Blue Lock: Natural Selection

Chapter 17: Team V

"Due to their shooting skills, our front three will be Kunigami, Gagamaru, and Chigiri. The other team's offensive skills are off the chart, so we'll drop back all the way and defend against their attacks. And... We'll aim to score with a quick counterattack. With only ten of us, this is the only practical strategy," Iemon states.

"Hey, Kuon, stand in your corner and be anonymous for minutes. Don't interfere or try to help us, you piece of trash. Touch the ball in any way, and I'll kill you," Raichi threatens.

" You don't need to tell me twice. I don't want to pick up an injury that might hamper me in the second selection," Kuon responds.

"The other team already knows they're through, so their guard should be down. If we take advantage of that, we can win! We have a chance! Let's win, Team Z!" Igaguri shouts.

"Yeah!" the team says. 

Isagi lets out a deep breath as (Y/N) throws his arm around Isagi, and Bachira walks next to Isagi. "If we lose, does that mean we three can't see each other or play soccer together anymore?" Bachira asks.

"Seems so unless we find each other out there, but...I won't let our story end here," (Y/N) responds.

"Bachira...(Y/N)..."

"That's way too sad, so I'll give it my all," Bachira says.

"Yeah. Let's go win this," Isagi responds.

(Y/N) walks in front of the two before stopping before them. "Hey...promise me something. If we make it to the second selection...Let's play together...with no limits."  (Y/N)'s pupils swirl as he stares at both of them.

"Yeah," They both respond.

Team Z walks onto the field as the doors open, showing the trio of Team V leading the team. The teams face off as the timer counts to 0.

Kickoff

Reo starts with the charge as Isagi quickly follows behind. Bachira follows up, stopping Reo from moving forwards. Reo passes to his left as Zantetsu takes the pass. Naruhaya and Raichi block his shooting path, causing Zantestu to pass to Nagi. Nagi is shadowed by (Y/N), and Igaguri heads the ball. 

The ball drops to Isagi's feet as he passes to Bachira. Bachira does a roulette to lose his defender before launching a far pass to Gagamaru. Gagamaru heads the ball as it bounces off the right post of the goal and rolls out of bounds. Kunigami helps Gagamaru up as the team encourages each other. Reo looks towards them with a smile. "Holy crap! That was cool! Hey, Nagi! Let's try that!" Reo gets passed the ball as he dribbles in place.

"Awww...It's such a pain."

As Team Z watches, Reo lines up before launching a far pass with a topspin. Raichi drops back with Igaguri as the two try to follow Nagi. The ball curves downward as Nagi sticks his right foot out, trapping the ball and stopping its fast velocity. He brings his left foot through, shooting at the goal. It whizzes past Iemon, who's too slow to respond but gets knocked out of bounds by (Y/N), who headed the ball.

"Not so fast, Nagi." The boy smirks. "I won't let you score."

Nagi tilts his head. "Oh...I forgot." He turns toward Reo. "How many until I can slack off?"

"At least 6, Nagi."

"How about 5?"

Iemon, thanks (Y/N). "I don't know what happened."

"It's fine. Nagi is going to be trouble, though. Stay sharp."

Team V passes to Reo as he dribbles, trying to open space. Seeing Nagi pressed by (Y/N), Zantestu drops in, shoving (Y/N), letting Nagi get some space. Nagi quickly runs out as (Y/N) tries to follow. However, Zantestu uses his back to stop (Y/N) from following. Naruhaya and Igaguri step in as Reo sends another lob pass. The two double teams Nagi as the pass is above them. Nagi jumps, trapping the ball with his back and stepping away from the two. He then shoots, curving the ball around the two, and Iemon barely misses the block.