The storm after the victory had nothing to do with the weather.
Disqualification Shock
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE DISQUALIFIED?!"
The words echoed through the Raimon locker room like a shockwave. Everyone froze as Natsumi calmly explained the reality: Coach Fuyukai was gone, and without a registered coach, Raimon couldn't compete in the tournament.
"This is your fault," Someoka snapped, fists clenched.
Sakuragi stood silently in the back corner, arms folded, eyes narrowed—not at Natsumi, but at the news itself.
No coach meant no team. No team meant no more matches.
That meant no more evolution.
And that was unacceptable.
Later That Day – Clubroom
The team had splintered into nervous chatter and murmurs of panic. Endou, as always, tried to rally them.
"We'll find a new coach! We've come this far, haven't we?"
"Yeah, but we can't just ask anyone," Shishido muttered.
"We're doomed," Kurimatsu added.
A heavy silence filled the room—until Kageno suddenly spoke up, voice low and eerie.
"...He knew about the notebook."
Everyone jumped.
That was when Gouenji stepped forward, eyes sharp.
"There's a guy who knew about Daisuke-san's techniques… the ramen shop owner, Hibiki Seigou."
Sakuragi looked up.
"...The guy with the burnt-orange apron?"
"Yeah," Endou grinned. "Let's go talk to him."
Rairaiken – That Evening
Sakuragi didn't share the others' excitement; he simply followed, hands in his pockets.
No coach, no matches.
He wasn't going to let all his work at the Inabikari Facility go to waste over technicalities.
Inside the shop, Hibiki Seigou barely looked at them.
When Endou asked if he would coach them, the old man didn't even blink.
"Not interested."
Domon mentioned Daisuke, and Endou brought up the secret notebook, but nothing moved Hibiki.
"Being legendary," Hibiki said darkly, "only brings disaster."
"Then let us decide whether it's worth that risk," Sakuragi said for the first time.
The team turned toward him.
Hibiki didn't.
Then, gruffly, he said, "Then you'd better pay for that opinion. You eat, or you leave."
Endou checked his pockets.
"...I left my wallet in the clubroom."
In an instant, they were outside, the door slamming behind them.
"...That broth smelled really good, though," Sakuragi mumbled under his breath.
That Night – Outside Rairaiken
Inside, Detective Onigawara sat at the counter, sipping his noodles.
"You really gonna let them go, Hibiki?" he asked, setting his bowl down. "That boy—Endou—he used God Hand. Just like Daisuke once did."
Hibiki didn't respond. He stared at the door, a shadow flickering behind his eyes.
Elsewhere – Natsumi's Laptop
Natsumi furiously typed through old databases, searching for any remaining members of the original Inazuma Eleven. Nothing.
All the data had been wiped.
Someone didn't want the past to be remembered.
Raimon Field – Next Morning
The team was back to practice, but it wasn't the same.
Kabeyama stood still, arms limp at his sides.
"What's the point?" he mumbled. "We can't even play…"
Endou ran up and clapped him on the shoulder.
"We'll find one, Kabeyama! Don't give up!"
Kabeyama immediately hugged him tightly.
"Endou-kun…"
"Okay—let go! Too tight!!"
Sakuragi sat on the bleachers, tying his boots. He didn't say anything but watched closely.
This was Endou's strength—not skill, but spirit.
And that mattered too.
A gust of wind, a swirl of silence.
Kidou stood just outside the goalpost.
Everyone tensed.
"You here to mock us?" Kurimatsu said bitterly.
Kidou shook his head.
"No. I came to apologize."
The team blinked.
"For everything. The coach, Domon… Teikoku's victories aren't real. We only win because we're ordered to. You all win with your own strength. And I…"
He paused.
"...I envy that."
Endou grinned and stepped forward.
"Then practice with us."
Kidou shook his head.
"Not yet. But maybe… soon."
As he left, Sakuragi murmured, "He looks like someone trying to choose who he wants to be."
That Night – Rairaiken
The restaurant was nearly empty when the door opened.
Kageyama stepped inside, hands behind his back, a polite smile on his face.
"You've been busy, Hibiki."
The old man didn't look up from his pot.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Kageyama."
"I just came to remind you," Kageyama said, taking a seat at the counter, "Teikoku's strength is absolute. There's no team left that can stand against us."
"Is that so?" Hibiki muttered, voice dry.
Kageyama's smile didn't waver.
"Raimon's little spark? It'll burn out soon. They have no coach. No structure. Just Endou's stubbornness."
Hibiki stirred the broth, eyes unreadable.
"I thought you hated arrogance," he said quietly.
Kageyama didn't answer. His phone buzzed.
He answered.
"Yes?"
"...I see."
"Send the car. I'm coming now."
He stood and looked back at Hibiki before departing.
"Take care of yourself, old friend. Your time has long passed."
And then he was gone.
Kidou Mansion – That Same Night
Kidou sat alone in his ornate room, flipping slowly through a football magazine, not truly reading.
His thoughts were a storm.
"Who am I really?" he whispered. "A player? A pawn?"
The door opened. Kageyama entered.
"I just spoke with your father. He's concerned about you."
Kidou didn't respond. Kageyama stepped closer.
"Ever since you were six, I knew it. You were perfect," he said softly. "That's why I recommended you to the Kidou Financial Group. That's why I molded you."
"Is that all I am? Your project?" Kidou asked, voice brittle.
"You're my vision made real. That's why you'll win. Because you're not like those other players who cling to hope or dreams."
Kageyama reached for the magazine in Kidou's hands.
Kidou pulled it back sharply.
Their eyes met.
"Soccer isn't just about winning," Kidou muttered.
Kageyama turned to leave but paused at the door.
"Don't forget who you are, Kidou. You're the future of this game."
Next Morning – Raimon Field
Time was running out.
Two days until the match against Teikoku.
Endou stood near the goalpost, fists clenched. The others trained quietly, but focus was lacking.
Sakuragi passed silently, juggling the ball to himself.
"Still no coach?" he asked.
Endou nodded.
"…Then I'll just train harder," Sakuragi muttered and walked off.
Natsumi arrived a few minutes later, urgency written across her face.
"Endou-kun. There's someone you should meet."
Onigawara's Introduction
In a quiet side street, Endou met a towering man in a trench coat.
"Detective Onigawara," he said, adjusting his glasses. "I've been watching your team. Especially you."
Endou blinked.
"Thanks?"
"I saw you use God Hand against Teikoku. It reminded me of the old days."
"...Old days?" Endou asked.
Onigawara nodded.
"I was a fan of the original Inazuma Eleven. Your grandfather's team. But after a tragedy forty years ago… they all stopped playing."
Endou's eyes widened.
"What happened?"
"No one knows exactly. But Hibiki… he was their goalkeeper. And your grandfather's pupil."
"Hibiki-san?" Endou repeated.
Onigawara looked him in the eye.
"You want a coach? You'll need more than talent. You'll need heart. Go to him. Make him see what you believe in."
Endou nodded sharply.
"Thank you!"
And he ran.
Rairaiken – Challenge
Endou burst through the doors of the ramen shop, panting.
Hibiki looked up, mildly annoyed.
"Didn't I already tell you—"
"Please!" Endou interrupted. "If I can stop three of your shots, you'll become our coach!"
The restaurant fell silent.
Hibiki raised an eyebrow.
"…You sure about that?"
Endou nodded.
"I have to try. For my team. For Raimon."
Training Field – Later That Day
Hibiki stood in front of the goal, old but still sharp. Endou prepared himself.
The first shot—fast, low.
He dove, blocking it.
The second—high, curving.
He barely caught it with one hand.
The final shot—direct, powerful.
Endou grit his teeth.
"GOD HAND!"
The shot stopped, shaking the goalpost.
Silence.
"…You've still got a long way to go," Hibiki muttered.
Endou looked up.
"…But I'll coach you."
From a distance, the team erupted in cheers.
Sakuragi watched quietly, a smile creeping onto his lips.
"Maybe this team has a chance after all."