7. Team W Equalizes the Score with Team Z

The IBK trio—Isagi, Bachira, and Kunigami—took their turn as Team Z’s strikers simultaneously. Their strategy was to use Bachira and Kunigami to form a triangle to disrupt Team W’s defense, with Isagi positioned as the finisher.

As Kunigami controlled the ball, he hesitated about what to do. A Team W player was attempting to steal the ball from him, while three other defenders stood guard inside the penalty box, blocking Kunigami’s range for a long-distance shot and closing off his shooting lane.

Kunigami considered passing the ball to Bachira so he could use his dribbling skills to break through the defense, but Bachira was tightly marked by two Team W players. In the end, Kunigami decided to pass the ball to Isagi, who was in an open, unguarded position.

Isagi was puzzled as to why the IBK trio’s combination play was so easily read by Team W. Kunigami’s long-range shooting path was blocked, and Bachira was heavily guarded, leaving him unable to dribble freely. Isagi found it strange—although Team W could study Team Z’s playstyle, there was no way they could immediately predict the IBK trio’s combination strategy after seeing it just once.

In his moment of confusion, Junichi successfully tackled the ball from Isagi and passed it to Keisuke.

Keisuke then sent a cross into Team Z’s penalty box aimed at Junichi. Kuon leapt high and should have been able to intercept the cross from Keisuke, but it seemed as if he intentionally let the ball slip past his header attempt.

As a result, Junichi received the pass from Keisuke and executed a shot that smashed into Team Z’s net. Team W finally managed to equalize the score at 3-3.

8. Kuon Wataru’s Betrayal

The Team Z players approached Kuon, and Isagi immediately asked him if he had betrayed their team. The Wanima brothers suddenly appeared behind Isagi and confirmed the accusation.

The Wanima brothers then approached Kuon and said there was no point in hiding it anymore since the truth was already exposed.

The Wanima brothers revealed that Team W knew the tactics, strengths, and weaknesses of every Team Z player, all thanks to Kuon’s information. They also added that Kuon had secretly left Team Z’s strategy meetings to deliver this betrayal plan to Team W. The Team Z players were shocked and couldn’t believe that Kuon could do such a thing.

Raichi, seething with rage, grabbed Kuon’s collar and demanded to know what he was thinking. Kuon calmly responded that he was just doing whatever it took to survive in Blue Lock.

Hearing this, Raichi prepared to punch Kuon, but Anri immediately gave Raichi a yellow card for his actions. Anri then instructed Team Z to continue the match.

9. Kuon Wataru Becomes the 12th Player for Team W

Kuon resumed the match by passing the ball to Keisuke from Team W. He firmly declared to Team Z that from now on, the game would be 12 versus 10, as he had officially joined Team W. In the control room, Anri asked Ego if Kuon’s actions were allowed. Ego simply told Anri to stay quiet and continue watching the match on the monitor.

Isagi then approached Kuon and questioned the reason behind his betrayal. Kuon admitted that after witnessing Isagi’s last-minute goal against Team Y, he began to doubt Team Z’s chances of advancing to the second Blue Lock selection. This was because their final opponent, Team V, was the strongest, undefeated team.

Kuon explained that Team Z had struggled just to beat Team Y, while Team V had effortlessly crushed Team Y with a staggering score of 8-0. Given this situation, Kuon felt pessimistic about Team Z’s ability to defeat Team V.

Kuon confessed that he had decided to stop fighting alongside the team and focus solely on himself. Kuon reminded Isagi that only the top two teams in the standings would advance to the second selection round. However, he also pointed out that there was another rule: the top scorer from any team that failed to place in the top two could still qualify.

Kuon then revealed that he had struck a deal with Team W. He promised to provide them with all the information about Team Z and let them win, on the condition that Team W allowed him to score three goals. This way, Kuon could become Team Z’s top scorer and secure his spot in the next stage of Blue Lock.

Isagi, filled with disappointment, asked, “What was the point of all our time together? Didn’t we promise to win as a team?” Kuon let out a sinister laugh and replied, “Thank you, Isagi. You really are so naive.” Kuon reminded Isagi that Blue Lock didn’t need bonds or teamwork—only the ego to win. For Kuon, being a traitor was a small price to pay for victory.