Blue Lock: Phantom Striker

The stadium lights burned brightly over the field, casting long shadows across the artificial turf. The intensity of the match was already suffocating, yet the battle had only just begun.

The whistle blew, and Team V launched into another assault. The ball was with Reo Mikage, the mastermind who orchestrated their plays with surgical precision. With a flick of his foot, he sent a pinpoint pass soaring toward Nagi Seishiro.

Isagi was already closing in.

I won't let him touch it!

But just as he lunged forward to intercept, 

Nagi did the impossible.

In one fluid motion, he raised his leg impossibly high, trapping the ball with a feather-light touch. The sheer control defied logic; it was as if the ball obeyed him.

Tch! He's so damn smooth with it!

Without hesitation, Nagi flicked the ball over Isagi's head before he could react. It landed perfectly in front of him, and with a quick pivot, he slipped past Kunigami as if he were nothing more than a cone in a training drill.

Gagamaru rushed out.

For a split second, Nagi hesitated. He looked at the keeper, then at the ball, his body moving on instinct.

Then... a masterpiece.

Instead of a direct shot, Nagi scooped the ball with the inside of his foot, lobbing it gently over Gagamaru's outstretched arms.

The ball sailed through the air, almost lazily, before nestling into the net with a soft swish.

GOAL.

2-0.

Team Z's side was stunned into silence.

Nagi, usually disinterested, smiled faintly. He turned toward Isagi, locking eyes with him.

"This is fun.... really fun" he muttered, his voice tinged with something new. Excitement.

Isagi gritted his teeth. This wasn't just talent. This was something else entirely.

I knew he was good, but this… he's an entirely different beast.

Kunigami slammed his fist into the ground in frustration. Chigiri's eyes flickered with irritation. Bachira, on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear.

"Hehe… now this is what I call a challenge~"

Isagi clenched his fists. They needed to strike back. Now.

Back at the center circle, Team Z stood together, regrouping. Their faces were tense, but Isagi's mind was still sharp.

We're not losing because we're weak. We're losing because we're playing as individuals.

If we want to break through… we need to become one.

He turned to Kunigami, Chigiri, and Bachira.

"Oi," he called, voice firm. "Let's take them down together."

Kunigami cracked his knuckles. "What's the plan?"

Bachira grinned, already bouncing on his feet. "I'm in~"

Chigiri flipped his hair back. "Tch. If you can keep up with my speed, I'll listen."

Isagi smirked. "Then watch closely."

The whistle blew, and the game resumed.

Isagi received the ball from the restart and immediately dashed forward.

Reo and Nagi moved in to intercept, but before they could react, Isagi flicked the ball sideways, straight to Bachira.

Bachira, dancing past a defender, sent a no-look pass back to Kunigami, who bulldozed forward like a freight train.

This is it.

Kunigami sent a through ball toward Chigiri, who exploded down the wing, his speed blurring the air around him.

The only one left in his path was the specs guy – Zantetsu Tsurugi.

Zantetsu had speed, but Chigiri had grace.

With a single touch, Chigiri nutmegged Zantetsu, leaving him stumbling in his wake.

One-on-one with the keeper.

A split-second decision.

Then, a shot like lightning.

The ball tore through the air and slammed into the top corner of the net.

GOAL!

2-1.

Team Z roared in celebration, but Isagi's focus didn't waver.

The comeback had begun.

The next phase of the match turned brutal.

Team V, slightly shaken by Chigiri's goal, began fighting tooth and nail to retain possession.

"Tch… these guys aren't letting up."

For every pass, there was an interception. For every dribble, there was a counter-tackle. Neither side was willing to back down.

Reo and Isagi clashed in midfield, their battle of vision growing more intense.

Kunigami and Chigiri constantly repositioned themselves, forcing Team V to adjust.

Bachira danced through defenders, his dribbling mesmerizing.

Even Nagi, now fully engaged, was showing insane footwork, juggling past defenders, trapping impossible passes, and forcing Team Z onto the backfoot.

By the time the halftime whistle blew, the score remained 2-1.

Both teams walked off the field, drenched in sweat, but the tension had never been higher.

As Isagi sat on the bench, gulping down water, his mind was restless.

We're only one goal behind.We broke through their defense once, so we can do it again.But something's still missing.

His hands curled into fists.

I can see the pieces moving, but I can't fully control them.

There's something I'm not seeing.

Something that, if I grasp it… I can completely crush them.

He stared at the field, his heartbeat slowing.

Then, a thought struck him.

His eyes widened slightly.

Wait… is it...?

Before he could fully process it, the break ended.

The players stood up, preparing for the second half.

As Isagi walked onto the pitch, his mind was on fire.

The missing piece… I'm close.

And once I find it, this game is ours.