Chapter 21: "Special Training"
The indoor field was alive with chaos.
As Team Z engaged in an all-out free-for-all match.
Lemon grunted as he dribbled forward.
His movements stiff but filled with determination.
For a brief moment.
He thought he had a clear path to the goal.
"Too easy!"
Imamura swooped in from the side.
Stealing the ball with a smug grin.
But before he could bask in his triumph.
Naruhaya darted in.
Snatching the ball away.
"Hah! You got that right!"
Naruhaya quipped.
Leaving Imamura behind as he bolted toward the goal.
Then came a blur—swift and silent.
"Too slow,"
Chigiri's voice cut through the field.
In a flash, the ball was his, and he sprinted forward.
His speed leaving everyone else in the dust.
Reaching the goal, Chigiri launched a powerful shot.
The ball soaring toward the back of the net.
For a second, it looked unstoppable—
Until Gagamaru intervened.
Thud!
The ball ricocheted off his face.
"Ugh!"
Gagamaru groaned.
Cradling his nose but refusing to falter.
He stood up and started dribbling toward the opposite goal.
His expression as unyielding as ever.
Enter Raichi, charging like a runaway train.
"GIVE IT TO ME!!"
He roared.
Despite Gagamaru's best effort.
Raichi bulldozed through, overpowering him to claim the ball.
Yet before Raichi could do anything else.
Bachira appeared like a shadow.
Weaving in with uncanny finesse.
"Oopsie~!♪"
Bachira chirped.
Stealing the ball effortlessly.
Suddenly, Lemon, Imamura, and Naruhaya closed in from all directions.
Desperate to box him in.
But Bachira danced through their defenses.
His dribbling insanely fluid.
Near the goal, Bachira unleashed a perfect shot.
Aimed for the top corner.
"Not happening!"
Kuon's voice rang out.
As his foot intercepted the ball at the last possible moment.
Sending it flying in a new direction.
The ball struck Kira's chest.
And instead of running with it.
He opted for a powerful strike from midfield.
The ball soared like a missile.
Perfectly aimed for the goal.
Kunigami, however, was ready.
With a thunderous kick.
He sent the ball hurtling back toward the opposite goal.
The field went silent as it became clear—this was going in.
But then came Isagi.
Having bided his time.
Isagi intercepted the ball with surgical precision.
Trapping it underfoot.
"It's over,"
Ending the play just as the timer in the field ran out.
"Pip! Pip! Piiiip!"
The match was over.
…
The team gathered at the center of the field.
Panting and drenched in sweat.
Kunigami raised his hands.
His booming voice breaking the silence.
"I was this close to scoring—until Isagi got in the way!"
Laughter erupted.
"You think that's bad?"
Chigiri said, pointing at Gagamaru.
"I had a clean shot, but this guy blocked it with his face! Who does that?!"
"It worked, didn't it?"
Gagamaru shot back.
Still rubbing his nose.
The field buzzed with playful banter.
As everyone recounted their close calls and near-victories.
Isagi stood in the middle of the chaos, chuckling.
"Alright, alright! Match's over."
"Let's head to the cafeteria—I'm starving!"
The team cheered in agreement, gradually dispersing from the field.
As the others left.
Isagi lingered behind.
He sat on the grass.
His breath evening out as he replayed the match in his mind.
The free-for-all wasn't just a match.
It was a litmus test for the team's progress.
After a few days of special training organized by Isagi.
The chaotic yet strategic rule—forcing players to score on the goal farthest from them.
Had brought out the best in everyone.
It pushed them to think on their feet.
Adapt to sudden changes, and make the most of their weapons.
Kunigami's shots were sharper than ever.
Chigiri's speed had reached blistering levels.
And even the underdogs, Lemon, Imamura, and Naruhaya were more decisive in their plays.
Isagi ran a hand through his hair.
Gazing at the ball in front of him.
His stomach growled.
With a smile, he stood up and kicked the ball back to the rack.
Then headed towards the cafeteria.
…
Isagi sat alone at the cafeteria table.
Savoring a meal that was noticeably better than what he'd been served before.
Juicier meat, perfectly cooked vegetables.
And an aroma that made him smile with every bite.
Why the sudden upgrade?
His rank.
After the match against Team X.
Isagi's rank had skyrocketed to 265th—the highest in Team Z.
The new rankings trickled down from him.
With Kunigami at 266th, Bachira at 267th, and so on.
"Nice job today, Isagi."
A voice broke his thoughts.
"Can I sit next to you?"
Startled, Isagi looked up to see Kunigami standing there.
"Oh, Kunigami,"
Isagi said, offering a small smile.
Kunigami glanced at Isagi's plate and chuckled.
"Looks like we get the same meals now."
Isagi nodded enthusiastically.
"This stuff is way better than before. Finally feels like real food."
He then noticed Kunigami wasn't holding a tray.
"Huh? You're not gonna eat?"
Kunigami shook his head.
"I ate earlier. I actually came here to see you."
Isagi blinked, confused.
"Me? Why?"
Kunigami hesitated for a moment.
Then smiled softly.
"I don't think I ever told you, but... thanks."
"Thanks?"
Isagi tilted his head.
"For what?"
"The pass in the match against Team X,"
Kunigami said simply.
"Wait... that? It's been a while now,"
Isagi replied.
Scratching the back of his head.
"I know,"
Kunigami admitted.
His tone sincere.
"But I still wanted to thank you."
A brief silence hung between them before Kunigami stood up.
"Well, that's all. G'night, Isagi."
As Kunigami turned to leave.
Isagi found himself speaking up.
"Kunigami, wait. Why... do you play football?"
Kunigami stopped in his tracks.
Turning back to face Isagi.
"Huh? Where'd that come from?"
Isagi shrugged.
A hint of awkwardness in his voice.
"I dunno... I'm just curious."
Kunigami paused.
His expression thoughtful.
After a moment, he said.
"That's simple."
He stepped closer.
His voice steady but filled with a quiet passion.
"Because I'm going to be... a football superhero."
"A superhero?"
Isagi echoed.
His curiosity piqued.
"For me,"
Kunigami began.
"Superheroes weren't the guys with capes, robots, or even pirate kings."
"They were the ones who stood on the green pitch, triumphant after scoring the goal to win it all. The strikers."
He looked up as if reliving a cherished memory.
"Those players weren't just icons."
"To me, they were superheroes—real, living symbols of hope and greatness."
Kunigami stuffed his hands into his pockets.
His gaze steady.
"That's the kind of symbol I want to be in this world. A player people look up to, someone who inspires. That's why I play."
Isagi sat there.
Absorbing Kunigami's words.
He thought deeply about his own goals.
He wanted to be the greatest striker in the world.
But was that truly all?
Did his ambition have the same clarity, the same meaning?
Kunigami snapped him out of his thoughts.
By pressing a button at the vending counter.
A moment later, a steaming plate slid out—a thick, juicy steak with all the trimmings.
Kunigami brought it over with a grin.
"Hey, Isagi, wanna eat this together?"
Isagi's jaw dropped.
"Steak?! What the heck?! How?!"
Kunigami pointed at the wall.
Where a glowing display detailed the rewards system.
"See that? It's the 'Goal Bonus' system,"
Kunigami explained.
"You can exchange the points you earn from scoring for stuff like this. Pretty cool, huh?"
Isagi's eyes darted to the wall, where the rewards were listed.
[Goal Bonus: Blue Lock]
1 Goal = 1 Point
-Obtain any prize you want by exchanging your points:
(1-Pt) 300g Sirloin Steak Massage.
(3-Pts) Cellphone Return.
(5-Pts) High-Quality Bed.
(10-Pts) A Day Outside.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone