The ball is in! The score is 2:2!
After being down 0:2, Team Z quickly tied the score within five minutes. And the person who made it all happen was named Tendou Kageyoshi. With one goal and one assist, he single-handedly created two goals, bringing both teams back to the starting line.
At this moment, the other members of Team Z were completely stunned. While they were still fighting amongst themselves for possession, Tendou had already used his individual ability to break through the opponent's center twice in a row, leading to consecutive goals.
"I knew you'd pass the ball to me! The monster told me so."
Bachira Meguru was exceptionally excited after scoring. He came running over, wanting to celebrate with Tendou.
That's right. The talent known as "Monster" belonged to Bachira. From a very young age, whenever he was on the field, a voice in his mind would constantly tell him how to play. Even when he fell, the monster would extend a hand to help him, encouraging him to get up.
And Tendou... he had the same kind of monster inside his body. This was what allowed them to complete that spectacular combination play.
Seeing Bachira rushing towards him, Tendou took half a step back, causing Bachira to lunge at empty air.
"Don't get so close to me, you idiot."
"Why? We clearly played so well together."
Bachira didn't care. He got up and was about to pounce again, but Tendou stopped him by clamping a hand on his head.
'Hahahaha.'
'Tendou's at it again. He's such a good person, but he always has to act so cool.'
'Is this the legendary tsundere? But he doesn't have twin tails!'
'He doesn't have twin tails, but he has white hair!'
'As expected, white-haired characters in anime are always guys with awkward personalities.'
The score was tied, and the audience's anxious hearts were put at ease. The groundwork Tendou had laid for his persona was beginning to show effects, and his popularity points were rising rapidly. Who could refuse a guy who was handsome, skilled, and at the same time, willing to care about the people around him?
And as for Isagi Yoichi.
After the initial panic at the start of the game, he finally felt relieved.
"We can win! We can beat Team X!"
"Because Tendou also has a powerful enough ability to be the '1' for Team Z and build from '0'!"
Isagi saw the hope of victory. The combination between Tendou and Bachira wasn't the end, but the beginning. From now on, Team Z would surely become even stronger.
Tendou had shown everyone on Team Z the hope of advancing!
"Raichi, put aside your selfish desires for now." Seeing the situation, Kunigami Rensuke also began to persuade Raichi Jingo. "Now is the time to work together and win this fair and square."
"Huh? I don't need you to teach me how to play soccer, you self-righteous prick!" Raichi Jingo clenched his fists, and after a moment of struggle, he finally made a choice. He said, "Damn it, Tendou! If we lose this match, I'll never forgive you!"
The implication was that he agreed to cooperate with Tendou for the time being.
"Hmph. Even if you just watch from the side, I can still carry you to victory, you fool," Tendou said, lifting his head arrogantly.
This scene made Kira Ryosuke's veins pop. At this moment, Team Z had already begun to build their system around Tendou.
All of this was supposed to be mine!
The "jewel of Japanese football" was seething with jealousy, but no one paid him any attention.
...
The score was 2:2. Team X immediately kicked off and attacked again.
Although Tendou had used his powerful individual ability to score two goals in a row, the momentum wasn't as one-sided as one might imagine. Tendou was still an attacking player at the front. He couldn't possibly participate in defense for the entire match and then rush from the backfield to the front. He was human, not made of iron; he didn't have that much stamina. So, defending still had to be done by the defenders.
A player from Team X crossed the ball from the half-space near the penalty area. The ball flew directly to the far post of Team Z's goal. Team X was attempting to break the deadlock with a header.
Somehow, Barou Shouei had found an open space, squatting slightly to prepare for the shot.
Danger!
Isagi's senses were incredibly sharp. His excellent spatial awareness and instincts immediately made him notice Barou. Unfortunately, aside from his brain, his other attributes were not outstanding.
It's over!
A momentary flash of terror crossed his eyes.
It was truly just for a moment.
Because his teammate, Kunigami Rensuke, suddenly appeared in front of Barou, his body instantly rising to meet Barou's height.
In the calmest voice, Kunigami uttered the most piercing taunt, "No passage this way, Your Majesty!"
BAM!
The two of them swung their heads hard, and the ball was ultimately headed out of the penalty area by Kunigami, clearing the danger.
"Great ball!"
"Kunigami, nice one!"
"Counter-attack!"
Team Z's morale was soaring.
Gagamaru Gin got to the first ball. This player, who would later become one of the Blue Lock Eleven goalkeepers, had animal-like reflexes. He noticed that the moment he got the ball, Tendou had already turned around.
Without hesitation, Gagamaru launched a long pass. The ball flew from Team Z's backfield to the center circle.
Tendou sprinted without looking back. The moment the ball landed, he controlled it 5 meters in front of him. This wasn't because his ball control was as bad as the national team's; rather, it was a way to better utilize his advantage in speed. After all, his technical stats had reached an average of over 80, which could barely keep up with his physical stats.
Swoosh!
Tendou took a powerful step, and after a brief moment of gathering power, his body shot forward like a comet, catching up to the ball and breaking through the center.
Up ahead, the players of Team X were on high alert, staring intently at Tendou's movements.
Suddenly, a mud-yellow monster appeared in Tendou's line of sight, as if waving at him.
"Here, Tendou!"
The next second, Bachira waved at him.
Without a moment's hesitation, Tendou passed the ball diagonally in advance, while his body continued to sprint forward.
"Is this the tacit understanding between monsters?" Bachira had just raised his hand but found that Tendou had already sent the ball to him. This kind of chemistry didn't seem like a first-time combination at all, but more like old teammates who had fought side-by-side for years.
"Then I can't drag you down either."
Bachira grinned, breaking through on the left wing. Once he had drawn the defenders over, he quickly passed the ball back to Tendou.
"Don't you dare shine brighter than me, you soccer trash!"
"I am the King!"
Barou closed in again. This egomaniacal madman would not allow anyone to be stronger than him. He reached out and grabbed Tendou's shoulder, his eyes as red as blood.
Tendou came to a sudden stop. Barou couldn't brake in time and slammed hard into Tendou's back, then was sent stumbling backward, unable to keep his balance.
"What a frail king."
Tendou dropped these words and charged forward again, thunder gathering at his feet, like a bolt of lightning.
"Pīlì Yīshǎn! (Thunder Breathing, First Form!)"
He caught up to the ball at an astonishing speed, his eyes locking onto the goalkeeper like a falcon. Finally, at the edge of the penalty area, he took his shot.
"Dismantle!"
A white blade of light cut through the darkness. The ball, with a BAM, flew straight into the corner of the goal.
The Team X goalkeeper didn't even have time to raise his hands before the ball was already spinning in the net behind him.
The ball is in!
3:2! Team Z completes the comeback!
...
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