With No Way Back, Team Y's Desperate Counterattack / In Front of the Penalty Area, I Am Absolute Defense

After a few exchanges, Oogawa Hibiki had become completely timid. He no longer dared attack in front of Kira Ryosuke.

Team Y's only offensive weapon had lost its edge, and all that awaited Team Y was a slow death.

Every time Oogawa Hibiki's attack was stopped, Kira Ryosuke turned it into an opportunity for a counterattack. No matter how tight Team Y's defense was, they couldn't stop him every time. This time, Kunigami Rensuke found his chance.

Before halftime ended, the score had already become 2–0.

The halftime whistle soon sounded, and the players from both sides returned to their respective locker rooms.

At that moment, the atmosphere in Team Y's locker room was unbearably oppressive.

"What exactly is going on with Kira Ryosuke?"

"Even Oogawa can't get past him?"

"Isn't that guy playing defense for the first time...? How can he be so good..."

Niko Ikki's expression was grim. His tactics had failed to work and had instead given the opposing team one chance after another to score.

Kira Ryosuke was far stronger than he had imagined.

Even from the defensive line, this man possessed terrifying dominance.

Even Oogawa Hibiki, the team's sharpest blade, couldn't break through him.

Niko Ikki turned his head and looked toward Oogawa Hibiki.

At that moment, Oogawa Hibiki had a towel draped over his head. Sweat dripped continuously from both sides of his face, and his expression was filled with dejection. Even his usual confidence had completely vanished.

Oogawa Hibiki had been utterly crushed by Kira Ryosuke.

Relying on Oogawa Hibiki alone won't work... He has no way to break through Kira Ryosuke. Our number-one ace has been completely shut down. If this continues, the impact on the team's morale will only grow worse. We're only one goal behind, but if we don't score soon, we'll slowly die.

Niko Ikki understood this very clearly.

Thirty-Sixth Chapter: Burning the Boats, Team Y's Desperate Counterattack

"Everyone, quiet down and listen to me."

Inside Team Y's locker room, everyone's eyes focused on Niko Ikki.

Niko Ikki gritted his teeth. He knew his decision was extremely risky, but Team Y had no other choice:

"We have no room left to retreat. This match has already brought us to the edge of a cliff. We can only stake everything on one final gamble. We have to use that tactic—everyone attacks!"

Oogawa Hibiki couldn't get past Kira Ryosuke alone, so the entire team would deal with Kira Ryosuke together!

No matter how strong Kira Ryosuke was, he couldn't possibly defend against the combined attack of the entire team!

Niko Ikki believed this.

"Miss, you're amazing! You're actually that fast!"

"Kira is the amazing one! Oogawa is their ace player, yet Kira has completely shut him down!"

"Team Y seems to be completely finished. If this continues, we should be able to win without any trouble!"

At that moment, inside Team Z's locker room, everyone was in high spirits. Their opponents' offense had been completely shut down, and they also had a two-goal lead. Victory was practically already in their grasp.

"Don't let your guard down yet."

Unlike the cheering crowd, Kira Ryosuke appeared exceptionally calm.

"We've basically already won, right? We're two goals ahead at halftime. It would be extremely difficult for them to turn things around, wouldn't it?"

Raichi Jingo expressed some confusion.

"With their turtle-shell formation, even if we fail to score again in the second half, they still won't be able to score!"

"At present, we do have a huge advantage. But don't forget one thing: how much energy people can unleash when they're at a disadvantage."

Kira Ryosuke explained,

"Team Y can't afford another loss. If they lose to us again, it basically means they're eliminated. So they'll definitely stake everything on an all-out attack."

"You mean they'll focus entirely on offense in the second half? They're going to completely change their tactics?"

Kunigami Rensuke asked from the side.

"Very likely."

Kira Ryosuke knew that in the original story, Team Y had a desperate tactic—the One-Point Kill Counterattack.

When the score was tied, they would use this tactic at the very end, sending every member of the team into the attack for one minute and crushing the opposition in a single stroke.

The score wasn't tied now, but if Team Y only defended, they would certainly lose.

So they would definitely burn their boats and choose an all-out attack.

Although this was almost the complete opposite of their first-half approach, with virtually no defense, if they managed to score, they would have a few seconds to return to their half and reorganize their defense.

The closer people were to the brink of danger, the more likely they were to unleash power beyond their potential. After all, being eliminated would essentially mean the end of their careers. In a sense, this was an explosion of their will to survive.

"What's our tactic for the second half, then? Full defense?"

Isagi Yoichi asked doubtfully.

Normally, as long as they maintained their defense and didn't let the opponents score two goals, they were guaranteed to win.

Kira Ryosuke merely smiled.

"We only need to stop their first goal. If they score on their first attack, the gap will shrink to one goal, and their morale will receive a huge boost—"

At the same time, he raised one finger.

"But conversely, if we successfully stop their first attack, we'll gain a chance to counterattack. Their entire focus will be on offense, so they won't have the ability to fall back and defend. If we can score a third goal, the scales of victory will truly tip in our favor."

"Understood."

"Come on! Let's secure our second victory!"

A few minutes later, both teams returned to the field.

After adjusting their strategy, every player on Team Y wore a solemn yet intensely serious expression. They knew they had fallen into a desperate situation.

And the more desperate the situation, the more human potential could erupt.

Team Y's formation had changed. Oogawa Hibiki had returned to his own half.

"Oogawa, let's tear apart Team Z's defense together."

Niko Ikki said,

"Kira Ryosuke may possess powerful individual defensive ability, but his teammates may not. We'll focus on breaking through the few players who appear weakest defensively on Team Z."

"Mm."

Oogawa Hibiki nodded. The disappointment and dejection from losing to Kira Ryosuke earlier had mostly faded, replaced by determination.

They had no way back in this match.

"As expected, they've changed their formation..."

In the other half, Kunigami Rensuke carefully observed the opponents. Just as Kira Ryosuke had said, they seemed prepared to fight to the death.

"They're coming!"

As the second-half whistle blew, Team Y kicked off and charged straight toward Team Z's half.

They were two goals behind, so they had to fight for every minute that followed with all their strength.

All ten players except the goalkeeper charged toward the goal.

This was an incredibly sharp double-edged sword. If Team Y could score right at the beginning of the second half, they would still have a chance to come back from the dead.

But if their attack failed, Team Z would very likely find an opportunity to counterattack.

If they fell another goal behind, Team Y's hopes in this match would essentially be completely extinguished.

This attack could be said to be the key to deciding the outcome of the match!

At this moment, Niko Ikki was controlling the ball. His eyes swept over the entire field like a satellite, observing every movement of everyone present.

Kira Ryosuke is in the center. I have to avoid confronting him directly as much as possible!

Although Oogawa can't get past Kira Ryosuke directly, dealing with the others should still be easy for him!

I have to create a situation where Oogawa is matched up against someone else!

After thinking for a moment, Niko Ikki raised his hand and made a special gesture. He had designed several tactics specifically for Team Y, and these gestures were the signals used to communicate them!

When Oogawa Hibiki saw it, he immediately moved toward the wing and sprinted deep into the half at incredible speed.

Kira Ryosuke prepared to provide cover and block his path. But just then, three players appeared directly in front of him, cutting off his route. The three of them had the strongest builds on Team Y.

This was Niko Ikki's tactic: having the other players shield Oogawa Hibiki!

Even if Kira Ryosuke was a defender, they absolutely had to lock down his movements!

"Over to you, Oogawa!"

Niko Ikki kicked hard. The ball traced a perfect arc through the air before landing precisely at the feet of Oogawa Hibiki, who was cutting inward from the wing.

"Great pass!"

Oogawa Hibiki caught the ball steadily, then glanced toward the center. Kira Ryosuke had been blocked outside the defensive route by three players.

Although Kira Ryosuke would certainly be able to circle around them afterward, those few seconds were enough for Oogawa Hibiki to open up some distance.

With everyone participating in the attack, Team Y could commit more players to the offensive end.

Most of them weren't directly participating in the attack. Their purpose in coming into this half was simply to interfere with the defenders!

"Kira, I admit I can't get past you! But what about your teammates?"

Oogawa Hibiki shouted as if venting his anger.

"Stop him!"

Imamura Yuudai rushed directly in front of Oogawa Hibiki, but Oogawa Hibiki immediately sent the ball through his legs and passed him with ease.

Although Oogawa Hibiki had been stifled in front of Kira Ryosuke, that didn't mean he was weak.

In fact, among these four teams, Oogawa Hibiki's offensive ability could still be considered top-tier!

"What speed!"

Kunigami Rensuke and Naruhaya Asahi hurried over to cover.

Oogawa Hibiki tapped the ball with his right foot, shifting the two men's balance—then, in that instant, sharply pulled the ball back again!

Cruyff Turn!

Oogawa Hibiki got past the two of them effortlessly.

"Great job, Oogawa!"

A smile appeared on Niko Ikki's face. He had used his ability to observe the entire field to arrange this tactic.

He had some players block Kira Ryosuke, while sending others into predetermined positions in the opposing half. The purpose was to divide the defenders' attention and reduce the number of defenders Oogawa Hibiki might face.

Everything was under Niko Ikki's control.

"I'm the one who rules this field!"

A confident smile appeared on Niko Ikki's face as he clenched his right fist.

As long as this shot went in, the outcome of the match would become uncertain once more!

At that moment, only the goalkeeper, Iemon, stood between Oogawa Hibiki and the goal. Oogawa Hibiki had already lifted the ball, looking ready to shoot!

"Don't even think about shooting!"

Iemon had already rushed out, determined not to give Oogawa Hibiki any chance to shoot.

Iemon had barely moved, yet he was already drenched in sweat. Oogawa Hibiki's attack this time was genuinely threatening.

A deadly threat!