Chapter 508: Can we start the real game?


    ?


    Carlos held the ball in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the yers as he dered, "The one who gets the ball after it bounces starts the game. Got it?"


    Hiro, representing his side, nodded confidently. But the burly man with a tattooed arm, who stood as the opposition''s leader, smirked arrogantly. He said something in a condescending tone, though Hiro couldn''t understand his exact words. It was clear, however, that the man was taunting him, perhaps saying something like, "Go ahead, take the ball."


    Hiro wasn''t fazed by the man''s arrogance. If his opponent were willing to give up the opportunity, Hiro would dly take it.


    Carlos then tossed the ball high into the air.


    As the ball ascended, the burly man casually stepped back, as if to make way for Hiro. The crowd''s cheers grew louder, almost as if they were in on some joke. Grins spread across their faces, dripping with mockery.


    But Hiro remained unbothered by their derision. He was focused on the opportunity at hand, grateful for the chance to take the ball. With a nod of appreciation, he stepped forward, epting the opposing side''s "generosity."


    The burly man and his teammates watched with smug smiles as Hiro moved into position. To them, he wasn''t even a threat-so much so that they didn''t even bother to position themselves defensively.


    ''If you''re all being so courteous,'' Hiro thought, a glint of determination in his eyes, ''then it''s only fair I return the favor.''


    In a sh, Hiro unleashed a thunderous volley, sending the ball rocketing toward the opposing goal.


    The change in the opposition''s expressions was immediate theirplexion pale, smirks wiped clean, reced by wide-eyed shock. They couldn''t even bring themselves to react.


    At the same time, a stunned silence fell upon the venue.


    The haughty opposing keeper who until a moment ago was taking Hiro lightly hadn''t even prepared himself. Against Hiro''s quick onught, he was rendered helpless- reduced to a mere spectator to Hiro''s impressive volley.


    Let alone expecting such an impressive shot from the half line, he hadn''t even expected him to strike so early in the game.


    At most, he had thought that he''d pass the ball to y it safe.


    But who would have expected that he''d unleash such a formidable shot so early in the match?


    Fortunately, it missed the post by a hair''s breadth.


    The ball hit the pole and bounced right into his arms, leaving him utterly stunned and relieved simultaneously.


    But it became clear to him that he couldn''t underestimate the opposing side any further. Who knows if others are even more threatening than him?


    Just from a single strike, it became clear to everybody present at the venue that they couldn''t be underestimated. Who in their right mind would underestimate such a formidable opponent after such an unfathomable disy of might?


    But when they noticed with his head bowed down, it became even more crystal clear to the people present on the field that they couldn''t be underestimated.


    "Now that I have returned the favor for your courtesy, shall we begin the real match?" Hiro said politely as he stood in a respectful position.


    The burly man looked in the direction of Carlos as if he were asking him to interpret his words.


    Carlos who had a wide grin on his face, proudly interpreted his words to him, "He said that he has returned the favor for your courtesy and he wants you to y the match seriously."


    Upon hearing the interpretation they couldn''t help but look at Hiro with a mixture of shock, awe, fear, and rage. How were they supposed to react?


    What was he trying to say?


    Was he trying to say that he purposely missed the shot?


    They also couldn''t help but feel slightly skeptical of his ims. But it didn''t matter if he was unting or not. The shot he had disyed was enough to prove his skills.


    Their arrogance had almost cost them.


    Now, they could no longer afford to act arrogant. They had learned their lesson.


    So, at once as they realized the threat level of the opposing team their expression turned serious. A moment of carelessness might cost them greatly.


    Before they had thought of this as an easy opportunity to earn some big bucks.


    But now their perception hadpletely altered.


    It was clear to them that if they wanted to win this match then they''d need to go all out.


    Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the burly man shouted, "Everyone, go all out. Don''t hold back. I''ll kill anyone if they don''t y seriously."


    A strange glint shed past their eyes as they nodded in agreement.


    After learning about the level of Hiro and his teammates, the perception of the crowd changed as well. Many people started to bet on them. At the same time, many people became interested in the match.


    Previously, it had failed to excite many of the people present there. They had only thought of it as some kind of exhibition match. And most had already predicted the loss of the other side. If not for Hiro''s action who knows if they''d still be thinking of them as the same? Then Hiro turned to face his teammates as he announced determinedly, "Everyone, prepare yourselves. The real match begins now."


    "Showoff!" Tatsuki scoffed jokingly.


    Naoto revealed a helpless sigh as he figured out Hiro''s intention, "Sigh! What a pain in the ass! Now, it doesn''t seem like I''ll have afortable time."


    "Hahaha..., it''s so like him," Kenji said with a smile on his face. It almost seemed like he was enjoying the show.


    The opposing keeper then tossed the ball to his teammate to resume the game.


    ying quick short passes, the opposing yers moved the ball.


    There wasn''t much space to y long balls. So, short passes were the only effective option.


    Due to thepact size of the pitch, it was easier for the retaining side to lose possession of the ball if they weren''t careful enough. So ball control yed an important role. If a yer wasn''t good with ball retention then it would hamper the entire team negatively.


    Fortunately enough Brazilian yers who had grown up ying on suchpact pitches didn''t have any issues with ying here.


    But for Hiro''s side who were mostly used to ying in full-size pitch, it was rather difficult for them to operate. And their weakness quickly became evident as they struggled to adapt to


    the pitch.


    Tatsuki who often relied on his explosive eleration found it quite difficult to operate.


    But Hiro who excelled inpact dribbling didn''t find it that difficult to y.