[Stadium – Final Minutes of the Match: Phantom Force vs Yellow Storm]
A sudden silence falls over the stadium.
BOOM!
A massive explosion of crimson flames erupts from the ground near midfield. The temperature spikes. The grass scorches in a perfect circle. Everyone stops.
Jim (wide-eyed):
"This… this isn't good for us at all."
Commentator (shouting):
"W-Who is this guy?! That silent player—he's on fire! LITERALLY!"
The cameras zoom in.
Minato stands at the center of the smoke, a flickering Phoenix-shaped flame rising behind him—eyes glowing red, hair blowing with energy. His aura warps the air.
[Phantom Force Dugout]
Coach Tenjo grabs the railing, his eyes trembling.
Tenjo (softly, to himself):
"That aura… it's exactly like Jim's. No… It's more refined. More controlled."
"This match… it's no longer Phantom Force vs Yellow Storm."
"…It's Jim vs Minato."
Goosebumps spread down his arms.
[Yellow Storm Kickoff – Final Play Begins]
The goalkeeper hurls the ball toward midfield.
Zyro catches it with his chest and wastes no time—
A slick pass to Minato.
The moment the ball touches his foot— it ignites again.
Minato charges forward.
He winds up for a long-range Phoenix Shot.
But—
💨 Jim appears out of nowhere, intercepting the ball mid-run.
Commentator:
"It's happening!! Jim vs Minato—two unknowns who were once ignored by their own teams… now taking center stage!"
[Midfield – Clash of Titans]
Minato twists his foot—tries to pass.
Jim mirrors him step-for-step.
Every move. Every fake. Every spin.
Matched.
Minato growls:
"Tch… you again."
With a leap, Minato jumps into the air with the ball, aiming to shoot over Jim's head.
Jim leaps too.
They meet in midair.
Both swing at the ball—BAM!
The ball gets stuck between their cleats. Sparks fly. A shockwave bursts out.
Their eyes lock.
Jim:
"I'm not backing down."
Minato:
"Neither am I."
Suddenly—
Both descend, still fighting for the ball, feet tangled.
They hit the ground—
Sprinting again.
One red flash.
One green flash.
They blaze across midfield like twin comets.
Commentator:
"LOOK AT THAT SPEED! I swear, my heart is racing at the speed of light!!"
[Final Jump – One Last Shot]
The ball launches upward again.
Both players jump—one last time.
Minato's fingertips reach… but he misses by a few millimeters.
Jim connects.
In midair, he flips—
BICYCLE KICK!
FWOOOOOSH!
The ball turns into a green flash, screaming through the air like a bullet.
Behind it—Ravyn, Jim's sprite, surges forward, sprinting across the sky like a ghost.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAL!
The net rips.
The stadium goes silent—then explodes.
Commentator:
"UNBELIEVABLE!! JIM SCORES IN THE LAST SECOND! PHANTOM FORCE… ARE HEADING TO THE SEMIFINALS!!"
[Post-Goal Celebration – Phantom Force Bench]
Volt leaps onto the field, screaming like a maniac.
Volt:
"JIIIIIIIIIM!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, MY BROTHER?!"
Jim (dizzy, breathing hard):
"I… I don't even know."
Alex (calmly walking over):
"Congrats, Jim."
Volt:
"Just congrats?! Come on! He deserves a treat! Steak! Ice cream! A motorcycle!"
Alex punches Volt's head lightly.
Alex:
"Shut up, idiot."
[Other Side – Yellow Storm Bench]
Minato stands frozen, tears in his eyes.
Zyro walks over, clapping slowly.
Zyro (gently):
"You gave your 200%. But they deserved the win more than us today."
Minato nods. He wipes his eyes and walks over to Jim.
They shake hands.
Minato (softly):
"…Next time, we'll beat you."
Jim (grinning):
"I'm counting on it."
The two rivals look at each other—flame and lightning, destined to clash again.