Chapter 15:Team Z Vs Team Y

The atmosphere in Team Z's locker room was thick with tension. Kuon briefed the players on their upcoming match against Team Y, explaining the dire stakes. "Team Y is on the verge of elimination. If they lose, it's all over for them," Kuon stated, his gaze sharp. "Their key player, Hibiki Okawa, rank 254, is their star striker. They'll play through him."

Kira, leaning against the locker, listened quietly but remained composed. His dominant performance in the last game had earned him the role of Team Z's main striker, and the plan was to continue playing through him. However, not everyone was thrilled about it. The tension from the last match hadn't entirely dissipated, and some players still felt uncertain about relying so heavily on Kira.

"Everyone's got to support Kira. We all identified our weapons, now it's about utilizing them to help him lead the charge," Kuon explained, laying out their strategy.

Chigiri, his arms crossed, was the first to speak up. "I'll stay back. I don't have any interest in attacking right now," he said coldly, clearly disinterested in joining the offensive push. His tone irritated Raichi, but no one pushed him further. Chigiri had been distant from the team, keeping to himself ever since their first match.

With the game plan settled, Team Z headed onto the field, prepared for battle.

From the first whistle, Team Z moved with precision. Kira received the ball early in midfield and activated his God Speed Impulse, instantly accelerating into a blur. His reflexes, honed to near perfection, allowed him to react faster than anyone else on the field. Team Y's defenders barely had time to track his movements as he darted past them, using his speed to break through their lines.

Isagi, running behind, could only watch in awe. "He's moving at a different level," he thought, recognizing Kira's use of his incredible speed and reflexes. But it wasn't just speed; Kira's movements were calculated, his vision scanning the field with surgical precision.

As Kira approached the penalty area, he anticipated Niko's attempt to steal the ball. Using his Ultimate Copy, Kira mimicked Isagi's spatial awareness and Barou's dribbling prowess. Just as Niko closed in, Kira shifted his body weight, seamlessly predicting Niko's movements before they happened. He executed a swift dribble that left Niko behind, unable to touch the ball.

"Kira's practically unstoppable," Isagi marveled, feeling both admiration and pressure at his teammate's dominance.

With Niko left in the dust, Kira continued his advance, his speed and reflexes making it impossible for Team Y to catch up. Near the goal, he unleashed a powerful strike, using the precision gained from studying Kunigami's shooting technique. The ball flew into the back of the net with a resounding thud.

"Goal! 1-0!" the scoreboard flashed.

Team Y immediately felt the pressure mounting. As they kicked off again, Niko quickly recalibrated his strategy. "We can't steal the ball from them directly. If we charge in recklessly, Kira and Bachira will tear us apart," Niko thought, eyeing Kira and Bachira warily. But something else caught his attention—a gap forming on the other side of the field.

"Get back! You're leaving that place wide open!" Niko screamed to his teammates, but it was too late.

"Bingo," Bachira grinned, receiving a perfectly timed pass from Kira. Without hesitation, Bachira sent a high, arching cross to the other side of the pitch where Kunigami had positioned himself.

Kunigami, perfectly in sync with the play, launched a powerful left-footed strike that soared into the top-right corner of the net. The Team Y goalkeeper barely reacted as the ball flew past him.

"Goal! 2-0!"

Team Z's relentless offense was overwhelming, and Team Y was scrambling to find a way to stop them.

Despite the lead, Team Y wasn't ready to give up. Hibiki Okawa, their star striker, signaled for the ball, eager to turn the tide of the match. He sprinted down the wing, his pace catching Team Z off guard. Kira, noticing Okawa's movement, quickly shifted gears, using his God Speed Impulse to intercept him. His reflexes kicked in as he predicted Okawa's next move.

With a calculated challenge, Kira cut off Okawa's angle, forcing him to pass. But the ball didn't reach its target. Kira had anticipated the pass, using his Ultimate Copy to read Okawa's play and intercept the ball. He instantly transitioned into offense, sprinting down the field with incredible speed.

As Kira rushed toward the goal, Team Y's defenders swarmed him, but it didn't matter. Kira, using Barou's aggressive dribbling style, weaved between the defenders, pulling them out of position. His God Speed Impulse made it impossible for them to keep up as he shifted his direction with lightning-fast reflexes.

"Too slow," Kira remarked coldly, effortlessly sidestepping another defender.

With the goal in sight, Kira's vision sharpened, using Isagi's spatial awareness to read the goalkeeper's movements. Without hesitation, he fired a precise shot into the top-left corner of the net. The ball rocketed past the helpless goalkeeper, securing Team Z's third goal.

"Goal! 3-0!"

But Team Y wasn't ready to back down. Hibiki Okawa, frustrated by his earlier failures, rallied his team and signaled for a counterattack. Team Y's midfielders pushed forward, creating a dangerous opportunity. Okawa sprinted down the left wing, ready to exploit any gaps in Team Z's defense.

"Kira! Get back!" Kuon shouted, but Kira had already turned, activating his God Speed Impulse to close the distance. Okawa, however, had no intention of slowing down. With a quick flick, he sent a powerful shot toward the goal.

"Iemon!" Raichi yelled, but the ball was already on its way.

Iemon dived, his fingertips brushing the ball as it flew into the top corner.

"Goal! 3-1!"

Team Y had finally managed to breach Team Z's defense.

For the rest of the first half, both teams exchanged attacks, pushing each other to their limits. Kira continued to dominate, using his God Speed Impulse to accelerate past defenders and his Ultimate Copy to anticipate their movements. Meanwhile, Niko and Okawa worked tirelessly to break down Team Z's defense, managing to find moments of weakness.

As the clock ticked down to halftime, Kira once again found himself in possession of the ball, this time under intense pressure from multiple defenders. His reflexes kicked in, and he anticipated their movements, switching between Barou's dribbling style and Isagi's spatial awareness. With a quick pass to Raichi, the team set up another dangerous attack.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the first half. Team Z had the lead, but Team Y was still in the game, their elimination still looming. The second half promised to be even more intense, as both teams prepared for the decisive moments ahead.

In the locker room, the tension was palpable. Team Z had a clear lead, but the game was far from over. Kira sat, calm and collected, his mind already focused on the second half. "They're desperate," he remarked to the team. "But their desperation makes them predictable."

Raichi grunted in agreement, though his earlier frustrations about the strategy still simmered beneath the surface. "We can finish this, but we've got to tighten up our defense."

Isagi, sitting silently, reflected on Kira's performance. He was playing at an entirely different level, using his speed, reflexes, and ability to copy others' techniques to dominate the game. Yet, Isagi couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more he needed to contribute—something that hadn't yet clicked for him.

As the team prepared for the second half, one thing was certain: the battle for survival in Blue Lock was far from over.