Chapter 6

-Third Person POV-

“talking”

‘thoughts’

Gento: “Guess it’s time to play against Team X, let’s see what Blue Lock has to offer.”

Upon entering the pitch team z is greeted with the sight of team x. Of the eleven players on the other side of the pitch one seems to stand out from the rest.

Gento: ‘That tall guy with the number 10 gives me bad vibes, should watch out for him during the game’

Team X’s Number 10 a tall boy with black styled up hair and a broad physique stands proudly in front of the rest of his team. Walking towards their assigned positions Gento speaks with Bachira.

Gento: “Let’s hope that our ‘genius’ way of figuring out where to play works out.”

*Flashback to a couple hours earlier*

Gento: “Is rock-paper-scissors really the best way to do this?”

Isagi ended up winning their rock-paper-scissors game leading to him becoming the main striker, whilst with the help of Kuon the formation for the first game in the first selection was finalized.

Back to the present

Gento: ‘Didn’t even get to play as a number 10, but who cares at least im not stuck on defence.’

Intercom: “In the first selection, all fouls will be called by VAR. Building 5’s first match will be a half-game lasting 45 minutes. Team X versus Team Z. Time for kick-off.”

Team X     vs     Team Z

                Game Start

At the sound of the whistle Bachira passes the ball to Isagi who begins running towards the enemy team. Isagi continues running until he gets intercepted by 3 defenders causing him to completely stop moving.

As soon as Isagi stops moving, Raichi takes the chance and steals the ball from Isagi trying to get past the defenders.

Isagi: “Huh? Raichi what are you doing? What about the play?”

Raichi: “Screw the plan! As long as I’m the top-scorer, I’m advancing no matter what!”

Using Raichi’s momentary distraction Kunigami swoops in and steals the ball from Raichi.

Kunigami: “Now you’re talking Raichi! Those are the rules aren’t they, so I’ll have no problems playing for myself.”

Gento: ‘What are those idiots doing, they’re just gonna lose the ball’

Turning around to look at his defenders Gento sees them also rushing in to get the ball causing him to sigh and mutter to himself.

Gento: “Guess I’ll stay back, to at least not leave us completely open.”

During the chaos the members of team x also join in trying to get the ball. At one point the ball flies out of the huddle of players towards the number 10.

Team X #10 Shoei Barou takes the ball and begins moving towards Team Z’s goal.

Isagi: “Sorry Kuon! He’s heading your way.”

Kuon: “Don’t worry Isagi, I got it.”

Kuon begins moving towards Barou trying to intercept the attempted attack. Seeing Kuon step forward Barou quickly nutmegs him and continues his sprint towards the goal. Nearing the penalty box Barou pulls his leg back and shoots the ball towards Team Z’s goal.

Only for it to get kicked out of play by a foot shooting out from Barou’s blind spot.

Intercom: “Ball is out-of-bounds. Corner-Kick for Team X”

At this Barou’s eyes widen and he quickly turns to his right seeing Gento standing there with a shit-eating grin on his face.

Gento: “What didn’t see that one coming?”

At his comments Barou gains an annoyed expression on his face.

Barou: “Who the fuck do you think you are, you nobody?!”

Gento: “Hmm? Why should I tell you?”

The rest of his team quickly runs up to Gento praising him for his interception.

Igarashi: “Nice block Gento! You really saved us back there.”

Gento turns towards the rest of his team, focusing on Raichi and Kunigami with a deadpan expression on his face.

Gento: “You know I wouldn’t have had to do that, if you didn’t lose the ball like that.”

Raichi: “Hah?! Don’t look at me like that, Kunigami lost us the ball not me!”

Gento: “Doesn’t matter, just help defend this corner.”

Some random player on Team X takes the ball and readies himself to take the corner. The players of Team Z begin moving to mark the players of Team X. Gento quickly realises that none of them actually chose to mark the only threat on the enemy team, causing Gento to move towards Barou.

Gento: ‘How the fuck did I end up marking the tall one?’

Barou: “Do you really think you can stop me from scoring here, shorty?”

Gento: “Not like I have much of a choice, dumbass.”

Team X’s #7 takes the corner and passes the ball towards the penalty box. Barou jumps up trapping the ball with his chest, using his superior strength forces his body between Gento and the ball, then quickly shoots the ball into the back of Team Z’s goal.

GOAL Team X Shoie Barou – Team X 1:0 Team Z

Barou: “Now hear me, suckers, and remember my words. For me, the ball isn’t my “Friend” or any nonsense like that. It’s just a spherical servant that exists solely so I can shine. On the pitch, I am the king.”

Barou looks down at Gento, an arrogant expression on his face.

Barou: “Told you that you would fail at trying to stop me. Now stay down there as a stepping stone for me to reach the top of Blue Lock.”

Gento: ‘Wow real impressive, you’re stronger than someone, like 4 years younger than you?’

He goes back to his side as his team surrounds their so-called king, showering him with praise, on the other hand everyone on Team Z seems to be in a state of shock causing the to again start fighting.

Igarashi: “You’re the goalie, aren’t you? Act like one!”

lemon: “But l’ve never done this before. What am I meant to do?”

Kuon: “It’s only one goal. Let’s calm down.”

Raichi: “Oi, you twerp! You were marking him, how can you let him score so easily!”

Gento: “Dude the guy is like 20cm taller than me and at least 15 to 20kg heavier, what do you want me to do? If you have time to complain just mark him yourself next time dipshit.”

Bachira, seemingly not caring at all, casually picks up the ball and puts it back on the kick-off spot. The rest of Team Z take this as their sign to get back in position and restart the game.

Isagi again passes the ball to Bachira in hopes of attacking as a double team, however this time Igarashi intercepts the ball in hopes of scoring a goal.

Isagi: “Igarashi? Go back to your position!”

Igarashi: “Are you dense Isagi? The top-scorer of the team advances. I’m never gonna pass again, sorry for your loss!”

He quickly loses the ball to the first defender of Team X, who immediately tries to pass the ball to Barou.

Raichi: “Are you serious?! I’m gonna kill you, you dumbass!”

Barou receiving the ball begins moving towards the goal. Seeing this Gento again begins to trail Barou’s advance.

Gento: ‘He’s gonna make a mistake any second now.’

Soon after this Barou makes a slightly sloppy touch causing Gento to shoot forward to try and steal the ball. Gento manages to touch the ball then drags it back towards him and quickly starts sprinting up the field towards Team X’s goal.

Gento: ‘I have to watch out for 17 players at the same time. The 10 outfield players of Team X and my team with the exception of Bachira and Isagi.’

Gento scanning his surroundings notices that Barou is already hot on his trail, 2 other players of Team X alongside Igarashi and Raichi are sprinting towards him in hopes of stealing the ball.

Gento: “Fuck it, have fun weirdo!”

Gento shoots the ball upfield where a certain bobcut-having bumblebee is waiting.

Bachira: “Thanks for the pass Gen-chan!”

With the ball at his feet Bachira begins dribbling upfield, using a combination of fast step-overs and roulettes to pass defender after defender. During this attack Gento begins drifting through Team X trying to draw as little attention as possible to himself.

Gento: ‘Let’s use the others as bait and hope Bachira sees the opening. What am I saying his weaponized schizophrenia is gonna make him pass to me anyway.’

The rest of Team Z position themselves near the penalty box in hopes of receiving a pass from the dribbler currently destroying the right wing.

Kunigami / Raichi / Igarashi: “Bachira pass!/ Over here, give me the ball!/ I want it!”

Bachira: ‘Where to pass, where to pass? Hmm? This feels right!’

Bachira crosses the ball towards the left of the penalty box, where seemingly none of his teammates were waiting.

Team X player: “Eh there’s noone there dumbass!”

Raichi: “What the fuck was that pass?!”

Before the defenders of Team X manage to arrive at the ball’s destination, the hair on the back of their necks suddenly stands up.

Team X defender: ‘Huh? What is this?’

All of a sudden Team Z’s resident Ghost shoots forward between Team X’s defense, traps the ball using his left foot and shoots it into the bottom-left corner of the goal using his right foot.

GOAL Team Z Gento Hirako – Team X 1:1 Team Z

Gento: “Really no one’s there? Have you thought of investing in a new pair of glasses?”

Bachira sprints towards the younger boy and jumps on his shoulders with a huge grin on his face.

Bachira: “Nice one Gen-chan!”

Gento feeling his teammates hands on his shoulders starts smiling brightly

Gento: “Nice pass, Bachira! I knew I could really on you.”

Seeing the younger boy’s goal Barou gets angry and stomps towards the kick-off spot causing the rest of his team to get into their position and reset the game.

Team X Player: “Hey, let’s just pass the ball to Barou and support him. If we win as a team all of us are gonna advance!”

Player with the ball: “Good call. Barou!”

With a new sense of determination the player at the kick-off spot passes towards their new king. The ball lands on Barou’s foot and he starts making his way forward, this time however constantly keeping an eye out for Gento.

Barou: ‘Can’t let that stepping stone get near me.’

Gento again sprints towards Barou, this time however he gets intercepted by 2 of Team X’s players.

Team X player 1: “Where do you think you’re going?”

Team X player 2: “Yeah we’re not gonna let you bother our king!”

Gento: ‘Shit this is gonna be annoying!’

Gento begins trying to get the 2 of them off his trail. During this Barou continues his attack towards Team Z’s goal causing most of Team Z to try and cover Barou leaving another attacker of Team X open. Seeing this Barou performs a quick heel flick to the completely open striker, who takes the ball and begins moving forward.

Team Z’s defence moves to try and block Team X’s #11

Team X #11: “You really fell for the bait, idiots.”

He quickly passes the ball back to Barou, who upon receiving the ball shoots it full-force towards the top-right corner of the goal.

Igarashi: “Save it, Iemon!”

Iemon throws himself towards the ball’s destination but barely falls short with the ball hitting the back of the net.

GOAL Team X Shoei Barou – Team X 2:1 Team Z

Gento: ‘Shit, they’re completely focusing on locking me down because the rest of my team is tearing itself apart’

The next two plays go the same, with Gento being followed by 2 or 3 players at a time and the rest of Team Z remaining a complete mess leading to Barou scoring two more goals.

GOAL Team X Shoei Barou – Team X 4:1 Team Z

Gento, seeing Isagi deep in thought, goes up to talk to him.

Gento: “Hey Isagi, do you have a plan on how to get out of this shit?”

Isagi: “Huh? Yeah I have a plan and I need you and Bachira to help me.”

Gento gives Isagi a thumps-up.

Gento: “Alright go and convince the weirdo and you got my vote.”

Isagi goes up to talk with Bachira giving him the details of his plan.

Bachira: “Allright, got it. Hey Gen-Chan, drag the defenders away from me and Isagi for this next-play.”

Gento gives the two of them a playful salute.

Gento: “Sir, yes sir.”

Isagi goes to restart the game and passes the ball to Bachira. Gento moves up the field purposely gaining the attention of most of the defenders.

Gento: ‘Come on, bite already you idiots’

Seeing Gento moving towards the penalty box most of the defenders move towards him to try and stop his attack. During this, Bachira and Isagi continue their attack.

Team X defender: “We see you kid, didn’t you tell us to get some glasses? Don’t need them to see you clearly!”

At their declaration Gento begins laughing loudly.

Gento: “Dude, how blind are you lot? Your goal is completely open!”

Bachira and Isagi’s team-up allows them to pass to each other in order to reach Team X’s goal, Bachira’s last pass leaves Isagi right in front of the goal. However, Barou appears to block Isagi’s attack

Barou: “Hey number 11 what do you think you’re doing? I’m the king on this pitch!”

Hearing Barou’s voice causes Isagi to freeze up, not knowing what to do.

Kunigami and Raichi come up behind Isagi wanting him to pass.

Kunigami: “Over here Isagi, give me the ball!”

Raichi: “Here I’m right here!”

Barou lunges at Isagi to try and steal the ball, following his instincts, Isagi ends up passing it over to Kunigami, who uses his powerful left kick to score the goal at long range.

GOAL Team Z – Rensuke Kunigami – Team X 4:2 Team Z

After the goal, Raichi angrily stomps over to Isagi grabbing his jersey by the collar and shaking him

Raichi: “What the hell was that Isagi?! Why’d you pass to him?! I was way more open than him!”

Isagi: “Huh? No… wait a minute I was planning to shoot, but i just.. my body moved on its own.”

Raichi: “Are you an Idiot?! Who passes when he tries to shoot?!”

At this point Kuon comes over to separate the two of them.

Kuon: “Hey Raichi, calm down, we still scored a goal.”

Raichi: “Scored a goal? Scored a goal!? Why the fuck should I care if someone else scores a goal! You heard the rules right! The top two teams and top scorers of the other three teams advance. We still lost 4:2 so why should I celebrate someone else’s goal!?!?”

Barou, walking over to the stunned Isagi, begins speaking whilst looking down at him.

Barou: “Hey #11, anyone who loses their nerve in front of the goal isn’t cut out to be a striker. You don’t have what it takes.“

Intercom: The first match for wing 5 has concluded. Final score 4:2 in favor of Team X.”

Game Over – Team X 4:2 Team Z – Winner Team X

At the declaration Team X begins celebrating whilst most of Team Z stares at the ground. Gento, apparently not caring in the slightest, begins walking towards Isagi who sat down on the floor.

Gento: “How come you didn’t shoot?”

At this Isagi looks up at the younger boy standing over him.

Gento: “I decided to help you ’cause I thought you were gonna score. If you’re just gonna choke, I can always just play with Bachira.”

Isagi: “Huh? Gento?”

Gento: “I’m not saying this to be mean, but get your shit together. I don’t want to leave you and the rest of Team Z behind and advance solo.”

Gento bends down and reaches his hand out towards Isagi.

Gento: “Just score one next game and all’s good, okay?”

Isagi: “Yeah, just score one next game I can do that.”

Gento smiles at Isagi as the black-haired boy takes his hand.

Gento: “Come on, let’s hit the showers I’m too sweaty for a heart-to-heart”

– End of Chapter 4 –