Striker Genesis: E.O.S (Evolution of Strikers)

The whistle pierced the air, and the game resumed.

Team Omega was down, but their eyes burned with rage and resolve. Shohei Kuroda took possession immediately, his movement sharp and precise. Beside him, Aikawa and Yajima closed into formation — the dangerous triangle was back in motion.

Renji Kurogami's heart pounded, his eyes wide, his vision clearer than ever. He could see it — the shifting of players, the space opening and closing like a living thing. His newly awakened spatial awareness was sharpening by the second.

But his instincts screamed for more.

"Stay tight!" Kaede Arata barked, tracking Yajima's run.

Kuroda flicked the ball to Aikawa — a perfect one-touch pass.

But before Aikawa could turn, Sora Amagi struck. He dashed in, his Phantom Step giving him a sudden burst of speed and unpredictability. His foot darted in, stealing the ball cleanly.

"Nice one, Sora!" Riku Saionji called out from the right wing.

Sora didn't answer. His focus was absolute. He sprinted down the field, but Omega's defense was already closing in.

Renji surged forward. "Here! Give it to me!"

But Sora ignored him — the fire in his eyes blazing. He wanted the goal. He needed it.

Sora cut inside, his Phantom Step making his movement hard to read. He danced past one defender — then two — and lined up the shot.

He struck — a powerful, curling shot toward the top corner.

But the Omega keeper reacted fast, leaping high and tipping it just wide of the post.

"Damn it!" Sora hissed.

The hunger spread through Team Zeta like wildfire. Everyone wanted to devour. Everyone wanted to score.

The corner kick was taken short. Kaede controlled it and tried to launch a long-distance strike — blocked. Riku followed up with a volley — saved.

Every player's ego burned.

But Renji… his vision went beyond just the ball. He saw everything.

And it was driving him mad.

Kuroda intercepted the next pass and launched a lightning-fast counterattack. Omega's top three players surged forward, their rhythm unstoppable.

Yajima feinted left — Kaede bit on it — and Aikawa was already pushing right.

"Jin!" Riku screamed.

Jin Kazama stood his ground in goal, his eyes tracking the ball. But Omega's coordination was too perfect — their unpredictability too sharp.

Yajima sent a Reverse Pass into the box — Aikawa lunged — and struck.

The shot rocketed toward the bottom corner.

Jin dove — his hand brushing the ball — but it slipped past him and into the net.

Goal.

Zeta 4 – Omega 3

The tension skyrocketed. The match was turning into a bloodbath.

Renji stood still at the center line, his mind racing. This wasn't enough. This still wasn't enough.

He needed more.

The game restarted. Kaede took possession — but Renji was already moving.

"Give it to me." His voice was low, commanding.

Kaede hesitated. "Renji—"

"I said give it to me!"

Kaede's ego flared, but Renji's presence was suffocating. He passed.

Renji took off — faster than before. The field unfolded in his mind like a map. He saw the defense shifting, saw the perfect line cutting through them.

And then —

He copied Sora's Phantom Step.

But he modified it.

His movement became sharper, more unpredictable — his cuts quicker, his acceleration even more violent. He slipped through two defenders like they weren't even there.

Omega's center-back rushed him — and Renji spun. A Marseille Turn — fluid and deadly — leaving the defender frozen.

He was through on goal.

The keeper charged forward — but Renji's eyes burned with hunger.

He struck — but not for power.

It was a Chip Shot — delicate and perfectly timed. The ball soared over the keeper's reach and kissed the back of the net.

Goal.

Zeta 5 – Omega 3

The stadium fell silent.

Renji stood there, breathing heavily. The fire inside him was only getting stronger.

And his teammates? They were watching him with a mixture of awe and fear.

He was evolving.

Faster than any of them.

But how far would he go?

The game wasn't over yet. And the hunger was still growing.

To be continued…