Chapter 38: Interception! And Then the Counterattack Begins!
"Don't rush! Second wave!"
After receiving the ball, Niko shouted loudly, trying to calm his teammates so they could reorganize their attack.
But at that very moment, his heart was filled with overwhelming anxiety.
Even after setting up everything so carefully and creating such a perfect chance, they still failed to score.
Just what kind of monster is Ryosuke Kira?
Niko realized he had completely underestimated Kira's strength. The reality was even more terrifying than what he had imagined.
With their first attack failing, Team Y luckily managed to secure a second-chance offense, but their rhythm had unknowingly slowed down.
And for a team that was already behind, this was anything but good.
Think. Think! Think, Niko!
Niko's mind was a mess. His hard-crafted plan had fallen apart, and he needed to find a way to break through the stalemate.
He looked toward Okawa in the distance, only to see that the latter had completely lost his fighting spirit—his movements sluggish, his positioning hesitant.
"Since Okawa is already… then it can only be me now!"
Niko understood clearly that Okawa was no longer capable of contributing. He had no choice but to take over the offensive responsibility alone.
Abandon defense and organization— invest everything into attack!
It was the only option. The burden of breaking the deadlock rested solely on him.
Niko's eyes widened as the entire half of the pitch unfolded in his mind.
It was like he was viewing the entire stadium from above.
And at the same time, he precisely identified the best attacking route—one that was nearly wide open!
He burst into a sprint, weaving through the complicated field layout. Along the path he had chosen, the defense was at its weakest, and within seconds he had penetrated deep into the Z Team's half.
This was the brilliance of his full-field vision—used not to direct others, but to fuel his own attack.
"How did he suddenly get this far?!"
Team Z players were briefly stunned. None of them expected Niko to cut straight through their formation.
"Niko must've identified the weakest point in our defensive structure!"
Isagi suddenly realized it—his ability similar to Niko's allowed him to understand what the other had done.
And only then did he truly grasp what Kira had told them:
Niko was the real threat in Y Team.
"There's a chance!"
Niko accelerated further, pushing toward the box with all his strength and skill.
But then, appearing in his vision like a sudden blur of lightning—
Ryosuke Kira.
This path should have been the weakest point in the defense, yet Kira blocked it with a speed far beyond Niko's reach.
"Kira…"
Niko stared cautiously at the opponent standing before him.
This guy… was a monster.
Blue Lock was supposed to create the strongest striker, yet Kira was defending like a world-class defender.
Worse, he was more terrifying than any defender Niko had ever seen. He stood guard like a demon protecting its territory.
But even then, Niko still had his own plan.
"You pushed the whole team forward, sent Okawa down the wing, and had the others create distractions."
Kira spoke calmly.
"I know you're Team Y's core. Your plan this time is thorough—but it doesn't matter. Compared to absolute strength, your strategy is nothing but a joke."
"Then watch closely! I'll show you who the real ruler of this field is!"
Niko shouted back, refusing to yield. Even as he claimed he would break through alone, his eyes were still scanning the positions of his teammates, searching for a passing option.
He had predicted this situation.
If Kira didn't come to defend him, he could cut into the box alone.
But if Kira did come to defend him, then the pressure on his teammates would lighten—
This was Y Team's final gamble.
Okawa Hibiki!
Right now, defenders' attention was all on Niko, and Okawa had slipped into a threatening position near the goal!
Damn it, pull yourself together…!
Niko had to bet everything on Okawa. Even though Okawa had lost his fighting spirit, if he received the ball there, he should still be able to shoot!
Niko aimed, preparing a powerful pass toward Okawa.
But he overlooked one fact—
The overwhelming gap in ability between himself and Kira Ryosuke.
Niko's split-second hesitation was noticed instantly.
Just as he was about to pass, Kira struck first—
Moving faster than Niko could react, he intercepted the ball and blasted it away!
"Impossible?!"
Niko froze, stunned. He couldn't believe what had just happened.
One moment of hesitation… and Kira seized it without mercy.
Just what is this guy?!
"Defend! Defend now!"
Realizing disaster was imminent, Niko shouted frantically, urging his teammates to retreat. He himself sprinted back toward his own half without hesitation.
He knew clearly—
If Team Z launched a counterattack now, they were finished.
At that moment, the ball hit the ground again, and Bachira received it smoothly.
"That interception was amazing!"
Bachira grinned.
"Let's start the counterattack!"
He carried the ball forward, but because he received it so deep and he wasn't particularly fast, several Team Y players had time to drop back into position.
"Trap him! Don't let them score another goal!"
Two defenders appeared in front of Bachira, clearly intending to sandwich him and block any path forward.
Pass over there.
A voice echoed inside Bachira's mind.
The monster—his terrifying football instinct—pointed to an empty stretch of space. Even the nearest player, Ryosuke Kira, was still some distance away.
But then Bachira noticed something—
Kira's body posture shifted, his legs opening, ready to sprint.
Their gazes met.
And in that instant, a wordless chemistry sparked between them.
"So that's it!"
Bachira's grin widened, excitement rushing through him.
No normal player could possibly reach that ball—
But Rosuke Kira could.
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〔TL〕
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