Chapter 6 — The Awakening Before the Storm
The streets of Yokohama had seen him grow. From a small, prodigious nine-year-old to a sixteen-year-old whose presence on the pitch commanded attention, Eshan Sato's journey had been quiet but relentless. The ball had always been an extension of him, a silent partner in his lifetime of practice, and through it, he had discovered the first of his gifts — Absolute Ball Feel.
From the beginning, he had felt the ball in ways no one else could. Every touch, every flick, every nudge with any part of his body — feet, thighs, chest, even shoulder or elbow — responded perfectly to his intent. It was instinctive, a natural harmony between body and ball, and over the years, he refined it relentlessly.
Eshan's physical training was no less intense than his technical practice. While his abilities were extraordinary, he knew the body must match the mind. The focus was clear:
Core Strength: He could withstand pushes and challenges from older, stronger players without losing balance.
Balance: Every movement, whether sudden dribble or tight-angle shot, remained perfectly controlled.
Leg Strength: Explosive speed, high-powered kicks, precise direction changes.
Stamina: Endless sprints, constant motion, peak performance from whistle to whistle.
Each day, he honed these attributes. Sprint drills, jump exercises, balance routines, and core workouts — all integrated with the ball. His practice wasn't just about repetition; it was deliberate conditioning to allow his abilities to reach their full potential.
While physical strength built the foundation, his abilities flourished naturally:
Ghost Touch
Eshan learned to manipulate the ball so lightly that defenders couldn't detect its movement. Silent feints, disappearing passes, subtle turns — he could dribble unpredictably without giving away a hint.
Zero-Spin Flow
Shooting became an art of control. The ball could rise after dipping, curve unexpectedly, or fly straight with deadly accuracy. Goalkeepers struggled to anticipate even the most ordinary-looking strikes.
Phantom Pocket Shift (partial)
In glimpses, he began sensing the tiniest openings, moving himself and the ball to spaces defenders didn't expect. Though not fully mastered,
one afternoon, after a grueling district match, Eshan sat on the empty field, ball at his feet, panting but exhilarated. As he replayed the match in his mind, he realized something remarkable: he had been subconsciously mapping the field, sensing defenders' movements, anticipating spaces, predicting passes — not with thought, but instinct.
The realization hit him: his ability wasn't just in controlling the ball. It was in understanding the flow of the game entirely. Every dribble, every step, every strike had been guided by this awareness.
He smiled. "This… this is something more. I can feel the entire field. Every player, every path, every chance."
And so he gave it a name: Absolute Field Awareness. Not just a title — a declaration of the unique intuition that set him apart.
Even as his abilities grew, Eshan's life remained grounded. His mother, a single parent, had worked tirelessly to provide for him. since His father had passed away, leaving them with only memories and the quiet rhythm of daily life.
"Eshan, dinner's ready!" she called one evening, watching him practice perfect ball touches outside their tatami-lined home.
"Coming!" he replied, bouncing the ball once before trapping it underfoot.
"Don't forget to eat properly," she said, smiling. "Even geniuses need their strength."
"I know, Mom. But I need to keep practicing."
She shook her head, both exasperated and proud. "Just… don't overdo it. You're still a kid."
Eshan chuckled. "I know. But one day, I'll need every bit of this."
Through countless school and district matches, Eshan honed his skills. Against players older, taller, or stronger, he relied not on brute force but precision, technique, and awareness. Ghost Touch and Zero-Spin Flow allowed him to dribble unpredictably, shoot with terrifying accuracy, and slip through defenses effortlessly.
Even Phantom Pocket Shift made brief appearances — slipping between defenders into spaces they didn't even know existed. Every match sharpened his instincts, preparing him for the day when he would face truly elite competition.
The Final Match
By now, Eshan had grown into a striker of unmatched promise. His team had reached the league final, a match that would define his path forward. Across the field stood Kira, a prodigy in his own right, ready to battle for the championship.
Eshan bounced the ball lightly, feeling its weight, the tension in the field, the rhythm of the players. His heart didn't race — it pulsed with focus. This was what he had trained for. This was the moment where all his growth, all his techniques, all his physical mastery, and all the budding awareness of the field would collide.
He looked at his teammates, then across at the opponents. He smiled. "Let's see how far I can go."
And as the referee raised the whistle, Eshan Sato stepped into the storm.
The final was about to begin.