Blue Lock: Phantom Striker

A sharp chime from the facility's overhead speakers signaled the arrival of another day. Isagi Yoichi's eyes snapped open. His heartbeat was steady, but his mind was already racing, weaving through different scenarios, counter-strategies, and possible outcomes for the battle ahead. Today, Team Z would face Team V, the most dominant force they had encountered so far.

For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, the dull hum of the air vents filling the silence. Then, with a slow, controlled breath, he sat up. His body felt light, but his mind was a battlefield.

The memory of last night's dream still lingered, a spring afternoon filled with cherry blossoms, his parents' warm smiles, and words that resonated deep within him.

"Connections are important, Yoichi. No matter how great you become, never forget your roots. The people who believe in you… they are your true strength."

But here, in Blue Lock, where only one striker could survive, bonds were fragile, and trust was a weakness. His world had changed. His dream had changed. He had changed.

With newfound clarity, he swung his legs off the bed and firmly planted his feet on the cold floor. A single thought echoed through his mind as he reached for his cleats.

I will destroy them.

In the common area, the rest of Team Z was already awake, eating their breakfast with an unusual silence. The tension was thick. The upcoming match was unlike any before. If they lost here, all their victories would be meaningless.

As Isagi tied his cleats, he shut out the background noise and focused on the match inside his mind.

Team V had two key threats. Reo Mikage and Nagi Seishiro.

Reo, the passionate tactician.Nagi, the prodigy with inhuman reflexes.

Reo's passing and vision were among the best in Blue Lock, while Nagi's first touch was unlike anything he had ever seen. But every genius had their weaknesses.

"They are a two-man army. Cut off their link, and their system collapses."

The game plan was clear, shut down Reo's ability to feed Nagi. Without perfect service, even a genius was powerless.

As he finished his mental breakdown, Chigiri, Kunigami, and Bachira joined him.

"Oi, Isagi," Kunigami muttered, cracking his knuckles. "You've been staring at nothing for five minutes. What's the plan?"

A smirk tugged at Isagi's lips. "Simple. We clip Nagi's wings before he even gets to fly."

Bachira chuckled, spinning a ball on his finger. "Heh, you're scary when you're like this, Isagi~"

Chigiri narrowed his eyes. "And what if Nagi adapts?"

Isagi locked eyes with him. His voice was steady. "Then we adapt faster."

No one had a response to that. Team Z had no choice but to trust him.

As they walked toward the field, Reo and Nagi stood waiting near the centerline.

"Yo, Isagi," Reo called out, a smirk playing on his lips. "How about you guys just give up?"

Isagi stepped forward, his presence demanding attention. His expression was eerily calm.

"And why the hell would we give up?" he asked, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge.

Nagi let out a sigh. "Because it's a hassle. We've already qualified, so I don't see the point in trying too hard." He glanced at Isagi with half-lidded eyes. "You guys should just… surrender."

Silence.

Then, Isagi chuckled. It was low, almost amused. But beneath it was something sinister.

"If you think I'm just going to let you two waltz your way to another easy win, you're dead wrong."

His voice was calm. Too calm.

Nagi tilted his head, his sleepy expression unfazed. "Haa? That sounds like a pain. I was hoping this match would be easy."

Reo's expression darkened.

For the first time, he felt it.

A collision of egos. 

The whistle blew.

The game was on.

Right away, Team V played with terrifying fluidity.

Reo, stationed deep in midfield, dictated the tempo. His passes were like sniper shots. Fast, accurate, and intelligent. He always knew exactly where Nagi would be.

And Nagi?

A monster in human form. His ball control was supernatural. He didn't need to dribble; he could just absorb the ball into his foot like it was an extension of himself, flipping it over defenders, cushioning impossible passes, and killing the ball's momentum in an instant.

It was beautiful.

It was deadly.

Within minutes, Team Z could barely keep up. Their defense was being torn apart.

Then it happened.

Reo lobbed a perfect pass into the penalty box. Nagi was already there, waiting.

His body relaxed mid-air. He was about to trap the ball with ease, just like always.

But then-

A shadow cut through his vision.

Isagi.

Out of nowhere.

Isagi intercepted the ball before it could reach Nagi, cutting off their play.

Reo's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"

Isagi didn't hesitate. With a single touch, he passed the ball forward, launching a counterattack.

Nagi landed on the ground, blinking. "...Haa?"

For the first time, his pass had been stolen.

And not just once.

Again and again, Isagi cut off their plays, severing the link between Reo and Nagi.

The cycle repeated itself.

Reo would pass → Nagi would move → Isagi would steal it.

It wasn't brute force.

It wasn't luck.

It was sheer, terrifying game sense.

"He's reading us." Reo gritted his teeth. "He's predicting exactly where we'll pass the ball!"

Slowly, Nagi's relaxed posture started shifting.

For the first time, frustration flickered in his dull eyes.

Nagi had never felt much about football.

To him, it was just a game. Something he played because Reo wanted him to.

It wasn't like he hated it, but it wasn't something he cared deeply about either.

But now... 

Now, he felt something.

His passes were being intercepted. His game was being blocked.

What the hell is this?

He clenched his fists, eyes narrowing.

Then, it clicked.

Ego.

For the first time, his own will to win started emerging.

He had to prove himself.

To Isagi.

So when Reo's next pass came flying toward him, he didn't play safe.

He didn't settle for a normal trap.

He did something insane.

He let the ball roll past him, feigning a trap.

Isagi lunged forward, predicting the steal-

But it was a feint.

At the last second, Nagi twisted his body mid-air, hooking his foot around the ball in a scorpion-like motion.

The ball floated above Isagi's outstretched foot.

In that instant, Nagi's world slowed down.

This was fun.

Without waiting, he flicked the ball up again.

And in a single, effortless strike, he volleyed it straight into the net.

The sound of the ball hitting the net was deafening.

GOAL.

1 - 0.

A silence fell over the field.

Nagi landed lightly on his feet, exhaling.

He had never moved like that before.

Isagi stood frozen, eyes wide.

That wasn't instinct.

That was talent awakening in real-time.

Nagi turned, gazing at Isagi.

"This is the first time I've felt like this."

A slow smirk stretched across his lips.

"Football is kinda fun, huh?"

Isagi gritted his teeth.

This wasn't the same Nagi Seishiro as before.

This was a monster in the making.