Chapter 30: Total Victory and Advancement
"Yeahhh!!"
"So cool, Isagi!"
"That shot sealed it!"
Clap!
Yūshin Seiichi walked up with rare excitement and gave Isagi a firm high-five.
"Your vision's gotten sharp, Isagi."
"Heh… I saw your run, Seiichi!" Isagi grinned, confidence shining in his eyes.
On Team V's Side…
Zantetsu stood frozen, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as he stared at the celebrating Team Z.
…Is this real?
Are we actually going to lose?
His legs trembled. With only three minutes left, even two goals felt impossible now.
Across the field, Reo bent forward, hands on knees, sweat dripping from his chin like broken beads off a shattered necklace. His vision blurred with disbelief.
…So this is what defeat feels like.
Lost, disoriented, like a ship with no rudder adrift in open sea.
"We still have time!"
"There's still three minutes!!"
Nagi's voice rang out. He clutched the ball tightly to his chest and made his way to the center circle, his steps staggering—but full of purpose.
"Nagi… You…"
Reo looked up, eyes wide.
But then, something clicked.
The doubt vanished. The fog cleared.
If he hadn't given up… then how could Reo?
He'd promised to lead Nagi to the top of the world.
That dream wasn't over yet.
Beep!
The restart whistle sounded.
"Three minutes left!"
Reo passed it sharply to Nagi.
Nagi returned it immediately, and the two of them surged forward—passing, moving, weaving like twin blades through the pitch.
"So fast!" Chigiri gasped.
"They're going all out! Stop them!!" Kunigami shouted.
Asahi and Reishi moved quickly to intercept.
"You're not getting through!"
Reo didn't respond. No trash talk. No theatrics. Just focus.
He tapped it to Nagi and darted for position again. Their coordination was perfect—tight one-two passes leaving defenders behind.
"Give up already, genius!"
Isagi stepped in, matching Nagi stride for stride.
But Reo… wasn't giving in.
Then—he saw it.
Seiichi stepped into his path like a shadowed wall. The pressure was immense.
So heavy… I can't even breathe…
He hesitated.
Nagi's route was blocked. His own path… sealed.
Can I get past him?
Then—
"Reo! Over here!"
Zantetsu sprinted down the flank with Chigiri hot on his heels.
Tch… I haven't beaten that redhead yet. Not now!
Reo made the pass.
Zantetsu gathered and aimed.
Boom!
But—
"Damn it!"
Chigiri slid in with perfect timing and deflected the shot!
The ball popped up—spinning inside the box.
"That's it! Nagi!"
"Isagi! Stop him!!"
Nagi locked in. The ball's landing was clear.
"Don't even think about it!" Isagi charged forward.
But something had changed.
Nagi's blazing eyes dimmed… replaced by something deeper. A quiet, boiling pressure radiated from him.
"Hey… Reo."
"You were right."
"…Blue Lock is fun."
The ball dropped.
Nagi raised his right foot—
"Don't even think about it!" Isagi lunged—
Thud.
Not a shot.
A feint.
Isagi overcommitted—and slipped.
Nagi gently flicked the ball upward with his right foot.
Then—spun, pulled back, and unleashed a volley with his left.
Boom!
It curved unnaturally—heading for the top corner.
"Crap!" Isagi shouted, leaping.
Too fast. Too sudden.
But then—
A streak of blue.
Seiichi.
He soared like a phantom—hair whipping, eyes burning, toe extended—
CLANG!
The ball struck his boot, ricocheted off the post, and bounced out.
Silence.
The entire stadium froze.
Time stood still.
Then—
Beep… Beep… Beep!!
Full-time.
Team Z wins, 4–2.
"YEAHHH!!!"
"That was insane, Seiichi!"
"We're number one!!"
Team Z erupted. The players mobbed Seiichi.
In the middle of it all, Isagi watched Seiichi from a few steps away.
So you saw it again.
You saw something… I still can't.
But I'll catch up.
On the other end of the pitch, Reo collapsed to his knees.
"Damn it…"
Nagi stared blankly, voice shaking.
"So this… this is what it feels like."
"I hate it… I hate this feeling…"
Their flames had been stolen.
By Seiichi.
By Isagi.
The broadcast echoed through the field:
"Announcing the results of the First Selection in Blue Lock, Building Five."
"1st Place: Team Z – All 11 players advance."
"2nd Place: Team V – All 11 players advance."
"Additionally, 3 top scorers from the eliminated teams will also advance:"
"From Team W: Kuon Wataru."
"From Team Y: Niko Ikki."
"From Team X: Barō Shōei."
"Total: 25 players will proceed to the Second Selection."