Chapter 41: Dance Partner
Central Pitch
Kira did indeed have a way to break the deadlock. That was, to use the opponent's own strength against them.
"Charge… Kira! Show them what we're made of!"
Igaguri cheered hoarsely from the back.
Kira, however, had no time to listen to these voices now. He drove forward with the ball, the sound of wind whistling past his ears. The frequency of his steps became faster and faster.
Nagi completely failed to react, left standing on the spot as Kira dribbled past him. "So… so fast." Nagi was amazed by Kira's speed.
'It's happening again,' Chigiri sighed from a distance. 'Kira's copy ability.'
Kira also marveled. 'Apart from causing a slight glitch in my language system, the Zantetsu Trial Card makes me feel like The Flash. The surroundings seem to be moving backwards rapidly.'
"Do not think thou shalt pass from here…" With that, Zantetsu Tsurugi charged out from the side. While surprised by Kira's speed, similar to his own, his feet weren't slow either. He closely matched Kira's pace.
Seeing this, Kira braked suddenly, stopping the ball. Zantetsu also quickly stabilized his posture, setting up his defense.
Kira's eyes focused intently on Zantetsu's footwork. His own feet began moving the ball. 'It's time to test the results of my recent practice.'
Zantetsu also watched Kira's movements with intense concentration.
Suddenly, Kira's left shoulder dipped!
Left!?
No!
It's right!
Zantetsu's football IQ wasn't low either; he saw through Kira's feint to the left and moved horizontally to the right.
But he still guessed Kira's intention wrong.
Kira suddenly used his right foot to hook the ball. A turn. Smooth and elegant!
Marseille Turn!
Zantetsu never expected Kira to use a turning skill to beat him. Noticing Kira's speed earlier, he thought Kira would try to force his way past using speed from the flanks!
Kira was also inwardly thrilled. 'I can finally use this skill on my own!'
However, his joy was short-lived, as two other Team V midfielders closed in.
Kira showed no intention of holding onto the ball.
"Bachira! Go become Super Special…" Kira shouted loudly, playing a lateral pass to the advancing Bachira's feet.
"Got it!"
Upon receiving the ball, Bachira immediately transformed into a spirit. He began to dance gracefully on the football pitch. Like a butterfly dancing among flowers!
"Stop right there!"
Reo Mikage stepped up to stop Bachira's dribbling advance.
"The Monster in my heart says, a hopeless dead end isn't a terrifying situation of despair, but an exciting stage! This is my stage…"
"Oh… interesting. Then let me see your skills."
Reo was very confident in his defensive ability. Since he started playing football, practically no one had been able to dribble past him. Not even Nagi!
Clearly, he didn't believe this guy before him could get past him!
"Hehe."
Bachira just chuckled, actually flicking the ball up with his right foot! Then, in mid-air, he nudged it to the right!
'What kind of move is this?' Reo was inwardly puzzled. 'Is he trying to break through on the right? But isn't it too obvious?'
Reo couldn't quite grasp Bachira's intention for a moment.
"Hehe!"
With another chuckle from Bachira, he actually, during the process of nudging the ball right in mid-air, used the outside of his right foot to control it. In an instant… he pulled it left! His whole body also instantly broke through from the left!
Reo was fooled!
Whoosh!
Air Elástico!
Bachira shook off Reo!
Sweat involuntarily beaded on Reo's forehead. 'This guy's dribbling skills are incredible.'
Simultaneously, he kept shouting: "Stop him!"
There were still three players on Team V's defensive line! 'Stop him! It should be fine!'
Reo's flustered heart settled slightly.
However, in his sight, another figure also appeared. It was Kira, who had been following up all along. He and Bachira, separated by a distance, charged towards Team V's goal together! One in front, one behind! Forming a pincer attack!
At this moment, the three Team V defenders instantly panicked. 'Who to mark? What to do, 3 vs 2?'
"Two of you, stop the ball carrier! One mark the white-haired guy…"
As expected of Reo, instantly judging the best solution.
Two Team V players immediately obediently moved up to block Bachira. The other one went to mark Kira.
"If we can't even beat opponents like you, then how can we become the world's number one?"
Bachira showed no intention of retreating. He charged straight at the two players.
Turn!
Turn!
Consecutive turns.
In an instant, the two players were left behind by Bachira.
"Damn it."
The other defender had to abandon marking Kira and moved to cover.
And this was the moment Bachira was waiting for! A back-heel pass! He knocked the ball to the ever-advancing Kira.
Seeing this, the opposing goalkeeper rushed out! He couldn't just wait inside the goal. From this position, if the opponent shot, it was a certain goal! He could only bet that the receiver needed time to adjust. Seize the moment before the opponent could control the ball and shoot… grab the ball!
But who was he facing? It was none other than Team Z's core, Team Z's top scorer—Kira Ryosuke!
Kira was also infected by Bachira's dance. At this moment, he also wanted to dance!
While still moving… he suddenly stopped with his left foot.
His right foot drew a semi-circle around his left, using the tip of his foot to perfectly flick the ball Bachira had passed from behind.
Rabona!
The ball soared high! Just perfectly over the head of the rushing goalkeeper. It described a perfect arc, dropping into the goal.
Team Z pulls one back.
Score: 3–2.
After taking the shot, Kira raised his right hand high, then slowly placed it on his chest. His whole body, following the movement of his hand, bowed slowly towards the goal.
As elegant as a gentleman who had just finished a ballroom dance!
"Wooow, Rabona! Kira!"
The players in Team Z's backfield erupted.
"Bachira, that last ball, why pass it to me? With your skills, you could have scored yourself, right?"
Kira stood in front of the goal, asking his question.
Bachira was momentarily startled, then smiled slightly. "Because we are both Super Special, aren't we? After all, you are my dance partner."
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