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Chapter 16 - SHADOWS ON THE FIELD

EPISODE 17 – "SHADOWS ON THE FIELD"

Scene 1 – Bruno Salgado's House, 5:30 AM

The alarm clock goes off. But no one turns it off.

Cut to the phone screen flashing: "FLAMENGO U-16 TRAINING – 6:30AM – TRAINING CENTER." Silence. Camera shows Bruno Salgado (the coach) sleeping heavily, sweating, with a thermometer dropped on the floor. High fever.

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Scene 2 – Flamengo U-16 Locker Room

Matheus Blake, Camila, Kadu, Vitão, Paulinho, and Bruno (the goalkeeper) are gathered, waiting.

Blake (checking his watch):

– It's already 6:45. Where's the boss?

Vitão (worried):

– You think something happened?

Kadu (tense):

– He's never late. Ever.

Paulinho (eating a cereal bar):

– Yo... what if he got abducted?

Bruno (goalkeeper):

– Oh, come on, Paulinho...

Paulinho:

– What? Happens all the time in movies.

Suddenly, the door opens.

Flamengo President (serious):

– Boys... head home. Bruno's sick. 39.7 degrees fever.

Everyone looks at each other. The mood shifts. Silence.

Camila (softly):

– He never takes a day off...

President:

– Today's one of those days... where you step back to come back stronger. Head home, Matheus.

Blake (narrowing his eyes):

– That's not a good omen.

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Scene 3 – Training Center Parking Lot

As everyone starts leaving, a ball rolls out of nowhere, slowly towards Nicolas Agustin, who's still wearing his cleats. He traps it perfectly.

Nicolas (calm):

– Who are you?

A boy emerges from the shadows, wearing a Palmeiras U-16 uniform. Straight black hair. Sharp gaze. Cold expression.

???:

– Kaio Itami. Palmeiras U-16. You son of a b****.

Everyone (shocked):

– WHAT!?

Paulinho:

– Oh my God, the Japanese kid cursed! That's rare, right?

Kaio (staring at Nicolas):

– I want a duel. Right now.

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Scene 4 – Tension on the Side Field

Everyone gathers around. Camila starts the stopwatch. Kadu and Vitão set up the mini-field. Paulinho becomes the referee... with a toy whistle.

Miguel (watching Kaio closely):

– You're... Japanese, right?

Kaio takes a step back. Startled.

Kaio:

– Who... are you? You look like... a ghost.

Miguel (serious):

– Just someone who recognizes a genius... and decides to play alongside him.

Narrator:

– Kaio Itami. The unknown prodigy. Pure technique. Anger, hidden deep within.

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Scene 5 – Duel: Kaio Itami vs Nicolas Agustin (1v1)

The game starts.

Nicolas takes the lead. Moves like a maestro.

Kaio responds with sharp, explosive dribbles. Japanese technique, razor precision.

Miguel feeds Kaio the ball at a crucial moment. The duo clicks instantly.

Nicolas reacts fast... but it's not enough.

Camila (writing notes):

– He's... as good as Miguel. Maybe even faster.

Paulinho (screaming):

– GOAL FROM KAIO!!! BRO THIS IS STRAIGHT OUTTA A SAMURAI MOVIE!

Blake (tense, analyzing):

– This... changes everything.

Narrator:

– Sometimes, a stranger brings the storm.

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Scene 6 – Post-Game Mystery

Kaio puts his cleats away. Miguel approaches him.

Miguel:

– Why'd you come here?

Kaio:

– Because true geniuses... don't wait for invitations.

Blake (walking over):

– Come train with us... if you can handle it.

Kaio smirks.

Kaio: – I don't handle. I lead.

Narrator:

– And just like that... the tremor became an earthquake.

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Scene 7 – Paulinho's Comedy (Bonus Scene)

Paulinho (holding a toy microphone):

– Reporting live from the clash between the Messi of Itabuna and the Ninja of Osaka...

Bruno (goalkeeper):

– Shut up, Paulinho.

Paulinho:

– Just trying to lighten the mood, bro! What if Kaio summons a jutsu?

Vitão:

– You watch way too much anime, dude.

Paulinho:

– Tactical research, my friend!

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Final Scene – Camila and Matheus Walking Away

Camila:

– Today was... strange.

Blake (looking up at the sky):

– It was just the first sign. The storm has begun.

Text on screen:

To be continued in Episode 18 – "The Arrival of the Vortex"

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