4. Kuon Wataru Scores a First-Half Hat-Trick

Igaguri sent a cross into the penalty area, targeting Kuon, who was tightly marked by two defenders. Despite the pressure, Kuon jumped high and perfectly headed the ball. The result was a stunning goal, putting Team Z ahead 1-0 against Team W.

Junichi’s face showed frustration, while Keisuke, acting as his brother’s voice, explained that Junichi was telling the Team W defenders to stop the opponents and calling them fools.

When Keisuke passed the ball to Junichi, Kunigami easily intercepted it from Junichi, who wasn’t focused, and quickly passed it to Bachira. Bachira then delivered a lofted pass to Kuon, who was outside Team W’s penalty area. Kuon leaped high, controlled the ball with his chest, and fired a long-range shot that once again found the back of Team W’s net, making the score 2-0 in Team Z’s favor.

Junichi grew even more irritated, and once again, Keisuke translated for him, saying to Team Z, “Don’t get too happy—it’s just lucky goals.”

As Naruhaya dribbled toward Team W’s goal, Junichi grabbed his shoulder and pulled him down outside the penalty area, earning Team Z a free kick. Bachira, who took the free kick, noticed that Kuon was unmarked inside Team W’s penalty box. He sent the ball toward Kuon, who used his impressive leap to head the ball into the net, securing his hat-trick.

As a result, Team Z led 3-0 against Team W by the end of the first half. In the VAR room, Anri remarked to Ego that Kuon hadn’t stood out in previous matches, but now he was playing brilliantly. Ego remained silent, watching the monitor intently.

5. Team Z’s Locker Room

In the locker room, the Team Z players celebrated their 3-0 lead. Raichi enthusiastically told his teammates that he would also score a hat-trick to make the score 6-0. The Team Z players praised Kuon not only for his strategic planning but also for his success in scoring a hat-trick as a striker in the first half.

Meanwhile, Isagi noticed Chigiri, who seemed detached from the joy of their team’s lead. As they walked down the hallway back to the pitch for the second half, Isagi asked Chigiri, “In a place as intense as Blue Lock, are you still thinking of giving up on soccer?” Chigiri stayed silent, staring at Isagi without answering.

6. Kuon Wataru’s Fatal Mistake

The second half began, and Naruhaya passed the ball to Raichi. Raichi tried to trick Junichi, who was attempting to steal the ball from him. Kuon then called for a pass from Raichi, and Raichi asked Kuon to pass it back. However, Kuon wasn’t alert, allowing Keisuke to steal the ball from him, infuriating Raichi.

The Wanima Brothers executed a one-two pass, easily bypassing Isagi’s tackle and even breezing past Chigiri. Receiving an assist from Keisuke, Junichi successfully scored a goal, changing the score to 1-3.

Kuon tried to calm his teammates, reminding them that they were still ahead by two goals. Kuon passed the ball to Isagi, who was positioned farther away. However, because the pass was too weak, Junichi intercepted it before it reached Isagi and sent a long ball to Keisuke, who was in Team Z’s penalty area. Keisuke immediately shot the ball, scoring another goal and narrowing the gap to 2-3.

Kunigami held Raichi back as he attempted to lash out at Kuon in anger over Kuon’s lack of focus during the game. Kuon admitted his mistake and knelt in front of Team Z. Kunigami tried to comfort him, saying that it was an honest mistake. However, Raichi snapped at Kunigami, shouting that an apology wasn’t enough because Kuon’s errors had led to two goals against them.

Kunigami urged Kuon to get up, but Isagi noticed something strange—Kuon was smiling. Despite this, Isagi chose to ignore his suspicion.