4-0!
The score on the big screen harshly stung the nerves of every player on Team Y.
Kira Ryosuke was like an insurmountable wall; the team members couldn't even find a way to defeat him.
"Don't give up! We need to score at least one goal!"
Niko Isshiki looked at his dejected teammates and shouted loudly.
"Ah, that's right."
The first to respond was Hyoma Okawa. Although he had inwardly admitted that he was inferior to Kira Ryosuke, his passion for soccer prevented him from giving up the chance to be selected for the national team. Even if the opportunity was extremely slim, he had to seize it.
After the kickoff.
This time, Niko pushed Team Y's trump card tactic: an all-out offense from the start.
Every Forward quickly penetrated Team Z's defense, organizing linked plays, while Hyoma Okawa, as the arrowhead, charged straight into the penalty area without looking back.
It was as if no one cared about defensive issues after losing possession.
"Going all-in, are they...?"
Kira Ryosuke, as a Forward, did not rush back to defend since there were enough players in the back, to avoid excessive physical exertion.
The heavy responsibility of marking Team Y's core player, Niko, naturally fell on Isagi Yoichi, who possessed an exceptionally keen spatial awareness.
"You're the heart of Team Y, Niko."
Isagi Yoichi stuck close to Niko's side, trying to win the ball. Niko's basic ball control was excellent; his dribbling ability wasn't strong, but as an organizer of offense, he didn't need to hold the ball for too long.
With just a light pass.
The ball went to a Team Y attacking midfielder.
Furuta chuckled, "Good pass, Niko! I've got this ball."
Saying that, he aimed and prepared to shoot.
"Stop him!"
Raichi, who had tracked back, shouted roughly.
"No problem!" A figure flashed by. The moment Team Y's attacking midfielder lifted his foot to shoot, Igaguri's surprisingly long leg blocked the path of the ball, clearing it away.
"Well done, Igaguri..."
Kunigami only praised him briefly before realizing that the landing spot of the ball was a bit strange.
It seemed to float with a slight no-spin trajectory, landing near the penalty area in front of the goal.
Bang—
It wasn't a Team Z member who snatched the ball.
It was Niko Isshiki, who possessed an extremely strong spatial awareness and a keen understanding of the field.
With his eyes glinting beneath his fringe, Niko gritted his teeth, "I've got this ball!"
He lifted his foot to shoot.
From behind him came Isagi Yoichi's familiar voice, "Your predicted future is really far, Niko."
"But I've also seen the scene you see in your eyes."
Bang—
Isagi Yoichi unexpectedly intercepted the ball before Niko could shoot.
Niko was startled, "Damn it, did I fail? Team Z really has a lot of troublesome guys..."
Ball possession was lost again.
Countless figures in the penalty area scrambled for the ball.
The next to possess the ball was Hyoma Okawa, the top scorer from Kumamoto Prefecture, who had been waiting in the penalty area for a long time.
"This is how it should be..."
His shot was powerful, a fierce volley he was very good at.
The soccer ball became a streak of lightning, flying towards the top right corner of the goal.
The goalkeeper, Iemon, lunged to save, but was just a fraction short. As the ball was about to go in, a swift, tall figure suddenly dashed across the messy grass.
With an extremely strange posture, he lifted his foot and hooked the ball against the crossbar, successfully stopping its progress.
Then, with a "bang," he crashed into the goalpost.
Spitting out a large mouthful of bile.
"Igaguri..."
Isagi Yoichi exclaimed in surprise.
"Now, it's up to you, attacking Forwards..." Igaguri stared blankly at the ball that had fallen to Bachira's feet.
"Oh. Leave it to us."
Bachira bared his fangs. In an instant, an excited flame ignited in all of Team Z's members.
"It's attack time!"
He immediately sent a long cross.
There, the tyrant of the field had been waiting for a long time.
Kira Ryosuke narrowed his eyes. The ball, coming from dozens of meters away, was easily cushioned and stopped with the outside of his foot.
His exquisite ball control was breathtaking.
Team Y, apart from one defender marking him closely, left their goal wide open. Kira Ryosuke, without thinking, accelerated and sprinted, shaking off the defender. When he reached about twenty meters from the goal with the ball, he unleashed a powerful shot.
Even from a distance, the sound of the shot made the goalkeeper tremble.
The soccer ball seemed to explode, tearing through the air, tracing a beautiful arc as it grazed his shoulder and flew into the net.
Fast!
The ball speed was just too fast!
In the blink of an eye, the soccer ball rapidly grew in his pupils. He couldn't even react with any movement.
He was completely frozen.
No one blamed the goalkeeper for his inaction; everyone on Team Y felt the same way.
If it were them guarding such a shot, the result would probably be the same.
Countless gazes fell on the silver-haired boy, with only one thought in their minds.
His talent was terrifying, like an endless abyss that could never be fully explored. Did they truly have any hope of winning against such a monster?
Bachira, seeing everyone stunned in the distance, secretly covered his mouth and chuckled, "Ryosuke's shots are still as violent as ever. I've seen it many times when I've played solo against him."
"Now it's your turn to be amazed."
After the goal.
Team Z cheered and ran over.
They lifted Kira Ryosuke above their heads, cheering, each one incredibly excited.
What had they seen? In Blue Lock, filled with only high school students, they had witnessed a shot worthy of a "worldie."
This made them, as peers, feel as if they were in a professional league match, sending shivers down their spines.
It was excitement!
It was thrill!
And it was awe!
Bachira jumped onto Kira Ryosuke's back, playfully ruffling his head of silver-white hair, "Your shot was amazing! Coming here to fight alongside you was truly the right choice."
Raichi crossed his arms, veins bulging on his face, "Damn handsome bastard, how can he be perfect in everything?"
Imamura, beside him, nodded in agreement, "Exactly, exactly. He's the complete opposite of Raichi. One's an athletic idiot, the other's an all-around handsome guy. How nice, he must be very popular with girls. I also want to enjoy hot young girls cheering for me."
As he spoke, he wiggled his body, seemingly immersed in his own little world, surrounded by a group of beautiful girls in pleated skirts.
"Huh????"
Raichi roughly punched him awake, grabbing his collar, "What nonsense are you spouting, you bastard? Who's an athletic idiot? Show some respect to me!"
The short Naruhaya jumped up, hooked Raichi's shoulder, and laughed, "Oh really, Raichi, don't you want to be as popular as Ryosuke?"
"..."
Raichi rarely showed a blush, pinching his cheek with his fingers, "Of course I want to..."
"No!"
"What the hell are you trying to trick me into saying, you bastard?"
Realizing something was wrong, Raichi reacted and started brawling with Naruhaya and the others.
Kunigami: "He's an idiot."
Chigiri: "Indeed, he's an idiot."
Kira Ryosuke also chuckled softly. Each member of Team Z had a distinct personality.
He didn't dislike it.
— — — — //