Chapter 85 – The Shadow of the Scouts
The morning mist still clung to the rooftops of Penedono as Jota tied his boots in silence. His hands trembled slightly—not from nerves, but from the heavy mix of anticipation and purpose that filled his chest. Today's friendly match wasn't ordinary. Word had spread that scouts from Porto and Benfica were visiting the region, watching for raw, young talent to nurture.
For most of the boys, it was just another rumor to chase dreams that felt miles away. But for Jota, this was fate circling back. The same stage he once conquered was calling him again, though this time, he wore the body of a village boy with worn-out boots and no name to his legacy.
"Jota!" Rui shouted from the other side of the dirt pitch. "You ready to shock the world again?"
Jota smirked. "Always."
