The confidence that had just been on Yoichi Isagi's face vanished, replaced by sheer shock.
The reason was simple—Rin Itoshi had nutmegged him, flicking the ball straight between his legs.
By the time Yoichi turned around, Rin was already behind him, dribbling the ball toward the White Team's half once more.
Fortunately, Meguru Bachira arrived in front of Rin just in time—but the usual grin was gone from his face. He looked unfocused, as if his mind were somewhere else entirely.
Rin didn't even spare Bachira a glance. His eyes were locked on Ryūma as he sent the ball back to him with a sharp pass.
(This is bad! Once Rin and Ryūma start working together, our defense will crumble in no time!!)
(Think! What can I do right now!?)
Ryūma caught Rin's gaze and immediately understood what he wanted.
A smirk spread across his face as he shouted,
"You still keeping up, Rin? Don't fall behind me!"
"Cut the crap. Just attack!"
It was rare for Rin to shout back—a clear sign of trust.
Ryūma's grin widened. It had been a long time since the two had used this move together.
"Alright then…"
As he spoke, the dual colors of Ryūma's eyes turned completely violet. Flames of the same color surged around him, pulsing with raw energy.
When the ball reached the perfect spot, Ryūma leapt to meet it, legs bent slightly—then unleashed a devastating strike toward the White Team's goal.
"I'll crush you all!!!"
[BOOM!!]
"What power!"
The ball was screaming toward the net when a figure suddenly appeared before it—Yoichi Isagi.
Like a savior, he blocked the shot, deflecting it high into the air.
He'd intended to trap the ball and launch a counterattack, but Ryūma's shot carried so much force that it rebounded away.
"Stop him!!"
At Hyōma Chigiri's shout, Yoichi's eyes darted toward the ball—and his heart froze.
The ball had landed right at Rin Itoshi's feet. Rin was already in motion, setting up for a shot.
[BOOM!!]
"Don't forget about me, Lower Lashes No. 1!"
Like a lion pouncing, Shōei Barō hurled himself forward, blocking the ball with his face.
(Barō?!)
(This is our chance!)
"Quick—counterattack! We—"
Before Yoichi could finish, a figure wrapped in violet flames appeared in front of the rebounding ball.
"Feel despair!!"
The words had barely left his mouth when Ryūma dove forward, unleashing a ferocious Blitz Shot that ripped across the field toward the White Team's goal.
[BOOM!!]
The thunderous crack of impact was immediately followed by the sound of the net trembling.
GOAL!! Red Team 3 – 2 White Team!
(What kind of attack was that!?)
(It's like they tore through our defense by sheer force!)
(That kind of relentless pressure—how are we supposed to stop it?)
(Is this the true teamwork of Blue Lock's top two players!? Unreal!)
Even amid despair, a thrill ran through Yoichi's chest.
...
On the Red Team's side, Ryūma was just about to sit up when Seishiro Nagi tackled him back down, excitement written all over his face.
"That was insane, Ryūma! Absolutely insane!"
"That combo with Rin—why didn't you two use something that powerful before!?"
"Calm down, Nagi." Ryūma chuckled, brushing himself off. "It's not like we didn't want to. Rin just prefers playing solo—and until now, he didn't need to."
"But now… he's serious. He's even starting to get pissed."
Nagi stood and helped Ryūma up, his expression suddenly focused.
"Ryūma, do you think I've got moves like that in me too?"
Ryūma grinned and slung an arm over his shoulder.
"Relax, Nagi. Stick with me, and I'll make you stronger."
"That move Rin and I used just now—it's called the Blitz Shot. "By combining our power, we can unleash back-to-back shots in one seamless flow."
"In the end, we just blast open the goal by force. I came up with the idea, and Rin followed my lead."
"So come on, Nagi. Let's work together to create something even stronger—and become even greater."
"Mm-hmm."
Ryūma smiled proudly, but when he turned, he came face to face with Rin's icy stare.
His grin froze instantly. He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uh… when did you get here, Rin?"
Rin gave him a cold look, then turned away, heading toward his own half.
Seeing that Rin didn't say anything, Ryūma exhaled in relief.
If Rin had called him out right then, he might've died of embarrassment on the spot.
But halfway across the field, Rin turned his head slightly and said in a low, cutting voice,
"Quit talking nonsense and get back here."
Ryūma flinched but then relaxed again, muttering,
"Let's go, Nagi. Time to wrap this up—I'm getting hungry."
...
On the White Team's side, Shōei Barō's roar shattered the silence.
"Damn it!!"
"That kind of attack pisses me off!!"
"Ugh, the only way to stop them is to break their link-up before they shoot!"
"By the way, what the hell were you doing, Isagi!? You fell for such a basic nutmeg!?"
"If it were me, I'd have intercepted that guy no problem!"
Yoichi didn't respond to Barō's anger—his mind was elsewhere.
(No… Rin nutmegged me precisely because I was positioned beside him.)
(If Barō had been there instead, Rin would've found another way past him.)
That realization hit like a lightning bolt, snapping the puzzle pieces in his mind into place.
(Wait—of course!!)
(Rin only used that move because his opponent was me!)
(That's it!)
(If I can see from that angle… if I can use "Isagi" as bait from another perspective…)
(I can devour him!!)
(This is it—the key to defeating Rin!)
(A new formula!!)
Hyōma Chigiri wiped the sweat from his face and shouted,
"We don't have many chances left! Pass it to me!!"
"Ha! What's wrong, princess? Getting scared!?"
"You guys better pass it to me, even if your legs give out!"
"It's not over yet! Let's go!"
But one player on the White Team didn't join in.
Usually the most energetic of them all, he stood silently on the sidelines, watching the others.
That's right—Meguru Bachira was standing alone, eyes fixed on Rin Itoshi and Yoichi Isagi.