Episode 1: New Members, Alsius and Narukami
"I will introduce two new members to Shinsei Inazuma Japan." Kuroiwa Coach stated early on morning before practice.
Everyone in the team gathered around their Coach, the team only had 11 members so these two would be the very first additions to the team since the FFIV2 started. Even Shindou seemed eager to know who the new members were.
"Come in."
From the back 2 boys walked in. They both were the lime green training jerseys of Hakuren Middle School.
"Introduce yourselves"
One was a short in height, had short dark navy blue with an unusual flick on the top of his head. He had slightly slanted eyes which were violet and golden in colour. "Kurogane Haku from Hakuren. Call me Alsius and my position is Midfielder."
The other boy was much taller than Alsius. He had white messy hair and a black headband wrapped around his forehead making him look much like Ibuki. His eyes were also bi-coloured like Alsius' but were amber and sapphire instead. "I'm Narukami Naoto, also from Hakuren. I play any position, including goalkeeper."
After the two finished their introductions Tenma stepped forward with his hand out, "I'm this team's captain, Matsukaze Tenma. Welcome to Shinsei Inazuma Japan, Alsius, Narukami-kun"
"Mm…" mumbled Alsius as he shook Tenma's hand.
"Nice to meet you, Captain. Oh, and just Narukami is fine."
Aoi handed the two brand new jerseys and uniforms. "I'm one of the managers of this team, Sorano Aoi,," she introduced.
"Players we have never heard of again…" Tsurugi mumbled to Shindou.
"What is that Coach thinking?" he answered angrily.
When the practice started, Tenma noticed that Alsius was missing. Narukami was standing by the bench talking to Kuroiwa Coach. On his newly received uniform the number 12 was inscribed on it.
"Narukami!" yelled Tenma, "Where's Alsius?"
"Don't know." Replied Narukami after a slight pause and shrugged his shoulders. Then he started walking away with Kuroiwa Coach.
"Huh? Narukami? Where are you going? Practice is about to start soon."
"Don't mind," said Kuroiwa Coach "start the practice without the two."
"Coach!" Shindou yelled "we know nothing about those two. By practicing we can see their plays and skills in soccer."
"There's no need for that." Finished the Coach and walked away with Narukami.
"Captain, let's just listen to Kuroiwa Coach and start practice." Smiled Sakura.
Tenma thought for a bit then shook his head, "I'm going to look for Alsius." He blurted out and went to search for the new teammate.
"Hey Matsukaze!" Shindou tried to stop him, but Tenma completely ignored him and left the field.
"Where could he be…" Tenma wondered after searching almost all of Soccer Garden. There was only the hills in the back he didn't look and sure enough, there he spotted Alsius. He was laying in the grass reading a manga leisurely while his read rested on a soccer ball.
"Hey, Alsius!" Tenma ran up to him happily. "Come on Alsius, let's go practice! Everyone's eager to get to know you."
"I'm sorry Captain, I'm at a really good part now." Alsius mumbled in response as he flipped the page of his book.
"You came here to play soccer… right?"
"Apparently…"
Tenma tried to keep his smile. This isn't going anywhere…
But before Tenma was about to leave, Alsius brought up an idea. "How about we do a little game?"
"Game?"
"It's easy, if I can keep the ball away from you for 5 minutes, I win and you leave me alone."
"So you'll join practice if I'm able to steal the ball from you?" Tenma confirmed.
Alsius nodded. He put away his book, stood up with the soccer ball underneath his foot. "Let's begin.
With the signal, Tenma charged at Alsius, but Alsius easily lifted the ball atop his foot avoiding Tenma's tackle. Popping the ball up, Alsius started juggling the ball with his knees. "Is that all you got Captain?" he provoked.
"Not done yet!" he yelled.
However, "5 minutes, time's up. I win so, you can leave now, Captain. Let me finish my book."
"Why Alsius? You have such good ball control, why don't you want to practice?"
Alsius stared sadly at the ball, "It's just not the time yet"
"Huh?"
"Now go on! Leave me alone." Alsius yelled and then added, "if you want, come back tomorrow and I'll accept your challenge."
Everyday after that, Tenma challenged Alsius, but was never able to beat him and bring him to practice. The other new player, Narukami was always there during practice, however, he refused to touch or get close to the ball. So in conclusion, he never actually did any soccer practice. Tenma tried very hard to try an persuade him into playing but Narukami refused and kept playing with his yo-yo.
This continued until the day of the match against Thailand's representative team, Mach Tiger.