This also allowed Yoichi Isagi to gather something valuable: Shōei Barō had been circling around those four—whether intentionally or not.
Meanwhile, Ryusei Shido looked at the charging Ryūma Banjō and laughed curiously.
"Oh? Switching opponents? Isn't it usually Rin who comes at me, not Ryūma Banjō?"
"Hmph. Don't worry, Ryusei. Give it a minute—I'll wipe that smile off your face."
"Huh? Now I'm even more excited~"
While they exchanged trash talk, Rin Itoshi had already squared up against Kudo Tōya.
Neither of them spoke, but anyone could see the sparks flying in their eyes—enough to light a cigarette.
In the distance, after completing his assessment, Yoichi Isagi coordinated with Yo Hiori to slip past Kyohei Shiguma and break into Team B's inner field.
The next instant, when faced with Kairu Saramadara, Isagi unleashed a sharp, stylish feint that sliced right past him.
The clean dribble left Kudo Tōya completely stunned. He never imagined that the guy who used to be nothing but a passing tool could actually break through defenders on his own.
(Hmph, why act surprised? Blue Lock is exactly this kind of place!)
(I'm no longer the same person I used to be. If these guys are still stuck in the past, then what's the point of staying in Blue Lock?)
Thinking this, Kudo Tōya recalled the second and first selection rounds.
Back then, he entered Blue Lock seeking teammates who would obey him without question.
He loved the feeling of victory coming from others carrying out his plans exactly as he dictated.
But he never had much hope—he'd failed too many times. If Anri Teieri hadn't personally scouted him, he wouldn't have come at all.
Yet in the very first round, he met those ten idiots who genuinely believed in his plans and followed every order without a hint of doubt.
Back then, he felt his dream had finally come true. As for becoming the world's top striker? Kudo Tōya wasn't even aiming that high.
But in the end, he still lost—and all of his teammates were eliminated. His first instinct was to quit the tournament and leave with them, but a trace of unwillingness kept him going.
He pushed into the second selection—but suffered crushing defeat after crushing defeat.
He lost the first 3v3, barely won the 2v2, then lost the next 3v3. No one ever selected him.
He even thought about giving up, thinking, "Without teammates, Kudo Tōya is useless."
Then, in the final 2v2, he was unlucky enough to face Ryusei Shido and Ranze Kurona. Shido completely overwhelmed him.
Kudo Tōya couldn't even react. By then, the idea of winning had slipped entirely out of his mind.
But whenever he felt like that, the voices of those ten teammates echoed in his head:
[Hey, Kudo! Make sure you go all the way!]
[Yeah! We want to see you shine on an even bigger stage! We'll be cheering for you!]
[Yeah, Kudo, you're crazy strong. Just like Ryūma said—you're the striker, so take the shot!]
As the final moment approached—Ryusei Shido winding up for the decisive goal—Kudo Tōya finally awakened.
He remembered: he didn't play soccer to find obedient teammates.
He played to win!!
Every strategy Kudo Tōya had ever created was for the sake of victory!!
What thrilled him wasn't controlling his teammates—it was the thrill of winning itself!!
And in that instant of clarity, his "God's Eye" awakened. His power evolved—not just to see everyone's actions, but to foresee one specific player's future. The moment an opponent made the slightest initial movement, the God's Eye predicted the entire chain of actions to follow.
Unfortunately, the score gap had been too large. Ryusei Shido wasn't some mediocre player either—he forced in a shot and ended the match 5–3.
But when Kudo awakened, the score had been 4–0. He alone clawed back three goals.
Had he been more familiar with his new ability, who knows what the result might've been?
Ryusei Shido chose him without hesitation afterward—he clearly recognized how terrifying Kudo's ability truly was.
...
Returning to the present…
While Kudo Tōya was lost in thought, Yoichi Isagi had already dribbled into the left side of Team B's defensive third.
Just then, Shōei Barō finally gave in to his predatory instinct, darting sideways to intercept Isagi.
At the same time, Ryūma Banjō, Ryusei Shido, Kudo Tōya, and Rin Itoshi all started repositioning.
Ryūma Banjō and Ryusei Shido immediately clashed, sprinting in a straight line toward Team B's right defensive lane.
Ryūma aimed to position himself for Isagi's pass. Shido simply refused to let him run freely.
And he had a feeling—Isagi was planning to pass to Ryūma.
Rin Itoshi and Kudo Tōya chose different angles to converge on Isagi.
Rin's movement clearly signaled a request for the ball.
But Kudo Tōya, with the God's Eye active, chose a path designed entirely to cut off Rin's lane.
Yet in the center of the battlefield, Yoichi Isagi remained perfectly calm—even excited.
This was exactly the moment he'd been waiting for. Everyone on the field was expecting his pass… and guarding against it.
Because of Ryūma Banjō, Ryusei Shido was now the farthest player from Isagi.
Kudo Tōya's full attention was locked on Rin Itoshi.
And the last threat to Isagi from Team B—Shōei Barō—stood right in front of him.
It looked like a dead end. Any pass could be intercepted. But… what if he didn't pass?
(Ryūma, you were right—I've grown too used to passing!)
(That's why I fought so desperately during the second selection… to break that habit.)
(To be honest, Ryūma, seeing the notification that you'd formed a team… it really hurt.)
(I even thought, "So you really do think I'm dead weight." But when I fought alone, I finally understood what you meant.)
(Without the ability to fight solo, I can't follow in your footsteps toward becoming the world's best!)
(Ryūma, watch closely! This is the ability I evolved to chase after you!)
As these thoughts surged through him, Shōei Barō lunged forward, eager to cut the ball off—
—but before he could act, Yoichi Isagi pulled the ball back first.
Blue light flickered in his eyes as he swung his left foot back, feinting a pass toward the right side of Team B's defensive zone.
"Ryūma, Rin! Center!"
On the right, Ryūma Banjō paused in confusion.
(Huh? Why pass there? Is he trying to help Rin and me shake off those two defenders?)