Tendou ran, biding his time, waiting for the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to his opponent.
Finally.
Seeing that time was running out, Kira Ryosuke also became impulsive. He took a speculative long shot from outside the penalty area. He figured that even if the shot didn't go in, there was hardly any time left in the match. It would be best if it scored, but if not, they would go to extra time and look for another chance then. It was better than doing nothing and wasting time.
At this moment, Ichinan's penalty area was packed with players. A long shot like this was indeed a good choice, but only a decent one. There were too many people, which severely limited his shooting angle. Even if his shot evaded the defenders, it couldn't escape the goalkeeper's grasp.
The goalkeeper found the only possible shooting lane, and with a decisive leap, he collected the ball, holding it tightly in his arms.
Just as he was about to run down the clock, Isagi Yoichi upfield suddenly shouted, charging towards the opponent's empty half. This opportunist would not give up on any chance, no matter how slim.
The goalkeeper hesitated for only a second before booting the ball out with a powerful kick.
"Damn it!"
"Get back on defense!"
"Block him! Block him for me! A tactical foul is fine if you have to!"
Seeing this, the Kokuo head coach's heart skipped a beat. After ten minutes of relentless attacking with no result, being counter-attacked and scored on at the very end was a blow the entire Kokuo team could not bear.
By now, the Kokuo players had been playing for over 90 minutes, and their stamina was severely depleted. But for the sake of making it to the final tournament of the Winter Cup, these kids unleashed their full potential. They scrambled back frantically, desperately chasing after Isagi.
However, Kokuo wasn't the only side to unleash their inner power. Right now, Isagi's eyes were fixed only on the goal.
"I'm going to score!"
"I'm going to score this goal and make it to the nationals!"
He kept repeating these two sentences in his mind.
After beating one player with a la croqueta, he accelerated again, continuing his charge.
It's the same in basketball as it is in soccer. Running with the ball is definitely slower than running without it. Isagi knew he wasn't the kind of player blessed with exceptional talent. Facing Kokuo's defensive press, he thought of Tendou, of that dazzling, almost blinding figure.
And so.
He kicked the ball forward with a heavy foot, gritting his teeth as he accelerated, chasing the ball at top speed, competing purely on pace.
This was a battle of both body and will.
And Isagi Yoichi won it!
"This kid's ability to learn is really something."
At this point, the Blue Lock project had not yet been revealed. Isagi had not yet discovered his hidden talent. But he still made the most correct choice at the most critical moment.
After beating two players, Isagi charged all the way to a position 30 meters from the goal!
This was outside his shooting range.
Kokuo's players rushed desperately to block him, and seeing the opportunity, Ichinan's players were also frantically pushing forward.
"Isagi!"
"I'm open, give me the ball!"
The team's other forward raised his arm, calling for the ball.
"Isagi, pass it quickly!"
"All for one, one for all!"
The coach on the sidelines was still proclaiming his football philosophy.
"That's right, football is a team sport..."
Isagi's brain was working at high speed, and he subconsciously wanted to pass the ball to his unmarked teammate. His teammate had a better chance than he did.
But!
Just as he was about to pass the ball, Tendou's tall, slender figure suddenly appeared in his mind, as dazzling as a god.
And he wanted to become someone like that!
"Who says I'm going to pass the ball!!"
"This goal, I'm going to score it myself!"
Isagi's expression became incredibly fierce. Ignoring his teammate and coach, he was about to shoot himself.
But then, Tendou's voice reached his ears.
"Pass the ball here, kid!"
"That's an order!"
Tendou's figure had arrived once again, cutting into the enemy's penalty box like a white streak of light.
Isagi instinctively turned his head and his gaze met Tendou's, which was calm to the point of being icy.
Isagi, who had just decided to shoot himself, found his body acting uncontrollably, tapping the ball in front of Tendou.
"Nice work!"
Tendou accelerated again to catch up to the ball, his right foot drawing back like a bow.
"This time, I won't miss."
His azure eyes locked onto the goalkeeper, finding the best angle and timing to score from the future.
The next second...
CRACK!
BAM!
The viewers in the real world only saw the screen go black, followed by a flash of light that sliced through the darkness. When the picture returned, the ball had already slammed heavily into the goal, rubbing fiercely against the net.
"G....G....GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!"
"It's in!"
"IT'S IN!"
"With less than 30 seconds left in the match, Ichinan High has rewritten the scoreline!"
"2:1! Ichinan High has scored the game-winner, turning the match around at the very last moment! The one to complete the play is, once again, Tendou Kageyoshi!"
"This is his second goal of the match!"
"A brace!"
"Tendou Kageyoshi! Remember the name! He has kicked Ichinan High into the national tournament with two goals!"
The stadium was in an uproar.
Ichinan High's fans jumped and celebrated wildly, hugging their friends in delirious joy.
A game-winner!
Absolutely the most thrilling moment!
The players on Ichinan High's bench all rushed madly towards Tendou, throwing themselves at him like a pile of beans.
But Isagi Yoichi didn't.
He stood frozen in place, his eyes glued to Tendou, who had once again left three stripes on the pitch with his slide.
"Why did I pass it again?"
He couldn't understand. He had clearly made up his mind to decide the outcome of this match himself. He had already decided to shoot and become the hero of the team. But in the end...
"Damn it!" Isagi gritted his teeth hard.
He actually knew why.
Because his brain, his thoughts, his body—everything about him—believed that passing the ball to Tendou was the best choice, that Tendou would lead them to the final battle of the Winter Cup.
Why was that?
Because Tendou was a genius, and he was stronger than him!
What he couldn't accept was Tendou's final gaze, which was like a command, and how his own body had submitted uncontrollably. Just like Kagami Taiga back then, the current Isagi Yoichi was deeply shaken by Tendou.
The match was over.
Thanks to Tendou's sudden appearance, Ichinan High did not lose the match as they had in the original story, but instead completed a comeback at the last second.
The Kokuo players were either kneeling or lying on the turf, many with tears in their eyes. The pretty boy, Kira Ryosuke, was trembling, his pupils dilated like an Abnormal Titan, unable to believe that he had actually lost. He stared at Tendou, who was raising his right fist, basking in the cheers of the entire stadium. He was so jealous he was on the verge of going mad.
All of this was supposed to belong to him, Kira Ryosuke! He was the jewel of Japanese football! That number 7 from Ichinan was just a reckless center forward!
There was also a post-match interview session.
Tendou stood in front of a backdrop covered in advertisement logos, and a female reporter immediately came forward.
"Tendou-senshu, congratulations on defeating Kokuo and advancing to the final tournament of the Winter Cup."
"At the end of the match, we all saw you make a long run and break up Kokuo's one-on-one chance with a beautiful slide tackle. How do you feel about defeating Kira-senshu?"
"It's said that Kira-senshu has already been selected for the U-18 national team and will be allowed to skip a grade to join. Are you very excited right now?"
U-18?
That guy who he had so easily tackled into the air?
Tendou looked at the expectant reporter in front of him and said, "I never bother to remember the names of losers, especially losers who have lost to me."
"Sorry, I don't remember anyone by that name."
...
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