Mark advanced with the ball, and the rhythm of the entire Saudi Arabian Youth team changed instantly.
Their previously slow offensive pace accelerated dramatically — this sudden shift was one of their deadliest weapons!
"Such speed."
In that moment, Shōei realized that Mark was no ordinary player; his abilities were truly formidable.
However, no matter who stood in his path to the throne, Shōei would tear them apart!
Japan's 4-3-3 formation was attack-oriented, and when defending, they relied heavily on pressing from their wingers! Shōei immediately stepped forward to block Mark's attacking route!
"What fierce defense! I remember you — you're Shōei Barō, right?" Mark smiled at him. Due to Japan's global influence, he certainly knew who he was facing, "I remember your excellent attacking abilities! I've been looking forward to playing against you!"
"Just a commoner. Don't appear before me." Shōei emanated a terrifying killing intent, as if he would completely devour his opponent.
Although this was his first meeting with Mark, it didn't matter who stood across from him. He would show anyone the greatest hostility!
If they were opponents, he would crush them all, leaving none standing!
"A commoner? Actually, I'm one of Saudi Arabia's princes."
"Merely a prince. I am the only king."
"Is that so? I don't really understand your country's political situation — but if you're talking about football, then sorry, you don't even qualify as a prince right now!"
As Mark spoke, he accelerated further, becoming a whirlwind on the field!
"Such amazing speed!" Ashito exclaimed from the sidelines.
Japan was just one corner of the world; there were many more outstanding players on the global stage!
"But Barō's defense is also good!" Rensuke said from the other side.
Despite Mark's impressive speed, Shōei wasn't slow either, maintaining perfect defensive positioning!
This was the result of his recent special training!
Shōei's defensive abilities had improved dramatically compared to before. He didn't lose his position but firmly held his ground against his opponent.
"Nice defense, as expected of you!" Mark said.
Even facing this fierce marking, his face still bore a supremely composed smile, as if he could bypass his opponent at any moment!
Suddenly, Mark's center of gravity dropped, as if he'd been tripped.
"What?" Shōei was momentarily stunned, not understanding what was happening — a player of Mark's caliber shouldn't make such a basic mistake.
But in that instant, he realized something was wrong!
Mark wasn't falling; he was rolling on the ground like a professional performer, instantly closing the distance with Shōei!
This was one of his special techniques: the Mirage Chapeau!
"What kind of move is this?" Shōei had never seen such a technique before.
He quickly turned, wanting to tackle the ball as his opponent passed by. But he discovered the ball wasn't at Mark's feet!
It was above his own head!
During his roll, Mark hooked the ball upward, using his body to conceal its trajectory and causing Shōei to momentarily lose track of it!
In that split second when his opponent's vision was diverted, Mark had already caught the ball he'd kicked behind Shōei, then sprinted forward!
Successful breakthrough!
[Saudi Arabia's number 10, Mark Owairan, has displayed extraordinary speed and dribbling skills, successfully evading Shōei Barō and charging toward the opponent's goal!]
Sports commentators worldwide were covering the match, with Mark undoubtedly the star of these opening minutes!
"Got past one!"
Mark accelerated further, moving across the field as if gliding through empty space!
Haruhisa rushed forward from midfield at top speed to provide defensive support. His face remained expressionless, his actions showed no hesitation, and his movements weren't the least bit sloppy — he didn't look like someone playing at this level for the first time.
He attempted to pressure Mark's dribbling space — but Mark's skills were incredibly sophisticated, almost magical, making the ball move nimbly at his feet while evading Haruhisa's multiple tackle attempts.
If Haruhisa's movements were like a venomous snake, then Mark was like a desert cat that hunts and feeds on snakes!
Seizing the opportunity during one of Haruhisa's pressing attempts, Mark instantly completed his breakthrough!
The Prince of the Desert, Mark Owairan, lived up to his reputation, transforming the entire field into his domain!
"I say, Your Highness, perhaps you should stop here."
A bearded figure suddenly appeared before Mark could advance further!
Oliver Aiku!
As the defensive core of Japan's team, Oliver's defensive abilities had reached new heights after the second stage of training!
Lorenzo had taught him several defensive techniques. Though Oliver couldn't master the eerie Zombie Dribbling, these lessons had significantly enhanced his defensive judgment and instincts.
Though Mark had seen Oliver's abilities before, he still wanted to test him. He accelerated first, then abruptly changed direction, attempting to use his speed and rhythm to bypass his opponent directly.
But Oliver remained firmly in his defensive position, sticking to Mark like a magnet.
"What's wrong, Your Highness? Never experienced such a warm reception before?" Oliver asked with a smile.
"Well, well, you really are the defensive core." Mark replied, smiling back.
He had to admit that Oliver's defensive prowess was exceptional — getting past him wouldn't be easy.
However... It was time for Saudi Arabia's Genie to make his appearance!
"Come forth! Genie!" Mark shouted, immediately kicking the ball to the side.
Vulcan burst out from the center!
His physique was enormous, and at this moment, he was like an unleashed beast, tearing directly through Japan's formation. The huge physical difference made it impossible for others to stop him!
Moreover, he possessed not only terrifying strength but also astonishing speed. He could appear anywhere on the field, truly living up to the name of "free man"!
When committed to attack, he became Saudi Arabia's heavy tank — crushing all opponents in his path! Vulcan, bearer of a physique blessed by the gods!
"That's right, just like that! Let's score first!"
The other Saudi Arabian players shouted enthusiastically!
As Mark broke through, Vulcan moved alongside him to receive the pass!
Just by looking at those thighs — as thick as an ordinary person's waist — one could tell what terrifying power his legs possessed. His shots were undoubtedly like cannonballs!
However... Saudi Arabia's attack wouldn't succeed so easily!
Just as Vulcan was about to receive the pass, a small but swift figure rushed directly in front of him, intercepting the ball!
"Pest extermination!"
It was Ikki Niko!
If Oliver was the executor of defense, then Ikki was the commander!
Though he lacked Oliver's physique and speed, he possessed a much broader field of vision. Oliver's sight was excellent — but had limitations — while Ikki truly had Metavision that could observe the entire field!
This was why both Ryōsuke and Jinpachi chose him to be the team's defender!
He had noticed Vulcan's breakthrough from the beginning, but chose not to block him directly. Ikki knew that with his smaller physique, he couldn't stop that big guy, but he could use this opportunity to set a trap for Mark!
The libero Captain would definitely pass to his top forward, and that moment would be Ikki's time to strike!
If Oliver was Japan's defensive warrior, then Ikki was the assassin hiding in darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow!
"What?" Mark was surprised; he hadn't anticipated Ikki's appearance.
Despite performing well in the Neo Hero League, Ikki remained almost invisible on the team, especially alongside defensive powerhouses like Lorenzo and Oliver — making him easy to overlook!
This was precisely his advantage!
"Counterattack, devour them!" Ikki used his Metavision to spot Sae in the midfield, delivering an incredibly precise pass directly to his feet.
Japan's full counterattack began!
"Not bad." Sae received the ball and immediately sprinted forward.
Before Mark could react, he realized that except for Ikki and Oliver, almost all of Japan's players had surged forward!
What terrifying execution! The scale of this attack was overwhelming!
"Quick, defend the ball carrier!" Mark shouted.
Though Japan had committed many players to the attack, Saudi Arabia could regain control by blocking the ball carrier and limiting his passing options, effectively delaying Japan's offense.
This way, the initiative would shift to Saudi Arabia's side.
Before Mark could finish shouting, his teammates had already sprung into action. Five players positioned themselves in front of Sae, deliberately leaving him with only the option to pass backward.
Theoretically, he would have no choice but to pass backward, slowing down Japan's attack!
However... That was only in theory.
"Boring defense." Sae merely said, refusing to pass backward.
"Is this guy trying to force a breakthrough?!"
Before the Saudi Arabian players could react, Sae's gaze transformed.
In the next moment, he burst into motion! With phantom-like speed, he aimed for the gaps in their encirclement!
❖ Flow! ❖
"Don't think you're getting through!"
Two defenders immediately stepped back to block Sae's forward path.
"We absolutely won't give you a chance to attack!"
"Give me a chance to attack? What are you talking about?" Sae coldly replied. "With an excellent striker on our team, there's no need for a midfielder like me to attack."
Just as the two players retreated to block his breakthrough, Sae suddenly stopped, creating a wide space between them!
This gap was all he needed to make his pass.
"Go, ace!"
He launched a powerful kick, and the ball traced an exquisite arc through the air, arriving at someone's feet as if by magic!
In this team, only one person could be called the ace by him!
Ryōsuke Kira!
He received the pass, and in an instant, the remaining Saudi Arabian players surrounded him, giving him no chance to break through.
Saudi Arabia possessed unparalleled coordinated defense speed — this was their path to victory!
"Taste it well! Our Saudi Arabian antlion defensive formation! No matter how you struggle, you can't escape our trap!"
However... This level of defense was far from enough.
"Perfect time to experiment with the Final Form of the Thunder Breathing." Ryōsuke said calmly, while secretly activating his ability.
— — — — — — — — — —
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Seventh Form: Flaming Thunder God | Status: Unlocked 〛
— — — — — — — — — —
The final form that could only be unlocked with 350 Competition Points!
In that moment, endless power surged through Ryōsuke's body! His breathing deepened, his heartbeat quickened, his blood surged!
In the next instant, he exploded into motion! Like a meteor, his entire body erupted with terrifying power as he charged forward!
The Saudi Arabian players had no way to stop him — in terms of both speed and power, they simply weren't in the same league!
"Go, Kira!" Kojiro shouted from the other side.
"How is this possible?" Mark couldn't believe what was happening before his eyes.
Ryōsuke had broken through their encirclement with nothing but his own strength and speed!
This was the effect of Flaming Thunder God, giving Ryōsuke terrifying speed and explosive power in an instant! And as the final form, its effects didn't end there!
The acceleration and explosive power were merely the prelude — everything was preparation for this one decisive shot!
This was the true essence of Flaming Thunder God!
"A mere antlion dares to catch lightning?" Ryōsuke said coldly.
In that moment, a terrifying shot burst forth!
❖ Flaming Thunder God, First Move ➠ Thunderbolt Smash! ❖
The ball ripped straight through the net!
❖❖❖
T/N: Just explaining that the Thunder God is when the MC channels everything he has, all his strength and techniques, into executing the kick. Think of it as a dry slap to the back.
Flaming Thunder God, however, is when he executes the same movement with the Final Form activated. It's like a massive blow to the back.
Of course, these comparisons are simply to help you understand the difference.
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
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