Chapter 52: The Final Match — The Strongest Opponent, Team V!
Night fell, and after returning to Blue Lock, Kira once again led his teammates into training.
They had already won three matches in a row, securing their qualification.
Only the final match against Team V remained.
But Kira had no intention of simply "qualifying."
Once he'd made up his mind, there was only one path — he couldn't afford to lose a single match.
After all, he'd made a promise to Riko.
As they trained their stamina, Kira continued thinking about how to confront their final enemy.
Team V — on paper, the strongest of all five teams, far beyond the rest.
Especially Seishiro Nagi.
A once-in-a-lifetime genius blessed with impossible ball control — someone who could receive any pass, no matter how outrageous, adjust his body, and score with terrifying ease.
And next to Nagi were Reo Mikage and Zantetsu Tsurugi.
Reo, an almost "hexagonal," all-around player.
Zantetsu, owner of Blue Lock's fastest burst speed.
Facing Team V would be anything but easy.
Their average level was far higher than Team Z's.
First and foremost, they needed to figure out how to stop the trio's combined offensive power.
In terms of spirit, they absolutely couldn't lose either.
"Everyone, gather up. We all know the next match against Team V will be tough. But we've already secured our qualification, and the result of this match won't affect our standings. So.. I want to hear what you all think."
Kira scanned their faces, gauging their resolve.
"Qualifying isn't enough. We're trying to go all the way."
"It's the last match—we have to finish with a perfect record!"
"Exactly! Those V guys are on a winning streak and probably think they're invincible. Let's knock them down a peg!"
The ten players all gave the same answer.
Kira nodded in satisfaction.
He saw flames burning in every pair of eyes.
Team Z wasn't just aiming to advance anymore—they wanted more. They were hungrier than ever for victory.
Only a team that craves victory can truly win.
"Good. Then let's begin our next phase of tactical training."
…
Meanwhile, inside Team V's locker room—
"These are all the materials on our next opponents, Team Z. ALL IMPORT — that's the way to put it."
Zantetsu pushed up his glasses as he briefed the others.
But around him, nearly everyone else looked uninterested.
Even though Team Z had also achieved three consecutive wins with dominating scorelines, most of Team V simply didn't take them seriously.
They had witnessed the might of their own trio firsthand—
Especially Nagi.
Even when he slacked off during the second half of every match, he still crushed opponents without effort.
There was no one who could compare to him.
Not even Ryosuke Kira.
No matter how skilled Kira was, he wasn't on the level of a monster like Nagi.
And even setting Nagi aside, Team V still had Zantetsu and Reo—two top talents.
There was no world where Team Z's average strength could compete.
Besides, they had already secured advancement.
The final match came with zero pressure.
Reo lounged comfortably in a chair, glancing at Nagi who was absorbed in his mobile game.
"Nagi~ aren't you going to prepare even a little? Our opponents are also undefeated, you know."
"Mm… no need. We'll win anyway."
Nagi replied lazily without lifting his eyes from the screen.
"True enough. We've never experienced defeat."
…
A few days later, the final match was about to begin.
During this time, Kira not only trained with Team Z every day, he never stopped improving himself either.
Since his daily competitive points had doubled, he could afford far more training time inside the simulation space.
His skills and physical stats increased noticeably.
Now, everyone had gathered at the stadium.
"So that's Team V?"
"The white-haired one is Seishiro Nagi. He looked terrifying even in the recordings…"
"This time, we're facing a real monster…"
"What's the matter? Getting scared?"
Kira laughed lightly.
"Scared? No way!"
"If anything, I'm hyped!"
"Team Z is going to qualify with a perfect score!"
"Mm."
Kira nodded and looked toward Team V's half of the field.
At the same time, Team V's players were eyeing him as well.
"Reo, that's the guy you said is the only one in Team Z worth paying attention to?"
Nagi asked, yawning, voice dripping with laziness.
"Yep! He's the only one barely worth noting. But no way he compares to my Nagi!"
Reo replied casually, arrogance leaking through every gesture.
"Oh."
Nagi nodded, still expressionless, still uninterested.
To him, victory was simply the natural outcome.
"The tenth match of Building Five—Team Z versus Team V—is about to begin!
Team V will start with the kickoff!
Players, take your positions!"
Everyone moved to their starting spots.
The tension in the air was palpable.
The whistle blew.
Team V attacked first.
Reo dribbled aggressively down the center.
Zantetsu and Nagi sprinted deep into Team Z's half.
Team Z immediately tightened their defense.
The first goal of a match is always crucial. Whoever scores first gains initiative.
Isagi and Bachira double-teamed Reo, giving him no room to advance.
This was Kira's tactical plan.
Team V was strong—but their offense was almost entirely dependent on their three stars.
The rest were merely decorations.
And among those three, only Reo possessed the ability to organize and distribute passes.
Shut down Reo's passing lanes, and you stifle Team V's offense by a huge margin.
"My, my… clingy, aren't you~"
Despite the tighter defense, Reo showed no signs of panic.
The battle had begun.