The Rise of the Iron Wall!-Chapter 32: Engaru High’s Game Changer?!

Kosuke Tatsuya was desperate here.

He had racked his brain so hard, yet the man still couldn’t find any solution to tear apart the great wall Hakodate Nishi erected on their own territory. Hell, even if his team had some great chances, the goalkeeper somehow turned into a prime Gianluigi Buffon, stopping all the threats from getting too dangerous for the home team.

It was as if the universe favored Hakodate Nishi to win this game.

’What a fucking coward! You think that a team that could only play ugly football like this has the right to represent Hokkaido?!’ He spat a curse inwardly, glaring at Hakodate Nishi’s girl on the other side of the pitch.

Unfortunately, that girl couldn’t even hear his thoughts or his curses, so no matter how harshly he grumbled, this didn’t bring anything other than wasting his time.

’No, something has to be changed right now.’ He muttered, glancing at the pitch where all of his players just hit the wall pitifully without being able to break it. ’Should I take a gamble now...’ His glance shifted sideways to the bench, especially to a sunny boy on the corner of the bench.

Honestly, he was reluctant to put the boy in because that boy was a wild card. The boy’s style didn’t mesh with the team’s current style. However, Kosuke Tatsuya couldn’t deny that the boy was a game-changer, especially in a situation like this.

After taking a glance at the watch on his wrist, as well as his players on the pitch who started to fall and breathe harder, Kosuke Tatsuya finally gnashed his teeth, going against everything he taught this team, and finally called the boy.

"Ideguchi, you come." He ordered shortly.

Not only the boy who was called, but all the players on the bench were also taken aback.

"What?! You don’t want to play?!" Kosuke Tatsuya’s face darkened.

"N—No, Sensei! I am in, I am in!" The boy called Ideguchi took off his jacket immediately, revealing the jersey with the number 10 on it.

"Listen, Boy." He grabbed Ideguchi’s shoulder and spoke quickly. "Right now, I will give you a free rein. You don’t need to participate in defense, and you can roam wherever you want."

"Really?!" This was the second surprise from the coach today, and honestly, Ideguchi felt like he was in a dreamland right now.

"Yes, yes, it is real." The coach’s tone was impatient. "However, I need you to tear the opponent’s defense apart. Use everything you have to destroy them, separate each one of them, and break that mighty wall in the next five minutes. Can you do that?"

For that, the boy smirked, sending a mock salute as he said, "Roger, Sir."

-0-

"Substitution for Engaru High! Number 10 will replace number 3!"

As the boy came in, the atmosphere on Hakodate Nishi’s side turned solemn. Not only was it because the opponent subbed an attacker for a defender, but the moment that boy came in, the captain ban shifted onto his arms immediately, which showed the status he had in the team.

"Damn, is he a secret weapon or what?" Makino couldn’t help but curse. He was on the verge of collapse already, and facing a fresh opponent who seemed dangerous like this, the boy didn’t know if he could survive or not.

Fortunately, Kumiko also worked fast. Before the game could be started again, Hakodate Nishi also made a substitution, the first one of the day.

"Substitution for Hakodate Nishi High! Number 21 will replace number 9!"

Right after that, Kuroki walked slowly, trying to waste as much time as possible before he could go off the pitch. Some of the opponent’s players complained, yet nothing could be done about that.

This was also a tactical change, replacing a tall striker with a fresh defensive midfielder to add another layer to the wall. The number 21, the boy named Kazawa, ran as quickly as possible before relaying the message from the coach.

"Keep eyes first on that number 10. If he proves to be slippery and dangerous, push him on the flank and foul him. We can still afford this."

The message spread immediately, and now, all of Hakodate Nishi’s defensive lines knew what they should do.

Unfortunately, that number 10 boy proved to be more difficult than they expected. After the game continued, the first thing Engaru High players did was to send the ball to that number 10, and as if he couldn’t wait any longer, the boy rushed immediately, catching Kazawa, who was marking him off guard.

"FUCK!" Kazawa cursed. Poor him, the first play after he came, the boy was forced to be the opponent’s stepping stone. "FUJI! COVER!"

Then, Fujinaga rushed, trying to slow him down. However, the boy shifted his body to the left for a millimeter, a very subtle feint that Fujinaga bit unconsciously. As a result, he shifted his weight back to the right, and in one sweep, the boy passed through the defensive midfielder’s defense easily.

"OH! NICE, IDEGUCHI!"

"COME ON!"

Engaru High’s bench turned into a frenzy as they saw their captain penetrating deeper into the opponent’s defense. Fujinaga scowled, trying to commit a professional foul by grabbing the boy from behind. Unfortunately, the boy’s speed was proven to be too fast, making it impossible for Fujinaga to catch.

"What the fuck?!" Makino cursed. "Jun, push him with your body! Don’t let him pass through you!"

He also shifted his position subtly to that side, so that he could provide support if the worst-case scenario happened. Inwardly, he thought, ’This is not an anime, and you are not a fucking Lionel Messi! Don’t think you can get through us all with just your individual skill!’

However, it seemed that number 10 also knew he couldn’t fight alone. With a quick one-two pass, he used his striker as a wall to get away from Jun’s marking, allowing him to enter the penalty box immediately.

Seeing that the danger was so close, Makino gritted his teeth, sending a dangerous tackle that would be an immediate red card if the timing was wrong. It was a desperate attempt, yet somehow, the opponent didn’t bulge.

That boy just used pure speed, poking the ball further before chasing it while also ignoring Makino’s tackle.

Just within twenty seconds, he had already gotten through four of Hakodate Nishi’s defenders, and now, he was about to face Higo directly in front of the goal.

Then... Before he could realize, his balance suddenly got shaken, and the next thing he knew, the boy felt the sky was flipping in his eyes. For that, he only had one appropriate response here, which was...

’Eh? What is going on?’

Before...

BAM!

He fell on the ground, quite violently.