My system allows me to copy talents



Time elapsed like the sand in an hourglass.

September 5th, Thursday

The season had already changed and it was starting to get colder with each passing day. The winter was on the rise.

Today, however, marked a historical event for Hiro.

Though he had already debuted in the friendly match against Georgia, at the moment, he was about to play his first-ever World Cup qualifier match.

At the moment, Hiro was seated inside the locker room. With most of the players gone, the locker room was in a state of mess. There were clothes scattered almost everywhere.

Hiro, however, wasn't concerned about the mess.

Neither was he concerned by the mixture of disgusting smells like the smell of the dirty shocks or the smell of the sweat mixed with adrenaline in the room.

Even though it stung his nose, he was used to the smell.

After all, it wasn't his first time being inside the locker room. However, he was still a little troubled about the match.

Recently, the squad had undergone a major change.

"Quite odd to see you looking so worried," Naoto said while looking at him.

Just a moment ago, he was lost in contemplation. But upon hearing the voice of Naoto, he couldn't sit still.

Raising his brow, Hiro responded, "Worried- Who me?"

Naoto was a little puzzled. Had he read it wrong? He couldn't help but second-guess his analysis upon seeing such a reaction from him, "You seemed troubled."

'It seems that he misunderstood me. I was just pondering about the dinner.'

Since Hiro mostly consumed diet food on normal days, a moment ago, he was contemplating dinner as it was his cheat day today. But he must have acted concerned without even realizing it. So, Naoto should have mistaken him.

Hiro immediately realized that Naoto had merely misunderstood his gestures.

But, he couldn't bring himself to tell that he was thinking about dinner either. After all, he was about to play in an important match.

So, how could he tell his peer that he was thinking about food at such an important moment?

Hiro then suddenly got serious as he said, "I was just thinking about how many goals we would score against the opposing team today"

Hiro's response left Naoto a little surprised.

Was he always like this?

Naoto couldn't help but think.

Then again, he eased his expression as he thought, 'Who else but he dares to say such bold words before the match'

"How many are you planning to score?" Naoto asked.

"Five should be doable"

********

The stadium buzzed with anticipation.

The Japanese supporters who had traveled a long distance to support their team appeared excited about the match.

Billowing the flags and banners, they cheered with an ecstatic smile on their faces.

On the other hand, despite it being on their home turf, the opposing fans paled in comparison to the sheer passion showcased by the Japanese supporters.

More than excitement, one could see anxiousness on their face.

Well, it was understandable. After all, they were the weakest side. China PR, the 87th-rank team was about to take on the 18th-rank team.

So, it was natural for them to feel anxious.

From the massive rank difference between the two sides, one can figure out the game's result. There might be some upsets like how Saudi Arabia, ranked way below Argentina, managed to win over them in a thrilling battle in the World Cup.

So, one couldn't jump straight to a conclusion just because of the rank difference.

However, Japan's previous records had been nothing but amazing. They had been dominating the matches like a conqueror who had set out on a conquest.

Inside the tunnel, as Hiro arrived on the scene, many opposing players cast a wary eye on him. Though what met their gaze was a young individual with dark tousled hair, jade-like white skin, and innocent-looking eyes with a shade of hazel, they couldn't help but keep a wary eye on him.

They were aware that looks can be deceiving.

At a glance, you couldn't find anything to worry about him. But they had studied him thoroughly so, they were aware that he would give them a lot of trouble if left alone.

"Seems like you are quite famous globally as well," Naoto who had come with him couldn't help but remark on the stares he felt.

Hiro naturally was aware of the stares, but he didn't find it bothersome. So, he didn't say anything about it. After all, it was only natural for a stronger enemy to get the attention.

Those stares he got were merely a testament to his rising strength.

But he couldn't help but feel slightly dumbfounded too. After all, he wasn't the only person they needed to be aware of.

There were others like Kubo, Yamada, Endo, Minamino.

So, why only target him?

It couldn't be that they thought of him as a bigger threat than the rest.

'I'm getting too full of myself'

Just as the thought of him being more threatening than the rest appeared on his mind, he immediately discarded it.

'But it still feels good to be recognized'

Hiro couldn't help but smile.

"You seem to enjoying those stares," Naoto remarked after noticing the subtle smirk that

graced his lips for a mere moment.

Naoto was familiar with Hiro's competitive spirit. So, he didn't find anything strange about

his laughing despite being targeted.

After all, Hiro was the type of person who liked difficult situations.

'This brat, did he just smile while looking at us?'

The opposing players, however, didn't think the same. They felt that he was taking them

lightly. It was as if they were ants before his eyes.

'Is he taking us lightly?'

'Is he telling us that he isn't afraid of us?'

That involuntary small gesture of Hiro was starting to get on their nerves. Just thinking about

it, made their blood boil.

The fact that he was looking down on them didn't sit well with them.

Rage bubbled inside them like boiling tar.

Intensifying their glares, they shot daggers at him.

Even Naoto upon noticing their sudden glares, couldn't help but feel intimidated. But when

he looked at Hiro, he found him with the same calm as before.Nôv(el)B\\jnn