Hold Hands, World (
Summary[]
The match between Perfect Spark and Inazuma Japan comes to a halt as Irina threatens to bomb the stadium, unless the various countries of the world agree to pay a ransom. The ultimate Orion team, Shadow of Orion, appears, prompting the assembly of Zhao Jinyuns, a new team to confront them consisting of players from different national teams.
Plot[]
Alarms continue to blare at Moscow Route Bay Main Stadium from Irina's button press, while Shinjou interrogates as to what she's done. Irina responds by saying that she's starting a revolution, with bombs planted around the stadium, which she plans to detonate unless the group remain quiet and observe. Scoglio attempts to call her bluff, but Irina presses another button on her remote.
A large explosion occurs within the top of the stadium, causing the nearby audience block to flee the falling debris. The members of Inazuma Japan and Perfect Spark stare dumbfounded at the explosion, as troops wearing Orion-branded uniform storm the stadium, seizing it while threatening the audience. Following this, the stadium's roof begins to close, plunging the field into darkness as a hologram of Irina, wearing a robed outfit, appears in the center. She reaches out to the audience, stating that this is where the world's transformation will begin, and that everyone inside of the stadium shall be used as hostages to demand ransom from the world.
Scoglio, who is tied up alongside Shinjou and Shirou, shouts to Irina that she won't get off lightly for this, as Bernard enters the room, questioning his mother's actions. Irina proceeds to address the world leaders observing the live broadcast, and expresses that she has total knowledge of all the strategic arms they possess. If the leaders do not wish for Irina to expose this evidence of them violating the world peace treaties, they must transfer their respective country's quoted money into the 200 bank accounts specified by her. Hearing this, Zhao states that this is what "the witch" truly wanted — to threaten the countries concealing weapons and to disgrace its rulers who have fallen into corruption, pulling them down from their positions of power.
Bernard tells Irina that demanding ransom from the world is ludicrous, as Froy bursts into the room, questioning why his mother is doing this. After demanding the pair to remain silent, Irina reveals that it's high time to tell them Orion's real goal, as a security guard closes the door. Accompanying her then-husband Valentin, the pair would visit a variety of countries in need of aid, albeit with Irina conducting research into each country's financial situation to support her business deals. Upon a visit to one country however, she discovered that, despite most of its citizens being in need of financial support, its government had been investing heavy sums of capital into weapons development, forming peace treaties in name alone. Upon discovering many other countries under the same conditions, she felt anguish for Valentin as the world betrayed him, with the pair drifting apart as he remained hopeful for humanity's future. With Valentin's death, Irina put her plan into motion — to destroy the corrupt world and build a new, "perfect world" in its place.
Following this declaration, Irina's hologram twists in on itself, with a shining blue dome forming at its center. A mysterious team emerges from the dome, which their captain, Yurika, introduces as Shadow of Orion, and announces that they will make known Orion's power. Kageyama then emerges from the dome, shocking various members of Inazuma Japan, who question why he's there. Declaring that if world unity truly exists, it should be proven to her right there and then, Irina's hologram flies into the sky. Inazuma Japan's members are confused at this notion, with Ichihoshi questioning if fighting against Shadow of Orion would prove world unity. The team turn to Zhao for advice, who takes a moment to ponder. Back in the room, Irina says that the crusade to determine the truth is about to begin, suggesting Froy to participate. Froy inquires if Irina is doing all of this for his dad, which she responds to by asking why would she be doing anything for "that hypocrite." As Kageyama approaches Perfect Spark's bench, its members quickly flee the scene.
Zhao equips a megaphone to address the world's soccer players, asking for them to pitch in and help as "soldiers," stating that he shall form a team representing the world, asking that players step forward as their names are called. Asuto and Froy, who just arrived onto the stadiums field, both raise their hands to volunteer, with Froy stating it's his responsibility. Numerous other players then also raise their hands to volunteer. Zhao understands how they feel, but expresses how he, using his own bias as a coach, will announce his pick of players to fight against those conspiring to overthrow the world.
Among the players announced for the team are Fudou, who confirms to Kazemaru that he'd just barely managed to heal on time, and Kidou, who Zhao reveals as the "very special assistant" he had prepared. Kidou approaches the team, stating that while he had arrived earlier and planned to regroup with Inazuma Japan sooner, he had to go undercover to track Kageyama in secret upon discovering he was in Russia. Vladimir, who is supporting the Shadow of Orion team as an assistant coach, turns to Kageyama, speaking of how unexpected his assistance is. He concludes that Kageyama must be helping as he endorses Irina's ideals, though Kageyama declares that a single hero can change the flow of a long-running story and that he has come to observe this hero. Hearing this response, Vladimir interprets Irina as the hero in Kageyama's story.
The world's team changes into their uniform, with Zhao expressing that it looks good on them. He is about to name the team, but stumbles on what to call it. As the team opposes Orion, Li begins to suggest the name "Artemis no Ya," but Zhao interrupts as he settles on the name Zhao Jinyuns, embarrassing the team's members. Over the stadium's speakers, Irina announces that the crusade gambling the world's truth begins — that it shall be an exhibition match with unlimited substitutions.
The match begins with Zhao Jinyuns' kick-off. Gouenji and Clario dribble up the field together, starting the match at full power, as Froy sprints to catch up to the pair. Clario shoots at the goal with Diamond Edge, but the goalkeeper, Procyon, manages to deflect it with a jumping kick from an unstable stance. The ball flies down the field until Yurika traps it, announcing that she will show them Orion's power. She kicks the ball past Nosaka and begins dribbling up the field. Giving the "Prelude" command to her team, Yurika breaks through Kazemaru and Li with a pass to Betelgeuse, who dodges Lus and Malik's interception by returning the ball to Yurika. Stopping in her tracks, Yurika takes a shot with Orion Crossviper, which easily breaks through Endou's Diamond Hand, scoring the game's first goal.
Recommencing with Zhao Jinyuns' kick-off, Gouenji voices that the team should take this calmly, as the team performs a series of passes from Gouenji, Clario, Froy, and Nosaka, before landing on Kidou. Asuto battles with Rigel over a mark, and manages to break through to receive a pass and begins dribbling. Rigel catches up to Asuto, who makes a successful pass to Nosaka, causing Rigel to change target. Asuto expresses how he was able to move so comfortably, which Ichihoshi attributes to the combined playmaking tactics of Nosaka and Kidou. The team continues with their successful passes, getting the ball to Gouenji who shoots with Last Resort. Procyon stands still with his arms crossed, not moving an inch as the ball approaches. Giving the "Concerto" command, Yurika waves her arm, causing an air current to launch the ball high up into the air, negating the shot. Yurika leaps into the air to intercept the ball, making a long pass to Betelgeuse. Nosaka and Li attempt to stop him, but Betelgeuse avoids them with clean maneuvers as the ball is passed back to Yurika, who sprints towards the goal. Although Asuto and Kazemaru attempt to obstruct her path, Yurika cannot be stopped as she performs a series of mid-air jumps with the ball, culminating in a heel kick towards the goal, narrowly getting past Endou's save and making the score 0-2 for Orion.
With her success, Vladimir states that Yurika has both brains and brawn, as he celebrates that her ability to command and her individual technique allows no others to compare. Vladimir gloats that this will be an easy victory, which Kageyama is left to wonder. On the pitch, Yurika battles against other players as Irina asserts she's a living weapon, with all of Orion's skills concentrated onto her. Since Yurika can pulverize enemies with sharpened senses having rid herself of emotions, Irina announces that Zhao Jinyuns stand no chance.
The ball flies out of bounds amongst the commotion, as the world's players appear visibly exhausted from the match. Froy recollects his past with Yurika, remembering her as a kind, ordinary girl, and that Irina must have warped her into an emotionless soldier, indoctrinated only to fight. When the match continues, Yurika raises her arm with the "Requiem" command, charging through Zhao Jinyuns' formation with her comrades. Alnitak and Alnilam mark Malik and Kazemaru respectively, providing Betelgeuse the opportunity to pass to Yurika. She once again shoots with Orion Crossviper, breaking through Endou's Diamond Hand and scoring the third goal, with the first half ending shortly after. During half-time, Zhao Jinyuns' players are exhausted, and commend Shadow of Orion's power.
The match recommences with Orion's kick-off, as Yurika charges down the field. Asuto attempts to steal the ball with a slide, but is brushed aside as Yurika spins to whip up a whirlwind, toppling Asuto as she stands over him, announcing that they should give up this unnecessary defiance. He attempts to stand back up, but Yurika pins him back to the ground using her boot, stating that standing up is meaningless as their chances of winning are zero. From point-blank, Yurika kicks the ball into the grounded Asuto, sending him flying as she calmly walks away with the ball. Despite this, Asuto stands back up with a struggle, saying that if they continue to fight, their chances will become one, then two, then even a hundred as their possibilities are endless, which resonates with the team as they stand by Asuto's side. Zhao says this is where the final battle really begins, as Vladimir states they don't know when to quit. Responding to this, Kageyama declares with a smirk that Zhao Jinyuns still have The Arrow of Artemis hidden up their sleeve, confusing Vladimir.
Major events[]
- Irina and her troops take control of Moscow Route Bay Main Stadium, holding everyone inside hostage so she may demand ransom from the world's leaders.
- Shadow of Orion, Irina's personal team, make their appearance amidst the commotion, with Kageyama emerging to act as their coach.
- Zhao encourages players from across the world to join forces in a team to combat Orion, which gets named as Zhao Jinyuns. Fudou and Kidou reappear to join the team, with the latter previously tracking Kageyama upon his arrival in Russia.
- The episode ends with a score of 0-3 in favor of Shadow of Orion, who play an oppressive game.
Hissatsu used[]
- [SH] Diamond Edge
- [SH] Orion Crossviper (debut)
- [GK] Diamond Hand
- [SH] Last Resort
- [OF] Sky Walk
Debut[]
Teams[]
Proverb[]
| “ | If we continue to challenge ourselves, the chances are endless! | ” |