For Zico, the pressure didn't vanish—he channeled it. Years of repetition and success turned the crushing expectation into a familiar moment.
What would paralyze most players sharpened his focus. "Woof," he breathed out, sharpened his shoulders, and lunged his feet with tremendous speed and force towards the ball.
At this point, Masura felt weary, even though his teammates had closely tight-marked Zico's passing options.
"That much space near the goal?" Masura growled. He knew too well that if it was him, that would be a goal no matter what—the perfect cannon-shot range.
Of all the players on the field right now, he was the most terrified. Especially if Zico scored—it's definitely a draw, and with very little time left, both teams would get kicked out.
Kenji, on the other hand, was reading Masura's expression. He could see the fear; in fact, he could feel the fear.
'If I get kicked out of this, I will never be a pro player… and Mom's medical bills…' Kenji clenched his teeth. 'I won't let him score. We've tight-marked his options—any shot would directly…'
Kaboom!!
'It… it curved?' Kenji realized only at the nick of time. It was definitely too late.
The sound alone made this moment unforgettable. The most dazzling thing about the shot was that it curved almost like a complete letter C.
The moment Kenji turned around, Team KC yelled so loud, even he saw Masura falling on his knees.
"Goooal! Yessssss, we're on!" Team KC yelled jovially, and the ones in front buried Zico with hugs.
His goal gave Team KC big hope and, at the same time, mercilessly buried any atom of hope Team Z once had.
Meanwhile...
Zico's goal was being reviewed by the man from earlier. He adjusted his lens with his hands underneath his nose and a wide grin.
"Hmm… that's a monster," he said.
A female holding a file beside him sighed. She was also watching the match but failed to understand why, of all matches, Mr. Planner was most interested in this one.
"Sadly, a skilled player like him is in the wrong team," she said.
"Hehehehe," Mr. Planner cackled. "Wrong team? You clearly don't know who that boy is—a world-class level striker."
"And I'm supposed to believe that? What would a world-class player want with this recruit?"
Having heard her reasonable question, Mr. Planner rotated his office chair and was now facing her.
"You know I expect my staff to know every little detail about the recruits in this facility," Planner sighed.
A moment of silence followed, and then he spoke again.
"I'm sure you must have heard of Real Shine City."
"Yes, Mr. Planner, last year's world club champions," she responded, and Mr. Planner gave a little clap.
"Yes, and do you know the striker that made it all happen?" Planner asked, obviously expecting her to fail—and she did, because people like her believe it was Daichi.
"Of course you won't. After all…" Planner rotated his seat back to the screen. "When he was no longer capable of playing, he was discarded—everyday bench warmer—and over time he wasn't useful. You're looking at Zico Tsubasa." Planner grinned with admiration.
"God of Real Shine City and famously known for his right foot—the Devil's Feet."
————
After Zico scored the unbelievable free kick, although Team Z were shattered, they found the will to quickly rise past it.
Now, Team KC were playing on the defense. For Team Z, there was nothing left to lose anymore; the time left was now five minutes.
And if the game ends as a draw, they're out. Also, if Team KC manages to score, so Team Z were now attacking all out.
With only Noboru pressing on the midfield.
"You sure this would work?" a player asked.
"Maintain your position," Zico responded.
Unknown to Team KC, there was a player savaging their plan. Captain was waiting for the right moment to intercept any close pass.
His façade wasn't anything friendly—like a predator hiding behind a prey to pounce on a bigger prey when the time arrived.
Kenji passed the ball to Masura on the right wing, but just as planned, Team KC closed every little space between Masura and their box.
"Tsk, fools. If we end as a draw, we'll both be kicked out," Masura grumbled. Team KC was definitely not giving him any space.
And even though running at him would provide an outlet at their box, it was quickly covered. The defense strategy was simply tight.
Every space opened was quickly reinforced by another player.
So Masura had no choice but to pass the ball back to Kenji, who also couldn't do anything.
"Kenji!" Masura screamed, veins appearing on the surface of his throat.
Because before the pass could reach him, a player from Team KC intercepted it—almost too perfect because he had to stretch his leg very far, so his balance wasn't stable.
And before any of Team KC's players could flinch, the predator snarled and savored this one moment.
Boom!!
The Captain exploded in speed behind Zico. This wasn't part of the plan in any way; however, Team KC had to adapt to this change quickly.
So as Captain lunged forward with the ball, they began running behind him for a very quick and deadly counter. After all, only Noboru was left behind.
"We're finished," Noboru lost all hope. Every Team KC member was running at him.
"Oh, the winning goal is mine!" Captain roared.
"Hey, pass the ball already!"
"You motherfucker, pass the ball! Zico is free!"
Nothing they said was changing his mind. He effortlessly dribbled past Noboru with a sharp roulette pass.
And finally, the only thing stopping him from scoring was that robotic keeper. Not a single defender in sight. Although Team Z were running behind, they were completely too slow and hopeless.
Probably because that shot was about to shatter their lives—especially Masura, who paused at the back, praying some miracle would happen.
In the end… Boom!!! "My gooooal!!" Captain yelled as he connected his feet against the ball—harder than any player. His leg muscle even stretched out thick veins.
But what good is a powerful shot like that without precision? Captain's ball ended up hitting the goal's rod so hard it bounced back—
All the way above the players and, sadly, landed at the monster's feet.
"Finally," Masura grinned.