[Ding! It has been detected that all of the host's attributes have reached a minimum value of 65!]
[Waste Reforging Mode: Phase 3 is now open!]
Renzo Uzumaki stared at the translucent blue interface floating in his vision, his heart racing. The system was ruthlessly efficient.
[Phase Attribute to be Reforged 1: Long Passing 65 ➔ 70 (+5)]
[Phase Attribute to be Reforged 2: Finishing 65 ➔ 70 (+5)]
[Phase Attribute to be Reforged 3: Jumping 65 ➔ 70 (+5)]
...
[Phase Attribute to be Reforged 10: Anticipation 65 ➔ 70 (+5)]
Total projected increase: 50 attribute points.
"This is brutal," Renzo muttered with a smirk. Phase 2 had focused on seven attributes; Phase 3 had expanded to ten. By the time this was done, his "floor"—the very lowest his abilities could sink—would be a 70.
In the world of professional football, a 75 is the benchmark for a solid, reliable pro. At 70, Renzo would be knocking on that door across every single category. If his defensive stats—Tackling, Interception, and Anticipation—hit 70, he would transform from a pure offensive weapon into a complete, "Box-to-Box" engine.
The winning goal against Palermo had started with his defensive tracking of Dybala. Renzo knew that as these stats climbed, those game-changing moments would become his new norm.
However, the "Reforging Trait" had shifted. It was no longer enough to just move around in daily life.
[Reforging Effect: Every drop of sweat shed on the training ground will accumulate experience for the attributes!]
For most, this would be a grind. For Renzo, a notorious training fanatic, it was a dream. In a world where "glass" players had to be coddled to avoid injury, Renzo's system ensured that his hard work was a guaranteed investment.
[Ding! New Mission Objective Triggered!]
Objective 1: Complete at least 5 assists within the next three matches.Objective 2: Record at least one assist in each of the three consecutive matches.Objective 3: Win Man of the Match (MOTM) in all three matches.
[Reward: Complete any two for a Random Chest. Complete all three for a guaranteed Epic Chest!]
Renzo's eyes narrowed. The next three matches were a gauntlet: Juventus in the Coppa Italia, followed by the two legs of the Europa League semi-finals. To get that Epic Chest, he'd have to dominate the absolute best in Europe.
The "Revenge" Fever
At the training ground, the air was thick with tension. Manager Vincenzo Montella was in a bind.
In four days, Fiorentina had their biggest game of the decade: the Europa League semi-final away leg. Logically, the Coppa Italia match against Juventus should be a secondary concern. He had planned to bench Renzo and the other stars entirely.
But the players weren't having it.
"The morale is terrifyingly high, Vincenzo," said Team Manager Daniel, walking over to the bench. He watched as Cuadrado, usually the joker, lunged into a tackle with gritted teeth.
"Winning is addictive," Daniel continued. "An 11-match winning streak builds a championship mentality. They don't want to 'rest'—they want to kill."
Montella sighed. "I have to look at the big picture. One match isn't worth a season-ending injury."
"It's not just any match," Daniel countered. "The fans remember the 0-4 humiliation Juve gave us at the start of the season. They're calling this the 'Great Revenge.' The stadium is sold out. If we don't show up with our teeth bared, the city of Florence won't forgive us."
Daniel paused, then added a subtle nudge. "Mr. Della Valle [the Chairman] is... very keen on seeing Renzo play. He even tried to give the kid a villa last month, but Renzo turned it down for the dorms. The Chairman wants to see his investment in action."
Montella finally relented. "Renzo won't start. I need him fresh for Europe. But... I will put him on the bench. If the situation calls for it, I'll give him limited minutes."
Stadio Artemio Franchi: The Clash of Kings
The atmosphere in Florence was electric. The Stadio Artemio Franchi was a sea of purple, the air vibrating with the chants of fans who believed the "Viola" were finally ready to topple the giants.
When the lineups were announced, a collective groan went up from the home crowd—Renzo Uzumaki and Mario Gomez were on the bench. However, the rest of the main squad was starting.
But the groan was echoed by the traveling Juventus fans. Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri had made the same calculation. With a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid looming, he had benched Buffon, Pirlo, Tevez, and Morata.
However, Juventus's bench was deep, and one superstar did start: Paul Pogba.
On the Juve bench, Buffon leaned over to Pirlo. "Rare to watch a game from the sidelines, eh? Do you think Paul can handle them?"
Pirlo adjusted his gaze toward the pitch. "Don't sleep on this Fiorentina. That Japanese kid, Renzo, isn't starting, but their wingers—especially that Salah—are dangerous."
Buffon squinted, finally spotting Renzo on the opposite bench. "Pogba's going to be annoyed. He's been itching to face the kid everyone says is the only one who can challenge his market value."
The referee blew the whistle, and the "Preview of the Title Race" exploded into life.
Fiorentina, fueled by the roar of the home crowd, didn't act like underdogs. Within two minutes, Salah had blazed past his marker and whipped a cross into Gilardino. The header went wide, but the message was sent.
The "Viola" weren't just here to play. They were here for blood. And on the bench, Renzo Uzumaki sat with his eyes locked on the pitch, his "Anticipation" attribute already humming. He was waiting for his moment to claim his Epic Chest—and his revenge.
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