Chapter 55: Competitive Spirit Ignites—Nagi Seishiro Strikes Back!
"Is he going to receive the ball like that!?"
Bachira's face split into an ecstatic grin. He knew this match was only going to get more and more exhilarating.
He swung his leg with force, launching the ball at a wild speed and angle.
"That's way too high, isn't it?"
Imamura stared up at the pass in disbelief. Even with his exceptional physical traits, he probably wouldn't be able to reach that ball.
"But… if it's Kira, then maybe."
"That guy must've messed up! Predict the landing point, now!"
Reo, who had already been blown past by Kira Ryosuke, shouted urgently. The defenders immediately rushed to close in. They were convinced—Kira absolutely could not reach that ball.
But Team Z felt completely different.
They believed in Kira.
Because he was Kira Ryosuke—so of course he could reach that pass.
Kira had already burst into the penalty box at incredible speed.
But suddenly, he stopped, without pushing deeper, and instead leapt upward with all his strength.
"He's going for a header!?"
Zantetsu's eyes widened in shock, the words slipping out uncontrollably.
The ball's height and velocity were insane. From that position, it should have been impossible to even make contact.
But then his expression twisted even further—
Because Kira Ryosuke had already risen to a terrifying height.
"Is this guy… flying!?"
Reo was stunned. The physical ability Kira displayed was simply unreal.
During his earlier training with Seirin's basketball team, Kira had already verified something:
The explosive power granted by Thunderclap and Flash didn't only enhance shooting and dribbling—it massively increased his vertical leap as well.
Not only that, Third Form: Thunder Swarm allowed him to freely manipulate the ball's arc and better predict incoming passes.
And this position?
It was the perfect spot for a header.
Kira smashed his forehead firmly into the ball, connecting with absolute precision.
Neither the keeper nor the defenders ever imagined Kira would attempt a header from that position, at that height, in that moment.
Goal.
2–1.
Team Z took the lead once again.
"H–How terrifying is that guy's jumping ability…?"
Reo's body trembled.
Kira's leap was monstrous—far beyond anything they had seen.
"There wasn't a hint of this in earlier footage… Was he hiding his strength too…?"
…
"He caught that ball…?"
In the monitoring room, Anri gasped in disbelief.
"Don't be so shocked, Anri."
Ego Jinpachi lifted both hands to cover his ears.
"This is Kira Ryosuke we're talking about. Him doing something like this… isn't that strange."
Though Ego sounded casual, even he had been shocked when he saw Kira rise for that header.
That unbelievable vertical leap—
It had surpassed even Ego's calculations.
"Nagi Seishiro's perfect trap was already monster-level… and now Kira's heading ability is the same."
Anri swallowed nervously.
"This is basically a battle between two monsters."
"Exactly. They're both monsters… but in the end, only one monster survives."
As Ego spoke, his right leg trembled uncontrollably.
Just through a few exchanges, his blood was already boiling.
This match—
was easily more thrilling than every match before it.
…
"What a goal!"
"That was so cool, Kira! You really got it!"
"Looks like Team V isn't unbeatable after all!"
Team Z swarmed around Kira, cheering, celebrating, piling onto him like a wave.
"Don't get too excited—it's not over yet."
Kira responded calmly.
"Nagi Seishiro is going to get serious now. We can't relax."
He lifted his gaze—
And his eyes met Nagi Seishiro's.
"Damn it… what is that guy?"
Reo's jaw clenched, his eyes twitching.
For the first time, a crushing crisis pressed against him.
It felt like defeat stood right in front of him, waving.
Since childhood, Reo, raised as a wealthy heir, had always gotten whatever he wanted. Victory included. He had never tasted failure.
But right now—
he felt genuinely unsure.
His pride refused to allow the possibility of losing.
He had to win.
Nagi turned his head toward Reo, observing him quietly.
It was the first time he had seen Reo wear that expression.
And for the first time, Nagi felt… interested.
All previous matches had been unbearably dull for him—
the opponents were too weak, the matches too easy.
Winning required no effort.
No tension.
No thrill.
Barou had individual talent, but his team was completely disorganized.
The other two teams posed even less threat.
For Nagi, it was like a video game—
without challenge, there was no fun.
But now—
For the first time, Nagi felt the stirring of excitement.
Kira Ryosuke…
felt like the boss in the games he needed to overcome.
Interesting.
"Reo, pass to me more later."
Nagi's voice was calm, but his intent was sharper than ever.
"Nagi…"
Reo's eyes widened.
This was the first time Nagi had ever proactively expressed a desire to participate in the offense.
He immediately nodded.
"Okay! I'll create every chance I can! We'll show that Kira Ryosuke our real strength!"
"Mm."
Nagi nodded.
Team V began their attack again—
but this time, the one dribbling was not Reo.
It was Nagi Seishiro, playing seriously for the first time.
He accelerated instantly, blowing past Isagi.
Bachira rushed in to help defend, but Nagi slipped the ball between his legs with effortless ease.
"This guy… his dribbling is this good!?"
Raichi couldn't help but shout.
As other defenders converged, Nagi gently flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot—
And sent it across the flank toward Zantetsu.
"I'm counting on you."
"This is the first time you've asked me for something."
Zantetsu grinned and blasted down the sideline at top speed.
Meanwhile Nagi cut inside without the ball—
charging straight toward Team Z's goal.
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〔TL〕
Changing format of names. (Surname + Name)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!