Bab 18: "Team Z vs Team X Pt. 3"
The whistle blew.
The ball rolled, and Isagi, at the center.
Wasted no time, sprinting forward with it.
His mind raced as fast as his legs.
Baro, sharp as ever.
Immediately stepped up to intercept.
His towering presence.
Cutting across Isagi's path like an immovable wall.
His piercing eyes locked onto Isagi.
"Peasant,"
Baro growled.
"You dare come at me again?"
Isagi felt the tension rise but didn't flinch.
Instead, his focus sharpened.
As Baro lunged.
Isagi made a quick decision.
Swiveling his body and launching a diagonal pass to the right flank.
"Chigiri! It's yours!"
He yelled.
Chigiri, waiting for the moment.
Darted down the wing.
His explosive speed leaving the opposing fullback struggling to catch up.
The ball reached him perfectly.
And Team Z's offensive machine kicked into gear.
Baro's expression darkened as he barked orders to his teammates.
"Mark him! Stop their momentum!"
But it was too late.
Chigiri was already deep into Team X's half.
He cut inside, attracting defenders.
Before laying off the ball to Bachira on the left.
Bachira toyed with his marker.
His mesmerizing dribbles pulling defenders out of position.
Then flicked the ball backward to Kunigami.
Baro, realizing the danger.
Stormed into the penalty area.
Aiming to block Kunigami's shot.
But Isagi had anticipated this.
"Bachira!"
Isagi called.
Sprinting into the open space Baro had vacated.
Bachira's pass was immediate.
Landing at Isagi's feet.
Baro turned to chase but found himself boxed in.
Raichi and Kuon had positioned themselves strategically.
Cutting off his path.
He roared in frustration, shoving past Raichi.
But the delay was enough.
Isagi, just outside the penalty box, glanced up.
He struck the ball with precision.
Aiming for the top left corner.
The goalkeeper lunged—too slow.
The ball grazed the inside of the post and sank into the net.
Goal!
2-1
Cheers erupted from Team Z as Isagi pumped his fist in celebration.
"Let's go!"
He shouted, his voice echoing across the pitch.
Baro stood in the middle of the field.
His expression a mix of rage and disbelief.
His teammates looked toward him for direction.
But he remained silent, glaring at Isagi.
…
The whistle blew.
Team X launched their offensive.
Like a charging bull.
Baro sprinted forward with the ball.
His powerful strides tore through the midfield.
"He's on the move again!"
Raichi shouted.
This time, Team Z was ready.
Five players moved in to contain Baro.
Converging like a net.
Kuon, Raichi, Imamura, Naruhaya, and Kunigami.
They blocked his potential routes, cutting off his options.
Baro his confidence unshaken.
"So predictable. You think five of you can stop me?"
He barreled through.
His strength sending Naruhaya stumbling.
But the pressure mounted.
Even Baro's monstrous physique had its limits.
And he realized advancing further alone was too risky.
A slight hesitation flickered in his eyes.
Before he grunted.
"Fine. Take this, trash!"
Baro sent a crisp, diagonal pass to a teammate.
Exploiting the gap Team Z had left in their defense to focus on him.
A gap deliberately placed by Isagi.
Isagi burst forward.
Reading Baro's intention perfectly.
The pass zipped toward Team X's attacker.
But Isagi intercepted it with pinpoint precision.
Cutting off the play.
"What?!"
Baro growled.
His eyes blazing with fury.
Isagi didn't stop.
With the ball now in his possession.
He immediately pivoted and started the counterattack.
His voice rang across the field.
"Chigiri! Bachira! Move!"
The two players, already attuned to Isagi's plan.
Exploded into action.
Chigiri darted down the right flank.
Using his unparalleled speed to stretch the field.
Bachira, on the left, weaved through defenders.
With his signature dribbling flair.
Creating space for Isagi in the center.
Team X scrambled to reorganize.
But their cohesion faltered without Baro at the helm.
Baro, desperate to recover.
Charged back to defend.
"Get back here, you worm!"
He bellowed, but the damage was done.
Isagi kept his cool.
Calculating the perfect moment to strike.
As he approached the penalty box.
Defenders swarmed him.
Forcing him to make a decision.
"Kunigami, take it!"
Isagi sent a perfectly weighted through ball to Kunigami.
Who was in an open shooting position.
Kunigami didn't hesitate.
He unleashed a powerful strike.
The ball soaring past Team X's goalkeeper.
And smashing into the back of the net.
Goal!
3-1
Team Z erupted in cheers.
The players rushing to congratulate Kunigami.
Even Raichi, known for his fiery temper.
Gave Isagi a rare nod of approval.
Isagi, catching his breath.
Glanced back at Baro.
Meeting his searing gaze with a calm confidence.
Baro might have been the King in his world.
But on this pitch, Isagi was in control.
…
The whistle blew.
The clock was ticking.
And Team X launched another offensive.
Desperately seeking to close the gap.
At the forefront was Baro.
As relentless as ever, driving forward with the ball.
But Team Z had perfected their strategy against him.
Four defenders swarmed him immediately.
While the rest of the team systematically.
Cut off passing lanes to his teammates.
"You're not going anywhere!"
Raichi growled.
Positioning himself aggressively to block Baro's advance.
Baro gritted his teeth.
His frustration mounting.
His powerful frame allowed him to hold his ground momentarily.
But the constant pressure was wearing him down.
"Move, you pests!"
He roared.
Attempting to bulldoze through.
Yet, Team Z was relentless.
Every time Baro tried to dribble past one player.
Another stepped in.
His options dwindled as the seconds ticked away.
Meanwhile, his teammates floundered under Team Z's dominance.
Every time Baro managed to pass the ball off.
The recipient was immediately outclassed.
Imamura and Naruhaya intercepted with ease.
Bachira danced around their defenders.
Chigiri's speed rendered their midfield obsolete.
"Why are you all so useless?!"
Baro finally snapped.
His voice booming across the field.
One of his teammates.
Visibly flustered, shot back.
"Maybe if you'd pass earlier, we'd have a chance!"
"You dare blame me?!"
Baro barked.
"I'm the only one doing anything out here!"
Another teammate.
Emboldened by the chaos, chimed in.
"You're so obsessed with playing the King that you're dragging us all down!"
Their argument escalated.
Growing louder with every exchange.
Meanwhile, Team Z, unfazed by the discord.
Seized every opportunity to exploit the cracks in Team X's already fragile cohesion.
With only minutes left on the clock.
Isagi orchestrated the final blow.
He called for the ball.
"Bachira, here!"
Bachira, dribbling effortlessly past a flustered defender.
Sent a perfectly timed pass to Isagi.
Who was already sprinting into the penalty box.
Baro, desperate, charged back to defend.
"You're not scoring on me!"
He roared, closing the distance.
But Isagi didn't care.
He unleashed a powerful strike.
The ball soared past the diving goalkeeper.
And smashed into the back of the net.
Goal!
4-1
"Pip, Pip, Piiiiip…!"
The whistle pierced the air.
Signaling the end of the match.
"Fifth Stratum Game 1, Winner: Team Z!"
The announcement echoed across the field.
On Team X's side, the scene was bleak.
Most of the players lay sprawled on the turf.
Their faces etched with despair.
Among them, Baro stood alone.
His imposing figure hunched, fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"How could this happen...?"
He muttered under his breath.
Team Z, on the other hand, erupted into cheers.
Their celebration was electric.
Their voices mingling in jubilant shouts and laughter.
"Yes! We did it!"
Kunigami roared, pumping his fist in the air.
Imamura grinned, leaning against Naruhaya.
Isagi, however, lingered for a moment.
His gaze fixed on Baro.
The sight was sobering.
A stark reminder of the high stakes of Blue Lock.
But Isagi turned away.
Walking back to his teammates.
As he approached the group.
A sudden chime echoed in his mind.
[Win Against Team X (Match) - Round 1]
Reward:
+100 Points for Winning
Match Performance Points:
+150 Points per goal scored.
+30 Points per assist.
+200 Points for being named MVP of the match.
Total Points Earned:
= 480 Points
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Slipier
Slipier Reward Points System:
-Match Win: 100 Points
-Goals Scored: 50 Points
-Assists: 30 Points
-MVP of Match: 200 Points
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone