Blue Lock - Conqueror!

The eyes of the entire stadium seemed glued to Isagi as he jogged back into his half, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths. His presence on the field was magnetic—commanding attention from teammates and spectator alike. Even the legendary World-Class players, known for their unshakable poise, had momentarily shifted their focus to the unassuming striker who dared to stand among them.

His teammates stared at him, their expressions a blend of disbelief and awe. It wasn't just that Isagi was holding his own against the World 5—it was the way he was doing it. Every calculated move, every sharp pass, and every inch of space he claimed was a testament to his relentless ambition. It was as though the gap between their worlds had been momentarily bridged, and Isagi stood as the proof.

Rin, however, was less than impressed. His piercing gaze followed Isagi, his jaw clenched. He refused to let this narrative solidify. Isagi wasn't the one meant to shine here. Rin's competitive fire flared, his focus narrowing to a single goal—score, dominate, and put this audacious dreamer in his place.

Meanwhile, Nagi, Kurona, and Reo couldn't tear their eyes away from Isagi either. 

They weren't idle—they were constantly scanning the pitch, making runs to exploit gaps, angling their bodies to create opportunities. But every position they took, every strategy they considered, seemed riddled with flaws. Isagi's vision was simply too sharp, his decisions too precise, for them to match him stride for stride.

Then there was the harsh reality for the others. While Isagi was actively competing, Rin was scrambling to keep pace, and the rest of the team... they hadn't even touched the ball. Not once since the match had begun. The weight of their inadequacy pressed down on them, an invisible barrier separating them from the play unfolding before their eyes.

And yet, as demoralizing as it was, it ignited something in them. They could feel their limitations, their inadequacies laid bare against the brilliance of the World 5 and Isagi's fearless resolve. But instead of succumbing to despair, they clung to a desperate hope—to break free from their shadows and carve a place in this symphony of football.

As his teammates stood pondering ways to carve out their roles in this monumental match, Isagi strode toward them, his steps purposeful. They exchanged knowing glances. They understood exactly what was happening. Before the match, there had been talks of forming a detailed strategy, but Isagi had insisted otherwise.

"Let's play them first" He'd said confidently. 

"Feel out their rhythm. Then we'll know what needs to be done."

Now, as he stopped in front of them, a determined glint in his eyes, it was clear—he had cracked the code.

"I've got it" 

Isagi announced, his grin stretching wide, excitement radiating from him. His energy was contagious, pulling his teammates from doubt into belief.

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The whistle sounded, and the game resumed with Luna on the ball.

Luna, with his usual air of flamboyant confidence, had a plan. He'd decided to stay in the shadows for now, orchestrating plays and setting up goals for his teammates, saving his own moment of glory for later. But as he looked up, his gaze locked onto Isagi.

The memory of Isagi nutmegging him—twice—still lingered. The first time had been an experiment, a chance to size up the boy. But the second? The second had been a shock, an unpredictable move that left even Luna briefly unsettled.

Now, as the two faced off, Luna's lips curled into a sly smile. 

"Congratulations, Yoichi. You've got my attention."

Isagi's faint smile never wavered. His eyes were sharp, his demeanor calm yet electric with anticipation.

Luna started his approach with blisteringly fast stepovers, his feet a blur as he shifted the ball left and right. Each movement seemed designed to bait Isagi into lunging.

But Isagi didn't take the bait. He moved backward, mirroring Luna's pace, his eyes scanning for an opening. He wasn't just focused on Luna—his quick glances darted across the field, reading his teammates' positions, calculating possibilities. Luna noticed the glances, recognizing the opportunity.

When Isagi's gaze flicked away for the briefest moment, Luna seized it. With a deft touch, he tapped the ball between Isagi's legs, executing a perfect nutmeg.

Luna dashed forward to retrieve it, confident the move had succeeded. But as he moved, something was off. The ball wasn't at his feet.

He whipped around, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Isagi was already sprinting upfield, the ball firmly under his control.

The realization hit hard. In the split second Luna had performed the nutmeg, Isagi had stopped the ball with the inside of his foot, a calculated move to neutralize the play while letting Luna think he'd won. Now, Isagi was racing down the pitch, the faint smile still on his face, leaving Luna behind.

Isagi could feel the mental strain building. His mind was working in overdrive, constantly processing the intricate web of movements on the field. The positions of his opponents were etched into his vision, each one a potential threat or opportunity.

Suddenly, Loki appeared, his movements sharp and calculated as he closed in to intercept. Isagi, unfazed, adjusted instantly. With a swift stop and a fluid turn, he evaded Loki's attempt to steal the ball. The crowd gasped, the sheer precision of his maneuver electrifying the atmosphere.

But there was no time to relish the moment. Adam was next, barreling in with intent. Isagi didn't give him the chance to act. Instead, with a sudden flick of his heel, he sent the ball flying backward. The backheel was executed with such precision and force that it zipped past the charging Luna, who had been closing in from behind.

The ball tore through the air, its speed catching everyone off guard. Heads turned in unison, following its trajectory. As their eyes settled on the target, a collective realization rippled through the players and the crowd alike. The ball had landed perfectly at the feet of Reo Mikage.

Reo stood poised, his sharp eyes scanning the field as he took control. He didn't waste time with unnecessary dribbling. Instead, he calculated his next move with a cool efficiency.

Isagi, meanwhile, didn't slow down. He darted past Loki, who immediately gave chase. The two of them raced up the field, their movements a blur of speed and intent.

Reo, unfazed by the pressure of the moment, made his decision. His pass was crisp and precise, a textbook example of his incredible playmaking ability. The ball soared across the pitch, cutting through the air with purpose.

It was headed toward the left wing. The receiver? Nagi Seishiro, whose ghost-like presence on the flank had been perfectly timed. Nagi's sharp movements, effortless control, and uncanny ability to exploit space were about to come into play.

Nagi sprinted toward the ball, his expression calm and calculating. As the ball approached, Silva moved to intercept, a confident smirk spreading across his face. He was sure he had the upper hand.

But Nagi had other plans. Leaping gracefully into the air, he demonstrated his unparalleled control. He didn't take unnecessary risks—he knew his abilities too well for that. With a perfectly executed first touch, Nagi redirected the ball's trajectory, leaving Silva caught off guard as the ball landed precisely at Nagi's feet.

Without missing a beat, Nagi began a diagonal run, cutting from the left wing toward the center of the pitch. Silva, recovering quickly, gave chase, while Luna surged in from the opposite angle, closing in with the intent to snatch the ball away.

Unbothered by the dual pressure, Nagi remained composed. With a swift and deliberate touch, he shifted the ball to his right, threading it perfectly to Kurona, who had positioned himself to receive.

Kurona wasted no time, recognizing the unfolding opportunity. He sent a sharp, low pass toward Isagi, who was battling Loki for position in the center.

Loki, ever the speedster, could have easily outpaced Isagi, but Isagi wasn't allowing it. Keeping a firm hand on Loki, he used his strength and positioning to hold him off, denying him the space to accelerate. Loki pushed back, but Isagi's determination was unyielding.

The ball from Kurona was fast, skimming low across the grass. Isagi made a split-second decision. Instead of waiting for the pass to come to him, he burst forward, leaving Loki behind in his wake.

Meanwhile, Rin had begun his run from the right wing, anticipating the pass. Loki, reading the situation, also braced himself for a quick change, ready to sprint toward a potential receiver. Both Rin and Loki expected Isagi to pivot and make the pass.

But Isagi had something else in mind.

With his back to the goal, he performed the unthinkable. Twisting his body with precision and force, Isagi struck the ball. It curved beautifully through the air, spinning in a flawless arc. The goalkeeper barely had time to react as it soared past his outstretched hands and into the back of the net.

It was a shot unlike anything they'd seen from Isagi before—a move inspired by Shidou's audacious style but refined and executed with an elegance uniquely Isagi's.

Isagi felt his heart pounding in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had done it. A hat-trick—against the World 5.

The first two goals had come as a result of the World 5 underestimating Blue Lock, their arrogance allowing for moments of brilliance to slip through. But this third goal was different. This time, the World 5 had been fully engaged, and their defensive pressure had increased. And still, Isagi had found a way to score.

That made all the difference.

The scoreboard updated, the numbers glowing brightly for all to see:

Blue Lock 3 – 1 World 5

As Isagi stood there, catching his breath, a grin spread across his face. His teammates swarmed him in celebration. This wasn't just about the goal or the score—it was about proving they could stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world.

For the World 5, this wasn't just a wake-up call. It was a challenge—a statement that Blue Lock wasn't going to back down, no matter how high the stakes.

The match wasn't over yet, and Isagi could feel it in the air. The World 5 wouldn't let this slide. They'd be coming back stronger, fiercer, and more determined than ever.

But that only fueled Isagi's excitement. This was what he lived for—a game that pushed him to his absolute limit.

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Blue Lock Special Conference Room

The room was heavy with tension. A long table dominated the space, where the executives of the Japan Football Union (JFU) sat in their tailored suits. At the head of the table was Buratsuta Hirotoshi, the JFU president, exuding an air of authority. The murmurs around the table had turned into full-blown complaints.

"100 million yen per World-Class Player? And 1 million per goal?" 

One executive exclaimed, his tone incredulous.

"Just how much money do you plan on throwing away on this ridiculous project?" 

Another chimed in, his face red with frustration.

"Yeah! Like those kids even had a chance of winning in the first place!"

"Explain yourself!" 

Someone demanded, slamming a hand on the table for emphasis.

All eyes turned toward the man sitting at the far end, leaning back in his chair with a smug, unaffected demeanor. Ego Jinpachi, the man behind the controversial Blue Lock project, met their glares with an amused smirk.

Once the room quieted, Ego spoke, his voice calm but laced with sharpness.

"The point was to expose them to the world at this critical, fragile stage of their development." 

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. 

"I don't expect old-timers like you, who've grown far too comfortable with mediocrity, to understand what it means to dream. So why don't you sit back and keep quiet in your little corners?"

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room.

"Wha—"

"You insolent brat!" 

One of the executives barked, rising halfway from his seat.

The uproar was cut short by a commanding voice.

"That's enough, Ego."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Buratsuta Hirotoshi. The JFU president straightened his posture before delivering his decision.

"I'm putting a halt to the 'Blue Lock Project' as of this moment" 

He declared firmly.

The weight of his words hung in the air like a hammer blow.

"We've been inundated with complaints from the parents of the participating students. The scope of this project is vague at best, and above all, we're not seeing tangible results."

Buratsuta paused, his voice taking on a finality.

"Continuing this any fur—"

Before he could finish, the sound of the conference room door swinging open interrupted him.

"EGO!"

The sharp, urgent voice cut through the room like a blade. All heads turned toward the doorway, where Anri Teieri stood, her expression a mix of determination and urgency.

Her gaze locked onto Ego, and it was clear from her tone that whatever she had to say couldn't wait.

"What's the issue?" 

Ego asked, turning his attention toward Anri. His voice remained steady, though a flicker of curiosity danced in his eyes.

"I-I don't know how.." 

Anri stammered, her breathing uneven from rushing to the room. 

"But I think… I think they're defeating the World 5!"

A murmur of disbelief swept through the room. Anri quickly handed her tablet to Ego, the screen displaying the live feed of the match unfolding on the Blue Lock field.

"Wha—?" 

Ego muttered, leaning in slightly to examine the screen.

"Ridiculous!" 

One of the executives scoffed, his voice tinged with disbelief. 

"As if those kids could beat World-Class players!"

Another executive shook his head, crossing his arms. 

"This has to be some kind of mistake. They're not on that level!"

But Ego didn't react to their incredulous remarks. Instead, a grin began to spread across his face, sly and full of satisfaction. His sharp eyes flicked to the scoreboard visible on the tablet:

Blue Lock 3 – 1 World 5

He chuckled softly to himself. He never expected the Blue Lock players to actually beat the World 5; that wasn't the purpose of this exercise. The goal had been for the players to experience the gulf in skill, to understand what it meant to stand on the same field as world-class talents.

But this? This was beyond even his expectations.

Ego turned without a word and activated the large screen on the wall behind him. The display flickered to life, revealing the ongoing match. The live feed captured the fierce, high-energy gameplay in stunning clarity. The score in the corner was impossible to miss:

Blue Lock 3 – 1 World 5

The room fell silent.

Every executive stared at the screen, their expressions shifting between astonishment, confusion, and disbelief. The game continued in real-time, showing the Blue Lock players moving with a synergy and intensity that none of them had anticipated.

Ego leaned back in his chair, his grin widening as he took in their reactions.

"This" 

He said, his voice breaking the silence.

"is the value of dreaming."

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