Chapter 1: A Little Surprise for the Protagonist
"National High School Football Championship!"
"Saitama Prefecture Selection Finals!"
"Ichinan vs. Matsukaze Kokuo!"
"Please give a warm welcome to the players from both teams!"
As the commentator's voice faded into the stadium's roar, two lines of young men in football kits emerged from the tunnel.
"Kira Ryosuke! Wow! So handsome!"
"Waa! He's so dreamy! He looked at me—he looked right at me!"
"I want to be your girlfriend, Kira! I'll plant a kiss on your lips for every goal you score!"
…
"Where am I? Who is Kira Ryosuke? Are they talking to me?"
The handsome young man leading one of the lines, wearing the black and green striped number 10 jersey, had a face full of confusion despite his striking good looks.
Kira Ryosuke?
Wasn't this the character who got eliminated in the first couple of chapters of Blue Lock, the football manga he'd been reading recently?
Had he been isekai'd into this world?
He looked up and saw the boy in the white number 11 jersey opposite him. It was the protagonist of the manga, Isagi Yoichi.
He looked exactly like he did in the manga.
Kira Ryosuke instantly felt a mix of worry and joy. Joy, because he could now play the football he had always dreamed of, and even become a professional player. Worry, because according to the original plot, while Kira Ryosuke would score the key goal to win this match, he would be eliminated immediately in the first selection of the Blue Lock project. What should he do?
"Please shake hands."
Following the commentator's announcement, the players from both teams began shaking hands one by one. When Kira stood before Isagi, Isagi also noticed this star player from the opposing team whom his coach had warned him to watch out for.
He didn't seem particularly noteworthy... was he even distracted?
Unconsciously, Isagi Yoichi lowered his estimation of Kira Ryosuke.
Beeep!
The handshakes concluded, and with the blow of the whistle, the match began. Ichinan High School had the kickoff.
Right from the start, the white-clad players of Ichinan High, orchestrated and led by Isagi Yoichi, pressed step by step into Matsukaze Kokuo's half. The ball stayed at their feet. Although Matsukaze Kokuo's defense was watertight, Ichinan High dominated possession and controlled the game.
"I thought Matsukaze Kokuo were the reigning champions for several years running? How are they at this level, getting pinned back like this?"
"See that number 11 in white? He seems to be everywhere."
Discussions began to ripple through the spectator stands.
The clock reached the 10th minute of the first half. Isagi broke through on the left wing and sent in a cross that landed perfectly in the center of the penalty area.
A gasp ran through the crowd!
Fortunately, the following Ichinan player failed to control the ball properly, and it was cleared by a Matsukaze Kokuo defender.
Otherwise, the consequences would have been dire.
Kira Ryosuke couldn't help but click his tongue inwardly. Just like in the original story, the Isagi Yoichi of this match wasn't yet the BOSS-level existence he would become later in the manga.
But his game reading ability was terrifyingly strong, making this transmigrator feel the pressure. It was hard to imagine how strong Isagi would become after entering Blue Lock.
It seemed that in the original story, if Isagi's teammate hadn't missed that final shot, Ichinan High might not have actually lost to Matsukaze Kokuo.
So today's match would probably follow the original plot, a hard-fought victory.
[Detected attribute that can be absorbed!]
[Vision +20 (Continuous decay)]
[Duration: 10 minutes]
[Retention Time: 24 hours]
[Absorb?]
What the...
A cold, female voice echoed in Kira's head. It only took him 0.5 seconds, drawing on his past life experience reading web novels, to understand that he had become a cheater. His panicked heart calmed slightly.
"Absorb!" Kira Ryosuke silently chanted.
[Absorption successful. Obtained Isagi Yoichi Attribute Trial Card x1]
[Vision +20 (Continuous decay)]
[Duration: 10 minutes]
[Retention Time: 24 hours]
[Silently chant 'Use Trial Card' to activate!]
A temporary attribute boost from Isagi Yoichi? Kira was puzzled.
On the field, a corner kick was being taken. The landing point was won by a Matsukaze Kokuo player who headed it out of the box.
Kira immediately rushed towards the second ball. Isagi was already there waiting, and passed the ball back to Ichinan's defensive line.
Kira kicked the turf in frustration. This guy's judgment of the ball's landing spot was too accurate.
This couldn't go on!
"Use Trial Card!" Kira immediately used the card.
[Activated. Vision +20. Duration 10 minutes.]
Instantly, the positions of all players, both allies and enemies, were imprinted in Kira's mind. So that's how it is, Kira finally understood why Isagi played so comfortably.
On the other side, after a few passes, the ball found its way back to Isagi's feet.
Isagi stopped the ball and patiently observed the opposing formation.
"We can win. We can win. Is this all Kokuo has? The gap isn't big. As long as I think carefully, I can definitely find a flaw and break through them," Isagi thought to himself.
"Win the ticket to the national tournament!"
Isagi started moving, driving forward with the ball.
Two Matsukaze Kokuo players immediately closed him down. Isagi Yoichi executed a beautiful turn, beating both men instantly, leaving them in his dust. Now, only the number 6 defender stood between him and the goalkeeper.
"Go, Isagi! GO! GO! GO!"
"Score the first goal, Isagi! Show Kokuo what Ichinan can do!"
Watching Isagi's move, the Ichinan substitutes' bench erupted.
"Nationals! The National Tournament." Isagi muttered his goal, his feet constantly shifting, swaying like a pendulum to confuse the vision of the defender in front of him.
Which side? Which side?
Matsukaze Kokuo's number 6 player stared intently at the ball at Isagi's feet.
And Isagi's gaze was fixed on the opponent's feet and center of gravity.
For just a moment, Isagi's shoulders dipped left.
Left! Kokuo's number 6 player immediately shifted left. The corner of Isagi's mouth lifted as he broke through to the right.
"Fool, of course it's this side!"
His body flashed past, completing the dribble.
However, just as Isagi thought he was about to face the goalkeeper one-on-one, a figure suddenly appeared like a wall blocking his path.
"Kira Ryosuke!"
"How is that possible? When did he get there?"
"Did he just disappear from the pitch and reappear?"
The entire stadium gasped.
"Impossible. Did he see through my attacking intent? Did he abandon his defensive position to track me, ready to provide support the whole time?" Isagi Yoichi was lost in self-doubt, unable to believe that the attacking path he initiated based on what his eyes showed him could have been read.
"Do it again, Isagi! Get past him!" a teammate shouted from behind.
"Right, get past him!" Isagi snapped back to reality. There was still a chance. As long as he got past Kira, he could shoot. He prepared to move his feet.
Thump!
The ball was forcefully taken by Kira.
"Wh-what strong physical pressure!" A tremendous force transmitted from their clash, and Isagi fell to the ground. The referee didn't blow the whistle. No foul.
"Quick, quick, stop him!!" Isagi yelled from the ground.
But it was too late.
Immediately, Kira shot off like an arrow from a bow, leaving the Ichinan players behind.
As he ran, it was as if he knew in advance, evading one defensive player after another, carrying the ball all the way to the goalkeeper alone.
Facing the keeper, he unleashed a simple, powerful shot.
Whoosh!
The ball flew towards the goal with a sound, and promptly hit the back of the net.
A moment later, the stadium erupted in thunderous applause. Matsukaze Kokuo players swarmed towards Kira Ryosuke from all directions to celebrate the goal.
"Oh my god! Matsukaze Kokuo's number 10, Kira Ryosuke, went on a solo run from his own half all the way to the opponent's penalty area and put the ball in the net!" the commentator shouted excitedly.
"This... is he really a high school student?"
"Even Isagi couldn't gain an advantage over him?"
"Is the national tournament really just a dream?"
On the Ichinan High bench, there was a collective groan.
"Kira! Kira! You're the best!"
"That goal was so cool! A solo run from his own half to the penalty area! I want to marry him!"
"As expected of the man I fell in love with!"
Kira's fans screamed hysterically.
In the distance, Isagi, still on the ground, wore a look of bewilderment. Did he really see through my intentions? Impossible. Even if he was inferior to Kira in other aspects, he could accept that, but he still had confidence in his grasp of the details on the pitch.
"It's not over yet! We still have a chance! This is just the beginning!" Isagi shouted loudly to encourage his teammates.
On the other side, Kira spread his arms, enjoying his first goal in the world of Blue Lock.
So this is the world as seen through Isagi Yoichi's eyes? The entire pitch is crystal clear. I like it.
----
A new journey begins! Hold on tight, I'm about to start cooking!
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