Ethereal ✦ Blue Lock

17||Awakening the Beast

Chapter 17: Breaking News: Nagi Moves

Song: Centuries

Some legends are told, some turn to dust or to gold

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

3rd POV:

Kira's gaze was locked on Nagi Seishiro as he shouted, "Reo, pass to me!" The sight was enough to shock both him and Louis. Since when did Nagi willingly chase after the ball like this? He was finally moving on his own, taking action without anyone's prompting.

"I'll give it a try," Nagi had said, heading forward with the ball. His skill was impressive. Kira was set to intercept from above, but Nagi slipped beneath him effortlessly.

"He's yours, Louis!" Kira shouted, straining to pivot and chase after him. But Nagi outmaneuvered them, passing the ball sideways. Zentitsu picked it up and surged forward, the entire tempo of Team V's attack transforming thanks to Nagi's unpredictability. Zentitsu dashed past Chigiri, tricking him with swift footwork, and passed it back to Nagi.

With his back to the net, Nagi somehow trapped the ball mid-air, then, in a swift motion, took a shot with his other leg. It seemed that Nagi Seishiro was awakening right before their eyes.

Team V - 4

Team Z - 4

"Hey Reo, soccer is fun...!" Nagi said as he landed, a newfound excitement in his voice, still little laid-back. "How many more points should I get?"

Kira felt a rush of apprehension. Nagi had exceeded his limits; they had woken something within him—a potential that had been lying dormant until now. For a moment, Team Z's morale wavered, until Raichi's harsh words echoed through the field, firing everyone up with insults that somehow brought renewed hope.

"Let's go, Bachira," Isagi said, initiating the next play. Bachira took the ball at kickoff, scanning for a teammate as he looked to push forward.

The game resumed with fresh intensity. Raichi, fired up from his speech, shadowed Reo relentlessly, matching him step for step. Every time Reo tried to break free, Raichi was right there, taunting and pressuring him with gritty determination.

"Not getting past me, rich boy!" Raichi sneered, forcing Reo to rely more on Zentitsu and Nagi.

Meanwhile, Chigiri and Zentitsu engaged in a race down the sideline, their blistering speeds fueling their rivalry. Zentitsu said with faking seriousness "Come on, is this all you've got?"

"Don't underestimate me!" Chigiri shot back, matching his pace. When Zentitsu tried a sudden cut, Chigiri anticipated it, blocking his passing lane. Under pressure, Zentitsu hurried a pass toward Nagi, but Isagi intercepted it, reading the play perfectly.

"Not so fast!" Isagi called, seizing the ball and quickly scanning for Bachira, who was ready to receive. Bachira's eyes gleamed as he danced past Zentitsu with sharp feints and sudden turns.

"Bachira!!" Kira shouted as he charged ahead to open up space. Bachira spotted him and sent the ball his way. Kira readied himself, but Reo was already lunging toward him.

"Not this time, Kira!" Reo said, anticipating the play. But Louis was ready, darting forward to take the ball from Kira. Nagi shifted to cover him, but Louis feinted, sending the ball back to Bachira, who sprinted down the wing and passed it back to Kira.

"Louis!" Kira called, passing to him again, and Louis returned it seamlessly, setting up a clear shot. Kira aimed and took the shot, sending it low and fast toward the corner. The keeper barely managed a save, deflecting it to the side. The ball spun just feet from the goal line.