Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

"Yes, Coach!" replied Lucas, getting up from the stretcher.

Mr. Yamamoto smiled. He, more than most, knew how much Lucas had struggled to improve to get to this moment. He was an honest boy who worked hard for the team, and the coach also knew that soccer was the center of this boy’s world.

Lucas raised his head, meeting Yamamoto’s steady gaze. The coach was a man of few words, but his face, although serious, showed a hint of hope. He, more than anyone, knew how hard Lucas had fought to reach this moment. The coach also knew that, despite everything, soccer was the center of the boy’s world.

As he got to his feet, Lucas felt a slight strain in his ankle, but it was nowhere near the stabbing pain of before. The combined effect of the healing items had done an excellent job. He tested the weight on his foot, first slowly, then a little more boldly, trying to bend his ankle from side to side. Nothing. No pain. No discomfort.

Yamamoto needed to make sure that Lucas was really all right, that the boy wasn’t just pretending to get back on the pitch.

"Take a few steps," ordered the coach.

Lucas nodded and walked towards Yamamoto. His gait was firm, his weight evenly distributed between both feet. The pain seemed to have disappeared completely. After a few steps, he stopped and looked at Yamamoto.

"I’m ready."

The coach took a deep breath while his eyes were evaluating Lucas’ every move. He was impressed by the quick recovery, but something in the back of his mind warned him to be cautious. However, Yamamoto knew that players like Lucas, young men full of ambition, needed these decisive moments to grow.

"Okay, Lucas. You come back." The coach finally gave in, but added: "But if I realize you can’t take it, I’ll take you off. No discussion."

"Thanks, Coach." Lucas replied.

Nishida, who had returned to the field shortly before, took a quick glance at the bench and, when he saw that Lucas was getting up, raised his fist in encouragement.

When Lucas’ return was authorized, our No. 8 started walking towards the center of the pitch. As he crossed the sideline, he realized that his teammates’ eyes were on him.

The stadium, small and with limited capacity, was packed. He looked around, recognizing the familiar faces among the fans, some of whom had been there from the first.

The murmuring in the stands grew, and soon a wave of applause echoed, showing that the local fans, not just the ones who were enjoying Wushia High School, were backing the boy who had already shown his quality with two goals in this game.

On the pitch, the opposing players looked on suspiciously. They knew Lucas was a danger, and even with his injured ankle, he still posed a threat to the defense.

The referee blew the whistle, and the game resumed.

Lucas looked at Nishida, who was already positioned further forward as a center-forward, and received a firm nod. They had a trusting connection, and Lucas knew that Nishida would help him get forward by pulling the ball back.

As the ball rolled from foot to foot, Lucas walked around the pitch, watching, as if he were starting again, testing the limits of his body.

If Gekokujou High School had been in trouble before, now they were at a complete disadvantage. With a player sent off for a childish foul and two goals behind, it was a mere formality for Wushia High School to win.

The ball passed through the feet of Tsukada, then Kenji, and Lucas already knew what was coming next. He had played long enough with these teammates to recognize the little signs.

Lucas ran, and the pass came, a quick ball, cutting through the middle, piercing the defense. Lucas shot up the pitch.

The field opened up in front of him, and the Gekokujou High School defense was slow to react. Their defenders, disoriented by the change of pace, hesitated for a fraction of a second - just long enough for Lucas to get through.

With his gaze fixed on the goal, he knew that this was the moment.

Nishida, who was usually the center forward, pulled two defenders into the middle of the box when he started running for the ball, and this created a lot of space on the edge of the box.

The opposing goalkeeper’s vision was obstructed with so many people in front of him. By the time he realized that the ball was no longer at Lucas’ feet, it was too late.

Lucas’ shot was simply beautiful. Kicked with the tip of his right foot, the ball rose and curved to the left of the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

For a moment, it seemed as if time had stopped. Both the Wushia High School and Gekokujou fans were speechless.

Lucas had scored the hat-trick.

He stopped, panting, his eyes shining. For a moment, he was alone in that silence. It was as if the world was holding its breath, waiting to see what would come next. Sweat dripped down his forehead and his breathing was heavy, but Lucas felt an inexplicable lightness. The weight of expectations, of his past, of uncertainties... He felt that his dream was within reach for the first time.

Suddenly, an explosion of sounds came from all sides.

His companions ran towards him. Nishida was the first to arrive, pulling Lucas into a hug that almost knocked him over. Soon, the rest of the team joined in, shouting, celebrating with euphoria. Lucas’ smile was wide and bright. They knew what it meant to him.

"You’re a monster, Tanaka!!!" shouted Nishida, laughing as he pulled him to the center of the pitch.

"I knew you’d make history today!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

While the Wushia High School team was celebrating, the Gekokujou team was stagnating. The defenders stared at each other in disbelief, the goalkeeper bowed his head, hands on his knees, trying to understand how they had let Lucas get past them so easily, so decisively.

But what Lucas didn’t expect was the reaction of the opposing fans.

For a few seconds, yes, the stadium fell into an awkward silence. The Gekokujou fans fell silent. But slowly, a solitary clap began. Then another. And soon, the entire Gekokujou section was on its feet, applauding Lucas.

He stopped, confused at first, until he realized what was happening. This wasn’t just a victory for him and the team. This was recognition. The applause grew, reverberating throughout the stadium, crossing the boundaries between the fans.

Lucas turned to the crowd, still a little stunned. He had never imagined that one day he would be applauded by the opposing fans. It was surreal, something you only saw on television. And then he raised his arm, acknowledging the respect he was receiving.

The feeling was indescribable.