Bachira was the first to rush over and straddle Kira Ryosuke's back, exclaiming excitedly, "That was amazing, Ryosuke!"
"Hey... don't just focus on linking up with Isagi, pay attention to me too!"
Raichi looked agitated, "No, you should've passed to me! Let me finish them off with a spectacular shot!"
The others also expressed their excitement and admiration.
Kira Ryosuke was panting, his perfect imitation of those monsters draining his stamina much faster than usual, sweat soaking through the number on his back.
He looked at Isagi Yoichi, who was frozen in place, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.
He raised his hand and gave a thumbs up.
"Good job, Isagi."
The Team Z members were surprised by Kira Ryosuke's action, thinking he was praising Isagi's fortuitous assist.
Only Kira Ryosuke knew that Isagi Yoichi had achieved the initial embryonic form of Metavision.
Now, as long as he continued to evolve, he would gain an extremely strong sense of spatial awareness.
Thanks to him, Kira Ryosuke also more or less understood a bit of the principle behind Metavision.
The capture of spatial information, and the broad vision and foresight to control the entire field, though still only partially understood, was already much better than at the beginning.
Isagi's smile flickered in the shadows.
Perhaps it was due to the joy of completing the final piece of the puzzle.
He didn't know, however, that Kira Ryosuke was even more ecstatic, as if he had already perceived the path forward.
"Devour each other, Isagi."
"Until you become the best in the world, don't you dare die easily in Blue Lock."
Kira Ryosuke thought to himself, feeling every cell in his body tremble.
That was the obsession to stand at the pinnacle of the world.
After Barou's impatient urging, both teams regrouped and returned to the center to prepare for kickoff.
At this moment, Kuon Wataru suggested, "I think maybe Isagi-kun and Ryosuke should switch positions?"
"With his current state, as long as we use Ryosuke as a pivot, we'll quickly dominate this field."
Raichi snorted, but didn't have much of an objection.
After all, as long as Team Z won, there would be no top scorer, and although he was reluctant to admit it, Kira Ryosuke's superb skills had completely won him over.
Most of the team members agreed with both hands.
Even Isagi could only sigh inwardly, unable to say anything to refute.
"No."
"Let's maintain the current formation."
Just as everyone was about to finalize the decision, Kira Ryosuke stepped forward, "As you can see, I went too hard at the beginning, and now I'm out of gas. If I'm the spearhead, it's very likely to backfire."
"Instead, if I'm placed in a defender's position, at least I can ensure that my area won't become a major source of conceded goals."
Everyone was surprised that Kira Ryosuke would object.
For a moment, they looked at each other and could only agree, as his astonishing exertion indeed consumed a lot of stamina.
However, Kunigami had a different opinion, "Since Kira Ryosuke is unwilling, then I can be the attacking core."
"Huh?"
Raichi's eyes widened like brass bells, and he tilted his head, leaning in, "Hey, hey, hey, what right do you, a nobody, have to be so arrogant? If we're going to switch strikers, it should be me, right?"
Bachira Rin laughed, enjoying the spectacle, "Perhaps I'm more suitable than you guys."
In the end, Team Z disbanded in discord, still maintaining their original formation.
Only in this way would the conflicts among them not escalate.
Isagi also realized that currently, only Kira Ryosuke had completely conquered Team Z; even though the team members were all proud, they still subtly felt a sense of submission in front of him—this was respect for the strong.
He clenched his fist.
"The striker... should be me."
Under Barou's repeated urging, the game finally restarted.
They were surprised to find that Kira Ryosuke was still near the penalty area.
This made them feel much more at ease, because facing this monster, even with the combined efforts of everyone in Team X, they couldn't stop him, as if there were different dimensions between them.
So powerless... "Seize this opportunity, go all out!"
A midfielder was the first to rush into their half.
"Pass the ball to me!"
Barou's veins bulged on his face, constantly demanding the ball with fierce eyes.
"Tch, the tyrannical king."
Although the midfielder was unwilling, he had to admit that Barou's skills were the only ones among them that could barely contend with Kira Ryosuke.
He could only shout, "I can give you the ball, but you can't attack Kira Ryosuke's half again, otherwise we can attack ourselves."
"What?!"
Barou's face turned red with anger.
He didn't expect the commoners below him to dare betray him; he was the king of the field.
If these guys just honestly passed the ball to him, he could lead Team X to victory.
However, to get the football, he still spat reluctantly, then rushed to the other half of the field outside Kira Ryosuke's defensive zone.
"That's how it is, King."
The ball was undoubtedly passed to Barou's feet.
Everyone could see that Kira Ryosuke's attacking desire had not only decreased, but his defensive zone was also limited to his own territory; he wouldn't rush out to cover.
This was a sign of being out of gas.
This was simply a godsend, it was their turn to attack.
Barou's strength was self-evident; with Team X's united cooperation, coupled with his extraordinary physique and precise dribbling skills, he dribbled past several players and brought the ball directly into Team Z's backfield.
"Don't think you can score so easily, King."
Chigiri Hyoma, a graceful young man with red hair like a young lady, positioned himself in advance on Barou's attacking end, seeing through the path to the goal and blocking his way.
"Hoo..."
"Interesting."
Kira Ryosuke's eyes lit up slightly; in that instant, he seemed to see a flash of lightning streak across the field.
In terms of pure speed, a full-throttle Chigiri Hyoma was one of Japan's top talents; even with Aomine's initial acceleration, once he entered his rhythm, Kira Ryosuke wasn't confident he could catch up to him.
However... the graceful leg lift, the perfect dissipation of air resistance in various movements, all were observed by Kira Ryosuke.
"Very good, evolve a bit more."
He knew.
Chigiri Hyoma, due to a leg injury in middle school, had always been afraid to unleash his full potential.
Even seeing Kira Ryosuke's active performance, he still held back, not daring to run too much.
Despite this, Barou was still caught up to.
This showed how fast he was.
Facing his defense, Barou snorted, "Bastard, don't think anyone can stop me!"
Thinking of the repeated frustrations he experienced against Kira Ryosuke, Barou was particularly enraged. He dribbled and broke through diagonally, leaving Chigiri behind, and charged straight towards the goal.
Naruhaya Asahi, who came to cover, tried to slide tackle and steal the ball.
But Barou easily flicked the ball over him, then raised his foot and unleashed a powerful shot.
The ball turned into a laser beam and hit the net.
Goal — — — —
Team X successfully pulled one back.
Score 2:3.
Team X members excitedly surrounded Barou, saying, "There's a chance!"
"King!"
"As long as we take advantage of Kira Ryosuke's weak period and widen the score, this match will be ours."
Watching Barou's unstoppable offensive, the Team Z players suddenly realized that without Kira Ryosuke's help, they seemed to be completely at a disadvantage.
Kuon Wataru felt a bad premonition and quickly clapped his hands, "Everyone, we still have a one-point lead, and time is almost up."
"As long as we defend, victory will be ours."
It was clear that he was already afraid of losing.
Everyone remained silent.
Kira Ryosuke also frowned, observing these guys. This was a crossroads of choice.
To rely on him and sink into despair.
Or to choose to believe in themselves, not give up attacking, and evolve their weapons.
Gambling their future football careers.
"Come on, let me see how you will choose your destiny!"