Episode 5: Resistance Japan's Challenge

Konoha was up early doing her usual morning jog. "Meow!" from the bushes a small kitten greeted the little child. Konoha unwrapped a small bundle of good and placed it gently on the ground for the feline. It happily started gulping the food down. Soon, more and more cats came out from the bushes and joined the meal.

Konoha smiled, softly petting each one as she whispered to them. "Take your time; I brought lots of food today."

Suddenly one of the cats pricked its ears and ran up towards someone hiding behind the trees.

"W-who is it?" Konoha stammered.

Narukami walked out, with the cat rubbing against his legs, purring. He picked up the feline gently, "Sorry, Morimura. I didn't want to surprise anyone."

Konoho looked away nervously. Seeing this Narukami decided to leave her alone, biding the cat he held good bye.

"Morning!" one by one, the members of Shinsei Inazuma Japan came into the cafeteria to eat breakfast. Tenma looked around the room and realized that Tsurugi, Matatagi and Alsius were still missing. Alsius missing was normal; however, Tsurugi and Matatagi have never been late for breakfast.

"Manabe-kun, it might have something to do with 'that'." Minaho said.

"Ah, 'that'."

Tenma was puzzled with what they were saying and asked for an explanation.

"Well, it was a few days ago…" Minaho started.

"What's that Manabe?" Alsius peered behind Manabe's shoulder at the tablet he was holding.

"What do you think it is?" he sighed, "of course the data of all the other teams, before and during the tournament. Even out data. It is necessary to understand our enemies."

"Hmm…"

Minaho smiled, "You seemed interested, do you want to see something in particular?"

Alsius thought for a bit, "Do you have any records on the Inazuma Japan team 10 years ago?"

"What use would that be? I don't understand you at all." Manabe sighed again.

"Wait, Alsius. I think we have some videos of their games…" Minaho ignored Manabe and handed Alsius some DVD's.

After scanning quickly through them, "Thanks," she said and walked out of the room.

"I wonder what she's going to do with them…" Minaho pondered.

"I have no interest in finding out." Manabe returned to the work he was absorbed in.

Minaho wrapped up the story, "Alsius might be practicing something that she found on the DVD and Tsurugi-kun and Matatagi-kun is with her?"

"Pracitce, huh?" Tenma mumbled to himself.

Few hours later, practice started and Alsius, Tsurugi and Matatagi were there this time. Tenma began by reciting today's practice menu, but suddenly a ball rocketed towards Tsurugi. Seeing this, Tsurugi volleyed it back at the direction of the attacker.

"Just as excepted from you, Tsurugi." Looking down at the field and easily receiving Tsurugi's ball, a white haired boy grinned.

Tsurugi gasped when he saw who the boy was, "Hakuryuu!?"

"Hey, Tsurugi!" Hakuryuu crossed his arms laughing.

"Long time no see, " Tsurugi walked up to him.

Sakura whispered to Tenma, "Who is that boy?"

"He's a friend of Tsurugi's. He's really good at soccer…and" Tenma tried to find the right words to describe Hakuryuu, but couldn't find the right words.

"Captain, you're not helping…" Kusaka sighed.

Manabe had already took out his tablet and started explaining to everyone, "He's Hakuryuu, an ex-SEED who underwent intense training at the most dangerous of the SEED's base in God Eden. Team Unlimited Shining's ex-captain. His position is forward, a very exceptional player."

"He kinda said a lot, but I still don't really understand." Tetsukado whipered to Narukami and he nodded in agreement.

"Pfft, he looks a bit like Nao and Ibuki…" Alsius laughed.

Konoha couldn't help giggling with her, however stopped herself when she realized people were around.

"Why are you here?" Tsurugi asked after a long conversation with his friend.

"Heh, heh, don't be surprised hearing this…" Hakuryuu laughed and soon more and more players came up from behind him.

"We are Resistance Japan and we propose a soccer match against you, Shinsei Inazuma Japan!"

"Huh? Hakuryuu?"

"The winner becomes the new representatives of Japan." Hakuryuu stated, "You have no choice to decline, Tsurugi."

"Resistance…Japan?" Shindou gasped In despair.