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

The whistle blew again. The game restarted, but the atmosphere had changed. Team Omega's desperation sharpened, and Team Zeta's hunger threatened to tear them apart from within.

Renji Kurogami stood at the center, his breath steady, but his mind was racing. The field wasn't just a battleground — it was a canvas, and he could see every stroke, every gap, every opportunity. His newly honed spatial awareness was evolving with each passing second, and his Copycat ability was becoming sharper.

But the others weren't blind.

"Renji…" Kaede Arata's voice was low and tight. "You're not the only one on this team."

Renji's eyes flicked to him. "Then prove it."

The words stung. Kaede clenched his fists, but the game didn't wait.

Omega attacked.

Shohei Kuroda and Makoto Yajima led the charge, their chemistry flawless. They moved like parts of a machine — sharp, calculated, and deadly. Yajima played a quick one-two with Kuroda, but before the ball could reach him again —

Riku Saionji intercepted.

"Finally," Riku muttered. He burst forward, his dribbling tight and controlled. But Omega's defense collapsed on him fast.

"Over here!" Sora Amagi called, cutting into open space.

But Riku didn't pass. His ego flared — his need to prove himself too strong. He went for the drive — only for Aikawa to snatch the ball away in an instant.

"Damn it!" Riku hissed.

Omega countered with brutal speed. The top three players rushed forward, their synchronized movement nearly unstoppable.

"Jin!" Haruto Inoue shouted.

In goal, Jin Kazama stood ready, his eyes locked on the incoming attack.

Yajima made the first move, cutting inside. Kuroda flicked the ball toward him — but it was a feint. The ball shifted to Aikawa on the wing.

Aikawa's cross flew into the box, and Kuroda rose for the header —

Jin reacted fast. He dove — and punched the ball away with his fingertips.

But it wasn't over. The rebound fell to Yajima — who struck instantly.

Jin scrambled —

But the ball sailed just wide of the post.

"Get it together!" Kaede barked, frustration clear. "We're falling apart!"

Renji's eyes stayed locked on the field, but his teeth clenched. They were too scattered — too focused on their individual goals. This wasn't a team. It was a pack of wolves, each trying to devour the other.

And it was only getting worse.

The next play, Sora Amagi got the ball — and refused to pass. He danced through two defenders with his Phantom Step, his speed and agility dazzling. But when he went for the shot —

Blocked.

Kaede followed up, but his long-range strike flew wide.

Riku tried next, cutting through the left wing — but Omega's defense overwhelmed him.

Every player on Zeta wanted to prove themselves. And it was tearing them apart.

Renji watched it all — the chaos, the desperation — and his patience snapped.

"Enough!" he roared. His voice cut through the noise like a blade.

Everyone froze.

"You want to devour each other?" Renji's eyes burned. "Then do it right. Use each other. Push each other higher — or get left behind."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then the whistle blew again.

Zeta's ball.

Kaede took possession — and for the first time, he passed. A quick, sharp ball to Renji.

Renji didn't keep it. He flicked it right to Riku, who surged forward — and when Omega's defense closed in, Riku sent it wide to Sora.

The movement was cleaner — faster.

Sora danced through one defender — and this time, when he reached the box, he didn't take the shot. He crossed.

Renji was already there.

He rose — his body twisting mid-air — and struck with a perfect Bicycle Kick.

The ball slammed into the back of the net.

Goal.

Zeta 6 – Omega 3

The field erupted in sound — but the tension wasn't over.

Renji stood slowly, his eyes locking on Kaede's.

"That's how we devour," Renji said, his voice low and dangerous.

But the fire in Kaede's eyes only grew brighter.

The match wasn't over yet. And the real battle was just beginning.

To be continued…