Blue Lock: Phantom Striker

The tension inside the Blue Lock facility had never been this palpable. The match between Team Z and Team V was unlike anything seen before in this phase of the selection. Every player on the pitch could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on them.

In the observation room, Ego sat with his usual knowing smirk, watching the game unfold. Beside him, Anri leaned forward, eyes locked onto the field below. Her fingers twitched against the control panel, as if trying to calculate the probabilities in her head.

Ego, as always, had other thoughts brewing. He turned his head slightly toward her.

"Tell me, Anri. Who do you think will win this match?"

She hesitated for a moment, her mind replaying everything she had observed so far. Team Z had heart, but Team V had skill honed to an elite level. Nagi's monstrous ball control and Reo's strategic vision had created a seemingly unstoppable force. Despite Team Z's resilience, the score remained 2-1 in Team V's favor.

After a few more seconds of careful deliberation, she answered.

"Team V. But not without struggle."

Ego let out a small chuckle. "Hmph. That's what makes you a bystander, Anri. Never underestimate the ingenuity of the human mind when cornered."

His words lingered in the air as the scene shifted back to the field.

Both teams had taken their positions once again. The air was thick with tension, sweat, and determination. Every player knew the next goal could decide the flow of the entire game.

For Isagi, however, this wasn't just about a goal.

Something was missing.

Even after analyzing every pattern, every movement of his teammates and opponents, he felt as if there was an unseen gap in his strategy. A puzzle piece that, once placed correctly, would let him destroy Team V's coordination completely.

But what was it?

As he contemplated, the game resumed. The ball darted from foot to foot, each side fighting to gain control.

Kunigami launched a powerful long-range shot....blocked.

Chigiri tore through the right flank with his blinding speed...intercepted.

Bachira's tricky dribbles slipped through two defenders.....but Reo was already there.

The scoreboard refused to budge.

With every passing second, frustration began creeping into Isagi's mind. His body felt like it was moving without a clear objective, reacting instead of acting. That wasn't him.

Then, it clicked.

"I'm still thinking of this as a team game."

That's where he was wrong.

Blue Lock wasn't about teamwork, it was about ego.

If he wanted to win, he couldn't just rely on perfect combinations. He had to be the one to decide the outcome.

And with that realization, his vision sharpened.

Team V had possession. Reo sent a lofted pass toward Nagi, who waited with his usual lazy stance, prepared to control the ball with an effortless first touch.

But before the ball could reach him...

Isagi was there.

His body moved as if he had predicted the pass before it was made. With a perfectly timed interception, he cut off the play and launched a counterattack.

He bolted forward, pushing through Team V's defensive line. Chigiri ran parallel to him, creating an option, while Bachira trailed just behind.

Reo reacted quickly, rushing to block Isagi's direct path to goal.

But Isagi had no intention of stopping.

"If you think you can control the flow of this match, you're dead wrong."

Reo reached out to intercept, but Isagi flicked the ball over his outstretched foot, cutting inside with absolute precision.

For a moment, everything felt surreal.

Kunigami was marked. Chigiri was watched. Bachira was shadowed.

There was only one option left.

He had to score on his own.

With a sharp inhale, Isagi made his move. He feinted left, Reo bit the bait, then twisted his body at an unnatural angle, launching a shot toward the top corner.

The defender with lightning acceleration, lunged in desperation.

Too late.

The ball curled just past his reach and slammed into the back of the net.

2-2.

For the first time since the match started, the field fell silent.

Time ticked away. The clock now showed only 5 minutes remaining.

Both teams threw everything they had into the last stretch. It was pure chaos... tackles, counterattacks, last-minute interceptions. The pressure was suffocating.

And then, it happened.

Isagi's mind snapped into action. He had seen it, the perfect path.

Kunigami shielded the ball from two defenders, looking for an outlet. Chigiri was sprinting up the right wing. Bachira was lurking, waiting for a decisive moment.

And Isagi?

He was exactly where he needed to be.

Kunigami sent a quick pass his way, and in an instant, Isagi saw the entire picture unfold before his eyes.

Without hesitation, he redirected the ball with a pinpoint pass to Bachira, a pass that dissected Team V's entire defensive line.

Bachira, already in full stride, grinned.

He took one touch.

Two.

Then, he fired.

Goal.

The net rippled. The scoreboard changed.

3-2.

The match was over.

As the whistle blew, exhaustion crashed into every player like a tidal wave.

Isagi exhaled, his breath ragged but satisfied. He turned to see Nagi approaching him, his usual blank expression still intact.

For a second, neither spoke.

Then, Nagi tilted his head. "You're interesting."

Isagi smirked, his sharp, villainous side creeping back into his expression.

"And you're just another obstacle in my way."

Nagi blinked, then let out a small laugh. "Reo was right about you. But you know what? This was the first time football actually felt... fun."

Isagi didn't respond immediately. He simply walked past Nagi, throwing one last remark over his shoulder.

"If you think losing was fun, just wait. I'll make you regret ever stepping onto this field with me."

Nagi watched him go, expression unreadable. Then, with an amused sigh, he muttered, "Yeah... I kind of figured you'd say something like that."

And with that, the battle between Team Z and Team V came to an end.

But for Isagi, the real war was just beginning.