Chapter 33 : The Rise of the Predator!

'Isagi had done this on purpose.' 

Isagi, with his calm, calculated movements, had deliberately forced Rin into this position. Every decision, every pass, every play—it had all been set up to put Rin off balance, to push him into overextending himself and eventually faltering. Rin had been played. And Isagi, with his evolving brilliance, had pulled it off. 

'That went in, Great'

Isagi, however, wasn't focused on Rin's internal struggle. His gaze remained fixed on the ball nestled inside the net, the result of his precise shot. Whatever Rin was thinking in that moment had nothing to do with Isagi. He wasn't out there playing against anyone specifically—he was simply playing football, seeing the game for what it was, Changing the score from 1-0 to 2-0 increasing their advantage.

When Kurona passed him the ball, an opportunity presented itself, and Isagi took it. The shot wasn't anything extraordinary to him. It was a technique he had practiced countless times, and it worked—nothing more, nothing less. 

For Isagi, it wasn't about outsmarting Rin or anyone else. It was about seizing the right moment and executing it perfectly. And that's exactly what he had done.

Both teams took their positions again after Team White's celebration, but there was a shift in the air. Kurona and Nagi couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment—teaming up with Isagi had proven to be the right decision. His presence on the field had suddenly grown more imposing, his calmness and confidence making him an undeniable force. 

Nagi, in particular, found himself reflecting on the intensity of this environment. This was, without a doubt, the most challenging place to play football. He realized that joining Isagi's team was a choice that gave him the best chance to improve, to push his skills beyond limits. Though leaving Reo had left a mark on him, it was beginning to feel worth it. The dream he had envisioned with Reo, the vision of reaching the top together, had now evolved. With Isagi by his side, that dream felt closer than ever.

Rin, momentarily stunned by the goal, quickly regained his composure. He was no stranger to defeat, and it didn't dishearten him. Instead, it fueled him. For Rin, every setback was just another challenge waiting to be overcome. That was how it had always been in his life. 

He had pushed through countless obstacles, broken past barriers, and fought relentlessly to stand beside his older brother, and now Isagi would be another challenge in his path. The fire in Rin's eyes reignited. He knew that overcoming Isagi's presence on the field was inevitable—it was simply a matter of when. And he was ready, determined to rise above and claim victory.

Rin quickly took control, sending the ball to Tokimitsu, who used his muscular build to shield it expertly. Tokimitsu's strength and composure on the ball made him a tough player to get past. Nagi, ever determined, attempted to challenge him, using his speed and agility, but Tokimitsu's solid frame and powerful positioning kept him at bay. 

Rin, always calculating, moved into position, anticipating where Tokimitsu would pass the ball next. His eyes locked onto Tokimitsu, ready to receive the ball which he forced Tokimitsu to give him and take the next step in his offensive play.

Tokimitsu passed the ball to Rin, who expertly controlled it and prepared to make his move. Isagi, watching carefully, saw the moment and sprinted forward, eager to challenge Rin directly. As soon as Rin received the pass, Isagi intervened, stepping up to challenge him for the ball, eager for a one-on-one duel.

But Rin had no intention of engaging in a direct battle right now. He was quick to read the situation and, instead of taking Isagi on head-to-head, he made a swift, calculated pass to shift the play, redirecting the attention away from himself. Rin's focus wasn't on a duel with Isagi; it was on controlling the flow of the game and finding the right moment to strike.

Rin sent the ball smoothly to his left, lifting it high into the air. Kurona made a strong move for it, but Aryu quickly closed in, using his impressive jumping ability to challenge for the ball. The height advantage played a key role, as Aryu leaped into the air, timing his jump perfectly to meet the ball just before Kurona could gain possession.

Rin sprinted toward the penalty area, positioning himself just outside the box, ready for the perfect opportunity. Aryu, understanding the assignment, met the ball mid-air with a precise header, directing it toward Rin. 

The pass was flawless, and Rin, already in motion, readied himself to receive the ball. With his body poised, he prepared for a quick strike—his focus entirely on the goal. It was clear that Rin was planning to take full advantage of the opportunity, and the tension on the field escalated as he closed in on the penalty area.

Isagi read the play perfectly, but the moment came too quickly for him to react in time. He lunged forward, hoping to intercept the ball, but Rin's leg reached it first. With a powerful strike, Rin sent the ball crashing into the net, his shot unstoppable.

The goal was clean, precise, and delivered with the kind of confidence only a player like Rin could exude. Isagi, frustrated by his near-miss, watched as Rin celebrated the goal, the game's intensity rising with each passing moment. Team White had to regroup quickly, knowing that Rin's level of play would only escalate from here.

Isagi noticed the way Rin celebrated—without the usual cocky flair, but with a subtle satisfaction. It wasn't just any goal for Rin; it was one that mattered, a statement of his superiority. Isagi's presence on the field had clearly sparked something in him, and Rin seemed to relish the competition. 

The score now stood at 2-1, but Isagi knew the game was far from decided. Rin was the type of player who thrived under pressure, and the challenge he posed only made Isagi more determined. Anything could still happen. This was far from over, and Isagi was ready to push even harder to make sure the game stayed in his control.

Isagi felt an odd sense of exhilaration building within him, one that reminded him of his match against Team Y, particularly the intense duel with Niko. Niko had been a strategist, someone who challenged Isagi to think and adapt at every turn, and that match had ignited a fire within him. After that, every game seemed somewhat mundane, lacking the same level of excitement. 

Now, facing Rin, Isagi was experiencing that same rush. The challenge Rin presented, the tactical brilliance, the rivalry—it stirred something deeper inside him. Isagi wasn't just playing to win; he was playing to outsmart, to dominate, to prove that his growth had outpaced even Rin's.

With the score at 2-1, Isagi knew he had the upper hand mentally. He was ready to crush Rin's team, not just for the victory, but to cement his place as the top player in Blue Lock. The game was on, and Isagi was hungry for it.

The match resumed with Kurona passing the ball to Isagi, who immediately began his run. Isagi's pace was fast, but what made it even more impressive was how closely the ball remained tethered to him. His dribbling was sharp, and precise—he was in full control, even at speed. The ball didn't stray away, no matter how quickly he moved.

The challenge came almost instantly as Rin closed the distance between them. Rin, having never seen Isagi take on a dribbling challenge like this, expected him to pass, assuming that Isagi wasn't the type to take players on one-on-one. He anticipated a pass, but instead, Isagi went for it, pushing the ball forward with intent, challenging Rin head-on.

Isagi's decision was clear—he wasn't going to back down.

Isagi executed a flawless body feint, effortlessly shifting past Rin, and with a quick tap of his foot, sent the ball through Rin's legs—pulling off a smooth nutmeg. The players on both sides reacted to the daring move. Rin, caught off guard, stood frozen for a moment, clearly humiliated. It wasn't just about getting past him; Isagi had made a statement. 

But Isagi wasn't done yet. With the ball still under his control, he kept his eyes on the field, scanning for his next move. The members of Team Red, particularly Aryu, quickly realized they needed to act. Seeing the gap Isagi had created, Aryu sprinted toward him, leaving Kurona unmarked on the right wing. 

Isagi knew this was his moment. With a quick glance toward Kurona, he was ready to exploit the open space, knowing the dynamics had shifted entirely. The pressure was now on Team Red to respond, but Isagi was already thinking two steps ahead.

Isagi felt an unexpected surge of confidence, something that felt different from his usual calculated plays. Normally, he would have passed the ball to Kurona, who was in prime position to score, securing the goal with minimal effort. But this time, Isagi didn't want to settle for the easy route. He wanted to experience this newfound sensation of dominance.

The ball was at his feet, and with Rin's defense broken, he saw nothing but the open path to the goal. Isagi wanted to crush Rin's team, not just by scoring, but by proving to himself and everyone else that he could take control of the game. He could feel the tension building in the air, the challenge now personal. It was no longer about just winning; it was about making a statement. 

As Aryu continued his desperate pursuit, Isagi slowed just enough to gauge his options, fully aware of what this decision could mean for his development. The field was his to command, and Isagi was ready to take that shot—alone.

Inside his room, Ego watched the match with a chilling smile spreading across his face. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Initially, Isagi had disappointed him with his reliance on team play, showing a reluctance to step into the spotlight. But now, as Isagi faced Rin's team with a newfound determination, Ego saw something he had craved from the very beginning—the embodiment of Blue Lock's mentality.

Isagi's decision to take on the challenge alone, to seize control of the game, was exactly what Blue Lock was meant to produce: a player who could push beyond the limits of teamwork and rise as an individual force. Ego was witnessing Isagi's transformation into that very player, the one who could dominate on his own and take the game by the throat. 

This was the essence of Blue Lock—a place where players were forced to shed their limitations and chase greatness through raw, unfiltered desire. Isagi had finally embraced that mentality, and Ego couldn't help but revel in the unfolding spectacle. It was everything he had envisioned for Blue Lock.

With a precise back-heel chop, Isagi effortlessly bypassed the approaching Aryu, his confidence unwavering as he found himself just outside the box. Without hesitation, he took the shot—powerful and accurate, sending the ball curling into the net for his third goal of the match, securing a well-deserved hat-trick.

The Players around him could feel the surge of energy in the air as Isagi screamed in pure exhilaration, his passion reverberating through every inch of the pitch. It wasn't just a goal; it was the culmination of his determination and the embodiment of everything Blue Lock had pushed him to become.

Nagi and Kurona immediately rushed to Isagi, their joy palpable as they jumped on him, celebrating his incredible performance. The bond between them felt solidified, the trio sharing in the excitement of Isagi's moment. This was no longer just about the game—it was about proving themselves on this stage, and Isagi had shown just how far he'd come.

Kurona didn't voice any complaints, even though he had been wide open for a pass. This was Blue Lock, after all—a place where individual brilliance mattered just as much as teamwork. If the roles had been reversed, Kurona knew he would have seized the opportunity just like Isagi had. 

In this high-stakes environment, everyone was out to prove their worth, and Kurona respected Isagi's decision to go for the goal himself. The moment was his, and Kurona understood that. The competitive spirit that ran through Blue Lock made this a place where only the strongest could thrive, and Isagi's audacity to take the shot was something Kurona admired.

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