Blue Lock - Conqueror!

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Isagi and Rin lunged simultaneously toward the ball, their movements a blur of speed and intensity. Isagi's quick reaction allowed him to reach it first, his sharp instincts and split-second decision-making putting him in position. Rin, however, closed the gap with his long, powerful strides, his reach giving him an edge even at the last moment.

Their feet collided with the ball in unison, a clash of raw force and precision. The resulting impact sent the ball spinning upward, slicing through the air with a sharp whine. Both players froze for a fraction of a second, their gazes locked on the ball as it arced toward Rin's side of the field, just slightly closer to him.

Isagi's face broke into the same determined grin he had worn since the start of their duel. It was a look of pure exhilaration, as if the challenge itself was a prize. His focus was razor-sharp, his confidence unshaken even as Rin's presence loomed over him like a shadow.

Rin, on the other hand, was consumed by the weight of the moment. The intense pressure of the challenge, combined with his burning desire to crush Isagi, pushed him once more into the elusive state of Flow. His eyes gleamed with an almost predatory focus, his body moving as if time had slowed.

A sharp breath escaped his lips, and his tongue darted out slightly—a subconscious quirk that marked his immersion in the game. His gaze stayed locked on the ball, which hovered tantalizingly above his head.

With a fluid, almost animalistic leap, Rin propelled himself upward, his body arching perfectly to meet the ball mid-air. His chest puffed out as he absorbed the ball's momentum, but Rin wasn't satisfied with merely stopping it. In the split second before gravity reclaimed him, his intense focus allowed him to direct the ball with surgical precision, sending it toward his right side.

Isagi, already anticipating the shift, reacted in an instant. His feet dug into the ground as he sprinted toward the ball, his mind racing to calculate Rin's next move. Rin landed lightly, his movements graceful and controlled despite the force of his jump. Without hesitation, he lunged toward the ball as well.

The field seemed to shrink around them as both players closed in on the ball, their bodies low and poised for the next move. Rin's intensity radiated like a storm, his unwavering focus creating an almost tangible pressure. Isagi, undeterred, matched his energy, his grin widening as if he relished the battle.

Their boots struck the turf in unison as they converged once more, their every movement synchronized in the pursuit of dominance. The air between them crackled with tension, the ball now the center of a tug-of-war that would decide not just possession, but the outcome of their rivalry.

The ball bounced to the right, spinning slightly from Rin's earlier touch. Once again, Isagi and Rin closed in on it, their movements perfectly timed. Isagi's quick reflexes and Rin's long strides brought them neck-and-neck, their competitive energy colliding as they reached for the ball.

But this time, Isagi had no intention of letting it play out the same way. His tactical mind burned with clarity as he adjusted his movement at the last second. Instead of merely contesting the ball, he nudged it backward with precise control, sending it arcing over both their heads.

The ball hung in the air for a moment, spinning with a deliberate backward rotation. The motion was subtle but deliberate, a masterstroke of calculation. It wasn't just a defensive move—it was an opportunity.

Isagi twisted his body fluidly, pivoting on his heel as he turned to chase the ball. Rin followed instantly, his focus unwavering, his movements sharp and predatory. The two of them spun around as if locked in a dance, their rivalry driving them forward with unrelenting determination.

Ahead of them, the ball descended in a gentle arc, bouncing lightly as if waiting to be claimed. Isagi's grin remained firmly in place, his eyes glinting with confidence. He had anticipated this moment—every move, every spin of the ball had been planned.

But then Aryu entered the fray.

The towering defender, intoxicated by the intensity of Isagi and Rin's duel, had been watching with awe. But the sight of Isagi gaining the upper hand snapped him out of his amazement. Aryu's long legs carried him swiftly toward the ball, his elegant stride making it seem like he would intercept it with ease.

Aryu's presence on the field was always imposing. With his towering height and precise control, he often acted as an impenetrable wall. Seeing the loose ball, he surged forward, his determination clear.

Isagi, however, had already accounted for him.

His smirk widened slightly, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. When he had flicked the ball over Rin earlier, he had intentionally given it a backward spin. The spin caused the ball to bounce away from Aryu's outstretched foot just as the defender reached for it.

The subtle motion shifted the ball's trajectory just enough to evade Aryu's grasp, sending it bouncing back toward Isagi's path.

Aryu's eyes widened slightly, his confidence faltering as the ball slipped out of his reach. Isagi surged forward, seizing the opening he had created.

The ball, still spinning with calculated precision, was now entirely his to command. As he closed the gap, Isagi's confidence burned brighter, his focus unshakable. The duel wasn't over—not by a long shot—but Isagi was already positioning himself to turn this moment into his ultimate play.

Aryu, relentless in his pursuit, surged forward, intent on reclaiming control of the ball. But Isagi had anticipated his every move. With a quick, calculated nudge of the ball, he sent it spinning between Aryu's long legs. The ball, still tailed by its precise backspin, rolled to a complete stop just shy of the penalty box.

For a split second, it was as if time froze. The field lay open before him, but Isagi was far from safe. He was surrounded on all sides.

Rin, still tracking him closely, was right on his tail, his determination to defeat Isagi palpable. He was no longer just chasing the ball—he was trying to crush Isagi's momentum. To the right, Aryu was quick to recover, already positioning himself to block any escape. But that wasn't all—there was another threat approaching fast.

Tokimitsu, the towering defender who had left Nagi behind, was charging at him with terrifying speed. Isagi didn't need to glance to know what was coming next—Tokimitsu was going for the slide tackle, his body dropping low to the ground to snatch the ball away.

But this was all part of Isagi's calculation. He had already seen the play unfold in his mind.

With a flicker of movement, Isagi performed a perfect roulette. His foot rolled over the ball, spinning it smoothly in the opposite direction, allowing Tokimitsu to slide past him harmlessly. The towering defender, committed to his tackle, was now sliding on the turf, unable to recover in time.

Isagi, his path cleared, was now fully open. The goal was in front of him, the net beckoning. He could feel the weight of the moment. He was closer than ever to achieving his goal, closer than ever to proving not only his skill but his dominance over his rivals.

With the space now his, Isagi's eyes locked onto the goal, the final obstacle of Rin fading into the background for the moment. His body moved, fluid and unstoppable, as his confidence soared with every step.

This was his time.

As Isagi's foot connected with the ball, there was a brief, sharp sound that echoed across the field, The Blue Lock Man—his final line of defense—leapt desperately toward the shot, his arms stretching out, but there was no stopping it.

The ball soared with deadly precision, cutting through the air like a missile aimed at its target. The keeper's attempts were futile, as the shot was too fast, too accurate, and too perfectly placed. The ball nestled comfortably into the back of the net with a satisfying thud.

A stunned silence fell over the field for a split second—an almost surreal pause in time.

Aryu, who had been humiliated by the nutmeg just moments before, stood frozen, his legs still slightly apart, the sting of defeat clear in his eyes. His pride had been shattered, and now, his team lay defeated. Tokimitsu, having slid past without even getting a touch on the ball, remained on the ground, his body tense with the Nervousness of defeat. His powerful, imposing figure seemed to have been reduced to nothing at that moment. He, too, had been outplayed.

And then there was Rin. His gaze, filled with a mix of disbelief and resentment, lingered on Isagi as he stood victorious. Rin had been pushed to the edge of his limits throughout the game, even surpassing those limits, but when it mattered most, he had been left in the dust. He had chased Isagi, but never caught up, never had the chance to truly compete for that last play. Isagi had dismantled him—dismantled all of Team Red—singlehandedly.

Isagi stood there, his chest heaving as he soaked in the moment. His smile was confident, almost predatory, as he watched the reactions of his rivals. He had just done something extraordinary, something that even they couldn't deny.

In that moment, Isagi had outmaneuvered the entire opposing team. Rin's squad had been defeated, not by the combined strength of his teammates, but by the sheer will and brilliance of one player: Isagi Yoichi.

The echoes of his triumph reverberated through the field, and Isagi knew, without a doubt, that this victory—this crushing defeat of Team Red—was his declaration. He was the one to be reckoned with.

As the ball hit the back of the net, the silence was shattered by Nagi's excited shout. He sprinted toward Isagi, his face lighting up with that rare, genuine joy he only showed in moments like these. Without a second thought, he launched himself into the air, crashing into Isagi with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Isagi, still catching his breath from the intense play, was momentarily taken off guard by the impact, but he quickly adapted, wrapping his arms around Nagi as the two tumbled to the ground in a heap of laughter and celebration.

"Nice job, Isagi!" Nagi laughed, his voice full of that familiar, carefree enthusiasm. "You really nailed it!"

Kurona, who had been staggering, his legs barely able to support him, found a burst of energy as the realization of the victory settled in. The exhaustion that had been weighing on him—the kind that made him feel like every step was his last—vanished for a moment. Despite his body's protests, he made his way over to join the celebration.

With a breathless laugh, he collapsed beside the two of them, slapping Isagi on the back. "Man, you really did it… You crushed them, Isagi."

The trio sat there for a brief moment, the sweat and exhaustion of the match temporarily forgotten as they shared a victorious moment together. The noise of the crowd around them seemed distant now, replaced by the camaraderie between the three players. Even Kurona, who had been on the verge of collapse just moments before, couldn't help but smile. They had done it.

The tension that had gripped them throughout the match melted away as they celebrated. It wasn't just a victory; it was a statement, a declaration that they were ready for whatever came next. They were a team—each with their unique strengths—but it was Isagi's leadership, his sharp mind and relentless drive, that had led them to this point.

As they stood up from the ground, still laughing and high-fiving, the game was officially over. But the weight of what Isagi had achieved today wasn't lost on him. The challenge wasn't just about winning the match—it was about proving to himself, and to the others, that he was a force to be reckoned with.

And now, after dismantling Rin and his team, there was no doubt left in his mind.

The atmosphere on the field was thick with the tension of the moment. The victory was theirs, but Isagi knew there was one final step to seal it—the selection. The game had been intense, the stakes high, but now, the prize was tangible. As Kurona's voice echoed across the field, asking the question that everyone already knew the answer to, it felt almost redundant.

"So, who are we picking?"

Kurona's voice, though tired, was sharp, his question hanging in the air like an inevitable formality. But there was no real suspense. The choice was clear. There was only one player from the opposing team who stood out—Rin. The rest of Team Red had been dismantled, one by one, by Isagi's brilliance. And now, it was time for the final act.

Isagi turned toward Rin, his eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction, but there was something more in them—a sense of victory that wasn't just about the match, but about everything that had led to this moment. Rin, who had once looked down on him, underestimated him, and taunted him, was now on the receiving end of Isagi's crushing blow. His words came out casually, almost teasing, but each syllable cut through the air with razor-sharp precision.

"You wanted to give me a quick advancement, right?" Isagi's voice was laced with mockery, a playful challenge in his tone, but there was a cold edge to it. "Well, let me do that favor for you now."

The words hit Rin like a slap. His expression hardened, and a flicker of something dark passed through his eyes. He had pushed Isagi, taunted him, almost as if he were trying to force Isagi into submission. But now, Rin found himself in the exact position he had tried so desperately to avoid—forced into a situation where he had no choice but to join the very team he had sought to crush.

Rin's chest tightened, and his hands balled into fists at his sides. The weight of Isagi's words settled heavily on him, a blow that went far deeper than any physical tackle. It wasn't just that Isagi had won the match; it was that Isagi had outsmarted him, outplayed him, and made Rin look weak in front of the very people he had always looked down upon.

The victory wasn't just a matter of skill—it was a war of minds, and Isagi had emerged the victor. The sting of it all was almost too much for Rin to bear. His pride, his ego, had been torn down, piece by piece, until there was nothing left but the raw truth of the moment: Isagi had bested him.

For a brief, fleeting moment, Rin stood frozen in place, his mind scrambling for some way to turn the offer down. But the rules of Blue Lock were clear. There was no escaping it. No matter how fiercely he resisted, Rin was bound by the game, and in this moment, the game had chosen Isagi.

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