Chapter 612: Presence of Ace

Hiro’s impressive form continued and Kawasaki comfortably sailed to the top of the league, leaving their opposition behind.

However, the season came to an abrupt halt due to the approaching World Cup. The league wanted the players to train. So, they stopped the league activities until the end of the World Cup.

With the World Cup approaching, the footballing community was more active than ever. Different media covered the news related to the World Cup, talking about the team and the players participating in the event.

Yet still, the hot topic of the event remained the same as always- Who would win the World Cup this time?

Amidst the ongoing curiosity, many teams emerged as favorites. Among them, Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Spain, and some other European countries emerged as the favorites to win the World Cup.

Be it Japan or any other Asian countries, they were completely ruled out.

The World Cup was more like a tournament for either European or South American nations. Well, given their dominance until now, it wasn’t anything new.

At the moment, some people were gathered in a remote field. Hiro could be seen among them and he could be seen socializing.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a serene glow over the surface. The air was relatively crisp and cool, and the temperature was rather warm.

“Good Morning, Hiro!”

While conversing, Hiro heard a familiar voice. Most of them had already arrived on the pitch but there were still a few who had yet to arrive.

Hearing the familiar greeting, Hiro turned to find the person.

Upon turning around, he found a rather small but athletically built person with dark hair that covered his forehead standing before him with a smile.

Seeing the person, Hiro’s eyes lit up, “Kubo! When did you return?”

After sharing the field multiple times, the two had grown close to each other. And even though Kubo was way older than him, Hiro didn’t feel like talking to someone older when talking to him.

However, that didn’t mean that Hiro talked informally with him. Despite him talking casually, he still adhered to him with respect.

“It’s been about three days,” Kubo answered. “But you seemed to have soared since the last time we met,” he added, his eyes flashing with intrigue.

“With our young superstar in form, who knows we might lift the trophy this time?”

Another familiar voice rang. At the same time, a familiar-looking face popped out from behind Hiro. Hearing the voice, Hiro felt startled.

And he startlingly turned behind to look at the person.

“Senior Endo, where did you come from?” Hiro blurted.

It might be because he was so fixated on Kubo that he didn’t even notice the presence of Endo.

Endo upon hearing him furrowed his brows, “What do you mean?”

Immediately, Hiro apologized, “Ah! I mean since when were you standing behind me?”

“I was there all along. Didn’t you notice me?” Endo replied solemnly. “You can ask Kubo if you don’t believe me.”

Hiro rolled his eyes to look at Kubo, asking for an explanation.

While Hiro turned away, Endo winked at Kubo. So, Kubo nodded his head, “Yeah, he was there since a while ago.”

For a while, the three conversed cheerfully. Endo being the captain of the team was well-liked by almost everybody in the squad. And he seemed to possess an ethereal charm to initiate conversation with anybody.

Well, given his cheerful and helpful nature, there’d hardly be any who wouldn’t like him. “Have you decided on a club yet, Hiro?” Endo couldn’t help but bring up this topic. “I mean if you haven’t decided then what about Liverpool?”

Well, Endo was quite straightforward. He didn’t even try to hide his intentions. Kubo upon hearing him couldn’t help but curl his lips.

“Aren’t you being too straightforward, Endo-san,” Kubo said with a smile. “At least, try to hide your intentions,” he added.

Endo let out a hearty laugh, “Hahaha… What’s there to hide? A player like him should come to Liverpool.”

“But I think it’d be more beneficial for him to come to Real Sociedad.”

If Endo was being blatant about his intention, how could Kubo let him have his way? So, he also revealed his intentions.

While the two kept arguing over where Hiro should go, Hiro could only reveal an awkward smile. Now, how was he supposed to tell them that he had already signed a contract?

“If he goes to Sociedad, he can’t even play in the Champions League,” Endo argued. “And if he goes to Liverpool then he won’t even be able to play,” Kubo scoffed.

Well, even though they looked friendly on the outside, and if somebody heard them arguing they’d definitely misinterpreted it as a mere conversation between friends.

But Hiro who had been witnessing their argument knew that it wasn’t anything simple. Both of them were adamant to recruit him under their ranks.

Well, given the fact that he had been performing exceptionally well, it was only to be expected. After all, the talent those two possessed was undeniable and they’d have probably seen something in Hiro for them to be fighting over him.

Just then another person emerged on the scene and interrupted in a rather nonchalant manner, “If we are talking about the best club in the world then there’s only one and it’s Real Madrid.”

Upon hearing that blatant statement, both Kubo and Endo turned to look at the person who had made this statement.

Before them stood a giant-like figure towering over the three of them with a height of over 1.8 meters, he had a lean and athletic build. His piercing deep gaze appeared particularly imposing and his short jet-black hair exuded confidence and authority.

Looking at him, Hiro felt as if he was looking down on them.

Although Endo was the appointed captain, the man before them was the actual superstar of

the team. Playing for Real Madrid, he was a genius.

“Yamada, when did you get here?” Endo immediately spoke.

Yamada briefly stared at Hiro before rolling his eyes to Endo. Smiling, he said, “I arrived just

now Endo-san.”

For some reason, Hiro couldn’t help shake this feeling of uneasiness looking at him.

[Ding! New Quest]