Author's Note:
While I was checking the chapters, I noticed that Chapter 63 was missing, so I fixed it and added Chapter 63 back.
Then I reset Chapter 64, and now—
Here is Chapter 65.
Just letting you know.
Thank you for reading.
Chapter 65: Defeating Team C
"Damn it…"
Mikage Reo growled, biting his lower lip as flashes of memory ran through his mind.
From childhood to now—anything he wanted, he always got.
Fancy toys. Fame. Power. Money.
But not this.
Not the World Cup.
Not the title of world's best striker.
Those things… were out of reach.
Even if he lost here today, he'd still have a luxurious life waiting for him.
And yet…
"That's exactly why they shine so brightly… It pisses me off!"
—
Midfield – Center Circle
Nagi Seishirō stood on the line, the ball at his feet. Star-like flames danced in his pale eyes.
He'd been marked by Itoshi Rin the entire match. Zero freedom. No clean shots.
Reo walked up beside him, still fuming.
"What now, Nagi?"
"…Who knows?" Nagi replied softly.
He brushed his fringe away from his eyes, suddenly sharp with intent.
On the edge of a cliff—just jump. Give it everything.
Drop.
Nagi passed the ball to Reo, who stepped forward, face resolute.
Step!
"Oh?" Yūshin Seiichi stepped in to intercept, body low and ready. "I can sense your fighting spirit."
Reo dipped his shoulder, angled his body sharply, and attempted to break through on Seiichi's right side.
"Interesting."
Seiichi's eyes flickered. He'd seen this trick before.
Reo was trying to slip past him the same way he'd seen others do.
Not happening.
Seiichi jammed his palm into Reo's chest and locked him down with perfect body control, knees low and heavy.
"Tch… still can't get past you," Reo thought, grinding his teeth. "Even if I push myself to 100%, it's not enough."
He and Seiichi were both all-rounders.
But Seiichi was the more complete version.
If that's the case—then I'll change tactics.
Boom!
Reo knocked the ball backward toward a teammate—Tanaka—then broke into a sprint, running wide around Seiichi's left side.
"Huh? Smart decision," Seiichi murmured, eyes narrowing.
He hadn't expected Reo to play that calmly.
Bang!
Tanaka returned the ball to Reo with a low pass into space.
With no hesitation, Reo positioned himself and swung his right foot back.
"Here I go!" shouted Chigiri Hyōma, who came sliding in for the block.
Bang!
But Reo didn't shoot. He tapped the ball to the right at the last second, evading Chigiri's sliding tackle.
"What!?" Chigiri's eyes widened.
When did Reo develop this kind of ball control!?
"Well done, Chigiri," came Seiichi's voice again—appearing in front of Reo like a ghost. "But I'll handle it."
"You're not the only one who evolves!!" Reo roared.
Bang!
He hit a curling arc pass with the outside of his foot.
It was sharp. Faster than Seiichi's signature pass.
If you can do it—so can I. And better.
This is my way of fighting. Adapting. Evolving.
—
Far Side of the Box
"Amazing…" Nagi muttered, locking onto the incoming ball.
He braced his body against Rin, shielding the pass.
I won't fall behind. I want to evolve too.
A new kind of clarity sparked in his mind. A storm of inspiration.
Bang!
He cushioned the pass softly, spun quickly, and kicked out with his right foot.
Rin moved immediately, sticking out his leg to block it.
BOOM!
But the shot twisted strangely—a fake.
Then—
Bang!
Nagi struck again. Delayed volley!
Swish!
Drop!
White Team scores! 4–1!
"YES!! That was awesome, Nagi!" Reo shouted, charging toward him.
"You're pretty good too," Nagi muttered, scratching his cheek. "That pass was better than Seiichi's."
"Let's keep pushing—there's still time."
—
On the Sideline…
Seiichi's eyes narrowed.
Still time? No. Now comes checkmate.
He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck.
—
Kickoff – Red Team
Drop.
Rin tapped the ball to Seiichi, who charged forward instantly.
Otoya darted in to intercept—but Seiichi passed to Aoshi Tokimitsu on the wing without slowing down.
A quick one-two play.
Too smooth.
Otoya tried to catch him, but Seiichi's movement off the ball was impossible to read.
Step!
Seiichi got the ball back and immediately relayed it to Rin on the right flank.
"No! Stop them now!!" Reo shouted.
Whish!
Otoya appeared from Rin's blind spot and blocked him directly.
If I don't show my worth, no one will remember me! I'm Top 5!!
Rin zigzagged, testing angles—but Otoya's defense was relentless.
Still, Rin didn't lose his cool.
He rubbed the ball with his instep—curving it across the field in a high arc.
—
Near the Box
"So the ball's coming to you again…" Nagi muttered.
He ran up behind Seiichi and placed his hands on his back, trying to block the incoming ball.
Seiichi widened his stance and kept Nagi from reaching around him.
He raised his foot—
"Not this time!" Nagi lunged forward, stretching to block the volley—
Whish!
Fake shot.
"What!?"
Nagi's eyes widened.
That was my move! He copied it already!?
"You're not shooting!" Reo yelled, coming from the other side.
He lunged in, blocking Seiichi's path.
Whish!
Another fake.
Then—
Bang!
Seiichi unleashed a cannon-like shot to the top right corner of the net.
—
Drop… Drop… Drop!
Full time! Red Team wins.
Group A defeats Group C.
—
"Monster…" Reo muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "What a scary monster."
"So strong…" Nagi whispered, eyes glowing. "This place… Blue Lock… it's insane."
You can't relax for even a second.
One hesitation—and you're outplayed.
"You're my god, Seiichi!" Chigiri shouted, leaping onto his back.
"Hey! Worship me properly!" Seiichi laughed.
Rin stood off to the side, silent.
Watching.
Thinking.
Feeling it.
That familiar pressure.
That creeping sense of being left behind.
Zeya. Seiichi. Isagi.
They were all in front of him.
But more than that—
That face burned in his mind.
Itoshi Sae.
The brother who discarded him.
The brother he had to destroy.
To Be Continued…