Chapter 14:Kira's Claim

After Team Z's hard-fought victory against Team X, the atmosphere in the locker room was electric, but not with the satisfaction of triumph. Instead, tension crackled in the air as each player grappled with their own ambitions. The match had been brutal, but their win had showcased one undeniable truth: Kira's presence as the striker had been crucial. And yet, the team wasn't fully convinced that having him lead was the best path forward.

Kuon, acting as the de facto strategist, gathered the team in their shared room. "Okay, listen up. We need to talk about our strategy moving forward. We've got two more matches, and we need two wins to secure our place in Blue Lock," he began. His tone was commanding, but there was an edge of uncertainty as he glanced around the room. "We won because of our teamwork, but we can't rely on just one person. That's why I think we should go with the 'I'm the next 9' tactic. Everyone gets 10 minutes as the striker."

Immediately, murmurs of approval and excitement spread throughout the group. Raichi grinned, eager to prove himself. "Hell yeah, finally a chance to show I can be the main striker! I'm more than just a backup."

Kunigami crossed his arms but nodded thoughtfully. "We all need a shot. Everyone here has a weapon, and we can't just rely on one person."

The plan seemed to be gaining momentum, but then Kira's voice cut through the chatter, cold and decisive. "No. That's not happening."

Everyone stopped and turned toward Kira, whose sharp gaze made it clear he wasn't interested in compromising. "We won the last game because I was the striker. You all saw what happened when we played through me. I'm not going to give up that position just because you all want a turn to show off."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the tension thickening as Kira's declaration hung in the air. Raichi, always quick to anger, stood up and faced Kira directly. "What the hell are you saying, Kira? You think you're better than the rest of us? That you can win every game by yourself?"

Kira met his challenge head-on, unfazed by Raichi's aggressive posture. "I don't think I'm better. I know I am. We don't have time to play musical chairs with the striker position. I'm the best option, and we need consistency to win, not a rotation of hopefuls trying to prove themselves."

Raichi's fists clenched. "You arrogant bastard! Football's a team sport. If we're all fighting for survival, we all deserve a chance to shine, not just you!"

Kunigami chimed in, trying to mediate. "Kira, we get that you played a huge part in the win, but Raichi has a point. We're all in Blue Lock to prove we're the best strikers. Everyone needs to showcase their skills, not just follow you."

Kira's gaze shifted to Kunigami, his voice calm but firm. "I understand that, but look at the bigger picture. We don't have time for everyone's individual ego trips. What we need is to win. And we already found a formula that works. I'm not going to let this team fall apart just because everyone wants a shot at glory."

The room erupted into argument, players raising their voices in defense of their own abilities. Gagamaru, Raichi, and even Imamura were all voicing their desire to take the striker position, each one convinced that they had what it took to carry the team to victory. Bachira, watching from the sidelines with an amused smile, seemed unfazed but listened carefully.

Isagi sat quietly, listening to the heated discussion, a storm of doubt swirling inside him. He glanced at Kira, who remained calm amid the chaos, and couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Kira was confident in his role. Isagi, on the other hand, was still trying to figure out what his place was.

As the arguments intensified, Kuon raised his voice to regain control. "Enough! Everyone, shut up for a second!" He glared at the players who had been the loudest in protesting, particularly Raichi. "I get it, we all want to survive here. But Kira has a point. We won the game by playing through him, and we don't have time to experiment too much."

Raichi scoffed, still fuming. "So we're just supposed to follow this guy blindly? What if he screws up next game?"

"He won't," Kira cut in confidently, his tone icy. "I know my role, and I won't fail. But if we waste time trying to satisfy everyone's desire to be striker, we'll lose. Ego's watching every move we make. This isn't about fairness—it's about results."

Chigiri, who had been sitting silently in the corner, finally spoke up. "What if it's not just about being the striker? What if the point of Blue Lock is to understand why you should be the striker?"

His words seemed to calm the room, if only for a moment. The players turned toward him, waiting for him to continue. "We're here to find the best striker in Japan, right? Maybe the best striker isn't just the one with the best skill but the one who knows when and why they should lead. Baro took control in Team X, and they followed him because he forced them to. Kira...you did the same for us, but can you keep doing it?"

Kira met Chigiri's gaze, unflinching. "I can and I will. If I don't, then I don't deserve to be here."

Isagi finally spoke, his voice uncertain but determined to contribute. "Kira's right about one thing. We don't have time for ego battles. We need a clear strategy, and right now, Kira is our best option as the striker." He paused, unsure of whether his words would be accepted, but continued. "But if Kira's going to lead, we need to back him up. And that means knowing our roles and using our weapons to support him."

Raichi threw his hands up in frustration. "So what, we're just gonna put everything on Kira's shoulders?"

"No," Isagi replied, surprising even himself with the clarity of his response. "We play as a team. But we need to recognize that Kira, right now, is the best at leading the attack. If we can't accept that, we'll just fall apart."

Kira gave Isagi a sharp nod, appreciating the support, but Isagi's words hung heavy with an underlying truth—there was a difference between having skill and truly owning the role of the striker. Kira had the skills, but could he truly lead?

Kuon sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright, here's the deal. Kira stays as the main striker, but if he falters, we'll reconsider. And for now, everyone focuses on honing their weapons and how to support the team. Got it?"

Grumbling spread across the room, but eventually, the players nodded, accepting the decision, albeit reluctantly.

As the room quieted down, Kira stood firm, his position secured, but the conflict was far from over. The real challenge wasn't just about scoring goals; it was about proving that he deserved the trust the team had reluctantly placed in him. And with each passing day, the pressure to be perfect would only grow.

Isagi, meanwhile, was left grappling with his own insecurities. Kira had made his claim, but Isagi still didn't know what made him special. Watching Kira seize the role of striker with such confidence left a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was still missing something crucial.

As Team Z prepared for their next match, the tension in the room was palpable. Everyone had their weapons, their roles, but the question lingered: could Kira truly lead them to victory again? And if not, who would step up next?

The unresolved tension remained, setting the stage for even greater conflict as the next match loomed, each player silently asking themselves if following Kira was truly their best chance of survival.