A chilling realization flickered through Baro's mind.
He—the self-proclaimed King of the Field—could rely on his subjects. His teammates moved in harmony with him, bound by discipline and reverence.
But Ryu?
He wasn't a king.
He was a tyrant.
A demon king who dragged his minions along at a brutal pace.
Fall behind? You're discarded.
Hesitate? You're erased.
Baro's gaze darkened with quiet awe.
This guy wasn't just strong.
He was terrifying.
On the pitch, chaos consumed Team Z.
Positionless. Mindless. Ego-fueled entropy.
Meanwhile, Team X moved like a singular beast.
Why?
Because Baro had already asserted dominance.
His gravity gave them structure.
Isagi watched it unfold, frozen in place.
Is this... the meaning of going from zero to one?
The phrase now meant something more.
One person's power can unite a team.
No… not unite. Force. Bend them. Demand order.
His eyes drifted back to the Team X formation—disciplined, aligned.
And then toward his own squad—
Fractured.
A bitter smile touched his lips.
Even if I understand now... it's too late.
They've already rallied around Baro.
While we…
...were eating each other alive.
But then—
Isagi's eyes locked on Ryu.
If you understand all this...
Why let them score again?
Why do nothing?
[Viewers: "This is why Isagi doesn't get it. He hasn't seen the other side of Ryu."]
["He's not being passive. Ryu is playing chess while the others are playing tag."]
["If his teammates don't meet the standard, they're already eliminated—mentally, emotionally, tactically."]
["Brutal."]
Suddenly, the chat window exploded, all focused on Ryu's POV.
His lips curled upward.
So this is how it works.
They can hear my thoughts. But not my memories.
Interesting…
Let's play, then.
On the field, the match resumed.
Isagi shook off his confusion and sprinted over to Bachira.
"Pass to me next time. I have an idea."
Bachira grinned like a fox.
"Gotcha. Let's make something crazy."
Whistle—!
The game kicked off again.
Isagi positioned himself. Prepared to receive.
But—
THUNDER.
A roar of footsteps behind him.
He turned—just in time to see Raichi slam in with a slide.
"I don't need you! I'll score myself!"
Isagi lost the ball—again.
Raichi surged forward—until—
SLAP.
Little Monk appeared out of nowhere, snatching the ball like a prankster stealing candy.
"Please. If you can score, I'll personally invite Buddha to the field."
Raichi clenched his fists, rage bubbling.
But before either could move—
SNATCH.
A Team X player intercepted the ball with ease.
"Your skills? Worse than my dog," he sneered, already passing forward.
The call came loud and unified from the X Team sideline:
"FEED Barou Shouei!"
And feed him they did.
Every pass is sharp.
Every formation is airtight.
Their philosophy was now singular:
Let Barou Shouei end it.
The ball rolled to Barou Shouei's feet.
Four defenders closed in.
But instead of charging, he stopped just outside their reach.
Then… he passed it sideways.
To Ryu.
A test.
"Is this really okay?" Baro said quietly as they passed each other.
"You're the only one on your team scoring."
"If I stop trying, this match is over."
"I'll take it if you won't."
Ryu didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Barou Shouei's shot soared in.
Score: 2 - 1
Team Z in shambles.
Raichi stormed over, veins bulging, fists trembling.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"This is a match—not practice!"
"Lose here and you go HOME!"
Ryu finally turned to him—gaze cold, razor-sharp.
"Home?"
A cruel smirk spread across his lips.
"If you can't score even once by the end of this match…"
"Don't expect me to help."
"My team doesn't need trash."
Raichi's whole body shook. Enraged. Embarrassed.
What is he thinking? Has he given up?
Bachira sighed, his voice calm.
"As expected."
Isagi blinked.
"What do you mean… 'as expected'?"
Bachira shrugged.
"I thought Ryu Sanada might show some passion in a real match…"
"But I was wrong."
"He's not like us."
"He doesn't fight for the team."
"He fights above it."
Isagi's brow furrowed.
"You knew he'd play like this?"
Bachira nodded slowly, expression unreadable.
"Ryu Sanada loves football. That's true."
"But his love… is twisted."
"He's not playing for fun. Or victory."
"He plays for control."
"If his teammates break formation, show weakness, or fail to meet expectations—"
"They're already dead in his eyes."
"Unless they please him…"
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Because somewhere deep inside, Isagi knew:
Ryu Sanada didn't show mercy.
He only withheld judgment long enough to see if you were worth sparing.