Team X training room
"We automatically advance to the second selection as long as we win the next match," I said after explaining the tactics.
"Yeah, we need only 3 points." Otsuka excitedly repeated what I had said earlier.
"So fight with all you got!" I added before I was interrupted by Ego.
He then announced Team Z's earlier match and the current league positions.
Rank_Team__Points__Goal Diff.__Matches
1_____V_____6_____+12_______2
2_____X_____ 6_____+9_______2
3_____Z_____6_____-2________3
4_____Y_____0_____-9________2
5_____W_____0 _____-9_______3
Team Z vs. Team W (6-4) [Team Z Wins]
Surprisingly, Team Z won against Team W, whom they drew against in the Blue Lock manga.
This victory was unexpected, especially since Team Z had previously tied with Team W.
But I realized it was because of my interference, and I sort of hated doing so.
My actions may have influenced the outcome of the match.
___________________________
Team X's Indoor Training Field
2 days ago
"I need your help, Murano," Isagi said as he interrupted me while I was hitting my daily targets on the indoor training field.
"What should I do to become more like you, A striker who can score a lot of goals?" Isagi asked.
I then realized that this event happened with Barou in the manga as Isagi approached him for help.
"Why would I help another striker on another team?" I questioned Isagi, who looked desperate.
"You are the fifth stratum's top scorer with 7 goals. You can score even when you are on your own."
"I want to become a striker just like you," Isagi said as he begged me to help him.
How can a striker put his ego aside and ask for advice from another striker?
I could never do so.
"Tch, take this," I said, handing Isagi a worn-out football.
"Try to shoot more balls into the net than I do," I added with a smirk.
"Murano, hold on, I really need your help. I can't let it end right here. I want to win!" He appeared determined as he said it.
"How about a 1 on 1," I said as I charged toward Isagi.
He remained still after I pulled a couple of stepovers, his eyes fixed on the ball, ready to make his move.
I then executed a long-range shot without moving from my position.
The ball then went into the net before Isagi could even react. He stood there in disbelief, his chance to block me slipping away.
He then passed the ball to me, requesting that we go at it again.
I then quickly dribbled past Isagi with a nutmeg, as he failed to watch and track my moves well, and then I shot the ball into the net.
I started this one-on-one only because I wanted to face him with my exceptional vision skill. But I failed to realize that he had yet to know more about his vision and how it could be used to anticipate my every move.
"You're even more out of touch than I thought. Tch!" I said firmly as I looked him in the eyes.
"Look through a science textbook if you have forgotten how the eyes work," I said as I turned and walked away, leaving him to contemplate his ignorance.
I repeated the similar words that Rin said to Isagi, hoping to face Isagi's metavision with my own Vision(Xavi's) and fight him in a battle of wits before the third selection.
I wanted to know how it felt like during the Iconic match between Isagi and Rin, to experience the intensity and pressure that comes with it.
__________________________________
Fifth Stratum
Center Field
Team V vs. Team X
Team V
Goalkeeper: No. 1, Kisaburo Hijikata
Left-Back: No. 2, Retsu Nerima
Center-Backs: No. 3, Sota Nemoto
Center-Backs: No. 4, Rikiya Hohai
Right-Back: No. 5, Hirakazu Midorikawa
Left-Midfielder: No. 6, Masumi Atatame
Right-Midfielder: No. 7, Shuhei Ebina
CAM: No. 8, Kanji Torikai
Left-Winger: No. 10, Zantetsu Tsurugi
Right-Winger: No. 11, Seishiro Nagi
Striker: No. 9, Reo Mikage
»»
Team X
Goalkeeper: No. 1, Yuza Dokomo.
Left-Back: No. 2, Haato Meiji
Center-Backs: No. 3, Tsukoteru Eiyu
Center-Backs: No. 4, Kosei Otsuka
Right-Back: No. 5, Chihiro Ezaki
CDM: No. 6, Daiya Morinaga
CAM: No. 7, Yawara Banku
Left-Midfielder: No. 8, Ruto Kora
Right-Midfielder: No. 11, Burai Daido
Left Forward: No. 9, Hayashi Murano
Right Forward: No. 10, Shoei Barou
As I stepped into the Field, my system window appeared once more. I believed it to be my matchday challenges.
[System Quests]
Match-Day Challenges
1. Score a hattrick (0/3)
2. Assist at least one goal (0/1)
3. Win the match (0/1)
4. Complete the game without receiving a yellow card or red card
* Rewards: +5 All Technique Stats, 1 Random Skill, 500 system cash.
..
...
Kick Off!!
The match started as Murano passed the ball to Barou, who then charged forward. He was then tightly chased by Zantetsu as he tried to keep up with Barou's pace. Barou refused to pass the ball to his teammates despite Reo and Zantetsu coming against him, successfully stealing the ball from Barou.
Reo then crossed to Nagi in the midfield. The ball was then expertly crossed by Nagi in an attempt to get it to Reo, who was sprinting forward.
Reo was perfectly positioned to catch the ball as it flew towards him through the air. Reo then volleyed the ball toward the right top corner of the goal as the ball moved with astonishing speed and accuracy.
"Gotcha, You ain't scoring this game," Murano said as he elevated his leg and kicked the ball from the goal box.
"What? How did he get there so fast?" Reo remarked as he gaped in amazement.
Murano was now able to predict future plays with his vision, reading Nagi's thoughts and realizing that Reo would shoot just as soon as he received the ball and even the trajectory into the net.
However, Murano comes to the rescue and executes a split-second decision. Murano evaluates the players' positions in his immediate vicinity and observes that Barou is in a favorable position while Daido is nowhere to be found.
Although Murano is hesitant to pass, he understands that it is the wisest move. He hands the ball to Barou as a result.
Barou compliments Murano on his wise decision, but Zantetsu unexpectedly gets to the ball before Barou can catch up to it.
However, Barou swiftly controlled the ball as he beat Zantetsu and sprinted toward the opposing team's goal. Yet again, Zantetsu was charging against Barou.
Barou attempted to slip past Zantetsu's tight defense but ultimately failed.
Murano caught up to Barou and Zantetsu by sprinting with incredible speed.
"Pass it, I'm here," Murano said as he ran towards them.
Barou then replied, "I'll play however I want," in defiance of Murano's request.
"I'm not going to adjust my play to the likes of you," Barou responded defiantly, determined to assert his independence.
'WTF? I should have known that bastard wouldn't pass.' "Tch!' , Murano muttered under his breath.
Aware that the number of goals scored in this game might be the deciding factor in their rivalry, Murano muses on their ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Ebina (V) slide-tackles Barou.
Ebina managed to steal the ball from Barou, leaving him furious. Noticing that Barou wouldn't pass based on his prior matches and his egocentric play, Reo and Zantetsu pounced on the opening and immediately launched a counterattack.
Reo then crossed the ball to Nagi upfield.
As soon as Nagi's leg makes contact with the ball, he unleashes a strong bicycle kick that results in a goal for Team V and a 1-0 lead over Team X.
'Argh dammit! Now I have to find a way to play without Barou.'
Team V took the lead in the tense game with Nagi's amazing bicycle kick goal. Nagi felt the goal was boring and displayed signs of dissatisfaction despite the praise he received from Reo and Zantetsu.
The kickoff started as Murano fainted both Nagi and Zantetsu; he didn't pause to dribble but circled past them, cutting into the pitch, towards the box. He could already see in his head how he would get past the goalkeeper and score Team X's first goal.
Despite Murano's quick play, Reo is able to pinpoint an important interception point.
Murano, displaying exceptional ball-handling skills, manages to keep the ball from being lost.
Murano assesses the positions of those around him. He saw Barou in his scoring domain but refused to pass to him.
Just as Murano prepares to shoot, Reo and Zantetsu then execute an impressive double block, much to Murano's surprise.
With Nagi upfield, Reo once again crossed from the box to Team X's attacking third.
Murano is in awe of Reo's dexterity in deflecting their pressing and making accurate crosses. Nagi, who is situated near the goal, eventually receives the ball.
Murano comprehended the imminent threat and realized Team X's strategy of executing long crosses. This prompted Murano to command Team X to watch out for that. Yet just as Reo thought he had checkedmate Barou and Murano, Otsuka arrived to block Nagi's shot.
At that very moment, Baruou seized the opportunity and successfully stole the ball.
Barou's sneaky approach went unnoticed due to his relaxed and carefree demeanor on the field. Nagi could have avoided Barou's attack if he had known about it.
Barou, however, had his own ideas and tried to go solo. Murano, however, was sharp and perceptive enough to realize that Barou couldn't defeat the formidable trio by himself.
Murano foresaw Barou's forthcoming entrapment in the Penalty area, exactly when Nagi would seize the opportunity to retrieve the ball. Murano, however, was alert and kept an eye on Nagi's every move. He knew that Barou would need support to overcome the formidable trio.
Murano helped Barou when he was once again up against Reo and Zantetsu, allowing him to easily get past their defenses. However, out of nowhere, Nagi appeared, catching Barou off guard. Furthermore, Nagi skillfully blocked Barou's shooting angle.
He desperately attempted to force a shot, but Nagi had anticipated his move. Nagi claimed that the King would not score.
Murano realized that Nagi had completely blocked Barou's path and requested that Barou pass back to him.
"Piss off! You instruction waiting slave," Barou said as he forced a shot.
The ball ricocheted off Nagi's outstretched leg and sailed towards the goal.
Team V 1 - 1 Team X
"I'm the only King of the field. I'm the darkness that covers the pitch." "Bow down to me first!" said the King after scoring the equalizing goal.