Eclipse of the Eleven – Episode 7: The First Training & Match Announcement

Scene 1: The First Training Session Begins

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Titan Crushers' private training grounds. Hikaru stood in line with his teammates, his heart pounding as their coach, Daigo Takeda, paced in front of them. A former Japan National Team legend, Takeda had an intimidating presence—his sharp eyes scanned each player like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Listen up!" Takeda's voice was firm, commanding instant silence. "You're not here to play around. You've been selected for one reason—to become the best. But before that happens, I need to see what I'm working with."

He gestured to the assistant coaches, who stepped forward with tablets. "We'll begin with basic assessments—speed, stamina, dribbling control, passing precision, and shooting accuracy. Then, we'll move on to one-on-one duels and a short practice match. Let's see if any of you deserve to wear the Titan Crushers' crest!"

The players tensed. This wasn't just training—it was a test.

Scene 2: Skill Evaluations

The first test was speed. Players had to sprint 100 meters, with their times recorded digitally.

Hikaru took a deep breath before exploding forward the moment the whistle blew. His Fireball Jujitsu-style footwork allowed him to accelerate with rapid bursts, maintaining balance despite high speed. He clocked in at 10.89 seconds, placing him in the upper ranks.

Timmie Ogunride, however, stole the spotlight, clocking 10.61 seconds—his powerful strides making it look effortless.

Next was dribbling control. Cones were set up, and players had to weave through them at top speed. Hikaru flowed through the course, his low center of gravity and sharp turns making him stand out.

Then came passing precision. Each player had to strike moving targets. Hikaru landed 7 out of 10—decent, but not the best. Shunji Aizawa, a midfield specialist, landed 9 out of 10, proving his playmaking skills.

Lastly, shooting accuracy. Hikaru stepped up, locking onto the target as he channeled his Fireball Jujitsu technique. His strike sent the ball blazing into the net, surprising even the assistant coaches.

"That kid's shot… it's different," one murmured.

But once again, Timmie Ogunride dominated—his powerful strikes shaking the net with brute force.

Scene 3: One-on-One Battles

After individual tests, the players were paired for duels. Hikaru was matched against Riku Hayashi, his roommate and a defensive powerhouse.

The whistle blew.

Hikaru burst forward, using explosive footwork to bypass Riku's initial press. But Riku adapted, matching him with ironclad defensive positioning. Every time Hikaru tried to cut inside, Riku's body blocked his path.

"Tch…" Hikaru clicked his tongue.

With one last attempt, Hikaru performed a double-tap feint, shifting his weight at the last second. Riku flinched, and in that brief moment, Hikaru slipped past and curled a shot into the goal.

Timmie patted his back. "Not bad, man. But I'd love to see you try that against me."

Hikaru smirked. "I'm looking forward to it."

Scene 4: The First Match Announcement

As training ended, Coach Takeda gathered the team. His expression was unreadable.

"You trained hard today," he said. "But training means nothing if you can't perform in a match. That's why—your first official game has been scheduled."

The screen behind him flickered, revealing the opponent:

Titan Crushers vs. Obsidian Knights

The room tensed. The Obsidian Knights were a top-tier team, known for their brutal defensive strategies and counterattacks.

"Five days," Takeda continued. "That's all the time you have to prepare. If you're not ready by then, expect to get crushed. Dismissed!"

As the players left, Hikaru clenched his fists. Five days. That was all the time he had to prove himself.

The battle was about to begin.

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