048 Blue Lock: System Ten Years Early

"This guy actually used Rin Itoshi as bait!" Reo Mikage looked in disbelief at Ranze Kurona, who stood expressionless facing Shinichi, that confident figure deeply imprinted in his eyes.

"Maybe… their way of coexisting is the correct one…"

"This just got troublesome." Yukio Ishikari walked over to Seishiro Nagi and said. Compared to Rin Itoshi, his only use was relying on height to contest high balls, but Rin Itoshi's positioning and awareness completely crushed everyone on their side. If they couldn't draw Rin Itoshi away, there was simply no way to pass the ball over.

"Yeah, I know." Seishiro Nagi wiped his face roughly with his collar. "If there were someone from Team Z at a time like this… what was his name again? Isagi Yoichi? If we had that kind of positioning ability, it'd probably be a lot easier."

"But… still…" After murmuring softly for a moment, Seishiro Nagi walked toward Reo Mikage. "Reo, I need you."

"Huh? Weren't you the one who said you didn't need me? What are you coming over here for now?" Reo Mikage turned his head away in annoyance, but Seishiro Nagi persisted.

"Because you still went back to defend in the end, Reo. So you still want to win, right?"

"…"

"I know we might not be able to win, but I still want to try a little harder."

"Then go try it yourself. Don't come running to me just because you hit a setback."

After a moment of silence, Reo Mikage forced himself to harden his heart and reject him again.

'Damn it, don't come over! Don't come over, Nagi. I've already found something… a correct direction. Don't make me go back…'

"But I can't do it. I tried relying on myself, but organizing the attack and thinking about what to do next… you're still better at that, Reo."

"I'm more used to having Reo always by my side. Without you, the dream of becoming world number one is absolutely impossible for me alone."

"My weapon is trapping the ball. Without Reo's passes, I can't fully bring it out."

"Help me, Reo."

...

After a long silence, Reo Mikage finally let out a deep sigh.

"Just this once."

Maybe I was wrong. Taking world number one is my own dream and selfish desire. I was the one who dragged Nagi into this world on my own, and I was also the one who despaired and gave up on my own. It's only natural that Nagi would be angry.

I never imagined that Nagi, who used to see everything as a hassle and was too lazy to do anything, would take our dream so seriously… That's right. From the day we started playing football, we've always been together. Only the two of us together are a complete existence.

"This time, we're working hard for the dream, right, Nagi?" Reo Mikage still didn't look at Seishiro Nagi, but his right arm was already raised, extending a fist toward him.

"Yeah." Seishiro Nagi bumped fists in response. "Reo, how many more goals should we score?"

"As many as you can. Score as many as possible."

...

"Rin, it looks like the other side is about to change something. Don't end up capsizing in a ditch."

By the goal, Shinichi shouted loudly toward Rin Itoshi ahead. The only response he got was a vicious glare. Shinichi shrugged and stopped seeking trouble, instead propping up his chin and watching Seishiro Nagi and Reo Mikage with interest.

"Because of the overwhelming gap, Reo Mikage began to doubt his own ability and the feasibility of his dream, while Seishiro Nagi felt disappointed after noticing Reo Mikage's state of mind."

"But now, for the sake of victory, the two sides are cooperating again. Tsk tsk, how complicated. But if in this state you still get completely crushed, what will happen then? When it comes time to choose players, what kind of thing will Seishiro Nagi, that guy with such an unusual way of thinking, do?"

...

While discussing tactics with his teammates, Reo Mikage suddenly shivered for no reason, feeling as if he were being stared at by some malicious gaze. But the feeling suddenly dissipated, and he took it as an illusion, continuing to instruct his teammates.

"The opponent's Rin Itoshi has individual ability that none of us can handle alone. That's also their secret to erasing the numerical disadvantage between us. I think we need to do our best to bring out our advantage in numbers."

Reo Mikage drew a diamond shape on the grass with his hand.

"We'll advance forward according to this formation. Don't let the distance between each person get too far, to prevent being isolated and forced into one-on-one situations where we have to fight purely on individual ability."

"I'll play defensive midfielder at the back. I'll decide who we start the attack from. Ishikari, you need to keep moving. Don't let the opponent get around in front of you. That would make passing to you very risky."

After getting a response, Reo Mikage looked at Zantetsu Tsurugi.

"Zantetsu, what you need to do is the same as before. Keep running on the left side here to look for chances. I'll pass the ball over."

"Nagi, you just act at the very front according to your own ideas. Everyone, don't stick to the ball. Move it as much as possible, make the opponent run themselves ragged, bring out our advantage, and take this point!"

"Oh!"

"Oh."

"Oh~"

The responses were completely uncoordinated, sparse, and varied in tone, but Reo Mikage wasn't worried at all, because the flames of fighting spirit were burning in everyone's eyes.

Beep—!

The whistle sounded, and Reo Mikage kicked off, passing directly to Zantetsu Tsurugi.

"Zantetsu, use your speed to open up a path for us first!"

"Don't even think about it, fast-running four-eyes." Ranze Kurona was pulled a full step behind by Zantetsu Tsurugi's instantaneous burst, but after several meters he grit his teeth and chased back up.

"Let's compare speed."

Zantetsu Tsurugi glanced at Ranze Kurona and didn't respond. Before Kurona could catch up, he lifted his foot and passed the ball out.

"Sorry, but right now I have to fulfill my duty… Am I saying that right?"

"You're absolutely right, Zantetsu." The forward-charging Reo Mikage received the return pass and continued advancing, his eyes constantly observing the movements of everyone on the field.

'Still not coming? If this keeps up, I'm going to push straight to the front of the goal.'

"As expected, here he comes!" Just as Reo Mikage was about to keep advancing, Rin Itoshi abandoned Yukio Ishikari and charged toward Reo Mikage.

"So impressive. Even while rushing toward me, you deliberately blocked the passing lane to Ishikari behind." After careful observation, Reo Mikage finally understood part of the secret behind Rin Itoshi's actions.

"But this time, it's different!"

"Ishikari!"

Ignoring the oncoming Rin Itoshi, Reo Mikage lifted his foot and kicked. The ball shot straight into the sky. An over-the-top long pass sailed over Rin Itoshi and flew directly toward the front field, while Yukio Ishikari watched the landing point of the ball and sprinted forward.

"This is the tactic you wasted so much time coming up with?" Hearing that flat voice laced with disdain, Reo Mikage subconsciously froze. Rin Itoshi calmly watched the ball fly over him toward the front.

"Playing football based on naïve dreams—at your level, you're not even as good as that guy's lackey."

As if to prove Rin Itoshi's words, Yo Hiori appeared out of nowhere in front of Yukio Ishikari. He didn't try to contest the high ball with him at all, instead simply blocking him so neither side could get to the ball immediately. After the ball hit the ground, Yo Hiori relaxed the physical contest, and the two charged toward the ball together. But when it came to ground-ball contention, Yo Hiori's technique held an absolute advantage.

"Your childish, ordinary football stops right here."