The Rise of the Iron Wall!

Well, even with so many offers lined up, it took time before Higo could do anything about it. Rather than get a headache, the boy let Fujita-san handle everything, knowing the man would do anything to make him rich.

’Yeah, having an agent whose salary is a percentage of what I get sure is amazing, right? He will work harder than ever to make things work for me, so I just need to wait for the final result later.’ He mused.

With a competent agent like that, all Higo had to do was focus on the next game, where the team would be visited by Werder Bremen next Saturday. This was their rival in the relegation zone last season, and based on the performance in the first game a week ago, it seemed that they would have to fight against each other once again to avoid that zone just like last year.

Yeah, just like Schalke, Werder Bremen started the season with a crushing defeat against Hertha Berlin. However, at least, Schalke could be proud since they lost only two goals against Bayern in the away game, as Werder Bremen got destroyed 1-4 in their own home.

At least, based on this result, Schalke should be a better team on paper.

Of course, that didn’t mean they would look down on their opponent, but Frohling had already determined that this game was one of the few that he demanded the team win at all costs.

’On paper, we are slightly weaker than last year, so we have to capitalize on all the games like this to get a maximum result. If we even lose against our relegation rival, we are going to be so screwed for the rest of the season.’

At least, that was what the coach said during the meeting.

Well, the man had all the right in the world to be ambitious. After all, he also got some good news from the medical team. Morita, who had been sidelined for more than three months, finally received a green light to play again, even though only for one half.

Frohling couldn’t care less about the restriction. The fact that he got a strong reinforcement on the bench was enough to give the man relief, as he himself felt like the Japanese midfielder would be the key to unlocking their attack.

The players on the frontline were also ecstatic with the boy being back on the pitch. The new guys like Paciencia and Mark Uth were so dumbfounded the first time they were teaming up with Morita, finding that their only task was to run and get a good space, and the ball would definitely be sent to their feet with crazy accuracy.

Honestly, they finally realized for the first time why Morita was dubbed the team’s magician here, and why everyone was so excited about him.

Now, with all the preparation done, of course, they had no reason to get anything other than the win. As the game day arrived, Higo was already on the stadium right now, sharing the same enthusiasm as the rest of the players around him.

This was going to be the team’s first home game of the season, and getting a win here was important to set the mood.

"Higo! Here!" Someone suddenly called, snapping Higo from his daydreaming. When the boy turned around, his eyes lit up instantly at the familiar sight of those on the bench.

"Hans-san! Julian-san! And the rest of you guys! Man, it has been a long time since you were here!" He rushed toward the sideline and waved at them enthusiastically.

Those people were the fanatic supporters of the team, those whom Higo always met whenever he was going to Bosch for a little chat or something like that. Even though they all wore masks, it didn’t prevent Higo from seeing that they were here with a high spirit to support the team.

"Hah! This is the first home game that we are allowed to be back; there is no way we will miss this!" Hans laughed boisterously. "Anyway, good luck, Higo! When Bosch is allowed to open again, don’t forget to come! The drink will be on me!"

"Yeah, Higo! Let’s get the first win of the season!" The others cheered.

Higo chatted with the people on the stand for a while, leaving some of the guys in bewilderment. Even Klaas-Jan Huntelaar couldn’t help but shake his head in amazement here.

"He sure is beloved by the supporters here, right?" The man murmured under his breath. "Even in my heyday, when people chanted my name in this stadium, I have never been in such an intimate interaction with the supporters, and yet, here he is, a young man half my age, gaining the heart of the people here... Man, what an incredible young man..."

The other veterans also gave a nod of approval at Higo, finding this situation to be heartwarming. Still, they also took a note on the back of their heads to not get attached too much, because once he left the team, it could hurt him more.

Higo himself didn’t notice that he was being talked about by the veterans on his team.

After having a little chat with the supporters, he turned back to the bench, just to find Morita was chatting with a Japanese face with eccentric white hair that shone brightly under the sunlight on the other side of the pitch. The midfielder also noticed his gaze, as he waved at Higo quickly to let him join.

"This is Yuya Osako, a veteran who has been playing in this country for so many years. Last season when we played against each other, he was still in his recovery phase, so we didn’t meet him at that time." Morita introduced the man to Higo.

"Ah! Nice to meet you, Osako-san!" Higo bowed politely.

Yuya Osako didn’t answer immediately, just squinting his eyes a little at Higo. After a while, though, he gave the boy a little nod before he patted the goalkeeper on the shoulder lightly.

"Well, it is good to see a goalkeeper with the potential to be the best in the world... Man, I cannot wait to see how you play directly in the game..."