THE PAIN - Inazuma Eleven Go Fanfic

CHAPTER 53: BEYOND MYSTERY

As the goal was scored, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause, their voices blending into a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the packed stadium. The air was electric with excitement, a palpable buzz of energy that rippled through the stands. Flags waved, banners were hoisted high, and chants filled the air as fans from both sides celebrated the spectacle unfolding before them.

Meanwhile, Raimon's players sat in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief. They had just witnessed the 2nd team score against the formidable 1st team, and not just score, but do so with a level of precision and skill that left them awestruck.

"How did they do that?" Ichino's voice cut through the cacophony, tinged with a mix of amazement and confusion. His gaze was fixed on the field, where the 2nd team was regrouping, their faces lit up with a sense of accomplishment.

Kuramada shook his head slowly, his expression one of incredulity. "They're faster... sharper... than when we played against them. It's like they've transformed overnight."

The Raimon players exchanged glances, each of them trying to process what they had just seen. The 2nd team's movements had become fluid, their passes crisp and perfectly timed. It was as if they were operating on a different level altogether, executing a strategy that was both sophisticated and daring.

Amidst the bewildered whispers of his team, Coach Endou sat quietly, his eyes narrowed in deep thought. The hissatsu tactic employed by the 2nd team replayed in his mind like a vivid memory, each pass and movement etched into his consciousness. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, fingers steepled under his chin as he tried to connect the dots.

'Why does this feel so familiar?' he pondered, his mind sifting through years of experience and countless matches. 'I've seen something like this before.'

He replayed the moment in his head: the 2nd team's seamless transition from short, quick passes to long, powerful strikes, forming a perfect circle that disoriented the 1st team. The ball had moved with a mesmerizing speed and precision, almost like a marionette being expertly controlled.

'Marionette Attack,' he thought, the name clicking into place in his mind. It was a tactic he had seen once, long ago, in a different context.

The atmosphere on the field was electric as the whistle blew, signaling the restart of the match. The 1st team, galvanized by the challenge, was ready to reclaim their dominance. Yutaka gently tapped the ball to Ryuu, who began his advance with a controlled, deliberate dribble, scanning the 2nd team's formation as he moved forward.

Ryuu's pace was measured slow at first, but as Yutaka and the midfielders surged into the 2nd team's territory, he suddenly accelerated, turning his dribble into a rapid charge that caught the defenders off guard. The 2nd team's defense, although well-organized, tensed visibly as they braced for the incoming assault.

Saga, the captain of the 2nd team, quickly assessed the situation. "Hold your positions! Watch the gaps!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. His eyes darted across the field, ensuring his teammates maintained their formation under the pressure of the 1st team's advance.

Ryuu was now within striking distance, facing the last line of the 2nd team's defense. His teammates, Yutaka and the other midfielders, effectively neutralized the 2nd team's forwards and midfielders, preventing them from aiding their defense.

Without warning, Ryuu unleashed his hissatsu technique. Crossing his arms over his chest, flames ignited in his hands, creating a dramatic visual as he outstretched his arms and launched himself into the air. As he spun, flames spiraled into the sky, creating a vortex of fire. With a final, powerful flip, he brought his foot down on the ball. "Flame Storm!" he roared, sending the ball hurtling towards the goal, trailed by a fiery whirlwind that scorched the field in its wake.