During our training near the river, we noticed that some people were watching us and even recording. During the club meeting, Haruna, being a journalist, was the first to bring it up.
"Those people aren't fans, they're spies from other schools. They're gathering information just like I used to do with our opponents. Fortunately, for now, there aren't many. I've identified only two or three schools. But the rumor that we train there will spread quickly. Soon, more and more schools will come to spy on us." Haruna spoke seriously.
"Does that mean we can't train our Hissatsu anymore?" Kazemaru asked, visibly concerned. After all, Hissatsu were the fastest way for us to improve.
Everyone in the club looked uncomfortable with the idea.
"Hissatsu aren't everything in football. Passing, stealing the ball, shooting... there are many other things we can train." Gouenji tried to reassure the group.
"But... if we keep winning, more and more spies will appear. It'll turn into a vicious cycle where we can never train our Hissatsu again." Handa expressed his concern, and panic quickly began to spread throughout the club — especially among those who hadn't mastered their own special techniques yet.
Even Gouenji was left speechless. Not training Hissatsu for a while was acceptable, since we could focus on other skills. But never training them again... that was impossible.
"Both Gouenji and Handa have a point. Training other attributes is essential, but giving up on Hissatsu is not an option. Without new Hissatsu, we can't grow. That's why we need a place where we can train out of sight." I took the perfect moment to interrupt the discussion.
"Endou... and where would we find a place like that?" Kazemaru sighed, already anticipating a headache.
I just smiled and exchanged a knowing look with Aki, Natsumi, and Haruna.
"Endou-kun, that place is ready to use." Natsumi gave the news I'd been waiting for.
The Raimon training center, although already in decent condition, still needed to be checked. Some parts were rusty, so repairs were necessary.
Fortunately, Natsumi's father approved the renovation — and I honestly didn't expect it to be finished so quickly.
"Haha, don't worry, everyone. We now have the perfect place not only to train other attributes but also to train our Hissatsu." I finally revealed the surprise.
"What?" "Since when do we have a place like that?"
The entire club was shocked. Even Gouenji, who rarely showed emotion, looked surprised.
"Follow me, everyone." Without wasting time, I led them to one of Raimon's famous Seven Mysteries.
"Isn't this the infamous 'door that never opens'?" A new commotion broke out, but I didn't mind and simply opened the door.
At the bottom of the staircase, there was another door. This time, it opened on its own, no password needed.
"Welcome to Raimon's training center. The place where Inazuma Eleven developed their Hissatsu." I spread my arms proudly. Finally, we had the chance to use this space.
Another wave of surprise swept through the group. There had been so many reactions today that I thought everyone should be more serious... like Gouenji. Wait, even Gouenji was caught up in the moment.
As soon as the managers left, a timer appeared on the door and Natsumi's voice echoed through the speakers.
"I set a timer on the door. It won't open until the first phase of the special training is over. Give it your all." So that's what Natsumi had been preparing... a special training session.
A red countdown appeared on the door: 9999 seconds. About 2 hours and 47 minutes.
We were split between the training machines. Of course, in the end, we would all use each one — except for the goalie machine. That one was exclusively mine, as the team's only goalkeeper.
A machine similar to a tennis ball launcher was placed in front of the goal.
As soon as training began, the first ball was launched. I managed to block it, but the force behind it was much greater than I expected.
But that was only the beginning of the nightmare. One ball after another was fired relentlessly by the machine.
And it wasn't just me. Kazemaru, Someoka, and Shourinji were stuck on a spinning platform that didn't stop for a second.
Handa, Shishido, and Kurimatsu were running on a treadmill with a car right behind them.
Any mistake could get us seriously hurt.
In my past life, I could never have imagined training like this, so intense it could actually injure someone. But instead of fear, I felt excited.
"This is so much fun."
While the Raimon team was undergoing their special training, the managers weren't standing still either.
While Haruna and Aki searched for information about Raimon's next opponent, Natsumi took on a new mission.
"So Endou's suspicion was right." Natsumi murmured as she rummaged through one of the storage lockers at Raimon school.
Inside the bag she found, there was a laptop and a camera.
The footage on the camera showed several clips of Raimon players using their Hissatsu techniques.
On the laptop, all the videos and player stats had been sent to someone named Anzai.
Spies were a serious issue, especially if there was an informant within the team itself leaking information to other schools.
However, even with confirmation that there was a spy, the decision was simple:
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer."
Now that they knew about the rat's existence, instead of exposing him, they had the advantage of information.
Especially when Natsumi discovered another file on the laptop, labeled Futukai Suguru.
"So there were even more rats hidden in the school."
"Domon Asuka, inside the training center, you won't be able to record videos or collect new club stats anymore. Let's see how you plan on sending out information now." Natsumi let out a cold chuckle as she finished hacking the laptop.
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When the door finally opened, everyone on the team was collapsed on the floor, exhausted. Some injuries were visible on our bodies.
The three girls rushed over, worried, and quickly ran to get first aid supplies.
"We're fine. It's a tough and exhausting training, but with this we'll surpass our limits." I spoke as I stood up with difficulty, feeling my whole body ache.
"Exactly. This special training won't be in vain." Gouenji added firmly. Having already reached the Football Frontier finals once, he knew the weight that this training carried.
"We still have a week and a half until the match. Let's keep training like this every day! The Football Frontier is within our reach!" I raised my hand with determination, trying to inspire the team.
Some hesitated for a moment, but no one backed down. After all, this was everyone's chance to grow stronger.
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Five days later, at the Rairaiken restaurant.
Gouenji, Kazemaru, Someoka, and I were eating after another exhausting training session at Raimon's center.
"So you were part of the Inazuma Eleven, uncle from Rairaiken?" I was the only one who still had the energy to talk.
That didn't mean I wasn't tired — I just recovered faster than the others.
"Hmm. No comment." The Rairaiken uncle was chopping some ingredients, but his discomfort was obvious.
"I mean, you knew about my grandfather, the secret manual, and even about the old Inazuma Eleven. The most likely answer is that you were part of the team."
"Hmm. No comment." Even with my excitement, he still wouldn't budge.
"You could at least tell us a story from back then. Or maybe share what Hissatsu you guys used." I muttered quietly while slurping my noodles.
But again, silence.
Well... I still have plenty of time to win this old man over.
According to what I discussed with Natsumi, we can't officially enter the Football Frontier without a coach. So before settling things with Professor Fuyukai, we need to find someone.
And who better than someone who was once part of the legendary Inazuma Eleven?
Maybe he won't talk today, but I've got time. Sooner or later, I'll uncover all the Hissatsu that old man's hiding.