MTLNOVEL Chapter 18: The Clash of Kings
The arena fell silent as Renji stepped into the battlefield. Across from him stood Kaito Sora — the calm, shadowy captain of Team Eclipse. His lazy smile was still there, but his eyes… his eyes were sharp. Focused. Dangerous.
The stadium lights dimmed, a single spotlight falling on the two of them. Above them, the massive screen flashed their names:
Renji Kurogami vs. Kaito Sora
The air felt heavy, thick with anticipation.
Eizen's voice crackled through the speakers. "Let the Duel Battle… begin!"
The whistle blew — and Kaito moved.
He was fast. Faster than Renji remembered. One moment he was standing still, the next he was on Renji's side of the field, the ball already at his feet.
Renji's instincts kicked in. He closed the distance, but Kaito wasn't there to meet him. He shifted — an elegant, fluid movement — and the ball was gone.
"Too slow," Kaito's voice was almost mocking.
Renji gritted his teeth, spinning to chase. Kaito danced down the field, his control almost inhuman. But Renji wasn't about to let him show off.
He pushed harder.
Kaito reached the goal line — and Renji was there. He cut in hard, blocking Kaito's angle. But instead of shooting, Kaito smiled.
"I wonder," Kaito murmured, "can you handle this?"
The ball flicked up — and then Kaito was gone. He vaulted over Renji in a blur, the ball coming down on the other side.
Renji spun, eyes wide. But it was too late.
The shot was a lightning bolt.
0-1.
The crowd exploded, but Renji didn't hear them. His heart was pounding too loud. His mind raced.
Kaito walked back with that same infuriating smile. "You're good, Renji. But you're not good enough."
Renji smiled back — but it wasn't a friendly one.
"We'll see."
The game reset — and this time, Renji had the ball.
Kaito moved in fast, but Renji didn't panic. He let Kaito come — then flicked the ball sideways at the last second. Kaito lunged — and missed.
Renji surged forward.
"Not bad," Kaito called from behind him. "But can you keep it up?"
Kaito was on him again in seconds. Renji pushed harder, keeping the ball just out of reach. He reached the shooting zone — and went for it.
But Kaito was already there.
The block was brutal. Renji barely kept his balance as the ball skidded away. Kaito chased it down — and turned the counterattack.
Renji's vision narrowed. He wouldn't let it end like this.
He ran.
Kaito was fast. Renji was faster.
He closed the gap just as Kaito wound up for the shot. Renji didn't think — he acted.
He dove.
The ball slammed against his foot, deflecting wide. Kaito's eyes flashed with surprise.
Renji hit the ground hard — but he didn't care. The ball was his again.
He stood slowly, eyes locked on his opponent. "Your move."
Kaito's smile sharpened.
And then the real battle began.
For the next ten minutes, the field was a storm. Attack after attack, block after block — neither giving an inch. The crowd was on their feet, the energy electric.
Kaito struck. Renji blocked. Renji shot. Kaito deflected.
It was a war of skill, of speed, of will.
And Renji was done holding back.
He feinted left — and when Kaito bit, he spun right. The opening was there, just for a second — and Renji took it.
The shot was a bullet.
1-1.
The stadium erupted. But there was no time to celebrate.
Kaito was already moving.
The final minutes were chaos. They pushed each other to the edge — faster, harder, sharper than ever before. Every second was a gamble. Every move was a risk.
And then — the moment.
Kaito broke past him, the goal looming.
But Renji had been waiting.
He lunged.
Their bodies collided — and the ball spun free.
Renji recovered first. The goal was open. He ran.
One shot. One chance.
The ball flew — and the net rippled.
2-1.
The whistle blew.
Renji stood there, breathing hard, as the crowd roared. Across the field, Kaito smiled — a real, fierce smile.
"Not bad," Kaito called. "But next time… I'll win."
Renji smiled back. "We'll see."