A/N
Hey everyone!
Sorry for the long wait, life's been keeping me busy! But I'm back with a new chapter, and we're laying the groundwork for the World Cup. I don't want to rush into things and make mistakes, so this chapter focuses on the buildup and setting the stage for what's to come.
I'll be answering reviews in the next chapter, I promise!
Now, sit back and enjoy.
Chapter 10 – World Cup 2018
Naruto arrived at Inori's apartment building at exactly 6PM, dressed in a casual but stylish outfit a black bomber jacket, dark jeans, and fresh sneakers. He wanted to keep things low key.
When Inori stepped out, Naruto felt his breath hitch for a moment. She wore a soft, pastel blouse tucked into high waisted jeans, paired with simple sneakers. Her pink hair was tied back in a loose ponytail.
"Hey," Naruto said, giving her a grin. "You look great."
Inori smirked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Not bad yourself. So, where are we going?"
"You'll see," Naruto replied.
Naruto took Inori to a cosy Italian trattoria tucked away in a quiet part of town. The restaurant had a warm, inviting atmosphere, with checkered tablecloths and the smell of freshly baked bread filling the air.
"This is nice," Inori said as they were seated. "Not exactly what I expected from someone who calls himself the emperor."
Naruto laughed, leaning back in his chair. "I've got layers, you know. Besides, I figured something chill would be better than a crowded place."
As they ordered their food, the conversation flowed naturally. They talked about football, Inori's career as a reporter, and Naruto's upcoming journey with the national team.
"So, the World Cup," Inori said, resting her chin on her hand. "That's huge. How are you feeling about it?"
"Excited. Nervous. Ready," Naruto replied. "It's a big step, but I've been working for this. I want to prove I belong on that stage."
Inori nodded. "You'll do more than prove it. You've got that spark something special. Its why people can't stop talking about you."
Naruto smirked. "You included?"
"Maybe," she said, her lips curving into a small smile.
As the evening went on, the conversation turned more personal. Naruto leaned forward, his tone softening.
"You know, Inori, I don't just admire your work. I admire you."
Inori blinked, her cheeks faintly colouring. "Naruto—"
"No, let me finish," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "You've been there, covering my journey, telling my story in a way no one else could. You've seen the highs and the lows, and through it all, you've treated me like more than just a player. That means a lot to me."
For a moment, Inori was silent, her gaze searching his. Then she smiled. "You're full of surprises, Naruto."
"Good ones, I hope," Naruto said, grinning.
Inori chuckled. "Yeah, good ones."
After dinner, Naruto took Inori back to her apartment. They stood outside, the cool evening air wrapping around them.
"Thanks for tonight," Inori said, her voice soft. "I had a great time."
"Me too," Naruto replied, his hands in his pockets. "I know things are going to get busy, but… maybe when I'm back, we can do this again?"
Inori nodded, her smile warm. "I'd like that."
Naruto hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, leaning down slightly. "Take care of yourself, Inori. And keep writing those stories."
"You take care of yourself too, Emperor," she said, her voice teasing but sincere.
As Naruto walked away, he glanced over his shoulder, giving her a playful wink. Inori stood there, watching him go, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Ubers Training Ground – Last Session Before Departure
The players gathered for one final squad match before Naruto departed for his Japan national team call-up.
Despite being a friendly training session, the intensity in the air was unmistakable.
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Don Lorenzo.
They had played on the same side before, but this time, they were on opposing teams—Naruto leading the attack, and Lorenzo as the defensive anchor.
For both, this wasn't just practice.
It was personal...
Lorenzo, standing tall, grinned lazily as he cracked his neck. His golden teeth gleamed under the sunlight as he looked at Naruto across the pitch.
"You ready for this, Uzumaki?" Lorenzo called out, his voice playful but laced with challenge. "You're not leaving until I shut you down, okay?"
Naruto, already in position up front, grinned confidently. His pink boots dug into the grass as he rolled his shoulders.
"Shut me down? Tch." Naruto smirked, tilting his head. "Lorenzo, you should know by now… I never lose."
The other players around them could feel the tension building. This wasn't just a training match anymore.
This was a battle between The Emperor and the Ace Eater.
The whistle blew, and the match kicked off with Naruto's team in possession.
Lorenzo's team set up defensively, their eyes locked onto Naruto, knowing he was the biggest threat on the field.
The ball was played into the midfield before a lofted pass was sent toward Naruto.
The second he received the ball, his Emperor's Eye activated.
Everything slowed.
He could see the defensive line, the way they were shifting, the slightest imbalance in their stance.
And then, his eyes locked onto Lorenzo.
Lorenzo, despite his relaxed demeanor, was already closing the distance, his Ace Eater instincts activating.
He wasn't just reacting to Naruto. He was dictating Naruto's path.
Naruto's smirk widened. Oh, this is gonna be fun.
He feinted left, Lorenzo adjusted instantly.
He dropped his shoulder, Lorenzo didn't bite, Damn he's good.
But Naruto was better.
Using his Emperor's Eye, he saw the moment Lorenzo would over commit, it was one fraction of a second.
Naruto stopped on a dime, twisting his hips at an unnatural angle before exploding past Lorenzo with a burst of speed.
But Lorenzo wasn't done.
His ability to recover was elite.
Even as Naruto surged forward, Lorenzo adjusted his footwork at the last possible second, twisting his body into an awkward but effective defensive stance.
He reached out with his long legs, flicking the ball away with precision before Naruto could get his shot off.
"Not so fast, Emperor," Lorenzo grinned. "I saw that one, okay?"
Naruto stared at him, eyes burning.
He countered me? For a second, a thrill shot through him.
Lorenzo had finally seen the Emperor's Eye in full force… and yet, he still found a way to fight back.
Naruto wasn't done. Seconds later, his team recovered the ball.
This time, there was no hesitation.
The ball was played through, and Naruto spun on the spot, his back to goal as Lorenzo rushed in.
His Emperor's Eye activated once more, and he saw it… the golden light.
With zero hesitation, Naruto struck the ball with a perfect Golden Finesse Shot, sending it curling around the defenders and into the top corner.
Lorenzo watched the ball glide past the keeper's outstretched hands.
Goal, 1-0
The other players erupted, cheering as Naruto jogged toward the corner flag as he kicked it over.
Lorenzo, still standing at the edge of the box, grinned.
He walked over, giving Naruto a slight nudge on the shoulder. "Alright, alright, Emperor. That was a damn good shot."
Naruto turned, smirking. "You too, Ace Eater. You're the first to push me like that."
Lorenzo laughed, holding out a fist. "Keep this up in Japan, okay? And when you come back, I'll be even better."
Naruto bumped his fist against Lorenzo's. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As the match ended with Naruto's team winning 3-1, the players left the field. As Naruto looked back one last time.
His time with Ubers had transformed him. He had sharpened his skills, refined his vision, and embraced his ego.
Naruto stepped off the plane at Airport. Camera flashes ignited the dimly lit arrivals terminal, reporters scrambling for position, their microphones extended like swords in a battle for exclusivity.
Naruto, dressed in a black tracksuit with Japan's emblem on the chest, adjusted his cap slightly, but there was no use in hiding, they were here for him.
As he walked toward baggage claim, a wall of journalists surged forward, cameras rolling, voices overlapping in a flurry of excitement.
"Uzumaki-san! How does it feel to be called up to the Japan senior national team at just 16?!"
"Your performance in the UEFA Youth League has been spectacular! Do you feel ready for the international stage?"
"Were you surprised by the call-up? What do you think about the competition for a starting spot?"
Naruto grinned, stopping momentarily.
He raised a hand, signalling for silence, and just like that, the room hung onto his every word.
"It feels great to be back." His voice was smooth, controlled, confident. "This is an opportunity I've been working toward my whole life, and now that I'm here, I plan on making the most of it. Being young doesn't mean anything to me, I'm here to win."
The reporters scribbled furiously, the energy buzzing around them.
But then, a question that caught Naruto off guard.
"Uzumaki-san, you aren't the only young player called up! Itoshi Sae will be joining you in the squad, how do you feel about teaming up with him?"
Naruto froze for a second.
Sae? Here?
He hadn't even checked the full squad list yet. He had been too focused on his own call-up, but now that the media had confirmed it.
Naruto chuckled, his grin widening. "Didn't know he was gonna be here. But that's good—I already know what he can do. Sae's a great player, but let's be real… when we step on that pitch together, the world won't know what hit them."
The media exploded with reactions at his bold statement, but Naruto wasn't just talking to talk.
He meant every single word.
If Sae was in the squad, then that meant Japan wasn't playing around.
And neither was he.
As Naruto grabbed his luggage, his phone buzzed.
Reo Mikage - Bro, you've got the whole country watching. Good luck, you better start.
Mikasa Ackerman - Welcome back, Naruto.
Naruto smirked at the texts, but before he could respond, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Didn't think I'd see you here."
Naruto turned and there he was.
Itoshi Sae.
Dressed in Japan's official navy-blue travel gear, his magenta hair slightly tousled, Sae looked as indifferent as ever. His eyes, however, carried a sharpness that Naruto knew all too well.
Naruto grinned, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Well, well, look who it is. Guess we're back on the same side."
Sae shrugged. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm here to win. If you can keep up, fine. If not, stay out of my way."
Naruto laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, I'll keep up. Just don't slow me down, Sae."
For a brief second, they locked eyes, and the tension crackled like lightning.
For years, they had been rivals, clashing in different moments across their careers.
But now, they would play together once more.
And the world?
The world wasn't ready for that.
As Naruto and Sae walked toward the team transport, the cameras followed every step. The media coverage skyrocketed, their names flooding every news outlet in Japan.
"Naruto Uzumaki & Itoshi Sae - Japan's Youngest Duo Ever in a World Cup Squad!" (Tokyo Sports Daily)
"Can These Two Carry Japan to Glory? Sae's Vision & Uzumaki's Finishing. A Dream Pairing?" (Blue Samurai Report)
"The Future is Now - Japan's Golden Generation Begins With Uzumaki & Itoshi!" (ESPN Japan)
Fans across the country exploded in excitement, debates raging online about whether Naruto and Sae would actually start together.
BlueSamuraiFan - If Japan plays both Uzumaki & Itoshi together, we might actually go deep in this World Cup.
UzumakiNation - Naruto doesn't just make the squad—he's about to take over. Watch.
SaeGenius - Sae x Uzumaki? If they click again, they'll be unstoppable.
The team bus pulled away from Airport, carrying Japan's World Cup squad toward their training facility. Naruto sat by the window, his eyes scanning the Tokyo skyline as the city he once called home blurred past.
Beside him, Sae sat, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
For the first few minutes, neither of them spoke. Two prodigies, both carrying Japan's future, both aware of what the other represented.
Naruto finally broke the silence.
"You ever think this would happen?" he asked, glancing at Sae.
Sae scoffed lightly, not even turning his head. "No, I didn't think Japan would call you up this soon."
Naruto grinned, leaning back in his seat. "Guess I proved them wrong."
Sae finally turned to face him, his teal eyes sharp. "It doesn't matter. A World Cup isn't some youth tournament. This is the highest level of football. You don't get points for potential here you either win, or you don't belong."
Naruto chuckled. "Damn, Sae. You ever relax?"
Sae's gaze didn't waver. "We're not here to relax."
Naruto smirked, his Emperor's Eye flickering. So that's how it is?
"Fine," Naruto said, rolling his shoulders. "Then we're winning. No other option."
For the first time, Sae smirked back.
"Good answer."
The bus pulled up to the Japan National Team Training Facility, a state-of-the-art complex built to prepare the squad for the World Cup.
As Naruto and Sae stepped off, cameras flashed, capturing every movement. The moment they walked through the facility gates, it became official.
Japan's two youngest ever call-ups were here.
Standing at the entrance, waiting to greet them, was the team's head coach, a respected tactician with years of international experience.
"You must be Uzumaki," the coach said, shaking Naruto's hand firmly. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Good things, I hope," Naruto replied with a grin.
The coach smirked. "We'll find out soon enough."
Behind them, veteran players from the national team were watching, whispering amongst themselves.
"So that's Uzumaki? The kid from Ubers?"
"I heard he's got an insane shot."
"And that's Sae beside him… two teenagers in the squad? This is unheard of."
Naruto felt their eyes on him—the curiosity, the doubt, the unspoken challenge.
He loved it.
Inside the main facility, the squad gathered for their first official team meeting. The coach stood at the front, his voice steady and commanding.
"We have two young players with us this time," he said. "Uzumaki Naruto and Itoshi Sae."
The room turned toward them. Some players nodded in approval, others remained unreadable.
"Most of you have played together before," the coach continued. "But these two… they are here because they have the potential to change our future. That doesn't mean they'll be given anything for free. They will have to prove themselves."
Naruto grinned, unfazed. "Prove myself?" he muttered under his breath. "Easy."
Sae didn't react, he already knew that was the expectation.
The coach noticed their confidence, his lips curling slightly. "We'll see how much you talk after training tomorrow."
Naruto checked his phone later that night, scrolling through the endless posts.
Inori - Saw the press. You looked good out there. Big stage suits you, Emperor.
Naruto smiled, quickly typing back.
Naruto - Told you. Just getting started. You watching the first game?
Inori - Of course. Don't disappoint.
Naruto - When have I ever?
He set his phone down, his mind racing. Tomorrow, the first training session begins.
The Japan National Team was gathered, going through their warm-ups under the watchful eye of the coaching staff. The atmosphere should have been electric, filled with the energy of a squad preparing for the World Cup in just two weeks.
Instead… it felt hollow.
Naruto glanced at Sae, who was standing a few meters away, his arms crossed, watching everything unfold with a visibly disgusted expression.
Sae hated what he was seeing, and after a few minutes, Naruto half-agreed.
Japan was trash...
As the team ran their first set of passing drills, Naruto quickly noticed a glaring problem.
The midfielders were slow on the ball, hesitant in their decisions. The defenders lacked aggression, reacting a second too late in situations where top teams wouldn't even give them a chance.
Even in small-sided possession drills, the lack of intensity was painfully obvious.
Naruto and Sae exchanged a glance as a sloppy back pass forced the keeper into an unnecessary clearance.
"This is a World Cup squad?" Naruto muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Sae exhaled through his nose, his annoyance evident. "This is a joke."
Naruto looked at him. "You serious?"
Sae scoffed, shaking his head. "You think this team can compete with Spain? Argentina? Brazil?" His voice was low, sharp. "We're wasting our time here."
Naruto didn't fully agree, but… he couldn't deny what he was seeing.
This squad? It wasn't ready for Europe's elite.
And the worst part?
The senior players acted like they didn't see the problem.
To close the session, the team split into two squads for a training match.
Naruto and Sae weren't in the starting lineup, they were placed with the substitutes, watching from the sidelines.
The match started and in less than ten minutes, Sae was seething.
The team's lack of cohesion was on full display. Simple passes were being misplaced. Their attacks lacked creativity, relying on predictable wing play that wouldn't trouble any serious opponent.
Sae clenched his jaw as Japan's starting forwards failed to finish three clear-cut chances.
Naruto, standing next to him, let out a frustrated sigh.
"Bro…" Naruto muttered. "This is hard to watch."
Sae's fists tightened. "This isn't football."
Their team had possession, but there was no purpose to it. It was just passing for the sake of passing, waiting for someone to do something.
This won't work against teams that press aggressively, Naruto thought, We'll get destroyed.
As if to prove his point, the first team finally scored on a deflected shot that barely trickled past the keeper.
Sae ran a hand down his face.
Naruto?
He was getting angry.
After the match ended, the coach called the team in for a debrief.
"Good work today," the coach said. "We still have areas to improve, but we're looking sharp heading into the tournament."
Naruto almost laughed out loud.
Sae didn't hold back. "That was embarrassing."
As the entire squad turned toward him.
Sae stood with his arms crossed, his voice sharp and cold. "If this is what we're taking to Russia, we might as well pack our bags now."
A few of the senior players frowned.
One of the midfielders, Takeda, spoke up. "Watch your mouth, Itoshi. You think just because you're playing in Spain, you can disrespect us?"
Sae's teal eyes flashed dangerously. "It's not about respect. It's about winning, and right now, we're not even close."
A tense silence filled the air. As Naruto watched, arms folded, he agreed with Sae.
But he knew this wasn't the way to get through to these guys.
Before things could escalate further, the coach intervened. "Enough," he said. "Itoshi, I understand your concerns, but we are a team. And as a team, we work together to improve. We don't tear each other down."
Sae clicked his tongue, turning away. "Whatever."
As the players dispersed, Naruto walked beside Sae toward the locker room.
"You didn't hold back, huh?" Naruto said.
Sae scoffed. "Why should I? They need to wake up."
Naruto exhaled. "Yeah… but calling them trash to their face isn't gonna fix anything."
Sae glanced at him. "And what do you suggest?"
Naruto thought for a second.
"We show them."
Sae raised an eyebrow. "How?"
Naruto grinned. "By being so much better than them… they have no choice but to follow."
Sae actually paused, considering Naruto's words.
After a moment, he smirked. "You're insane."
Naruto grinned back. "Nah, I just don't wanna lose."
As Naruto walked into the locker room, he checked his phone.
Inori - Saw some clips from training. Looks… rough. How bad is it?
Naruto chuckled, shaking his head as he typed back.
Naruto - Worse than you think.
Inori - That bad?
Naruto - We're gonna need a miracle in Russia.
Inori - Or an Emperor...
Naruto smirked, same thing really...
Two Weeks Later – Russia
The cooler air bit at Naruto's skin as he stepped off the plane alongside the Japan National Team. The temperature was a sharp contrast to that of Tokyo, but Naruto hardly noticed.
What he did notice was the hundreds of reporters and cameras waiting at the airport, capturing Japan's arrival for the World Cup.
Naruto and Sae, the two youngest players on the squad, walked together toward the team bus. The entire country was watching them.
But despite their growing status, they weren't in the starting lineup.
And that pissed Naruto off.
After arriving at their luxury team hotel, the players settled into their rooms. The media had been relentless with interviews, but Naruto ignored all of it.
Later that evening, Naruto found himself sitting in the hotel lounge, his phone in hand, scrolling through match predictions.
Spain and Germany were clear favourites to advance from Group E.
Costa Rica was the dark horse.
Japan? Most analysts had already counted them out.
"Tch…" Naruto muttered under his breath. "No faith at all."
"You look frustrated," a voice said beside him.
Naruto turned to see Inori, dressed in a simple black sweater and jeans, her pinkish hair tucked behind her ears. She had a press pass hanging from her neck, marking her as part of the media contingent following Japan.
He smirked. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Inori slid into the chair opposite him, resting her arms on the table. "Why wouldn't I be? I told you I'd be covering your journey."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So, you're supporting Japan now?"
Inori hesitated for a moment before nodding. "My mother is Japanese. My father is Italian. I grew up in both cultures, but… I've always felt connected to Japan."
Naruto leaned back, taking that in. "Huh. That makes sense now. You've got that mix of passion and discipline."
Inori smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should," Naruto said, his expression shifting to something more serious. "But I gotta be honest, Inori… I don't like this at all."
"What?" she asked, tilting her head.
Naruto tapped the team sheet on his phone, showing her Japan's starting lineup for the first match. "Me and Sae aren't starting."
Inori's brows furrowed. "They're benching both of you?"
"Yeah," Naruto muttered. "Coach says it's disrespectful to the senior players if two teenagers take their spots right away. And that we 'lack experience at this level.'"
Inori exhaled slowly. "That's… frustrating."
Naruto's grip tightened around his phone. "It's stupid. Japan's in Group E, fucking Germany and Spain are in our group. This is a Group of Death, if we don't start with our best players, we'll get destroyed."
Naruto hated to admit it, but Japan's group was a nightmare.
Group E -
Spain - (One of the strongest passing teams in the world)
Germany - (Powerhouse team, known for their efficiency)
Costa Rica - (A defensive team that could frustrate opponents)
Japan - (Underdogs… and playing without their best talents)
Japan's first match was against Germany.
The same Germany that had won the World Cup just four years ago.
Naruto clenched his jaw. They expect to beat Germany without me and Sae?
Inori studied Naruto's expression, he was furious.
And honestly... She understood why.
The way he and Sae had trained, the way they had completely outclassed the squad during practice, it was obvious that Japan needed them to stand a chance.
But the coach was holding onto pride.
Traditional football culture in Japan still respected seniority over talent.
And that was a mistake...
"Maybe the coach will change his mind," Inori offered. "If things don't go well in the first match…"
Naruto snorted. "You mean if we get embarrassed?"
Inori hesitated, then shrugged. "Maybe that's what it'll take."
Naruto smirked, shaking his head. "You're ruthless."
"You'd expect anything less?" she teased.
Naruto chuckled. "Fair point."
Naruto knew one thing for certain, if Japan was serious about winning, they couldn't afford to waste time on traditions and seniority.
But if the coach needed to see the team struggle first before he understood that?
Fine. He would be waiting for his chance.
And when that chance came…
The whole world would know the name Naruto Uzumaki.
The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow was packed with over 80,000 fans, the air thick with anticipation. The FIFA World Cup was in full swing, and Japan's first match against Germany was about to kick off.
But for Naruto and Sae, they weren't on the field, they were on the bench.
Dressed in their navy blue warm-up jackets, they sat near the coaching staff, watching as the starting lineup took their positions.
Naruto leaned forward, eyes locked on the pitch, while Sae sat with his arms crossed, his expression dark.
They had trained for this...
They had prepared for this...
Yet Japan's best players were sitting on the sidelines, forced to watch as their team faced one of the most efficient and ruthless squads in world football.
Germany, dressed in their iconic white and black kits, pressed high from the start, suffocating Japan's midfield.
The difference in quality and intensity was immediately clear.
Japan's midfield struggled to keep possession, their passes slow and predictable. The forwards were isolated, unable to link up in dangerous areas.
Naruto's Emperor's Eye flickered as he studied Germany's movements. They're closing passing lanes before we even think about passing.
Germany's tactical discipline was on another level.
Within fifteen minutes, the inevitable happened.
A cutting through ball from Germany's midfield split Japan's defense wide open. Their striker, sprinted past Japan's center-backs like they weren't even there.
With one smooth touch, he slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
1-0, Germany.
The Japanese players looked stunned.
On the bench, Sae exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"They don't belong here," Sae muttered.
Naruto didn't disagree.
The game didn't improve.
Japan couldn't get past the halfway line, pinned back by Germany's relentless pressing.
The second goal came before halftime a perfect volley from there winger, capitalizing on yet another defensive mistake.
2-0, Germany.
Naruto leaned back, running a hand through his hair.
"This is hard to watch," he muttered.
Sae's jaw tightened. "They're pathetic."
By the 65th minute, it was 3-0.
By the 80th minute, it was 4-0.
As the final minutes ticked down, Naruto stood up, walking towards the coach.
The Japanese manager, watched the game unfold with stoic indifference.
Naruto walked up beside him, his voice calm but sharp. "If you want any sense of achievement in this World Cup, you need to use me and Sae."
The coach didn't even glance at him. "That's my decision to make, Uzumaki."
Naruto narrowed his eyes, his voice lowering. "And you think this is the best decision?" He gestured toward the pitch, where Germany was passing circles around Japan.
The coach finally turned to Naruto, his expression firm. "I pick who plays and who doesn't."
Naruto held his glare for a few seconds before scoffing, shaking his head. "Then you're picking failure."
Without another word, he walked back to the bench, dropping into his seat beside Sae.
Sae glanced at him. "Didn't work, did it?"
Naruto sighed, crossing his arms. "Nope."
Sae exhaled, looking ahead. "Doesn't matter, we play Spain next."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Sae finally turned to him, his eyes sharp. "They have Leonardo Luna."
Naruto's interest piqued immediately.
"How good is he?" Naruto asked, his tone suddenly serious.
Sae's expression didn't change. "The best striker I've seen with my own eyes so far."
Naruto's grin slowly spread across his face.
"Good."
Sae frowned. "Good?"
Naruto stretched his legs out, looking at the stadium lights overhead. "I was planning on taking the Number one spot at Re Al eventually."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "So why not start now?"
Sae turned fully to him, his eyes wide. "You're insane."
Naruto smirked. "No, I'm not. I have dreams, and right now? Luna is standing in my way."
The stadium lights dimmed as the final whistle blew.
Germany 4-0 Japan.
A complete humiliation.
The Japanese players walked off the pitch, heads down, while the German squad casually exchanged handshakes like it was a normal day at work.
On the bench, Naruto and Sae sat still.
Their eyes locked.
"We play next match," Naruto said firmly.
Sae nodded once. "Even if it's from the bench."
Naruto leaned back, cracking his knuckles. "And when we do? Make sure your passes reach me."
Sae smirked slightly. "My passes never fail."
As Naruto stood, walking toward the tunnel, his left eye gleamed a light blue slit pupil surrounded by a blue ring.
The world had ignored him.
The coach had benched him.
But that was fine.
Because now?
Now, he was ready to show the world why they call him the Emperor.
The mood at Japan's training camp was tense.
A 4-0 humiliation against Germany had shattered any illusion of Japan being able to compete with the best. The media back home was ruthless, fans were calling for changes, and even within the team, doubts had started creeping in.
But two players weren't shaken.
Uzumaki Naruto and Itoshi Sae.
The next morning, training was different.
Not because of tactics. Not because of adjustments.
But because Naruto and Sae were finally allowed to show why they were here.
Standing in the middle of the training pitch, Naruto jumped up and down, side to side. His boots fresh from the equipment room, completely clean ready for him to shine.
Beside him, Sae , arms crossed, his eyes sharp, exuded an unbothered aura, but Naruto could tell, he was pissed.
For two weeks, they had sat on the sidelines, watched Japan crumble, and now it was there time to take over.
Japan's head coach stood in front of the squad, his face unreadable.
"After reviewing our last game," he started, his tone steady but laced with frustration, "we've decided to make some changes."
Murmurs spread through the squad.
The coach's eyes landed on Naruto and Sae.
They knew.
They knew they couldn't deny it anymore.
Naruto and Sae were too good to stay benched forever.
Some of the older players still looked reluctant, but others…
They were beginning to understand.
The moment training started, it was like a switch flipped. Naruto and Sae moved differently.
Their intensity, their chemistry, it was obvious.
Naruto dropped deep, collecting a pass from one of the defenders before immediately laying it off to Sae.
Sae took one touch and, without looking, played a perfectly weighted ball over the defense, dropping it into the exact space Naruto was sprinting into.
Naruto didn't even break stride.
With one smooth flick, he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.
Goal...
As the silence followed...
Some of the senior players watching from the side exchanged glances.
"Alright," the assistant coach called out. "Sae and Naruto vs. the starting defense. Let's go."
The defenders were Japan's best, but Naruto wasn't worried.
As the ball was played into Naruto's feet, his Emperor's Eye activated.
He saw everything.
The defender in front of him was shifting his weight slightly to his right.
He's expecting me to cut inside.
So Naruto didn't.
With zero hesitation, he faked the inside cut before rolling the ball backward and flicking it over the defender's foot.
He was through.
The goalkeeper rushed out—
Naruto barely glanced at the goal before curling his signature Golden Finesse Shot into the far post.
Goal...
From the sidelines, Inori stood with a few other reporters, her eyes focused on one player only.
Naruto "The Emperor" Uzumaki.
She lifted her camera, capturing the way he moved, the way he dominated the session like he had been born to play at this level.
Beside her, another journalist spoke.
"I can't believe they didn't start him against Germany."
"They won't make that mistake again," Inori said confidently.
As Naruto celebrated his latest goal, he turned his head slightly toward the media section.
For one brief second, his blue eyes locked with Inori's, as he winked at her. Exactly how he did on their first date.
Inori's cheeks burned slightly before she quickly turned back to her notes.
"Cocky bastard…" she muttered under her breath.
But she didn't stop smiling.
By the end of training, there was no more debate.
The senior players who had once doubted Naruto and Sae had seen it for themselves, now it was time for the match.
The Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was alive with energy. Japan vs. Spain. The second match of the World Cup Group Stage.
Over 65,000 fans filled the stands, their chants echoing through the night air. The Japanese supporters, though smaller in number compared to Spain's, waved their white flags proudly, hopeful that their team could somehow turn things around after the humiliation against Germany.
But in the VIP boxes, in media rooms across the world, and in living rooms back home in Japan doubt loomed like a storm cloud.
The starting whistle hadn't even blown yet, but most people already knew how this was going to go.
And yet, there was one person in Japan's squad who didn't see it that way.
As the players lined up in the tunnel, the broadcast analysts in the commentary booth spoke with deep curiosity.
John Parker - "Well, here we are. Japan vs. Spain. After Japan's brutal 4-0 loss to Germany, their World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread. And they have to face Spain next? That's just cruel."
Goro Takemura - "Spain is one of the tournament favorites. Their squad is stacked with generational talent. And one name in particular stands out tonight—Leonardo Luna, the Scion of Re Al."
A screen showed Luna warming up, his blond hair with short sides but long top hair and bangs that swiped to the left side of his face, his green eyes locked in complete focus. His tall frame moved smoothly as he stretched, his number 9 jersey fitting him like a royal cloak.
John Parker - "Luna has been hailed as the next great striker of Spain, already making waves at Re Al Madrid. He is the ultimate finisher, a complete striker. He will be Japan's worst nightmare."
The broadcast then showed Japan's starting lineup.
Goro Takemura - "And here's where things get interesting. Despite the obvious struggles, Japan's coach has decided to stick with the same starting XI that lost to Germany. But there's one key difference… look at the bench."
The camera panned toward the Japan bench, where two figures sat side by side, arms folded, staring at the field.
John Parker - "Ah, yes. Naruto Uzumaki and Itoshi Sae. Japan's two teenage prodigies—both benched again. But this time, will they be coming on in the second half?
The camera zoomed in on Naruto for a moment.
Even from the bench, his presence was unmistakable.
His legs were slightly spread apart, his hands clasped together in his lap, his blue eyes sharp, locked onto one person.
Leonardo Luna...
Back in Japan, in the Uzumaki Household…
Minato and Kushina sat on the couch, the game playing on their large TV screen.
Kushina, arms crossed, tapped her fingers against her forearm impatiently. "I still don't get why he isn't starting."
Minato sighed, rubbing his chin. "It's tradition. The coach is respecting the senior players."
"Respect?" Kushina scoffed. "Does respect win you games?"
Their house was filled with energy, as even Naruto's family workers gathered in the background, all watching with nervous anticipation.
A small worker, an older man, shook his head. "The coach better not mess this up. I saw the news—Spain's Luna is dangerous. If Japan goes down too early, Naruto might not even have a chance to change the game."
Minato exhaled slowly. "That's the risk."
Kushina's eyes softened slightly, looking at her son on the TV screen. Even from the bench, Naruto looked like a king.
High above the field, in the press box, Inori sat with her notepad, watching everything unfold.
Her pen tapped against the paper, but she hadn't written anything yet.
Her eyes were locked on Naruto.
Despite everything—being benched, being underestimated, he looked completely in control.
He wasn't frustrated. He wasn't pouting.
No.
He was waiting.
And the moment he stepped onto that pitch, Inori knew something was going to happen.
She lifted her camera, snapped a quick photo, and scribbled in her notes.
"The Emperor does not rush. He only waits for his moment to rule."
Naruto ignored everything around him.
The noise. The analysis. The doubts.
All he cared about was the man standing on the pitch, Leonardo Luna.
Luna felt the weight of Naruto's gaze, and after a few seconds, his green eyes shifted slightly, meeting Naruto's across the field.
The two locked eyes.
A silent challenge.
Luna's lips curved into a slight, unreadable smirk.
Naruto?
He didn't smirk back.
He simply grinned.
Beside him, Sae exhaled sharply, muttering, "We better not be losing by too much before halftime."
Naruto smirked. "What, you think Japan can hold out?"
Sae's eyes narrowed. "I doubt it. Luna will destroy them."
Naruto leaned back. "Let's see how it all plays out."
The referee blew the whistle, and the ball rolled forward.
Chapter 10 – World Cup 2018 End
A/N
And that's the end of this chapter…
Next up Luna vs. Naruto & Sae
This match is going to be a banger, so make sure you're ready!
Thanks for reading!
Until next time,
byebye!