BLUE LOCK: UNDYING FLAME

[PREVIOUSLY]

The crowd erupted in cheer at the goal. Leonardo simply raised his hands to his side, like he was orchestrating a show, a cocky smirk on his face as he stared down at the team.

The ref blew the whistle, signifying the end of the first half. Seiran high went to their locker room, the mood demoralitizing

Going into the break, the score was currently 3-1

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In the lockeroom, the mood of the players were a bit glumy. Sophia looked at this and sighed, they had tried their best but it seemed they were still not good enough. But of course the shining light of Neron made way.

"Hey c'mon guys, there's still another half to go. Let's not give up so easily, we can still win this." He said, a passionate smile on his face.

And that seemed to do the trick as the mood of the room was looking much better now. Sophia smiled at this, "Neron's right. Though the original plan fell apart, we'll go with plan B. She said. She brought the white board. "We'll sit deep, absorb the pressure then counter them. She explained, she then looked towards Baro, the boy has a confused expression before realization dawned on him; a grin making way on his face. "Baro, you'll come on for the second half." She said, earning an excited nod from the boy.

"We'll be playing with two strikers now." She moved the pieces on the white board, four white pieces at the back, four in the middle with two at the base and two at the flanks ahead of them, then two pieces up top.

She looked towards a senior team member. "Kaito you'll also come on, we'll need you to hold the ball as usual." She said. The figure kaito yawned, lazily raising a thumbs up in confirmation. Sophia sweatdropping at that, already used to the sight of the boys demeanor.

Sophia then looked towards the captain. Ryoji, understanding that he was the one being subbed nodded in understanding.

Sophia turned back to the team, "Okay guys, let's go out into the second half better. SEIRAN FIGHT!!!" She ended with a shout, the team joining in.

At the start of the second half, the teams came out. Only SEIRAN made a substitution in the second half, of course that being Ryoji for Baro and Kaito for Sato, another midfielder (A/N: Random first team player, made his name on the spot lol 😂). Ryoji gave the armband to Takeshi, then walked off the field.

Ryoji patted the boy on his shoulder, "Good luck." He wished him. Baro nodding in appreciation before running onto the pitch.

The formation of the team changed as Baro and Kaito came on. Baro and Neron going up top, with Kaito and Hayato occupying the left and right wings respectively. Takeshi and Ryoji at the base of midfield. Daichi and the rest completing the back line to form a 4-4-2 formation.

Leonardo stood over the ball, his gaze meeting Baro's. A mock chuckle escaped his lips, as it curled up in condescending amusement. "Oh, the Dog's been let out of his cage."

Baro's eyes narrowed, his teeth gritted in anger. But he calmed down as he felt a hand gripping his shoulder, Neron.

Neron looked towards Leonardo, a determined gaze in the boys eyes and his usual grin on his face. No words were said, no words needed to be said, the message was clear, we'll beat you.

Leonardo scoffed at that. The ref seeing the two teams were ready, set his watch for the second half then blew the whistle; the second half beginning.

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Leonardo passed the ball back. Jogging forward at a leisurely pace.

Osaka high cycled the ball round. Though now SEIRAN chose to sit back and absorb.

Hajime looked at the current play, his face betraying no surprise at the play, just a slight narrowing of his eyes. 'Sitting deep, I'm not surprised she went to this strategy. Has she already given up on the original plan?' He glanced towards Sophia, an innocent smile on her face. He scoffed at that, 'Well if you think we can't break down a low block down, you've got another thing coming.' He analyzed.

He stood up, "Pressure forward." He bellowed. His team nodding in response, as they pushed higher to enact the command.

Osaka passed it round, pushing forward and pinning Seiran deeper into their own half.

The ball found its way to Leonardo. The boy looked at Seiran strategy and couldn't help but comment, "As expected from trash, crawling back into their holes." He said, receiving the ball, but was met with Daiki, his face resolute.

Leonardo raised an eyebrow in amusement, "Oh, if it isn't Mr. Baby himself, going to throw a tantrum again." He jeered, followed up with laughter, before moving forward to get past him.

Daichi moved with him as well, his legs tense in anticipation. 'I won't let him get past me again.' He thought with resolve, moving to stop the pursuit.

Leonardo danced with the ball, his legs moving like a blur, a smirk on his face. Taking a touch to the left, before executing a roulette to go the other direction.

Leonardo reached the edge of the box. He winded his foot before hitting the ball. Daichi desperately stretched out his leg to block, but was just short of it.

The ball sailed through the air, the keeper lunged for the ball and managed to just tip it over the goal. Leonardo scoffed in annoyance at the save.

Daichi's hands rested on his knees, his breathing felt laboured, sweat trickled down his face. He panted heavily. Cleaning his face with his arm, a heavy expression settled over his face. 'Why can't I mark him, am I not good enough?' He thought, his teeth gritted in frustration.

A corner for Osaka, a high ball was sent over. Daichi marking Leonardo again, his thoughts were chaotic, but he pulled them back to focus on the play.

Leonardo gave an amused expression towards Daichi. "Have you been marking me, I never noticed." He mocked, "Like why would they let a child play football, just go back home to your mama." He chuckled at his joke.

Daichi felt himself shaking in anger, his teeth gritted in anger. As the ball sailed through, he was unaware as the ball reached their area. He quickly tried to jump, but Leonardo was already in the air, a victorious grin on his face.

As the ball sailed past the keeper, Leonardo grinned, but that slowly morphed into a scowl as a certain purple eyed boy came into view, blocking the shot. A grin was on Neron's face, "I told you before, we're winning this game." He said. The ball floating up into the air.

Daichi looked towards it, his mind was chaotic at the moment. He has not played well this game at all, he felt his shoulders relaxing. 'What's the point even?.' He thought. But a voice shouted out. Turning his head, his gaze met intense purple ones. 'Huh?' Neron was smiling at him, his eyes bore such intensity and faith, the boy felt...moved. He looked back towards the ball, 'See me here moping around and my teammate has such faith in me. If Neron believes in me, so what if I've not played well, I'll still keep trying.' He felt his legs moving, his eyes focused on the ball.

A grin made way to Neron's face as he watched the change in the boy.

Leonardo was prepared to trap the ball and finally end this trash team. His eyes widened in shock as the child-looking player was in the air with him, no, it looked like he had jumped...higher.

'How is a midget jumping higher than me,' were the thoughts that currently flashed through Leonardo's head as he watched the boy chest the ball, a grin on his face.

Landing, Daichi took off. His body felt..free. A midfielder was in his way. Moving the ball to the left, the midfielder lunged his foot to take the ball, but Daichi used his right leg to drag the ball back to him then going the other way.

After passing him, another midfielder made way. Daichi touched the ball to his right, the defender following. Daichi then rolled the ball between his legs, before sprinting pass him.

Then a force of nature made way, Daiki confronting him. "I'll admit, you were the last person I'd expect to perform today. But you'll find trying to pass me alone is a challenge." He spoke, his stance tense and ready, his sharp gaze locked onto the ball, daring Daichi to advance.

Daichi momentarily stopped, before speaking; a smirk on his face. "Who says I'm facing you alone." He then passed the ball to the appearing Neron. Neron grinned, flicking the ball with a back heel, passed Daiki to the running Daichi.

Daiki's eyes widened, as the two boys passed by him.

They beared closer towards goal, but Daiki showed it wasn't so easy to pass him. Appearing beside Daichi, his gaze focused on the boy. His long legs outstretched to take the ball back. "You won't score." He said resolutely.

Daichi's grin widened as he lifted the ball with his left foot, avoiding the tackle. Jumping up of his right foot, his left foot winding back down, his right leg widened back. His leg blurred as it shot out, hitting the ball dead center. The ball blasted into the top right corner of the post, the keeper standing no chance.

After dropping down to the floor, the boy immediately jumped up in celebration. "WOOOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHH!!!." He roared, his teammates joining in celebration. Hope rekindling in their eyes.

The Score is currently 3-2

The game restarted again, Seiran doing the same strategy but now with more success. Osaka getting more frustrated as they found it quite hard to break down the low block now with Daiki there. But the one most frustrated was none other than Leonardo, who was being marked by Daiki.

Leonardo took the ball to the left, but Daichi was already there before he knew it. Frustration bored on his face, his jaw tightening as he glared at Daichi. 'How is this happening? I've gotten past him multiple times before, has he figured me out?' He questioned himself, before shaking his head of such a thought, 'No, that's impossible', his face tightened, his pride refusing to let him accept it. 'I'll just go past him like I always do.' He thought.

Leonardo's left leg stepped over the ball, then his right leg tapped the ball to the left before quickly tapping it to the right, freeing space for himself.

Leonardo grinned, as the goal was in sight. But that sooned toned to shock as the figure of Daichi appeared, leg outstretched; successfully blocking the shot.

Daichi stood up, a grin on his face."Who's a child now?" His eyes boring into Leonardo, a challenge conveyed.

Leonardo scowled more so than ever, his face wrinkling in annoyance. If looks could kill, Daichi would be dead ten times over.

Osaka soon found themselves back with the ball. Leonardo was starting to get seriously annoyed, everywhere he went, Dachi man-marked him, blocking or deviating every shot. He was like a shadow, following him wherever he went.

And it happened once again. Leonardo drove with the ball, his eyes glaring at Daichi."You're nothing but trash, move out of the way." He spoke. His legs blurring, executing multiple stepovers.

Daichi's eyes followed, his head felt clear and his body felt sharp. His eyes felt like it could pick out every detail it perceived, a golden glow accompanying them. His eyes glowed as he saw an opportunity. The ball was exposed, Leonardo had let his guard down. Daichi's foot shot out faster than ever. Leonardo's eyes widened in shock, he tried to take the ball past the tackle but Daichi was faster; successfully emerging with the ball.

Daichi took the ball away. Driving with the ball, two midfielder's on his path. Daichi glided past them, his low center of gravity proving it difficult for his opponents to get the ball away from him.

Daichi made it out of the press. But now he was once again in shark territory. Daiki appeared, his gaze calm as always. "I'll commend you for bypassing my defenses previously, but you'll find it significantly harder to outmaneuver me a second time" He said, his tone resolute, his body already poised to anticipate the next move. This time Daiki was more serious than ever.

Daichi merely smirked in response, "I told you before, I'm not alone." He spoke.

Daiki's body tensed, his eyes ready in anticipation. "You'll find that your plan won't work again, I'll make sure." He replied.

Daichi smirked wider, Neron appearing from across him. Daichi and Neron's eyes crossed, a plan formulating between them, no words needed.

Daiki's body tensed, 'A pass to Number 14, then poised to recieve it back. Worked the first time, won't work again. I'll intercept the pass before it can be made.' His body moving in response. But then his eys widened as a third figure appeared.

Daichi rolled the ball back to Shinji, Neron and Daichi then dashed forward.

Flicking his head in appreciation, "Fabolous pass Daichi-san." He commented, his left leg stretched back, then his foot wrapped around the ball as it sent a long curving pass to Baro at the top.

Baro using his strength held the defender back. The ball reached him, before he immediately rolled it the side to Neron.

Neron grinned as he received the ball, "Hayato!!!" He immediately sent a through ball in behind the defence to Hayato.

"Alrighty." Hayato said in excitement, as he took off. But as he reached the edge of the penalty, a figure appeared...Daiki.

"Sheesh, well aren't you everyway. " Hayato commented, before passing it back. Daiki's long legs stretched out to deflect the ball, but once again, Neron's figure appeared, passing the ball around his foot. He then sent the ball forward, back to Hayato again.

Hayato, looked up, then sent a curving cross to the box.

Baro wrestled with the defenders, keen on getting the ball. But again someone appears, you already know, Daiki. Having quickly recovered, found his way into the box.

Baro gritted his teeth as he tried to wrestle for space with the captain, before putting his arms behind him, and shifting his weight, shielding Daiki away.

Daiki gritted his teeth in annoyance. "You won't get the ball."

Baro merely grinned, "And who gave you the right, I'm scoring today you shark." He said, jumping up towards the ball. His head flicking the ball with force, the ball sailing past the keeper into the top left corner. "GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!" Baro shouted in celebration, his teammates joining in.

The score was now tied at 3-3

Daiki looked towards this, his expression taking on a small scowl before morphing into a small grin. His fist clenched as his eyes burning in determination.

Leonardo was furious, how did they let a midget and then a dog score? His teammates were just useless. These were the thoughts that flowed in his head, as he took the ball to restart.

The ref blew the whistle, Leonardo passed the ball before shouting at his teammates for the ball back.

Leonardo took the ball forward, but now found that Neron was in his way. His scowl increased even further. "GET TGE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY TRASH." He snapped.

Neron merely grinned, "Now why would I do that?" He said, a teasing tone dripped from his words.

Leonardo scowled even more. His feet blurring, executing stepovers, elastico, and all that but he still couldn't pass him. "Why won't you move. That child and now you. You won't win this, you're trash" He hissed through gritted teeth.

"That's the problem, you think of everyone as trash when they're not. I told you before when we met that we'll win, and that's what I'll do." He finished, a purple glow in his eyes momentarily before it simmered away. Neron then quickly poked the ball away, before dashing.

Leonardo gritted his teeth, as his arms lashed out; pulling back Neron. "Pheeeeeeew, No 9. Yellow." The refree said.

Leonardo gritted his teeth, glaring holes at the ref.

The match continued on in the same fashion, but Leonardo was more reckless. Shooting from outside, forcing and getting tirnovers. He was being marked by Neron at the start, then Daiki when he got close. He couldn't find any freedom.

The ball was stolen from Leonardo again, Daichi passed the ball to Shinji, who ran forward with the ball. Neron dropped deep to do a one-two to evade Daiki.

Neron passed the ball to Kaito. The boy taking the ball away from his defender before passing a through ball to Baro.

Baro ran towards the ball, looked up and sent a low cross to Neron.

Leonardo's gaze felt unfocused as he witnessed this. He felt his heart beating louder than ever before. He looked down at his hands and found that they were...shaking.

'Am I going to loose'? He asked himself, an image of two older people resembling him appeared. They looked down at the boy, disappointment was seen in their eyes.

He slowly looked back up, his expression morphing into scowl. 'NoO....NooO...NOOOO!!!! I Cannot Loose To Trash, Never!' NEVER!!! He thought, his mind livid at the thought of such a thing happening. His eyes started to take on a crazed look

The ref blew for the restart, Leonardo would never loose, never and he would make sure of that at any cost.

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Wow, what a chapter. To me the best chapter I've written so far. Daichi's shinning moments and locking up Leonardo, Neron just everywhere to assist and move the ball, Daiki being passed not once but twice, but he's trying. Then Leonardo is absolutely livid at the thought of him actually loosing to trash, the thought disgusts him and he looks like he's going to make sure it doesn't happen. What'll happen next chapter, we'll find out next time guys.

Also, please don't forget to throw me some stones, it helps the book guys.

Stay blessed 🙏