Project: Bland King

Chapter 75: I'm Here

In the dirt streets of Iwaya, Nigeria, four kids kicked around a ball in the direction of the goal, an old, overturned bench.

A little Onazi leapt off the ground and lined up his shot.

"Go Onazi!!!!" Bello yelled out.

"Unreal!!!" Oboabona said.

Kuso nodded his head, smiling, "Finish it, Onazi."

The ball hit harshly into the bench and bounced out.

ONAZI IS OUR BEACON OF HOPE

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Kuso spent the past week going through Neo Egoist League tape from each and every single Blue Lock player.

Onazi mostly cared to watch the highlights for entertainment... but unlike their ace, Kuso was a man of habit and a very technical player.

Japan is a pretty difficult team to clamp down on and settle on a specific tactic because all their players play for their own goals. But we all trained for weeks on how to guard each and every one of their potential combinations. We're prepared enough to deal with a team of strikers.

In their first attack, when Kuso sent the pass over to Bello, his thoughts immediately went to Kiyotaka.

What will he do? Press and then leave the back slightly defenseless? Or will you go back and help with the defense?

Instead of the decisions Kuso believed Kiyotaka to be limited to, the masterpiece just stayed in place, walking around while observing and scanning.

That's strange... but that's ok. We just gotta keep pressing.

Umar and Bello were barely contained by the inclusion of Chigiri and Bachira, struggling to find a proper passing lane forward.

Kuso took another look forward and realized what else was the problem.

Their midfielders... Karasu and Reo... it's like they've already tracked down what routes we can send a pass through and which ones we can't and they placed their bodies in those spots. Damn... how are we going to get the ball through towards Onazi-

In that moment, Kuso's eyes widened as he looked desperately around... almost like he forgot to account for something...

I took my eyes off him for just a few seconds... Where is he? Where's Kiyotaka?!

Bello sent the pass forward, a crude pass that wasn't easily caught.

It's ok. Because Onazi's here.

Onazi controlled the ball right in the edge of the penalty box, smirking.

"It's ok. Because I'm here."

SNATCH

Kuso's eyes widened in utter disbelief. Kiyotaka immediately materialized and killed the play by stealing the ball effortlessly.

He's not even looking at the ball... did he... did he predict our attacking line? Crap, we're out of position and he's got the ball for the counter attack, I've gotta buy some time.

Just as Kiyotaka brought the ball down, he looked ahead, narrowing his eyes.

"Time for a counterattack."