The next moment, Ryūma didn't slow down at all—he charged straight toward Kudo Tōya.
Kudo Tōya's heart jolted. He couldn't understand what Ryūma planned to do after choosing such a reckless way to get past him.
(Tsk… If you're throwing yourself into danger, then don't blame me!)
Kudo Tōya stepped in symbolically to block him—a clever bit of positioning that forced Ryūma to change his angle of advance.
It was all Tōya could do, but for his setup, it was enough.
The instant Ryūma forced his way past Kudo Tōya, he ran head-on into a pincer from Ryusei Shido and Kenyu Yukimiya.
(If I wait to think before moving, it'll already be too late. I have to process everything in front of me instantly—and let my body react on pure reflex!)
In the next heartbeat, Ryūma flicked the ball over Yukimiya's head with a clean rainbow flick, slipping past both Yukimiya and Ryusei Shido in one burst.
Seeing this, Kudo Tōya's pupils tightened. He couldn't comprehend how Ryūma's reactions could be this fast.
By predicting the next movements of Ryūma, Yukimiya, and Ryusei Shido, he had briefly drawn out the "future" of the field.
In his prediction, once Ryūma forced past him, he should've immediately fallen into a three-on-one trap.
Which meant Ryūma would be forced to pass—and the most likely target would be Sae Itoshi.
And that passing lane? Yoichi Isagi and Rin Itoshi were already primed to intercept it.
But reality was nothing like his vision. It was as if Ryūma didn't need to think at all—he passed Tōya and launched his next dribble in the same motion, leaving no time for anyone to reset.
Even in his overloaded "God's Eye" state, able to predict someone's entire sequence of actions, Kudo Tōya still couldn't stop Ryūma—because Ryūma never paused long enough for prediction to matter. The moment Tōya positioned himself, Ryūma was already instinctively switching into another breakthrough move.
And if anticipation specialists like Kudo Tōya struggled this much, then opponents with weaker prediction abilities were as good as doomed.
Just like Tabito Karasu now—Ryūma had barely entered midfield when Karasu threw himself in his path.
"Charging ahead without a care? You'll pay for that soon!"
"Say that again when you've actually stopped me."
Ryūma lowered his center of gravity as he spoke. First he faked a burst to the right; the moment Tabito Karasu leaned that way,
Ryūma spun and slipped the ball through with a quick heel-touch nutmeg.
The motion was so fluid and sudden that Tabito Karasu had no time to react—completely overrun.
(Ah… how long has it been since I felt this?)
(On a field where my fate is on the line… being cornered by someone my age… even feeling like I'm about to lose…)
(In the end… I'm the villain now, aren't I? The villain trying to crush Blue Lock?!)
(Hmph… It's been so long since I've actually felt the fear of losing in my gut. Disgusting!)
(When did I get this weak?!)
By then, the entire Blue Lock squad had realized something was wrong and were already scrambling back to defend. Closest to Ryūma were Jyubei Aryu and Eita Otoya, sprinting in to stop him.
"Out of my way, trash!!"
No sooner had he shouted than Ryūma sliced through both Aryu and Otoya with a rapid series of direction changes, leaving them behind in just a few breaths.
"Tch!!"
"His movements are way too seamless! Ryūma's acting… strange."
"Hurry! Stop him!"
They didn't even need Aryu's warning—everyone understood how dangerous the situation was.
Anyone who knew Ryūma knew he was already inside his shooting range.
(Damn it! Under pressure like this, that "monster" awakened too!)
(No—there's still time! We can't let the gap widen!)
(Calm down. Analyze his shooting options. Find the most likely route!)
(Damn—there are at least four possible shots… Which—?)
Suddenly, Yoichi Isagi's mind paused—then lit up.
(Wait… why am I guessing between four routes? Why not force Ryūma into the one we want him to take?!)
(Yes! The most favorable one is the shot closest to Aryu!)
(With Aryu's defensive skills, he can block Ryūma's shot!)
Isagi made the decision instantly, sliding in toward Ryūma as he shouted:
"Bachira! Right side!!"
Meguru Bachira, closing in from the right, understood Isagi's intention once he saw the slide tackle and immediately accelerated toward Ryūma.
Seishiro Nagi sprinted directly toward the goal, relying on his instincts to stop Ryūma from scoring.
This time, Ryūma was cornered for real.
And unlike before, he was facing Blue Lock's strongest players.
Isagi and Bachira pressed in from left and right; behind him, Eita Otoya closed rapidly, cutting off every escape.
In front of the goal stood Seishiro Nagi on his side and Jyubei Aryu on the far side, while Gin Gagamaru stared at him without blinking.
It was the very definition of "airtight defense."
Thankfully, at that moment, Shuto Sendo sprinted up on Ryūma's right, shouting:
"Ryūma! Pass!"
At the same time, Sae Itoshi closed in from the left—not saying a word, simply staring straight at Ryūma.
(Sae Itoshi?! Damn—not good! That spot is the best shooting angle!)
Isagi was about to shift gears and sprint toward Sae when Rin Itoshi barked:
"He's mine! Don't interfere, Isagi!"
Hearing Rin, Isagi focused back on his slide without hesitation.
Ryūma didn't even acknowledge Shuto Sendo—he only exchanged a brief look with Sae.
Then he hopped forward with his left foot, swung his right leg wide, and the moment Nagi and Gagamaru leaned their weight toward him—
he struck.
[BOOM!!]
Seeing Ryūma shoot, both Isagi and Bachira froze.
Isagi stared in disbelief at the ball fired straight toward their own goal.
(Where did that angle come from?! Is he self-destructing?)
But then a familiar sensation hit Isagi all at once.
(Huh…? A straight shot… with no standard trajectory… I get it!)
"Don't block that line! The ball's going to change direction!!"
Forcing himself up with everything he had, Isagi sprinted toward the opposite side of the goal.
He finally remembered—
This was Ryūma's Shift Shot.
...
(Full Series is already available on P@treon)
[email protected] / GhostParser