Blue Lock: Isagi the egoist

Chapter 7: Matchday, Lavinho and Ray Dark



The sun had barely begun its climb over Madrid when a sleek black car pulled into the parking lot of the Re Al Academy. From the tinted windows emerged a man who radiated power and precision. Ray Dark, the president of the world's most influential football organization, PIFA, stepped out, his tailored suit unwrinkled, his sharp eyes hidden behind dark aviator glasses. He adjusted his cufflinks, taking a slow look at the academy grounds as if measuring the value of everything before him.

Ray Dark was a man known for his unrelenting pursuit of dominance in football. To him, the sport wasn't just a game; it was a global machine, and he was the master architect. Every player, every club, every league—they were all parts of the engine that fueled his ambitions. And today, he wasn't here by coincidence. He had heard whispers of two young prodigies from Japan shaking up the Re Al Academy—players with raw, unrefined potential that could one day alter the game.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let's see if these rumors are worth my time."

The alarm buzzed softly in the room shared by Isagi Yoichi and Sae Itoshi. Both boys stirred almost simultaneously, their internal clocks already synced to the disciplined rhythm of professional football.

Isagi stretched, yawning as he swung his legs off the bed. "Game day," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

"Don't get too excited," Sae said, already heading to the bathroom. "We still have to win."

Their morning routine was as meticulous as their training. After a quick shower, they brushed their teeth and headed to the kitchen, preparing a light but nutritious breakfast: a fresh fruit salad, two boiled eggs each, and a glass of orange juice. They grabbed protein bars to eat on the way, packed their jerseys into their bags, and locked the house behind them.

Stepping out into the warm Madrid morning, they inhaled deeply. The air was fresh, the city alive with energy. Jogging to the Re Al Academy, the excitement of the game ahead coursed through them.

Arriving before anyone else, they checked in with their coach, who greeted them with a nod. The past few weeks had been transformative; the rigorous training had sharpened their skills, and their Spanish had improved significantly. Isagi, who initially struggled, had surpassed even Sae in conversational fluency, much to his teammate's quiet annoyance.

Soon, the rest of the team arrived, chatting excitedly as they suited up in their iconic white jerseys. The tension in the locker room was electric; today's opponents were none other than Barcha Junior Academy, and they had brought a surprise guest.

Lavinho.

The Brazilian legend stood casually by the Barcha players, his larger-than-life personality lighting up their warm-ups. His presence energized the Barcha team, and they moved with an extra spring in their step, their motivation sky-high.

In contrast, Re Al's team remained focused, their eyes sharp as they absorbed their coach's final instructions. The starting lineup was announced—Isagi and Sae at the top. The two exchanged a look, fists bumping silently. It was time.

As the captains met for the coin toss, Re Al Academy won both the ball and the side. They chose the left, and moments later, the referee's whistle pierced the air. The game had begun.

From the kickoff, Re Al executed a rapid maneuver, the ball moving like a precision-guided missile through their formation. Sae and Isagi worked in tandem, dismantling Barcha's defenses with ruthless efficiency.

Isagi received a pass at midfield and surged forward. A Barcha defender lunged recklessly, nearly diving into his legs, but Isagi reacted with a dazzling rainbow flick, effortlessly leaping over the player and continuing his run.

The goalkeeper stepped up to challenge him, but Isagi's right leg swung decisively. The ball sailed into the top corner, unstoppable. 1-0, Re Al.

Lavinho, watching from the sidelines, turned to the Barcha coach. "That kid… Isagi, right? He's special. Reminds me of me at his age."

Barcha attempted to equalize with an aggressive counterattack, but Isagi intercepted a crucial pass with surgical precision. Turning defense into offense, he launched a blistering counter, racing past two defenders. Marked by three players now, Isagi didn't panic. Instead, he stepped back, flicked the ball into the air, and struck it with a stunning left trivela shot.

The ball curved dramatically, hitting the crossbar, ricocheting off the back of the goalkeeper's head, and rolling into the net. 2-0.

Sae, despite his usual composure, found himself overshadowed. Isagi was everywhere, dominating the game. Each time Sae looked for an opening, Isagi seemed to already be two steps ahead. Frustration bubbled under Sae's calm exterior. Why am I thinking about home now? He shook the thought away, refocusing on the match.

The game ended in a resounding 4-0 victory for Re Al, all four goals scored by Isagi, with two assists from Sae. Lavinho clapped appreciatively as the final whistle blew, but he wasn't the only one watching. In the distance, Ray Dark observed silently, his sharp gaze fixed on Isagi.

Back at their house, Isagi and Sae showered, made a simple dinner of eggs, sausage, and salad, and settled in for the evening. After calling their families, they lay in their beds, the adrenaline of the game slowly fading.

As Sae drifted off, he couldn't shake the feeling that today's match was a turning point—not just for Isagi, but for both of them.

In another part of Madrid, Ray Dark's smirk widened as he typed a message on his phone:

"Keep an eye on Yoichi Isagi. He's exactly what we've been looking for."


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.