New Confidence

Score:4-0

The match restarted with an intense burst of energy from Rin. The ball was at his feet, and his movements were sharp and purposeful. Hiori was the first to challenge him, stepping forward to cut off his advance. Rin shifted his weight ever so slightly, feinting to the left before darting to the right, leaving Hiori a step behind. The precision in Rin's dribbling was remarkable, each touch calculated to maintain control while gaining ground.

Karasu was next, his defensive stance wide, attempting to force Rin into a predictable path. But Rin's relentless focus and control were undeniable. He executed a quick body feint, followed by a sudden acceleration that caught Karasu off guard. The fluidity of his motion was almost hypnotic, and before Karasu could recover, Rin was already past him, driving forward with determination.

Now, with open space ahead, Rin zeroed in on the goal. Kurona, however, stepped into his path, reading Rin's movements with precision. Rin, undeterred, unleashed a powerful shot aimed for the corner of the net. Yet, Kurona anticipated the strike, positioning himself perfectly to block the attempt. The ball deflected off Kurona's foot and spun high into the air, the momentum momentarily halted.

Rin's frustration was evident as he watched his shot denied, his gaze narrowing as he turned to reset. For a brief moment, his confidence faltered, but his competitive fire reignited just as quickly. This was not over—not by a long shot. With every dribble, every feint, and every shot, Rin was determined to prove why he was a player to be feared.

The ball landed at Karasu's feet, and without hesitation, he sent a precise cross toward Shiro, who had positioned himself deep in the opponent's half. Shiro sprinted forward, his focus locked onto the ball as it arced through the air. Just as he reached for it, a firm arm pressed against his chest, halting his momentum. Shiro's eyes widened as he turned to see Tokimitsu, his expression unusually fierce.

"Sorry, I've got to win," Tokimitsu said, his voice steady yet filled with a newfound intensity. Shiro blinked, momentarily stunned by the shift in Tokimitsu's demeanor. This wasn't the hesitant, self-doubting player he had faced before. The aura around Tokimitsu had transformed—it was sharper, heavier, and brimming with an unrelenting determination.

For a moment, Shiro could only watch as Tokimitsu's presence grew more commanding, his every movement now precise and purposeful. It became clear to Shiro: Aoshi Tokimitsu had entered the flow. The game had taken a dramatic turn, and Shiro realized he was no longer facing the same player he had bested before.

Tokimitsu Pov:

Tokimitsu felt despair welling up inside him as he watched Shiro sprint toward the ball. His mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, each one heavier than the last. I'm not good enough. I'm going to lose. They'll never choose me. The weight of these fears dragged him down, his steps feeling slower with every passing second.

But as he continued to chase Shiro, something within him shifted. A new feeling began to rise—one that overpowered his doubts. It wasn't just about playing anymore; it was about survival, about proving himself. I need to win. I can't let this end here. That single thought consumed him, silencing every other voice in his mind.

Fueled by this sudden determination, Tokimitsu pushed himself harder, his legs moving faster than they ever had before. His breath came in short bursts, but he didn't care. All that mattered was catching up to Shiro. As he closed the distance, his desperation morphed into a fierce resolve, an unshakable will to fight.

With this newfound strength, Tokimitsu surged forward and reached Shiro just as he was about to take possession of the ball. Without hesitation, he placed his arm against Shiro's chest, stopping his momentum. "Sorry," Tokimitsu said, his voice low and firm, his eyes filled with an intensity that surprised even himself. "I've got to win." For the first time, Tokimitsu felt unstoppable.

Tokimitsu had entered the flow.

As his arm pressed against Shiro's chest, time seemed to slow down. The noise in his mind vanished, replaced by an overwhelming clarity. Every movement, every detail of the game became vivid—Shiro's shifting balance, the ball's trajectory, and the positioning of every player on the field. It was as if a switch had flipped inside him, unlocking a potential he didn't know he had.

The aura around him transformed, radiating a fierce energy that even Shiro couldn't ignore. Tokimitsu's usual timid demeanor was gone, replaced by a sharp focus and a relentless drive. He wasn't just chasing anymore; he was controlling the game, dictating the pace. For the first time, Tokimitsu felt like he truly belonged on this battlefield.

His resolve burned brighter than ever. I will win. I have to prove myself. I won't back down. Driven by this unrelenting determination, Tokimitsu tightened his grip, his movements calculated and precise. This wasn't the same player his opponents knew. This was Aoshi Tokimitsu in the flow—unstoppable and ready to claim his moment.

Shiro Pov:

Shiro staggered slightly, feeling the sheer power radiating from Tokimitsu's grip. It wasn't just the usual brute strength he'd encountered before; this was something else entirely. The flow had transformed Tokimitsu's already monstrous physicality into something that felt almost inhuman.

Shiro gritted his teeth, his mind racing. What is this? Tokimitsu's presence loomed over him, the pressure akin to battling a titan. It was as if he were trying to wrestle Shaquille O'Neal himself—a force so dominant it seemed impossible to overcome. Every attempt Shiro made to twist or maneuver the ball away was met with an impenetrable wall of strength and precision.

Despite the shock, Shiro's competitive spirit flared. So, Tokimitsu has entered the flow? Fine. Let's see how far I can push him. Shiro shifted his weight subtly, testing Tokimitsu's balance while calculating his next move. The challenge ahead was monumental, but Shiro welcomed it. After all, this was Blue Lock—a place where only the strongest thrived.

A small smirk crept onto his face, even as the struggle intensified. "Alright, big guy," he muttered under his breath. "Let's see if I can break through you."

Ego Pov:

Ego sat back in his office, a smug smirk forming on his face as he watched the match unfold on his screen. "Shiro, you are unbelievable," he murmured, almost in admiration. The intensity of Shiro's dribbling, his quick-thinking, and the unstoppable confidence radiating from him was something to behold. But that wasn't what truly caught Ego's attention.

He shifted his gaze to Tokimitsu, who was now in the flow, completely changed. "Rin was already among the few that I had predicted would enter the flow; all he needed was a little push," Ego thought, his voice still tinged with a sense of satisfaction. But Tokimitsu—Tokimitsu was a different story.

To witness a player, already as physically dominant as Tokimitsu, break through his mental barriers in such a manner—it was something magnificent. "This is another beast," Ego mused, his eyes narrowing as he watched the match's course. The transformation in Tokimitsu was startling; his despair, his anxiety, and his doubts—all wiped away in an instant.

Ego felt a thrill of excitement as he watched Tokimitsu's new form take shape on the field. "It's truly magnificent," he muttered to himself. A player who had once been weighed down by self-doubt now embodied the essence of pure determination. In his flow, Tokimitsu was untouchable, a force of nature that erased all the hesitation and fear, making him an entirely new player. This moment—this was why Ego had created Blue Lock.

Shiro Pov:

As Shiro struggled against Tokimitsu, the intensity of the battle weighed heavily on him. Tokimitsu had entered the flow, and his strength, speed, and resolve had elevated to an entirely new level. It was as if Shiro was trying to move past a concrete wall, one that wouldn't budge. But Shiro wasn't one to back down easily; he needed to find a way through, to outsmart Tokimitsu.

With a quick flick of his body, Shiro turned away from Tokimitsu. He then flicked the ball up, momentarily concealing it from Tokimitsu's sight. Tokimitsu, eager to make a play, lunged forward, thinking he had a chance to snatch the ball. But that was exactly what Shiro wanted. As Tokimitsu moved in, Shiro flicked the ball over their heads, the move executed with perfect precision.

Shiro saw the opening, his eyes locked on the goal as he sprinted forward. Just as he went to strike, Tokimitsu's massive form barreled into him, grabbing him by the shoulder and yanking him to the ground. It was a blatant foul—Tokimitsu's body pressed against Shiro's back, dragging him down as he fell hard to the ground. The whistle blew, but Shiro's mind wasn't on the foul. He was frustrated, but at the same time, he was impressed. Tokimitsu had fully embraced the flow, and now Shiro knew he would have to dig even deeper if he was going to get past him.

Anri's voice echoed over the speakers, announcing, "Yellow card for Aoshi Tokimitsu." The sound cut through the tension in the air, and Tokimitsu hit the ground in frustration, his fists clenched tight. He had made a mistake, and now Shiro had a free kick—one well within his range. The weight of the moment settled over the field as Shiro stood tall, watching Tokimitsu's reaction.

Tokimitsu lay there, chest heaving with the exertion, his mind consumed with frustration. He had pushed himself to the limit, entered the flow, and still, he had fouled Shiro. His grip on the game had slipped for just a moment, and now he was paying the price. Tokimitsu had given Shiro a chance—one that could very well change the course of the match.

Shiro couldn't help but observe Tokimitsu with a certain respect. The intensity that had surged in his opponent, his raw power, and the shift in his game had been impressive. Shiro had never seen someone embrace the flow so fully—Tokimitsu had pushed him to the edge. But now, Shiro could feel the pressure on him to capitalize on the opportunity.

With the ball at his feet, Shiro took a moment to breathe, his mind focused. The goal was in his sights. Tokimitsu had made his move, and now it was Shiro's turn to take the lead.

As the other players on both teams crowded the box, preparing for the free kick, Shiro took a moment to look down at Tokimitsu, who was still kneeling on the ground, his frustration evident. Shiro's gaze softened for just a moment before he spoke.

"Today, for the first time, a single player was able to suppress me," Shiro said, his voice calm yet filled with respect. "Tokimitsu, be proud. You are strong. But remember, as Rin once said, this is a battlefield—one shall rise, and one shall fall."

Tokimitsu met Shiro's gaze, the tension in his muscles easing slightly. He nodded, understanding the weight of Shiro's words, acknowledging the battle they had fought. Without another word, he stood up and jogged back into the box, his eyes steely with determination. There was no time for regrets now.

Shiro, watching him, felt a flicker of something—something rare and powerful—before turning his attention back to the free kick. The battle wasn't over yet.

Shiro positioned himself confidently, eyes focused on the goal. The ball rested perfectly for a strike, and he took a deep breath, channeling everything into this moment. 40 yards from the cage, with only the goalkeeper standing between him and the net, Shiro's mind sharpened, blocking out everything else. His foot met the ball with precision, sending it flying toward the upper right corner of the goal.

The ball curved through the air with breathtaking power and accuracy, seemingly defying physics as it sliced through the atmosphere, headed straight for the corner. The goalkeeper, caught off guard by the sheer speed and trajectory, dove for the ball—but it was too late.

With a satisfying thud, the ball hit the back of the net, rippling the fabric of the goal. The match was over. Shiro had scored his fifth goal, sealing the victory for Team White.

As the whistle blew and the game ended, Shiro stood for a moment, catching his breath. The satisfaction of the win was there, but beneath it, something else lingered—respect for his opponents, especially Tokimitsu, who had pushed him further than anyone else had before.