled. "You fucker!" he spat, his anger rising.

Bachira, who was on the side, joined in with laughter, "Well said!"

Mikage Reo was about to rush forward and confront Kira, but he was quickly stopped by Tsurugi Zantetsu, who stood 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 replied with a smile, then turned his head away.

Isagi Yoichi raised his right fist, his expression determined. 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 fueled their will to win.

"Advancing to the next round is inconsequential; winning this match is the most important thing," Isagi declared, the fire in his eyes unwavering.

Mikage Reo looked at Team Z's morale, which wasn't dampened by Nagi's goal. Instead, it seemed to have risen, which greatly annoyed him. "This is getting troublesome, more and more troublesome."

"Now it's our turn to attack," Kira said, squinting his eyes as he fixed his gaze on Team V's goal.

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…"

Although Mikage Reo had just shown disdain for Team Z, he didn't relax 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 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 will be Isagi or Kira. As long as we closely mark Kira, it will be enough! No one else poses a threat besides him.'

A smile appeared on Mikage Reo's face as he contemplated his plan. He quickly closed in on Kira.

"In the match against Team Y, someone said the same thing as you." Kira tilted his head slightly, glancing 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 toward 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 blinding speed.

"What?!" Mikage Reo was dumbfounded. He considered himself a prodigy and knew Kira had impressive speed, but he should have completely stopped him.

But at that moment, he realized he was gravely mistaken. Kira's speed was even faster than he expected!

"Pass it over there!" The voice of the monster resounded in Bachira's ear.

Excitement surged in Bachira's eyes. He knew that this match was becoming increasingly thrilling. He kicked the ball with force, sending it at a speed and angle that defied belief.

"Isn't that too high?!" Gagamaru Gin exclaimed in surprise. Even with his explosive reaction to jump, he might not be able to reach that ball.

"But if it's Kira, maybe he can."

"This guy definitely made a mistake! Quickly judge the landing spot!"

Mikage Reo shouted loudly as several defenders closed in, convinced Kira would never be able to receive that pass.

But Team Z was different. They believed in Kira.

At this moment, Kira had already rushed into the penalty area with incredible speed. Suddenly, he stopped his footsteps, not leaping for the ball but preparing to head it instead.

As he steadied himself, a surge of energy coursed through him. Ultimate Copy... Kira's eyes glinted as he momentarily accessed Nagi's abilities, who had just scored, tapping into his understanding of the game to perfect his positioning.

"Is he trying to head it?!" Tsurugi Zantetsu widened his eyes in astonishment.

It was impossible to reach the ball at this height and speed. But soon, an even more astonished expression appeared on his face as Kira leaped, reaching a terrifying height.

"Is this guy flying?!" Mikage Reo was dumbfounded. The level of physical ability displayed by Kira was extraordinary!

This was the perfect position for a header! Kira forcefully collided with the ball using his head, hitting it with precision!

"NO!" Reo shouted, realizing too late that his defensive strategy had crumbled. Neither the goalkeeper nor the defenders had even considered that Kira would attempt a header from this position at this moment.

Goal!

3-1! Team Z had regained the advantage!

"Just how terrifying is this guy's jumping ability?" Mikage Reo trembled slightly. Kira's leaping prowess had reached a frightening level.

"We didn't see any relevant information in the previous matches. Is this guy also hiding his true strength?"

Inside the control room, Anri exclaimed, "Don't be so surprised, Anri."

Ego covered his ears with both hands. "After all, this is Kira. If anyone can do it to this extent, it's within reason."

"Nagi Seishio's extraordinary ball control is already at a monster level… and Kira's astonishing header is the same." Anri swallowed hard, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"This is simply a match between two monsters."

"That's right; they are both monsters, but in the end, only one of them will survive the battle." Ego's right leg trembled slightly, as if it too was excited. "They both want to show their true selves, and I'm curious which one will prevail in this fight!"

With renewed vigor, Kira's confidence swelled. He had proven that even in the face of extraordinary talent, he could rise to the occasion and shine brighter than any opponent.

"Now, this is where the fun really begins. Let me awaken too. I will show you the difference!"

Kira's resolve to dominate the match had solidified, and he was ready to showcase the full extent of his abilities, his heart racing at the thought of the challenge ahead.

The atmosphere on the field shifted dramatically after Kira's breathtaking goal. Team Z had taken the lead, and the sense of camaraderie among the players surged with renewed energy. Kira landed from his header, adrenaline coursing through his veins, invigorating him for the next move.

"Let's keep going!" Kira shouted to his teammates, breaking the moment. "We can't let our guard down!"

Isagi nodded, determination evident in his eyes. "We need to build on this momentum! Let's show them what we're made of!"

With the kickoff, Team V was desperate to regain control. Reo, now seething with frustration, called for his team to push forward. "Nagi! We need to respond! Get the ball back, now!"

Nagi nodded, eyes narrowed, as he maneuvered through Team Z's defense. His talent for finding space and exploiting weaknesses was unmatched, but he was aware of Kira's growing influence in the game. Every dribble and pass he made was under the scrutiny of Kira's focused gaze.

As Nagi received the ball, Kira adjusted his position, preparing to intercept any potential threats. "I can't let him dominate," he thought, channeling the skills he had absorbed through Ultimate Copy, his mind racing through the combinations he could employ.

Nagi quickly assessed his options. "I can't let Kira dictate the pace. I have to create a chance," he muttered to himself. With deft footwork, he feigned left, then burst right, expertly maneuvering through Team Z's defense.

Just as he was about to make a critical pass, Kira darted in, closing the distance. Nagi's eyes widened in surprise. "He's here already?!"

Kira activated God-Speed Impulse, his body blurring as he anticipated Nagi's next move. He lunged forward, positioning himself perfectly to intercept the ball.

The clash was fierce. Kira's determination met Nagi's finesse, and for a heartbeat, the two were locked in a battle of skill and wits. Kira, drawing on his Perfect Body ability, utilized every ounce of strength and agility to power through Nagi's dribbling, forcing the ball to change direction with a deft flick of his foot.

"NO!" Nagi shouted as Kira reclaimed possession, immediately shifting gears to launch another counterattack.

The field felt alive with the pulsating energy of the match. Kira, now fully in sync with his teammates, dribbled the ball forward, eyes scanning for openings. Bachira and Isagi flanked him, ready to make a move.

"Let's do this!" Kira called out, executing a rapid series of passes with Bachira that showcased their seamless chemistry. With each touch of the ball, Kira felt the presence of Anri in his mind, pushing him to explore his limits further.

As the three of them closed in on Team V's goal, Mikage Reo and Tsurugi Zantetsu braced themselves for impact. Kira faked a shot, causing Tsurugi to shift his weight before sliding the ball to Isagi, who was now in the perfect position.

"Pass it!" Kira shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.

Isagi took a moment to gather his composure before sending a swift, accurate pass toward the far post. Kira, anticipating the move, sprinted toward the ball, his heart pounding as he prepared for another attempt at goal.

With sheer determination, Kira struck the ball with precision, channeling his Perfect Ego to elevate the play beyond any expectations. The sound of the ball hitting the net resonated in the still air.

"GOAL!" Isagi shouted, his excitement palpable as the score shifted to 4-1. Team Z was pulling away.

Kira raised his arms in triumph, a wide grin on his face as he soaked in the atmosphere. He could see Anri cheering from the sidelines, her face radiant with pride. In that moment, Kira felt invincible, a warrior fueled by passion and a desire to protect the bonds he had forged with his teammates.

But the battle was far from over.

As Team V prepared to kick off, Mikage Reo clenched his fists in frustration. "This isn't over! We still have time to turn this around!"

Nagi, whose expression had shifted from frustration to determination, nodded. "We can't let them get too comfortable. I'll create opportunities. We'll make them pay!"

The game resumed, and Team V pushed forward with renewed urgency. Kira's focus sharpened. He could feel the tension in the air, the stakes rising with each passing second.

"Stay sharp!" Kira called out, ready to defend. He positioned himself strategically, keeping an eye on both Nagi and the ball.

As Nagi received the ball once again, Kira felt a spark of inspiration. He activated Ultimate Copy, absorbing Nagi's play style and instincts, enhancing his own abilities. It was time to show that he could not only match the genius but surpass him.

With a swift motion, Kira shifted into a defensive stance. He anticipated Nagi's movements, ready to counter whatever genius play was coming next. The next few moments would decide everything.