Kazamatsuri Shou starts at Sakura Josui Junior High School after transferring from soccer powerhouse Musashi no Mori. At his prior school, he was relegated to the third string due to his height, and he hoped that the transfer would increase his odds of actually getting to play. A misunderstanding at the new school led to the team believing he had been a regular at his previous school. Since he had had little opportunity there to practice anything but juggling the ball, these false expectations would lead to the worst possible introduction.

The Sakura Josui soccer team captain, who believes there is little point in striving for victory when the school is in the same division as the famed Musashi no Mori, has set an uninspired pace for the team. Mizuno Tatsuya, who has learned of Kazamatsuri Shou's resolve to succeed at soccer, sees an opportunity to turn things around. Shou's days of tenacious practice on his own may be at an end as Mizuno chooses him as one of his teammates in a challenge for the position of captain.

After an intense week of practice on the part of Mizuno's challengers, it is time for the 5x5 match which will decide the future direction of the Sakara Josui soccer team. A victory will establish Mizuno as captain, but a loss will result in the current captain kicking him off the roster of the regulars.

The starting matches for the district preliminaries are chosen and Sakura Josui's first opponent is... Musashi no Mori! Mizuno has two weeks to organize his fledgling team so it can face the premiere soccer team in the district. Responding to Yamaguchi Santa's challenge for the position of forward, Shige sets up a competition that will force any potential forwards to earn the position the hard way.