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Chapter Text

Isagi blinked his eyes open and immediately winced as bright fluorescent light blinded him. A momentary blankness lingered over him before he was startled by a loud shout. Looking around he saw other members of Blue Lock coming into consciousness while a few were already on their feet. There were members of the U-20 as well as Ego and Anri. To Isagi’s shock it looked like there were members of Bastard München, PXG, Manshine, and Barcha. And Noel Noa! Despite the terrifying situation the little fanboy in Isagi screamed in delight at seeing his hero in the flesh. Like the rest of the players, it seemed like no one was injured thankfully but mostly angry, fearful, and upset. 

All of them were seated in individual navy-blue velvet accent style chairs with gold-finish legs. The room itself was spacious with 20 feet tall white walls, gold accent cutouts, and shining white marble floors. The seats were all facing a massive black screen. It all felt like something that Ego would renovate Blue Lock to if he stopped snubbing the sponsors. 

Ego. Isagi felt anxiety whirling in chest as he tried to recall how he and the rest of them had gotten here. The last thing he remembered was the flashes of cameras, the screaming of the crowds, and his fellow Blue Lock members gazing in excitement at him as the world came to know of the boy who would lead his team to victory. 

Just as the din of 40 or so voices was reaching a new peak, the black screen blinked on and the room silenced itself as the image of a beautiful woman sitting on a chair appeared. She was clearly Japanese if her half-moon eyes, fair skin, and pink lips were to be believed. Isagi had a fleeting thought that she looked a little like Mira from Alice in Wonderland had her shoulder-length brown hair been black but he ignored it. 

The woman on the screen smiled and her eyes crinkled at the edges. “Hello everyone. It appears that introductions are in order. You all can address me as Reika with the kanji - 羚 and 力. All you here, well, are here for my entertainment!” She pitched with a twinkling laugh. “You are going to watch a story. A story of a legend in the making and I will bear witness to my little toys.”

Isagi was speechless. The members around him were also speechless as they stared at this madwoman smiling back at them as if she had told them that the weather was beautiful. People exchanged fearful glances and some enough some of them geared up and asked questions as more and more joined in. 

The sound was beginning to ricochet off the walls before a sharp cold voice cut through the clamor. “What do you hope to achieve with this?” Ego said, his voice absolutely frigid. 

Reika huffed and pouted. “Like I said before , you are going to watch a story!! One of the greatest football players the world has ever bore witness too. I fancy myself an artist - mind you,” she said with an elegant twirl of her wrist, “and you know Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. Or something. Anyway, I am here to create art through people!”

Surprisingly it was Hiori who spoke up. “So how does this involve us? What does this have to do with…football? Or the player you were talking about?” Everyone tensed up at the question. Did she mean to torture them or through them into a survival game to find the one player that survived? What about the rest of them? They rose to their feet and started screaming at the woman. Many started banging the walls and curses and shouts flew from every corner of the room. 

Reika beamed. “That’s exactly it! If liberating my soul means setting my desires free, then I want his potential to be realized! And-oh stop that for goodness sake.” She rolled her eyes and the click of a button echoed through the room before Isagi felt his muscles tense then relax. Without his permission his body sat softly in his chair as everyone else was forced to return to their seats. Horror clawed its way up his throat and his heart pounded. This-this creature just forced his and everyone’s body to move with their permission. He could see the realization and weight of the situation dawn on everyone’s faces as they were forced to listen to it. 

“As I was saying, I am going to show you the protagonist of the world. It involves all of you because you all know. Or will know him. You’ll fight with him and against him. You will devour or be devoured by him. My muse, masterpiece, and oeuvre. The savior - Isagi Yoichi.”

Heads whipped around to stare at him as ice flooded his veins. Isagi nearly flinched his way off the seat as every eye in the room pinned on him. Not that he noticed them anyway as he stared into the mad eyes of the woman looking back at him.

“ What? ”

Chapter Text

“ What? ” Isagi gasped. “I-I- me ?”

“ Him? ” A voice snarled out. Rin’s normally sea-foam eyes glowed acidically as they stared at Reika. “ Why him? ” 

Isagi felt his body instinctively tensing up at the implication before he realized that he felt the same way too. Quietly glancing around, he noticed that most everyone else seemed to be of the same mind as Rin. In a program and the professional world where everyone believes that they are the center of the world, it would be earth-shaking to be told that you are truly not the protagonist of the story. 

“Because that’s the way the world works, Rin-chan.” Reika giggled. Isagi winced. If they survived this, he could guarantee that Rin would take Bachira’s head off if Bachira ever called him “Rin-chan” again. Not that Isagi would let him hurt his best friend regardless of the circumstances.  

“Some were born to be the actors and some are just stuck living their lives as the supporting cast. But that’s why I love Isagi-chan! Sweet, little Isagi was only supposed to be part of the supporting cast. How did he steal the lead role? I know all of you are wondering the same. What’s an ordinary boy doing standing on top of a world of geniuses? Each and every one of you have played against and collapsed to your knees in the feat of greatness from a nobody. Are you not curious to see how my masterpiece did it?”

The silence was deafening. Isagi felt his palms sweat as he resolutely stared at Reika in order to avoid meeting the eyes of everyone else in the room. He fought the urge to hunch his shoulders from the tension. 

“If you’re all done questioning my ingenious plan, we can actually get around to answering your questions and continuing my art.” With that ominous statement Reika suddenly blinked out and the scene of grass and numerous running feet appeared on the screen. The next second, an image of Isagi in white, rushing down the field as he single-handedly evaded multiple blockers in green and black, appeared.

Isagi sucked in a sharp breath. Bachira who was seated next to him noticed and nudged him but Isagi shook his head with a slight shake. This game…he would never forget this. The bitter disappointment of losing a chance at nationals and the endless “what ifs” that plagued his mind for months afterward would remain with him till the end of time. It was the one event that catalyzed him into what he became today. Despite that the pain of seeing this remained. 

The camera zoomed in on Isagi’s focused face. If we win this, we go to nationals!

Wait. Holy shit. Isagi’s heart started trying to escape his ribcage as he realized that his thoughts were being broadcast. Evidently the others realized this too because all over the room players were straightening up or focusing harder on the screen. 

A board advertised ICHINAN HIGH SCHOOL

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

SAITAMA PREFECTURE FINALS

The score board showed ICHINAN VS MATSUKAZE KOKUOU

Several boys were shown shouting. “Go, Isagi!” “This is our last chance!” “We're counting on you!”

Despite they themselves not being in the game, many players felt the tension of the fight. A high stakes game was something they never shied away from and they wanted Isagi to win. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t. Kunigami cocked his head. Seeing that Isagi wasn’t at nationals, this game likely didn’t go his way.

Nationals…Nationals…Nationals . Isagi chanted the mantra.  

He easily bypassed the players. They were nothing to him . I'm over here, loser! I'm gonna score. 

Nationals! At the sight of their rival’s face many players were shocked. The overpowering villain, it was as if they were merely ants in the face of a giant. Indomitable being. Nagi felt tendrils of excitement rise up within him. This is what he chased the egoist for. 

“Isagi!” A voice suddenly called. Isagi’s concentration was broken like a droplet hitting a still lake. “Over here! I'm free!”

Tada? The goal was getting closer by the second. If I pass, we'll score .

“Isagi!” His coach suddenly screamed out. “Remember, it's one for all and all for one!”

That's right. Soccer's played with guys on a team.

Ego sneered at the coach’s mindset. Brainwashing and destroying talent with false promises of team glory. Pathetic

Isagi passed the ball. All right! Now we're tied…

Despite the tense situation Bachira giggled and nudged his friend. “Look at you Isagi, you look like L!” he whispered. Isagi blushed and nudged him back before refocusing on the screen.

The ball hit the goal post . No way! 

Everyone grimaced at the poor play. This kind of thing would be ridiculed at Blue Lock and the professional field. 

“Counter!” “Push up!” Several teammates of the opposing side took control of the ball before ending up at Kira Ryosuke’s feet.

Crap! Isagi thought. He was too far back to get there in time! “Stop them!” “Get through!” screamed his former teammates. Kira kicked the ball into the goal and ended the match. 

While the other team cheered his formed teammates collapsed under the weight of the loss. 

“Sorry, guys! If only...If only I'd scored…” Tada cried. “It's not your fault, Tada.” Another cried. Isagi merely sat on the ground breathing heavily. 

The Blue Lock 20 blinked in surprise at this display. Isagi was never one to take a defeat lightly. He would always be frustrated and motivated but this display? They glanced at him to see his reaction but Isagi looked normal. What on earth?

T he reporters swarmed Kira as he talked about his victory.  

Rin rolled his eyes at the display. Such a lukewarm goal and all this celebrating for someone who wasn’t even worth his attention. Karasu quirked his lips. Such an ordinary goal and he’s called the “jewel of japan”? 

Isagi’s team gathered and the coach cried about the loss with the players. Again Isagi’s calm and bored face was shown in the midst of a crowd of snot and tears. 

Chigiri was seriously going to get a whiplash associating the boy on the screen with the boy in front of him. This was the boy that snarled at him to get out of his way? No fucking way he’s believeing that bullshit. Pull the other one Kunigami! 

The screen suddenly blackened into black spider like tendrils as Isagi’s final thoughts came into being. No. We're a team that didn't make it to nationals 'cause we lost in the prefectural qualifier.

Igarashi and Nanase shivered. This was too scary to correlate with the boy who smiled so brightly at them. 

The scene changed to Isagi slowly walking home with his bike. And I'm an unknown second-year forward on that team. That's the reality. I'm sorry, Noa-sama.  

Noel Noa perked up at his name. Was this boy a fan of his?

I doubt I'll be able to become...a superstar like you.

The cumulation of Isagi’s dreams and work from childhood flickered on the screen. A couple people smiled at the little version of the boy but most were sympathizing with him. 

It looks like my dream will never be more than a dream. My idiotic dream of becoming a star striker for the national team and winning the World Cup.

Noel Noa's face was impassive but he felt a hint of frustration at the boy’s despair. Although - he glanced at the one seated in the middle - it seemed like something went well during the game considering the way he played at the U-20 match. 

On the screen Isagi was wrapped up in regret. But no. One for all. All for one. Soccer is played with guys on a team. His hands clenched on the handlebars of the bike. You can't do it alone. Suddenly he screamed.

Everyone present jumped or stiffened in unison with the little kids on the screen. Sendou stared wide eyed at the ace of the team that beat him as he broke down. This guy. He was too different on and off the field!

Damn it. I really wanted to win.

Isagi slouched in his seat, too embarrassed to look at anyone. The Blue Lock players were staring fixated at the scene of their favorite rival crying. They had never seen his break like this and to be honest they never wanted to again. The only way they wanted to see Isagi broken was by their hands. Not by some unknown team with subpar players. 

“I'm home.” Isagi said as he entered his house. “Welcome back. How did the game go?” His mother popped out from the door frame. “We lost. I'm hungry.” He complained nonchalantly back. 

Aiku raised an eyebrow but said nothing at the way the boy responded. He was wrecked mere minutes ago but suddenly put together again? Was this common? Or did he just have a tendency to hide his pain?

Isagi’s parents didn’t seem too concerned. 

“By the way, a letter arrived for you from the Japan Football Union.” His mom said, holding out the letter. Isagi was shocked but his parents seemed to not realize. Why me? 

Reo scoffed at his anxiously stunned face. He bypasses all those opposing players single handedly, takes Nagi away from him, and he has the nerve to question his acceptance? He settled back into the seat with a slight frown. Isagi was different from the person he thought he was and it was a surprise to see him in this new light. 

The setting changed to Isagi standing in front of a gate. Is this the right place ? He thought comically. 

Multiple people laughed at his cute confusion as Isagi tried to hide behind the collar of his jacket.

A familiar voice suddenly called out to Isagi on the screen. “Oh, hey, you're from Ichinan. Isagi, right?” It was Kira Ryousuke. “You were invited, too? Figures. Good game the other day. Do you know who I am?”

“Oh Ki-Kira-kun.” Isagi stuttered with a slight blush.

Several more people laughed at the way he shyly stuttered.

“Yes, of course. We only just lost to you the other day. I totally remember you.” 

“Isagi-kun you’re really cute off the field,” Hiori giggled. “Th-thanks?” Isagi blushed back. It’s been a long time since he was complimented so openly. 

Kira continued. “You've got, like, a broad perspective on the game. A high soccer IQ. If we were on the same team, I'd bet you'd hit some amazing passes to me.”

“Uh, thank you.” Isagi, who was watching himself, frowned at his own reply. Seriously? So he’d only be good at passing to Kira? What a backhanded compliment. 

Isagi on screen was stunned. No way. For real? Kira Ryosuke is complimenting me? Isagi and Kira made more polite conversation and continued on their way inside before freezing in shock. 

“There's a ton of guys here.” Isagi said with a disbelieving tone. 

“I see some guys I recognize. Sennou's star player, Okawa. The tallest high school athlete, Ishikari. Even Nishioka, the Messi of Aomori, is here.”

Huh? Is everyone here a forward? 

“He understood the situation very quickly, ” Chigiri thought. “ Well, of course he did.”

The lights dimmed and a lanky man dressed in black was standing at the center. “Congratulations, diamonds in the rough. You are the -and-under strikers who have been chosen according to my arbitrary and biased decision-making. And I am Ego Jinpachi, the man hired to make sure Japan wins the World Cup.”

Murmurs erupted around the room as Isagi’s thoughts were heard again. Huh? What did he just say? "Wins the World Cup"?

“Who is he?” Kira asked him. “Do you know him?”

“No, no clue.”

Ego continued. “Simply put, there's one thing Japanese soccer needs to become the best in the world. It's the birth of a revolutionary striker. I'll be performing an experiment here to turn one of you into the world's best striker. And that's what this facility is for. Blue Lock.”

Itoshi Sae looked at Isagi out of the corner of his way. If we’re here because of this mad woman, then that means that this boy is proof that Ego’s work came to fruition. The glimpse of talent he had seen in the U-20 match wasn’t fake after all. The heart of Blue Lock, truly . 

“Starting today, you will live here together and undergo the special top training I've devised. You won't be allowed to go home, and you'll say goodbye to whatever soccer life you've been living up to now. But I promise you this: If you manage to survive and beat out the other guys here to become the last man standing, you will be the world's greatest striker. That is all. Nice to meet you.”

What is he talking about? Isagi thought horrified.  

“Um, excuse me.” Kira spoke up. “I can't agree to the conditions you just laid out. Each of us has a team that's important to us. Some of us have nationals coming up. I can't abandon my team to participate in some nonsensical program.”

The crowd on the screen immediately erupted. “Yeah. I've got nationals too.” “Why would we suddenly start living together?” “Who even are you?” “We demand to speak to someone who isn't crazy.” “I see. You're all seriously ill then.”

Isagi’s face was the only one that was calm. He placidly observed the situation around him. 

Barou felt anger rising in him. Always the same fucking calm. Even in the face of crisis or someone greater in every way than him. The way those dark flaming blue eyes stared down at him as if he were the peasant clawed at his brain. So. Fucking. Calm. 

“Lock off. Anyone who wants to leave can go. Is becoming the number one high school team in this backwards country more important to you than becoming the world's best striker? Just thinking that the future of Japan is in your hands makes me lose hope.” Ego sneered.

Lavinho agreed. The only way forward is the way alone. This man got it. 

Huh? What?

“Listen up. The power of Japanese soccer organizations is first-rate. You could call it the result of Japanese thoughtfulness. But in all other respects, it is undeniably second-rate. Let me ask you this: What is soccer? Is it about guys working together? Valuing your ties to others Self-sacrifice? I'll tell you the answer. Soccer is about scoring more goals than your opponent. Whoever scores the most goals is the greatest. If you just want to play friendly games with your buddies, then lock off.” 

What's with this guy? He's crazy.

The players, regardless of if they were Blue Lock or otherwise, nodded fervently. Ego was crazy. Is. Ego is crazy. 

Kira was enraged. “That's a terrible thing to say. Take it back.There are many athletes on the Japanese team who I respect. They are my superstars.”

“What? The Japanese team?” Ego asked. Then he gave a horrifying smile. “But they've never won the World Cup, have they? I'm talking about becoming the best in the world.

"Instead of assisting my teammates to win, it feels better to pull off a hat trick and lose." These are the words of the world's greatest striker, Noel Noa, who beat Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or."

Noel Noa nodded at those words. It was far better to try and score alone than win and lose yourself in the group. 

"Eric Cantona said, 'I don't care about my team. I just want to stand out.' Pelé said, "The world's best forward, midfielder, defender, and goalkeeper. Whichever you ask about, the answer is still me.” Well? Awful, right? But they're all top, top players! And they're all extraordinary egoists! That's what Japanese soccer lacks. You can't become the world's best striker unless you're the world's biggest egoist.”

The things this man is saying…

The football players startled at the dark unnatural display. Bachira perked up at it. Is this Isagi’s version of his monster? 

“I want to create that kind of person here.”

...are probably wrong.

Yet despite these words, the looming feeling of anticipation remained. “ Little hypocrite, ” Kaiser cooed in his head, “ I’m going to enjoy seeing you burn. ” 

“Someone who will stand on corpses. A solitary hero.”

Gagamaru shivered at the sight on the screen. Bozo! Your imagination is really dark!

I can't do it. After all, I haven't achieved anything.

Several Blue Lock players frowned at the self-doubt. Coming from a man who the world is watching, this kind of insecurity was not something they realized their rival was dealing with.

The imagery came to a football match scenario with Isagi at the center. His eyes…

“-only an insane egoist can take that sh*t without hesitation.”

Everyone in the audience shivered from excitement. This supernatural smoke flowing from Azure eyes was overpowering! Nagi leaned forward in anticipation. This is what he had caught flashes of during their matches. Everytime it seemed like they were going to lose, this oppressive feeling erupted from the striker and caught everyone in their midst!

“Pass through these doors. Abandon all common sense. On the field, you're the star.”

Nobody ever taught me any of this. Isagi felt hunger fill every ounce of his body.

“Nothing should bring you more joy than your own goals. Live only for that moment. Isn't that what it means to be a striker?” Ego finished.

I am a striker! Isagi burst forward, people on both sides clearing a path for him. People stared at him in shock. 

“Isagi-” Kira reached out toward his back. 

Isagi’s spectacular movement in a room of still figures set off a chain reaction. 

“I'll play your dumb game, shithead!”

“Me too!”

As once, a room full of strikers followed him. 

Nanase shook his head at the memory. Even at a time when he and Isagi-san had not met him, he had seen Isagi-san and followed after him. Just like Isagi-san to lead people without realizing it. Nanase smiled. This is what he chased after in Team A. 

“Shall we begin?”

The screen flicked off before Reika suddenly appeared on it again. Players were startled backwards onto their seat, not knowing they had been sitting on the edge of the chair in anticipation. Gruff grumbles from embarrassment sounded around the room before it quieted. 

“Sooooo? What do you think?! And oh boy this is just the very, very beginning! My pretty, pretty muse! We’re going to have so much fun with you yet!” Reika shrieked. 

Ootoya piped up. “Okay lady, we get it but we gotta go. People to see, girls to date and all that.”

“Oooh no sorry can’t let you do that” Reika chirped.

“ Why? ” Rin snarled. 

“Because I’m not done! You guys are the rudest bunch I’ve ever met. Seriously, it's gonna be useful for you too. Aren’t you looking for a challenge? My artwork here is the biggest fear you will ever face. He’ll crush you. He’ll tear you to shreds and all you will keep coming back for more on your fucking knees .”

“Heh.” Karasu muttered. “Well now we can’t leave after a lie like that. Mr. Ordinary here might not be so ordinary but I sure as hell won’t take that insult lying down. You can’t do anything to us anyway. So we won’t leave. Can we atleast contact our relatives to let them know we’re okay?”

“ No need to worry about the rest of the world! I took the liberty of telling them you were on a short leave. A couple of them had trouble believing the notes I left but then they thought the work must’ve gotten to your heads. Workaholics and fanatics, the lot of you.”

“So what now?” Gagamaru asked. 

“Well you have two choices. You can take a short break or you can continue watching! It’s entiiiitrely up to you. See? I’m so sweet.”

Ness gave a tight smile toward the rest of the room. “Perhaps we should take a short break? It’s exhausting watching this pathetic creature try to crawl in front of Kaiser.”

This set off a series of vehement protests.

“Kaiser?! You-”

“Isagi isn’t-”

“You’re the pathetic-”

“I agree with the grape-”

“Of course noone-”

“EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Raichi screamed. “LISTEN UP YOU FUCKERS! WE’RE GONNA SIT DOWN WATCH THE REST OF THIS SHITTY SHOW RIGHT NOW. THE WEAKLING FROM TEAM Z THAT I COULD BOWL OVER IS NOW ONE OF THE BEST?! DON’T FUCK WITH ME!! I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS LYING DOWN. I’M GONNA ANALYZE THE SHIT OUT OF THIS BASTARD’S VIDEO AND WIN. YOU BITCH-” he pointed at Reika, “PLAY THE GODDAMN THING ALREADY.”

“FUCK THAT PEASANT” Barou thundered, “ISAGI I’M GOING TO DEVOUR YOU AND IF I HAVE TO DO IT BY WATCHING EVERY SECOND OF YOUR LIFE THEN THAT WHAT I’M GONNA DO! PLAY IT NOW”

“I want to see what’s so good about him too” Reo said. “I want to continue watching.”

“Yeah! Play the video!” “Continue!” and other words of encouragement rang out across the room.

Bachira leaned over onto Isagi’s shoulder and chirped. “Well, well, look at you striker. Aren’t you popular?”

“No..I’m just” Isagi started before Bachira interrupted again.

“But you know. I want to know more about you too. I’m gonna beat you after all~”

“ You’re on monster ”

“Looks like everyone’s decided! Have it your way then” Reika chirped before her face went black again. The people in the room settled back into their chairs, glaring at what’s yet to come.

~

Tada Tomonari clicked the refresh button on his phone for the 10th time as he sat on a stone bench in front of the artificial river. Around him kids, girls, boys, and even adults were bemoaning the pause of the Blue Lock program. There was no hair or hide seen of any of the Blue Lock members or the famous sports teams that reportedly met with the said members. He may not be the smartest tool in the shed, but Tada knew there was something else going on. Tada had been with Isagi from elementary, to middle, and through highschool before they parted ways because of the program. Isagi wasn’t one to disappear off the face of the Earth. “A temporary leave of absence for mental reasons?” That announcement was an outright lie. 

He refreshed one more time but the screen still remained black with a white blue lock symbol in the center circling repeatedly. He gave up and looked towards the sky. Well there was no use trying anymore right now. As he got up he noticed a familiar head of light blond hair. 

“You-you’re Kira Ryosuke!” He called out, rushing toward the former jewel of japan. “Hi! I’m Tada Tomonari!”

Kira smiled and raised his eyebrows. “Hi there. What’s up? Want my autograph?”

“Yes! Please,” Tada quickly added on, ripping out a sheet of paper from his math notebook and handing it over. So freaking embarrassing but this was Kira Ryosuke! He was in a hurry!

“I don’t know if you remember me but my team and I played against you. At the Prefectural Finals.”

“Oh?” Kira hummed, penning out his signature.

“Yeah! Actually Isagi was on my team? Do you know him?”

The pen froze against the paper creating a dot of ink. “Isagi Yoichi?”

“Yeah he’s in that Blue Lock program now. Actually did you see that U-20 match? Mannn he was so lucky, you know? The ball just flew to him. How lucky is that?! Anyway I can’t believe the program just froze. After all the professionals joined too. But wanna hear something cool? I think they actually moved locations.”

Kira handed the paper back to Tada with a tight smile. “Why do you think that?”

“Oh you know there was a bit of construction for a new mall on Block 420 but then they stopped. It’s just empty space and greenery there. So I think they were planning on building a new location for Blue Lock but then tore it down because of the government’s protect wildlife act. They probably moved somewhere else because Blue Lock has been really quiet lately.”

“Is that so?” A cold glint entered pale Peach eyes. “Thanks for letting me Tada- Tada right?”

“Yeah!! Woah, it was so cool to meet you!”

“Hahaha yeah, see you later Tada.” Kira brushed past him and continued down the road. The smile was wiped off his face. Looks like I have a little exploring to do. If I can’t get an opportunity, I will make one. Wait for me Isagi. I’m going to tear you down from that pedestal and reclaim my crown .

Chapter Text

The screen changed from Reika’s face to a line of buses climbing the mountain to Blue Lock. 

“Nowhere in the world is the soccer more intense than it is at Blue Lock.”

Igarushi snorted. “Understatement of the century. Amen.”

Isagi walked down the grey hallway looking at his packaged uniform. I'm 299Z, so I guess I'm in Room Z.

He stopped in front of the Room Z door. Oh, here it is.

As he entered, several people already dressed in their uniform glared at him harshly. He was merely another opponent for them to deal with.

Yet in the room of menacing stares, a kind voice called out to him. “Isagi-kun.”

Kira approached him with a welcoming smile. “I'm so glad I'm sharing a room with someone I know.”

Isagi’s eyes curved in relief and delight. “Kira-kun. I'm relieved, too.”

There’s the rustle of clothing before a shirt that’s bigger than probably half his body enveloped his head. “Oh, my bad.” A new voice said. 

Isagi pulled off the clothes covering his face to look at the speaker. A half-dressed massive, muscular ginger was staring at him. “Threw my clothes too hard.”

Isagi comically deadpaned back to the laughter of the viewing audience. “It's totally fine. Here.”

“Watch where you're walking.” The ginger suddenly said.

“Huh?” Isagi dropped both the shirt and his phone in shock at seeing a boy sleeping peacefully on the floor with his thumb in his mouth.  

The bicolor-haired muttered, “Hey, Zico. Pass. Pass the ball, Zico.”

Isagi was thoroughly weirded out. What the heck is he dreaming about?

Every member of Blue Lock was completely unsurprised by Bachira’s entrance in comparison to the other footballers ogling at his strange behavior. A few of them actually suspected that if Bachira was shown to have been doing something normal, then they would have been the ones weirded out. 

As Isagi finished dressing, he heard a person talking to Kira. “Are you the Kira Ryosuke? Wow, it's really you.”

“Uh, thanks.” Kira awkwardly mumbled back.

The monk-looking boy turned to face Isagi. “Nice to meet you. My name's Igarashi Gurimu. Oh, nice to meet you. My family runs a temple, but I really don't want to take over the family business. So when I heard all that earlier, I couldn't stop shaking. I felt like this is my chance to change my life.”

“Idiot. Noone cares about your life story.” Raichi grunted.

“Shut up! Noone even cares about you! You’re so unimpressive that Isagi probably didn’t even remember seeing you!” Igarushi leapt out of his seat and howled.

“HUH?! YOU FUCKER! IF ISAGI HADN’T-”

“BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP THAT PART HASN’T HAPPENED YET!” Chigiri suddenly interrupted. 

The two of them huffed and sat back down. 

Isagi’s eyesight zoomed onto Igarashi’s number while he was talking. 

“Never distracted huh?” Someone muttered. 

Ego’s face suddenly appeared on a screen. “Have you finished changing, diamonds in the rough?” Everyone shifted to face him. “Hello, there. The guys you're sharing your rooms with are both your roommates and rivals who will help you improve. Your abilities have been quantified and ranked by me according to my arbitrary and biased decision-making. That's what the numbers on your uniforms represent. You can tell at a glance what your rank out of 300 is.”

Isagi whipped his arm up to look at his number again. Everyone leaned forward at the dark look on his face. Wait, 299th? Crap, I'm so low.

“Your rank can change based on the results of your training or matches. And the top five players will unconditionally get to play in the tournament being held six months from now. They'll be registered as forwards for the U-20 World Cup.”

The U-20 Japanese team?

“Additionally, anyone who loses at Blue Lock will never get to play for Japan.”

Several faces panicked at that. What?

“What you need to gain here is ego. I'll be testing you now to measure that. So it's time to play tag.”

“You have 136 seconds.” A ceiling panel opened up behind Chigiri and a brown-haired boy. 

“Whoever's struck by the ball is ‘it’. Whoever's ‘it’ the moment time runs out will be locked off.”

Huh? What?

“Also, no using your hands.”

Ego’s face disappeared before a cartoonish image of Igarashi appeared with the timer instantly counting down from 2:15 . 

“What?” Igarashi startled. 

“What? This isn't soccer.” Raichi said uneasily. 

“I'm ‘it’ first because I'm ranked the lowest? Fine, let's do this. No hard feelings.” Igarashi said with a foot on the ball.

Was that courage or desperation? Isagi wondered, looking back at this event. 

“Hey, wait.” The previously shown brown-haired boy called out. “You actually believe what he said?”

“What if he was for real?!” Igarashi yelled back. “I'm doing this. If I lose, I'll be a temple monk for the rest of my life.”

Isagi recalled Ego’s words. Anyone who loses here will never be able to play for Japan.

Igarashi started running to the players in the corner. “Hey, stay away from me!” One of them yelled.

“Sorry, Isagi-kun!” Igarashi yelled with a menacing grin on his face. 

“What?” Isagi yelped.

“Amen!” The monk-boy yelled before kicking the ball at Isagi. Everyone in the corner darted away and Isagi cleanly dodged the ball with a neat jump. 

“Crap!”

Kira and Isagi joined together again. “This is ridiculous.” Kira said disapprovingly. “I'm here so I can prove him wrong!”

Igarashi again kicked the ball but missed another two players.

“Man I forgot how bad you sucked at this, Igarashi.” Gagamaru muttered. Everyone present agreed with the statement silently. 

“Should’ve just become a monk.” Ootoya commented before ignoring Igarashi’s responding yell. 

“Don't screw with me!” On-screen Raichi growled at him. 

“This is definitely wrong.” Kira said defiantly. He narrowed his eyes. “I won't let him ruin my future.”

“Damn it. I can't hit anyone.” Igarashi yelled following after the ball. It rolled to a stop in front of the boy sleeping on the floor. Igarashi stared and then grinned. “He's still asleep. Gotcha!”

He took a step forward. The next second a pair of hands slammed on the ground and the sleeping boy smashed a heel so hard into Igarashi’s face that blood went flying.  

Isagi’s face was horrified. 

“Hey, that's a foul!” Igarashi yelled while covering his dripping nose. “If this were a game, that'd be a red card.” He screamed at an uncaring boy. 

Bachira sleepily rubbed his eyes. “Only handballs are against the rules, right? Morning.” He said calmly. 

What's with this guy? Isagi thought. 

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! Did I surprise you Isagi?” Bachira laughed at his best friend.

“Who wouldn’t be surprised?” Isagi quipped back.

A hand landed on Bachira’s shoulder. “Hey, I'm not a fan of dirty play. Play fair.”

“Mr. Hero coming to save the day!” Chigiri and Isagi grinned at Kunigami.

“Mr. Strait-Laced, huh?” Bachira side eyed.

A ball suddenly smashed into the side of Kunigami’s face. “You left yourself open. Amen.” Igarashi exclaimed cheerfully with his foot still held out.

“Dude, you’re literally the worst.” Sendou scowled.

“Like actually a trash human being.” Akira Endoji rolled his eyes.

“No I’m not and who are you anyway star eyes?! Sorry, Kunigami, no hard feelings.”

Kunigami’s veins bulged and music started playing. “Bastard.”

Shidou shifted excitedly in his seat. Finally things were starting to pick up. 

“I'll destroy you.” Kunigami growled gearing up to smack the ball back into Igarashi’s face. 

Igarashi locked his arms around Isagi “Here!”

“DUDE!” Blue Lock players around the room screamed. Isagi might be a rival, but he was their rival that only they were going to be on their terms. Especially after the way he crushed their dreams. 

“Hey!” Isagi cried out on the screen. 

The sound of the kick was so loud it thundered like an explosive going off. The streak of light following its trajectory, anyone and their mothers could tell it was a strong kick.

Igarashi had a finger in Isagi’s mouth. “Don't…” Isagi began when the ball smashed into him. The strength behind it was so strong that rings of smoke were seen. Isagi’s spit went flying as his eyes widened to the point the blood vessels in them bulged. 

“Amen.” Igarashi prayed with one hand.

“Isagi!” 

“Oh goD ISAGI-”

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU PRAYING FOR YOU STUPID BASTARD?!”

“BAD MONK! MONK OF MISFORTUNE! THANK GOD YOU DIDN’T ACTUALLY END UP ONE OR ELSE EVERYONE WOULD’VE BEEN CURSED!”

“Isagi-kun?!” Kira cried out.

Kunigami showed instant regret. “Oh, sorry. Wrong person.”

The electronic screen updated to show Isagi’s picture. 

Isagi coughed uncontrollably. He couldn’t catch his breath after the force behind that ball. His stomach ached in unbearable pain but he couldn’t afford to pay attention to that. Ignore it. Ignore. It. IgnoreIt. IGNOREIT-

Crap. If I don't hit someone, my soccer career will be over in a minute. I don't want things to end here.

Everyone from the Blue Lock players, the U-20, the football teams, to even Ego and Anri curled their fists at the view of him. The dark determination sent shivers down their spines as they took in the half-mad look on his face. 

Isagi kicked the ball and a long haired boy barely managed to escape. “Safe!”

Isagi snarled in his mind. They're so athletic. I'll have to aim carefully if I want to hit anyone.

Azure glowed a supernatural blue as Isagi whirled his head to look behind him.  

The members instantly felt the feeling of a predator hunting them as they made eye contact with the eyes of their rival on the screen.

I should go after someone ranked lower than me. Isagi thought, looking at Igarashi. The boy caught on. “Can't catch me!”

Darkness enveloped the scene as Isagi’s haunted voice sounded through everyone’s ears. Is my fate really going to be decided by this game? The timer kept counting down. Crap, this is really bad. No. I don't want to lose. I don't want things to end. I'll do anything. I just want to win. Isagi howled in his mind.

Kaiser viciously grinned. Twisted! How twisted little egoist! A calm child but in the face of your football, you’ll just destroy everyone without a care for morals, won’t you! 

I want to keep playing soccer! I don't want my dream to end!

The animalistic look on Isagi’s face had almost everyone on their feet. Their fight or flight instincts activated, the feeling of desperate madness oppressive. 

A bright laugh broke through. Bachira giggled delightedly as he clung onto Kunigami’s back. “You little shit! Get off of me!” Kunigami fruitless tried to pry him off. 

“Here's your chance.” Bachira sweetly called out oblivious to Kunigami’s struggles. Isagi stopped running to listen to him. Kunigami finally got a hold of the little monkey and threw him off. Bachira flew and landed on Igarashi, completely unbothered. 

“Ow.” Igarashi said and then seemed to realize that he wasn’t able to get up.

Isagi slowly prowled toward him with the ball

“Oh, shit. Wait, timeout. Hey, wait. Stay back. Stay away from me. I don't want this to end here.” Igarashi begged at him. 

A bead of sweat slipped from Isagi’s hair and onto the floor.

A ringing echoed around the viewing as Isagi’s thought filtered in from the hidden speakers. 

I can win. I can survive.

“Please... Don't do it.” Igarashi continued begging from the floor. Struggling to get up. 

-But this guy's soccer career would end.

The timer dropped to 00:20 as Isagi placed a foot on the ball.

No, I have to do it . Players gasped in shock or tensed their bodies as unnatural blue flames burst into existence on his foot. What was that? Is this…the power Isagi holds? That's how things work here. If there are winners, there must also be losers.

Isagi balanced on one foot and pulled the other to kick the ball at Igarashi and end this once and for all. 

Making my dream come true means ending someone else's. Blue flames enveloped his entire being. 

Everyone’s bodies were tight as a string about to snap. A good majority felt their heart squeeze in painful anxiety as they stared at the birth of the monster in front of them. A few like Itoshi Sae and Shidou Ryousei felt fire running through their blood at the sight. Noel Noa’s eyes widened. This is the light. If it’s you then maybe…

The screen blacked out.

A beat. Then the room exploded in enraged screams after nothing happened for several seconds before hazy light entered to the sight of a foot on a ball.

Silence echoed as two figures bathed in white were shown again. Igarashi was still cowering on the ground but Isagi…

“Huh?” Igarashi fearfully blinked.

“That's not right.” Isagi whispered. The flashback of the failed Ichinan goal played before returning to the present. 

“If I don't change, I'll still be the same person.” Multiple Blue Lock members watching stared anxiously in quiet awe as he continued. “I came here to change my life. I came here to become the best in the world.”

The ghostly flames erupted from his eyes and surrounded him completely as he turned away from the 300th ranked and towards the rest of them with the ball. 

“Unless I beat someone stronger than me, nothing will change!”

“I like you.” Bachira said, pointing at him. Isagi blinked at him, caught off guard.

“You're right. If you're gonna beat someone…” Bachira darted forward and stole the ball with a burst of speed. “It should be the strongest one here.”

Huh?

The screen changed again from Isagi’s caricature to Bachira and the timer hit 00:11 .

“Me?” Kira cried as he ran away.

Bachira’s face grew maniacal. He hit the ball at Kira who barely jumped in time. Time seemed to slow as Bachira pulled his foot and swung it at Kira’s head, missing it by centimeters. 

The timer hit 00:06 and Kira panted as he ran away from the madman. Sweat dripping copiously off his handsome face. Bachira kicked the ball in a slow handstand as time began to try to stop again.

The voice of a stranger rang out loudly in the quiet room. It was a voice that only the audience could hear seeing that the competing players were clearly unaware of it. 

"Someone once said," the voice began. "In the world of soccer - 

The ball arced high over Kira’s head.

"- you can train first-rate goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders, but strikers are different. -" 

00:03

"- A first-rate striker will find where the soccer is most intense…"

Isagi’s pupils swirled in a chaotic mess of black. Unseeing in everything but the truth of the moment. They caught on unholy fire. 

“The strongest guy…” Isagi whispered.

“Boom!” Bachira screamed, his face glowing a demonic glee. 

Split second then time sped again up. The top of Isagi’s foot ploughed the ball straight into Kira’s face. Blood burst from his nose as he collapsed under the force of the kick just as the timer hit 00:00 .

The Buzzer rang.

...and suddenly appear there." The voice finished.

“So.” Reika said gleefully. Reveling in the looks of stunned awe, respect, and reverence. “What do you say?”

Chapter Text

For a moment no one spoke. Still trying to process the phenomena they had just been an accidental witness to. As one they whipped their heads around to stare at Isagi, questions bubbling from their mouth uncontrollably. Voices overlapped and the room descended into a cacophony as strikers, midfielders, forwards, defenders, and goalies all tried to outcompete each other in being heard. Isagi shrank back into his chair as people crowded around him. 

A vein in Reika’s forehead pulsed as everyone loomed over the small, curled up figure her beloved composition had become. The edges of her red-stained lips curved down.

“Sit. Down. Or. Else.” She breathed. The voice was quiet but the imminent danger behind it was not.

The players returned to their seats immediately. There was no way they were risking testing this psycho bitch. Chigiri scooted his chair over to Isagi’s.

“Isagi!! What was that! Those blue flames? It just-it just completely took over you. You looked like you were gone when you hit that ball at Kira. Your eyes where blank but focused? What on earth was even happening?”

The rest of the room watched him closely, listening for his answer.

“It’s-um-it’s kinda hard to explain. It happened a lot back then before I got better, but I guess it’s my version of Bachira’s monster? Sometimes when I played I would get this feeling calling out to me. Instinct. I think.” Isagi frowned, eyes glazing over in dark thought. “It consumed me and with it I could smell the scent of the goal. It showed me the way to victory. It’s never been wrong.”

“That…doesn’t explain anything?” Igarashi squeaked. 

“No-I mean-”

“Locked desire.” For the first time since being forced into this dreadful room with a woman as bad as himself, Ego spoke up.

Isagi cocked his head as the rest of the room turned to look at Ego who was staring straight into Reika’s glimmering amber. 

“Huh?”

“A striker burning with talent, you outshown each and every one of your peers. A playing style that dragged in everyone - you weren’t simply a ‘strong player’ as they put it, egoist. You were a whirlpool. You dominated the field on a level the others couldn’t begin to comprehend. Your peers were too young to understand the depth of your talent and your mentors were too foolish to realize it. They trapped a savage lion in a glass dome and commanded it to stop growing. But the lion can’t stop. They may have broken its bones to make it fit in the dome but its vicious nature lurks underneath, lying in wait for its freedom. The way those flames erupted. The way you unconsiously sought out the strongest when you could have easily taken out the weak. The way hunger burns in your eyes at the thought of scoring a goal. The glass is cracking.”

Reika let out a single laugh.

“Ha. HahahaHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!!! ”

The sound of her laugh would’ve been melodious if not for the unhinged tone poisoning it. The speakers boomed her insanity around the glamorous room, engulfing them all in a thick blanket of fear. It reminded them once again that despite the comfortable treatment, they were still at the mercy of a lunatic. Reo felt a bead of sweat sliding down the side of his face as his heart screamed at him to find an exit. 

“That’s right~ ” She sang. “You know all about it, don’t you Ego-san? The countless videos you watched of little Isagi-chan, he’s your pick!”

Rin was on his feet in an instant. “What are you talking about? Blue Lock was created for me. The U-20 team is created because of me. Isagi was chosen for me. He’s - goddamn it - he’s good but his skills were all for me to use. Me. Mine.”

Several people glared at those words. Isagi was Not. Rin’s . 

…

To use, ofcourse. 

“Rin! Oh gosh you have nooooo idea what Isagi could’ve been!! None of you do! But you know what? I’ll let you see it for yourself. After all, a picture’s worth a thousand words~”

Reika clicked a button and her face disappeared. Instead it was replaced with younger version of Isagi.

Chigiri and Bachira squealed in delight. “Tiny Isagi!!!”

Isagi blushed in embarrassment at everyone seeing himself as a kid. 

Isagi on the screen looked to be about 8 years ago. He sat seiza with pudgy hands curled into little fists on his thighs. Big blue eyes shined in veneration as they watched a young Noel Noa score goals on the TV without changing his expression. 

“So cool……!” His awed voice gasped.  

Multiple players felt their hearts melt at the sight. Anri smiled and clutched her notebook to her chest as her heart burst in affection.

Isagi couldn’t take his eyes off the brilliant play, staring fixatedly at his new hero answering interview questions.  

Noel Noa answered a question about scoring to which the interviewer asked, “Ohh! Can I… take that as a declaration that you want to become the world’s best striker and aim for the World Cup!?”

“......Winning isn’t the only thing in soccer. Of course I want to win the World Cup, but I want to feel everything about soccer. Like for example……”

The audience listened to baby Isagi’s thoughts as they watched his cute face. On screen, Isagi’s inner narration continues. 

He knew he would never forget the line that follows until he dies.

“Instead of assisting my teammates to win by 1-0, it feels better to pull off a hat trick and lose 3-4. You can't sell that kind of emotion anywhere, can you?”

How thrilling! An electric shock ran through Isagi's body. This person knows why I love soccer!

Chris Prince raised an eyebrow at those words, cracking his neck back to hear what the world’s number 1’s have in common.

When Isagi saw soccer for the first time. It wasn't just the feelings of "how cool" and "how awesome" it is that deeply moved him. More than that, he found it "beautiful." Soccer is a team game, 11 players against 11, and it is also an individual game. There are also the surrounding spectators, the stadium, the show and the battle for life. He wants to be that striker, the one at the center of it all.

“...wow Isagi-kun.” Hiori breathed out quietly into the silence of the room. “That kind’o thinkin’...y’er a real natural for this kinda excitin’ life. You were only ‘bout eight years old but ya wanted a life of blood, battle, and the thrill of livin’ in a world that almost everyone else would’a run from. You know, most football obsessed kids y’er age would just want to play the game or have fun with the ball but you…y’er amazing Isagi-san!”

“Thanks Hiori” Isagi answered back with mixed emotions. 

Little Isagi’s thoughts continued on screen. I want to be a striker like Noel Noa……! Noel Noa is trying to reach the top of the soccer world. Me too……! I'm going to be just like Noel Noa!

Noel Noa was outwardly impassive. Even at his level there were few that could understand the meaning of his words. After that particular interview his PR team had been all over his case for uttering such an egotistical, nonsensical statement. They had let him go soon since he had won the game after all, but they heavily suggested to keep such words to himself in the future. Unbeknownst to all Noel Noa’s gold eyes glowed slightly as he watched a little Isagi on the screen grow by himself.

It is said that the fastest way to improve not only in soccer but in other sports is to imitate the pros. Although no one taught him, Isagi imitated Noel Noa's every move. He watched his videos, analyzed them, and recorded them in a notebook.

That’s so much determination and passion . Nagi's eyes greedily soaked up the view of little Isagi. Ahhh I wish I had my phone. Maybe Reo can bribe the crazy lady later for these videos.  

He spent every day practicing, filling his mind with Noel Noa's soccer.

One day, I will represent Japan and score a goal in the World Cup Finals! I want to be Noel Noa.

Isagi became stronger and better. He was fearless in running into his opponents, as if he had never been a crybaby. In elementary school, he scored a goal beating five opponents in a row. In junior high school, he became known as the unbeatable striker in his hometown in Saitama.

The air around Barou crackled with bloodlust. I want to play him. The way he moves so easily it's like a snake sliding through the grass. No. He’s like Itoshi Sae during that final goal during the U-20 match! No one can stop him at all. He’s made a joke out of all of them. If I had been there I could’ve played…

Seeing the monstrous growth of the child, Noel Noa knew. He didn’t even realize he had been yearning for a partner until he saw the boy. I’ve lived and dominated as the king of the field. He’ll be the one to bring light to the world of football after my years of bored solitary .

The video flashed forward through time and Isagi arrived at his local soccer powerhouse, Ichinan High School. He stepped through the door to the club room. 

There were already some students who seemed to be new members. The club was strong and historic, with old certificates and cups adorning the lockers and the club's motto written in brush strokes on the largest wall. Looking at the yellowed club motto, which he does not know how long it has been on the wall, a tiny sense of discomfort sprouts in Isagi's heart.

<One for all, all for one.>

<One difficulty after another. There is no wall that we cannot overcome if we all work together.>

“No…” Bachira breath quickened in panic. “Isagi, no. Don’t listen to it.”

“Bachira,” Isagi smiled sadly back. “This already happened.”

Isagi felt the same ominous feeling Bachira had felt. Something’s wrong, isn’t it……?

One for all, all for one. It means each one should act for the sake of others, and the others should act for the sake of each one. Sounds good, but isn't the game far more from that ideal? The soccer that made his heart fired up was even more cruel. The striker who single-handedly broke through that cruel world was beautiful.  

“Yes..” Sendou agreed subconsciously before turning a brilliant beet-red at what he had just said. 

“You’re Isagi Yoichi-kun, right?”

Someone suddenly tapped his shoulder and when he turned around, he saw a tall student who also seemed to be a new club member.

“Huh? Yeah, but……”

“Whoa, that’s awesome! I’m Tada Tomonari! I’m a forward too! I've seen you at a competition before, Isagi! You were really good! I'm so lucky to be on the same team with you!”

“No, it’s nothing…… Ha ha.”

When he meets someone for the first time and they come onto him like that, he gets a little startled.

“Hey, everyone! It’s Isagi-kun!”

Tada called out everyone.

“It’s really him! It’s Isagi Yoichi!”

“I've won a regional tournament once!”

The fellow first-year students gathered around. They all seemed to be cheerful and nice. Thanks to Tada, the mood maker, the nervous first-year students quickly became comfortable with each other.

“Isagi-kun’s play is completely unlike any junior high student, it was insane~”

The Blue Lock members and the U-20 team beamed in pride at the praise for the striker they had reluctantly grown to like and appreciate. 

“That’s right, Isagi’s the best!” Bachira cheered happily, bouncing on his seat.

“And they know it too” Kunigami tiredly smiled.

“Bachira, Kunigami stop!” Isagi exclaimed, face flaming.

“No, he’s right Isagi” Yukimiya surprisingly added. “You’re skills and the way you play is really extraordinary.”

“No-”

“Your vision is on par with mine” Nico interrupted. “But I’ll become better. I have to repay you for what you did to me.”

“Wait and watch, I’ll surpass you even more” Isagi instinctively shot back grinning. 

The mood of the audience darkened when they saw what was happening next. 

“Uhm, Tada-kun… don’t you think there’s something wrong with this?” Past-Isagi said pointing at the motto.

“Why?” Tada looks at him in amazement.

“Well, in soccer, it feels good because you can beat your opponents and score goals by yourself, right? That’s the joy of being a striker. It's not about joining forces, but about the power of each individual striker… I guess.”

Ego nodded with a large slurp of Yakisoba. 

The sound had everyone whirling to look at him.

“Hey! Where did you get the noodles?!” Igarashi yelled.

“Reward.”

“What about us?!”

“You’re too stupid.”

“YOU-” Rachi smashed a hand over Igarashi’s mouth and shoved him back when the scene continued playing. 

“Huh? You can't play soccer by yourself.” Tada laughed. “Soccer is a sport played by eleven people! My goal is a team play that represents the bond of those eleven people! One for all, all for one!” He wrapped an arm around Isagi’s shoulders. “Let's all join forces and go to the Nationals!"

“Yeah!” The rest of the club cheered. 

Huh? Am I the only one who thinks that this is ridiculous? Isagi couldn't say anything more.

“NOOO ISAGI YOU’RE RIIIGHT!”

“Bachira. Again.”

Shortly after joining the club, Isagi was convinced. Ichinan High School’s soccer philosophy is far from his ideal. The coach was friendly, compassionate, and nice. However, their practice to build up the game by passing the ball around is honestly boring. The coach's emphasis is not on power and speed, but on their combination with their fellow teammates. It was about teamwork, keeping the ball in play with sharp passes while getting close to the goal.

“Nice pass!!”

“Isagi, nice timing on your passes!! ”

Rin frowned. The team in all honesty was below lukewarm. Subpar. This is what Isagi had been straddled with? If it were him, people would’ve been busy trying to hold him back from strangling the others for their lukewarm plays.

The older Itoshi’s thoughts reflected Rin’s. What could’ve been…the team plays Isagi was making were good but his individual ability was phenomenal. If only he had been a little older-

Isagi responded with a smile, but every time his fellow teammates compliment him, he wonders, "Is this what I should be doing?” No matter how many good passes he made, he never felt like he’s getting closer to his dream.

Am I… really sure this is what I want?

Being talented, Isagi who practices eagerly, received a uniform number even though he was only a freshman, and began to participate in practice games. But even in the matches, he is not asked to be a striker. They’re winning games, and he doesn't mean to complain, but still…

Barou’s hands clench and his veins bulge. COMPLAIN DAMNIT

One day at the end of a practice. Isagi had the courage of a lifetime. On a whim, he decided to tell the coach what he thought. Looking at the back of the coach who was about to leave, he said, "Uhm! Excuse me!"

“Hm? What’s wrong, Isagi?”

Seeing the quiet and obedient Isagi talk to the coach, his other teammates who were about to leave also stopped.

“Uhm… I want to go for the next game, as a striker, I'd like to shoot more if possible.…”

This was all Isagi could muster.

“Hahaha! You want to show off?”

The temperature of the room dropped several degrees. Every member present felt a visceral hatred rising up within them. The Fucking. Nerve. Of this piece of shit . 

The coach laughed out loud, and his teammates laughed out loud as well.

“Up until now, You could have won matches with your individual skills, but high school isn’t a piece of cake. First of all, thoroughly practice team play. We win together, and become stronger together! If you do that, then you'll have double the joy! And half the sorrow! That’s what Ichinan soccer is!”

The coach went on and on about the importance of the team and strongly hoped that Isagi would contribute to it. “Ichinan is a team that aims to participate in the Nationals with all eleven! Don't think soccer can be won by one person alone!”

Turning red from embarrassment, He bows his head.  

“Don’t fucking. Look. Down. Peasant.” Barou grinded out.

Ichinan's soccer is to win through team play. And that may be the Japanese way of playing soccer.

“I'm sure you know what I mean. Isagi, I'm counting on you!”

From that day on, Isagi’s desire for the pleasant sensation of shooting… his ego has been sealed.

Anri lips pressed tightly together in regret and anger. 

After all, everyone has no doubt about it. So I, too, will believe what the coach says.

Mild-mannered and earnest, it could be said that this choice is just typical of Isagi. He has an unreasonably high cooperativeness and has a strong desire to take care of his teammates. He's in his teens, so he doesn't want to be conspicuous in a bad way, and he has always been timid, so he is afraid of being disliked for being assertive. Soccer changed Isagi, and soccer changed him again. The confidence he had when he was an unbeatable junior high school striker in his hometown in Saitama, as if he was the center of the world, rapidly disappeared.

Kurona went cat-eyed. He had the misfortune of never being on a team with Isagi so far. He had to stew in quiet envy as others talked about the time they spent with Isagi while they took breaks preparing for the U-20 match. A common theme they seemed to share was their obsessive love for Isagi when he went wild. The overflowing confidence as he crushed his opponents and the way he trash-talked his teammates so hard they upped their entire game several levels to escape from hearing something like that again. Thankfully, Blue Lock kept a record of all games ever played in the building. Since Kurona was an avid watcher of soccer, he took the liberty of watching Isagi’s old games. He internally sighed thinking about Isagi’s 3v3 game with Nagi and Barou. I want him to look at me like that too .

Aiku said nothing but coldly watched the transformation. The thrill he had felt playing against Isagi during the U-20 game was something he had been missing for a long time. The fiery comebacks, the bold plays, the brilliant ending. All of it. And now he’s being told that Isagi was suppressed by mediocre teammates and cheap platitudes? 

Kazuma Niou crossed his arms. Ichinan High School right? Maybe he should pay a friendly visit. Looking at the face of his owner, it didn’t look like he would mind. Not at all.

He was supposed to have taken the first step with the grand dream of "becoming the world’s best striker and winning the World Cup".  It's not that he doesn't feel the passion. But as if to stifle it, he puts out the fire.

“Nice pass, Isagi!”

“Isagi, nice timing on the pass!”

When he hears these words, he feels he has no choice but to continue to play this game of soccer. His daily life could also only be described as typical of Isagi. Like, for example…….

“Which girl is your type, Isagi?”

On the way home from club activities. Tada shows him a video of an idol group and asks him.

The atmosphere became one of expectant suspense as players shifted forward to learn the answer.

He said, "I knew it, it has to be this girl in the center! Right?"

“He didn’t even say anything!” Someone grumbles before he’s quickly hushed by multiple others.

I honestly don’t care Isagi thought but obviously he couldn’t say that. Besides, Isagi's type of the opposite sex is someone with a nice smile who laughs a lot. Tada's idol of choice is the expressionless tsundere type, so she was definitely off Isagi’s marks. But then.

“ISAGI! LIKE ME!” Bachira shrieked in excitement. “Like me right?! Do you like my smile Isagi!!”

“Shut up you buzzing bee!” Rin snapped. No one else decided to say anything more because of the look on Rin’s face. No one except Shidou ofcourse.

“Ohhhh seems like we would get along great Isagi! Wanna play a game this weekend?” Shidou exclaimed, leaning in a little too close to Isagi’s face.

Isagi wanted to play a game with Shidou because he was an excellent player but at the same time it was Shidou. Something was almost always guaranteed to go wrong. Thankfully Rin decided to make the decision for him. By lunging at Shidou.

“Stop! Stop it you two!” Chigiri cried trying to hold back Rin along with Isagi.

“What’s wrong under-eyelashes?! Sad you’re not little Isagi’s type?” Shidou cackled with an arm around Hiori and Nanase. Rin redoubled his efforts to reach the chortling boy.

“Sit down or I’ll turn on the anti-riot system.” Ego said calmly, opening his second bowl of Yakisoba.

“Can he do that?” A voice murmured.

“I don’t know. Probably, what the fuck.” Another responded.

“Ah, I like her too~♡”

“I know right!”

When his friends get excited, Isagi would say something like this.

“Uh, yeah… me too.”

Well, he doesn’t dislike them.

“As expected! Even Isagi is also into this!”

“Yeah…”

“Then, do you wanna go to a show with me next time?”

“......Sure?”

“Nice! Let’s go with everyone!”

“Yeahhhh!”

The Ichinan Soccer Club is in high spirits.

“Ye– yeah…?”

He just goes with the flow. With everything going like this, he discreetly cancels his reservation for a song that conflicts with Tada's. When he was invited for ramen after club activities, he would say "I already ate it yesterday, but it's okay..." and so they go together. And at the ramen restaurant, he fills everyone's cups with water. Of course, he would also refill them too. Kind and considerate, he is one of the most important members of the Ichinan Soccer Club. Before he knew it, Isagi, who values harmony, became one of them.

“Isagi.” Chigiri said grabbing his hands.

“Y-Yes?” Isagi asked trying not rip his hands back.

“If you ever like something just tell us. Anything you like. You don’t have to agree with us like you do with them. We’re not them. So just be you okay? We respect you for who you are.”

The more gregarious football players nodded.

“Uh. Sure, thanks Chigiri.” Isagi mumbled back and Chigiri finally let go off his hands. Isagi felt turmoiled. He spent so long trying to blend in with the crowd. Losing his sense of identity. He doesn’t know who he even was anymore but he thinks he’s finding it again. The sense of purpose and accomplishment; the winning goal that had propelled him to the forefront of the world had given him a chance to reclaim his crown. He’s dropped it over the years but he swears. He will never do so again. 

The other players hadn’t forgotten what had just transpired in the video. If Isagi hadn’t gone to Ichinan High School, the bane of all of their existences currently, he would’ve become a star player on the U-18 Japanese team. Kira Ryousuke would’ve been a lost name under the monster Isagi would have been. The anger rose higher the more they thought about it. It wasn’t just about Isagi. The players they themselves would’ve been. Some of them like Bachira, Barou, Aiku, and Itoshi Sae had all lost a part the passion they once had for the sport due to the utter boredom that came with playing with subpar players. They played football for the thrill of defeating a strong opponent. What would it have been to encounter an Isagi like that at the nationals? Everyone present in the room was a star player of their individual teams. All of them felt grievously robbed. As if someone had shut the door in their faces after tell them there was noone home. The solitude they suffered could have been avoided had a couple pathetic nobodies not wrecked the talent of an exceptional player due to their stupidity. 

As they ruminated over these thoughts, someone suddenly disrupted their musings.

Hey wait! Craz-Reika! I want to see the rest of this! Isagi was fucking fantastic before his coach and teammates stopped him but when Isagi entered the program, compared to the rest of his, he sucked. Sorry Isagi, no offense.” Igarashi broke in.

“None taken.”

“I want to see how he became so good.” Igarashi finished.

“I want to know a little more about Isagi-san.” Nanase smiled sweetly.

“Ofcourse you do!” Reika popped back on the screen. “I know just where to start too!”

Chapter Text

A white screen with “A Blue Lock, Additional Time!” bounced in blue with a cute animation. 

A tall building stood out at night and in the corner were the words “Isagi Yoichi’s Dream”. 

The voice of Isagi’s father was suddenly heard speaking. 

“Your mom and I don't know much about soccer, but it's impressive that you got chosen by the JFU, Yoichi.” His father, Isagi Issei, said happily.

“WAIT!” Isagi immediately yelled. “How did you get this?! This is from my house! You-you shouldn’t have access to this!”

Alarm rippled through the audience. That actually made sense. This isn’t Blue Lock where there were hidden cameras in every nook and cranny so how did Reika access private analogs? What…else did she have access to?

Reika didn’t emerge again but they didn’t need to see her face to know she rolling her eyes based on her tone.

“I don’t know, Isagi, how do you think I could kid-ahem-bring you all here without anyone noticing? Or see what Ego was doing? If you, my dear, can have supernatural abilities that allow you to surpass everyone else on the field then why shouldn’t I have the power to do something similar?”

It was such an illogical statement but they still couldn’t muster up a logical refute.

“Anyway-”

“I know, right?” Isagi’s mother, Isagi Iyo, was just as delighted. “But then, you've always been good at soccer ever since you were little.”

“Yeah.” Isagi muched cutely. “I guess.”

Bachira shot out of his seat and draped himself over Isagi’s lap. “Cute~”

Isagi sighed but was ultimately unbothered by such a reaction, far too used to his best friend’s clingy behavior.

Isagi scratched his puffed cheek self-consciously at his mother’s next words. “You even asked Santa Claus for the World Cup trophy for Christmas, and you've always dreamed of becoming the world's greatest striker.

“You can stop now. It's embarrassing.”

Ofcourse his parents adored him too much to stop. “You were glued to the TV whenever a soccer game was on. And you'd cry your eyes out if we switched the channel.”

Many football players smiled softly at seeing a child version of Isagi cling tightly to his father’s shirt, crying for him to not change the football channel. 

“I want to check the news.” His father choked out hesitantly and a little guiltily. 

“No!” Isagi cried harder. 

“Yes, that's how it was. When you stopped crying, you'd fall asleep -

All of them grinned joyfully at a small Isagi Yoichi sleeping peacefully with a warm blush on his cheeks. The only good thing about this woman was that she could procure numerous childhood videos of their favorite rival without arousing suspicion. Actually, on that note, they had just earned a day off after winning that tedious match. They had already planned to meet up but maybe they could also visit Isagi’s home after and perhaps introduce themselves to his parents. Just to…ease in…their future in-laws. Hopefully they would be willing to share baby photos of Isagi? People do that on first meetings, right? Hmmm…

Isagi felt a shiver run down his spine. I have an ominous feeling but I don’t know why. 

- and when you woke up, you didn't remember a thing. And you used to forget to do your homework all the time. That's why his grades weren't very good, right?” His mother smiled pleasantly. 

“Yes, you were very lucky you got picked, Yoichi.” His father added on to which his mother replied, “I know, right?” They laughed merrily together. 

“Ugh.” Isagi had a sneaking suspicion his parents were secretly sadists. This couldn’t be their payback for them having to deal with his crybaby years, right? “Wait, were you dissing me at the end there?” Isagi demanded as his parents cheerfully ignored him to continue chuckling at his expense.  

Everyone laughed at that. 

“OKAY! OKAY! OKAY! IT’S TIIIIIME!” Reika called as the scene switched to a soccer ball curving down.

Music started playing as Isagi appeared mid-kick against a green background. Bachira popped up next against yellow and then Kunigami, Chigiri, Barou, and Nagi all appeared consequently.

“Ohhh! We look really cool!” Nagi said, his smokey eyes lightening to a light silver in excitement. 

The camera zoomed through several team Z players before reaching Isagi who turned to look at it with the blue flames flowing from his eyes. 

“Isagi it’s those flames again!” Nagi said gazing at the screen while simultaneously grabbing hold Isagi’s bicep and shaking his body from side to side. 

“Why is Nagi so excited about this?” Zantetsu leaned over and asked Reo.

“Probably because it looks like game animations” Reo answered coolly back, crossing his arms.

The image dove into Isagi’s pupils and Blue Lock’s symbol and named rolled out. Isagi was greyed out with a depressive aura surrounding him. Sinister black smoke rose up from the ground like a scene from a ghost film. The camera zoomed in on Isagi’s face and he slowly looked up. The blue of his eyes glowing brightly against the monochrome surroundings. Bachira’s entrance was much the same with the yellow of his own stark against the dark as he grinned. The scenery turned graphic as bodies of players started raining down. 

“It’s raining men!” A voice got out before the sound of a throat being punched and choking sounded .

From the middle Ego rose with a deranged grin on his face. A puzzle piece spun larger into existence, showcasing Isagi dashing toward them.

Many players frowned. This was all macabre, yes, but more importantly it was reminiscent of their time at blue lock. This type of survive-at-all-costs mentality had been driven deep into their brains by Ego as he sat with their futures in the palm of his hands. The puzzle piece of Isagi - could it be a reference to what Reika said earlier about Isagi being Ego’s true champion? Their expressions grew darker at what they saw next. 

Isagi kicked the ball which shattered into glass-like pieces and revealed a lone boy walking with his head down between piles of corpses on either side of him. As he looked up the end of the road led to a massive mountain of bodies. On top of which stood another boy in white with black sclera. The ghoul stared hauntingly back at him as smoke escaped out the corners of his mouth. 

Kunigami had a fleeting thought that it looked a little like hollow Ichigo.

An outstretched hand tried vainly to grasp the world cup trophy and Noel Noa’s back but then splayed firmly at Blue Lock’s logo. Two greyed profiles appeared. A lanky man curving forward stared at a much younger boy standing straight and looking back at him some distance apart. 

Ego’s mockery of a smile stretched wider.

At that moment they knew. They knew what this what about and the following scene of Isagi running and bursting into puzzle pieces cemented their suspicions. The boy Ego was smiling at was Isagi. Then was the video trying to imply that Isagi lost the trophy from the Ichinan game, lost his dream of becoming like Noel Noa, but would eventually succeed in overcoming Blue Lock?

Several teams flickered through.

The foreign players looked at the many prior members with interest. So these were all the people who were eliminated, huh. Glancing at the Blue Lock players lost in thought, the foreign players echoed one statement between them subconsciously - these were the best of the best and that boy. Isagi Yoichi. Somehow he’s standing on top of the best players from Japan. I can’t wait to crush him. 

Chigiri speeds past Zentetsu, Kunigami overpowers Barou, and Bachira kicks the ball over Reo. Isagi’s eyes billow fire as the ball floats between all the players to Isagi who strikes the ball. The top 3 stare grimly into the camera before the final player Sae is shown. The ball crashes into the net and the song ends.

Blue Lock as a whole were struggling through a multitude of jumbled emotions. Their feelings were so complicated that they were unable to isolate even a single distinguishable sentiment from the mess their minds had become. 

“Why did Ego smile at Isagi in the video.” Gagamaru blandly questioned. “During the formation of the final team, he said that it was centered around Rin. Also Rin came into the program with the highest ranking while Isagi had the lowest one.”

“Oh right you guys don’t know about that.” Reika said tilting her head to the side. She hem-ed and haw-ed for a bit. “Oh whatever. I’ll just show it to you anyway.”

The scene changed to one of Ego staring at a monitor with piles of instant cup yakisobas littered around him.

“Now, here’s the next video for the selection.” Anri said pulling up a video.

A bolt of clarity struck everyone. This was the selection! This was how they got chosen!! The foreign players sat up straighter at the relevation, intrigued at how the weirdo in the corner had brought forth the best players of Japan.

The cameras are following Player #11. The endgame of the match. Player #11 made a brilliant last pass, his teammate decided to shoot for the goal. Just when Player #11 gave the teammate who took the shot a warm hug, Anri stopped the video.

“This kid… is not a good striker. I'll proceed to the next video for selection."

As a striker, he’s no good.

Anri winced. “I’m sorry, Isagi-kun.”

“It’s okay. It was true.” Isagi smiled back but there was a hint of melancholy to it.

Anri felt a billion times worse at the undertone. She didn’t even know she could feel worse. 

Ego and Anri are about to conduct an experiment to create the best strikers in the world. 300 strikers under the age of 18, the unpolished gems, will live together and undergo a special top training program devised by Ego. And that is “Blue Lock”.

That one player who survives in Blue Lock and is the last one left after kicking out the 299 others will be the best striker in the world.  So, this kid who is quick to give a pass to his good friend and teammate is not quite right. What they are looking for is not this kind of friendly play that thinks of others.

“Wait, Anri-chan. This is interesting material.”

Ego, who had just finished his cup yakisoba, leaned forward. He stared at the screen as if he were devouring it.

“Show me all of his videos. What’s his name?”

Isagi startled. Ego was interested…in me?

Anri rushes to check the data. Player #11 of Ichinan High School Soccer Team is…

“......he’s Isagi Yoichi-kun.”

He played footage of some of Isagi Yoichi's matches, and he had a totally systematic way of moving. Passing the ball around, elevating the axis of the attack, and then passing the last pass to a free player.

The players were stunned at Ego’s reaction to Isagi. Ego was so obsessed with Isagi that he went and personally watched all of his old matches?! From the shocked look on past-Anri’s face they could tell this had happened exactly 0 times before. Ego saw something in Isagi that he didn’t from them? Well…he wasn’t wrong to think so. Considering what they’ve seen from the boy so far, Isagi was outstanding but what did Ego sense?

Hmmm. Certainly, he’s outstandingly good but, it’s just that.

All revolutionary strikers are rare egoists. Take pleasure in your own goals above all else and live only for that moment. On the field, you are the leading actor. Everyone else besides you are supporting actors. If you don’t become the world’s top egoist, you can never be the best striker in the world……! That’s what Ego thinks.

Ego's own judgment and biases determine which 300 strikers are invited to Blue Lock, but Anri is aware of this.

Isagi Yoichi……this kid is out of the question.

Isagi felt a small thrill ripple through his body. Ego chose me. Out of every football player in Japan, he. Picked. ME.

“Yeah, That’s good, Isagi Yoichi. Anri-chan, I’ve decided to summon him.”

No way. Ego saw the disbelief and doubt on Anri’ face.

“Ah, This guy had the worst, isn’t he, Anri-chan?”

“Yes. In this match, his school lost to Matsukaze Kokuo High School, 0-2. Isagi Yoichi… it ended with him unable to do anything.”

However, Ego lifts the corners of his mouth more and more.

“...Isn’t that good…The best of the worst….He has an overwhelming field of vision and spatial awareness. He has an eye for accurately assessing his position in relation to the players around him, and he has a high soccer IQ. A gem who has killed his potential as a striker by using all of his talent for the team…”

Niko agreed with the assessment. Isagi had a ridiculously high football IQ and spatial positioning intelligence.

Ego raised his glasses and nodded crudely.

“Japanese soccer killed him, and he will disappear without being found by anyone. It is the Ego of humans like this that makes Blue Lock a treasure."

Without warning the video jumped to multiple payers mourning on the grass after their match. Some on their knees while others sobbing behind their hands in grief. Japanese comments filled the screen.

Members of Blue Lock and U-20 grimaced at the familiar scenario. They read the comments and knew exactly what was going on. The foreign players on the other hand had a vague clue just looking at the emotional state of the nameless players. 

The title of the newspaper answered their question. 

BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT: A PLACE IN THE QUARTERS SLIPS FROM THEIR GRASP

A slim hand spread out over the papers. “Let me be blunt.” Anri commanded to a room full of old businessmen. “If things carry on the way they are, Japan will never win the World Cup. Not in a million years.”

“Anri-chan! You’re so strong!” Bachira called from his place on Isagi’s lap. At the reminder Isagi gently pushed Bachira off and onto his own seat from where he pouted at Isagi.

Anri scratched her cheek in slight pride. “Thank you Bachira-kun.”

The men looked vaguely surprised and then uninterested.

One bored and balding man was introduced just as he spoked. BURATSUTA HIROTOSHI: Japan Football Union, Special Advisor.

“We're making plenty of dough, so what do we care? After all, soccer's a business. Anri-chan, surely you don't really believe Japan has a chance of winning the World Cup?”

Everyone growled at that. The U-20 players in particular louder than the rest. They hadn’t forgotten what this wretched man had done to them. 

“Of course I do, you money-grubbing rodent. It's my goddamn dream!”

The audience erupted in cheers and whistles. 

“TELL HIM ANRI-SAN!”

“GO! ANRI! GET HIS ASS!!”

Even a few of the professional team players nodded in agreement. 

“‘If we just play our soccer, we can win?’ ‘Japan's possession of soccer is good enough for the world stage?’ That kind of thinking is exactly why we never make it past the last!”

The old coot looked unimpressed. “Well, you came up with this idea, laid the groundwork, and put it all in motion.” His face darkened unpleasantly. “So if it doesn't work out, I know whose head will roll.”

Anri was unphased by the threat. “I truly believe the only person who can break down Japanese soccer and forge a player who can lead this country to a World Cup win-” She slammed a hand against the board carrying his face, “-is this man right here!”

Ego’s shadowed smile in grew.

“Ego Jinpachi.”

The room transformed back to the Blue Lock 1st Selection.

In the selection room, all the players were frozen mid-motion in stupefacation. Unable to believe their eyes as the Crown Jewel of Japan of all people was eliminated.  

The players settled in. While they were pleased Isagi had made it, it was also confusing why Kira hadn’t. From what they recalled, Kira was a good player. Despite the number of erroneous statements Ego uttered to them on a daily basis to control them, they didn’t understand why he had let Kira get eliminated. Even when entire teams had been eliminated in the 1st selection, the top scorers of the teams had been able to survive. Like Niko and a couple others. So why not Kira?

Droplets of sweat and blood splattered against the cement floor before Kira Ryosuke’s trembling, disbelieving face was shown.

“Isagi-kun?” Kira whispered, choking in the middle. “What are you doing? Wait, what is this? What just happened?” He asked covering his face.

From Kira’s back the audience had a perfect view of Isagi’s face. 

Isagi was scared. It was also like he couldn’t believe what had just happened either.

“I'm sorry. It's just…” Isagi took a moment to recollect himself but only ended up looking more scared. “The ball came at me out of nowhere and…”

Kira’s eyes narrowed. “Don't give me-”

The slow clapping of hands interrupted whatever Kira was going to say next. As one the room turned to look at Ego who was just about the only who looked thrilled with this situation. 

“Diamonds in the rough, only results matter here.” Ego thrust his face forward.

Everyone instinctively threw themselves back as if that would somehow create distance between them and the screen. There was only so much of Ego one could take. Actually they would prefer to never see or hear from him again, but since that wasn’t possible they’ll take as little as they were forced to get. 

“Losers lock off. Kira Ryosuke, you are disqualified.”

At the words, the camera zoomed into Kira’s face as he gasped. Everyone in the room gazed at him silently. Kira’s breath quickened as his mind started to break down.

“This is bullshit.” He whispered. “Don’t mess with me. How is it possible for my future career to lie in tatters…” 

He slowly stood up, more blood dropping to the ground. “all because of some stupid game?!” He screamed.

The sound had most everyone’s eyes bulging. All of them had met or seen Kira Ryosuke before. Polite, charming, and handsome. He was the most sought after boy in Japan by teenagers either out of love or admiration. Hailed as the upcoming messiah of Japanese football by the press. Comparing his face now to the one they had seen before, the image shattered. 

“I'm Japanese soccer's jewel in the crown! You telling me Igaguri and Isagi-kun are more talented than me?!-

Several menacing growls sounded from the audience.

-Why does this silly game of tag even matter? What does it have to do with soccer?!!”

Ego scratched his head apathetically at the outburst. “In Blue Lock, everything has something to do with soccer. Look around you, Mr. Mediocre Elite.” He said with a twirl of his finger.

Kira gasped, as if just remembering that he wasn’t the only one in the room. 

“The room you are in is the same size as the penalty area. Roughly 75% of all goals born within these confines. If you can't do your work in this space, you have no talent as a striker.”

At those words Kira’s pupils quivered. Dilating and and undilating rapidly in size. 

“S-So...So what? Tag is nothing like soccer!” He cried in frustration.

A hologram narrated Ego’s words. “If you're the one running away, you need a keen sense of interpersonal space, tactics, and positioning. If you're the one doing the chasing, your dribbling and aim must be precise, and the quality of your kicks must be high.”

Kaiser scoffed. If the pathetic nobody couldn’t even understand this, he had no right to even be setting foot on a field. The trash was so pathetic he wouldn’t even have felt any happiness from crushing someone so clueless. And he loved . Crushing people. 

“That makes it an excellent soccer training drill, wimp.” 

Kira refused to accept his loss. “Even so, how can you know anything about me in just two minutes? A soccer match is 90 minutes!

“On average, the total amount of time any player spends on the ball in a 90 minute game is about 136 seconds. You wasted the chance that was afforded to all of you equally.”

“B-But nothing could be done in those last ten seconds…”

Ego pushed his glasses up calmly. “Would you say the same thing if this was a match?

“When the ball hit you-

The moment replayed. Those once pale daffodil eyes had lost their false glimmer and now reflected a sickly, bruised yellow. In them the timer countdown was clearly shown.

-there was still one second left on the clock.”

A few of players nodded their head, satisfied with the explanation and justification of the elimination. A great deal more were starting to grin viciously, understanding where this was going. 

“You could've survived if you'd blasted it at the immobile Igaguri. But you didn't see it.”

A hypothetical situation appeared replacing faceless players with those in the room. “In a way, it was the last play right before the final whistle.” Isagi kicked the ball. “The moment your teammate's shot hit you, you gave up and accepted defeat.” Bachira smiled cruelly from next to him. “That's why you didn't see it. You missed your chance at victory by not taking that extra step.”

The scene returned to the Blue Lock selection room. 

“Whoever is ‘it’ in this game of tag might be the loser if he holds onto the ball for too long. But he might also be the winner, as only he has the power to choose who is hit next.”

Ego then addressed the room. “A striker shoulders that responsibility and fights until the very last second. Isagi Yoichi targeted someone ranked higher than him, not the fallen Igaguri-

“That was very stylish of you, Isagi!” Aryu said with a graceful flip of his shining hair. 

-Bachira Meguru stole the ball off him and went after the strongest guy.”

Bachira beamed.

“That's a selfish obsession with victory that isn't affected by the group's common sense. That's the egoism of the striker that I'm looking for.” Ego’s gaze sharpened behind his glasses. “ You lost because you ran away from it. Kira Ryosuke, lock off.”

“Yeah, you’re not Ego’s pick - that’s Isagi” Someone giggled. 

Kira Ryosuke’s mentally state had completely deteriorated by name. “But...B-But he came at me...Bachira came out of nowhere…” His pupils narrowed into pin pricks as he lost his mind.

“BACHIRA CAME AT ME OUT OF NOWHERE!!!!” He screamed. Kira’s face was completely demented. Those beautiful looks he had been praised all over Japan for were torn to shreds in the face of his insanity.  

Everyone sat rigidly on their chair except for the former members of Team Z. This-this was their former ace? Skepticism warred with hatred as they witness the breakdown of a mediocore prince. Suddenly howling laughter came from Shidou. 

“HIS FACE! LOOK AT HIS FACE!!” Shidou gasped out before being overcome with laughter again.

WE’RE NOT LOOKING AT ANYTHING BUT HIS FACE! The rest of players from the Blue Lock to the U-20 to the younger members of the professional teams screamed in their minds before realizing the hilariousness of the situation. They had been so absorbed by the well constructed mask being ripped off that they hadn’t fully taken in the situation. But now that the shock was gone…

Booming laughter echoed around the room as Reika graciously paused the video on Kira’s deranged face.

“HE LOOKS LIKE A TITAN!” Someone cried before devolving into laughter. This set off another round of raucous hooting and hysterics.

“HE DOES! THE SALIVA TRAIL!!”

“ME WHEN I SEE THE FRIDGE AT 1AM!”

“ME WHEN MY ORDER DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE PICTURE ONLINE!”

“SOUND THE ALARM! SOUND THE ALARM! KIRA-TITAN IS HERE!!”

“OH EGO OUR SAVIOR! THIS IS THE ONE TIME I’LL APPRECIATE YOU”

“Me when I think about Sae”

“YEAH! Wait…RIN?!?!?!?!”

“ What are you looking at me for? Play the video now .”

“Kira-kun…” Isagi began before he gasped in fear of Kira’s face.

There were no words to fully express the monstrosity Kira’s face had become. 

“Honestly, even Barou’s never looked this bad even at his worst. Wait - no - make that Igarashi” A voice muttered.

Two identical “HUH?!” came from two very offended people. Barou had a sneaking suspicion it was Nagi but until he could prove it…

Kira’s neck creaked loudly as he turned to face Isagi. 

“What are you, a grandma?”

“This isn't right. It…can't be.”

The rest of the players watched in horrified silence as Kira walked out of the room and the automatic door closed behind him.

Isagi did not feel relieved. Why did I kick it? Did I just end Kira's soccer career?

“Honestly Isagi, you’re too nice.” A person sighed. 

Then why...

The flashback of the kick played. 

Why am I so pumped up?

“... ISAGI?! ”

“...oops.”

That guy…

Bachira cutely stuck his tongue in happiness, seeing Isagi looking at him. 

Isagi walked toward him. “Why did you pass it to me? If I hadn't kicked it, you would've lost.”

If possible, Bachira looked even more delighted at the question. “Because I knew you'd kick it. It was written on your face.”

HUH? Both Raichi and Isagi peered incredulously at the boy who seemed to have a few loose screws. 

“‘Only results matter here,’ right? So I believed in you, and I won, right?” Bachira winked.

This guy's totally crazy.

“Isagiiii do you really think that?”

“Umm…no…sorry Bachira. That was mean of me.”

“It’s okayy because you’re my best friend. My monster and I both know it so I don’t mind anything you say!”

Okay, yes, he’s actually crazy but he’s also my best friend so what does that say about me? “Thanks Bachira, you’re mine too.” Isagi replied warmly back.

“Isagi!!” Bachira cheered, throwing himself at his favorite monster friend.

A hand rudely smacked into face before he could touch him. “Sit down you monkey.” Nagi commented from Isagi’s other side and shoved him back into his original seat. 

“You guys…” Isagi began before the scene continued playing.  

“Is this ridiculousness going to continue?” Igarashi gloomily mumbled.

“‘Ridiculousness’?” Ego repeated. “You're right. That's the world of ‘win or lose.’ Those world-class strikers you so casually adore put their lives on the line like this every day. How does it feel to fight for your career for the first time? Does it scare you? Does it excite you? This is normal in Blue Lock. Are you shaken up? Did it make you go, ‘All right! I survived!’?”

Ego’s face suddenly darkened. “That's what victory feels like. Etch that into your brain.”

The foreign players were getting a little tired of this weirdo’s mood swings. Not even Lorenzo had as many mood swings as this guy. They figured that if they lived with Ego then they would get a little stir crazy too. 

The U-20 winced. Their Blue Lock counterparts had certainly played a brilliant game because of their drive for football but atleast a small part of that forceful playing style had to be out of desperation to get away from Ego. They were so glad that they were never saddled with the man. 

“Every time you get a taste of that pleasant sensation, your ego grows. And that will elevate you to the height of the world's greatest striker.”

Chains rattled and locked around several necks before disappearing into nothingness. The physical presence was absent but the psychological pressure still weighed heavily on them. 

“Congratulations. You have passed the admission exam for the Blue Lock dorm.”

“All right!” The players cheered. 

“There are 11 of you in this room.” Ego continued. “You will be living together. At times, you'll work together. Other times, you'll betray each other- 

Pieces of the teammates slammed together with their faces and names.

-You will be rivals who wreck each other's dreams- 

Kunigami, Chigiri, and Bachira.

-Blue Lock…

Several pieces flickered too quickly to be seen before the final piece slammed home, occupying the hole screen.

Team Z.”

Isagi Yoichi.

Chapter Text

The scene shifted to reveal DAY 3: TRAINING ROOM.

Kunigami, Naruhaya, and multiple others on Team Z were weightlifting.

The words RUNNING TEST beeped next.

Isagi and Igarashi were running on the treadmill. Iagarashi looked like he was barely clinging to his life. 

“Nooo! Not these days again! I’m gonna throw up!”

“YOU’RE NOT EVEN DOING ANYTHING RIGHT NOW!”

“Isagi! Igaguri!” Raicha roared mockingly. “How can you talk about becoming the world's greatest striker looking like that? You mere mortals should go home before I make you cry!”

“Shut up!” Isagi huffed before focusing harder on his running. Igarashi didn’t even bother to give a response, overcome by a rainbow of projectile vomit that took him off the machine.

Isagi eventually got off and hunched over panting.  

“Don't mind him.” A previously introduced long-haired boy Kuon spoke, slowly walking up to him.

The mood around the former Team Z players instantly dropped, alarming everyone else in the room. 

“What is it?” Karasu asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“You’ll see.” Reo responded, suddenly recalling why this boy looked so familiar. 

Kuon held out a water bottle. “Isagi, do you want some water?”

“Thanks, Kuon.” Isagi gasped out.

The words “JUMPING TEST” flickered and disappeared.

“Ready, go!” Isagi and Kuon jumped in unison. 

Kuon - 68cm.

Isagi - 60cm.

Isagi was taken aback. Oh, hell, this guy's super athletic, too.

“Isagi you look very good-looking like that. You should part your hair to the side from now on.” Chigiri commented out of the blue.

“Uh. Thanks Chigiri but I’ll pass. I’ll think about it again if I have to style my hair.”

Chigiri shrugged. He looked good both ways so no loss to him.  

Kuon noticed the remarkable difference too. “Isagi, are you not at your best today?”

“Oh, well, you know…”

That was actually my max. Talk about crushing your spirit.

“Lukewarm, this is because you’re so short. You think you can with fight me at your height? Never in a million years.” Rin snarked.

Isagi was offended. “I’m not short! I’m just not- I’m gonna beat you Rin. I’ll devour you.”

“Dream on.”

The setting switched. BUILDING 5: CAFETERIA

At the cafeteria, you get rice and miso soup, but your side dish changes depending on your ranking.

Isagi scanned his armband and a small cup slid out. 

Isagi’s face was hilariously disgusted.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” 

“AWWWW MAN! SORRY BRO, THAT MUST’VE SUCKED!”

“Poor Isagi. I forgot about that.”

“I got Yakitora. Anything’s better than Natto.”

“I know right? The worst I got was Rice Pudding when my ranking dropped. Sucks, man.”

“Huh, natto. Must be nice.” Igarashi said gazing longingly.

“What the hell, monk? How is that nice?”

“All I've been getting is pickled radish.”

“...Sorry. I was wrong.”

“Chin up, Igaguri.” Isagi said sympathetically.

“I'm jealous of the higher-ranked guys. I mean, just look.”

Gagamaru poured a gleaming sauce over golden-brown pan fried dumplings.

“I want dumplings now too..” Gagamaru muttered, staring intensely at his past-self’s meal.

“Seriously? Man, that looks tasty.”

Gagamaru grabbed the food with his bare hands and started munching loudly. Crumbs flew everywhere and some ended up surrounding his mouth.

“EAT CLEANLY!!!” Multiple members roared out. Barou’s voice being the loudest among them.

“Is he a caveman?”

A hand suddenly patted Gagamaru’s shoulder. When he turned to look at the person who interrupted, Naruhaya darted smoothly to the other side, holding one of the prized dumplings.

“I'm stealing your dumpling!” Naruhaya laughed mischievously.

Isagi felt a pang of sorrow at seeing Naruhaya’s bright face. He didn’t regret sending him home because it was either Isagi or Naruhaya’s future on the line, but he did regret that Naruhaya had to leave under those circumstances.

“Hey, pipsqueak. Give that back.”

Naruhaya swiftly turned away and stuffed the dumpling in his mouth.

“Sorry, it's already in my belly! So good!” Naruhaya quickly ran away.

Gagamaru shoved his chair back as he stood up and chased after him “Wait, you bastard.”

Gagamaru hovered protectively over his food after he witnessed the incident. “Isagi, hide your food!”

Isagi sweatdropped. “Nah, they wouldn't want ours.”

Giggles rippled through the audience at the interaction. 

“HAHAHAHA NO ONE WOULD EVEN WANT YOUR SHITTY FOOD!”

At night TEAM Z, SLEEPING CHAMBER was shown. 

The lights were off and the players were all in their futons sleeping peacefully. Igarashi was sprawled on top of Isagi with his clothes off.

“I’m gonna strangle that monk.” Someone whispered. 

“Just give me a when and where.”

All of them except Isagi. Memories of what happened ran through his head and he abruptly sat up. His eyes widened comically. “I haven't got time for sleep!”

Isagi exited the room quietly. If I don't do something, I'm sure to get ‘locked off.’ Everyone's better than me. I don't see how I can beat them!

“That’s the attitude to have.” Marc Snuffy spoke, shocking everyone in the room.

“Snuffy?” Chris Prince asked, surprised to even hear him speaking.

“If you don’t work hard, you can never succeed. The boy is good. He realized his weakness and decided to practice when everyone else was sleeping. Good on you, boy.”

Isagi fought to keep from smiling too hard. “Thank you so much, Sir!”

“Don’t call me Sir.”

“Uh-yes!”

A ball crashed into Isagi’s back and disturbed his contemplation.

“Oi!”

A foot easily picked up the ball with a series of complicated movements. “Isagi.” Bachira sing-songed and caught the ball. “Training alone?”

Isagi rubbed the back of his head. “Huh? Well, yeah…”

“Then, want me to train with you?” Bachira twinkled, his eyes closed from the size of his smile.

Isagia and Bachira stood on the Team Z Training Field.

“Hey, Bachira.” Isagi said while stretching.

“Hm?”

“When we played tag, you passed the ball to me.”

The ending kick of Bachira’s replayed.

“Yup.”

“Why did you think I'd aim for Kira-kun?” Isagi finally asked the question that had been bothering him for days. 

Bachira gazed with his head tipped back toward the high ceiling. “Well... I guess it's because…”

His head came down. A murky, thick darkness rose and Bachira’s dark gold irises were replaced with swirling loops of horrifying black. “There's a monster inside of me.”

A shiver ran through the audience at the sight. 

“Now I know why Isagi and Bachira are such good friends.” Otoya muttered. His voice was soft but it was deafening in the absolutely quiet the room had become. 

“They’re not normal. They’re…monsters.” Yukimiya said, stumbling over his words. His mind rapidly flipped back and forth between Isagi and Bachira’s darkness. 

“And Isagi can see this because monsters sniff out other monsters.” Karasu continued.

“Neh. Neh. Isagi. Did you see that in me too? Am I a monster too?” Enlivened, Nagi turned to Isagi and pointed a finger at himself

“Nagi? Why are you asking that?” Reo was perplexed at Nagi’s bright eyes. Why was he so happy about the idea that Isagi would think he’s a monster?

“Because then Isagi would want to play with me.” Nagi answered back like it was obvious.

Understanding tore through the audience. Playing with Isagi was…thrilling. Then did he feel the same way about them? Did they have unlimited potential? Were they overwhelming in a way that made Isagi want to play with them and consider them worthy enough to defeat?

Their hearts beat faster in tandem.

“Then, Isagi, what about me?” Chigiri thrust his face forward into Isagi’s space. His long, red hair lightly tickling Isagi’s neck.

Chigiri was quickly ripped away and shoved to the side, several other players taking his spot.

“I have it too, right Isagi?!”

“I have a monster right? Do you sense it?”

“MOVE you little-”

Isagi shrank back in his seat as players fought over his space. “Um…”

Bachira was NOT happy. Nor was his monster. This was his and Isagi’s thing, dangit!

Before he could pounce on someone and bite them, Reika’s sharp voice cut through the clamor like a knife. “I will not tell you a second time.”

Grumbling, the players reluctantly returned to their seats. All of them glanced repeatedly back at Isagi hoping for an answer. 

Isagi let out a sigh of relief. He was grateful to get his own space back but he was also relieved that no one hated him for who he was. Man, Ichinan High School had done a number on him.

The darkness obscured Bachira’s face and the screen turned black. The Blue Lock symbol flashed before the scoreboard for “CHIBA PREFECTURAL FINALS: NAMIKAZE 0 - 1 ARASHI TECHNICAL HIGH” blinked into existence. 

Bachira was shown in a light blue uniform. He easily maneuvered around his opponent and ran with the ball. 

Bachira’s past! Isagi screamed in his mind. For once the focus is not on me. I also get to see what Bachira’s past was like!

Bachira’s teammate called out to him, running in parallel. Bachira’s face revealed his disdain. So slow. No, the monster would...

“Bachira! Pass it!”

You can't beat the monster like that.

At that moment his opponent grabbed the back of his jersey and another stole the ball as he crashed to the ground. The referee’s whistle rang for the foul.

“Hey, what are you doing?” A teammate screamed. “You held onto it too long!”

“Stop ball-hogging!”

From the ground a muddy brown creature arose and took shape. It grinned cruelly and extended a hand generously toward the fallen Bachira. 

So that’s what the monster he’s always going on about looks like. The members of Blue Lock thought. Yep. Crazy.

The scene flipped back to the present.

“A ‘monster’? What do you mean?”

Bachira rolled the ball under his foot. “When I'm playing soccer,” He kicked it and started running toward Isagi. “The monster comes out and talks to me.”

"Score a goal."

"Weave about more."

Bachira stopped speaking as Isagi tried to steal the ball from him. 

Isagi gasped as Bachira’s face was but two centimeters away from him. Holding him captive with his proximity and words. “But in that moment, the monster said to me: ‘Pass the ball to Isagi.’ ‘There's a monster inside him too,’ it said.”

“A monster?”

Bachira separated and turned away from Isagi. “When I play, I listen to its voice. That's all there is to it. You hear it too, right? The monster's voice.”

What the heck is he talking about? Though, when I kicked the ball…

The flashback of the flaming eyes came forth.

In that moment, I didn't recognize myself.

The players raised their eyebrows in interest at the look on Isagi’s face. 

I want to know what this "monster" inside me is. Maybe finding that out will give me a clue on how to survive Blue Lock.

“Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Noel Noa…”

The aforementioned players perked up in attention. 

Bachira juggled the ball between his feet. “All amazing players have monsters inside of them. It must be what proves you're a striker. That's what I believe.” He kicked it high.

“So Isagi…

The ball thumped as it rebounded and rose. However Bachira wasn’t watching it anymore. His face was eerily calm but the intensity behind his stare was almost tangible. 

“I'm glad I came here because I got to meet you.”

Isagi was taken aback by the weight of the statement.

Bachira switched moods. “‘kay, let's try it again.”

“Sure.”

What's wrong with this guy? He's talking nonsense.

But…

“Come at me.”

He gives me…

Flames erupted from his iris. Blades of grass ripped right out of the ground as Isagi burst forward. A muffled thump as Isagi balanced single handedly and whipped his foot at Bachira’s ankle. The whoosh of ghostly air was powerful and its phantom strength blew back the hair of the audience. 

Reo reached a hand up to touch his head only to find his hair still in place. What?

Aiku whistled loudly. 

Courage.

Bachira felt his heart burst in exuberance at Isagi’s thoughts. Ah, I'm so happy. Thank you Reika-chan. 

Bachira bounced back in eagerness. “Yeah, that's it!” A blush high on his cheeks as he pointed. “That's how your eyes looked at the time.”

I'm going to survive this!

Isagi tensed up but a feminine voice overhead broke his concentration.

“The results of the fitness tests have been assessed. Please return to your room and confirm the latest rankings.”

Back in the room Team Z was a mess. Multiple people’s rankings updated at the same time. 

Naruhaya was tugging at Gagamaru. “Hey, Gagamaru. What rank are you? Tell me!”

Gagamaru felt a little sad at the loss of the clingy monkey. He was annoying but a part of him missed that. 

The door slid open and Bachira and Isagi entered.

Ohhh so that’s what they were doing. Igarashi thought. 

“Hey, Isagi.” On-screen Igarashi called out to his friend. “Look at this. I shot way up from my old rank of 288. See? I'm at 275 now.”

“What? That's amazing.”

“Oh, you did, too. Look.”

Isagi glanced at his armband to see the number 274. “Whoa.”

“You're still one above me? You're my rival, huh?” Igarashi looked oddly comforted.

“As if, loser.” Raicha griped.

Ego materialized to address the room. “Well, well. Hello there, diamonds in the rough. How are you enjoying life at Blue Lock?”

“Cut the crap!” Raicha argued. “Do you really expect us to improve in this crummy environment?

“Yeah, what he said. I want better food.” Naruhaya whined.

“The environment's crummy because your soccer skills are crummy, duh. Idiots.” 

Never let it be said that Ego was bad at retorts. 

“What?”

“Let's talk a little bit about Blue Lock.” He continued. “In this facility, a total of 25 teams from B down to Z are split into five groups, one per building. Oh, and by the way… Each team lost one person after the game of tag, so there are 275 players left.” 

“What? So I'm still dead last? I was happy for nothing!”

“Your rank decides your team. Ranks 1 through 11 are in Team B, ranks 12 through 22 are in C… In short, you Team Z guys are the lowest-ranked in Building 5.”

Isagi was despairing at the reveal. These guys are in the lowest group?

Raicha was annoyed. “Don't lump me in with these losers.”

“What?” Igarashi yelled. 

Kunigami was irritated too. “Who are you calling ‘losers’?”

“Hey now, let's calm down.” Kuon tried. 

“Higher-ranked players eat gourmet food and get to train in better buildings. In here, the best soccer player is king. If you want a better environment, win your way up.”

“Rule of Life, Baby!” Lavinho hooted.

“Only the best at the top.” Chris Prince agreed.

But you’re not the best though. Isagi sniped within the confines of his mind. 

“All righty, then. Let us begin the first selection.” Ego finished sinisterly.

Isagi’s eyes narrowed with anticipation at the unspoken challenge. 

The scene flipped to a luxurious cruise. 

“Itoshi Sae. You were a genius midfielder in the academy of one of the world's top clubs, Royale. But regulations stopped you from playing in the first team, so you returned to Japan.”

An interviewer appeared to be talking to Itoshi Sae.

“Does this mean we'll get to see you play in the domestic league?”

“Over my dead body.” Sae responded harshly.

“Where’s the body, then?” Rin snarled at his brother.

Sae didn’t even bother to look at him.

Veins bulged on Rin’s face and arms at the wordless dismissal.

“If I have to play in a country like this, I'd rather play with college kids in Germany.”

NEW GENERATION: ONE OF THE WORLD'S 11 HEROES

“So…” The interviewer changed the subject uncomfortably. “Do you have dreams of representing your country at the international level in the future?”

Sae stood up and walked toward the door. “None whatsoever. The national team of a weak country like this one will never be the greatest in the world. My dream is to win the Champions League. There isn't a forward in this country who's good enough for my passes. I was born in the wrong country.”

The Japanese players exploded in vehement protests and accusations. Isagi’s nails dug into his palms. I will prove you wrong.  

I was wrong. Sae glanced at Isagi. I’ll be waiting for you, striker.  

“Hey…”

The door shut before his PR hurried after him.

“Give me a break. This won't do, Sae-chan! The media's going to hate you.”

Sae walked on placidly with his hands in his pockets. “So? This country doesn't matter to me. I only came back 'cause my passport expired.”

“I know that, but…”

The two stopped in front of a wide conference room filled with people and the clicking on cameras. 

JAPAN FOOTBALL UNION PRESS CONFERENCE: BLUE LOCK was displayed on the TV.

“Oh, yeah, I heard the JFU was holding a press conference today.” His PR said in response to his unspoken question.

“So that's how we plan to train up a striker who can lead Japan to a World Cup win. Through this Blue Lock project.” Hirotoshi finished next to Anri.

“Even if you do produce a top striker, how can you guarantee Japan will win the World Cup?” An interviewer asked. 

“Are you saying it's okay to ruin the lives of people just for one person's sake? Didn't their parents object?” Another butted in.

“Well, uh, that's…” Hirotoshi stumbled dumbly over the answer. “We respect the opinions of the players themselves. And their parents have signed consent forms…”

Anri couldn't bear it anymore. “‘Ruin the lives of…’?” She slammed a hand against the velvet blue tablecloth. “Exactly! For Japanese soccer to move forward, we need this crazy project!”

For the first time since his entrance, Itoshi Sae seemed to be surprised. 

“Don't you all want to see it? The moment this hero of Japanese soccer is born."

“And we succeeded. We are succeeding.” Anri commanded the room. 

Ego’s voice brought the scene back to Blue Lock. “The first selection will involve the 55 of you in Building 5. It's a kind of five-team round-robin. Only the top two teams will move on to the second selection in this survival match.”

“So the 11 of us on Team Z will play as a proper team?” Chigiri asked. “We're all forwards though.” 

“Why don't you be the goalie? You have the face of one.” Naruhaya remarked playfully. 

Lemon immediately refuted. “Don't. I can't say no when people ask me to do something.”

Raichi pointed to himself. “Then, I'll play center forward.”

“No, I will.” Kunigami disagreed.

“No, me.” Gagamaru countered.

“I just realized, you’re the shit-starter on the team, Raichi.” Chigiri said to him.

“Nah. It’s not my fault you all want what’s for me.” He gruffed out. 

Naruhaya grinned like a little rascal. “Igaguri, you can be in defense.”

“What?!”

Isagi tilted his head to the side. A team made up of forwards? That's crazy talk.

“Listen up.” Ego interrupted. “Soccer was originally a sport all about scoring. You've been stupidly imprinted with the notions of positioning and tactics, but all of those roles only evolved over time. Soccer initially started out with every player being a striker.”

“So play soccer as it was originally.” Ego threatened, sneering down at them. “Create soccer from zero with your brains.”

‘Create soccer from zero’?

Anri’s voice took over. “Japanese soccer has improved at an incredible rate in the last quarter-century, even compared to the world standard. Just one more step, and we'll be on par with the world's top teams. Soccer fans around the world can see that happening. That's how much Japan has improved.” She closed her eyes and spoke from within. “But to take that extra step, it's time for current Japanese soccer to die.” The conference room was whispering those words. 

Anri glared at the press. “The dream of simply playing in the World Cup has served its purpose. So now is the time to dream a new dream for Japanese soccer.”

Ego continued. “Abandon what you've believed to be common sense until now. Shove new notions into your brains. What we really need right now for Japan to become the best in the world isn't the teamwork of players.”

His face went fish-eyed and horrifying due to the proximity of the camera. “What we need is one hero.” 

The camera landed on Isagi as Ego finished that sentence.

No…I’ll devour you hero. I'll take your throne. 

“Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar...Soccer can evolve endlessly if a hero like that exists. To stop him, new defensive systems are created. To top him, new tactics are born.”

The room was inspired by his words. Absorbing every single sentence breathlessly. “One person's play can change a team, a country, even the world. That's the kind of sports soccer is.”

“This is a new stage for Japanese soccer.” Anri said, leaning forward in eagerness. “The main characters are not us adults, who have forgotten how to dream, but these youngsters, who are still nobodies. Do you have the courage to dream a new dream of winning the World Cup?”

Ego’s deranged face of enthusiasm grew. “Are you ready to fight?”

“It's all there…” The camera plunged into Anri’s pupil with a gust of wind. 

The obsession of a madman and the conviction of a sane woman were one and the same.

“-In Blue Lock!”

“-In Blue Lock!”

The professional teams were stunned. These people. All of them. ALL OF THEM! THEY’RE ALL BRILLIANT. The weirdo and the pretty lady. The two of them together completely revolutionized an entire nation’s sport and brought forth players that could compete evenly on a world stage! Incredible!!

“This press conference is over.” Anri finished and walked away with a click of her heels. 

“What bullshit!” The press howled in outrage. 

“Is this how you treat young talent?”

“JFU's gone crazy!”

“Sae-chan, we'd better get going. The flight back to Spain is…” His PR said.

“Cancel it.” Sae interrupted.

“What?” 

Itoshi Sae’s face was haunting. “I want to see what kind of idiot's going to be born in this country with my own eyes.” Maroon smoke blew up with an eerie whistle.

The Blue Lock members didn’t dare open their mouths about their victory. 

Kaiser had no such reservations. "Poor Sae, did you eat you words?" He smirked.

Itoshi Sae looked calmly back at him. "Aren't you going to play with him soon? I'll mark yours."

Team Z walked down a dark hallway into a bright, open field. On the other side players in white came towards them with darkness clinging to their bodies. 

Barou’s face stood out among the rest.

Isagi looked back, determined. “I'll be the one who survives!”

“Next up!! Team Z vs Team X! Who will win? Place your bets! Place your bets!” Reika announced through the speakers like she was at a professional football match. 

“I’m betting on Team Z.” Nagi said. “Anything is better than the King’s team.”

“YOU LITTLE SHIT! JUST WAIT-”

“I’m betting on Team X. Team Z was the lowest of the teams.”

“No, I think Team Z might win. Isagi, Kunigami, Chigiri…and the others are here.”

“YOU FUCKER! DID YOU JUST FORGET MY NAME?!”

“Can I vote?” Gagamaru asked, raising his hand.

“No. That’d be cheating.”

“Well if the bets are in, we can move on to Blue Lock Additional Time!” Reika cheered.

“Do you like the ‘Additional Times’, Reika-chan?” Bachira asked with a tilt of his head.

“I do! Actually you’re next, Bachira-chan!”

Reika blinked out of existence as the classic screen animated the words again. 

A Blue Lock, Additional Time!

Bachira and Isagi were walking down the corridor after practice. Bachira was drinking from a water bottle while Isagi was wiping the sweat off his face with a towel. 

“That's extra training done with.”

“Whew, I'm beat.” Bachira mumbled around the straw.

A ting sounded when Isagi paused. “Wait, which one was our room again?”

“Oh my god the rooms are so hard to find.” Chigiri scowled. 

Grumbles of assent sounded among the Blue Lock players.

“Ego-san, it takes forever to understand which room is for what!” Nanase cried.

“Learn it, losers.”

Bachira looked ready to leap into a room. “If we try every door, we'll find it eventually.”

“No, that's the changing room and bathroom, Bachira.” Isagi hurried out before Bachira could do so.

“Looks like you learned pretty quickly though, Isagi.” Kurona said.

Barou frowned. He hadn’t really noticed the first time around but Isagi had led the way to Cafeteria, Dorms, and Bathroom without error despite the changed location of the 3x3 and 4x4 dorms. Was this another secret skill of his?

“Huh? Huh? Huhh?” Bachira bounced around.

Isagi more methodically looked at the Blue Lock map.

“It’s weird to see two people so different become best friends. And in a place like this too.” Kunigami mused.

“I guess that’s what Blue Lock does to you.” Reo bitterly snarked.

“Blue Lock's so huge, it's like a maze. The map says it's over here…” Isagi followed his finger down. “It's this way, Bachira.”

Upon hearing no response from him Isagi turned to look at Bachira and panicked. “I told you that's the bathroom!”

Bachira’s body trembled in a comical mid-run position. “The monster inside me is saying,” The screen was completely overtaken by dirty brown. ‘I can't hold it anymore.’”

“Then just go already, idiot!” Isagi screamed urgently. 

There was a moment of silence before all of the Blue Lock members along with Anri and Ego turned to look at Isagi.

Chigiri and Kunigami stood up, walked over to Isagi, and grabbed a hand each. The rest of Team Z along with Barou and Aryu followed behind them.

“Isagi…” Chigiri began.

“Thank you for saving our facility.” Kunigami finished, tightening his grip on Isagi’s hand and - wait. WERE HIS EYES MISTY?!?

“Isagi.” Barou jerked his head down in an attempt at a nod before glaring at Bachira. “The U-20 share the same living space now. Do. That. Again. And. I. Will. Kill. You.” He ground out before stalking to his seat.

“Bachira…”

“Oopsie!! Hehehehee”

Igarashi was crying on the floor. “I am never going to see Bachira’s monster the same way again. Please…no more scenes.”

Raichi HATED that he agreed with Igarashi. He definitely wasn’t going to say so like everyone else who seemed to be ignoring him.

“Hmmm. The next game’s gonna start soon. Get ready~ it’s time for realizations to take place.” 

Isagi disagreed with Reika’s supposed superpower. It wasn’t her ability to manipulate the masses or the ability to view and display past moments. Oh no. Her superpower was most definitely the ability to effectively control an entire room of the most hard-headed players with just a few words. He found himself powerless as he was dragged into her flow and hated that he couldn’t stop himself from looking forward to what happened next. Despite having already lived through it. 

Chapter Text

“Rock, paper, scissors!” A group of voices chanted. 

Three hands scissors and one hand rock appeared out of the blue.

“Damn it! Isagi won!” Raichi growled at the ground and Isagi smiled happily. 

“Oooh, another foresight skill, Isagi?” Bachira mocked his friend. Isagi scowled playfully back.

Kuon took charge. “Then, starting with Isagi, we'll each say which position we want to play in.”

Isagi clenched his fist. “I want to be the forward.”  

The time rewound. 1 HOUR EARLIER

Ego was in the beginning of narrating the next game. “The first selection will involve the 55 of you in Building 5. It's a kind of five-team round-robin. Only the top two teams progress. The rest will leave Blue Lock. And those who are kicked out will forever be ineligible for the national team.”

The foreign players felt immense pressure. It was a do-or-die kind of situation. Even they themselves could have a bad game or two, not that it happened at their level but the point still stands. Here in Blue Lock though, even one loss meant your whole career was over. 

“However, the top scorers from the three losing teams will advance to the next selection. If more than one player has the most goals in a team, we'll go by fair play points, and the player with the least penalty points will progress.”

Isagi’s raptly paid attention. 

Bachira cackled. "You pay more attention to Ego then you apparently did in your class!" 

"You should've asked for a class transfer." Chigiri teased.

"Yup! Then you would be excelling school like you are at Blue Lock!"

"Bachira, I really don't want to hear that from you of all people." Isagi grumbled.

“Will you prioritize your own goals or the team's victory? The karma of a striker is put to the test in this first selection. This is a battle about creating soccer from zero.”

The players begin changing and preparing for the match. “The first match starts in two hours. It will be Team X versus Team Z.”

“All right, everyone.” Kuon called the room to attention. He listed players’ names and positions on a whiteboard. “This is our formation for the first match. We'll go for the win with Isagi as our focal point at center forward.”

“Got it.” Bachira said nonchalantly.

Igarashi had a very different opinion. “Isagi's ranking is super low. Can we win with him as our focal point?”

“Why is it that I always hear you say the stupidest stuff, Igaguri? You do realize your ranking is even lower than Isagi’s, right? You have no room to talk.” Karasu said. “If you were my opponent, between you and Isagi I would’ve sniped you first.”

“Stop complaining, Igaguri.” Kunigami was of the same mind as Karasu.

The room was filled with different emotions.

“I don't want to play in defense.” Naruhaya whined.

“All we got to do is win, right?” Raichi was overflowing with confidence.

“No objections here.” Gagamaru drawled.

“‘All we got to do is win,’ huh?” Chigiri looked unusually anxious. 

“Oh? I haven’t seen you look like that before Chigiri.” Otoya commented.

Karasu smirked, “Why so scared? Need a little hug, Princess?”

“Shut up you damn crow. If we’re seeing everything then you’re gonna find out real soon why. And why everyone is so obsessed with beating Isagi.”

“Can you really play in goal?” Naruhaya questioned doubtfully.

Lemon himself didn’t look too sure. “I lost at rock paper scissors, so I'll just have to do it.

Isagi let out a breath of air, pondering over Ego’s confusing words. “A battle about creating soccer from zero’? What did he mean by that?

“It's almost time.” Kuon said. 

My life-changing match at Blue Lock is finally about to begin.

Team Z stretched their bodies on the field.

“Here they come. Team X.” Kunigami said, notifying everyone to the approaching team. 

Team X walked forward, shrouded in dark smoke and cocky grins. The camera zoomed in on Barou in particular who stood out from the rest. From his position, size, and structure - everything was different from the nameless members of Team Z. Isagi focused on him too, noting the different aura around this player.

Barou puffed out his chest. He noticed me out of everyone. Well ofcourse he did, I’m the king! Why would he bother paying attention to some peasants when I’m here.

Hiori side-eyed the motion. 

“In the first selection, all fouls will be called by VAR. Building 5's first match will be a half-game lasting 45 minutes. Team X versus Team Z. Time for kick-off.”

Bachira placed a foot on the ball and rolled it around a little. “You scared, Isagi?” As always fixing his eyes on him. “Let's have fun! Otherwise, we'll lose. That's how soccer is.”

For a crazy monster boy, he’s surprisingly sensitive. Multiple players thought then rolled their eyes. Oh, wait. I know why I’m surprised. It’s because this is the only time I’ve seen him be nice with it. For Isagi. For the rest of us, he uses that uncanny insight to drive us insane. 

Rin glared. So he does know what he’s doing when he’s acting crazy. The little shit .

Isagi on the other hand smiled affectionately at the screen. Bachira always knows what to say.

“Right.” Isagi’s hair swished as he faced forward again. He's right. There's no need to be scared.

Isagi received the passed ball. My rank is 274. I'm rock bottom. I just need to play and climb up the ranks!

“Pretty impressive, Yoichi. To climb from the bottom to the top of a program filled with only the best. Don’t waste that precious talent before I get to it~”

Isagi had no idea how to respond to that. I don’t know what to say but I have a very. Strong feeling that we will not get along.

Team X charged at him while Isagi paused with the ball and thought. Should I pass it back and build the attack?

As Isagi was deciding, Raichi came and abruptly stole the ball from under his foot. “Hey! What are you doing, Raichi?”

Raichi’s shark teeth were on full display. “The rules say the top scorer goes through, right? I don't care about the team. I'm doing this my way.”

“I KNEW YOU WERE TOO CALM ABOUT IT BEFOREHAND! Everyone in the locker room was complaining or stretching, but you were the only one who looked happy. Happy, my ass! You were the one complaining the most about it before!” Niou roared. 

“GUESS WHAT, FUCKER?! THIS IS BLUE LOCK! AND I’D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!” Rachi screamed back.

The rest of the players just wished they would shut their mouths. Goddamn, was there a human-noise control somewhere?

“Now you're talking, Raichi.” Kunigami sneakily swept the ball. 

“Ho! Ho! What a sneaky move, hero!” Isagi grinned at the scene.

“Sneaky. Sneaky counterattack.” Kurona added on.

“If that's how it works here, I'll make no bones about playing for myself.”

Raichi was surprised for a second before he became enraged. “Kunigami, I think we're going to get along just fine.”

Team Z fell into disorder. 

“What're you doing?”

“Let me in on it!”

“Hey! What about our positions?” Kuon wailed worriedly.

“Now that I think about it, do you think he had sold out our positions to Team X?” Chigiri whispered to the members of Team Z crowded around him.

“I don’t know…even if he did I don’t think Barou would’ve listened.” Isagi murmured back, watchful of the eyes peering at them in curiosity.

Kunigami didn’t want to reminisce about this. “Let bygones be bygones. It’s over and he’s locked off.”

“Who cares about that fucker.” Raicha growled slowly, but despite those words they could all tell his heart wasn’t in it. 

They decided to separate from their huddle, not wishing to discuss this subject anymore. At least until they had to. 

Kunigami and Raichi were caught in mid-fight, neither of them able to move freely.

“Get out of my way!”

“You get out of mine.”

“Damn it...you know, your physique ain't too bad…”

As they were locked a member of Team X stole the ball.

“You should pay more attention.” Another nameless Team X member smirked before stealing it from his teammate.  

Huh? They're fighting among themselves too? Isagi was absolutely baffled at the situation. What's going on here?

As he watched the football field turned into a massive battle-royale. 

They're all only thinking about themselves. 

Ego’s face flashed. “This is a battle about creating soccer from zero.”

Is this sorry bunched-up free-for-all what he meant by ‘creating soccer from zero’? This isn't soccer. What do I do? Should I go join them?

“You know, you don’t act very fast but you certainly think fast, Isagi.” Aiku mused out loud. “While the rest of the players arrived at the correct solution by acting on their selfish desires, you were the only one to truly understand the meaning of this situation. It seems your ability is insight.”

Niko agreed. “I think so too. I thought it was perception but looking at your memories now, your thoughts, your actual ability is insight.”  

“Is there a difference?”

“Perception is how your view impacts the way you see things. A ball is tossed and suddenly frozen in time. Perception and insight can be used to describe the situation. A person standing under the ball, looking up at it, would think the ball is going to keep going up. A person watching from the bleachers, above the ball, would think the ball is about to come down. They are both correct but wrong because they only see one side. What they see affects their reality and that is their perception of the situation.” 

Niko made a circle with his pointer and thumb and looked at Isagi through it. “A person with insight will realize the ball is mid-throw and move to catch up before either of the other people realize which direction it will go.”

Wait…isn’t that a little like Metavision? Not quite? I…when I play I can tell what people are going to do before they do it - sometimes - but there’s something I’m missing. In that game with Itoshi Sae, I was always a few steps behind. What…am I missing?

“Oh…thanks, Niko.”

Evil, scarlet burned in the dark. The next second a sole player cleanly broke free off the mess of men. 

“Oh…you look like car headlights King. I guess this is what Isagi sees you as.” Nagi said with his mouth puckered into an x.

Barou, who was basking in the glory of this game, felt his blood pressure skyrocket. 

Isagi hurriedly gestured for Reika to continue. 

He broke free?!

“Don't stand in my way-

“Isagiiii you should’ve brought a red blanket. To wave in front of you.”

“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!!”

- Or I'll kill you.”

I'll stop him. Isagi thought determinedly. 

He's here. Is he going left?

Isagi shifted to the left only to have Barou kick the ball high over his head.

A heel flick? Crap, he got past me.

“I'm sorry, Kuon! He's heading your way!”

“I got it!”

“Don't sweat it. It's a two-on-one!”

Not even a second later Barou easily outmaneuvered the two Team Z members. 

Two nutmegs in a row? What the hell is he? He's big and he's got skills!

Barou was oozing pride much to the annoyance of the audience. They couldn’t even say anything because everything Isagi had thought about him was right! Still…it was hella annoying to just sit there and bear it. 

Barou ended his run with a quick goal. 

Lemon was struck out looking. I couldn't react...

“Now hear me, suckers,” Barou spread his arms as if he was delivering a divine message. “And remember my words. For me, the ball isn't my "friend" or any nonsense like that. It's just a spherical servant that exists solely so I can shine. On the field, I am the king.”

“Do you think you’re a god? You’re too ugly for that broken king.”

THANK GOD FOR NAGI! The players screamed in their heads. 

Barou cracked his neck but decided to ignore it for now. He had won after all. 

Isagi was horrified. Is it even possible to beat a guy like that?

“Awesome!”

“Nice play, Barou!”

Team Z cheered in a circle around their self-proclaimed monarch. 

“You're the goalie, aren't you? Act like one!” Igarashi yelled at Lemon. 

Lemon yelped. “But I've never done this before. What am I meant to do?”

“It's only one goal. Let's calm down.” Kuon clapped his hands softly.

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. Fucking Kuon.” Raichi snarked bitterly.

Bachira sprayed a mouthful of spit in laughter. 

“He's right. If we stick to our positions and pass it around-” Isagi began.

Raichi broke in, angry at the loss. “If we do that, then as the center forward, you'll be the one who scores. Losers should play in defense. All you gotta do is pass me the ball!” He finished, shouting at the rest of the team.

“Hell no! Pass it to me!”

“No, to me.”

“No, to me! To me!”

“Team Z, resume the game.” Interrupted a feminine voice. 

Calm down . Isagi set the ball in position. The match has only just begun. I mean, what are we even being tested on? Regardless, we have to win.

He looked at Barou. As long as that guy doesn't get the ball...

“Bachira! We'll at least pass it around between us!”

“Okay!”

Isagi passed the ball only to have it intercepted by Igarashi.

“Huh? Igaguri, your position!”

“Are you dense, Isagi? The top scorer on a team survives! I'm never passing it to someone else. I'm sorry for your loss.”

“You’re not wrong, but you’re the last person who’s capable of scoring. Literally any other person could’ve scored if it hadn’t been you.” Gagamaru slowly said.

“Hey! I made it all the way here, okay!”

“Yeah, one of the eight wonders of the world.” Karasu said, rolling his eyes. 

“Hey, hold it!” Isagi screamed. 

“Now I get what this first Blue Lock selection is all about. It's a battle where you only pursue your own ability to score!”

Igarashi was easily overtaken by two opponents. “Crap!”

“You suck. It's mine now.”

Team Z were suddenly united in nothing but their anger. 

“You lost the ball? I'll kill you!”

“Igaguri, you dumbass!”

“Stay back, guys! We got to defend!”

Team X was smarter in their playing. “Hey, let's pass the ball to Barou and support him. See how the other team's having a total meltdown? Rather than chasing individual goals, we just need to win as a team.”

“How did seven members, the most of any team, out of 11 of the dumbest and worst players make it to the top of Blue Lock?”

“HEY!” Ah. For the first time since the 1st selection, Team Z was in perfect unison. 

“Good call. Barou!”

Barou ran down the field with the ball as his teammates defended his path.

“Leave the right wing to me!”

“I got the left!”

“I'm leaving the defending to you!”

Isagi caught onto the situation fast. This isn't good. They're starting to get organized.

“It's Barou. We got to mark Barou!”

“Who're you to tell us that, Igaguri?”

“Damn. We got to stop him.”

Kunigami and Raichi came at him from the front while Imamuri and Isagi attacked him from the back.

Despite the inevitable pile up, Barou’s red eyes reflected the calm of a still lake. “You sure throwing so many lousy players at me is a good idea?”

"That was a terrible idea." Rin said, crossing his arms. 

Why thank you, we know now. Chigiri fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Without missing a beat, he neatly did a back heel pass. 

It's no good. Isagi realized their mistake too late. If we leave Barou alone, he'll scythe through our defense, but if we only mark him...

“Look at all that wide-open space!”

“...other players are left totally free!”

“Save it, Iemon!”

The ball went cleanly into the netting with no resistance from Team Z. 

“All right! A second goal!”

“Thank you, King Barou!”

The Blue Lock players were dissatisfied. Sacrificing the opportunity to score in favor of passing it others? That's completely against the Blue Lock philosophy. It also makes sense why there people were locked off. 

Isagi panted and worried. Crap. We're going to lose at this rate. They're already playing as a team.

“It's 'cause you lost the ball, Igaguri!”

“But we're not coordinated at all.”

He looked at his team who were in complete disarray.

“Damn it, I can't do this!”

They were all bunched-up too, a while back. He changed all that. Barou's goal helped them to become a team!

A bolt of clarity struck Isagi as he suddenly recalled Ego’s words.

“This is a battle about creating soccer from zero.”

If we call this bunched-up, free-for-all soccer ‘zero,’ then Barou's stunning play isn't zero, it's ‘one.’ A strategy to win is then built around this ‘one.’ And that's how a team is born. Is this what he meant by ‘creating soccer from zero’?

Isagi’s mind went back to the memories of this game. His head filled with images of his teammates fighting. If it is, we're totally useless. The bigger the goal deficit gets, the more they think about themselves. No one's in the right mindset to think about how to get from ‘zero’ to ‘one.’ Meanwhile, the opponent's teamwork keeps improving.

Zantetsu thought back to his own game with Team Z. From something like this…they’ve come a long way. 

“I’m more surprised you didn’t say anything, Isagi. I can’t believe you realized all this and kept your mouth shut about it. We had no idea!”

“I-I didn’t know what to say…I wasn’t in the right mood either to think of something that would effectively move our team in the right direction. At the time.”

Nagi blinked at that. Isagi had been nothing but commanding and certain on the field. It was weird to see him as anything but aggressive. 

The video flashed forward and the scoreboard counted 5 - 0 in Team X’s favor.

The despair and helplessness of Team Z could be felt through the screen.

It weighed down on the people watching. Although Barou was one of them, they would rather die than admit that they were secretly rooting for Team Z. The shenanigans of the team were amusing at the very least. Also. It was Barou. There was no need to elaborate. 

It's impossible. This game is over. We've...lost.

The air became incredibly strained at seeing Bachira look so serious. The amount of new things we’re learning could fill a football field. 

“Man, all I've been doing is running around.” The bicolored boy said. “There's no way we'll score five in the next three minutes. But maybe you and I can get one goal back.”

Isagi finally looked up from the ball and at his best friend. “Bachira…”

Bachira was staring at the celebrating Team X. “At 5-0, the other team's guard is down, so we might make it work this once.”

He blinked and dipped lower in demand. His gold eyes disappeared into swirling black messes and penetrated Isagi to the core. “You in?”

Isagi closed his own blue and revealed his own swirling back. “I'm in.”

I will turn this team's ‘zero’ into a ‘one’!

“And so the monsters set each other off.” Karasu grinned, his bright eyes belying his indifferent tone. 

The mood in the audience room was wiped of the heavy despair and replaced with enthrallment. 

Fucking finally.

“I'll distract them, then hit a long ball upfield so you can take the shot.” Bachira wiped his face of sweat but the supernatural iris didn’t erase. “Run, Isagi. Straight to the goal.”

Isagi’s own remained. “Okay, Bachira.”

The ball was kicked and Isagi tore down the field, heedless of anyone’s voice but his own.

I'm going to make this shot!

“Huh? Isagi-kun?”

A comeback might be impossible, but if someone scores a goal, we can build the team structure around it. That's what it means to go from zero to one.

“Surround him!” Team X cried as they struggled to lock down Bachira.

Isagi kept running. Bachira and I can score a goal together.

To win the next match, that's what we need to do!

Bachira’s eyes flamed as he pinned his eyes on Isagi’s back. “Right there, Isagi.”

That's the light we need to lead Team Z! Isagi yelled in his mind and effortlessly caught the pass. Bull's-eye.

Bachira and Isagi’s thoughts were but a continuation of the other’s.

Yes!

Nice pass Bachira!

“Two of a kind.”

Isagi fixed his eyes on the goalie. It's a one-on-one. I'll score it!

“Oi, Number 11.” An increasingly familiar voice broke his concentration. “Don't stand out more than me. I told you I'm the king.” 

Barou’s eyes were a devilish red. Eerie against the rolling blue fumes. “Try getting past me, sucker.”

Isagi halted in panic. What's he doing here? Did he read my plan? What do I do? Try to get past him? But it's this guy…

Isagi’s fear clouded his mind as his reality began to fade in and out in a blurring haze. 

In a situation like this, a striker would...

“Isagi! Behind you!” Raichi yelled, releasing him from his fear.

“Pass it to me!” Kunigami shouted from the other side.

“I'll shoot!”

“Here!”

Do I pass? No . He turned back to Barou lunging forward. I got to go for it! If I want to live in Blue Lock… Isagi’s teeth clenched. If I want to live as a striker…  

Huh?

A beat. Then everything disappeared. It was replaced with a holographic style layout of the entire football field, glowing humanoid figures representing each and every player. 

“Incredible…” A whisper echoed.

Sae’s eyes burned from the way he had them peeled open. He saw the whole field. In that split second, with those terrible skills, he saw everyone on the field with a bird’s eye view. 

Lorenzo grinned, his gold teeth flashing in the light. Ace. Your market-price is going to soar. I can't wait to have my feast.

Everything turned pure white from the background to Isagi’s skin and hair. His glowed beautiful blow, stark against the paled surrounding. Like the light in the depth of the ocean, Isagi’s eyes stared at the devilish Barou as he became entangled in thick, black vines.

Almost no one could utter a word or form a coherent thought at the sight. 

Instinct? Talent? Clarity? Which was it??

Barou was on his feet. An incomprehensible bellow burst from his throat at the sight of himself. HOW DARE HE? HE…HE HAD ME AT HIS MERCY AND HE PLAYED ME LIKE A FOOL. THOSE FUCKING VINES. HIS BRAIN ALREADY UNDERSTOOD EVERY MOTION I WAS GOING TO MAKE. HE NEUTRALIZED ME…I WAS CONTAINED! HE! CONTAINED! ME?!

Hiori was captivated. The light emerging from the bottom of those cerulean blue, it’s as if he found gold on the ocean floor. So inviting…I almost want to jump in.  

A blend of fluorescent colors swirled their way through the dark. 

He kicked the ball, eyes, face, and body still facing the contained threat that was Barou. Only his leg, without permission, swung to the side. 

“Huh?” Barou, Raichi, Bachira, and even Isagi himself were taken aback. No one had expected that play, not even the playmaker. 

The only one unsurprised was Kunigami. “Nice ball, Isagi.”

A nameless Team X member arrogantly sneered. ‘There's no way he'll score from that range.”

Time slowed and Kunigami slammed the ball. It zoomed several meters and crashed into the netting. 

The players on the field - along with those watching the screen - stared in silence, their minds not comprehending the goal. 

5 - 1

“Eat it!!” Kunigami pumped his fist in victory. 

“I passed the ball…” Isagi muttered.

A fist grabbed the front of his jersey. “What the hell are you doing, Isagi? Why did you pass it to Kunigami? I was more open than he was!” Raichi yelled.

“No…I was planning to shoot. But for some reason, my body just…”

“Are you stupid? Like, seriously stupid? Who passes when they're shaping to shoot?”

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Kuon separated them. “Stop that, Raichi! We scored a goal!”

Was he actually helping? In spite of his best efforts, the question marinated in Kunigami’s mind. This is one scar among many that will never heal.  

“Huh? Are you stupid, too? Why should I be happy someone who isn't me scored a goal in a 5 - 1 defeat? Didn't you listen to the rules? At the end of the day, it's the top scorer who goes through! But he had a chance to score and passed!” Raichi pulled Isagi closer. “Why the hell did you even come here?”

Isagi couldn’t even bring his hands up to defend himself.“I don't know…But that pass was unintentional…”

“What?!”

“Hey, Number 11.” Barou walked up to the trio. “If you get nervous in front of the goal, you're not cut out to be a striker. You have no talent.”

Isagi’s face shattered.

Reo wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. He had selfishly thought that Isagi - being brilliant - had not suffered so he that could nurse his own feelings of betrayal and jealousy. He wished he could go back in time and never see this video so he could keep on pretending he was right. He didn't want to sympathize, dammit! Oh god... Reo's heart broke for this absolute disaster of scene. Isagi...

Bachira bit his lip and looked at his emotionless friend.

“...I’m not going to apologize.”

“...No one expected you to.”

Isagi sucked in a deep breath and ignored the looks of pity, sympathy, and contemplation. It’s over. His past self…needed to hear those words. Without them, he couldn’t have become the striker he was now, standing at the top. It hurt though, especially hearing something like that from Barou, but. The effect they had...was worth the agony. He took a few more breaths to ease the residual pain, trying to blow it out with each exhale. Enough. You've done it. You...are here.

The whistle rang. “Time's up. In Blue Lock Building 5's first match, Team X wins 5 - 1.”

Team X’s bright celebration contrasted sharply with Team Z’s grieving.

Raichi threw him away and walked off but Isagi made no move to get up.

What am I doing? Didn't I say I was going to turn the ‘zero’ into a ‘one’?

Kunigami and Bachira silently watched Isagi's grief from the far ends of the field. 

Am I…

The screen blackened.

unfit to be a striker?

Chapter Text

A whiteboard with the team’s formation appeared.

“First off, it was a mistake to make Isagi the center forward!”

Ugh. We just can’t catch a break. The players thought, slouching moodily into their seats.

“In the next game, it'll just be me up top.” Raichi angrily finished. 

Naruhaya quickly disagreed. “No, it should be me. We can win if I'm the center forward.

“I'm never playing in defense again, you hear?” Igarashi haughtily announced.

“Losers can shut up.” Raichi said in response to that statement.

Imamura stopped wiping his face at that. “What? Says the loser who Isagi didn't want to pass to.”

Isagi sat quietly with his head down as his teammates started fighting around.

“You want to go?!”

“Do you?!”

He was completely zoned out and depressed. 

Barou’s face flashed before his eyes. “If you get nervous in front of the goal, you're not cut out to be a striker. You have no talent.”

Why did I pass? Isagi scrunched his eyes in pain and clutched his hair. 

His frustration leaked through the screen and coated over the players like a thick layer of paint on their skin. They shifted agitatedly in their seats at the feeling. 

I haven't changed at all since I got here. Damn it.

The glow that had once been present was gone. To survive in Blue Lock, what am I lacking as a striker?

In front of him, the arguing continued before Kuon eventually lost his patience. 

“Just pass the ball to me!”

“No, to me!”

“Give it to me!”

“Me. Pass to me.”

“That's enough, all of you!”

Rin clicked his tongue at the display. Lukewarm teams like this always lost. What the fuck was Isagi doing?

The harshness of Kuon’s usually kind voice startled the room.

Isagi straightened in surprise. “Kuon…”

“Do you understand the situation we're in? We're a team that's already lost once. This first selection is a five-team round-robin. Only the top two teams progress.”

A checkerboard appeared similar to what Ego had shown them before. “Suppose all teams win two, lose two. We'd all be on six points. Which means, in order to advance, we have to aim higher and get seven points. That's the likely cut-off line that will decide who progresses.” Kuon stressed.

Lemon felt sweat drip off his face from the stress. “So in short, if you lose twice, it's a yellow light that's about to turn to red.”

“We're already at the point where if we lose the next game, we're done for. If we don't get serious about how we're going to win,” Kuon opened his eyes for the first time revealing hazy red irises. “It really will be over for us.”

“Then, have you got any good ideas?”

“Well... No, not yet.”

“What the heck? Then, what good is all this talk?”

“But still, we have to do something…”

“I have something.” Kunigami slowly called out. “I couldn't have scored that goal without Bachira and Isagi. That should show us the way.”

“Cut the crap, musclehead!” Rachia yelled, he was still furious over not being able to score in the last game. “You just want to be the team's top scorer!”

“Give it a rest.” Niou huffed.

Raichi sneered but didn’t say anything.

Bachira’s voice stopped whatever Raichi was going to say next. “But it was amazing.” The camera panned up to reveal an entirely naked bachira, not even a towel around his waist. “It was the best goal of the day, for sure.” He finished cheerfully. 

Both his attitude and attire was completely different from the rest of the locker room.

“PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!!!” Screamed the entirety of the audience. Whether it be foreign players or Japanese players, everyone was exasperated by his behavior. No one walked around that naked, dammit!

“You're naked!”

Bachira ignored Igaguri. “If we just do that a lot, we can win.” He grinned delightedly. “Right, Isagi? Right?”

“Bachira…” Isagi was too broken by the naivety of Bachira’s statement. 

“For real, what shit is he on? Yep. Yep.” Wakatsuki whispered to Chou. Chou’s placid face remained expressionless but he nodded back to show his agreement, wondering the same thing. 

The rest of the room seemed just as annoyed with Bachira’s nudity.

“Oh, please! It was a fluky wonder goal. You can't rely on that! And come on, dude, stop streaking!” 

For once Raichi was quiet, unable to make heads or tails of the situation.

“I just had a horrifying realization.”

“What?”

“I just realized that I’m actually scared of seeing Bachira doing something normal. His streaking is intolerable and completely inappropriate but I’m terrified of seeing him doing something like washing the dishes or- or not streaking.”

“…Stop. I’m barely holding onto my sanity as it is. I-I don’t need this right now.”

Imamaru closed his eyes and bemoaned mournfully. “But seriously, I really don't get how we can make a team out of just forwards.”

Chigiri opened the fridge and took out a water bottle. “I don't think everything that guy says is right.”

“Chigiri.”

“Ego talked about how to "win" the World Cup, throwing names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Cantona out there. But none of those guys have ever won the World Cup-”

“That’s because they’re not as amazing as me!” Chris Prince boasted.

Noel Noa steadfastly ignored his British counterpart to the annoyance of Prince.

“-If anything, him saying ‘This is a battle about creating soccer from zero’ was some sort of hint.”

At those words Isagi stood up and spoke for the first time since his match. “Hey, everyone. I don't have any strategies that'll help us win, but I might know what it means to be at soccer's ‘zero’.”

Yukimiya tilted his head. All the people here, including himself, had passed the first selection but few understood the meaning behind Ego’s words. They, like Barou, were simply strong enough to overwhelm their opponents and thus remain. Yukimiya was interested in what Isagi had to say though. This guy always saw something the others didn’t. 

Raichi, as per usual, wasn’t in the mood for drawn out games. “So what is it, noob? Explain it to us.”

“In today's game, all anyone was thinking about at the start was scoring themselves, and that led to a bunched-up free-for-all.”

The scene flashed back to Kunigami and Raichi fighting for the ball.

“That's probably what it means to be at ‘zero.’ Well, that really wasn't soccer at all.”

“That really wasn’t soccer at all.” Igarashi said, sounding highly displeased.

“That's true.” Imamuri concurred.

“The thing that broke through that ‘zero’ was Barou's goal.” Isagi picked up again, narrowing his eyes in thought. “It acted as a catalyst, creating a clear path for goals, which led them to play as a team. Barou used his talents to turn the ‘zero’ of chaotic bunched-up soccer into a ‘one’.”

Barou didn’t exactly smile, per say, but something about the way he was sitting indicated his pleased and prideful demeanor at the acknowledgement.

“Using that as a guiding principle, a team can evolve into a ‘10’ or even a ‘100’. So what's required is the power to produce that ‘one’.” Barou’s demonic form hovered over the players dyed in white, as if they were his prisoners. “Only this irresistible trait and talent can make it possible.”

Rin’s lips thinned at the imagery. He was the only one Isagi should be focusing on. A self-proclaimed king and someone who was not even part of the top 6 was not something Isagi should even be thinking twice about when he was here instead.  

Kuon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “A striker is someone who turns a ‘zero’ into a ‘one,’ and the other positions multiply it to ‘10’ and ‘100’, huh?

Naruhaya understood what Isagi was trying to imply. “So did Ego add that rule about the team's top scorer surviving to make us figure that out?”

“Most likely.” Isagi nodded. “Because of that rule, our egos were exposed, and we were forced to play by and for ourselves, without thinking about positions or tactics.”

Anri blinked. She hated Reika but she would indubitably be grateful for the opportunity to view these memories. Her own experience did not show her a full-scale view of the situation and the players and she admitted in the privacy of her mind that she had severely underestimated Isagi. She knew he was brilliant but the extent of it was something she had understood. So this is what Ego saw in him back then.

The sight of Barou constricted and slowed by black vines appeared in the minds of all the players. “And our egos have to clash before we can truly become a team.”

“Soccer…A team…” Ego's wicked smile emerged out of the darkness and his silhouetted figure enveloped those in the room. “They are created by an irresistible striker. That must be Ego's message to us.”

Ego chose that moment to come back on. “Yes, very good. You're on the right track.”

They’re very similar. Noel Noa thought, comparing Isagi and Ego in his head. The two of them view situations the same way and so Isagi Yoichi is able to easily understand what Ego is doing or saying without him having to say it. Interesting.

 “Hi there, diamonds in the rough. The second match in Building 5 just finished.”

Side by side snapshots of Nagi, Reo, and Zanitetsu appeared in mid-motion. “Team V beat Team Y, 8 - 0.”

“What? 8 - 0?!”

“Wow.” Isagi breathed out amazed.

Nagi’s eyes lightened at the striker’s amazement.

Aside from Bachira, everyone else seemed to be stressed. 

“You're on the right track, but it seems you still have no idea how to turn zero into one. First, let's talk about this country, Japan.” Ego used the holograms again to explain his words. “The Japanese love to have roles allocated to them so they can just complete their tasks. As an example, take one of the few major sports where Japan is on par with the rest of the world. Baseball.”

Eijun’s sport! Isagi thought, perking up.

Several eyebrows raised at Isagi’s unusual interest in anything aside from football.

“Its inning system has distinct periods for offense and defense, and there's no physical contact out in the field. Each role is clearly defined in this sport, and it fits the Japanese psyche like a glove. That's why we're so strong at it.”

Agi was quite taken by Ego’s explanation of the Japanese psyche and the role in sports. It was definitely something he felt he should delve a bit farther into later. 

“But that's not the case in soccer. It has an open field where offense and defense alternate as the situation demands. And it can be very physical. In this sport, you can't win by simply doing the tasks you've been given.”

Ego held a baseball in his hand. “Which is why you need personal skills.” He crushed it, the sound ringing like shattered glass. “Individual skills.”

Eijun would’ve blown a fuse. Isagi thought exasperatedly. 

The particles of the shattered baseball fell like snow around Ego as he stared into the distance. “In Japanese soccer, the positions we can be proud of are our midfielders and full-backs. They work like dogs for the team. They turn the ‘one’ created by the striker into 100. Without the devotion of those players, Japanese soccer wouldn't be where it is now.”

“Therefore, there will be no revolution.” Team Z was taken by the speech, their mouths hanging open as they stared at Ego.

“So diamonds in the rough, overwrite your consciousness.” Ego teeth grinned and he chuckled disgustingly.

Can a person’s teeth really be that long? Raichi was severely creeped out.

“In soccer, scoring a goal means destroying the other team's structure.”

“Which makes a striker a destroyer. The act of scoring is a revolution on the field, where you wreck the other team's order.”

Isagi soaked in those words, wide-eyed. “Diamonds in the rough, do not let yourselves get trapped in by the notion of roles! Or you won't create one from zero.”

So this is what broke his false ideologies about soccer. The room collectively realized. 

Ego’s body was surrounded with the weapons and techniques of soccer. “Take up your weapon, strikers!” He howled. “Identify it clearly. Which weapon will you use to mess with the other team, make them yield, and destroy them?” Ego’s bowlcut swayed in the holographic breeze. “Think hard about what you can do with your body and your mind! It's always your weapon that kick-starts this revolution known as scoring!”

Ego touched his forehead with two fingers. “Victory can only exist once you get beyond that.”

Despite the creepiness of this crazy bastard, Chris Prince was impressed with the pep talk. I could do it better though…

A weapon…That's the breakthrough we need to win in this first selection!

Bachira hung off Isagi’s shoulders and poked his cheek. “And Isagi found it! He was Amaaaazing in the next game. But Isagi’s always amazing.”

Isagi gently pushed Bachira’s persistent hand away from his cheek. “Thanks, Bachira.”

Reika took the opportunity to come back in. “Awww, Isagi-chan you broke my heart! My beautiful work in progress, you finally finished painting the base, didn’t you? Had you left it there, I would’ve left you!” She giggled. 

Isagi’s mouth twisted. Am I supposed to be happy or sad about that? I’m happy to be the protagonist but not at her hands!

I’m upset you didn’t cry though,” Reika pouted. “Isagi-chan crying is sooo adorable!!” She gushed, her delicate hands cupping her cheeks as she swiveled back and forth in her chair. She sighed mournfully, “Cry-baby Isagi was too cute.”

“Wait.”

Isagi could feel the utter ecstasy and excessive amount of teasing and blackmail material begin to compile as his fellow rivals slowly started grinning.

Oh god, even Rin’s eyes were glinting in malicious delight.

“Isagi was a crybaby?” And thank you, Hiori, for years of torment. Honestly Isagi felt so betrayed. Weren’t they supposed to be friends? Just him, Hiori and Nanase vs a program of villains and crazies? Obviously Hiori didn’t feel the same way if he was offering Isagi’s body on a silver-fucking-platter to these ravishing wolves: renamed footballers.

“Oh yes.” Erika’s devious smirk matched the one sported on every, single face around the room.

“No.” Isagi was not having this. No way. “I wasn’t! And we’re not watching the past! If we finish this, we can leave and get back to training. We don’t want to stay here for longer, right?!”

Yukimiya’s glasses flashed as he pushed them further up his nose with a slight smile. “As appealing as the idea is, I would also like to find out more about you, Isagi. To better understand how to defeat you, of course.”

“NO!” Isagi did not shriek. Shut up, it wasn't a shriek. “NO THIS IS NOTHING-“

“Too late~”

The camera spun into existence with a new scene.

“Abababa!! Yocchan~♡ It’s Papa ♡ I got you a new toy~♡”

This Isagi didn’t even bother denying his shrieking. He lurched to his feet and started sprinting at the screen. “NO! STOP THIS RIGHT-”

“OOF-” He was suddenly speed-tackled by several people with dizzying hair colors. “Keep playing, Reika!” Bachira popped his head out of the pile of people on top of Isagi. “Don’t stop!”

While shaking the light blue rattle, Baby Isagi’s face rumpled and grimaced.

Chigiri was squealing in happiness at the sight. He was beyond relieved that his sister wasn’t there to see him do so. Oh yeah, he was also relieved that she wasn’t there to see Isagi’s baby form. She would’ve snatched him away!

“Guh, Uwaa~”

“Huh…”

He was so disappointed that he cried over the toy he had bought to make him happy.

“That won’t do, dear. Yocchan is afraid of loud noises. Yocchan, it’s Mama~ Here’s a teddy bear~♡”

Anri was practically vibrating in her seat. 

A cute stuffed bear was held out in front of Baby Isagi.

“Uwahhh!!”

He cried even more.

“.....Oh my, he’s scared of teddy too.”

The resulting laughter was deafening. Reo swore he saw some of the dust on the ceiling fall because of it and- HOLY FUCKING SHIT RIN WAS SMILING ? LIKE ACTUALLY SMILING?!?

A pleasant voice narrated the scene. 

A gentle-mannered and easygoing father, Issei, and a calm and tender mother, Iyo. With two gentle parents, Isagi Yoichi was born ‘timid’. The sound of the kettle boiling, a dog on a walk, a cicada’s cast-off skin…..he gets scared and starts crying at the sound of everything. Whenever there was a stranger, he would immediately hide behind his mother, making it difficult for him to make friends or go to kindergarten. In the summer when Isagi was 3 years old, there have been incidents like this one caused by him being timid.

Niko felt satiated at his rival crying so cutely. Now if only I could make him cry like that…

He was unaware that his wistful thought was being echoed around the room.

Isagi was playing in the living room when he suddenly saw an empty space and began to cry.

“Scary~! Uwahhh!”

Iyo hurriedly comforts the crying Isagi in her arms.

“What's wrong? What are you scared of?"

Isagi cried out and desperately pointed to the empty space. Even if Iyo strained her eyes, she couldn't see anything. There was nothing but a white wall.

“Yocchan, what is there…?”

Iyo shuddered when she heard the next line.

“Can’t Mama see it?”

A chill ran down Iyo's spine as she hugged her child, who was crying even harder. This child can see things that can't be seen…?

The atmosphere dropped in the viewing room as the viewers also felt chills run down their spines. What…was Isagi seeing? Could it…it couldn't be right?

Isagi started struggling harder from the bottom of the human dogpile. He very much remembered what came next and would like the recording to stop now , thank you very much.

The players on top could care less about his struggles. They even pressed down harder as if that would be able to protect their favorite striker from whatever misfortune was happening. They ignored the thought that this event happened in the past and whatever they did now would not change the outcome. 

Isagi started pointing to empty spaces and crying. In the corner of the kitchen, in the bedroom window, in the closet……..There is something in this house that only Isagi can see.

Could it be a ghost….?

The players sucked in a sharp breath. Even Kaiser’s face was a couple shades lighter than it usually was. 

While the couple was seriously discussing whether they should have an exorcism, Isagi started crying again.

“Uwahhh! There it is! Scary~!"

It’s there! What could it be!?

The tension skyrocketed. So it was true! That babies could see things that people couldn’t! Isagi!!!

While hugging Isagi, Issei and Iyo also trembled. At that moment. Close to Issei’s ear, he heard a sound. That unpleasant sound peculiar to summer, and it passed the corner of his eye. He looks up in surprise. For the first time, Issei was able to see what Isagi had been seeing.

“I know now, Dear….! Yocchan is scared of mosquitoes!”

Isagi had spotted mosquitoes from a distance that no ordinary people could see. So, they sprayed mosquito repellent, and the psychic phenomena in the Isagi household had been settled. Then, another incident occurred.

A pause. Then the room burst into hysterics, people were on their knees crying with laughter at the revelation. Others were convulsing on the ground. A few seemed to be in dire need of respiratory ventilation, unable to even make a sound.

Isagi wanted to cry too. But not from laughter. 

While playing in the park. Sometimes, he would hold his head and start crying.

“Does your head hurt?”

“Noooo! Uwahhh!”

He looked up at the sky and cried, so his parents looked around to see if a nut had fallen or someone had thrown a stone at them, but there was nothing. Having no choice, they hugged the fretfully crying Isagi and went home. When they get home, it always starts to rain. At first she thought it was a coincidence, but it continued for so long that Iyo finally noticed.

“Yocchan… is scared of the rain!”

“P-please…” Someone begged. “Make…it…s-stop. I-I can’t breathe…” They wheezed, did this place have emergency services?

Isagi stared contemplatively between the ground and his fingers. Was he strong enough to dig a hole through the marble? Well, you never know unless you try!

Before he could proceed, the incredible weight on his back disappeared and he was pulled into a massive cuddlepile with the more affectionate members caging him in. Even Rin was sitting a little distance away from his man-made prison. Honestly he wished they would all just drop out of existence so that way he could keep his dignity and lay his embarrassing childhood memories to rest. He pouted. Manly. He pouted in a manly fashion, of course. 

“Ah, Isagi~” Bachira began, his cheeks still hurt from smiling too wide. “Don’t be sad, you’re just very cute!”

“Mmm.” Nagi agreed, resting his head on top off Isagi’s and locking his arms tighter around his torso. “It’s just a childhood thing.”

Isagi relaxed but Nagi wasn’t done. “Crybaby.”

That’s it. Isagi shook and tried to twist his way out of the labyrinth of arms and legs on and around him but they only constricted him tighter. “Let go!”

“Nope.”

“Nah.”

“No, sorry Isagi-san.”

Reika relished in Isagi’s humiliation for a moment. “Ah but now Isagi-chan’s all grownup.”

“Huh?”

“He’s so different in Blue Lock now that he’s older.”

Bachira, Nagi, and several others nodded. Barou seemed a bit disappointed and relieved. 

“See for yourself in the additional time.”

On cue, the words “Blue Lock Additional Time” bounced on the screen.

A DAY IN BLUE LOCK. 7:00 WAKE UP overtook the scene. 

“Oh looks like this one is about our daily routine. “

“Hey, Bachira. It's morning.” Isagi said, yawning. He and Bachira were still in their futons though.

Nagi’s mouth puckered into an “x”. He missed Isagi waking him up…

Bachira was still dreaming. “Hey, pass…King Kazu…”

“Oh yeah, I forgot that Isagi used to wake up the late members. Well it was only Bachira anyway.” Kunigami said, his eyes glazing over the past. 

“Why didn’t someone else do it?” Sendou questioned, he scowled at the image of Isagi waking other people up by patting them gently.

A shudder rippled through the remaining members of Team Z while Bachira blinked innocently.

“We don’t want any more… incidents .”

Rin’s face was drawn while Tokitsu trembled violently and curled in on himself. Aryu’s hair magically lost its glow for a moment. 

I’m not even going to ask. The rest of the room unanimously decided. 

9:00 WARM UP & TRAINING

Kunigami was steadily breathed in and out as he did one arm pushups. 

That's the master of the training room, Muscle Kunigami! Isagi startled at the feat of strength.

Pain in the ass to fight. Barou grumbled internally.

10:00 TEAM TRAINING

“Leg cramp!” Igarashi screamed, holding the tip of his foot. 

“Don't be ridiculous. That's the fifth time today.” A voice said.

“You're trying to skip.” Another added, frustrated.

Everyone snorted. Typical.

“No, it must be broken! A full-body muscle strain and compound fracture or something!”

12:00 LUNCH

“Don't eat with your damn fingers!” Raichi’s veins bulged on his face as he roared. “So gross! Use your chopsticks!”

“Okay.” Gagamaru drawled out lazily.

Barou found himself reaching for Gagamaru’s neck. This was just not his additional time. He would’ve killed everyone had he been on Team Z. 

“Let's get those hands clean, shall we?” Kuon stated, holding a towel in one hand and Gagmaru’s hand in another. 

Naruhaya giggled. “Are you his mom? It's Mommy Kuon!”

22:00 FREE TIME

“What are you up to, Chigiri?” Isagi asked. 

Chigiri blow dried his hair. “Hair care.”

Aryu gazed longingly. “Very stylish.”

“What about you, Imamura?”

Imamura gently pat his face. “Skincare.”

24:00 BEDTIME

Loud snores resounded before the sight lowered to reveal Igarashi sleeping in a weird, folded yoga position. 

“I-Is he supposed to be sleeping?” Isagi was freaked out by the posture.

“Crazy posture.”

“Dude, you know it’s bad when Bachira of all people says something is crazy.”

“I can’t help it! I didn’t even know, okay?!”

Raichi was gritting his teeth and his hands clenched. “I knew he didn't have a broken bone. Lying brat.”

“Igarashi…what the fuck, man?”

“I…”

Igarashi slept on peacefully. 

Reika rolled her eyes. “We’re - no wait it’s just you - are gonna find out what everyone’s weapon is! I already know that’s what you’re interested in the most.”

At this point, the Blue Lock players gave up trying to find ways to flee from her. After learning this much about Isagi so far, they wanted to see what he would do next. They wanted to know how he went from being incapable of scoring goals to winning the U-20 tournament with the best soccer players of Japan. And it was finally time.

—

Outside the building, a lone figure stood staring at seemingly nothing. Around him the golden glow of the sunset shined on the greenery and the soft sound of birds chirping filled the air. The figure stood unaware of his surroundings, too deeply entrenched in his thoughts and anticipation. 

He slowly reached out, his hand trembling violently from nervous energy and hopeful expectation. Seconds passed by only to feel like minutes as the shaking hand drew closer to its destination. And then, where there should have been empty space, the cold feeling of Stucco met his fingertips. He sucked in a sharp breath.

Found it.

Chapter Text

“My weapon is my magnificent shooting technique.” Raichi said dramatically, opening the scene. “And my motto is ‘Sexy soccer!’”

Igarashi brayed, at the introduction. “What kind of stupid name is that?!”

“Shut the fuck up! You don’t even have one!” Raichi yelled back, aggravated at the insult to his beautiful technique name. 

“I do!”

“Mine is getting in behind.” Naruhaya said proudly, his arms folded behind his head.

Don’t I know it. Isagi smiled bittersweetly. 

“Mine is…being physical.” Gagamaru uttered in a slow drawl.

“I'm an all-rounder.” Lemon said next. 

Isagi reflected on that. Jack of all trades, master of none. Had Lemon been part of anything but Blue Lock he most likely would’ve succeeded. But the reason he disappeared was because there wasn’t something to set him apart. By this point, Isagi had experienced too much to fully feel sad for anyone gone but he did feel a whisper of…something…at seeing Lemon’s absence in the room. 

“Mine's my ‘never give up’ attitude!” Igarashi exclaimed, slamming a hand to his chest.

“BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! WHAT KINDA STUPID TECHNIQUE NAME IS THAT!! AND YOU COMPLAINED ABOUT MINE!”

“IT WORKS!!!”

“But Igarashi-kun, didn’t you give up quite a few times in training?” Sweet, innocent Nanase questioned, confused by the discrepancy between the show and the words.

Igarashi flushed in an unattractive manner. “SHUT UP!”

“Don’t yell at ‘im.”

“Don’t yell at him.”

Isagi and Hiori tag-teamed Igarashi, their cold voices overlapped in a chilling manner. The polyphonic tone had some of the other players flinching back in fear. Igara immediately quieted down. 

Kunigami calmly included him in the discussion. “Mine's the power in my left-footed shots.”

Chigiri, Reo, and Barou were dissatisfied with the single line inclusion. He is much more than that.  

Imamuri finger-gunned. “Mine's my speed and technique.

Bachira swayed back and forth, unable to keep awake. “Mine's…dribbling…” He collapsed onto the ground in sleep again. 

“‘Dribbling.’” Kuon noted down in his pad. “Mine is my jumping. Who's next? Isagi?”

The players, having separated from the pile, sat up straighter in interest. Up until now, it had only been their speculations, but what do you call this all-encompassing power that they had merely gotten glimpses of?

“Well, my weapon? Oh, I wonder what it is…” Isagi scratched his cheek awkwardly, both at the room’s attention and his own lack of knowledge. 

“Your passing?” Igarashi suggested.

Isagi immediately refuted the sentence, having brooded over the very thing from his last game. “No, I can't say that as a striker.”

Raichi flapped a hand in his direction. “The fact you don't even know means you're doomed. Next!”

Sighs burst from the crowd. A few at Raichi’s predictable behavior and many more at not having found Isagi’s weapon. 

“Wait, hold on…”

Kuon scribbled down something on his pad. “Well, tell us when you think of something. Last of all, Chigiri.”

Chigiri sat folded with his arms crossed on top of his legs. He had been silent for a long time. “Not telling.”

“Gate-keeping, princess?” Karasu asked, voice sickly-sweet.

Chigiri ignored the eyeing of the players to stare fixedly at the screen. Isagi considered reaching a hand out but decided against it, unsure of whether such a gesture would be welcomed currently. 

“Huh? But that's the whole point of this conversation.” For once Igarashi had something sensible to add. 

Chigiri curled tighter. “I know, but I don't want to say it.”

Raichi stuck his pinky in his ear in annoyance. “What the hell? Let's just ignore the selfish queen over there.”

Huh. I was kinda expecting him to get angry again. The room thought, surprised at the lack of emotion.

Kuon took over again. “Guess we'll have to. Anyway, a striker needs a powerful weapon and how you make use of it is important.”

“Kuon is so helpful, I’m a little surprised you guys made it without him.” Aiku mused.

That brought up a swell of mixed emotions that none of the former Team Z wanted to talk about. 

“But if everyone just does what they want, won't it end up like the last game?” Lemon pointed out.

Gagamaru lay down. “Can we really win by doing what Ego told us to?”

“Even with weapons, if we aren't coordinated, they're meaningless.” Naruhaya said, swinging his feet from side to side.

The room was quiet as they pondered their options.

“Man, you guys had it hard.” Otoya commented, slightly grimacing at the dull atmosphere.

“Can't we come up with a strategy where all of us can shine or something?” Isagi asked. 

Kuon stared at the notepad then gasped. “I see. Yeah, this might work. This way, we'll all get an equal chance. With this strategy, we might win.” He dramatically addressed the room. “It's called…Operation ‘Next Up, It's Me' Eleven!’”

The room was quiet again but for a different name. 

Isagi was alert. Lame name!

Scattering of laughter sounded from all around. 

“I-Isagi-kun, I can’t w-wait to h-hear more from your t-thoughts! You’re s-so sweet and kind, a-and a l-little mean!” Tokimitsu quaked out before yelping. “P-please don’t be m-mad! I d-didn’t mean it l-like that!!”

“No…you’re fine.” Isagi said sweatdropping, that actually brought up a dangerous point. Man, I hope I didn’t think anything too bad…

“Yeah, I want to know too.” Chigiri smiled threateningly. He wasn’t too worried about Isagi’s internal monologue though. I know I didn’t get the worst of it. He thought, side-eying Barou. 

Barou seemed to be on the wavelength as Chigiri going by his deep scowl. 

“I’m glad to hear your thoughts, Isagi!” Bachira chirped, very happy about his past encounters in Isagi’s mind.

Of course you would, he adores you. The rest retorted, annoyed. I wonder what he thinks of me though.  

Team Z switched to practicing on the field. 

“Time it so it gets to me here!” Kunigami called, running toward the goal. 

“Okay!”

It's not like we're a team all of a sudden.

“Not like that. I want it to feet.” Gagamaru complained waving his hands.

Raichi rubbed the back of his head. “Okay, Okay. Stop whining.”

“Isagi, don't drop back!” Igarashi yelled.

“Hold the line!” Naruhaya added.

“Got it.” Lose and your soccer career is over.

“Ain't that the truth.” Lavinho hooted. 

Bachira hooted back in fun, setting off a loud noise competition between the two of them and Otoya. 

The rest felt like stuffing them down a hole. 

Several moments from their practices flashed by. I feel this simple fact has made us come together as a team.

CAFETERIA

Isagi sighed as another small can of Natto appeared.

The Japanese players cringed at the Natto again. “Wow, Isagi, how many weeks of Natto did you have to eat?”

“Ugh.”

A few of the foreign players were interested. Is it really that bad? I kinda want to try…

I'm super late for dinner. Isagi sat down slumped back tiredly in his seat. It's been a week since I came to Blue Lock. Honestly, nothing's helping my confidence.

Every player present from Igarashi to Noel Noa were once again shocked by the lack of confidence. It’s hard to correlate the player who made so many striking goals with the one suffering from self-doubts. Can’t he see how extraordinary he is? When no one could even stand in Barou’s way he was the only one who pulled him off the pedestal, no matter how brief or uncoordinated. Furthermore he easily outmaneuvered and outplayed everyone on the field. We can see his thoughts but man we can’t understand what he’s thinking!

Multiple scenes from his time at Blue Lock flew through his mind.

I don't have any weapon I can be proud of.

Barou’s condescending face from the Team X match emerged. “You have no talent.”

His face dulled farther. Maybe I don't have a weapon…

Barou clenched his teeth. He was not sorry. He was not. Isagi was bad then. He was not sorry.

Bachira couldn’t stand it anymore. He flopped over Isagi, blanketing his best friend. For once, the others didn’t feel irritated at the action. 

“I'm tired of natto.” He mumbled sadly.

“Good work today, Isagi.” A deep voice interrupted Isagi’s dejected reflection. 

Isagi was startled. “Kunigami.”

Kunigami’s eyes widened briefly. I only came to say thanks and it was a good time to come late since no one was around but I didn’t realize I picked such a good time. We may have parted ways but Isagi is still...

The man raised an eyebrow. “You're still getting natto?”

Isagi laughed self-deprecatingly. “That's just how it is when you rank near the bottom. Hey, wait…You haven't had dinner yet?”

“I just ate. I came to talk to you.”

“What about?”

Kunigami touched the back of his head in slight remorse. “I never said thank you.”

“For what?”

He saluted. “Thanks for the pass.”

Isagi was momentarily flummoxed. “Oh, in the last game? That's all?”

“Yeah. I believe in doing things the right way.”

Now that’s something you don’t see a lot. Aiku tilted his head lazily to the side. He raised his eyebrows. Not bad. I would definitely never do that but respect, man. I give it where it’s due.

Kunigami turned away, having said his piece. “Anyway, that's all. Good night.”

Isagi lunged out of his and his hand stretched out toward his leaving friend. “Hey, wait a minute! Kunigami-san, why do you play soccer?”

Kunigami was blinked, taken aback by the statement that came out of nowhere. “What kind of a question is that?”

“Oh, it's just…You have lots of weapons I don't. Like your shot power and your strong frame.” Isagi rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. Only now his brain caught up with his impulsive actions. “So I was just wondering what an amazing guy like you thought about.”

Rin felt a surge of ugly jealousy rising again. Why the fuck was his rival complimenting every damn person in the world? I’m the only person you should be paying attention to! This no-name, muscle-brained, orange-headed, Ichigo-looking rip-off was nothing compared to him. Why should - am I - forced to look at you when you’re looking at others?!

Isagi cringed at his own words. “Jeez, what am I saying…I'm sorry. It feels like I'm embarrassing myself here. Forget I asked. Good night.”

Kunigami turned back completely. “That's easy.” The seriousness of his conviction reflected on his face. “I'm going to be a soccer superhero.”

“Huh?”

“When I was small, I didn't look up to Sentai heroes, robots, or pirate kings.” Visions of soccer plays breezed through. “I idolized strikers who ran about on green pitches and scored goals to win games. Those players weren't fictional.” A young Kunigami watched the goals with a tiny blush on his face.

Chigiri felt his heart warm in affection at the sight. 

“They were real-life superheroes who excited me and gave me courage.” The scene returned to the present. “That's who I want to become.”

The audience was quiet. Some didn’t care for such a childish dream but others were respectful at the awe-inspiring words. They would never have such a desire but they could respect a good man.

Chris Prince grinned. “If you’re here then you made it somehow. Try joining Manchester United, kid. With those muscles and kick, with the Golden Formula, you can be that hero you dreamed of and defeat those German Bast- ahem. And defeat bad guys.”

Gresner rolled his eyes. We all know what you were trying to say asshole.

Kunigami blinked, surprised at the offer but said nothing. 

Isagi was also awed by his dream. “Are you serious?”

“Deadly.” Isagi’s eyes grew wide. “I don't care if someone thinks it's silly and laughs at me.”
 

“I'm not embarrassed at all.” Kunigami steadfastly declared. “To achieve my dream, I will fight the right way and take on the world.”

Isagi was starstruck. Man…He has a really strong resolve, unlike me.

Isagi felt those feelings for Kunigami amplify in two-fold. Seeing this again, makes me remember how remarkable he is.

Kunigami was also warmed by Isagi’s awe. He thought so highly of me back then when everyone laughed at me for my naivistic ideology. The struggle I’m facing now after almost being locked off…seeing this makes it worth the pain. I want to become a hero for others like I feel I have become for him.  

“That's cool.” Isagi’s hair shadowed his face. “You're so badass.”

Niko gazed at Isagi. He looks like me here.

A sharp beep brought up Isagi’s head. “Isagi, you want some?” Kunigami asked, holding out a tray of food. 

The deep brown, perfectly roasted steak bubbled in a platter of steaming maroon sauce. The heat of freshly cooked meat wafted off in visible vapors. 

Everyone felt the mouths drool at the way the light gleamed on it. I want it.

“Huh? A steak?” Isagi was so stunned by the offer his pupils disappeared in shock and his mouth hung open. “What?!”

“The goal bonus list is up there.” Kunigami nodded toward a paper on the wall. “If you score a goal, you can trade your points for prizes.”

Cell phone? Bed? Yes, please. A ‘One day outside Blue Lock’ pass?

What the hell, is this an actual prison? The players outside of Blue Lock scowled. 

“I owe half of that goal to you.” Kunigmai cut the meat, the knife slicing easily through the steak. “So half of this meat belongs to you.”

“What? Are you serious?” Isagi blushed, bewitched by the delicious sight. “It's been so long. No more natto!” His eyes grew round and a little drool escaped the side of his mouth.

Isagi-san is so cute! Nanase relished the sweet sight. Next time I visit I’ll bring back Kobe beef from Hyogo! It’s Kansai’s speciality and Isagi-san will hopefully like it!

Kunigami had something to ask Isagi too. “But why did you pass the ball to me back then?”

A review of the game played. 

“I'm pretty sure Raichi was more open, so I was wondering why you passed it to me when I had defenders around me.”

“Oh, right. It was sort of unconscious. Like a reflex or something.” Isagi stopped kneeling and sat in his seat to eat. “Even if I'd passed to Raichi, it didn't change the fact Barou was in front of us. So I suppose I smelled a goal if I could just set you up for a mid-range shot.”

Raichi sneered. He finally had an explanation why Isagi passed over him but seriously? When he asks he gets no response but when Kunigami asks he answers?

Igarashi made a mental note to sneak any favors from Isagi in the future. Food = Answers .

The sound of Kunigami’s kick echoed from when it hit Isagi at the beginning of Blue Lock. “I knew how powerful it was from experience.”

Kunigami, who was about to eat, stopped. “You ‘smelled’ a goal? Maybe that's your weapon. Being able to make instant decisions is more impressive than you may think.”

Finally someone said! The players screamed. If I have to listen to any more of his ‘I’m not good enough’ after he crushed me, I’m gonna beat it into his skull. What about us, then, you bastard?! 

Kunigami ate a piece. The serious mood went flying out the window as his eyes bulged and his nostrils doubled in size. In all honesty he looked with a frog against a glowing bubbly pink background. “This is crazy good!”

“Eat up, Isagi.”

“Oh, sure.” Isagi jolted at the eagerness in Kunigami’s eyes. He took a bite. 

Isagi’s face rounded in bliss and his eyelashes covered in tears. His background, like Kunigami’s, erupted in blue pentagons. “Oh, wow, it's hella good!” He cried in euphoria, his eyes turning into shiny blue marbles.

The members cackled at the interactions. “You two…where did all that ‘I’m gonna be a hero’ and ‘He’s so cool’ talk go?”

Kunigami and Isagi blushed. “You haven’t tried the steak!!” Their expressions turning dopey again at the memory of it. The others only laughed harder seeing this. 

“Right?”

“Thanks, Kunigami. This really cheered me up.” Isagi’s hair swished as he tilted his head endearingly to the side, eyes closed from the strength of his joy. “You're such a nice guy.”

Now, since his very entrance, it was Kunigami’s turn to be startled and then embarrassed. 

“Shut up. I didn't do it to be ‘nice.’”

Isagi’s pleased blush hadn’t faded. “You don't take compliments well, do you?” He teased with a grin. 

“Oh, whatever. Let's just eat and head to bed.” Kunigami gruffed out, cheeks still red. He became serious again suddenly. “And our next game…We're going to win it for sure.” He pushed his fist toward Isagi.

The players felt their enjoyment drain at seeing Isagi’s wonder-filled eyes again. 

Isagi fistbumped him. “Yeah!”

The screen faded to black in preparation for the next scene. Chigiri sidled over to Kunigami. “Very smooth, hero. You had him twirling circles around you. You never told me about this when we were talking about our time with Isagi.”

“It’s not something that mattered to the game.” Kunigami lowly responded, his voice deepening.

Chigiri squeezed his bicep. “That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.” 

Kunigami glowered at Chigiri for a moment then paused. He grabbed his chair, walked over to Isagi and sat down. Turning to him, he slowly slid a large, warm hand from the curve of his shoulder to the junction of his neck. Isagi felt the rough edges and calluses of his palm catch lightly against his skin.

“Thank you Isagi.” Kunigami’s voice was tired and quiet but it crackled with the warmth of a fire when you got too close. “Your words. They really meant a lot to me. Even now.”

Isagi opened his mouth but nothing came out. A thick bundle of nerves lodged themselves in his throat and his face burned crimson.

Kunigami merely smiled at his gaping mouth and moved away, looking at the screen.

The radiating fury of every single person present was scalding. Even Ego had stopped eating to gaze creepily at Kunigami.

“Y-yeah. No problem.” Isagi managed several moments later, his voice broke in the middle.

Oh. Now there was bloodlust in the air too. Their respect for Kunigami’s goodness evaporated at the display only to be replaced by a vicious killing intent. Good man, my ass! This smooth heroic fucker!

Igarashi whined. Oh, come on! Please don’t let this be a thing!!

Chapter Text

BUILDING MATCH 5 MATCH 4

TEAM Y vs TEAM Z

“Here they come.” Raichi said, directing everyone’s attention to the approaching team. “Team Y.”

The scene went back to the planning room it had left off us. “Like us, Team Y lost their first match, so their backs are against the wall.” Kuon explained. “They'll be desperate. We need to keep a close eye on their Number 9.” 

On the field, The camera zoomed in on a mohawk-style boy with the top of his hair dyed blond. 

“His shooting's off the chart. Kumamoto prefecture's top scorer Okawa Hibiki.”

“Let's go, guys!” Hibiki thundered. 

“Yeah!” The rest of Team Y responded like a military unit. 

Aiku rubbed his scruff. And another one bites the dust. A superstar name is a long list of people who failed.  

Team Z huddled and laced their arms behind each other’s backs. “But this time, we concocted a plan.” Kuon encouraged them. “Let's have faith our practice will pay off. Even if we have to die for it, we will win, Team Z!”

“Yeah!” Team Z repeated but their tone was noticeably brighter than Team Y’s. 

“All right.” Isagi tied his shoe and looked up. The key to this plan is the weapon Ego talked about.

Isagi thought back to the plan Team Z discussed. 

Kuon pointed to the notepad. “This is an ultra-offensive system that makes the best use of all our weapons. But if each of us uses our weapon with no real plan in place, we'll just crumble. So we'll divide up the clock and take turns as the front man.”

Curiously, game graphics narrated the plan with a hero, wizard, knight, and many others dropping in with animated sounds. 

Nagi looked thrilled, his hands twitching as he stared at the screen. To Isagi’s surprise Chigiri also looked interested in the change of graphics. Oh? Looks like Nagi and Chigiri’s bonding time rubbed off in more ways than one. Then again, Nagi also did get me more interested in games so I guess it’s not just him. 

“To spotlight one guy's weapon, the rest of us will create a formation around him, and support the type of soccer he wants to play.”

“That’s not a bad plan. It’s how our U-20 strategy was originally structured but with Rin at the center.” Yukimiya noted. 

The original U-20 players were interested by the tidbit. From their point of view, it seemed more like everyone was attacking. Maybe they changed strategies? Or was it actually centered about Rin because near the end he did beat everyone. Well we’re bound to find out.   

“I guess it means we all get an equal chance, but what order do we go in?” Imamura asked curiously.

“What if we do it by rank?” Kuon suggested. 

“What about the other positions?” Naruhaya questioned. “Switching all of them would be way too confusing.”

Kuon had an answer for that too. “No, we can all just rotate one position clockwise. The next one's close enough that it won't be a problem.”

Lemon closed his eyes in thought, arms still crossed. “From a defensive perspective, it's too risky for all eleven of us to take turns in goal.” He opened his eyes and looked at Kuon. “We have to win this, so I'll stay as the goalie for the whole game.”

“I don't mind staying in defense.” Chigiri added, a little distance away.

Raichi scoffed in mockery. “You lack self-assertiveness, which means you got no talent!”

Ahhh, there it is. I knew he wouldn’t let it go. The members sighed. 

Raichi turned to Kuon. “But just this once, I'll go along with your plan.”

“Me too.” Gagamaru drew the words out and swatted Naruhaya who squished his cheeks together. 

Kuon readjusted the plan, ignoring Gagamaru and Naruhaya fighting in the background. “Okay, so everyone except Iemon and Chigiri will rotate positions every ten minutes. Instead of ‘Operation Next Up, It's Me Eleven’-

The bell for the match rang and Kunigami kicked the ball to Bachira. 

Bachira grinned at Team Y. “You ready?”

-We'll call it ‘Operation Next Up, It's Me Nine!’”

Isagi’s thoughts took over from there. Bachira's weapon is his dribbling. It's a solo tactic, where he gets as far upfield as he can by himself.

On screen Bachira easily outmaneuvered the first player and bounced past the second.

It's an egoistic tactic only available to someone whose weapon is overwhelming!

Bachira beamed at the praise while the others rolled their eyes. 

Bachira’s eyes were swirling circles in his typical crazyness. 

“Isagi, do you actually see all this stuff? Like Bachira’s eyes and stuff?” Igarashi asked.

That’s…actually a good question. The players who were about to mock Igarashi paused. Weird but yeah.

“Um.” Isagi hesitated to answer. Will this cause problems later on? Will they change how they look at him?

“It’s okay.” Hirori gently smiled at Isagi’s troubled face to which Isagi smiled back, relieved at not having to answer. We know the answer anyway just by looking at your face but we won’t pressure you.  

“Hehehehe! Yup!” Bachira chirped at the introduction.

“Make it a two-on-one!” An opponent screamed. 

“Don't let him through!” Another added.

Bachira chuckled, the crazy look still present in his eyes. “Will two be enough? I'm coming through.” The eyes suddenly disappeared to his normal ones when the ball almost got stolen away from him. He looked over at the unexpected stealer. 

“There are three of us.” A boy with hair covering his eyes retorted. “I've done my homework on your dribbling.”

“We have our next challenger enter!” Shidou sneered. “I didn’t forget about you, you little shit.”

Niko ignored him in favor of watching the screen.

Bachira smirked. “You're not bad, Mr. Bangs. In that case, I'll pass it back.”

Isagi halted in his tracks and a digital motion picture detailed his following thoughts. They blocked his potential routes and used a third person to steal the ball.

Around him the play continued by the opposing team. 

“Keep an eye on their Number 8!”

“Got it!”

Bachira struggled to move around. They couldn't have improvised this.  

“Remarkable Yoichi. You certainly figured things out very quickly. I’d love to see where you go from there~” Kaiser teased, sending a ripple of disgust through Isagi. What was up with this guy?

Well, he’s not wrong. The players thought. He figured out the situation within seconds of starting the game. That’s really something amazing.  

“Number inbound! Mark him!”

They're also working on a plan. And why wouldn't they be? Just like us, if they lose, they're out.

“Bachira, go again!” Igarashi shouted, passing the ball to him. 

“Okay.”

The opponents wouldn’t let up though. “Incoming down the wing!”

“Don't give them space!”

Isagi hadn’t moved from his position, still too entranced in analyzing the field. Our plan is a super aggressive one that uses each player's weapon. Their plan is to defend and nullify our weapon. Bachira's dribbling is proving effective.

And what's more- Images of the 8 players of Team Z paralleled each other. -We have eight more weapons up our sleeves. If we keep this up, we'll find an opening. We can win!

Raichi glanced at the clock. “Oi, that's ten minutes!”

“Okay!” Bachira kicked the ball to Kunigami who commanded the team. “Wingers, move up!”

They all started running this time including Isagi. Kunigami's weapon is his left-footed mid-range shot. He'll run straight to the front line, linger just outside the crowded penalty area…

Raichi passed the ball. “Just like we practiced!”

He'll receive the pass…

“Shoot!”

“Now's your chance.”

…and blast the ball along the path we create for his shot!

Kunigami kicked the ball toward the goal with his signature kick but a foot blocked the trajectory. 

Isagi was just as stunned as Kunigami. His shot was blocked?

A few of them clenched their fists, having been eager to see the goal. 

“It's clear!” Okawa yelled, the ball bouncing out of the field. 

Their defense is really tight. Isagi thought while jogging back. He watched Chigiri throw it in to Naruhaya who passed it immediately to him. 

He passed it to Bachira. “Bachira, let's build once more.”

“‘kay.”

“Eliminate the space in front of the Number 9.” Nikko said and his teammate was quick to follow his orders. 

“Make it a two-on-one!”

Something was bothering Isagi from the beginning. They're not attacking at all. And Okawa's been so quiet. He's the only one not defending. But what is he waiting for?

The Blue Lock players were slightly frustrated and amazed at the insight into their striker’s mind. So Isagi’s not just good at understanding people’s thoughts, but he’s also good at clocking their emotions. We usually just pay attention to who’s passing to whom and attacking patterns but Isagi, despite lacking soccer skills, had - or is it has? - keen insight into matters like this. It makes me anxious thinking about what he’s seeing if he had such a good grasp back then. How far has he come now? 

“Nice pass, Bachira.” Kungami called and then kicked. “I'll score it this time!”

This time two blockers intercepted it. “Ah, damn it! Not again! 

“Get the second ball!” Igarashi yelled but much to Team Z’s detriment, the ball arched and landed softly in front of Nikko who gently rest a foot on top of it. 

A haunting breeze whistled and Isagi felt his heart drop out of his chest at the realization. He gasped. Okawa seemed to understand that Isagi had reached a moment of clarity because he started running. Oh, crap. So that's why.

“Yup, this is what I was waiting for.” Niko drew his foot back. 

The whole field shadowed but a path of light showed the way from Nikko to the goal. 

We weren't overwhelming them at all. They drew us into them!

“Damn! You see all this all the time, Isagi?” Raichi gruffed, reluctantly impressed. 

Isagi tilted his head down in a nod. 

Their aim was… Isagi whipped his head behind him but it was too late. 

Okawa grinned. “What took you so long, Niko?”

Niko curled his fingers and looked through them, eyes hidden behind bangs. “Counting on you, Okawa-kun.”

A counterattack!

Isagi rushed forward, gritting his teeth. They got us. The target was Kumamoto's top scorer…Okawa!

“Here he comes!” Lemon ducked to block the ball but it only ended up giving Okawa a clear shot.

“Yeah!”

“Nice shot!”

“There's the first goal!”

Naruhaya and Isagi panted, sweat dripping off their faces as they watched the Team Y celebration. They were looking for an opening so they could use Okawa Hibiki's weapon: his outstanding shooting.

Raichi, predictably, started yelling. “You were meant to be marking him, Naruhaya! Don't just let Okawa run free!”

Naruhaya had lost his childish attitude. “I can't stop him by myself! We need two to stop Okawa!”

It's clear now. Their plan is to drop back and defend, then steal the ball and counterattack. If we don't find a way to stop Okawa, we have no hope of winning.

Blue Lock and the U-20 examined the disconnect between Isagi’s speech and his thoughts. So he sees everything but says nothing. Why is he so silent? It’s one thing to not say anything out loud for fear the opponent will find out the plan, but he isn’t even indicating that he knows what’s going on!

“Let's get another.” Okawa cheered. 

Kuon clapped his hands. “Let's not dwell on it. It's only 1 - 0.”

Rin was already annoyed at the continued failure of Isagi to score a goal. He finally snapped. “The lukewarm trash keeps clapping his hands. This isn’t a fucking classroom, what the hell is he doing on the field.”

Isagi bit his lip at that. Rin, you have no idea how close you are to knowing the truth about Kuon’s usefulness. 

“He's right. We still have time.”

“We're counting on you, Kuon!” Naruhaya cried, sending the ball high to him. 

Kuon's weapon is his jumping. He challenges for the ball, wins it, and lays it off to start the attack.

Kuon headbutted the ball.

“Surround him”

“Make it a two-on-one at all times!” The opponents said, crowding around Kunigmai. 

Kunigami frowned. Damn, they're making this tough.

The next second Niko came out of nowhere and stole the ball. “Your feet aren't moving.”

Here he comes! Isagi readied himself for the counter but stilled when there was none. His eyes widened at the passing. Passing it around in his own half? Oh, right. Now that they're ahead, they're in no hurry to attack.

As he watched Team Y continued to keep passing the ball around Team Z, not letting them get a chance to score or grab the ball.

Blue Lock felt irked at the strategy. Regardless of how much of an advantage a team had, their philosophy was to score and only score. Whether they were 8 - 0 or 2 - 1, it didn’t matter. 

They're running down the clock. This is bad. 

Isagi’s hair gently swayed back and forth as everything else seemed to be frozen in time. 

Ah. So he thinks faster than time moves, is it? The speed of his real-time understanding is probably unparalleled. Almost - as of now.  Aiku cracked his neck with a slight smile. That's gotta be a cheat.

Raichi glanced at the clock and cheered at the sky in elation. “All right! It's Raichi time! Just keep passing me the ball. I'll take care of the rest. You got that?”

The next second he stood with his arms crossed in front of the Team Z locker with a tic mark on his forehead. His teammates calmly drank water around him.

Despite the disadvantageous position of Team Z, the crowd burst out laughing at the scene. The sharp change was hilarious especially in comparison to how the rest of Team Z looked vs him.  

“Are you shitting me? Get the ball back, damn it! They had possession for the whole of my ten minutes!”

The sound rose higher at the use of “my ten minutes”

Imamura whined depressedly, his eyes closed in misery. “My first five minutes were wasted, too. They were over before I could do anything.”

Naruhaya looked at Raichi. “You say that, but what do we do if we try to win it, fail, and Okawa ends up with it?”

Rachi shoved his face right into Naruhaya’s. “Huh?! But we're going to lose at this rate! If we lose, we're done! Don't you get that?” He screamed, pointing at his forehead as if Naruhaya was stupid. 

That certainly set Naruhaya off. “But if they score another, we're as good as lost, too! Think about it!”

“Stop fighting.” Igarashi took his mouth off the straw. “I hear even the pros have a hard time breaking down ultra-defensive teams.” 

Lemon included his view. “To win, we have to be more aggressive in the second half.”

“But you know, is this plan even going to work? If our weapons are ineffective against them, we'll just die a slow death.”

The emotions of Team Z seemed to have leaked through the screen but before they could comment on the statement, the Raichi on screen did it for them. 

“You can't even tell us your weapon, so stop your damn yappin’!”

Chigiri dismissed the angry quip to continue what he was saying. “To improve our chances of winning, instead of wasting time on useless weapons, I'm saying we should focus on Bachira and Kunigami, whose styles annoy the other team.”

Raichi stalked over to Chigiri who wasn’t even looking at him. “Who're you calling ‘useless’?”

Kuon quickly blocked his path. “Stop arguing. It's riskier to change the plan at this point. I'm certain it'll be harder for them to figure out countermeasures if we keep switching up our tactics.” He turned to address the room. “Our attacks are not useless. Don't fear Okawa's counterattack. We'll keep on attacking! Let's resume ‘Operation Next Up, It's Me Nine!’ It's our best course of action!”

“Yeah!”

“Got it!”

Like Kunigami and Chigiri, Isagi didn’t share the uplifting exclamation. Do we really have a chance of winning like this?

The whistle blew as the second half began again. Like the first half, the opposing team continued passing the ball back and forth between them.

“Kick it back! Don't force the issue!”

“Make them run!”

“Nothing's changed since the first half!” Raichi was so enraged only the whites of his eyes showed as he pointlessly ran.

“It’s very un-stylish but I’m starting to understand why you have anger issues.” Aryu muttered at the failure of Team Z to get the ball. He then huffed. “Watching this gives me split ends.”

Imamura was also frustrated. Damn it. It's meant to be my time to shine, but I can't even get on the ball. If I press, they evade. But waiting it out won't get us anywhere.

“It’s a good technique. A solid defense strategy that will be useful for future matches. Okawa was certainly smart to utilize it.”

Isagi bit his lip to hide the smile that rose and made eye contact with Niko before they looked away from each other. 

To me, soccer is exactly like romance. This current situation is kind of like… The camera zoomed into Imamura’s face ….when a girl's out of your league!

The U-20 team guffawed at the words and the close-up.

“He sounds like you, Sendou!”

“Aiku wouldn’t know.”

“Hey now.”

A chocolate-brown haired school girl appeared. The wind was blowing her hair and hiding her face behind it. On the face of it, she's tough to win over, but in reality, she has zero experience. And once she falls for me, she's head over heels.

The girl tucked her hair back to reveal a beautiful face. That girl is Miss Team Y!

This time Blue Lock joined in.

“What a perfect analogy, Imamura!” 

“Man, this guy is a lot of fun!”

Once Miss Y falls, she'll be an easy mark. It's mine!

He slid to steal the ball but missed. 

“Damn it all!”

Gagamaru stole the ball. “Your pressing didn't go to waste. My turn next.”

“10 minutes left!”

“Nice! We finally got the ball!” Igarashi yelled, pumping his fist. 

Kuon wiped his chin. “Switch positions! Get into the Gagamaru formation!”

Seven minutes into the second half. A goal would be nice right about now. Isagi thought, running forward.

Gagamaru passed from the other side of the court. “Counting on you, Isagi.”

“Right!”

An opponent blocked him and Isagi stopped to think. Gagamaru's plan starts with me out on the wing. I'm aiming to hit an early cross into that near-impossible space in front of the goal.

Isagi kicked it.

Oh, crap. I overhit it.

Gagamaru dived his head approaching the falling ball.

He'll reach it. His weapon is his incredible agility.

Huh yeah, he typically uses his teammates weapons to the fullest extent. Karasu thought, recalling the matches he’s played with Isagi. Damn annoying. 

His head hit the ball but the goalie punched it away, saving Team Y.

“So close!” Igarashi yelled. 

“Stick with it! It's a corner!” Kuon commanded, unphased by the miss. 

A Team Y opponent was stunned and heaving. “How'd he even get to that?”

“Gagamaru’s an incredible goalie. Seriously, his flexibility is so incredible that he saved us so much in that final match.” Truth to be told, Isagi didn’t think he could find a better goalie because even the U-20 goalie, Fukaku, failed to stop as many goals as Gagamaru. 

Raichi slammed a hand against Gagamaru’s back and grinned. “Damn right!” 

“Thanks.” In contrast to his lackluster voice Gagamaru honestly felt touched. 

“Corner incoming!” Naruhaya yelled off-screen.

Gagamaru wiped the blood off the scratches he got when he faceplanted. “Darn. I'll try again.”

Isagi smiled. That was amazing. His weapon will work. We got this!

Suddenly the area darkened and Isagi grunted from fear. On the screen a black floating mass appeared behind him with two dim lights peering out, resembling circular eyes. 

As one, their bodies jerked back. “What the hell, Isagi, what was that?” Chigiri asked. He winced and rubbed his shoulder because he had hit the edge of the seat when he flinched. 

“I just sense it.” Isagi said, rubbing his neck. “

Gagamaru was impressed. Living in the mountains, he had honed his instincts and become one with the wild but even he didn’t have that kind of instinct. Isagi was a hunter detecting a predator.  

Niko’s eyes widened. How? How did he find out? How in the world did he sense me?

Isagi whipped his head around but only found an opponent looking someplace else. What was that just now? He turned to Okawa who was further away. Was it Okawa?

The audience unconsciously leaned closer in anxious anticipation of what Isagi had sensed. 

This chance might turn into a disaster if they get the ball and counter.

They clenched their fists waiting for the answer.

“Get it together, Isagi!” The shout broke their focus along with Isagi’s. “It's a corner! Get into position!”

“Raichi!” The voice of 55 players echoed harmoniously in the elegant marble hall. 

“Ugh.”

Bachira rolled the ball under his foot from the corner and look at his teammates.

“Flood the box!”

“Doesn't matter how it goes in! Just score!”

Both teams grappled with each other, unwilling and unable to let the other have a chance at receiving the ball and ending their careers. 

That's right. If we don't attack now, then when? This is the first chance we've had. Our first chance…

He blinked and stopped fighting with the defender. “Oh, I see.”

This premonition comes from…

Isagi’s sapphire iris burned in the heat of the flames that erupted from it. 

It was here! The mentors’ and the players' heartbeat stuttered in excitement at the supernatural display.  

Isagi stopped fighting and turned and ran away from the crowd.

“Isagi?” Bachira was caught unaware by the unexpected solo play. When everyone was fighting each other Isagi was the only one running free from the mess.

“It's mine!” Raichi moved into position to receive the ball. All eyes on the field were fixed on it except Isagi’s.

Only Isagi ran away from the ball. We misread the situation.

The one who was crushing our chances…

The failed passes, blocked shots reappeared. 

The one who's been calling the shots and feeding killer passes to Okawa…

The past of Okawa running past Isagi with a cynical smile darted by.   

The ball fell and Raichi jumped but the goalie punched the ball away again before he could get it. 

“Aw, shit!”

“Nice, goalie!”

The ball soared far from the goal area where every player of Team Z was assembled. 

“Let's counter!” Kuon freaked out at the situation. “Crap! We sent too many forward! If they get the ball to Okawa now…”

Chigiri shifted into ready position from next to where he was guarding Okawa. 

Then Black.

Not even a second later familiar luminescent colors swished through the darkness. 

Light burst on scene as the monochrome patterned ball hit the chest of Jersey 11.

It's here!

Blue Lock roared . The piling frustration from the continued failure of Team Z to even pass flipped on its head as elation swept in. 

Isagi was high off the ground and blocking the shot originally directed toward Niko. Time slowed as he turned his head to look at the boy who had crushed his team. 

The uneasy premonition I felt was coming from the beating heart of Team Y.

Niko’s mouth was agape. That's you, Niko!

Chigiri ran at Isagi and used both hands to mess up his hair, grinning wildly. “Our hero!”

Bachira was upside-down in his seat, sticking his tongue at Niko. “Bleh!”

The corner of Niko’s lips twitched but there was no anger. How can I possibly be upset now knowing that he sensed me out so thoroughly. Until recently I thought it was a fluke or a lucky guess but no. It wasn’t.

“Nice, Isagi!” Naruhaya grinned at the reprieve. 

Isagi descended slowly, his hair swishing back and forth and revealing a determined and pleasant countenance. If we can shut him out, Team Y dies.

Yukimiya felt the stirrings of a metanoia at seeing Isagi gently descend in the time frame. A cosmotellurian being graciously arriving to answer the prayer of the helpless and the damned. No. He inconspicuously shook his head. You’re imagining it, nothing more.  

So now's our chance! Isagi rushed forward with the ball, Niko desperately chasing after him.

In the space between the fighting players, a small area of netting stood out in front of the goal. 

I know I can make this shot! He kicked the ball but Niko appeared out of nowhere to block it. 

A fist banged against an armrest but none bothered to look at the perpetrator. It didn’t matter when they all felt that way.

Crap! I missed.

The feral look on Isagi’s face sent shivers down Nagi’s spine. He loved that look on his boss’s face. It meant that whatever play he decided on next was going to be spectacular. Showstopping. Beautiful.  

The camera spread from Isagi’s closeup and traveled down field. A foot. Gagamaru stepped forward and bumped the ball into the goal before sliding from the momentum and slamming his body into the goal post. 

“Yeah!”

“Hell yeah! We caught up!”

Gagamaru panted on the ground, lying on his back. There was a small dribble of blood coming from his nose. “Nice pass, Isagi.”

“Gagamaru?” It was supposed to be a shot.

“We're level!” Raichi cheered before blinking at his own actions. Damn, I got all happy over someone else's goal.

“Thanks for the praise.” Gagamaru drew out his words. He dismissed Isagi’s intent. In Blue Lock if you scored, it was a goal. If you didn’t score but someone else did, it was an assist. Here it doesn’t matter what you intended to do or what you wished for, only the results did.

“Shaddup.” Raichi said but the words lacked their usual heat. 

Bachira smiled. “The scores are even now.”

“I'm amazed you reacted!” Kuon reached out a hand to help Gagamaru up. 

Naruhaya spread his arms out. “Gagamaru, that was awesome!”

Gagamaru wiped the dripping blood and grasped Kuon’s hand. “One more goal. The comeback win is on.”

“Yeah!”

Niko looked away from the trio and at Isagi. The background blurred until only he was in focus. “You caught on, huh? Without you, we could have countered and killed off the game.” The background blurred behind Isagi too.

“So what? Only you two matter?” Raichi was disgruntled. 

“Well in ‘da game only Isagi-kun and Niko figured out ‘da play. Didja do it?” Hiori placidly asked back to the complainer who merely sneered at him. 

“Can it Cyan-head.”

“I won't let you run free now. We will shut you out and win this game!”

Niko watched him silently behind his bangs. He brought up his hand and curled his fingers into a circle. 

The field disappeared and only Isagi and Niko were left facing each other. Around thin blue lines crossed to form a matrix like space. 

“You have the same eyes as me.” Niko began quietly. “But you can't beat me.”

He brought the circle up to his eye as if he was looking through a makeshift telescope. The area around him dyed a rusty red. “I'm the one controlling this game.”

Isagi raised his shoulder and narrowed his eyes. In sharp contrast to Niko’s background his own looked like the murky depths of an ocean, ready to drown you at a moment’s notice. Just you wait, you bastard with bangs.

“I’m back!”

That bright feminine voice brought the players out of their dirk daze. As one they released their breath which they had not realized they’d been holding, too captivated by the rivalry between two outstanding players. 

Is this a football match or a murder movie? Kaiser bitterly mused, angry at himself for being caught up in the byplay of a couple small time players. I can easily crush both of them so why am I so entranced by this weak kid’s scrimmage?   The feelings of disgust increased when he realized he couldn’t dispel them away.

Surprisingly it was Reo of all people who asked Isagi the question that was hovering over their heads. Not because of what the question was - no they all wanted to know - but because it was Reo . Reo who loathed Isagi for stealing Nagi away from him. Reo who was obsessed over conquering Isagi. “Isagi, when you sensed Niko for the very first time. That…that black figure. How did you do it?”

“That…it’s always been like that. I’m just a little more sensitive to things. Like sound and people and such.”

Reo looked skeptical. With good reason too because that explanation only brought about more questions than it gave answers. He was about to ask again when Reika cut in.

“What Isagi-chan means is that his senses are extraordinary. It’s otherworldly.” She spun in her chair. “For a bunch of geniuses you sure didn’t realize that Isagi started crying before it started raining.”

WAIT. In the flashback, little Isagi had started crying but there hadn’t been any dark clouds, thunder, lightning, or even any tell-tale signs of precipitation. We only realized that he was scared of rain after it rained. So how did he know?

“Show us.” The voice was quiet but by no means weak.

Rin and the others just about snapped their necks clean off, turning to look at Itoshi Sae sitting calmly in his seat. But no, it wasn’t calm at all. Perhaps Isagi had infected them from this whole instance because they could see a hazy maroon smoke rise from Itoshi Sae’s body as his green eyes glowed an unearthly acidic color. “Show us.”

Reika smirked. She leisurely looked at her nails, admiring how the light gleamed beautifully on the metallic Carmine red of her polish. My, the color looks quite good on me. I should wear this more often. She spent a few more minutes admiring herself while the pressure in the room grew.

They understood her message clearly.

She elegantly flipped her shining black hair over one shoulder and disappeared. The screen taking the players back to where the crybaby instance left off. 

The smell of the air, the moisture in the wind, the scudding clouds. He was sensitive to the changes in the sky, sensing that it was going to rain. 

Bachira’s monster rumbled in his chest, for the first time crawling out in an instance unrelated to football or loneliness. He can see it. It whispered, the demented grin on its face reflected the one on Bachira’s. He’s doesn't just have a monster. He IS a monster.  

Isagi is scared because he has a wide field of vision, high spatial awareness, eyesight, kinetic vision, sense of smell, hearing, and skin sensitivity which are all excellent. 

Itoshi Sae felt his heart swoop in his chest, his tranquil face hiding his variegated thoughts. This level of sensory perception…was not something gained. Clean, cold water leisurely began filling the fissures in the barren copper ground of Itoshi Sae’s desert. The quiet trickling of water was tumultuous in the silence of one man’s loneliness. This boy…was everything he had given up on. To Itoshi Sae, Isagi Yoichi represented a discarded reverie. He who was broken by unreached expectations and sickening realities chanced upon something that was simply too good to be true due to unfortunate circumstances. I’ve been given a gift I cannot bear to refuse. I won’t dishonor it by calling it unfortunate now.  

Itoshi Rin felt his heart swoop, his caliginous face exposing his variegated thoughts. This level of sensory perception…was not something he could learn. He felt a bitter resentment rip at the lungs in his chest, the needles of despair poking holes in his heart and stomach. His brother was staring at his rival as if he was a seraphic being. One destined to bring glory and light up his brother but what about him? He spent years of his life chasing after his brother’s shadow and right when he grasped it, it slipped through his fingers and into the cupped hands of Isagi Yoichi. Rin once read that there was a fine line between love and hate. But that saying in truth was incomplete. Love and hate were all the same in a sea of pain. To his detriment, both his brother and Isagi were the dark fucking waters that made up that sea. Rin’s relationship with Isagi wasn’t like or dislike or love or hate. It was obsession. He obsessed over Isagi in a manner he did over his brother. Why couldn’t his brother see him? Why was he looking at Isagi when Rin was the one who defeated all those people. Why did Isagi have to have these abilities? Why couldn’t he stay worse than Rin so Rin would never have to fear Isagi leaving him behind like his brother? Fear warred with hatred and despair at the idea that Isagi was too far away from him. No, he wouldn’t let this go. Damn his brother because this thing that was happening…these unfortunate circumstances…he won’t do what he did with his brother. This all existed…Reika did this to show me that Isagi was made for me. My second opportunity. No one can match my prowess and even Ego admitted that Isagi existed for me. So no. I won’t let him go because I’ve been given a gift I cannot bear to refuse. 

He detects the slightest change at a level that ordinary people cannot see or notice, and avoids the risk. That's why he doesn't get bitten by mosquitoes or get caught in the rain.

That’s how he did it! The sense of danger that emerged in the form of an apparition was Isagi Yoichi’s uncanny talent. Niko’s eyes trembled. He’s not like me at all. He’s something more that my vision doesn’t encompass. I won’t let this be. I have to do something. I can’t let him go, I will defeat him.

This superior sense, in soccer, leads to the ability to foresee the situation through spatial awareness, but neither his parents nor himself knew this at the time. 

Isagi always sees something we can’t. He didn’t understand it but I’ve played with him in far too many games not to see it. The protagonist, my savior, brought a passion into this world that I’ve never had. This superior sense is what I chased him for, leaving behind old friends. Nagi couldn’t take it anymore and pulled Isagi closer to him. He curled his arms around the shorter’s waist and snuggled against his back, ignoring everyone and everything and blocking out Isagi’s complaints.  The defeat I tasted still lingers on my tongue and you dwell in my mind. I’ll do everything in my power to defeat you, the hero, and prove that I’m worthy to stand before you. I won’t be left behind. 

All around the minds of the players were breaking as this new information dug a hole in their brains. 

Kaiser’s eyes had a manic gleam to them as he clenched the armrests. Yoichi…Yoichi…you are extraordinary my pet. I’ll have you crawling at my feet in misery that your exquisite senses could not aid you. I’ll conquer you so you’ll see no one but me, my beautiful puppet. The world will watch as we create a wondrous symphony, the two of us. And Alexis. It’s only a matter of time.

They all, like Kaiser, seemed to be on the verge of losing their sanity because Isagi’s talent. No - it wasn’t something so simple that it could be categorized as a talent anymore - power. Isagi’s power was unique. It was like Ariel turning into a human at will or Rapunzel escaping her tower by will. A once in a universe person had just been gifted to them in a once in a lifetime chance. They’d be beyond fools to not understand the implications of Isagi’s power and what it could mean for football. They were never letting him go.  

Isagi glanced around in the quiet of the room. Every one of the players, even including Noel Noa and Chris Prince seemed to be lost in their thoughts. Was this something that important? It certainly helped him a lot but… Isagi felt his anxiety build as minutes ticked by but no one said a word. He made eye contact with Reika when she appeared on the screen while the others were pondering. 

She winked.

Chapter Text

Isagi blinked a few times in succession and looked away, unsure of what to say. Reika and Isagi waited silently for the rest of the players to come to their senses, which they gradually did. If Isagi said he didn’t notice a heightened degree of attention on him since this event started, then he would privately admit he was lying. Ultimately though the players just decided to shift and settle into their seats with the exception of Nagi who continued clinging to him for some weird, unknown reason that Isagi couldn’t care less about deciphering. After a few more minutes of waiting Isagi insistently but gently pushed him away to which the larger pouted but returned to his own seat, ignoring the glares from all around.

Reika relaxedly watched the ordeal and waited until everything was settled and all eyes were on her once again.

“It’s time for Blue Lock, Additional Time!” 

With those merry words, the animation repeated from before. It changed to Isagi picking curiously at his natto. “Hey, what do you think the other guys get for their main dish?”

Igarashi clenched his fist in thought. “Bet it's better than our natto and pickled radishes. Let's investigate!”

The first person turned out to be Chigiri who lifted his plate to show them. There was the melodious sound of twinkling bells as his food sparkled. “What? I get stir-fried veggies.”

“Perfectly well-balanced!” Isagi exclaimed off screen. 

Igarashi was on the same wavelength. “I'm beyond jealous!”

Next was Kunigmai who held out his plate. “I got curry.”

“The king! The perfect dish to have with rice!”

“Namaste!”

Drool escaped out the corner of Gagamaru’s mouth unnoticed. Curry…  

Isagi pleaded along with Igarashi and held out their own sad dishes. “Hey, Kunigami, wanna trade dishes? We'll give you natto and pickled radishes for it!”

“Please! Just this once! We want to experience the taste sensation that is curry!”

The ever-giving Kunigami was more than willing to share. “Jeez, if you want it that badly, then just this once.”

“Seriously, you're a god!” Isagi beamed, clasping his hands together. 

“The god of curry, Kunigami!” Igarashi mimicked him. 

Chigiri laughed. “You’re a monster on the field but you and Igarashi are the same when it comes to food, huh?”

Isagi scowled playfully. “You try eating Natto every meal for weeks on end and then we’ll see what you have to see.”

Chigiri snorted at that. “Fair.”

The Chigiri from the past was alerted by the commotion. “I want curry, too.” He offered his own plate of stir fry, sparkling to the sound of heavenly music. “Trade with me, Kunigami. Which would you rather choose?”

“You manipulative fucker!” Igarashi howled to which Chigiri smirked. 

Kunigmai felt clarity strike him, completely forgetting about his previous offer. He bowed 90 degrees in a grateful offering. “I'm honored that you picked me.”

The background behind sparkled in a pink and yellow gradient. TRADE MATCH MADE!

In sharp contrast to the bright exchange, Igarashi and Isagi had a depressed aura, both of them crying angrily. 

Isagi whipped his natto in hate while Igarashi aggressively ate his corn. “I knew this would happen!”

“Namaste!”

There was a ripple of laughter through the crowd at the two’s loss. 

The scene shifted back to the game it had left off at. With Gagamaru’s goal Team Z had tied the score with Team Y at 1 - 1.

Team Z had been revitalized by their victory. Naruhaya raced down the field excitedly. “Let's go all-out attack!”

Isagi, the heart of the team, drove the ball forward as he calculated. Naruhaya's weapon is getting in behind. 

He kicked the ball to Naruhaya only for it to have it stolen by a defender. “Oh, no, you don't!”

“I'm sorry, Naruhaya!” Isagi called in regret. 

The rebounding ball fell to another team Y opponent. “Yes! Nice!”

“Press them!” 

“Get the ball back!”

Kuon and Raichi grit their teeth at the loss of the ball. 

“Give it back!”

The Team Y Number 5 who had the ball swiped it to the side. “All yours, Niko!”

Split second. Isagi burst into existence and blocked the incoming cross again. 

Determination raged in his eyes as he barked at Niko. “I'll snuff out every single pass that comes your way!”

Niko’s voice was quiet yet full of venom. “You're a pesky one, aren't you?”

The crowd shifted restlessly in their seats at the striker battle. The whole match felt like they were watching two stones grinding against each other. Harsh and irritating but impossible to look away from. 

Naruhaya broke out of the trance holding the team captive first and started running before Team Y could react. “We'll force our way through.” 

“Let's go again!” Iagarashi yelled, ignoring the movement around him. “Hey, Isagi! It's time to use your weapon!”

Isagi ignored him. “Stay put! We'll carry on using Naruhaya's formation!” He passed the ball to Igarashi who stopped and questioned his decision, doubtful of such a tactic. 

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah!”

Instead of going up top and upsetting our balance, if I stop him here, it gives us a better chance of scoring.

Niko positioned himself behind Isagi as they both waited for the ball to be passed again. “You all heard Ego's speech about ‘taking up your weapon,’ too, right?”

Isagi glanced over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes at the unexpected words. “What about it?”

“It got me thinking…what is my weapon?’”

“Gagamaru, it's all yours!”

Around them, their teams continued playing, ignorant of the impasse.

Chigiri rolled his shoulder back, irritated at the exchange. He knew he wasn’t the only one going by Raichi's sneer and Kunigami’s frown. They had all played in this match according to their free will but looking back it felt more as though they weren’t players but rather puppets. It was like he and the others were pressed against an invisible wall, unaware of happenings right under their nose and completely out of their control. You never know what you don’t know until you know it.  

“Everyone here at Blue Lock has incredible talent. There's no way I can outperform Ohkawa when it comes to shooting.” Isagi and Niko ran in parallel, Isagi was arrested by Niko’s words, something inside him resonating with them.

Under overgrown bangs, Niko’s eyes glowed a seafoam green at the likeness. 

“But I can't afford to lose. I can't run fast, and I don't have a muscular physique.” The 255|Team Y batch on Niko’s arms swung back and forth, emphasizing the low ranking and skills he himself described. 

“So my weapon to survive this place are:” He stopped and slid his foot out. “My eyes that can accurately read the situation on the field, and my brain that excels at coordinating people.” Isagi’s own side face bulged as if looking at him through a fish-eyed lens. His deep blue eyes disproportionately larger than the rest of his face. 

For as long as he could remember, an inexplicable calling inside Hiori had been drawn toward the ocean. Rich, powerful, and dark, it teemed with life and gleefully killed it too. Perhaps it’s because we always strive for things we don’t have but the ocean, unlike Hiori’s wreckage of a life, was uncontrollable, wild, and free. And Isagi’s eyes…Hiori loved his eyes. The same soft way that deep rolling blue water at the top smoothly eased into a glassy light blue at the bottom of his iris…Hiori drowned in Isagi’s blue - the sea, the waves, and the darkest depths ready to drag you down at a moment’s notice but he simply didn’t care. He couldn’t care. It didn’t matter if Isagi never looked twice at him, never acknowledged him, never remembered him. The ocean never cared for anyone but its own.

Niko turned back to him and pointed at his forehead, voice full of conviction. “You may manage to stop me, but you can't stop my ideas.”

What does that mean?

35 MINS INTO THE SECOND HALF

“All right! My weapon's my never-say-die attitude! Amen!”

A couple amused snorts sounded around the room at the weirdly true statement.

Igarashi crossed his arms moodily. It didn’t matter what people said because his presence here was a testament to that statement. 

Team Y was determined to let him not use that weapon. “Don't let him get the ball!”

“Pass it around!”

They evaded Igarashi’s assault with a simple triangle formation and ran. 

“Damn!” Igarashi panted as he chased after them “All they're doing is playing keep-ball! Are they settling for a draw?”

Isagi, running alongside Niko, had a better understanding of the situation. I'm stopping Ohkawa from linking up with Niko for a counterattack.

“It's not that they won't attack. They have no one who can start one!” He yelled to let everyone else know.

Kunigami caught onto the meaning quickly. “Then, all we have to do is attack! Let's move up!”

“If we score, we win! Let's take them down!” Kuon encouraged them.

The closeness of Raichi’s face to the screen had a few giggles erupting from the audience. Raichi whipped his head around angrily to find who was laughing. 

“There's no time left! Get the ball!” He yelled. 

Niko was abnormally calm. “One minute left. It's almost time. For our last resort.”

Isagi grunted in shock.

“It's a revenge tactic we only use when we're tied and completely hemmed in -”

In the background players were screaming. “Block their passing lanes!”

“-The go sign…”

Abruptly Team Y kicked the ball and Raichi sucked in a sharp breath in horror at the result.

“…is Ohkawa picking up the ball in his own half.”

Barou ground his teeth. Come on, you fucking donkey. Fight!

“And unlike the previous minutes, it won't be Ohkawa going on a solo run. In the last minute…”

Gagamaru’s eyes widened in panic along with Isagi’s as the entirety of the opposing team ran in the opposite direction. Towards their goal.  

“...the whole of Team Y joins the attack. We call it the ‘One-Time kill Counter.’”

Isagi’s sweat flew off his face as he whipped around too late. He was far too behind Team Y to catch up.  

Crap. They tricked us. We committed too many to the attack. Our defense is exposed. If they score now…we lose!

Everything bright from the scene disappeared leaving Isagi frozen in motion. Heavy black spiderweb trailed over his body. 

No…

Isagi clenched his teeth, baring them ferociously. 

I…

Those blue eyes swirled into frightening black lines, devoid of color. His inner voice had lost all rationality, sounding like the screaming of a madman.

The audience, for the first time in a while, felt fear crawl up their bodies and burrow into their mind. This wasn’t what they were used to. This wasn’t the person they knew. Fuck supernatural sense, this…creature…

Rin reveled in it. The sight of his rival had others cowering but he loved the monstrous look. Just like a thriller movie!

Bachira swooned.

Team Z had fallen into panic. “Are you serious?”

“Stop him!”

“Get back! Get back!”

“This is bad! Someone stop him!” Imamura screamed. “Last defender, it's up to you!”

Chigiri stepped forth but Okawa passed, not giving him a chance to counter.

Niko received the ball. 

Lemon stepped forward, ready to intercept the goal kick. One-on-one. If I don't save this, my…No, all of our soccer careers end here. I'm going to save it, no matter what!

Niko pulled his foot back to kick as Lemon prepared himself. But at the last second, instead of kicking forward, he kicked to the side.

Lemon could only watch in despair at the decoy as Ohkawa’s menacing grin overtook his face. Ohkawa?  

The faces of all of Team Z mirrored Lemon’s despair.

It's over! We're screwed. Igarashi’s thought was reflected in all of them.

The players watching said nothing, a moment of silence of an inevitable loss. The more sentimental ones felt regret at seeing the Team lose, having seen their personalities and team dynamics. The more temperamental ones just held their silence, an inkling of respect for their efforts.

The screen faded to black. Then. A whirlwind of exotic colors breezed through. 

The soft thud of a ball hitting a foot echoed in the dead quiet of the viewing room. But from the disbelieving widening of Ohkawa’s eyes, the foot wasn’t his.

Where mere seconds before, Lemon’s and Ohkawa’s faces had been the direct opposites of one another, they were now exactly identical in their shock. 

Isagi turned with his back to Ohkawa. The sound of the turn was like a bullet shot with steaming smoke to match its deadly play.

“It's here, isn't it, Niko?” The gray smoke still streamed from his as if Isagi was too hot, burning with power. 

His voice was a direct antithesis to the mad screaming they had been a witness too.

Nanase felt his lungs burn from not having taken a breath. But then again no one had. Either they forgot to breathe or they couldn’t. Nanase felt it was a dangerous mix of both. 

All the calm Niko had exuded vanished as he gasped. 

“This is the place that smells most like a goal.” Isagi was ruthless in his words. 

“You and I are alike.” He said echoing Niko’s previous statement. “We have the same eyes, and we think the same. So rather than taking the shot yourself, you passed it to Ohkawa so he could finish us off.” The hint of insanity returned. “I win, Niko.”

For the first time, Niko’s eyes appeared through his bangs. 

Many Blue Lock players were surprised by this. It was the first time they had ever seen Niko’s eyes. Trust Isagi to find out everything.

“You chose to pass at the very last moment, which means…You're unfit to be a striker!”

The silence surrounding them got louder. The tangible disbelief at those words felt heavy on their skin, pressing down like a weight. 

Isagi pressed his lips together, embarrassed at his heat of the moment words.

Unsurprisingly it was Shidou who shattered the quiet with his braying laugh. Rin felt like stabbing his face repeatedly when the freak didn’t stop laughing after a quantifiable amount of time.

“What is it, you goddamn freak.” He barely got out through tightly clenched teeth.

“You - Isagi Yoichi - You’re so cruel~!!!” He heaved a stolen breath. “You took what that gorilla said, twisted it, and weaponized it.” Shidou ignored Barou’s growl and calmed down a little. His lips stretched into a smile so wide he looked less like a human and more like the Cheshire Cat. “Barou Shouhei made a blasé comment about your play. It tore you apart and now you took your pain, weaponized it, and bazooka-ed it at your opponent. Knowing the damage and increasing its potency several fold. Had it been anyone. Anyone but you, they would’ve never uttered such words. Had they seen their past-selves in another player. But you…” He let out an amused chuckle, interest and fascination glinting in those pink eyes. “If cruelty was a cavern, you’ve made it your home.”

Isagi felt his cheeks flush hotly both at the accusation and resulting pervasive stares. Even his hero! No, Noel-sama! He wasn’t like that!!! Isagi shot to his feet, desperate to clear his name. “No!...That’s not what I meant.” He turned to the rest of the people watching him closely. “I-It’s not like that!”

Nagi burrowed his face behind the collar of his shirt and Chigiri turned his head to the side, a curtain of red hair hiding his smile from Isagi.

Niko on the other hand felt the impact of those words like a sledgehammer. The words hit him so much harder now that he knew their treacherous origin. Damn you Isagi. You really know where to hit it where it hurts. 

Bachira grinned and tugged Isagi’s hand to encourage him to sit back in his seat. The moment he did so, Bachira jumped onto Isagi’s lap, trusting him and the chair to hold his weight.

Isagi groaned at the sudden addition of weight but his arms automatically came up and around Bachira to keep him from tumbling backwards onto the floor.

Bachira opened his mouth but Shidou beat him to it, leaning closer to Isagi’s face, he grinned in unison with Bachira. “It’s not a bad thing.” Shidou was now so close he could see how the light gleamed on each of his straw-colored eyelashes. Many of them touching together to create that feathery look. “I’m sure many of them would agree.” Shidou leaned back smirking, a rare look of quiet respect in his eyes. 

Isagi furtively glanced around the room, catching eyes that speedily turned away from him. He turned his own away from those that seemed to burn a hole into him. Overall, he was unconvinced by the assurance. 

With those decisive words Isagi kicked the ball, cleanly sending it flying to the far end of the field. 

“Damn it! They're countering!” Ohkawa screamed. “Get back! Steal the ball!”

Isagi abandoned Niko and ran toward the opposing goal post, leaving Niko frozen behind him.

I chose to pass rather than take the shot myself, then we lost, and I cried.

Isagi’s Ichinan pass flashed by. His face as tears dripped down after the loss.

Bachira’s hair lightly tickled Isagi’s neck as he tilted his head to the side. Isagi looks really pretty when he cries.  

I don't need that version of myself anymore.

Those tears fell into nothingness. 

I want to win!

Fire-y blue shot through the screen, rushing toward the audience who unconsciously leaned back to avoid its onslaught. Their efforts proved worthless when it took over Isagi’s eyes instead. 

A thrill of excitement coursing through them when they realized what this meant. It was time! 

Now is the time to be reborn!

Kunigami received the ball with his chest and ran forward. “Nice, Isagi!”

Their opponents fought hard. “Foul him if you have to! Just stop him!”

“Damn it!” Kunigami struggled against the two flanking his sides. He kicked it to Bachira who trapped it midair. “It's up to you!”

“Duly noted.” Bachira was a master dribbler, easily evading his opponents.

“Stop him!”

“Come on!”

He stuck his tongue, his eyes turning the same circular image that Isagi had a little while ago. I'll leave the rest to you.

The ball swirled its way to where Gagamaru and his opponent were running. That's so low. But…I'll take it! Gagamaru lunged forward to headbut the ball only to see it pass by.

“Oh, no! He missed it?” Igarashi and the people watching were off the same mind. 

The stress in their bodies turning into pinpricks of pain. 

“No.” Bachira calmly responded. “I was aiming beyond him…” The ball fell at the feet of Isagi, body burning with blue and violet fire. “...at Number 11.”

Niko sucked in a sharp breath. His pupils were small, fear evident in those greenish eyes. 

Ohkawa verbalized that fear and shock. “How is he there?”

Kunigami’s face emanated his command. “Go.”

Bachira’s eyes gleamed gold. “Go. Score it, you egoist…” Isagi pulled his leg back in slow motion, all his attention on the floating ball before him. “Isagi Yoichi!”

The burning determination shone through Isagi’s eyes and scorched the players’ skin. 

I'm…a striker.

Power behind that kick was immense. If Isagi stopping Ohkawa earlier had been like a gun being shot, then this kick had all the strength and force of a torpedo. 

Raichi swore he felt the ground shake from the sound of that power. 

Team Z were all caught with their mouths agape, threatening to unhinge from their jobs and crash to the ground. Their eyes bulged at the unknown skill Isagi had revealed to them, staring petrified at his now unhidden ability.  

The score on the scoreboard changed, breaking them out of their trance. Their screams shook the field. 

It wasn’t just their screams though. Expecting a defeat, every player from Blue Lock to the entirety of the U-20 were on their feet, roaring with joy at the victory. The sound was so deafening Isagi felt his eardrums ache for mercy. 

They jumped on him, ruffling his hair, and clapping his back and chest in pride and encouragement. They also yanked Bachira away and threw him to the side to get closer to Isagi. The players' joy was infectious and soon Isagi was beaming from happiness.

A few moments later the post-win high came down and several of them realized what they had just done. They sat down with bright red ears and throat-clearing coughs.

Isagi was quiet for a moment and then let out a small cough. “So. Happy for me, huh?” He smirked at them, gleefully watching their reactions. 

Heated denials soared through the air.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP! IT WASN’T FOR YOU”

“A WIN IS A WIN, OKAY FUCKER?!”

“I WAS JUST HAPPY AT SOMEONE FINALLY SHOOTING A GOAL. IT’S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.”

The smarter bunch kept quiet and resolutely avoided looking in his direction.

“Ofcourse! Congratulations, Isagi-san!” Nanase called out happily.

Isagi laughed. “Thank you, Nanase.”

The female voice announced the result with a chorus of Team Z cheers are background music. “Time's up.”

“Hell yeah, Isagi!”

“Blue Lock Building 5's fourth match, 2 - 1.”

“All right!”

“Team Z wins.”

“Yeah!”

“Nice one!”

Lemon screamed at the sky, Kunigami clenched his fist, and Bachira chuckled. 

“Nice! Nice Isagi!” Igarashi smacked Isagi’s back repeatedly. 

Naruhaya was also crowded around Isagi. “You're amazing, man! What a finish!”

“How far did you run?” Kuon exclaimed, spreading his arms wide in excitement. 

However Isagi’s face didn’t reflect the happiness of the teammates surrounding him and praising him. His hair shadowed his face. He slowly began to walk away from them.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Where's he going?”

Isagi turned away from his team members crowding him and trudged toward the opposite team. Team Z stared confusedly as the star of their match walked away from them.

Multiple players that played him or played against were confused by the lackluster response. Isagi had never been this calm, especially about scoring a goal before. Why the hell was he not happy?  

Even Bachira looked back curiously, face somewhat serious at Isagi’s odd behavior. 

“Damn it!” A Team Y player spat out, sitting on the ground.  

All around Isagi, people on the opposing team were crying on their knees in defeat and for the future. Isagi was the lone figure among an army of the walking dead. 

Isagi’s eyes took in everything. From the blade of grass curving around a defeated player to the way a salty tear streaked a glistening trail down sweaty cheeks.

However, from the center of Isagi’s pupil, a white wisp of smoke floated out. Never dying despite the dying people around him. 

I crushed…the dreams of these people. 

Aiku stared hard Isagi’s face as he walked past. There’s something…off. I can’t exactly place my finger on it but something’s not…right.

My goal did this. 

Isagi walked past Ohkawa, ingraining his angry face into his head.

So this is what it means to win.

He finally came to a stop in front of the bowed over Niko.

Niko curled his fingers into his fist, his nails digging into his palm at the scene. The loss felt even worse because the screen showed him and Isagi from the side. There they were. He, himself, bowing with his forehead to the ground, hands clenched before him against the grass and Isagi standing tall, looking down at his curled, fetal figure. The symbolism was obvious and he knew the rest weren’t fools to not understand the imagery. 

It showed them again from Niko’s back. The Team Y Number 7 slowly uncurled himself to look up at the victor. Niko was still on his knees, the angle making him look as if he were a servant subservient to his master. 

Isagi gasped. 

For the first time Niko’s eyes were on full display. His lip quivered uncontrollably as he did his hardest not to cry, his resentful face glared up at Isagi as if threatening him but Niko’s shaking eyes were too big for it to be frightful. If anything it looked like a cute puppy or a small child. 

Ego sat hunched over in his seat, watching Isagi and Niko on the screen. His smile looked like that of a terrifying Jack-In-the-Box as he grinned. 

His evident delight at the upcoming events should have been a forewarning of what was yet to come but the players watching dismissed it to their soon-to-be detriment. 

What is this feeling?

Hiori patted his shoulder gently, a sympathetic smile gracing his lips.

It feels so good!

The smile froze along with his hand. Goosebumps erupted on everybody’s skin at Isagi’s thoughts and face.

Isagi’s face flamed in embarrassment at having his thoughts revealed at this 

Niko gaping open-mouthed, his brain blue-screening at the new information. This is what he was thinking? THIS IS WHAT HE WAS THINKING?!

The resulting quiet was broken once again by Shidou’s demonic cackling. “Not a nice guy, huh, Isagi Yoichi!” He doubled over and his lips stretched so wide his gums and teeth were on full display. “Look at you, you secret little sadist!”

The U-20 and Blue Lock players felt their minds break and shatter. Spewing insults in the heat of the moment? They could understand. They did it on a normal basis anyway. Throwing your opponent's words back in their face? Fine. Unusual but somewhat understandable. Getting turned on to the sight of crying? WHAT A FUCKING LIAR! AND ISAGI?! Absolutely anyone else would have made sense. Nagi, Rin, Bachira, Reo, Aiku, Sae, that weirdo Kaiser - for who they had alarm bells ringing in their heads over his interactions with Isagi -, Karasu, Niou, Wakatsuki - anyone! Isagi?! Isagi - I promise I’ll be home by 3pm and help my mom with groceries and guys did you eat yet because if you’re hungry I’ll bring some food to you - Yoichi?! 

Nagi blinked a few times in quiet surprise. He turned to Isagi and tugged his arm to get him to look at him. Once he had his attention Nagi uttered the words that had the others awaken from their spiraling thoughts. “Isagi…if you play with me, I can cry for you boss.”

Isagi’s face flamed . A humiliated whimper was ripped from his throat without his permission. 

Barou reared his fist back but unfortunately there was no one to stop him as everyone else was doing the same. 

Isagi let out a strangled yell and shoved Nagi back while simultaneously placing himself between the shameless striker and the rest of the group who looked seconds away from overpowering him. Internally Isagi cursed Nagi for putting him in this position. It’s not like he wanted to be here but his football career! “WAIT! Stop! Stop! Hold on!”

Hiori smiled like he was the one responsible for why bodies ended up in the mortuary. “Isagi, we’re not going to do anything. We’re football players after all so there would be no reason to injure our members and end up with probation and suspension from the sport. Can you please come here instead?”

Isagi knew there was something wrong with the statement. But there was no comprehensive answer he could come up with as to why he should say no. Over his shoulder Nagi narrowed his eyes at Hiori who chillingly smiled back, a spark of aggression silently firing between the two.  

Isagi fumbled for an answer. “Well-”

Chapter Text

“I think he was just joking.” Isagi said, harshly ribbing Nagi to get him to back up. He smiled awkwardly at the variety of different players who were mere centimeters from where he was shielding Nagi. And wait , was that Itoshi Sae in the crowd? 

Itoshi Sae looked irritated. Eyes narrowed and cold, his gaze was like a breath of chilly winter air. He was also staring at him - no, behind him. Isagi turned back to see Nagi looking down at him passively. Gray fixed on his ocean blue as their eyes met and Isagi watched Nagi watch him. A rise in tension at his back reminded Isagi of the present.

Well, there went his previous attempts at calm. 

Just as the crowd took a step forward in unison, a loud, sharp clang pierced their eardrums. All of them bent over, covering their ears in pain from the noise. They looked up to see Reika holding a pair of golden cymbals with an innocent look on her face.

They stared at her disbelievingly and she stared back right back with wide eyes.

“You couldn’t have used your fucking voice?” Karasu said, gritting his teeth at the look. So damn childish .

“You couldn’t have used yours?” Reika questioned smoothly. She batted her eyes at them as they made their way back to their seats, anger still running high at Nagi and now Reika.

She smirked before disappearing.

Two plates of sizzling, greasy met the players’ eyes causing many of the watching audience to drool. “Let us toast Team Z's victory in our second game. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” Team Z shouted in a circle around the meat.

Zantetsu swallowed his drool back, staring at the scene. Wait, did I miss other people scoring? They’re all eating?

Reo rolled his eyes exasperatedly at the obvious question on Zantetsu’s face. Stupid Zantetsu.

“Dig in, everyone.” Even before the words had finished being said, people had already dug into the luxury meal. 

Igarashi’s nostrils were the size of tennis balls in his happiness. “I missed you, meat! So good!”

“This is the heavenly taste of victory!” Imamura had tears in the corner of his eyes while Naruhaya was munching. “Mmmm, delish, delish!” Naruhaya stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth.

“Hey! This meat is the bonus for the goals Isagi and I scored. I know we're sharing it, but leave some for me!” Gagamaru’s voice was so different from his typical monotone. 

Naruhaya ignored that and ate a third piece. “Yummy!”

“Hey! “That's mine! Spit it out!” Gagamaru lunged to choke Naruahaya.

The previous anger in the room disappeared at the lighthearted behavior. It was hard to stay mad when so many people were so happy. 

“Okay, okay.” Kuon walked in with a calming smile on his face. He held his tray and looked around. “Okay, everyone, we're going to do this potluck style. We'll get to taste each other's dishes, so no fighting.”

Nanase smiled at the motherly gesture. He was so nice!

“Oh, wow!” Isagi’s face was like that of a child’s, clear joy at simple pleasures.

Many of them smiled at that. Truly, Isagi was incredibly cute. The way his face lit up at food and was something they knew they would later be braving the devil for clips of. 

Raichi sweatdropped, sitting casually with an arm propped up on his knee. “Are you a lunch lady?”

Raichi watched his own self in tired anger. If he knew then the things he knew now… 

The potluck was truly a feast. An array of colorful dishes were laid out side by side.

“Hey, I see gyoza.”

“Pacific saury!”

“I miss that! I want food!” Bachira whined loudly.

The rest were in agreement. It was like putting a piece of candy in front of a child and telling them not to touch. Impossible temptation.  

“Can we g’d food?” Hiori asked the paused screen. 

Reika popped up. “Yes.”

They waited but she didn’t say anything else.

“Then can you give us food now?” Karasu broke the silent staring contest. He felt a slight headache build up at this woman’s antics. How old was she to be acting like this? Well, to be fair she looked young but really.

“Ofcourse.”

Reika fiddled with something on the screen and the next second the square blocks of marble disappeared near their seats. They jumped at the change and watched astonished as elegantly carved wooden side tables smoothly rose from the square patch. On each table were numerous dishes from various parts of the world. 

Isagi’s table had several rolls of Tekkamaki, a type of sushi along with dipping sauce, while Bachira’s had Inarizushi, tofu packets filled with rice in the middle and sauce of his own. Nagi had Yakimono, grilled meatballs, to which Igarashi looked over enviously at - his own Takowasa steaming abandoned. Rin surprisingly had Salmorejo, a cold tomato soup from Southern Spain, and looked quietly pleased. 

Isagi noted that for the future. 

Kunigami had Chicken Biryani from Southern India, and Shidou had Rogan Josh from Northern India. Raichi licked his teeth at the smell, eying between their dishes and his own, Arepas - a Columbian dish. He wanted to eat them all. His gaze caught the former two’s attention. Shidou smiled sharply as he slid his toward himself and Kunigami staring blankly as he slid his toward Raichi to partake in. Rachi forced his smile down and grunted in acknowledgement, pleasantly surprised. 

Chigiri had Fettuccine Alfredo, Itoshi Sae had pasta with mushroom and rose sauce, Aiku had Bacalao, Noel Noa had Rouladen, Kaiser - Maultaschen, Ness - Vegemite. Ness’s smile tightened at the dish. 

Reo was excitedly looking at his french dish - Sole Meunière and Gagamaru sniffed his Hot Pot. Hiori smiled at Nanase with Tteokbokki and Nanase grinned back with his Quebec Poutine. Tokimitsu vibrated excitedly in his seat next to his Soup Kandia, a Senegalese dish and Aryu flipped his hair back at his Romanian Placinte. 

Ego, ofcourse, had cup yakisoba. 

Everyone present took a moment and sucked in a deep inhale, the aroma of sweet, savory, spicy, and rich food flooded their senses. The brilliant coloring and elegantly layered dishes were truly fitting for one of a king’s stature. They eyed each others’ dishes for a while before exchanging reluctant smiles, one thought echoing across their minds.

Reika offered them the final piece to complete their wish. A massive mahogany serving table with a teal marble countertop to lay out their dishes side by side to share. On any other occasion these egoists would fight tooth and nail to protect their dishes from sneaky hands but not now. Not when all of them had the same desire. 

The only sound heard was the sound of chewing and the clatter of utensils as the players ate in contented silence. 

Isagi basked in the calm and quiet gaiety. Reika gazed warmly at Isagi, her hickory eyes brightening to a beautiful hazy honey. Like insects trapped in amber.

Once they finished eating the players sat in their seats in content, ready to resume watching Team Z’s celebration. A warm meal to fill them and a light-hearted atmosphere to keep them so. 

Lemon swirled his natto with his chopsticks. “Natto's not bad every once in a while.”

Igarashi seized the opportunity to present his hated dish. “Here's my pickled radish!”

“No, thanks.” A chorus of voices responded, overlapping perfectly in equally shared dislike.

Perhaps a trick of the light, but Wakutsuki’s eyebags seemed to grow in disgust if possible. “Gross. Yep. Yep.”

Kunigami looked up from his bowl of rice to address Isagi. “But how did you know to get yourself into that position?”

“Oh, that's a point.” Gagamaru said, strangling Naruhaya in a chokehold. “Did you know the ball would end up there?”

Isagi stopped eating for a moment. “Oh, no, no, it's not like I actually knew.” He looked down in recollection. “I just wanted to take a shot and took a chance that it might fall around there.”

Bachira thrust his face directly into Isagi’s, holding a piece of meat on a fork. Isagi jerked back at the closeness. “But I saw you, Isagi. Good job!”

“Thanks for the pass, Bachira.”

“Here's your reward! Say ‘ah’!”

Isagi dodged the fork headed toward his mouth. From the back Raichi looked over calmly at the actions. “I can feed myself.”

“Don't be shy. Take it. Pass!” Bachira shouted, toppling him over. 

The players glowered at Bachira’s attempts at hand feeding Isagi. That sneaky, deranged little monkey. Always fucking grabbing at opportunities to with coddle Isagi with his sticky, grubby hands. 

Kunigami stared a piece of salmon. “Anyhow, it seems Isagi's weapon is being able to ‘smell’ a goal.” He put it into his mouth and closed his eyes. “And thanks to Isagi's goal, we won.”

Kunigami watched the screen closely. To all here it seemed as though he was just focusing on his meal but in truth it was more than that. From the way the skin around Chigiri’s eyes tightened, he knew the redhead wasn’t fooled. After all, how could he ignore something so calmly that even Raichi couldn’t ignore?  

“That's a fact.” He completed and looked at Isagi. Isagi’s eyes widened and Bachira used the timing to finally stuff the meat into his mouth. 

Raichi scoffed at the remark. “I refuse to acknowledge that.”

Rachi rolled his eyes at the present Isagi’s raised eyebrows. 

Kuon, the peacemaker, stepped in before the room could devolve into a fight. “Well, whatever the case, we won. We'll survive this, Team Z!”

Team Z pumped their fists together. “Yeah!”

“Yeah!”

“More food!”

“I've got plenty more room.”

“Let me get some, too.”

Among the celebration, Chigiri sat alone, watching the partying members. He didn’t eat or join in. Simple sat with his arms folded over his knees.

The scene darkened and time lapsed to show Team Z peacefully sleeping in their futons. 

Isagi slightly tilted his head to avoid Igarashi’s hand that landed on his pillow. 

“No more…pickled radish…”

He peeked an eye then closed it. Seconds later le lunged out of the way, eyes still closed and barely avoiding a heavy foot in the same place. 

Jeez, he's the worst! Isagi thought, eyes now fully open.

He avoided that without looking. Barou narrowed his eyes, his temporary irritation at Igarashi’s terrible sleep etiquette overrun by reluctant amazement at the subtle display of Isagi’s supernatural senses. 

Though… Isagi sat up. I'm too psyched to go to sleep! 

He looked at his hand, a slight blush dusting his cheeks. It really was me who won that game for us, wasn't it? With my goal. 

A flashback of Okawa’s resentful face that he had ingrained into his head before popped up. It was me who crushed them. The scene was now Niko’s tearing seafoam eyes and trembling lips. 

Niko refused to close his eyes. Opening them so wide they teared and burned from the air entering them yet he still refused. He needed to see this. He needed to see himself and he need to see Isagi. Bear with it for this will be so much sweeter when it is my turn. Wait for me, Isagi.

It felt so good. 

His thoughts are like gentle whispers. Sae thought, a dark amusement pooling at the bottom of cool mint eyes. Gentle in the way river water sounds pleasurable to listen to but the force and speed of it will smash you mercilessly against the jagged rocks. Even his voice is fitting. Truly, he has the voice of a coursing river.  

His feet were shown walking between the futons.  

The camera choice is most definitely an artistic representation. Shidou thought calmly. A slight smile graced his lips. The flashbacks and his walking are being paralleled to show the thrill of crushing his opponent’s dreams that Isagi is reliving. His body is here but his mind is back in those moments. In those tears and that despair. 

Bachira felt a blanket of warm affection settle on his skin. Isagi’s thoughts are monstrous, right Monster? He giggled in his head, his monster giggling back at him, sharing his love of Isagi’s… playstyle . 

I can't put it into words. It was like nothing I've ever experienced.

Isagi sweatdropped in front of the opening door as a new thought struck him.

Wait, does that make me a jerk?

The atmosphere in the mood eased as muffled snickers sounded. Isagi sunk into his seat, his face a bright, cherry red at the childish questioning. 

That's not good.

Now the sound of laughing was now louder and even Reo let out a small smirk of amusement at his fellow striker’s plight. 

Tokimitsu shook violently, mind whiplashing between how Isagi wanted to tear his opponents into murky depths and then immediately asking if that was bad. Eeek!!! T-too scary, Isagi-san! L-like a ser-rial ki-iller!!

Isagi arrived in the monitoring room for team Z but to his surprise he wasn’t the only one there. In front of him a single figure sat watching a replay of the match on the monitor screen.

Chigiri and Isagi uneasily exchanged glances at each other. What came next was a private moment that they hadn’t mentioned to anyone, not even their closest friends. Neither was happy that this was being broadcast. 

Locked in a room where he was the center of attention, Isagi and Chigiri’s silent exchange did not go unnoticed, raising a number of eyebrows and interests. 

Now it was Kunigami’s turn to unwittingly frown as an eyebrow slightly dipped down. Looks like I’m not the only one keeping secrets, princess .  

Chigiri glanced back as Isagi walked forward.

“Chigiri.”

“Isagi-kun.” Chigiri turned toward the screen again. “What are you doing here?”

Isagi scratched his cheek with a finger. “Oh, I couldn't sleep, so I came to watch the game footage. You?”

“I couldn't sleep, either. So I was watching your goal.”

“Huh?”

“It's no wonder you can't fall asleep after that goal.” Chigiri never looked away from the screen, every square on the monitor was a scene of Isagi at different moments throughout the game. “As a striker, it must have been a glorious moment.”

Bachira sat up straighter, eyes narrowing at the tone and words. He had been so busy hounding off everyone else he had missed this friend. He won’t make that mistake again.

Chigiri felt goosebumps rise on his arms by the look of Bachira’s face and knew that his jig was up. There would be no more fooling people about his supposed indifference toward Isagi. Well, it was only a matter of time but still…I thought I had longer to move in.   

“Yeah, it was like…It was a goal I would've never scored if I hadn't come to Blue Lock. I'll always remember this goal.” Isagi said, walking forward. He sat down close to Chigiri, also looking at different views of himself on the screen. “But I couldn't do it again, even if someone told me to. I just ran without really thinking.”

“I believe you have a very keen spatial awareness.” Chigiri turned his head toward Isagi, the glow of the monitor lighting their faces. 

“Huh? What's that?” 

An image of mannequin players with spotlight eyes appeared. “Most players judge a situation based on what they see in their direct field of vision. And that field of vision gets smaller when running at top speed or dribbling.” A massive shadow appeared over the field and turned into a titan version of Isagi hovering over it. The others merely ants among grass on the field. 

The players felt chills down their spines at the image. Oh, the monster he will become.  

“But on occasion, you play like you can see the whole field and everything that's happening on it. Kind of like you're a god looking down from above.”

Yukimiya smiled thinly. Not my god.   

“That skill helped you ‘smell’ a goal and avert a crisis, and made an impossible goal a reality.” A flashback of Isagi’s goal played. 

Spatial awareness. Isagi thought awed. That's my weapon?

Chigiri looked back at the screen. “You're only doing it intuitively right now so if you can learn to do it intentionally, your eyes and brain will be a weapon like no other. That's what I was thinking watching the video.”

No. Noel Noa thought. It is not as simple as that. Chigiri Hyoma is indeed correct about Isagi Yoichi’s potential but that reasoning doesn’t fully encompass the monstrosity of a play that goal had been. In that moment, Isagi Yoichi had positioned himself in front of Niko Ikki without his knowledge, blocked Okawa Hibiki’s pass, and bypassed all of Team Y and Team Z. However even that doesn’t fully entail all the details. For what is left unsaid is that Isagi Yoichi outwitted every player on the field without drawing their attention. Niko Ikki was well-aware of Isagi Yoichi’s movements, having marked him previously. Yet somehow the boy tricked the other and stole his goal. All by intuition. No, this is not something that can merely be categorized as intuition because intuition is unreliable and unpredictable. It is not the factor that is starting to set Isagi Yoichi apart from his peers.   

Noel Noa’s gold eyes caught Snuffy’s. Snuffy’s lips were curved up at the corners, a knowing lilt to them that Noel Noa could recognize a kilometer away. Italy’s master dipped his head down once, acknowledging his unspoken realizations. Both their eyes glowed at the prospect of what was yet to come. 

Isagi stared at Chigiri then chuckled, eyes curving closed. “Oh, I get it now. Thanks, Chigiri. You just gave me a great pointer. You're always frowning, but you're actually a nice guy.”

“It's nothing. I'm only telling you so the team wins.”

“By the way, what's your weapon? You didn't tell us the other day.”

“Speed.” Bachira normally would’ve cheered but the recently unveiled experiences had turned his tone syrupy acerbic. The horribly clashing presence of sweet and bitter in his voice had Isagi looking over in concern and Niko valiantly fighting the urge to shift away. 

“Like I said, I don't want to say.”

Karasu sneered, eager to take any opportunity to make a dig at anyone. “Why so secretive, princess? Too special for the rest of us?”

Chigiri was fully pissed that this personal conversation that only Isagi was supposed to know about was now being viewed by every Blue Lock player, U-20 member, and even members of the professional teams. “Shut the fuck up, you damn crow. You think you’re off the hook? Wait your fucking turn.”

“Huh? Why not?” Isagi was sweetly persistent. “Tell me. I'll help you out if I can. I want to know more about you.”

Chigiri sunk his head into his crossed arms. His go-to position when he was upset. “Just drop it. We don't need to talk about me.”

“Yes, we do. It's important.”

There was silence in the viewing room for a couple moments.

A hand slid up and caressed a pajama covered knee. “A right ACL tear.”

The air was thick with tension at the reveal. Suddenly no one wanted to be here. Karasu lost his sneer and was slightly grimacing. As football players, any injury was career ending but an ACL tear? That wasn’t something you recovered from. 

Barou said nothing but he was suddenly reminded of the number of times Chigiri used to tape up his knee. At the time he had dismissed it simply as foresight bias but shit. This was so much more than that. Athletes had been forced to stop playing for less. 

Aiku’s eyebrows were high on their forehead, disbelief evident. He had an injury like that but ran like that in the game? Live hard, die hard baby. 

Chris Prince frowned at the way Chigiri sat. As a person who always pushed forward to higher heights it rankled him to see someone so wumpy-dumpy. Boo-hoo, baby, go cry about it.  

Chigiri’s face was shadowed as he curled over her knee. “That's the injury I picked up a year ago. The doc said if I injure the same spot again, my playing days will be in jeopardy.” Chigiri stood up and turned his back to the screen.  

“I used to have it, Isagi. I used to have an amazing weapon like you.” The image of a young Chigiri celebrating as he scored a goal. 

Kunigami felt a smile tugging his lips despite the gloomy atmosphere. 

“Plus nights when I couldn't sleep because I was so pumped from scoring, and a dream of becoming the world's greatest striker.”

The flashback ended to show Chigiri’s dull face again. “But even though my leg's healed, I'm scared I'll get injured again. I'm scared of losing my dream and the soccer that's given me so much pleasure.”

Chigiri walked away from Isagi while Isagi remained sitting on the ground, listening steadfastly to his words. “I came to Blue Lock to find a reason to give up on my dream. Isagi, I might be able to give up on it after seeing your goal.”

“Not Isagi’s fault. Not his fault.” Kurona snapped viciously.

Isagi was surprised by the unexpected defense. He had never met this boy before yet the other was defending him from someone else's insult? Judging from the irritated look on Chigiri's face, he didn't know who Kurona was either, aside from his name. Isagi felt touched, a sweet smile directed toward the shark-toothed boy who blinked calmly back at him. 

Sokura side eyed his teammate from the second selection. Of all of them, he had become the closest to Kurona. Shidou was too crazy, Reo was too gloomy, and Igarashi was too annoying. So Kurona it was. And because he was close to Kurona, he got front row seats to watch his friend disappear down a never ending rabbit hole called Isagi Yoichi’s videos. During the U-20 practice he had watched the red-haired boy pull up every video of the popular striker he could find. From games, to skirmishes, to even practices. It devolved to the point that he had to physically cling to Kurona’s clothes to prevent him from going and asking Ego for videos of Isagi eating, sleeping, and relaxing. Please, Isagi Yoichi, please for the sake of yourself do not do anything else. I can’t protect you anymore.  

Aryu was displeased at his rival’s words and actions. “Very unstylish of you, Chigiri Hyoma. I can’t say I understand such a move but I know enough to say it is the wrong one.” Aryu would never do something so uncool as to frown, but the expression on his face certainly came close.

The door opened and Chigiri stepped out but the next words froze him in place. 

“Stop lying, Chigiri.” Isagi’s whisper was deadly. “Don't blame it on me. I know you don't really want to give up.”

Isagi was no longer sitting. He was standing up, weight shifted forward. 

Kaiser leaned forward enthralled, completely missing the way Ness tightened his jaw. The look on his Isagi Yoichi’s face was dark, the glimpses of the predator he was rumored to be peeking out between bars of restraint like monkeys in a cage. Awaiting every opportunity to escape and run free.  

“I'm the same. I'm scared that all of this might end, so I fight. If you're not prepared to give up everything, you'll never fulfill your dream!” Isagi said, frustrated at his teammate’s lack of drive.

“You know nothing about me.” Chigiri whipped around, now angry at Isagi.

Isagi halted in shock, eyes wide and surprised at seeing Chigiri’s anger directed at him for the first time as the door slid shut.

Chapter Text

Absolutely nothing could be found of Hiori’s face at Chigiri’s words. It was a study in peace and tranquility and everything wrong. Chigiri eyed him from the corner of his eye, keeping a careful watch on any actions the blue-haired boy might take. He wanted to move closer to Isagi to - not apologize because he did mean those words then - but just do something. Give reassurance? Express regret? It didn’t matter anyway. Even if he did make up his mind, his mind wouldn’t command his body to move. The pride of an egoist was too high a barrier to cross. 

A hand tremblingly pinched the edge of a pair of blue boxers. “A progress report on this project to the JFU is almost due. So how are we doing…” Anri turned back from position on all fours. “Ego-san?” 

Igarashi’s face flushed red as he leered at the pose pervertedly. Otoyo sneered at him while blood dripped from his own nose. Rin rolled his eyes at both. 

“Hold on a moment, Anri.” steaming water poured out of the edge of an instant Yakisoba plastic container. “I am about to experience bliss.”

Noel Noa felt a tendon on the back of his hand twitch. Jinpachi.

“Again, Ego?” Anri asked exasperatedly as Ego took several boxes of instant noodle containers to a small table. “Don't you eat anything else?”

“It's overcompensation.” Ego squirted some sauce and began to mix. “My dietary regimen when I used to play meant I couldn't eat it. Now that I can, I only eat this stuff.”

“EGO USED TO PLAY?!” Isagi covered his ears at the volume. Practically everyone was gaping at the news. They whipped their heads to look at Ego who coolly stared back. 

“Obviously, you idiots.”

“But you’re-you…I mean you’re like the opposite of a football player!” Reo stumbled over his words in shock, unable to get a hold of his mouth to stop himself. 

“Ego Jinpachi is a good striker.”

Now Isagi was gaping too. Noel Noa, the world’s number one player, just admitted from his own mouth that Ego was a good player. He isn’t surprised that Ego used to be a player or that he was good. Ego knows far too much about football to not have played, but he is shocked that Noel Noa of all people defended Ego. Okay then…

“At least clean up a little and do some laundry. Seriously…” Anri glared at Ego, holding a massive bag of trash. 

“I refuse to do anything that can be done by others.” Ego continued squeezing out the sauce with a single-minded focus. “And my contract says I don't have to do anything unrelated to soccer, right?”

“Well, anyway, is Blue Lock's first selection process going well?”

“Yup, it's going really well. Just you watch. It's time to add some spice.” Ego said adding red pepper flakes to his noodles. 

The scene flipped to Isagi running down the field. He kicked the ball only to have it bounce off the goal post. 

“Okay, Isagi, you missed, so you're done.” Igarashi said, pointing at Isagi.

Raichi leaned forward with his hands stuffed into his pockets. “You suck. That goal really was a fluke.”

Kuon clapped his hands. “Come on, let's continue with our practice.”

“Ah, damn…” Plush lips curved around a straw. Droplets of sweat lay still on flawless skin.

Aiku swallowed hard, his characteristic grin disappearing. 

Yukimiya averted his eyes. 

Aryu vaguely felt a few strands of hair slip forward off his shoulder.

Team Z continued playing. 

“All right! To me!”

“Move up faster!”

Everyone else really is better than me. Their stamina's off the chart, too. Isagi thought before taking another drink. His Adam’s apple rolled up and down. 

Ness glanced over at Kaiser’s face and his blood pressure and hate for Isgai Yoichi rose rapidly as a result. Never had he seen Kaiser’s face so unusually flushed, a burst of pinkish-red had bloomed over his high cheekbones and brought a wonderful glow to his face. His blue eyes glistened brightly under the ceiling lights and his pretty, perfect lips were tugged up at a corner. Ness curled his right palm into a hollow fist, wishing he were holding the slender handle of a butcher knife as he watched a drop of sweat slowly trail its way down from Kaiser’s beautiful blond hair and disappear into the neckline of his shirt. He bit his lip hard enough that blood welled up and then continued biting it harder. Kaiser, who never sweated during a match, was now-Isagi fucking Yoichi. I’ll kill you, Isagi Yoichi. I’ll kill you-I’ll KIll you-I’LL KILL YOU.

Rin’s mind zeroed in on the way Isagi's throat rolled as he drank the water, his own tongue nestling in a pool of saliva as the image itself into his retinas. He ran the tip of his tongue over the edges of his teeth behind tightly pressed lips and a sharp stinging erupted as Rin cut the flesh on a canine that was slightly too sharp. Rin felt his reality blur a little as the smooth, gleaming skin on the screen was replaced by a soft throat covered in bloody bite marks. The imprint of his teeth sunken deep into Isagi’s flesh, marking him for everyone to see. 

Reo felt light-headed. Oh god. No. This is not happening. I cannot be…I cannot be falling for my rival , this is i-insane. No, right now I am just momentarily confused. There must be some sort of “shared sense" thing going on where the others are overexpressing their feelings and I’m feeling it and- Don’t look at him. Isagi stole everything from me, which is why I’m watching him. I am learning about his weaknesses because I am interested in destroying him. I will take him - no! I will take from him! I am not one of them to fold so easily. I - Stop. Looking. At. Him. 

Hiori covered Nanase’s eyes with a palm but he was too distracted to do so properly. Nanase peeked out between the gaps of Hiori’s fingers, blushing head to toe in brilliant red.

Nagi’s eyes were the lightest gray they had ever been. I…want to be on his team too. I want to be on Team Z…not fair. He pouted, cheeks puffing out. His eyes blurred out everything but the scene in front of him and he let his mind take him away. Nagi erased everyone as his tongue slowly licked a long path up Isagi’s neck. Salt struck his taste buds as the droplets hit his tongue. Isagi inhaled deeply and fluttered his eyes at the sensation as Nagi’s hot breath heated his neck, soft lips gently pressing under, on, over his jaw while a large warm hand curled in his hair and pulled. A vague sensation of pain blossomed in the corners of Isagi’s mind as he gripped it just tight enough to hold it firmly in place. Nagi reveled in the way silky strands lay in between his fingers, so shiny they caught the light and so smooth to the touch. His other hand curved around a hip bone under Isagi’s jersey, pressing hard enough that Nagi knew without looking that there would be a large, blue handprint bruise tomorrow morning. “Isagi.” He whispered, breath ghosting against his striker’s cheeks. “Boss.” He prayed as his lips gently brushed the curves of his delicate ear. Isagi let out a short gasp and opened his eyes, a fire blazing in them that threatened to burn Nagi to cinders. Nagi sank to his knees, wide hands sliding down Isagi’s body, over his thighs, and curving around the back of his knees. He sat on his heels, chest pressed tightly against Isagi’s lower body, and looked up at those flaming blue eyes - answering the unspoken demand. 

“Yes, Boss.”

The veins in Barou’s arms bulged as he reached a hand out to grab a fistful of Nagi’s shirt. Anger and disgust raced through him when he looked at the white-haired boy’s pose. Legs were spread wide out and his back was slouched in his seat but his head was tipped up. The tent in his shorts made it clear what the lazy, dirty, uncouth little freak was fantasizing about. He grabbed the shirt and shook the boy before throwing him to the floor. The dirty thing blinked and lazily frowned at him.

“You know, fallen King-”

“Shut the fuck up.” Barou seethed, already aware of what the son of a bitch was going to accuse him of. He felt his neck creak as he rotated it, irritated beyond comparison that he wouldn’t be able to defend himself from the brute truth of the interrupted statement. 

I now know that my weapon is "smelling" a goal. My spatial awareness, in other words. But I'm not exactly sure how to use it.

Isagi focused on Chigiri who was currently acting as the goalkeeper. 

“You know nothing about me.” The flashback replayed.  

Bachira looked sadly on as Isagi’s thoughts were said. I pissed Chigiri off by saying something unnecessary. I drag everyone down in practice. Something needs to change.

Chigiri’s shoulders dropped. Isagi had overstepped but it wasn’t out of malice. Had any other player said it, he knew they would have meant otherwise but now he felt extremely uncomfortable that it was Isagi who had done it because now he had to watch the good-intended boy grieve about his actions. Ugh.

His hair shadowed his face. “I don't want this to end with me only scoring one fluky goal.”

Huh? Oh, right. The goal. The players thought distractedly. 

I-Isagi is amazing! Y-you should beli-ive in y-yourself more, Isagi! Tokimitsu nervously thought. He felt sadness sink into his bones at Isagi’s constant self-doubting. I believe in you!

“Hello there, diamonds in the rough.” Ego’s voice suddenly interrupted him. He appeared on the screen, eating his noodles. “Yup, sauce and mayo is the perfect combo.”

“Ego…” Kuon began.

Those noodles look yummy. Igarashi thought, drooling. 

The rest of Team Z seemed to be of the same mind. 

Yummy. Saliva gushes out of Gagamaru’s mouth, forming waterfalls of drool. 

So yummy. Naruhaya was in the same state. 

We never got to eat like this on the U-20. Sendou thought sadly while also drooling. 

“So the sixth round just finished.” Ego said chewing. “Here are the results and the table. Bam!”

“Three teams are tied on one win, one loss?” Kuon said

“Team V's got a huge lead.” Gagamaru said.

“This means if we don't win the next game against Team W, we're in trouble.” Kuon muttered with a hand on his chin. 

“And here's some spice.” Ego added, slurping his noodles. “Your player rankings are being adjusted based on your achievements and play so far. As a striker, you must prove your worth with goals.” Everyone glanced at their badgers. “The more valuable your goals are, the higher your ranking.Which means the top-ranking player in Team Z is…”