Chapter 31: "Team Z vs Team Y Pt 3"
The whistle blew again.
And for the third time in a row.
Team Y was on the offensive.
But something felt off.
The usual fluidity in their movements was missing.
Replaced by hesitation, disjointed positioning.
And a lack of the usual aggression that had marked their earlier play.
Team Z could feel it too.
There was an odd.
Almost eerie stillness in the air as the game resumed.
Isagi narrowed his eyes.
Sensing the shift in Team Y's energy.
"They're off their game."
He thought.
As Niko advanced with the ball.
Isagi didn't hesitate.
He sprinted forward, moving in to intercept.
Normally, Niko's response would be calculated.
His defense tight, but this time.
Isagi noticed something in Niko's movements.
A slight hesitation, a break in his usual rhythm.
Isagi moved quickly, reaching for the ball.
Niko wasn't a pushover—but in the end.
Isagi succeeded.
Snatching the ball away.
Without missing a beat.
He darted past Niko, accelerating forward.
Normally, Isagi and Niko would have clashed.
In a stalemate of game intelligence and technique.
Each anticipating the other's moves.
But instead, Niko stood frozen.
His gaze locked on Isagi.
Watching as the distance between them grew.
He didn't even attempt to recover the ball.
It was like the fight had left him entirely.
Behind him, Okawa yelled.
His voice cutting through the stillness of Niko's focus.
"Niko! Get your mind out of the gutter!"
But Niko didn't respond.
He just watched as Isagi raced forward.
"Shit!"
Okawa cursed under his breath.
Realizing that Niko wasn't the only one struggling.
Team Y's whole formation seemed to be breaking apart.
They were scrambling to catch up.
And the synchronized attack they'd relied on was now falling apart.
Piece by piece.
Team Z, sensing the shift.
Moved in with precision.
Isagi, feeling the weakness in Team Y's defense, pushed forward.
Three defenders converged on him.
But he wasn't fazed.
With a swift pass, he sent the ball over to Kira.
Who was on his right.
Kira wasted no time.
He sprinted forward.
Evading the defenders who immediately locked on to him.
Their eyes focused on stopping him.
But Kira was too nimble, and after creating a little distance.
He passed the ball right back to Isagi.
The defenders had closed in on Kira.
But now Isagi was free.
As the ball landed at his feet.
One defender lunged to intercept, but Isagi was ready.
With a quick dribble, he bypassed him with ease.
Continuing his run toward the goal.
Now, he was just outside the box.
Not too far but not quite close enough to be a sure shot.
But Isagi didn't hesitate.
He shot the ball with confidence.
Sending it flying toward the goal.
The goalkeeper, desperate to react.
Dove at the ball.
Fingertips brushing against it.
The touch altered the ball's trajectory ever so slightly.
But it wasn't enough.
The ball continued its path.
Skimming the edge of the post before settling into the far corner of the net.
Goal!
4-1
Team Z erupted into cheers.
But the moment felt different.
It wasn't just a victory.
It was a statement.
Team Y was losing their grip.
Isagi looked back toward Niko.
Who stood motionless, his expression unreadable.
He shook his head.
"Is that all you have to show for?"
…
On Team Y's side of the field.
Frustration hung heavy in the air.
Okawa stood with his hands on his hips.
Staring at Niko, who was still visibly drained and lost in thought.
"Niko!"
He snapped.
"Why are you already giving up? The match isn't over yet!"
Niko didn't respond immediately.
His eyes were fixed on Isagi across the field.
Watching him as if he were some kind of distant, unmovable force.
Slowly, Niko spoke.
His voice heavy with disbelief.
"We can't win. Not against him."
Okawa blinked, confused.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Niko continued, his gaze never leaving Isagi.
"Look at him. He's like… a monster."
Niko's words carried a strange weight as he spoke.
He'd seen confidence before, but this?
This was something else.
Isagi stood in the center of the field.
His presence radiating in a way that was almost tangible.
It wasn't just his skill that made him dangerous.
It was the aura around him.
The aura of someone who believed, without a doubt.
That they would win.
Niko had ignored it at first.
He'd dismissed it.
Thinking he could beat Isagi with his eyes.
After all, they shared the same "eyes".
The ability to read the game and anticipate moves.
But now, he realized how wrong he had been.
Isagi didn't just have the eyes.
He had something else.
It felt like an insurmountable mountain.
That no matter how hard Niko tried.
He couldn't climb.
At that moment, it was the effect of Baro's talent.
King's Will (S).
It had the affect of influencing both the user's teammates and opponents during the match.
Niko had fallen prey to it.
Isagi was playing with an intensity.
That made him feel like he was already defeated.
Unable to look away.
Niko pointed weakly at the scoreboard.
4-1
"Look at it."
Niko muttered, voice flat.
"How are we supposed to win this when the gap is this big?"
Okawa's gaze followed Niko's finger to the scoreboard.
He saw it and clenched his fists in frustration.
Then, Niko spoke again.
His voice tinged with bitterness.
"Remember the match we had against Team V?"
"They dominated us 8-0, and look at where we are. It feels like déjà vu."
The words stung, hanging in the air like a heavy weight.
Team Y stood there in silence, their heads cast low.
None of them wanted to believe it.
But it was hard to ignore the crushing reality of the situation.
The same hopelessness from that past match was creeping back in.
In the midst of the silence.
Okawa suddenly stepped forward.
His hand flying through the air.
With a sharp slap against Niko's face.
"Snap out of it!"
Okawa shouted.
His voice burning with intensity.
Niko recoiled slightly, his eyes wide in shock.
He hadn't expected that.
Okawa's next words hit hard.
"What the hell is the point of coming to Blue Lock?"
He demanded.
His voice seething with frustration.
"We've staked everything—our pride, our future—on this."
"And you're going to give up now, just because we're down a few goals?"
"We're not even halfway through! You can't act like it's all over!"
His words were like a jolt of electricity through the team.
"Do you want to let it all end here?"
Okawa continued.
His voice rising in urgency.
"The match isn't over until we've given everything we've got."
"Only then, when we have nothing left to fight with, can we accept defeat."
His words reverberated through the group.
And for the first time in a while.
A spark of defiance lit up in Niko's eyes.
For a long moment.
Niko stood there, his head still hanging low.
But as Okawa's words echoed in his mind.
Something shifted, Niko's bangs.
Which had been covering his eyes.
Moved slightly as he lifted his head.
His tear-filled eyes met the field.
But they weren't empty anymore.
The fire that had dimmed in him reignited.
The weight on his shoulders lifted slightly as he clenched his fist.
His expression hardening.
"You're right."
He said, voice steady but full of emotion.
"I'm sorry for acting like this. We've still got a chance."
With those words, the entire team stood taller.
Their shoulders squared.
A new fire burned within them.
They were far from finished.
Niko turned to face his teammates.
His resolve clear.
"We'll fight till the end!"
His voice full of the conviction.
The team cheered in agreement, their energy shifting.
Each one of them had been reignited.
They weren't going to let the match slip away without putting up a fight.
Niko's eyes, once filled with doubt.
Now burned with life, his spirit refueled.
They weren't done. Not yet.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone