3. Isagi Yoichi’s Instructions to Raichi and Kunigami Pay Off

Team Z was in third place in the Blue Lock group standings, and they had one crucial mission: defeat Team V to secure second place and advance to the second round of Blue Lock selection. Although Team V was already guaranteed first place in the group, their desire to win burned bright—they had never lost a match.

Team V’s gameplay was built around Reo and Nagi, the key pillars of their strategy. Reo was a master of passing, while Nagi was a field monster capable of controlling the ball and scoring goals in various situations.

No matter how difficult Reo’s passes were, Nagi always managed to control the ball perfectly and deliver stunning goals, whether he was tightly marked by a center-back or pulling off an awe-inspiring bicycle kick. The duo’s brilliance allowed Team V to crush Team Z with a devastating 2-0 lead.

Because Team Z was too focused on monitoring Nagi’s movements, Reo chose to pass the ball to Zantetsu, who possessed a lethal long-range curving shot. Zantetsu’s strike resulted in a goal that tore through the net, giving Team V a commanding 3-0 lead over Team Z.

However, shortly after, Bachira showcased his exceptional dribbling skills, executing a series of high-level techniques as he danced past numerous Team V players. He shocked everyone with a brilliant rabona kick that resulted in a stunning goal, narrowing Team V’s lead to 3-1.

Following Bachira’s goal, Kunigami attempted to break into his shooting zone despite being guarded by two Team V players. Torn between taking a shot from 28 meters out or passing the ball to his teammates, Kunigami hesitated.

Isagi Yoichi, the team’s strategist, loudly encouraged Kunigami to take the risk, reminding him that only heroes dare to act boldly. With newfound courage, Kunigami unleashed a powerful 28-meter shot that rocketed past Team V’s goalkeeper. The first half ended with Team Z trailing narrowly, 3-2.

Entering the second half, Isagi’s directive for Raichi to tightly mark Reo from the first half proved effective in stifling Team V’s dangerous attacks. Reo’s playstyle, which relied heavily on passing to Nagi, was disrupted by Raichi’s relentless marking. Since Nagi rarely moved without receiving a pass from Reo, he was left frustrated and ineffective. Reo’s mounting frustration culminated in him committing a foul by elbowing Raichi in the neck, earning him a yellow card as a consequence.

With Team V’s attack weakened, Chigiri demonstrated his brilliance in countering Zantetsu, who was known for his incredible acceleration. In a spectacular long sprint, Chigiri’s legs moved at lightning speed, disrupting the opposing defense and leaving Zantetsu trailing behind in what seemed like a race against the wind.

Finally, Chigiri capitalized on his breathtaking speed to score a goal against Team V, bringing the score to an exhilarating 3-3 draw.