Itoshi Sae, 18 years old, was formerly a forward but has now transitioned to playing in the midfield.
He is one of the New Generation World XI.
No one knows why this incredibly talented forward suddenly switched from the front line to the midfield. Today, fans only know that his transition was undoubtedly a resounding success. He has become one of the key players in the youth academy of the world's number one football club, Real Madrid.
Itoshi Sae returned to Japan this time for only one purpose, a simple one at that: to get his visa renewed.
His appearance at this place was merely on a whim, a way to kill time with training while he waited. Before long, he would set off for Spain again.
Looking at the two groups of people on the field, Itoshi Sae completely ignored the university students and walked towards Tendou's half of the field. He naturally understood the rules of a pickup field. There was only one reason why that group of university students was crowded into one half of the field to play, and it wasn't for some selfless reason like respecting their elders. The only reason they would give up half the field to a high school student was that they had been beaten up by him.
Itoshi Sae could have easily gone over, beaten up that group of university students, and then taken over half the field to practice. But he chose not to. He wanted to drive Tendou away.
"Kid, I've taken a liking to this field. You can go over there."
Tendou, who was in the middle of his weak-foot training, looked up, stunned to find that the newcomer was Itoshi Sae. His signature lower eyelashes, just like his brother Rin's, were far too recognizable.
Still, he asked, just to be sure, "Itoshi Sae?"
"Since you know who I am, hurry up and clear out." Itoshi Sae saw a straight line on the field and had already deduced what kind of practice Tendou was likely doing. It was probably gait training to strengthen his weak foot.
So arrogant.
Tendou thought to himself that the Itoshi brothers were cut from the same cloth, both completely contemptuous of others.
He pointed to the other side and said, "There's a field over there. If you want to play, you can go over there. They're all university students, you can probably have fun with them."
The implication was clear: You're trash, just like those guys.
Itoshi Sae had a sharp mind and immediately understood the underlying meaning in the other's words.
Even more arrogant than me.
This was Itoshi Sae's first impression of Tendou. The other guy was either an idiot or had absolute confidence in his own abilities.
"I think I've made myself clear enough. I've taken a liking to this field," Itoshi Sae said coldly, his aura overbearing.
The commotion on this side quickly attracted the attention of the group next door.
It couldn't be helped.
At this stage, Itoshi Sae's popularity in the Japanese football world was extremely high. As one of the New Generation World XI, fans naturally considered Itoshi Sae to be the most talented player of the younger generation. He was hailed as the jewel of Japanese football.
Unlike the "jewel" that was Kira Ryosuke, Itoshi Sae was the real deal. After all, the club he played for was Real Madrid, the biggest football powerhouse in the world!
"Hey, hey, look over there! Doesn't that person look a bit familiar?"
"Who?"
The others heard their companion's words, stopped their actions, and looked in the direction he was pointing.
Then, they all froze.
"Itoshi Sae?! What's he doing here?"
"What Itoshi Sae? Who are you talking about?"
"You don't even know Itoshi Sae? He's the genius midfielder from the New Generation World XI!"
"And he's one of the core players in Real Madrid's youth academy! Who knows, he might get promoted to the first team one day!"
Hearing this, the person took a sharp breath.
In this world, the reputation of the New Generation World XI was even greater than that of the Generation of Miracles. The former was on a global scale, representing the eleven strongest young players in the world at this moment.
The university students were both surprised and incredibly excited. They didn't know why Itoshi Sae, who was supposed to be playing abroad in Spain, would suddenly appear here. But being able to see him in person, all they wanted now was to go up and ask for an autograph. If they could get a photo with him, that would be even better.
Just as they were about to go over, they heard the detestable high school student who had beaten them up speak rudely to Itoshi Sae.
"You can go over there. You should be able to have fun with those people."
Play with us?
This kid really didn't know his place. How could their skill level possibly be worthy of playing with Itoshi Sae? This was clearly overestimating them...
No!
This bastard high school student was mocking Itoshi Sae.
How dare he!
Thinking of this, the students stopped playing and were about to go over and teach this arrogant, ignorant high school student a lesson.
"Hey, you kid! Apologize to Itoshi-san right now, or we'll make you regret it."
Given their ages, as university students, it should be fine to address him as "Itoshi-san."
However.
Itoshi Sae just gave them a cold glance and uttered a single phrase. "Get lost!"
In an instant.
The group of them froze on the spot, not knowing how to react.
From beginning to end, Itoshi Sae had never paid any attention to them. His target was Tendou. The other guy had a very special aura about him, similar to the people he had encountered when he first set foot on a pitch in Spain.
The aura of a strong person.
It was something that couldn't be faked, an absolute self-confidence that could only be cultivated through one victory after another.
Perhaps the guy in front of him was the standout player of the generation that had emerged since he left. That's why he wanted to come and see what the new generation of players was made of.
"Let's begin."
"You should know the rules."
Itoshi Sae let go of the ball in his hand, and in the next instant, he stepped on it.
Tendou replied, "Of course. Whoever wins, gets the field."
The next second.
As soon as the words were spoken, Itoshi Sae charged forward without any warning.
Charging straight at me?
I'm 13 centimeters taller than you!
Tendou knew he was being underestimated. He didn't back down and met him head-on.
"He didn't back down? He's actually meeting him head-on?"
"It's over. That kid is definitely done for!"
The university students all came over from the other side of the field to watch this sudden one-on-one duel.
Soon, Tendou collided with Itoshi Sae.
In the world of football, height isn't always an advantage. Among today's European stars, apart from the center forward and goalkeeper positions, forwards and even midfielders are mostly under 1.90 meters tall. This is because being too tall can affect one's dribbling. A higher center of gravity inevitably leads to larger strides when carrying the ball, making it easier for opponents to take advantage and make a tackle.
...
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