Japan vs. Merits!
"You all know that tomorrow's match is very important. That is why I want you all to follow a new training schedule." Coach Ryuusei was speaking to his team after Sparda's challenge. "Looks like he's dead serious about this," thought Saginuma. On Ryuusei's order, everybody went through a rigorous session, and at the end of the day, everybody felt much stronger. Even Endou had gone through a bit of training, but was careful not to overdo his hand.
"I feel much stronger now," thought Kidou. "This training had quite a good effect on me," thought Kazemaru. "All right. I think you guys are ready for the match. Take some rest now," said the coach.
As the whole team was going towards Titanic stadium on the team bus, Ryuusei announced his team plan. "Since Endou is injured, I'll be changing the formation. Here's the formation:
GK: Tachimukai Yuuki
DF: Kabeyama Heigorou, Kazemaru Ichirouta, Fubuki Shirou, Sakuma Jirou
MF: Kidou Yuuto, Kiyama Hiroto, Fudou Akio, Saginuma Osamu
FW: Gouenji Shuuya, Tsunami Jousuke"
"Wait a minute, coach!" The first person to speak was Kidou. "Endou has a hand injury. But that doesn't mean he cannot play in outfield!" "Kidou, you of all people should know," was the reply. "Kidou, the whole team can't rely on me all the time. You'll have to play without me sometimes!" said Endou. "BUT WHAT ABOUT ME!?" shouted an angry Tsunami. "What about you?" asked Endou. "Why am I in offence?" "An experiment," said the coach. "We're here up against an evil threat, and you want to do experiments?" Nobody had seen Tsunami like this before. "You'll see in the match. Anyway, we're almost there. Get ready, everyone."
As the players got down from the bus, they met Sparda, who was waiting for them. "Well, well. Looks like you didn't chicken out. I'll give you a chance. You can just surrender now!" "You know the answer," said Endou with a glare. "Suit yourselves. We'll see what you do when you all get humiliated."
After doing some warm-up, both the teams took their positions in the field. "So, Mr. Captain doesn't play? Whatever trick you try to pull, the final answer will be same. You'll achieve NOTHING!" It was SARU who said this. "We'll see!" said Tachimukai.
The referee blew his whistle, signaling the start of play. Gouenji passed the ball to Tsunami and the whole team started moving up. "He wants goals? I'll give him goals!" Tsunami moved towards the goal and dodged every player he encountered with ease. "Looks like you all have made negligible improvements!" said Deasta. "Negligible? We'll show you what we really are!" retorted Tsunami. "SPARKLE WAVE!" Tsunami's hissatsu went towards MM, Merit's goalie. "I'm not making the same mistake again and again! PROCYON NET!" Three stars appeared, and a net made of blue light stopped Sparkle Wave easily. "Nice try. But a shot like that won't pass through me!" said MM.
MM passed the ball to Pets. Pets then made a long pass to SARU. Just as SARU was going to dribble past Kidou, Fudou came rushing in. "KILLER SLIDE!" Fudou made a fierce slide tackle and got the ball back from SARU. "What the!" SARU was surprised. "Don't underestimate us!" said Fudou.
Fudou passed the ball to Saginuma. "HIROTO! Let's use it!" "Hai!" Saginuma kicked the ball into the air. Hiroto jumped and hit the ball down powerfully with his heel, and the ball turned into a black ball of dark energy. Saginuma then volleyed the ball, and the ball was guided by space comets surrounding the dark energy. "GINGA NO BAKUHATSU!" "Not bad, but I'll stop it!" said MM. "BURNOUT!" MM brought out fire from his hands, and tried to stop the shoot. But the hissatsu shot was too strong, and it broke through. GOAL! Inazuma Legend Japan took the important lead. "Yosh! Saginuma, nice shoot!" said Hiroto. "Yup. Looks like our training paid off!" "Great job, Hiroto and Saginuma! All right, minna! Let's win this!" Endou shouted from the sidelines. "HAI!" shouted everybody. "All right, I'll show everyone what I can do too!" thought Tachimukai. "What! They scored a goal! But that's not possible!" thought Sparda. "Looks like we'll actually have to use it."
Inazuma Legend Japan's match against the Royal Merits got off to a great start, thanks to Saginuma and Hiroto. But will they be able to keep the lead? Or will Sparda and his team have the last laugh. We'll find out soon!