Chapter 37: Team Z Takes the Lead
Zantetsu Tsurugi received Reo's pass and accelerated rapidly.
He began driving the ball down the right flank.
"He's coming! As we discussed yesterday, Naruhaya, watch your positioning!" Igaguri shouted anxiously, already moving to position himself between Zantetsu and the goal.
"Don't tell me what to do, Monk!" Naruhaya's frame was also quite agile. He and Igaguri formed a defensive wall, perfectly blocking Zantetsu's shooting lane.
Perfect!
Kira was constantly monitoring the situation in their own half. So far, everything was proceeding according to yesterday's defensive plan.
Zantetsu Tsurugi, a left-footed player with explosive acceleration. His Goal Formula was to cut inside from the right flank and take a sharp-angled mid-range shot!
But now, facing two Team Z defenders blocking the shooting path… there was absolutely no angle to take a shot. Any attempt would inevitably be headed away by the two defenders in front of him.
Therefore… his only option was to pass the ball.
Sure enough, Zantetsu didn't hesitate. He might look simple-minded, but his football IQ was sharp. Shooting now would just waste the opportunity.
He nudged the ball with his right foot, passing it away. The target was none other than Seishiro Nagi, who had been strolling near the edge of the penalty area.
Given Nagi's previous trapping ability, controlling this pass would be no difficulty at all. Coupled with Nagi's exquisite technique… it seemed Team V's attack was about to bear fruit.
Watching this from afar, Kira's lips curled into a smile. "Raichi, he's all yours."
…
Near the Penalty Area
Raichi suddenly appeared in front of Nagi. He leaped high, heading the ball away from the goal while shouting, "Catch this master's interception! Isagi Yoichi!"
Nagi, watching the ball being intercepted, looked somewhat dazed. He clearly hadn't seen that coming.
Reo and Zantetsu were also momentarily stunned. Their attack seemed to have been completely figured out. It felt like all their passing options were under the opponent's control.
"Great interception, Raichi!"
Isagi quickly ran toward where Raichi's header was falling. Zantetsu, nearby, also sprang into action.
Even though Zantetsu was closer to the ball, judging by his speed, Isagi seemed unlikely to beat him to it.
'He's too fast.'
Just as Isagi was about to give up on the ball… a long-haired figure joined the battle for possession.
It was Chigiri!
He'd started retreating from the front line early on. Seeing Zantetsu and Isagi contesting for the ball, Chigiri understood—if he didn't act now, the hard-won attacking opportunity from the interception would be lost.
'Luckily, I made it.'
Chigiri reached the ball a split second before Zantetsu.
"Nicely done, Princess! Woooo!"
"Princess, I knew you'd be important this match!"
Igaguri and Naruhaya shouted their praises.
This save… was way too cool!
But after getting the ball, Chigiri didn't dare hold onto it. He immediately played a short pass, making the charging Zantetsu lunge at empty air.
The ball was passed toward Bachira's direction.
"You too possess speed that could move the stars?" Zantetsu adjusted his glasses, clearly fascinated by this opponent who had stolen the ball from him.
"Your speed isn't bad either." Although Chigiri found this person's way of speaking strange, he still replied politely.
"Then let us compete… to see who is faster…"
"Gladly!"
With that, the two continued chasing after the ball.
…
Meanwhile
Bachira, receiving Chigiri's pass, smiled knowingly and immediately began dribbling forward.
Charge!
Bachira's feet continuously stepped over the ball from the inside out, his whole body swaying left and right as he approached the opposing Team V defender.
Step-overs!
This was a highly deceptive dribbling move, a favourite skill of many world-class football stars. Now, it was being executed at Bachira's feet.
Left!
Right!
Left!
Right!
No, it's left!
Thud!
A Team V defender collapsed to the ground, completely fooled by Bachira's feints.
Kira, following up the play, was stunned by Bachira's dribbling. 'This kid's skills are improving at lightning speed.'
Bachira drove the ball quickly down the right flank.
Another Team V defender stepped up to defend, joined by Reo who had tracked back—a pincer movement from front and back.
Bachira knew continuing to dribble would be risky. He immediately sent in a cross.
"It's heading toward that big guy!"
"Stop him! Don't let him receive it!"
A Team V defender quickly closed in on Kunigami. He was tall as well, trying to use his body to muscle Kunigami off the ball.
But he found that this Team Z powerhouse's body was like a boulder—completely immovable.
Kunigami's physical strength was showing its advantage now.
"Great pass, Bachira!"
Kunigami leaned firmly against the defender marking him from behind. Using the defender's own pressure for leverage, he raised his right foot high.
Boom!
It was a Kunigami right-footed volley!
He didn't use his dominant foot! Of course, from that angle, he could only shoot with his right foot.
Regardless, Kunigami had bravely taken that step.
Everyone watched the shot intently.
Unfortunately… perhaps due to Kunigami's right-foot proficiency… the ball's flight path veered away from the goal.
With a boom, the ball struck the right post.
Just as the Team V players breathed a sigh of relief…
Kira appeared by the right post. He always seemed to show up exactly where he needed to be.
With a gentle tap-in from Kira, the ball rolled along the inside of the near post and into the net.
The Team V goalkeeper, diving sideways, was too late. It was too close.
Goal!
Team Z leads 1–0.
"Beautiful follow-up shot!"
Kunigami came to Kira's side and gave him a powerful high-five!
Kira knew Kunigami was excited, so he could only bear the pain of the immense force from the high-five with tears in his eyes.
'It hurts!'
'Kunigami, did you use so much force celebrating because you want to swell my hand?'
"Kira, you should smile after scoring! Why are your eyebrows all scrunched up?" Kunigami asked, puzzled.
"Oleeee! Fantastic! We scored first!"
"Less than ten minutes in, and we're leading!"
"Team V isn't as amazing as we thought…"
The rest of Team Z also gathered around Kira to celebrate.
While cheering, Kira also recalled the goal. To be honest, he himself didn't know Kunigami's shot would hit the post. He'd simply moved closer to the goal to watch how it played out.
He never expected to poach a goal like that.
'Is this the original Kira's miraculous positioning ability?'
'Or perhaps… just an innate sense of anticipation.'
...
Monitoring Room
"Wow, Kira is so cool! That follow-up shot! Team Z leads!" Anri Teieri cheered excitedly in front of the monitor.
Ego had seen enough and reminded her, "Anri-san, technically, as the training staff of Blue Lock, we should be impartial to all players…"
"Don't give me that! Even teachers have their favourite students! You yourself rank players by skill, how can you criticise me!"
Ego quickly shut up. 'Can't reason with her.'
However, Team Z's performance just now had truly exceeded his expectations! This team's defence and offence no longer relied solely on a few individuals like Kunigami, Kira, or Isagi as before.
Now, the entire team was twisted into a single rope.
Although it somewhat conflicted with his own philosophy of striker egoism, it didn't prevent Ego from appreciating Team Z.
…
On the Pitch
"Ha ha ha ha… ha ha ha ha…"
Facing the celebrating Team Z after the goal, Reo Mikage burst out laughing suddenly.
"What's with this guy? Why is he laughing so happily after we scored?"
"Eww… he doesn't seem quite right in the head. Mom said to stay away from people like that."
The Team Z players were full of question marks. 'What the heck are you laughing at?'
"Wow, you guys are really good…" Reo praised Team Z with a beaming smile, then, ignoring their confused faces, he waved into the distance.
"Hey… Nagi, let's start playing a bit more seriously!"
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