(Still, the one I need to watch most is that guy's natural goal-scoring instinct.)
(When shooting near the goal, I can't afford to lose track of his position—or he'll strike before I know it.)
(Hmph... the real threat here is Kudo Tōya. What exactly is that "God's Eye" ability of his?)
(It feels like some kind of enhanced perception… fine, I'll probe him first—he's already moving toward Ryusei Shido's side anyway.)
Ryūma Banjō, who had been slowing down, suddenly burst forward again, accelerating toward Ryusei Shido's right flank—the same direction Kudo Tōya was approaching from.
"Haha, looks like you're getting boxed in, little dragon~"
Ryusei Shido's grin was all mischief as he shifted to block the right side.
Ryūma Banjō didn't bother reacting to Shido's interception. The moment Shido made his move, Ryūma had already read his intent.
His focus stayed locked on Kudo Tōya, who was sliding into position behind Shido. At the same time, Ryūma's sharp eyes caught the movements of Kairu Saramadara and Kyohei Shiguma closing in from both flanks.
(Hah, Shido's blocking me up front, and Tōya's covering behind to stop my run if I get past Shido.)
(Then Saramadara's cutting left to stop me from slipping through with a Split dribble...)
(And Shiguma's waiting on the right—no openings at all.)
(Interesting... so that's the setup. Your defense's gotten tighter, Tōya. If this were the old me, maybe you'd have stopped me.)
(But now? I can see right through everything you do!)
It took only seconds for Ryūma to process all five players' movements. That was the terrifying edge of Slow-Motion World—a split-second advantage that exposed every plan before it even began.
Just as the ball was about to graze Shido's intercepting foot, Ryūma's left foot pulled it back, spinning sharply to drive it toward the right.
A heartbeat later, he flicked it with his heel—Shiguma didn't even have time to react.
"You're still as slow as ever, Black Bear."
"And you don't even greet me when we meet?"
As he spoke, Ryūma was already onto his next motion. Leaning forward, he nudged the ball up onto his left calf with his right foot, then popped it upward with his left.
The ball soared cleanly over Kudo Tōya's head just as he came in for another tackle—the entire sequence flowed like water.
From Shido to Tōya, Ryūma's chain of dribbles was flawless, without a single hitch.
Kudo Tōya's pupils shrank, disbelief flashing in his mind.
(What… what?! What the hell?!)
(This movement—it's like… it's like facing Rin Itoshi!)
(No, wait. That wasn't just anticipation! The instant I changed my motion to block him, I saw him change his move too!)
(It was tiny, but my "God's Eye" caught it!)
(He wasn't planning a Rainbow Flick—he switched to it because I tried to stop him!)
(Hold on… that means he didn't predict me—he saw me?!)
(That's impossible! Does he have the same ability as me?)
(But even if he does, how can he react that fast and decide on a move in an instant?!)
Before he could think further, Kudo Tōya fully unleashed his God's Eye.
The flame-like red glow in his pupils deepened into a bloody crimson, a scarlet hexagram flickering within his eyes.
The instant the ball hit the ground, Ryūma stepped forward, right foot swinging as if to shoot.
"I'll stop this wave!"
Ryūma didn't pause for even a beat—his right foot came down, not to shoot, but to trap the ball underfoot.
Kairu Saramadara's sliding tackle missed completely.
"Too slow—I saw that coming."
As Ryūma spoke, Kudo Tōya's voice cut in sharply.
"Let's see, Ryūma. Can you really escape these eyes?"
Tōya's right foot darted toward the ball resting on Ryūma's right foot—but Ryūma twisted his ankle, flicking it up in an instant.
"Interesting. Let's find out, Tōya!"
(His body's leaning right—he's wary of my strength. He's afraid I'll crash into him midair.)
(If that's the case... then how about this...)
Ryūma lunged forward, pivoting while striking the ball with his left heel.
The moment he connected, Kudo Tōya was already beside him, ready to intercept.
(What?! He's already here? That means he started moving the moment I turned!)
(Hah, not bad, Kudo—you read my next step before I even made it.)
(So this is the "God's Eye," huh?)
(I've held onto the ball too long already. Interesting... we're evenly matched, but this isn't a one-on-one game!)
With that thought, Ryūma threw his weight backward, ramming his shoulder into Kudo Tōya.
But Kudo anticipated it—he darted ahead, dodging the impact and blocking Ryūma's forward path in one motion.
Unfortunately for him, Ryūma's goal wasn't to break through—it was to pass.
Kudo froze. He'd been so focused on Ryūma that he'd lost track of everything else.
(Huh? A pass? To who—?)
Ryūma didn't even glance up after releasing the ball. He knew exactly who'd be there.
"Let's go, Hiori!"
"Yeah—let's do this!"
Catching the ball, Yo Hiori's eyes gleamed with focus as he surged down the center of Team B's defensive zone.
(This is my first combo with Ryūma in ages—I'm ending it perfectly!)
(Time to show him how much I've grown!)
As Hiori charged ahead, his gaze darted across the field, reading everyone's positioning.
When Kairu Saramadara stepped up to block, Hiori flicked the ball inside to Nijiro Nanase on his left.
Nanase immediately understood—Hiori was going for a one-two.
A player at this stage needed no words. Nanase synced perfectly, returning the ball and bypassing Saramadara in one smooth motion.
Just as Hiori was about to regain possession, Ryusei Shido—like a predator springing from the shadows—suddenly lunged at the ball!