[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-foresight":3,"chapter-foresight-foresight-chapter-204":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","FORESIGHT",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1847452,2452,"Chapter 204 204: Win A Trophy For Thomas","foresight-chapter-204",204,"\u003Cp>It wasn't often that the national team head coach called personally to deliver news — and that alone spoke volumes about how much attention Kai was drawing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart burned with anticipation for the World Cup, though a quiet wave of emotion came with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another life, he knew that even with all his talent, getting China to the World Cup would have been almost impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this world was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yi, Chen Man, Fernando Kairui — the squad was stronger, sharper, more complete than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai knew he wouldn't be fighting alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had real teammates now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't met most of them yet, but from what he'd seen — in highlights, in reports — they were solid, dependable, and capable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought alone filled him with a deep sense of pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, he was still buzzing with excitement. Sleep wouldn't come easily tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flopped onto his bed, scrolling through his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The national team roster had already been announced — his name right there alongside Wang Yi and the others. No surprise there; they were automatic starters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the list was a mix of overseas and domestic players, faces he barely knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only familiar one was Chen Man — they'd trained together in the youth academy years ago. Kai wondered how much he'd changed since then, what kind of player he'd become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, he tossed his phone aside, stood up, and walked into the bathroom for a cold shower to calm himself down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally crawled into bed, sleep came slowly but peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Kai was up before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood before the mirror, trimming his beard. It was still stubble — thicker than before, but nowhere near the full, rugged look of his European teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the slight roughness made him look older, sterner. There was an edge to it — one that might make opponents think twice before clashing with him in midfield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tidied up, ran a hand through his hair, and after a simple breakfast, drove off toward the training base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Premier League's 33rd round was done, but the next mountain loomed large:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal would host them at the Emirates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd taken a narrow win in Germany, but nobody was celebrating yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Champions League was full of miracles — comebacks that defied logic, from Istanbul to Paris — and Dortmund only needed one goal to even the score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tension hung in the air at London Colney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every player knew what was at stake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the group stage, Arsenal had faced nothing but giants — every round a test of nerve and stamina. Even their supporters were shaking their heads, half-joking that the club's luck with draws was cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But lately, Arsenal fans were louder than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After beating Bayern Munich, hope had begun to bloom again — cautious, but real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted more. They wanted to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, they were divided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some dreamed of Europe's grandest prize, while others — the more pragmatic ones — argued that the Premier League should take priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad was stretched thin, and chasing glory on two fronts was a dangerous gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they poured everything into Europe and fell short, they might lose the league as well — and end the season empty-handed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But giving up the Champions League? That was easier said than done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, for Arsenal fans, the trophy wasn't just silverware — it was a wound that had never quite healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd come close before. Too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, with this team playing the best football in years, hope was impossible to suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not giving up on the Champions League.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words came clearly, firmly, from Wenger at the end of the tactical briefing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every player in the room looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no shock — just quiet determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew what it meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two fronts. Heavy legs. Sleepless nights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But also — a chance at something special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger let the silence settle for a moment before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be honest,\" he said, his voice calm but resolute. \"It will be difficult for us to win the Champions League. Very difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The players exchanged glances, lips pressed tight. It wasn't pessimism; it was realism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this campaign,\" Wenger went on, \"is a test. A test of how far we can go — of how much we can endure. I'll be evaluating every position, every performance, and we'll make adjustments accordingly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around the room, his eyes meeting those of Kai, Cazorla, and Vermaelen in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're going to fight — and we'll find out who's ready to fight with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And though no one spoke, everyone felt it — the spark, the fire, the belief. They all understood what Wenger's words meant. Strengthening the squad wasn't just about building depth — it meant fiercer competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the starters, it meant no complacency. For the substitutes, it meant survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new signing in any position could easily push someone to the sidelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was Arsenal — nobody complained. Everyone knew the rule of the road: once the train picked up speed, anyone who couldn't keep up would be left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger scanned the room carefully, reading their expressions. Most faces were calm, though tension simmered beneath the surface. He nodded slightly, then said in a quieter tone,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's one more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The players straightened, sensing the weight in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger turned to Vermaelen. \"After this season, Thomas will be leaving Arsenal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room erupted into murmurs. Chairs creaked. Heads turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vermaelen stood slowly, taking a steady breath before walking to the front. His face was calm, but there was a touch of sadness in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wanted to tell you all later,\" he began, his voice even but low, \"but I never found the right time. So I'll say it now, before the season ends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around the room, making eye contact with a few of the players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season. It's been a privilege to play and fight alongside all of you. Every day here has taught me something — and I'll carry that with me always.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence followed. Then, with a faint smile, he added, \"I wasn't the perfect captain, I know that. But I'm lucky that the one succeeding me is more than ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned toward Kai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kai — come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai hesitated for a second, then rose from his seat and stepped forward. Vermaelen placed a hand on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've all seen what he's capable of,\" Vermaelen said, his tone firm but proud. \"You respect him — I know that. And now, he'll be the one to lead this team forward. Lead Arsenal into a brighter future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent again. Some looked down, others at Kai, who stood there quietly, his expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vermaelen sighed softly. \"Hey, don't make those faces. You'll make me regret announcing it like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sagna frowned, his voice a mix of surprise and frustration. \"But—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vermaelen raised a hand, cutting him off with a grin. \"No speeches, no gifts. Just give me a Champions League trophy as a farewell, yeah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter broke out immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wish!\" Sagna barked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greedy Thomas!\" someone shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, now I don't feel sad anymore!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oi, I want one too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gloom lifted in an instant. The locker room was filled with laughter, teasing, and mock complaints — the kind only brothers-in-arms could make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vermaelen smiled warmly. \"That's more like it. Arsenal's always been a team that looks forward. Keep that spirit alive. Forget the Champions League — just get me the Premier League trophy instead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now I really want to punch him,\" someone joked, and the laughter grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he stayed injured, we'd probably win it anyway!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Praise be to the Great Priest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted from heavy to lighthearted in seconds — the way true camaraderie worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai watched quietly through it all, a faint smile on his face but a storm brewing beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew about Vermaelen's departure — he'd been told privately weeks ago. And maybe that was why he couldn't laugh as freely as the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down, he knew the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vermaelen was leaving partly because of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai's rise had made the transition inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That knowledge weighed on him — guilt, gratitude, and pressure blending into one complicated knot in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't say anything. He didn't need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle hand landed on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai turned — it was Wenger, smiling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's alright,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai drew in a slow breath. He understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's meant to come, will come. There's no running from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened up, shoulders squared, eyes steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he would be officially named captain of Arsenal — a giant of English football.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that responsibility came pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Kai, pressure wasn't a burden. It was fuel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the fire that would drive him forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please do leave a review and powerstones, helps with the book's exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to advanced chapters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visit the link:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FGRANDMAESTA_30\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change @ to a\u003C\u002Fp>",1557,"2026-06-09T07:00:21.491Z",1,"novelbin.me","8fd8b57fd23b42f19db1d8296b07557af656bffba7b4b1ebc6e89d3748488e54","foresight-chapter-205","foresight-chapter-203",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fforesight-cover.jpg"]