Chapter 57 – A Stage Beyond the Village
The morning sun broke gently over Penedono, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and gold. For most of the villagers, it was just another day of quiet work and routine. But for Jota, the day carried weight—a promise of something larger than the dusty fields where he had been practicing.
He had spent weeks sharpening his instincts, strengthening his body, and nurturing his connection with the ball. The dirt pitches of the village had become his sanctuary, but they were no longer enough. He needed a bigger stage, a chance to measure himself against players beyond Penedono.
That chance came in the form of a regional youth tournament.
It wasn't glamorous—not a stadium filled with roaring fans, not a sea of cameras flashing his name—but for a boy reborn, it was everything. It was the first step toward reclaiming the legend he once was.
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Part 1: The Departure
