Blue Lock: Beyond Greatness

"What the hell are you talking about, you bastard? Who would play that boring, useless brand of football you're suggesting?"

"Because I'm the strongest player here," Kira shot back without hesitation, locking eyes with Raichi as their foreheads nearly collided. "I've scored the most goals for Team Z so far. Passing the ball to the strongest player is the only logical path to victory."

"Or what? You'd rather leave here in shame? Let's face it, you're always the one disrupting the team's coordination. A loud-mouthed troublemaker with nothing else to offer."

"Hah?! You've got guts, saying that! Want to fight, you bastard?!" Raichi growled, cracking his knuckles.

"Not only are your football skills subpar, but your brain clearly isn't working either. Can't understand plain words? Did all your brain cells go into growing those shark-like teeth of yours?" Kira sneered, unfazed.

"You've got one more chance to say that again!"

"Am I wrong? Your dribbling is average, your passes never hit the right target, your vision is atrocious, and you have no tactical sense. What else do you bring to the team? All you do is run around like a headless brute. You're nothing but a prehistoric megalodon!"

The two continued bickering, their voices growing louder as the tension in the locker room reached a boiling point.

Some teammates watched coldly from the sidelines, while others nodded in quiet agreement.

Just as it seemed the situation would devolve into an all-out brawl, Isagi suddenly stood up.

With a sharp motion, he yanked the towel off his head and threw it forcefully onto the floor, the slap of fabric breaking through the chaos like a whip.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.

...

Under Isagi's cold, spiraling gaze, Raichi and Kira instinctively released each other's collars.

The atmosphere in the room grew thick and oppressive, as if the very air had solidified.

An eerie silence enveloped the locker room.

"Are you done causing a scene?" Isagi finally broke the silence, his voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable edge.

Once everyone's attention was on him, he continued, "Since none of you are willing to back down, let's settle this on the field. Each of you can play as the 'captain' for 10 minutes. The one who scores a goal gets an extra 5 minutes of control. During their time as captain, everyone must follow their strategies and play according to their vision."

He let the idea hang for a moment before driving his point home. "How about it? If you're real forwards, prove your worth with goals. Or would you rather continue this embarrassing display and risk a penalty that drags the entire team to elimination?"

The room remained silent, but Isagi's words had struck a chord.

The weight of his proposal hung heavy in the air, leaving no room for further petty arguments.

Raichi and Kira exchanged an irritated glance before turning their heads away from each other in disdain.

"Since you put it that way, Isagi, I'll let it slide this time," Raichi grumbled. "A striker speaks with their goals, after all. I'll show him with my dazzling shooting technique that his overhyped reputation is worthless."

"Hmph. Typical nonsense from a nobody. True strength is reflected in recognition from others. Do you think you can become the world's best striker without a shred of fame?" Kira retorted.

"I just haven't had the chance yet! That's why Blue Lock is my stepping stone to rise and take on the world!"

"More like you're just setting yourself up to be someone else's stepping stone."

Even though Isagi had defused the tension, the two continued exchanging barbs.

However, it was clear to everyone that they had calmed down significantly, and at least for now, there wouldn't be another physical altercation.

Isagi sighed and addressed the rest of the team. "I'm stepping out for some air. After dinner, let's gather and go over everyone's strengths and playstyles. For the next match, we need to ensure everyone's abilities are utilized to the fullest."

After giving Kuon Wataru a quick heads-up, Isagi stepped outside, taking a deep breath as he let the tension roll off his shoulders.

"Yo."

"Ahh!" Startled by the sudden voice, Isagi spun around, his heart racing. It took a moment for him to realize it was one of his teammates—if he remembered correctly, his name was... Meguru Bachira?

"You okay there?" Bachira asked with a curious smile.

"Ah, no, I'm fine," Isagi replied quickly, though inwardly he muttered, Not after you scared the hell out of me.

He glanced at the somewhat spacey guy in front of him and asked, "Uh, do you need something?"

"Nope, nothing at all," Bachira replied casually, shaking his head. "I just wanted to get to know you. Honestly, I thought you were just one of his lackeys, but it turns out…"

Bachira paused, giving Isagi a sly smile. "There's a monster hiding here after all. Hmm, I'm looking forward to the next match."

With a quick wave, Bachira walked off, leaving Isagi confused and more than a little unsettled.

"What the hell is with that guy…?" Isagi muttered.

The way Bachira spoke reminded him of someone else. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, and he shook his head furiously to clear it.

'Don't think about it too much. I've managed to earn myself a chance, and even though this is the weakest team in all of Blue Lock, my abilities are still the least impressive among them.'

'Raichi Jingo, with his insane endurance and solid all-around physicality; Rensuke Kunigami, a left-footed powerhouse with a terrifyingly strong shot; Kuon Wataru, with his incredible jumping ability and sharp mind…"

'And then there's Kira Ryosuke, with no real weaknesses, outstanding football IQ, and the title of Japan's Treasure. Among all of them, I don't have a single clear advantage. If I just follow the usual process of showcasing my weapon, I'll never get a real chance.'

'But if we follow my tactical arrangements, I'll make sure I get my opportunity as captain no matter what.'

Isagi took a deep breath, feeling the weight pressing down on his chest.

What exactly was this heavy feeling that refused to leave him?

It was pressure.

Hesitation about the future.

The fear that this might be the end of his football career.

And the suffocating sense of helplessness that came from knowing that, even if he survived this round, a towering, all-encompassing figure was waiting at the peak, looking down at him.

"It's as if everything I'm doing now is meaningless in the face of that shadow."

"But… that shadow is also my guidepost. As long as you're ahead of me, I'll never stop moving forward."

Isagi took another deep breath, slapping his face repeatedly with his hands.

The stinging pain helped to ground him.

After a long moment, he finally lowered his reddened palms.

'But… what exactly is my weapon? Ego Jinpachi… what did that man see in me to bring me into Blue Lock?'

"Damn it! Even now, I don't know what my weapon is. The only thing I can use effectively is the ability to exploit blind spots—something I learned during my match against Shinichi."

Isagi let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. "That alone isn't enough. Just like in that match, even if I managed to push a step ahead, it still wasn't enough to create the opportunity for a shot."

"Dribbling, speed, height—anything that could contribute directly to scoring—I have none of them. Maybe I don't even have anything that can be called a weapon right now."

"Two days from now is the match against Team W. In that game, only those who can score goals and prove their value will get another chance. Those who fail to score, even with the team's support… they won't be trusted again."

The memory of being substituted out during a previous match resurfaced in Isagi's mind, and the humiliation of it made his resolve burn even brighter.

"I need to find something more direct—a weapon that will allow me to create scoring opportunities myself."

"I have to discover it… within these two days!"

...

"Seriously, this natto is disgusting! Can't someone bring me a steak instead?"

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