Chapter 60: Counter-Super Score
—
Drop! Kickoff!
The red team restarted the match.
Rin Itoshi calmly carried the ball forward, weaving through space. Zantetsu Tsurugi charged in to intercept, but Rin swiftly passed the ball to Yūshin Zeya, who matched Rin's stride without hesitation. Their chemistry was seamless—just two passes, and Zantetsu was already behind them.
"I'll mark Rin. Zeya's yours, Kuon!"
"Understood!"
Kuon Wataru nodded with conviction, the fire in his eyes burning bright. His Blue Lock journey had been full of doubts and defeats—but he was still standing here, wasn't he? Mediocre or not, he refused to disappear.
Tread!
Kuon accelerated, stepping up to block Zeya's path.
Zeya slowed, his golden eyes settling on Kuon indifferently.
"You have too many flaws."
With those five words, Zeya exploded into motion.
So fast!
Kuon's brain screamed as Zeya slid into parallel motion beside him with terrifying ease. Cold sweat poured down his neck—no video, no drill, had prepared him for this. This was real. This was a monster.
But Kuon didn't yield.
"I'm not done yet!" he yelled, lunging with a body check from the side—clean enough not to get penalized, but forceful enough to break Zeya's rhythm.
Zeya grunted slightly at the impact, but didn't stop.
Then—Bang!
Zeya lowered his shoulder, shifted his weight, and slammed into Kuon with a shocking counter-force.
WHAM!
Kuon flew backwards, crashing onto the turf. His breath caught in his throat.
"Damn it…" he muttered through clenched teeth, struggling to get up.
But he'd bought a second.
And it was enough—for Yūshin Seiichi to close in from the other side.
He reached in and locked Zeya's upper body with one arm.
But Zeya wasn't done.
As Seiichi stretched his foot for a clean steal—
Slide—pull!
Zeya instantly dragged the ball back with the sole of his foot, spinning away from Seiichi's tackle.
What?!
He's faster than before. His reaction, strength, timing… it's all evolved!
Seiichi's eyes narrowed.
Flow. Zeya's in Flow.
And yet—Zeya didn't stop to flaunt it.
Bang!
He tapped a quick pass to Hiori Yo, who had positioned himself just behind.
Bang!
The moment Hiori touched the ball, he threaded a perfect through pass back to Zeya, who was already sprinting past.
The timing was razor sharp.
Zeya launched forward, cleats gripping the turf like claws. His right foot rose—
CRACK!
A thunderous direct shot—perfectly timed, perfectly placed.
Swish!
The ball curved with a vicious spin and slammed into the back of the net.
Red Team scores! 2–2!
—
"W-Whoa…" Zantetsu muttered. "They're not even playing the same game…"
Even Shidō whistled. "That bastard's moving like a demon."
From the bench, several players looked shaken.
"That's No.1 for you…" Nanase whispered, stunned. "If I were on his team, could I even keep up…?"
"You'll never know unless you try," Hiori said gently, overhearing him. "Just give it your all. That's all we can do."
Nanase nodded. "Right…"
—
Drop!
White Team kicked off again.
"Go wild, Shidō!"
"I've been waiting for that!" Shidō grinned.
He and Seiichi began advancing with rapid one-touch passes.
But Rin and Ishikari flanked them immediately, blocking the left and right lanes.
"Tch… Guess I'll switch it up."
Flick!
Seiichi popped the ball with the outside of his foot and bent it diagonally across the field—over everyone's heads, into space.
The target?
Isagi Yoichi.
"Let's go!"
Isagi sprinted and trapped the ball perfectly, but before he could dribble more than a few meters—
BAM!
Nanase Nijiro appeared beside him, sticking to him like glue.
Isagi tried feinting left, then right—but Nanase didn't flinch.
His concentration was absolute.
"Damn it…!" Isagi cursed.
From the sideline, Seiichi called out, "Isagi—don't freeze! Move it!"
"I know that!!"
Isagi twisted, looked toward Seiichi, and faked a pass.
Nanase bit—
MEG!
Isagi slid the ball right through his legs and bolted past.
But—
Thud!
Zeya appeared out of nowhere.
His timing was immaculate.
Before Isagi could shoot or pass—BAM!—Zeya cut in, stole the ball, and rocketed upfield.
"Too slow."
—
Counterattack!
Rin received the ball from Zeya near the box. No hesitation.
CRACK!
A low driven shot.
GOAL!
Red Team leads 3–2!
—
"Isagi!!" Seiichi barked. "You passed up the shot to try something flashy! Stop holding back!"
Isagi stood there, fists clenched.
"This isn't how I want to play…" he whispered.
Seiichi walked over, face cold.
"Then figure it out. Or get off my team."
Isagi said nothing. His eyes trembled. Frustration filled his chest.
I don't want to be your pawn.
I want to score!
Flames lit in his blue eyes.
My football starts now.