4. Kunigami Reveals Isagi Yoichi’s Strength

Additionally, Kunigami was concerned to see Isagi constantly eating Natto, considering Isagi’s very low ranking in Blue Lock. As a gesture of gratitude for the goal Kunigami scored thanks to Isagi’s pass, Kunigami decided to exchange his bonus goal points at the cafeteria and buy a steak, sharing half of it with Isagi as a special treat.

Kunigami was also curious about Isagi’s decision to pass the ball to him, even though Kunigami was being tightly marked by a defender, while Raichi was running free without any opponent nearby and was closer to Isagi.

Isagi explained to Kunigami the reason behind his pass, saying that it was a reflexive move and unintentional. Isagi believed that if he had passed to Raichi, Barou, who was blocking Isagi, would have easily stopped Raichi.

Moreover, Isagi revealed the real reason why he chose to pass to Kunigami. He felt that his instincts told him that Kunigami’s long-range shot would result in a goal. This was because Isagi had previously experienced the strength of Kunigami’s shot during the initial Blue Lock test, the ball tag game, where Kunigami had delivered a powerful kick aimed at the target player.

Kunigami told Isagi that his unique individual skill was like an instinct that leads directly to goals. Praising Isagi sincerely, Kunigami acknowledged that Isagi’s quick decision-making was extraordinary.

5. Match: Team Z vs Team Y

Before the match between Team Z and Team Y began, Kuon reminded his teammates that Team Y had also suffered a defeat in their first game, so they would surely fight with everything they had to secure a victory this time.

As the game started, Team Z relied on Bachira’s dribbling skills as their primary weapon to penetrate Team Y’s defense. Bachira advanced as far as he could, but the players of Team Y had anticipated this tactic and positioned three players to limit his movement. As a result, Bachira was forced to pass the ball to Igaguri.

After that, Raichi passed the ball to Kunigami, hoping that his powerful long-range shot would succeed. However, Team Y had already calculated Kunigami’s capability. Two central defenders from Team Y managed to block the shot, and the ball failed to reach the goal.

6. Team Y’s Counterattack

The ball was back at Bachira’s feet, who passed it once again to Kunigami, hoping his long-range shot would succeed this time. Unfortunately, Team Y’s two central defenders managed to block the shot again, and the rebound ball fell at Niko’s feet, a player from Team Y.

Niko quickly launched a counterattack, sending a through ball to Okawa, who was running free without any defense from Team Z’s center-backs. With remarkable composure, Okawa easily scored against Lemon, Team Z’s goalkeeper, giving Team Y a 1-0 lead over Team Z.

Isagi finally understood why Team Y wasn’t actively attacking and instead placed nine players in defense, leaving only Okawa up front. Although it seemed like they were overwhelmed by Team Z’s constant attempts to break their “bus parking” defense, Team Y was actually baiting all of Team Z’s players to move forward and attack. Isagi realized that Team Y’s strategy focused on defense, stealing the ball, and launching quick counterattacks with Okawa as their spearhead.