Rise Inazuma Eleven

Inside the Raimon soccer club room.

"So the curse from Okaruto Academy is real?" Kageyama asked nervously, clearly shaken by our opponents' strange ability.

"Not necessarily. The first time they used that move, I managed to block it — which means it's not unbeatable." I answered Kageyama's question, trying to reassure the team.

"But Captain... the second time, the curse affected you too." Kurimatsu replied with a trembling voice.

"That's true, but we expected something like that. It's our first time facing this team, and we still don't have enough information about their 'curse'. So it's natural that we're at a disadvantage right now."

"But overall, the first half went better than expected. Not only did we score two goals, but we also gathered important data." I gestured to Aki, who gave a silent nod.

Aki stepped forward alongside Haruna.

"During the match, we analyzed the entire situation and noticed several inconsistencies in the behavior of the opposing team. Okaruto Academy's 'curse' seems to affect more than just the players on the field. And based on this analysis, we reached a conclusion." Aki explained confidently.

"The most likely hypothesis is that it's not a curse... but a form of hypnosis used by Okaruto Academy." Haruna added seriously.

"They put their opponents into a hypnotic trance not only through the coach's repeated chant, but also with the players' movements on the field. Their goalkeeper, for instance, uses specific hand gestures that throw off the power and accuracy of shots — that's why Someoka's Dragon Crash failed." Haruna concluded.

During our strategy meetings, we had considered many possibilities for the 'curse'. Since players need to stay focused on the game, I asked Aki and Haruna to investigate the origin of Okaruto's Hissatsu technique. Thanks to that, we got valuable support.

"Now that we know the true nature of Okaruto's power, it'll be easier to fight back. Someoka, Gouenji, I'm counting on you to find a way to break their hypnosis." I said, turning to them.

Breaking out of hypnosis isn't simple. Normally, closing your eyes would be enough, but Okaruto uses a dual form of hypnosis — visual, through movement, and auditory, through the coach's chant — making the effect much more intense.

Unfortunately, neither Gouenji nor Someoka could think of a way to score without being affected by the technique at that moment.

Our only current defense against hypnosis would be to avoid direct eye contact with the opponents — something that would severely hinder our play.

That's why we knew we'd likely start the second half at a disadvantage. What we didn't expect... was for Someoka to surprise us.

----------------------------------------

"Hey, Gouenji." Someoka called out to the white-haired boy.

"Did you think of something, Someoka?" Gouenji asked, curious about his teammate's serious tone.

"You know... ever since the soccer club was created, Endou has been carrying everything on his own. I've never truly been able to help him the way he needed." Someoka looked at the ground for a moment before continuing.

"The only way I can help Endou now is by scoring a goal. As painful as it may be, the team's victory is more important than my pride. So, if we can't break the hypnosis by our own will, then the only path I see... is brute force. And right now, there's only one way to score that goal."

"Let's team up, Gouenji." Someoka declared with conviction.

"What are you planning, Someoka?" Gouenji didn't quite understand, so he asked directly. "That... could work. Let's do it, Someoka. I'll go with you." After hearing the plan, Gouenji's eyes lit up.

----------------------------------------

To start the second half, we had possession of the ball.

After kickoff, Gouenji passed the ball back to Handa. We relied on quick passes as a way to avoid eye contact with our opponents.

However, Okaruto Academy kept up the pressure, and their coach continued chanting, trying to affect us again.

Fortunately, things were still under control.

"Pass the ball." Someoka, who was unmarked, called out loudly. Kazemaru didn't hesitate and launched a long pass in his direction.

Okaruto didn't even bother to mark Someoka, as if they already knew the outcome — fully confident in their methods.

Someoka ran through the opposing defense and, upon finding an opening, activated his Hissatsu. "Dragon Crash!"

The familiar blue dragon appeared once again — but to everyone's surprise, the ball didn't go toward the goal. It went up.

Gouenji, taking advantage of the gap in defense, sprinted and leapt toward the ball. Someoka hadn't used Dragon Crash as a shot — but as a pass.

"Fire Tornado!"

The fusion of Dragon Crash and Fire Tornado gave birth to a blazing red dragon that charged straight at the goal.

The goalkeeper had no chance to use his own Hissatsu.

"Go... GOAL FOR RAIMON!"

Incredible... that was a combination Hissatsu. I didn't think something like that was even possible.

Someoka and Gouenji scored using sheer brute strength. By using a dual Hissatsu, they managed to cancel out the visual hypnosis, and even though the auditory hypnosis weakened their balance, the power of their shot was enough to overpower the goalkeeper.

Overcome with excitement, I ran forward with my teammates.

Raimon 3 - 1 Okaruto

"Great job, Someoka, Gouenji. You've discovered an amazing method." I wrapped my arms around both of them.

"That was Someoka's idea. I just played my part." Gouenji smiled, giving the credit to his partner.

Someoka accepted the praise without denying it. He's straightforward like that.

"Endou, you can rely on your team from now on. No matter how many goals we concede, we'll score twice as many. You don't need to carry the weight of this team alone anymore." Someoka pointed his thumb to his chest, showing he was ready to help.

My heart warmed at his words. I couldn't help but remember my grandfather's book — so many of his teachings were starting to make sense now.

"Haha, then I'll be counting on you guys from now on. But don't underestimate me — I'm not someone you can surpass so easily." I playfully punched their shoulders before heading back to my position.

"It doesn't matter if they scored a goal. They're still under our Ghost Lock. We'll tie this game!" Okaruto's coach didn't lose confidence. With just a two-goal difference, they still believed in a comeback.

"Ghost Lock!" After the restart, Okaruto charged toward our goal without hesitation.

"Well, as team captain, I should contribute too." I smiled calmly.

Since we already had a solution for visual hypnosis, that only left the auditory one.

And there was one obvious way to break that.

I gathered energy in both hands, which glowed bright golden-orange. "Let's go, everyone!" I clapped my hands together with full force.

A thunderous sound echoed across the field, breaking the coach's chant.

The drowsiness we had been feeling vanished instantly.

With our defense back to normal, we managed to stop their attack.

Unfortunately, their dribbling skills were still superior, allowing them to reach a strong shooting position.

"Phantom Shoot!"

Now fully mobile again, I responded with even more force. "Heavenly Hand!"

With the hypnosis broken, the outcome of the match was now clear.

"Game over! Victory for Raimon Junior High!"

Raimon 5 - 1 Okaruto

By the end of the match, we scored two more goals thanks to Someoka and Gouenji's efforts.

Since the combination technique was still new, it wasn't perfect — they made a few mistakes. But overall, the result was incredible.

The fusion of Dragon Crash and Fire Tornado opened up so many new possibilities in my mind.

Megane, who was on the bench, didn't waste any time naming the new technique: Dragon Tornado.

Still on the field, I went around and congratulated all my teammates.

"Today we learned something important. If one person can't do something alone, by joining forces, they can. Right?" I said to the team with a smile. It was a valuable lesson — and I feel something different in this new life... something I never felt in the last one.

"Hmph. I'm not giving up on becoming the team's top striker." Someoka muttered, making everyone laugh.

A voice called out to us suddenly.

"Looks like you guys won pretty easily, huh?" Natsumi-chan watched us with a smile — she even seemed a little... proud?

"Looks like we won this match, Natsumi-chan. So, we're really curious to know what that mysterious reward is." I asked playfully — after all, we did win.

"You're always so impatient, Endou-kun." Natsumi sighed, but she was clearly in a good mood too.

"As a reward for winning this match, your team is officially allowed to participate in the Football Frontier." She didn't hold back the surprise and dropped the news on us.

"WHAT?!?!?!"

My eyes lit up at the announcement. Football Frontier = many strong teams = lots of new Hissatsu.

Yes. This is an incredible reward.