2. Nagi Seishiro Provokes Chigiri Hyoma

During the second selection at Blue Lock, an epic showdown took place between Team White and Team Red. Each team consisted of three players, with the goal of acquiring one player from the opposing team after a defeat. Team Red, featuring Reo, Kunigami, and Chigiri, faced off against Team White, comprising Nagi, Isagi, and Barou.

During a counterattack by Team Red, Chigiri sprinted at an incredible speed to receive a pass from Reo. Nagi closely tailed Chigiri’s every step as he dribbled the ball, confidently revealing to Chigiri that he had figured out his weakness—that Chigiri’s speed would slow down at the moment he made his first touch on the ball.

Although Nagi managed to catch up as Chigiri’s pace decreased during ball control, Chigiri unexpectedly regained his momentum, leaving Nagi far behind. Ultimately, Chigiri scored the first goal against Team White, guarded by an A.I. robot goalkeeper. The score shifted to 1-0, giving Team Red the lead over Team White.

When the score between Team White and Team Red was tied at 3-3, Chigiri once again relied on his speed for his offensive play, preparing to receive another pass from Reo. However, Nagi was determined not to repeat his mistake in failing to stop Chigiri. Chigiri openly acknowledged Nagi’s assessment that his main weakness lay in his first touch after receiving a pass.

However, Chigiri came up with a brilliant solution—he pushed the ball forward without trying to control it first, allowing him to maintain his top speed while keeping up with the ball’s pace. As a result, Nagi couldn’t keep up with Chigiri and was left trailing far behind. Chigiri then scored a stunning goal, shaking Team White’s net and giving Team Red a 4-3 lead.

This misfortune for Nagi was a direct consequence of his provocation. By provoking Chigiri, Nagi inadvertently pushed him to find a solution to his weakness. Instead of slowing down to control the ball, Chigiri’s strategy of maintaining his speed rendered Nagi’s confidence useless and left him unable to steal the ball.