Chapter 8: The Unlucky One at the Last Moment
"I… I'm the [Demon]?"
Isagi's voice wavered, a flicker of panic in his eyes.
But he didn't lose his composure. After taking the hit, he swiftly trapped the ball with precision, refusing to act recklessly. With time ticking down, a wild kick would solve nothing. His mind raced, replaying Kira's earlier strategy—seizing control of the ball from the start, boldly claiming the [Demon] role to challenge everyone.
'In [Demon] Tag, where's the real advantage? Is it with the [Demon] or the People?'
'Why did Kira choose to take the initiative like that?'
'Is he so confident he can eliminate someone at the last second that he wants to keep control in his hands?'
Isagi's gaze locked onto Kira, who stood across the room, a faint, confident smile playing on his lips.
"I think I'm starting to get this game," Isagi muttered, a spark of realization igniting in his eyes.
"I get it too! If you're gonna challenge someone, go for the strongest!" Bachira's voice cut through the tension as he darted in from the side, snatching the ball with a grin. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he dribbled straight toward Kira.
He'd had enough of running. He'd been itching to take on Kira from the start.
The screen's [Demon] avatar switched to Bachira Meguru.
'The strongest guy…'
Isagi's resolve hardened. 'If I don't take on the best, what's the point of being here? I came to Blue Lock to change my life. If I can't beat someone stronger than me, I'll never grow!'
'I have to take down Kira Ryosuke right here!'
Without hesitation, Isagi sprang into action, charging toward Kira alongside Bachira—one on the left, one on the right, a synchronized assault.
…
Monitoring Room
"Wow, that Buzz Cut really has no shame, does he? Weren't they supposed to take on Kira together?" Anri Teieri's voice carried a hint of disgust as she watched Igaguri's earlier betrayal on the screen.
"This is a game that decides their football careers," Ego Jinpachi replied coolly. "Targeting someone closer to your skill level is a valid strategy, even if it's a bit dirty."
He left the rest unsaid: in the cutthroat world of football, bending the rules without breaking them was a skill some pros mastered to survive. Players from certain nations—like South Korea, with their relentless drive—often leaned into this approach, earning both criticism and respect for their results in Asia.
"Wait, what? Those two are going after Kira together?" Anri's eyes widened as the screen showed Bachira and Isagi charging.
Ego's gaze sharpened, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Not two. Three."
The monitor revealed something unexpected: Kunigami Rensuke, who'd been sprawled on the floor moments ago, was no longer there.
…
Inside the Room
Bachira weaved toward Kira with electrifying speed, his dribbling a dazzling display of raw talent. In a flash, he closed the distance, the ball dancing at his feet as he faced Kira head-on.
Igaguri watched, jaw dropped. 'I think he's the worst in the room, and yet he's still that fast without losing control? Namu Amida Butsu, football is brutal.'
'So many monsters in here!'
Bachira locked eyes with the unfazed Kira, flashing a mischievous grin. With a sudden flick, he launched the ball—not at Kira, but high over his head, arcing toward the ceiling behind him.
"What the hell's he doing?" Igaguri blurted, baffled. "Kira's right there! Why aim for the ceiling?"
The others exchanged confused glances.
But Bachira wasn't fazed. He knew someone would be waiting for that ball. It was his secret weapon—his uncanny game intuition.
'Right on cue, Discipline Committee!'
"Kunigami!"
"When did he get up? Wasn't he out cold?"
"He looks pissed! Is that… red steam coming off him?"
Unnoticed by most, Kunigami had risen and positioned himself behind Kira. Fury burned in his eyes, veins bulging on his face, the red imprint of Kira's earlier shot still glaring on his cheek. He'd never been humiliated like this in front of a crowd. Now, he was out for blood, determined to reclaim his pride.
Kunigami sprinted to the ball's landing spot, right knee bent, left foot swinging high as his arms steadied his balance. With a roar, he unleashed a ferocious strike on the descending ball.
BOOM!
The shot rivaled the speed of Kira's earlier volley that had floored him.
"Boring tricks," Kira said under his breath.
While everyone else was fixated on Bachira's move, Kira had clocked Kunigami's approach the moment Bachira started dribbling. Shidou Ryusei's vision might not match Itoshi Rin's, but it was still elite-level in Blue Lock.
'Did they really think I wouldn't notice a giant like him sneaking around?'
'And you, Isagi Yoichi, hiding behind the others? Clever. Let's see what you've got planned.'
To the onlookers, it was as if Kira had eyes in the back of his head. He leaned forward at the perfect moment, the ball whistling just over his back.
Thud!
The ball slammed into the wall.
"Holy crap! Does he have a third eye or something?" Igaguri shouted, stunned.
"Wait...That actually worked?" Kunigami rubbed his eyes in disbelief. 'If I were in his position, no way I could've dodged that.'
Bachira's dribbling had drawn all the attention, leaving Kira's back vulnerable—or so they thought.
"No way…"
The room buzzed with awe and confusion. Since when was Japan's rising football star *this* dominant?
But while everyone marveled at Kira's dodge, one person had gone unnoticed—except by Kira. Isagi had quietly positioned himself along the path of the ball rebounding from the wall.
'Right here!' Isagi thought, his heart pounding.
'Based on what I've seen of Kira's skills, I knew he'd dodge those attacks. So I used Bachira and Kunigami as decoys to cover my move, tracking the ball's rebound to set up the real strike.'
He'd bet on this moment, and he'd been right. The ball was falling perfectly in front of him, just within Kira's blind spot after his dodge.
'He can't see this coming!'
Isagi seized the chance. Raising his right leg high, he met the rebounding ball with a thunderous volley, aiming straight for Kira.
'Send Kira Ryosuke home! I'm not losing to him here!'
Time remaining: 5 seconds.
No one else saw it coming. Kira seemed vulnerable.
But then—
"Isagi Yoichi, I can see you clear as day!"
Kira spun in a flash, his foot snapping out to meet the ball flying from his blind spot. 'Let's test Shidou Ryusei's shooting power!'
BOOM!
The ball carved a stunning arc through the air, rocketing at breakneck speed toward a corner of the room.
"What? It's coming for me?"
Wataru Kuon, who'd been lurking on the sidelines, avoiding the fray and thinking he'd coasted through, froze in shock.
"Why… why me?!"
Completely unprepared, Kuon couldn't react in time. The ball smashed into him.
Beeeeep!
The screen froze, displaying Wataru Kuon's portrait as the final [Demon].
ELIMINATED.
…
Blue Lock Monitoring Room
"How many eyes does this guy have?" Anri Teieri gasped, her jaw practically on the floor.
First, Bachira's dazzling dribbling had drawn everyone's focus. Then, he'd set up Kunigami for a sneak attack from behind. When that failed, Isagi had lurked in the shadows for a follow-up strike. The trio's coordination was near flawless, executed in a split second—yet Kira had countered it all.
"And yet, the one who got eliminated wasn't even part of their plan. Talk about bad luck," Anri said, shaking her head.
Ego Jinpachi's expression remained unreadable, but he shook his head slightly. "Luck had nothing to do with it. Kuon threw away his own football career by standing on the sidelines."
----
Huff—Kira went through some pretty stressful moments. But in the end, it was Wataru Kuon who said goodbye to Blue Lock. My boy was just standing in the corner, watching… and got eliminated.
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