[Jude's POV]
[Flow State]
I'm finally going to try it.
I used my new special weapon. It was my first time trying it in a real match.
"You're finally getting serious..." Karasu's sharp analytical abilities wouldn't miss such a change. He was the first to notice that something about me was different. Mayhaps it was the result of the trauma I inflicted on him during the first selection, but he was immediately on his guard.
I calmly trapped the pass Otoya sent me:
"Do your best to stop me."
Unlike my usual playstyle, I didn't rush.
It was as if any unrelated thought was erased from my mind. It was similar to what I experienced in my last match against Karasu but this time I could perfectly control it.
It was by far my strongest special weapon.
While others needed special situations to enter the flow, I was built different. Those rules didn't apply to me. This is one of the perks of being a system holder — defying logic.
Karasu knew that he shouldn't allow me to set the pace, this was probably what led him to make the first move.
But as soon as my eyes picked up on the slight change in his balance, I burst into a sprint.
I knew better than anyone — Karasu's biggest weakness as well as biggest strength — his brain.
It's the only thing he needs to improve in order to become one of the best players in blue lock. Although it's what allowed him to become such a great player, it also makes his reactions way more predictable.
Especially since we were on the same wavelength.
It was like facing the rational part of myself.
Karasu knew of my strengths, so he purposely took a step back to not allow me to get past him. This gave me enough room to send the ball to Otoya.
"Nice one, Jude"
Everyone knew that I was the biggest threat in my team. Using my special weapons [Emperor's Aura] and [Flow State] made Karasu feel even more threatened. He unconsciously turned most of his attention to me. This was the perfect situation for the ninja who now moved to Karasu's left.
As soon as the ball left my feet, my [Emperor's Aura]'s effect disappeared, which helped turn everyone's attention away from me and accentuate the attention Otoya received.
[Shadow Walk]
I took this opportunity and made a run to the left, opposite to Otoya who now attracted the most attention.
Miyata immediately reacted and got in Otoya's way but failed to stop him. Otoya easily dribbled past him and armed his shot, but stopped in his track as both Karasu and Hiori launched themselves at him from each side.
"Pass it!" I yelled out, bringing everyone's attention back onto me.
Even Otoya didn't realize I was already alone in front of the goal. Without questioning it, he sent the ball my way.
This time I didn't even bother trapping it, I let my instincts take over and sent a volley shot to the top bin.
2-2.
..
..
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[3rd POV]
Jude × Otoya. The moment that talent meets with another talent.
The first chemical reaction of this match.
The contrast between the crushing presence of Jude with the ball in his possession allowed Otoya's shadow to become even more somber.
Not only did it allow him to easily bypass Karasu without anyone else noticing, but it also made everyone feel the threat emanating from him even more. Thus allowing Jude to use his own lesser form of Otoya's special weapon.
Ninja × Emperor.
This was a chemical reaction that wouldn't of been able to be recreated with any other player.
After witnessing it for themselves, Ego's words made more sense in everyone's mind.
'The one who grasps the chemical reaction between an ego and an ego, will be the striker to grasp the ticket…'
..
"Since when are you able to do that?" Otoya questioned.
He obviously recognized his own technique, erasing the sound of his footsteps and lessening his presence.
"I'm a quick learner." Jude shrugged it off.
"So this is a chemical reaction." Yukimiya joined them. "Make sure to include me next time you do something this crazy." He added with a smile.
The score was even, but the contrast between the behavior of Jude's team and Karasu's team made it obvious that the tides of the matches took an awful turn for them.
One side was full of laughter and banter. While the other… it was grim to say the least.
"Your plan was nice... Except we didn't even get to use it." Karasu sighed as he looked at Miyata who was about to pass him the ball to start the game.
Their plan was designed to stop Yukimiya, it was a specific zone defense. But it all crumbled down when Jude chose to go on his own, followed by Otoya who finally started moving.
"As long as we keep scoring, that's all that matters." Miyata repeated, to his team and especially himself.
He was determined to prove that he was worthy of standing next to players like Karasu and Hiori.
He passed the ball to Karasu and went back to the formation they previously scored with. Both Hiori and Miyata would support Karasu from each side and free as many options as possible for him.
This was the best way for them to spark a chemical reaction.
"Here!" Miyata yelled out as he found an opportunity to get past Jude.
Karasu trusted him and didn't hesitate to send the ball over. He knew that every second was precious in those situations.
Unfortunately, Miyata made a lapse in his judgement.
Unbeknownst to Miyata, Jude intentionally let him get past him, before using his [Shadow Walk] to move into Miyata's blind spot. As soon as he was about to trap Karasu's pass. Jude appeared and stole the ball right in front of him. His legs were longer and had more reach, it was more than easy to extend it from behind Miyata and take back the ball by using his muscular body to block his scrawny ex teammate.
"Smart people are indeed predictable." Jude scoffed before switching into a full sprint.
Hiori was able to predict such an outcome and readied himself to stop Jude, only to find out that Otoya who was originally guarding him was now running right beside Jude once again.
They both maintained the same speed as they ran parallel to one another.
Hiori was stuck between both.
He was too late to react and the two players moved past him with an extremely fast one-two pass. It was the only time where Jude's worst special weapon [Quick pass], a D rank special weapon, was finally being useful.
They were both extremely fast, leaving no chance for Karasu to catch up.
Miyata didn't even bother running after them and only watched as Jude scored yet another goal.
"When I'm in the flow I'm unstoppable."
..
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Author: I wrote 3 chapters. So I still have 2 left in the draft which I just need to edit. If we reach 50 power stones I'll post go edit and post a second one today.