"It's Protocol Omega!"

"You want us to merge with El Dorado's players?"

"There's no need for that!" Nishiki said. "We're one step away from being the strongest in history. We'll be more than enough on our―"

"No, that won't do!" The talking stone went to him again. "Don't I keep telling you?! Without all eleven players, we won't bring out even half the power we're meant to have! Soccer is a harmony made by eleven people!"

"But still..."

"We are practically equal with El Dorado's team now in terms of power. Joining forces would be the wise thing to do."

"Daisuke-san is right!" They all turned to find the source of the new voice. A certain goggles-wearing brunette stood there, with his blonde friend by his side. "It would be best to accept El Dorado's proposal."

Tenma took a step back out of surprise of their sudden appearance. "K-Kidou-san and Gouenji-san?!"

"Everyone, it's been a while." The blonde said. He then turned to his cousin. "Kimiko."

The girl pulled on her hoodie further so she didn't have to meet anyone's eyes. "Y-Yeah?"

No one blamed her for being uneasy. Unlike Tenma, who was only a candidate, she was confirmed to be one of the children they were just talking about. Having powers that rival the military's, physical abilities and intelligence above the normal... a short lifespan... Not to mention, the very people they will be working with were working to erase her existence.

There was no way for him to say that everything will be fine, so he won't try. Instead, he'll give her a little something to cheer her up temporarily. "There's someone else here to see you."

"Someone... else...?"

His other cousin stepped out of his shadow, giving her a small smile. "Hey... How've you been?"

Her head snapped up, so fast it threw her hood off her head. "M-Masato-nii?!"

"In the flesh." He chuckled. "When El Dorado got rid of the soccer ban, everyone who had been affected by the mind control were turned back to normal too. Yuuka and Shuuya then told me everything, so I said I had to go see you no matter what. Didn't expect to actually time travel though."

"Masato-nii..." She took a hesitant step forward before breaking out to a full sprint, tackling him in a hug. "Masato-nii!!!"

"Ahaha... Sorry for worrying you. I'm fine now." He patted her back to comfort her, but it only made her cling on to him more. The others gave the first smile they could make since arriving there at the two.

"But... Why are you here?" Tenma eventually asked.

"I brought them here." Chairman Toudou said. "The two of them, along with Sakamaki, will act as coach for each team."

They ignored Wondeba sobbing in the corner.

"We must win at all costs. This is the final battle that decides the fate of mankind, Ragnarok!"

~~~~~

They lined up in front of the three coaches, joined by their former enemies, on El Dorado's indoor field. The four managers, along with Masato, stood outside the lines, watching as the men picked out their children. Wondeba stood by the door, still sulking about not getting to be coach.

Gouenji picked Tenma, Shinsuke, Kirino, Taiyou, Hikaru, Hamano, Hayami, Torb, Rei, Reiza, and Medam. The captain was, as expected, Tenma.

"T-That... adorable... plum haired boy's name is... Kageyama...?" Masato whispered to his sister, who nodded and patted his shoulder. "So I guess... apples can fall far from their tree..."

Sakamaki was next, picking out Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Einam, Rudzik, Orca, Garing, Shindou, Kurama, Kariya, Amagi. What surprised them was that he chose Shindou to be captain, and not one of his own Protocol Omega children.

"That one's gonna be fun..." Masato muttered, watching the three former captains glaring at their new one.

Then, Kidou stepped forth. His team consisted of Tsurugi, Fei, Kinako, Nishiki, Sangoku, Aoyama, Ichino, Kurumada, Darna, Ward, and Gaura. "Captain... Tsurugi Kyousuke!"

"What..." The boy's shoulders stiffened. "I'm captain?!"

Kidou only gave him a look before addressing all three teams. "The match is in three days. Until then, we will be adjusting ourselves with these teams."

"Yes, sir!"

Sakamaki was the first to lead his team out to use another field. Akane went with him to be their manager.

Kidou was next, letting his friend have the current field. Midori and Kimiko both went with him, though the latter's hesitation was clear. Still, she wanted to be by her best friend's side, so if she had any protests, she didn't say them out loud.

"Then, what'll you do?" Gouenji asked his cousin.

The messy blonde man looked around before sweatdropping at the blue teddy bear. "I think I'll drift between you and Kidou. I'll go along with Kimiko today though. That guy looks like he needs help getting there."

"Alright. See you later."

"See you."

~~~~~

Masato carried the bear as he followed far behind the team, and placed him down once they were inside. He went to sit beside his sister, who was on the bench, while Kidou and Midori stood on the edge of the lines.

Their movements were syncing rather well, only...

I'm captain? What is it you want me to do? Tsurugi casted a glance to his coach. I don't know what you have in mind, but I'm going through with my plays!

He stole the ball from Kinako and passed to Darna, who shot with Plasma Ball. However...

"Shin God Hand X!"

"Whoa... One of Rococo's, huh?" Masato laughed. "That sure takes me back."

"Daisuke-san taught him some time ago. Sangoku-san's been practicing all this time to master it." His sister explained.

"Well, it sure seems to have paid off."

"Mmhm."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Alright, what's wrong? You've been down since you got here."

She shifted. "I'm just worried..."

"About what? Kidou?"

She shook her head. "No. Kyou and the others trust Kidou Yuuto-san. There's no problem there."

"Then?" Seeing her hesitance in answering, he followed her gaze to a certain navy haired boy. He seemed frustratingly confused about something.

"Kyou's never been a proper captain before." She finally said.

"'Proper'?"

"He was only captain once, for one day... His first day in Raimon."

Leading a team of SEEDs into the school, hurting anyone and everyone in the soccer club.

"...Oh." He clicked his tongue. "He's in quite the pinch then, huh..."

"I want to go talk to him later, but..." Her gaze went down. "I don't... I'm still thinking about what they said about the SSC... I'm not in the right headspace to be giving him a pep talk. If anything, he's the one who's gonna end up comforting me."

"Hey, it's not like you're obligated to be by his side all the time."

"I know, I know. I just... feel bad if I can't do anything..." She sighed. "These past few days, it's been like one bad dream after another..."

He patted her back and gave a side-hug, which she leaned into. Her gaze was on the field, but they were blank and distant. He noticed the split second amber eyes glanced over to them.

~~~~~

"Tsurugi!"

"Masato-san...?" Seeing as it was that man who called for him, he immediately threw his confusion away, a worry for his friend replacing it. "Is something wrong?"

"Calm down. Kimiko's fine." The man smiled. "She went with Seto to sleep in the managers' room."

"O-Oh... I see."

"Disappointed she didn't come see you tonight?"

"Nothing like that." If anything, he was happy she was getting even more rest in. After everything they were told about the Second Stage Children, she really looked like she needed it. "Then, did you need something from me?"

"Not so much as a need. Just a want." He took a seat on the bench and gestured for the boy to do the same.

Hesitantly, he obliged.

"Do you always practice until this late by yourself?"

Small talk wasn't what he expected, but he decided to humor him for a while. "Only occasionally."

"Then what's the occasion today?"

"Do I have to answer that?"

The man chuckled. "No. It's pretty clear based on your reaction when Kidou made you captain."

He turned away.

"First time?"

"... Somewhat."

"I see." He nodded slowly. "You only know how to be a striker, so your way of doing things is to pull the team forward with your plays. That's not a bad thing, though, so keep it up!"

He can tell that much after only watching me once today...? He mentally shook his head. Well, Kimiko did say he became a trainer, so this much should be expected.

"By the way, Tsurugi..."

"Yes?"

"You like Kimiko, don't you? As more than a friend, I mean."

His head snapped up at him. "T-That's...!"

The man winked at him. "Don't try to hide it. It's an older brother's job to sense things happening around his younger sister."

He turned away. He was starting to act a bit like his own brother, which he wasn't sure was a good thing or not.

"She hasn't noticed for some reason, but I won't tell her either. It's not my place to."

Is that supposed to comfort me...?

"In any case," He patted his shoulder before standing up. "You know your team's up first in Ragnarok, right?"

"Yes...?"

"Then, I'll give you a piece of advice."

"..."

"... The enemy this time is far more dangerous than any you've ever faced... So, play your hardest until the very last whistle."

His eyes narrowed in confusion. A dramatic pause... just for that? "I already intend to."

"I see." He started heading for the door, not bothering to explain further. "Well, that's all I have to say. I'll leave Kimiko in your hands."

"Kimiko...? What do you―" Before he could finish his question, the automatic doors closed between them.

He let out a frustrated sigh. It felt like both he and Kidou were messing with him. But deep down, he knew his coach would have a reason to make him captain. As for the other man... He could only think of one reason he'd approach him.

"Is she... going to be involved in the match somehow?"