Chapter 61: The Ego Awakens
⸻
Blue Lock Pitch – Kickoff
Drop! Kickoff!
Isagi Yoichi regrouped the White Team's offense with a deep breath, his cleats digging into the turf.
They were down 3–2.
The balance was starting to tip. One more goal and Red Team could dominate the rest of the match.
"Focus…" Isagi muttered, raising his head.
Bang!
A smooth two-on-one between Seiichi and Zantetsu shook off Rin with a quick overlap run. Their chemistry was improving—just enough to exploit a gap in midfield.
But just as Seiichi surged forward—
There he was.
Yūshin Zeya.
A golden shadow glued to his hip, moving with precise timing, reacting to every faint body shift.
Tch…! "Doesn't this guy ever get tired?" Seiichi gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure in his lungs increase.
Zeya's eyes didn't blink. Didn't waver.
He matched Seiichi's stride with ghostlike presence, never lunging, never committing early.
Seeing his main striker covered, Zantetsu made a quick decision.
"Nice switch!" he shouted and flared out wide.
Seiichi nudged the ball toward the sideline.
Isagi caught the pass and scanned the field.
"Where's the opening…"
Lines and angles flashed through his mind—an evolving vision, spatial awareness blooming.
There!
He spotted a fleeting window and fired a sharp diagonal pass—
Bang!
It cut through three defenders like a blade and dropped perfectly in front of Shidō Ryusei inside the box.
"You're useful sometimes, donkey!" Shidō grinned, lining up an overhead volley.
But—BOOM!
Ishikari appeared, the Red Team's silent wall, and smashed the ball clear.
"Ugh!" Shidō cursed. "That dude again?!"
The clearance landed at Hiori Yo's feet near midfield.
At that moment—
CRACK.
Zeya exploded forward like a missile.
Seiichi tried to shadow him—pressing shoulder to shoulder, angling his body to block the burst.
But Zeya powered through him.
"You can't stop me," Zeya muttered without looking.
Hiori reacted immediately and chipped a high ball toward the right flank.
Zeya didn't break stride.
He caught the lob with the tip of his boot, cushioning it mid-sprint.
The ball bounced once—then he flicked it over Kuon's head and cut around him, eyes glowing.
"MONSTER!!" Kuon shouted as he spun to chase.
But Zeya was already ahead.
No angle.
No passing options.
He was near the corner flag—practically on the baseline.
What's he doing?!
Seiichi, racing back into position, was closing in.
But Zeya didn't stop.
He planted his foot and twisted sharply—
BOOM!
His right foot smashed the ball with perfect torque.
A curling golden arc sliced the air.
The Blue Lock Man leapt with full reach—
Too late.
The net rippled.
Goal.
Red Team: 4 – White Team: 2.
⸻
"INSANE!!" Nanase screamed from the bench. "He scored from the baseline?!"
On the sidelines, Ego Jinpachi leaned closer to the monitor.
"Not luck. He calculated that curve."
⸻
Seiichi stood two meters from the goal, frozen.
Zeya slowly turned, his golden eyes piercing.
"You…" Seiichi began.
Zeya stared at him.
"You're not worthy of being the best in the world."
That line struck deeper than a shot to the chest.
Seiichi's pupils shrank.
His breathing spiked. His posture tensed.
Inside his mind—a quiet rumble began to rise.
Devour you. Devour all of you…
⸻
Kickoff – 4:2 Red Team Lead
"Yo, Seiichi," Shidō jogged up, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're one goal away from getting wrecked. Wanna talk strategy or—?"
Huff…
Seiichi didn't answer.
He bolted forward with the ball, body low, eyes wide, breath hot.
"HEY! Psycho pigtails, WAIT UP!!" Shidō shouted.
Zeya narrowed his eyes from across the field.
There it is… that thing inside him.
That black-flamed monster ego.
"Hiori, Nanase, close in now!" Rin barked from the Red Team backline.
Both moved to intercept.
Seiichi dropped his weight.
Reverse Drag-Back.
Spin.
Marseille Turn!
He glided between Hiori and Nanase like water.
"What the hell?!"
"This guy—"
He was faster. More responsive. His movement was tighter, more violent.
"He's evolving again," Hiori muttered.
On the sideline, Isagi sprinted to cover space.
But even he could feel it—
Seiichi had unlocked another gear.
⸻
Ishikari stood his ground.
A wall.
But Seiichi didn't slow down.
He dipped right, shifted left—
The movement was sharp.
His body twisted. Ishikari lunged.
Boom!
Seiichi shot.
But—
CLANG!!
Zeya blocked it—again!
"Are you serious?!" Shidō screamed.
The ball popped up, spiraling midair.
Eyes locked on it—
Isagi reacted.
His mind became a radar.
"Where will it land…"
"There!"
He launched forward—
BOOM!
Right-foot strike. Clean. Accurate.
The ball smashed into the net.
GOAL!
White Team: 3 – Red Team: 4.
⸻
Isagi dropped to his knees, screaming. "LET'S GO!!"
Zeya blinked, staring.
That wasn't luck.
He read it all. He really predicted the rebound and acted faster than anyone else.
"Yoichi…"
Seiichi turned and stared at him.
Zeya.
Everyone.
His chest rose and fell like thunderclouds.
And in his mind, a vow was written.
Anyone who blocks my path…
I'll crush them.
⸻