The Golden Winged Of Football: Haruma Kusaka
Chapter 70 - 404 4

Chapter 70: 404 4

Kurogami took his position before the nets, his eyes calm yet focused.

Itsuki stood at defense, his focus sharp and unwavering.

Haruma walked with determined steps, standing at the center of the field, his gaze locked ahead where Raya, the opposing striker stood with a focused expression, exuding confidence. Both Haruma and Raya were staring at each other, both appearing focused.

Raya stood ready with the ball under his foot, his entire posture exuding readiness to kickoff the game.

Minato then brought the whistle up to his mouth and placed it between his lips, his gaze sweeping the players on field one last time before a sharp piercing blow echoed through the air, signalling the start.

As the whistle echoed, Haruma quickly slid his foot in for the possession of the ball but Raya with perfect timing flicked the ball defetly to his side, dribbling past him in a blur.

Just as Raya was about to charge forward, Haruma’s foot came sliding in from the left. With a burst of instinct Raya flicked the ball to his right, narrowly avoiding Haruma’s outstretched leg.

For a fleeting moment their bodies were almost one. Raya’s breath hitched as he caught a glimpse of Haruma just next to him, their sides pressed together in a tensed silence.

With a slight shove Raya nudged Haruma aside and brust forward, his pace quickening. Haruma, undeterred, matched his pace, running right with him, consistently pressing into him in an effort to force the ball away, yet, Raya’s control on the ball remained flawless and powerful.

Haruma’s focus was unwavering, his eyes never leaving the ball when suddenly, Raya struggling with Haruma pressing on his right side,

Frustrated, Raya swung his left foot back, aiming for a long pass, but in a flash Haruma read his move and quickly slid his right foot in for a block.

Just as Raya’s foot was about to make contact with the ball, Haruma’s foot slid in for a flawless block. But just then, Raya’s eyes flashed with a sharp intent, and at the last second instead of shooting he stepped over from the ball and with his right foot he gently nudged the ball to his right side, sending it rolling between the legs of Haruma.

Without wasting any other second, Raya dpun around Haruma’s back reaching the ball and charging past Haruma, leaving him in his wake, completely outpaced.

From the sidelines, Minato broke into a proud grin. On the other hand, Kento was watching with a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips.

Raya was charging forward at the nets, his eyes locked on a clear sight of Kurogami standing firm before the nets.

Clenching his jaw in determination, Raya quickened his pace rushing at nets but suddenly Itsuki stepped between, blocking his path with his face set with intense focus.

Raya, appearing unfazed began a rapid series of step over skill over the ball, his movements fast enough to make everyone watching lose their concentration.

But Itsuki with unwavering focus, slid his foot right aiming directly for the ball. Raya, sensing the danger, reacted instantly and rolled the ball back, his foot remained firmly planted on top of the ball, keeping it just out of Itsuki’s reach.

Both Itsuki and Raya held their positions, both appearing focused. Then in a flash Raya’s eyes widened in alarm, and in an instant he rolled the ball to his left.

Just after the ball was shifted, Haruma’s foot came sliding in from behind, making contact with nothing but just air, his face twisted in fury as he missed the tackle.

Now Raya stood between Haruma and Itsuki, his foot remained firmly planted on the top of the ball which was wide on his left.

Itsuki with intense focus lunged at the ball, his foot moving perfectly for interception. At the same time Haruma quickly covered Raya from the right, blocking every Raya’s escape, leaving no space to send a pass. The air was heavy with anticipation, the smallest movement from Raya was crucial.

Just as Itsuki’s foot neared the ball, Raya with all his might tapped the ball hard, sending it soaring into the air, leaving both Haruma and Itsuki stunned.

Just as the ball flew up, Raya took a big jump, connecting the ball perfectly with his head, sending it flying towards the right over the head of Haruma, from where Makoto came rushing in, controlling the ball perfectly on his feets.

Itsuki, with his face twisted in fury, charged at Makoto with relentless speed.

Haruma, struggling to catch up with their speed, turned around to see Itsuki was about to close in on Makoto, but before he could Makoto sent a flying pass back in his direction.

Haruma’s eyes widened, and as he turned around where Raya was, his heart skipped a beat...

Raya was no way near him, he was already charging towards the nets with the ball soaring perfectly into his direction. The distance between him and Raya was now massive.

Haruma’s eyes widened with a mix of panic and frustration as he sprinted after Raya. But Raya with unbreakable focus jumped controlling the ball effortlessly on his feets, and glanced up at the nets where stood, The Black Kallor, Kurogami.

Inhaling deeply, Raya slightly leaned his body to his right and with a smooth deliberate movement he shot the ball with his left foot.

Haruma’s eyes widened in sheer anxiety watching the ball soaring towards the nets.

Reading Raya’s shot perfectly, Kurogami launched himself in a powerful dive. But mid-dive through his eyes widened in disbelief... The ball started taking a sudden savage curve in mid-air.

In a split second before his outstretched hand could reach the ball, the ball turned sharply, just grazing past Kurogami’s fingers and gracefully soaring into the back of the nets.

The Tokyo Wolves Juniors erupted into roaring applause and wild cheers, filling the air with sheer enthusiasm.

Minato’s face beamed with pride as he joined the chorus of cheer, clapping with uncontainable joy. Besides him, Kento smiled with quiet admiration, clapping with genuine joy.

Raya, with a big smile, lightly punched the air in celebration, before Makoto came running and leaping on top of him in a celebratory embrace, their laughter echoing the field.

Itsuki stood motionless, looking down with visible disappointment.

Kurogami lay motionless on the ground, eyes wide with disbelief, his face wearing an expression of shock, unable to believe that he just conceded a goal.

Haruma’s once relentless speed faded into a jog before he dropped to his knees, his head bowed.

While approaching Haruma, Raya seemed slightly confused, seeing Haruma standing with slumped shoulders with his head slightly tilted to left, his expressions blank, but his eyes were firmly fixed on him.

Raya stopped in front of him, both coming face to face, both staring at each other, waiting for the whistle to resume the game.

Minato took a deep breath and blew the whistle once again.

Even after the whistle, neither Haruma and Raya moved, but remained standing still, staring at each other with laser sharp focus.

Itsuki, Makoto, Subaru, coaches and other remaining players got confused, watching them in silence.

In a split second, Raya’s face flashed with determination and he slid his left foot forward aiming at the ball. But just before he could reach the ball Haruma pulled the ball backwards with his right foot planted firmly on top.

Both Haruma and Raya’s face were now inches away, with Raya seeming slightly stunned while Haruma’s face remained cold and focused.

In an instant, Haruma rolled the ball to his right intending to push the ball ahead on the right. But, Raya immediately predicted his move and before Haruma could even fully execute his move, Raya swiftly shifted himself back and outstretched his foot out, cutting off the ball’s path.

Just as the ball was about to reach Raya’s outstretched foot, Haruma stopped it dead with his foot firmly planted on top, in the same breath Haruma shifted himself more to the right side lifting his right foot off of the ball, then with his left foot on the ball he spun himself around along with the ball, smoothly gliding past Raya’s defence with effortless finesse, leaving him frozen in disbelief.

It all happened in a blink of an eye! Everyone stood stunned watching with mouth agape, eyes popping out of disbelief.

Meanwhile a maniacal smile remained fixed on Kento’s face.

Haruma was now charging forward towards the nets, caught off guard, Itsuki and Makoto quickly sprang into action.

Raya shook off his shock before swiftly turning around and began his chase at Haruma.

Haruma was sprinting with a pace he never did before, his feets started to get blurry, growing Raya’s shock who was running at max speed still unable to get close to Haruma.

Itsuki running towards the net from the other side was watching Haruma’s pace with disbelief clear on his face.

As Haruma neared the nets Makoto with his face twisted with fury came between his path, blocking his way to the nets.

Haruma halted in his sprint for a moment before exploding forward once again.

Makoto with his eyes burning with fury exploded into a relentless sprint towards Haruma.

The two raced straight at each other with unwavering speed, neither showing any hint of hesitation or restraint.