Blue Lock: Paragon

Chapter 5: Total Domination!

I commenced the training session by engaging in a preliminary warm-up routine, involving a series of jogging exercises conducted around the perimeter of the football field. Concurrently, I took the opportunity to pose some fundamental inquiries to my trainee. These queries encompassed topics such as his desired goal range, proficiency in dribbling, maximum attainable speed, and the pivotal query that surfaced was his aspirational role model within the sport. Intriguingly, this particular question seemed to bewilder him momentarily, prompting me to inquire about his favorite player instead, to which he responded unequivocally with the name Noel Noa.

Subsequently, I inquired whether he aspired to emulate the playing style of this esteemed athlete, to which he expressed his unequivocal desire to do so. However, this response did not align with my intended expectations. Consequently, I embarked upon a process of juxtaposing his own skill set against that of Noel's, meticulously assessing their respective strengths and weaknesses. Primarily, I inquired about his ambidexterity, and regrettably, his response indicated a lack thereof. Furthermore, his self-assessment regarding his dribbling prowess was rather modest.

In light of these revelations, I elucidated the notion that while it is indeed commendable to admire and draw inspiration from professional players, the act of endeavoring to replicate their style without possessing comparable abilities may ultimately prove counterproductive. By setting his aspirations unattainably high and neglecting to cultivate his own unique strengths, he inadvertently hindered his personal growth and development as a striker.

This realization served as a catalyst for him, as he recognized that prior to his involvement with Blue Lock, he had failed to concentrate his training efforts on any specific area of specialization. Instead, he pursued a well-rounded approach, which, although contributing to a solid foundation, had neglected the acquisition of distinctive skills that would set him apart from the average striker.

The trainee recounted the exceptional dribbling skills exhibited by Bachira, combined with Kunigami's remarkable shot power, and highlighted how their physical prowess distinguished them from himself, Naruhaya, and the rest of their team, with the exception of Izuku. Recognizing the disparity, I conveyed to him our initial focus on augmenting his foundational attributes, specifically targeting his speed, strength, balance, reflexes, and related physical characteristics.

From Isagi's perspective:

As fatigue overtook my entire body, I found solace in the satisfaction that accompanied my impending slumber. Despite the undeniable discomfort, a smile adorned my face, largely attributable to the immense support rendered by Izuku. Our training began with a gentle jogging session, during which he posed a series of seemingly straightforward questions. To my dismay, I realized that I lacked the answers to these inquiries. It was at this point that Izuku stepped in, enlightening me about an inherent weapon within me, a facet previously unbeknownst to my awareness. Although he couldn't directly assist with its development, he expressed his commitment to aiding in the enhancement of my physical attributes, priming me for the eventual activation of my spatial awareness, enabling me to capitalize on this newfound asset. Furthermore, he reassured me that a comprehensive training routine would be implemented, starting from the following day, along with alluding to additional forthcoming activities, which I eagerly anticipated.

From Izuku's perspective:

The clock struck five in the morning, and I had already risen at 4:30, conscientiously completing my customary morning regimen, encompassing mundane tasks such as brushing my teeth. Prepared to commence my habitual morning routine, there was one crucial matter that demanded my attention before its initiation: paying a visit to Team Z's quarters, from which I had temporarily retreated to a room equipped with an actual bed. Awakening Isagi from his slumber, he appeared rather reluctant to stir, yet he had earnestly sought assistance, and I was committed to delivering it in full measure.