Striker Genesis: E.O.S (Evolution of Strikers)

The air in the underground arena was electric. Victory against Team Fenrir had pushed Renji's team into the spotlight, but there was no time to celebrate. The next battle loomed.

The screens flickered, announcing their next opponent: Team Obsidian.

Reo frowned. "They're ranked second. I've heard they play like assassins."

Kaede cracked his knuckles. "Good. Let them try."

Renji said nothing. His eyes stayed locked on the entrance across the field.

The gates opened.

They walked in slowly — Team Obsidian — dressed in jet-black uniforms, moving with eerie calm. Their captain, Shiro Akagawa, stood at the front. A silent, sharp-eyed striker known for ending games before they even began.

Shiro's eyes met Renji's. A cold smile flickered across his face.

The whistle blew.

Team Obsidian attacked instantly. Their speed was terrifying — their passes smooth and surgical. Within seconds, they were in the box.

Shiro moved like a phantom, slipping past Riku and Kaede with ease.

Renji rushed to intercept — but Shiro was already shooting.

The ball slammed into the net.

0-1.

The crowd's roar felt distant. Renji's heart pounded.

He's fast. Too fast.

They restarted, but Obsidian's defense was suffocating. Every pass was intercepted, every run blocked. Reo managed to break through, but his shot was deflected.

Kaede tried a long pass, but Shiro stole it mid-air.

"You're too slow," Shiro taunted.

Renji's jaw tightened. "We'll see about that."

With ten minutes left in the half, the pressure was crushing. Team Obsidian controlled the game.

But Renji saw an opening.

Kaede faked a pass right — and Renji sprinted left.

The ball soared over the defenders. Renji's foot met it perfectly.

The shot was a bullet. The net rippled.

1-1.

The game turned brutal. Obsidian pushed harder, their tackles growing rougher. Shiro struck again, his shot slipping past their keeper.

1-2.

But Renji answered back, weaving through defenders and firing one into the top corner.

2-2.

The clock ticked down. Every second felt like a lifetime.

In the last minute, Shiro made his move. He charged, his eyes burning with focus.

Renji chased him. Their feet pounded against the turf.

Shiro shot — but Renji dove.

The ball deflected.

Reo recovered and launched a counterattack. Kaede sprinted ahead, sending a perfect cross into the box.

Renji didn't hesitate.

He leaped — his body twisting in midair — and struck.

The ball screamed into the net.

3-2.

The whistle blew.

Shiro stood still, his face unreadable.

"You're different," he said finally. "But the real challenge… is still ahead."

As Shiro walked away, Renji felt it — a storm rising on the horizon.

And he was ready.