Chapter 26 : Declaration

"Thought so"

The cross Zantetsu sent to Nagi was stopped in half of its trajectory as Isagi stopped it and cleared it, Nagi had an innate understanding of the game but Isagi wasn't giving him many chances to grasp the situation.

With the ball cleared and went out of bounds near the Mid-Field, Both teams got back to their positions, Team V was visibly flustered, When they kept getting taunted by Ego about Team Z, the weakest team taking over the top, It didn't bother them much since they hadn't met them yet, They thought that after defeating them ourselves, The top spot would be earned again.

However, Their hopes were crushed as soon as the game began because of the first quick Goal by Kira, After that, it kept being the same way till the 1st half ended.

Team Z not so surprisingly entered their locker room with enthusiasm and a wide grin, By the end of the 1st half their score became 4-0, With Raichi converting a chance into a Goal, Isagi wasn't that helpful in attack today since he was playing CB or CDM mostly but still provided 2 assists.

"Alright, In the next half, I'm joining as well"

Isagi waited for everyone to cool off a little, He liked the way the match was turning, This is something Ego wanted and would've accomplished against U20 but Team Z was playing in that way already, Although Team V didn't seem much of a threat to them now, Team V's had 3 great players who could change the tides of this match.

However, That would be possible only if Isagi left the defense, He had been keeping an eye on their movement and cutting off all the passes that seemed threatening while also restricting Nagi's movements, Whenever Isagi moved back he would exchange positions with Raichi where he would play as CB and Raichi play as CM, Marking Reo.

But the match was getting boring, They were going to the second selection either way, So he wasn't too attached to winning this game, He wanted to have fun and the thrill of Blue Lock, He wanted to witness Nagi's skills.

Although he could also pull off the tricks Nagi can, He hasn't used his creativity yet, It may seem normal to try new things but it was a big step to take, getting all fancy after playing disciplined and team-oriented plays for all his life was a little hard.

However, He noticed his reluctance towards the change and he didn't like it, He had already decided to put change in his mindset, and Now he wanted to take that step, He wanted to start fighting for his goals and glory.

"What? What do you mean?"

Raichi asked as soon as Isagi spoke, Though he had guessed what Isagi was getting at 

"I'm not playing oriented plays in the second half, I won't be supporting you guys for no reason and will focus on scoring Goals for myself"

Isagi said as he put another towel on his head. 

"What? Does that mean you won't pass the ball anymore?"

Raichi was the first to react, He had scored a goal and wasn't a bad player for the team but as a Striker, He could've done more if it weren't an oriented teamplay or that's what he believed, The ranking and stats weren't lying as Isagi was the Top Goal scorer in their wing and the same goes for Assists, The only Goal he has scored till now was because of Isagi's high precision pass and now that path to Goals seems to be closed because of Isagi's sudden declaration. 

"It's not that I won't pass at all, If you're in a position where it challenges me and excites me, I will pass for that person, I won't be giving out free Goals"

Isagi said as he looked towards Raichi and then glanced at Naruhaya, Isagi could tell that Naruhaya had that talent, and even though he couldn't reach the same heights as Original Isagi or Niko, but would turn out to be an exceptional player at the very least.

He wanted to test it and at the same time, Test himself if he could and should stand on the same ground as all the egoists in this world, He wanted to be the Best Player in the World but what was it gonna take from him to achieve that? 

He had not decided on his path, He had been thinking of his future and decided to experience all and discover the playstyle he would enjoy to achieve his dream.

"It's a simple competitive environment after all, I will coordinate with any of you if you're giving me more options and are giving certainty that you would score, Otherwise, I will play for my Goals"

Isagi said which got everyone in the room except for Gagamaru to chuckle, They have been influenced by Blue Lock and Ego's mentality, They knew that this day would come but Isagi just made a declaration, He didn't want to be a ball-hogger, He wanted to improve himself in Blue Lock's way.

This got everyone excited, They wanted to improve as well, Scoring Goals which they could do already but wouldn't cut it in the long run, They needed to find their Goal Formula.

"Got it!, Mr. Egoist"

As Isagi made his declaration, Bachira jumped on his back, He was the most excited one there as he was about to see his monster go on a rampage. 

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Team V, Locker Room

"You're ready, Nagi?"

"Yeah, Let's Win this thing"

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