A few days earlier…
Japan National Stadium
Japan vs South Korea
"Wow, what a move from Japan's number 10!
He's carrying the national team on his shoulders, ladies and gentlemen!
Here is Hikaru Minato!"
In the stands—
"Wow, did you see that, my son?
That player is really gifted," Takeshi said to Rikuo.
Rikuo, eyes wide with admiration, replied,
"Yeah… this is the kind of football I dream of.
He's a magician, he controls the whole pitch."
"Haha, you used to play like that too," Takeshi said with a smile.
"Hmm… what was your nickname again back in France, in the newspapers?"
"The King," Rikuo answered.
"It's true… I really miss football, Dad," he added, his gaze filled with nostalgia.
"I knew it was a good idea to bring you here, my son.
Honestly, I can see you on that pitch, right next to Minato."
"You really think so, Dad?"
"Of course.
You were born for football, after all," Takeshi said, laughing.
"If you say so… then it must be true."
Back to the present.
In the middle of the pitch, only a few minutes were left in the opposition game.
Rikuo and Minato were facing each other.
"You were right, Dad…
I'm standing right in front of him now.
And I'm about to surpass him," Rikuo thought.
"Well then, what are you waiting for, little genius?
You want me to attack first?
Fine. I'm coming," Minato said.
Minato stretched out his leg, trying to take the ball.
Rikuo felt the contact coming.
Without panicking, he cut to the left, put his body between Minato and the ball, and shielded it.
His eyes instinctively glanced to the left side of the pitch.
Minato smiled.
He lifted his head and stared straight into Rikuo's eyes.
"I know exactly where you want to go, little genius.
After all… you're just like me.A magician."
He took a step forward.
"Magicians use tricks.They draw attention one way…to surprise you the other way."
He moved closer.
"Now… I'm taking the ball."
Rikuo felt the pressure.
Minato's confidence.
His calm.
His presence.
His aura.
But this time, something was different.
Rikuo made a body feint.
A slight shoulder drop.
Then, in one sharp and clean move a Nutmeg.
The ball went straight through Minato's legs.
"What—"
Minato slipped.
Lost his balance.
Fell.
A shocked silence swept across the pitch.
Minato got up immediately, jaw tight, eyes burning.
"What?! I'm not letting this slide, Rikuo!"
His usual calm was gone.
He shouted his name.
"RIKUO!"
Rikuo recovered the ball, turned slowly, and replied calmly, almost coldly,
"Minato…I've been watching you."
Minato came back at him, but Rikuo kept talking.
"You know… I'm not a magician like you."
He lifted his eyes.
"I'm the king."
Minato tried to step in again, putting his foot toward the ball.
"And in front of me…"
Rikuo paused.
"Even if you're Minato…I prefer you on the ground," he said coldly.
Another feint.
Minato didn't saw it coming.
He slipped again.
Rikuo changed pace.
Minato tried to recover
but it was too late.
He went down a second time.
This time, he couldn't get back up in time.
Rikuo went past him.
He was cold.
Clean.
Controlled.
The pitch exploded.
Shouts.
Sharp breaths.
Sweat running down faces.
Players frozen, unable to believe it.
Rivelinho burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Unreal!"
Raizo held his head.
"Did you just see that?!" He said.
On the bench, Coach Satô clenched his fist.
"That's it! That's IT!
That's the madness I saw in you, Rikuo!
I wanted to see that again from you!"
Even Minato, on the ground, stayed silent for a second.
Not angry.
Just… surprised.
And then he smiled.
Rikuo kept running.
In front of him there were a lot of space.
He lifted his head.
He was about 35 meters out.
Everyone expected a pass.
But instead—
He set himself.
No doubt.
No hesitation.
He shot.
A heavy strike.
Powerful.
Pure.
Kaito, the giant goalkeeper, dived.
His arm stretched as far as it could go.
Everyone followed the ball with their eyes.
Crossbar.
The ball hit the bar…and went in.
GOAL.
The pitch exploded again.
Shouts everywhere.
Players throwing their arms up.
Raizo running toward him, yelling.
Rivelinho applauding, laughing.
Rikuo stood still for a second.
Short breath.
Heart on fire.
The magician Minato had fallen.
And in front of everyone…
The King had beaten him.