Chapitre 25: [25] Weakness
The match began with Team V taking the first possession.
Tabito Karasu confidently led the charge with the ball, Aryu Jyubei close behind him, while Otoya Eita disappeared unnoticed into the crowd.
"Stay sharp, Shinichi," Hiori whispered as they both held their ground at the back, opting not to press forward as they usually would. Hiori's eyes darted around the field, wary of Otoya's off-ball movements.
"Karasu has a knack for pinpointing the weakest link in an opposing team and relentlessly targeting them until the match is over. That's his style."
"You need to watch out—he'll try to exploit your weaknesses." Hiori's tone was serious, though deep down, he wasn't even sure what Shinichi's weak points were.
After playing alongside Shinichi for so long, Hiori had yet to notice any significant flaws in his game.
Sure, Shinichi was relatively new to football, and while some of his skills weren't as polished as others, he was already performing at a level that seemed perfect for high school players.
But Karasu's analysis skills are on another level, Hiori thought. If there's something we've overlooked, he might just uncover it.
"If he can find it, that is…" Shinichi interrupted, his tone steady. "He's coming."
Karasu approached swiftly, his movements calculated and deliberate.
Shinichi didn't rush to challenge him; instead, he maintained his defensive stance, waiting to assess Karasu's approach.
'He's scanning the surroundings?'
Shinichi noted.
'There's no immediate threat within my defensive range.'
'Did he figure out the limits of my coverage just by studying game footage?'
Karasu's next words confirmed Shinichi's suspicion.
"Man, your defense is something else," Karasu said with a grin. "You can predict your opponent's movements, anticipate your teammates' support, and even calculate the ripple effects of your own actions. It's almost oppressive, really. You make the field feel suffocating."
"But," Karasu continued, his smirk widening, "I noticed something while watching your recordings. When something happens just outside your immediate defensive range, your reaction tends to lag ever so slightly."
"Sure, your reflexes are still impressive, but they're nowhere near as sharp as they are when something happens within your 'zone.' Like… this!"
With that, Karasu made his move.
Karasu suddenly made a cross-field pass, his movement catching Shinichi off guard.
Despite Shinichi's superhuman speed, the distance was too great for him to intercept—just like in the match against Isagi.
'Right side?:
There shouldn't be anyone there… Shinichi's eyes widened in realization.
'Damn it, Otoya Eita!'
Unexpectedly, the "ninja" Otoya burst into Shinichi's defensive zone, zigzagging with a series of rapid direction changes that left his teammates struggling to keep up.
With exceptional timing and agility, Otoya narrowly reached the ball, completing the unexpected cross.
'He's been staying just outside my effective defensive range, moving in only when necessary.'
'His off-ball movement and flexibility let him slip past the edges of my limited Meta Vision.'
"Dammit," Shinichi cursed under his breath as he gave chase.
His incredible speed turned him into a blur, like an arrow loosed from a bow.
In mere moments, he closed the gap, intercepting Otoya just as he tried to pick up momentum.
Shinichi leaned in with his shoulder, using his body to block Otoya while probing for an opportunity to dispossess him.
However, Otoya showed no hesitation.
Realizing he couldn't maintain possession, he deftly backheeled the ball to a teammate.
"Not an easy game, huh?" Otoya remarked as he slipped away. "Even with both of us working together, it takes everything to get past this monster."
Karasu surged forward from Otoya's right, leaping to receive the clever pass.
With a fluid motion, he prepared to break away for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
But just as he thought he'd cleared the threat, a voice rang out behind him—light and playful, yet terrifying in its confidence.
"Who said you've gotten past me?"
Karasu barely had time to react as Shinichi's figure materialized in his peripheral vision, closing in like a shadow with terrifying speed.
Strands of jet-black hair flickered in the corner of Karasu's vision as Shinichi charged forward with explosive speed.
Forcing a sharp change of direction, he cut off Otoya Eita's momentum, bringing him to a halt.
But Shinichi didn't stop there—he accelerated once more, launching himself like a missile, closing in to apprehend the "criminal crow."
Even Karasu couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth in disbelief. "What kind of monster are you? Running that fast is one thing, but pulling off such sudden stops and starts without even needing a break? Are your knees even okay?"
"They're fine," Shinichi replied nonchalantly, a faint smirk on his face. "Though it'd be a real hassle if I had to beat you outright. But you know, there are plenty of ways to achieve victory on a football field."
"So we never planned to break past you in the first place!"
Karasu raised his right hand, pressing it against Shinichi's chest to force some space between them.
But the difference in strength was so apparent that Karasu's body tilted awkwardly under Shinichi's relentless pressure.
Yet, even in this strained position, with considerable distance still separating him from the goal, Karasu unexpectedly wound up for a shot.
Perhaps due to the difficulty of the situation, the shot seemed laughable.
The trajectory was painfully obvious—it lacked power, was agonizingly slow, and the angle was far too wide.
The ball arced upwards with an awkward height that even a kindergarten player could tell wouldn't score.
"Too high? No… wait—Hiori!" Shinichi's expression suddenly shifted, his voice ringing out in alarm.
"You noticed? Makes sense, though it's a little too late to stop it, even for you," Karasu said, his tone brimming with confidence.
Mid-sprint, he had shifted his entire body to execute a long pass instead of a shot.
Now crouching with one hand on the ground to maintain his balance, his posture was anything but graceful.
Yet his lips curled into an undeniable grin.
"Because our goal from the start… was a pass. Your move, Jyubei!"
"Don't call me that name!" Aryu Jyubei bellowed as he sprang into the air, leaving Hiori in stunned disbelief.
His already towering frame combined with an incredible vertical leap made him a dominant force.
"The one thing I've always hated," Aryu continued mid-air, "is this outdated, samurai-sounding, totally uncool name! There's nothing stylish about it at all!"
With a dramatic cry, Aryu whipped his head violently, sending his silky, jet-black hair flying.
At the same time, the ball soared like a white streak, arcing perfectly over Hiori's outstretched jump and slamming into the back of the net with undeniable authority.
Gooooooal!
1:0
"That said," Aryu declared as he struck a superhero-like landing pose, tossing his hair back with exaggerated flair, "this goal, however, was extremely stylish."
For the first time since entering Blue Lock, Shinichi's Team X had their goal breached. It was also the first time they found themselves trailing in a match.
"How could it… the target… was… me?" Hiori muttered to himself, his head hanging low after being thoroughly outplayed in his brief duel with Aryu. His fists clenched tightly as realization dawned upon him.
That's right—even someone as analytical as Karasu couldn't pinpoint a clear weakness in Shinichi, or at least, not one that could be exploited effectively.
So, in this match, the one chosen as the constant target, the weak point to be attacked relentlessly, wasn't Shinichi.
It was him—Hiori Yo!
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