While the Italian media was still dissecting the "Slaughter of the Eagles" in Rome, Renzo Uzumaki was back in his sanctuary, staring at a holographic interface that only he could see.
[NOTIFICATION: MILESTONES CLEARED]
The League Engine: (Assist Hat-trick in Serie A) — +100 Honor Points.
The Unsung Hero: (Directly involved in 3 goals but missed MOTM) — +100 Honor Points.
Renzo chuckled. The system was sarcastic. Because Mario Gómez had been so clinical, he had "stolen" the MVP trophy from Renzo. But the "Goddess of Football" rewarded the playmaker's selflessness.
With 200 Honor Points in the bank, Renzo didn't hesitate. He pumped both attribute points into Ball Control.
[STAT UPDATE: BALL CONTROL 84 ➔ 86]
"One step closer," Renzo whispered. At 90, the ball would effectively be an extension of his nervous system. Even against the "butchers" of the Italian league, he would be untouchable.
Round 25 of Serie A brought a change of pace. After the intensity of Lazio, Fiorentina returned home to face Parma.
Parma was a ghost of a club. Bankrupt, broken, and sitting dead last with only 15 points, they arrived at the Franchi like a condemned man walking to the gallows. Their coach spent the pre-match press conference practically begging for mercy.
"Fiorentina is a hurricane right now," the Parma manager sighed. "And Renzo Uzumaki is the eye of that storm. We just hope to leave Florence with our dignity intact."
But Fiorentina had no intention of being "quiet."
Before the whistle could even blow, the Stadio Artemio Franchi was transformed into a theater. A small stage was erected on the pitch. A high-ranking Serie A official stood there, clutching a silver trophy that caught the Tuscan sun.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" the stadium announcer's voice boomed, vibrating through the seats. "In 6 games, he has provided 12 assists. He has dismantled defenses from Rome to London. YOUR JANUARY PLAYER OF THE MONTH... RENZO UZUMAKI!"
The crowd didn't just cheer; they roared.
"REN-ZO!"
"REN-ZO!"
"REN-ZO!"
As Renzo stood on the stage, lifting the trophy, the Parma players watched from the sidelines, their faces pale.
"Boss," Parma's captain whispered to his coach. "We're the bottom-ranked team in the league. Why did they have to do a full award ceremony right now? They're already at 100% morale. We're going to get slaughtered."
The Parma coach wiped cold sweat from his neck. "I asked for mercy in the press conference. It looks like they chose violence instead."
Renzo handed the trophy to a staff member, his eyes locking onto the pitch. He wasn't thinking about the award. He was thinking about his new 86 Ball Control. He was thinking about the CCTV cameras broadcasting back home.
The "Maestro" was ready to conduct his next symphony.
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