Chapter 38 ⤁ Interception! And the Counterattack Begins!

"Don't rush! Second attack!" Ikki shouted after receiving the ball, urging his teammates to calm down and reorganize their offense.

Despite their strategic setup and the perfect opportunity they had created, anxiety gripped his heart. They still couldn't score.

What kind of monster was Ryōsuke Kira?

Ikki realized he had gravely underestimated his opponent's abilities — Ryōsuke was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

After their failed first attempt, Team Y had lucked into a second chance to attack, but their rhythm had faltered. For a team trailing in points, this spelled trouble.

'Think, think! Think, Ikki Niko!' His carefully crafted plan lay in ruins, and he desperately needed to break the deadlock.

Glancing at Hibiki in the distance, he saw his teammate's fighting spirit had crumbled, his positioning growing listless.

"With Okawa like this... I'll have to do it myself!" Ikki knew his teammate was no longer effective — the attack would fall to him alone.

He had to abandon defense and organization, focusing purely on offense!

This was his only option — he alone could break through!

Ikki's eyes widened as the entire half-court layout mapped itself in his vision, giving him a bird's-eye view of the field.

There! He spotted the perfect attack route, almost completely unguarded!

He burst forward. Through the complex field formations, he'd found the weakness in their defense, instantly penetrating their territory. His field-reading ability had guided his attack perfectly.

"How did he get here?!"

Team Z's players stood stunned, caught off guard by Ikki's direct assault.

"Niko found the weak point in our defense!" Yoichi realized, his similar abilities letting him understand his opponent's strategy.

He now saw what Ryōsuke meant — Ikki truly was Team Y's most dangerous player!

"This is my chance!" Ikki pressed forward, his specialty carrying him toward the goal at breakneck speed.

But then a lightning-fast figure materialized before him: Ryōsuke.

What should have been the perfect opening was sealed shut by Ryōsuke's overwhelming speed.

"Kira..." He eyed his opponent warily.

This guy was truly a monster. Although the Blue Lock Project aimed to create an elite forward, Ryōsuke had taken the defender position this match. He proved more fearsome than any defender Ikki had ever faced — a demon guarding the goal territory.

However, Ikki still had his own plan.

"Launch an attack with the entire team, have Hibiki break through along the sideline, and let the other players provide cover." Ryōsuke said coolly, "I know you're Team Y's core, and you've crafted a thorough attack plan, but it's useless. Against an absolute difference in ability, your strategy is nothing but a joke."

"Then let me show you who really dominates this field!" Ikki shouted defiantly.

While talking about his own attack, he carefully observed his teammates' positions, searching for someone to pass to.

He had anticipated this situation — if Ryōsuke didn't defend against him, he could break straight into Team Z's penalty area and create a scoring chance. And if the monster did come to defend, the pressure on his teammates would decrease!

This was Team Y's last chance.

Hibiki!

Ikki had drawn the defenders' attention to himself, while his teammate was perfectly positioned to threaten the opponent's goal!

'Damn it, pull yourself together!' He had to take this gamble.

Even though Hibiki had lost his fighting spirit, if he could get the ball in that position, he would surely take a shot!

Ikki aimed, preparing to make a powerful pass to his striker.

But he overlooked one crucial fact — the vast difference in ability between himself and the monster before him.

His moment of hesitation before passing was all Ryōsuke needed. Just as Ikki was about to pass, Ryōsuke made his move—

With lightning speed, he intercepted the ball and kicked it away powerfully!

"How is this possible?!" Ikki gaped in disbelief.

Just that split second of hesitation, and Ryōsuke had seized his chance! What kind of player was he?

"Defend, defend!"

Having lost possession, Ikki immediately recognized the danger. He shouted for his teammates to fall back while sprinting toward his own half.

He knew all too well — if Team Z launched a counterattack now, they were finished!

The ball dropped to the ground, and Meguru successfully received it.

"That interception was amazing!" He said with a smile, "Let's start the counterattack!"

He immediately carried the ball toward the opponent's half, but his receiving position was too deep, and lacking exceptional speed, some of Team Y's players managed to set up their defense.

"Surround him! We absolutely can't let them score again!"

Two figures suddenly appeared before Meguru, clearly moving to double-team him, completely blocking his attack route.

'Pass it over there.' A voice echoed in his mind.

It was his inner monster — his fierce soccer instinct. The monster pointed to an empty space far from any player, even Ryōsuke.

At that moment, he noticed that guy's stance change — legs spread wide, ready to sprint.

Their eyes met, and a wordless understanding passed between them.

"I see!" Meguru grinned, his heart racing with excitement.

No ordinary player could receive that ball...

But Ryōsuke could!

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