THE PAIN - Inazuma Eleven Go Fanfic

CHAPTER 74: HIDDEN NO MORE

The question spread across the field like another shockwave.

Raimon's players exchanged confused looks almost instantly. Some glanced toward one another while others instinctively turned their attention toward the bleachers. Even Shizen's second team reacted similarly, their eyes subtly shifting in the same direction without realizing it.

The mysterious young man noticed.

Of course he did.

A faint smirk touched the corner of his lips as he followed the collective movement of their gazes and slowly turned toward the stands.

And at that exact moment-

Something shot toward him.

FAST.

A soccer ball tore through the air like a bullet, spinning violently as it closed the distance in mere seconds, aimed directly at his head with enough force to leave streaks through the lingering smoke.

Several players widened their eyes.

"Watch out-!" Hikaru shouted instinctively.

But the stranger reacted immediately.

No hesitation.

No surprise.

Almost as if his body had moved before his mind even processed the attack.

He pivoted lightly on one foot and struck the incoming ball straight out of the air with a sharp return kick, sending it flying back toward where it had come from with even greater speed than before.

The force split the remaining smoke apart.

"You really are one difficult person to find, and this is how you welcome your old friend," he said calmly, though amusement had already crept into his voice. "Right, Arion?"

At the edge of the field-

A figure stepped forward.

Arion.

He had already descended from the bleachers the moment the stranger appeared, though no one had noticed him move amidst the chaos earlier. The returning ball reached him instantly, but Arion caught it effortlessly beneath his foot, stopping its momentum dead against the grass with perfect control.

The stadium fell silent again.

A breeze swept lightly across the field, rustling the hem of Arion's jacket as he slowly lifted his head toward the mysterious newcomer. His expression remained unreadable, but the sharpness in his eyes was unmistakable.

"How so?" Arion replied coolly. "I've been here the whole time." His gaze narrowed slightly. "And I don't remember inviting you here, Vashe Vysochestvo (Your Highness) Nicholas."

Around the field, several players blinked in confusion.

"Vashe Vysochestvo?" Hayami confusely repeated under his breath.

Kurama tilted his head slightly. "That's... a weird nickname."

Even Hikaru looked puzzled while Shinsuke whispered, "Maybe it's one of those friend greeting things..."

None of them truly understood what Arion meant.

To them, it simply sounded like another strange nickname between old acquaintances.

But the stranger-Nicholas-simply laughed softly at the remark, entirely unfazed by the hostility aimed at him. The sound was smooth and effortless, carrying the relaxed confidence of someone who had long since grown accustomed to dangerous conversations.