The score was tied, but the psychological battle had shifted.
Niko Ikki was rattled.
How? Niko thought, sweating. I studied Team Z. Isagi Yoichi was supposed to be a playmaker. But he... he read my read?
The game entered the second half.
Team Y tried to adapt. They started man-marking Isagi. Two players shadowed him everywhere.
"If we stop him, the team dies!" Niko commanded.
Isagi chuckled. Two markers? That just means two of my teammates are free.
"Bachira! Chigiri!" Isagi yelled. "Run!"
Isagi dragged the defenders to the left side of the field, creating a massive vacuum of space on the right.
He didn't even touch the ball. He just used his movement to manipulate the defense.
Kunigami picked up the loose ball in the open space.
"Wide open!" Kunigami wound up his left leg.
BOOM.
The shot hit the post.
"ARGH!" Kunigami screamed.
The ball rebounded out.
Team Y launched another counter. Niko got the ball.
"I'm not done yet!" Niko screamed. "Counter!"
He launched another long ball to Ohkawa.
But this time, Isagi wasn't watching the ball. He was watching the danger.
Before Niko even kicked it, Isagi was sprinting back.
When the ball landed near Ohkawa, Isagi was already there.
He intercepted the pass with his chest.
"Predicted," Isagi said flatly.
Ohkawa looked shocked. "How?! You were on offense!"
"I saw the turnover happening five seconds before it happened," Isagi said. He turned upfield. "Now, it's my turn to counter."
Isagi dribbled. He was fast. Not Chigiri fast, but efficient. He took the shortest lines.
Niko was the only one left back.
It was Isagi vs. Niko. Again.
"I won't let you!" Niko yelled, spreading his arms. "I'll foul you if I have to!"
Isagi charged at him.
He's going to tackle me. He's desperate.
Isagi slowed down. He looked Niko in the eyes.
"You think you're special because you have eyes," Isagi whispered as he closed the distance. "But you're just a spectator. I'm the director."
Isagi passed the ball.
To himself? No.
He passed it through Niko's legs.
Nutmeg.
Niko froze. The humiliation was total.
Isagi ran around him, collected the ball, and was face-to-face with the keeper.
"Die," Isagi muttered.
Direct Shot.
Corner pocket.
GOAL.
Team Z: 2 - Team Y: 1
Final Minute.
Team Y was desperate. They threw everyone forward. Even the goalkeeper came up for a corner kick.
"One last chance!" Niko screamed, tears in his eyes. "We have to tie!"
The ball was crossed in. Chaos in the box.
The ball popped out to Niko. He had an open shot.
"I'll change my fate!" Niko swung his leg.
But a foot appeared out of nowhere.
Isagi.
He blocked the shot.
The impact sent the ball flying high into the air.
The whistle blew.
GAME OVER.
Team Z: 2 - Team Y: 1
Niko fell to his knees, sobbing. "We lost... my vision... wasn't enough."
Isagi stood over him, panting slightly. He looked down at the crying boy.
In the original timeline, Isagi felt empathy. He told Niko they were the same.
Not this Isagi.
"We aren't the same," Isagi said cold-heartedly. "You use your eyes to survive. I use mine to kill. Go home and cry, Watchtower. The field isn't for cowards."
Isagi walked away, leaving Niko broken in the mud.
Bachira ran up, hugging Isagi. "That was ruthless, Isagi! I love it!"
"Two wins," Isagi said, looking at the scoreboard. "But it's not enough. The next match is Team W. The Wanima brothers. And then... Team V."
Isagi looked at his hand. He clenched it.
Nagi Seishiro. Reo Mikage. They are the real monsters. Niko was just a warm-up.