Blue Lock: Beyond Greatness

Everyone on the field was just as shocked by Shinichi's perfectly timed pass, which seemed almost prophetic, delivered several seconds ahead of the play.

However, unlike those in the stands, who had a god's-eye view of the entire pitch, the players couldn't fully grasp the sheer brilliance of what had just happened.

And more importantly, their immediate concern wasn't figuring out how Shinichi had pulled it off—but stopping this attack at all costs.

Sae immediately turned to chase down the unmarked Chigiri, while Hiori moved to cut off his passing lanes. Having committed too many players to surround Shinichi, their defensive line was now dangerously exposed.

If Chigiri managed to get off a cross, it would be a free goal.

"What insane reaction speed...! Shinichi's pass was perfect, but it still feels like Sae is going to stop it. No wonder he's the genius that has the entire nation going crazy!"

Chigiri gritted his teeth and sprinted forward, but he couldn't shake off Sae, who had already shifted his focus mid-run.

Using precise positioning, Sae was steadily shrinking Chigiri's available space, closing in with suffocating efficiency.

"Damn it, I can't even see a chance to shoot! This is frustrating... but at the very least, here and now—I'll use my speed, run until I can't run anymore, and... I'll make the world see me!"

A fiery red determination flashed in Chigiri's eyes. He pushed the ball forward and surged ahead, kicking up a burst of speed beyond his previous limits.

Even Sae had to momentarily pull back, unable to challenge him directly.

Instead, Sae positioned himself ahead of Chigiri, waiting for the exact moment he'd have to slow down—whether to regain control of the ball or change direction.

The moment he did, Sae would pounce and completely shut him down.

"Damn it! His defense is too perfect—there's no other option. I have to pass!"

While sprinting at full speed, Chigiri's sharp eyes scanned the field. Amidst the chaos, one figure stood out—the lone player who had drifted behind the crowd.

Karasu.

"Hah! Who the hell would be satisfied just cleaning up scraps in the back? With all the attention on that monster, the entire formation is in shambles. This is the perfect chance—and it's mine, you idiots!"

"Pass it, Red-Haired Princess!"

"Damn you, Crow! You owe me one."

The moment Karasu was in position, Chigiri made his move. Mid-sprint, he abruptly shifted his body and swung his leg for a cross.

The ball soared over Sae—who had anticipated their intent and rushed forward for an interception—as well as Hiori, who had positioned himself to block the passing lane.

The ball was heading straight for Karasu's path, seemingly a perfect connection.

But just as it was about to land, a figure forcefully cut between them, stomping the ball down before it could bounce.

"Your vision and passing are too naive. You didn't even realize this passing lane was a trap we set up for you?"

"No way...! Isagi Yoichi! Did you read my run? Or was it my movement, Chigiri's pass—was everything already calculated by you guys?!"

Karasu's pupils shrank in shock. But before he could react, Isagi, who had intercepted the pass, smoothly sent the ball back to Sae.

The ball sailed through the air—only to be taken in stride by an indistinct figure, so seamlessly and naturally that it felt as if the pass had been meant for him all along.

For a moment, everyone on the field hesitated.

Then they realized—the one who intercepted Isagi's pass wasn't a U20 player, but someone sprinting toward U20's own penalty area.

"Shinichi?!"

Isagi's voice rang out in disbelief as he chased after the distant silhouette. But the gap between them only widened.

Then came the deafening roar of a strike.

BOOM!

GOOOOOOOAL!!!

The stadium erupted in cheers as the commentator's passionate voice filled the air. The overwhelming noise flooded Isagi's mind, leaving his thoughts in chaos.

U20 Japan 3 - 7 Blue Lock Team.

"Ahhh, what a rollercoaster of a play! Absolutely unbelievable!"

From the commentary booth, Natsuki was wildly pumping his fists, his animated movements making his already receding hairline glisten under the intense studio lights.

"First, we had Shinichi caught in a desperate situation, surrounded and trapped by multiple defenders. Yet, with his incredible vision, he somehow foresaw his teammate Chigiri's run and executed an absolutely mind-blowing, preemptive backheel pass—sending the ball three seconds ahead into the future!"

"And then there's Blue Lock's No. 4, Chigiri Hyoma! His blistering speed was astonishing, erasing the gap in an instant with a breathtaking sprint. But even such a perfect combination wasn't enough! Itoshi Sae, Hiori Yo, and Isagi Yoichi all read the play, setting a trap that lured Chigiri step by step into the abyss."

"That's right! And just when it seemed their plan had succeeded, Blue Lock's No. 6—Tabito Karasu—suddenly pushed forward from the midfield, joining the attack. His movement, and the fact that Chigiri would spot him and pass, were all anticipated by the U20 defenders, allowing Isagi to cut off the connection between them."

"But then! Just as Nagi intercepted the pass, Shinichi struck again—reading the play, cutting off Isagi's return ball, and seizing the moment to go one-on-one with the keeper. And with that final, decisive strike—GOAL! Absolutely stunning!"

At this point, the live broadcaster, Atsuto, gave a puzzled chuckle.

"To be honest, I still can't figure out how those two plays were even possible. That pass—given where Shinichi was positioned at the time—should have been completely out of his sight. Not only that, but Chigiri Hyoma hadn't even started making his run yet—he was still near the halfway line! And to top it off, Aiku should have been blocking that angle completely..."

"And then there was the interception of Isagi's pass. That movement was so natural, I didn't even realize it was a cut-off at first—I actually thought a teammate had stepped in to receive the ball. That positioning… it was almost as if he knew the pass was going to be intercepted ahead of time."

Natsuki nodded in agreement. "Yeah, even from our god's-eye view, those plays seemed impossible. The fact that the players on the field picked up on things we didn't just shows the level of awareness and vision that separates top-tier athletes from the rest."

Atsuto sighed before regaining his usual upbeat broadcast tone. "Well, looks like I'll have to rewatch this match a few times to fully understand what just happened! Now then..."

He continued, his voice regaining its energy.

"With that goal, the score gap is once again back to four, and there are only 18 minutes left in the match!"

"For both teams, this might be one of the final few offensive and defensive exchanges. And for U20 Japan, the fact that Shinichi alone has scored twice as many goals as their entire team combined—that's something they absolutely won't be able to accept."

"On the other hand, if Shinichi, a newcomer making his first major appearance, can single-handedly dominate an entire national team, it would be a moment of undeniable significance."

"That's why this final stretch could be the most intense battle yet. What fate awaits both teams? We'll find out soon—so stay tuned!"

---------------

Want to read 20 advance chapters ahead?

Go to my patreon: patreon.com/Kinglass