Julian Loki finally couldn't stand it anymore. He stepped forward and said to Leonardo Luna,
"Hold on, Luna, that's going too far!"
"That was just plain rude."
Leonardo Luna blinked, genuinely puzzled.
"Huh? Why?"
"Did I say something wrong?"
Julian Loki sighed as he glanced at the four members of the Red Team approaching.
"Sorry, everyone."
"He didn't mean any harm."
"Forget about these self-important adults. Nice to meet you!"
Julian Loki extended his hand toward Yoichi Isagi.
Yoichi hesitated for a second, then quickly shook his hand.
"Uh… yeah."
(This guy, Loki—he's surprisingly polite.)
"Nice to meet you."
(But his eyes… there's not even a hint of fear in them!)
Julian Loki smiled brightly.
"Let's make it a thrilling game!"
As the ten players took their positions, a mechanical voice echoed across the field:
Blue Lock Third Selection: 'Team World Five Tournament' – Five-on-Five!!
Rules identical to Round 2: First to five goals wins!!
This match will also serve as a special evaluation for candidates for Japan's U-20 National Team!
Standing in the center circle, ready to kick off, Yoichi Isagi fixed his gaze on the five white-clad members of Team World Five, his eyes blazing with determination.
(We have to win!)
(I'll carve my name—Yoichi Isagi—into the hearts of Team World Five!)
(Remember me… Yoichi Isagi!!)
Red Team possession! Yoichi Isagi kicks off!
Right after the whistle, Yoichi passed the ball to Ryūma Banjō on the right side of the midfield.
The Red Team's formation: Yoichi Isagi at the center, with Rin Itoshi and Ryūma Banjō flanking him.
Behind them, ready to support at any moment, were Jyubei Aryu and Seishiro Nagi.
As Ryūma sprinted forward with the ball, his eyes locked onto Pablo Cavasoz, who stood casually ahead, looking disinterested.
(Hmph. The first goal is always the easiest… and these guys are as lazy as they come.)
(Isagi's clearly putting his trust in me, giving me this opening play.)
(Look at him—his positioning, that look in his eyes—he wants the ball badly.)
(But…)
A grin tugged at Ryūma's lips as a deep purple gleam flared in his eyes.
(Why pass… when I can break through myself, baka!)
Pablo Cavasoz's freckled face shifted slightly in surprise as Ryūma closed the distance in an instant. For a brief moment, something familiar flashed across his mind.
"Interesting… your dribbling style and speed—they're just like Loki's."
Before he could say more, Ryūma was already upon him again, charging full-speed.
But Pablo wasn't easy prey. He instantly moved to block Ryūma's left side—the exact direction Ryūma was about to dribble toward.
"Hmph. If you're still half-asleep, freckle-face, I'll wake you up."
Ryūma's footwork shifted sharply. With a deft flick of his right heel, the ball zipped straight through Pablo's legs—
a flawless nutmeg.
The next second, Ryūma accelerated past him with blinding speed.
Even after being beaten, Pablo didn't panic. He turned sharply and sprinted after him, hooking an arm around Ryūma's waist to slow him down.
From the front, Yoichi Isagi shouted,
"Ryūma! Over here!"
"Me too!"
Seishiro Nagi's calm voice followed from just behind.
Ryūma hesitated briefly.
(Should I pass?)
(No… that'd expose our hand too early.)
(If I show everything now, they'll mark me tighter next time—and Rin will definitely draw focus too.)
(But those three won't. Passing now would only reveal all our cards!)
(Nagi's ball control can shift the momentum. Yoichi's anticipation rivals Rin's. And Aryu—as long as he stays away from Dada…)
(These three… they're the keys to countering them!)
Clenching his jaw, Ryūma abruptly stopped and flicked the ball up again, spinning into a Marseille Turn to shake off Pablo.
With the ball back at his feet, he darted sideways into Team World Five's midfield.
Scanning the field through his Metavision, he muttered inwardly:
(Adam and Dada aren't even serious—their movements are half-hearted.)
(Adam hasn't taken more than a few steps!)
(Hmph… looks like they really underestimated us.)
As Ryūma advanced, his pace slowed slightly, eyes narrowing as he sensed something ahead.
(One more variable… then I can unleash that shot.)
(Heh. There you are—Julian Loki!)
Catching Loki closing in from the corner of his eye, Ryūma's grin widened.
"Finally! If you hadn't come, I wouldn't have dared try this shot!"
Loki froze mid-run, momentarily thrown off.
"What?"
"Let me show you… my Heavy Cannon!"
The words left his mouth just as his right foot swung through the ball. It rocketed forward in a brilliant arc—
a blazing rainbow across the air.
The five members of Team World Five froze, stunned by the sudden Direct Shot.
Then they realized what was happening—Ryūma's figure, wreathed in violet flames, was already charging after the ball at impossible speed.
They weren't just shocked by his raw speed, but by the fact that he could unleash such explosive acceleration.
Julian Loki's eyes widened. For a moment, he saw his own reflection in Ryūma's sprint—but he didn't chase him. It was already too late.
As Ryūma reached the ball's drop point, he leapt, leaning slightly back, body coiling like a spring.
The moment the ball hovered inches above the ground, his pupils contracted.
His right leg snapped forward—
[BOOM!!]
GOAL!! Red Team 1 : 0 White Team
The strike was too fast, too sudden. Adam Blake and Dada Silva—closest to the goal—reacted instinctively,
but their bodies couldn't keep up with their thoughts.
Ryūma Banjō's modified Kaiser Impact had always been fierce, but coupled with their arrogance, it was unstoppable.
As the ball hit the net, Ryūma exhaled sharply.
(If that hadn't gone in… I might as well head straight to the cafeteria for lunch.)