Chapter 29: Pure Chemistry
V Team Locker Room…
The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed. Some players chatted leisurely, sipping from their water bottles, unfazed by the fact that they were trailing at halftime.
"Alright, everyone! Let's rework our tactics and win the second half!"
Mikage Reo stood tall, his voice sharp and burning with defiance. His eyes gleamed with unshakable resolve.
We've never lost—not since Nagi and I started playing together. There's no way we fall here!
Just then, a player with spiky hair shrugged and said casually,
"Reo, come on. We've already made it to the next round. Why go so hard?"
"Yeah, getting injured over a meaningless match isn't worth it," another chimed in.
Others nodded. The once-invincible "Trident" of Reo, Nagi, and Zantetsu had been humbled by Yūshin Seiichi.
Why fight a battle you've already lost?
That sentiment spread like a virus through the room, draining the team's morale.
"You cowards. Say that again—I dare you!"
Reo exploded, grabbing the spiky-haired player by the collar.
"Hey, Reo."
The calm voice came from behind him.
Nagi stood there, eyes focused. "I want to win. I want to beat those two."
Reo froze, then slowly released his grip. He turned toward Nagi with blazing eyes.
"Yeah… We're not losing. Not now. Not ever."
"That red-haired guy pissed me off," Zantetsu muttered from the bench.
"Then let's crush them," Reo replied, rallying the team. "The rest of you—just defend. Leave the game to us. Got it?!"
"YES!!"
Blue Lock Field – Building 5 – Final Match, Second Half Begins…
"Time to shine!" Kunigami Rensuke shouted, grinning as he passed to Yūshin Seiichi and dashed into Team V's half.
Send it! I'm ready!
Seiichi instantly picked up on it, firing a perfect long pass that arced beautifully into Kunigami's path.
What's your move—dribble or pass?
But Kunigami hesitated—eyes darting too much.
"Chestnut-head, keep your eyes on the damn game!"
Reo burst in from the flank and stole the ball cleanly.
"You idiot! Sub out if you're gonna play like trash!" Raichi barked from the backline.
"Sorry!" Kunigami chased, flustered.
Reo weaved through Team Z's defense with lightning pace, cutting across the box like a blade.
"Not today!"
Raichi stepped up, but Reo was already turning—heel tap, flick, turn. He left Reishi spinning.
"Zantetsu!"
"On it—this is my domain!"
Zantetsu lined up with pinpoint focus and—
BOOM!
—a rocket into the bottom right.
Goal! 3–2.
"Hey Reo, what's 'domain' mean?" Zantetsu asked coolly, pushing his glasses.
"No idea! But that shot was fire!" Reo laughed.
"Idiot," Nagi muttered. "But that speed… not bad."
Isagi wiped sweat from his brow, eyes fierce.
Now this is a match.
10 Minutes Left…
BOOM!
"Dammit, they intercepted!"
"Counterattack!"
The ball shot toward Reo again.
"Let's go, Nagi! Let's tie it!" Reo roared.
But—
A flicker of blue.
Seiichi.
Appearing like a phantom, Seiichi shut down Reo's passing lane before he even took a step.
That pressure… it's suffocating.
Reo tried feints, stepovers, pedal moves—but Seiichi didn't move. He just watched. And waited.
When the time came, he lunged for the steal—clean.
Reo gritted his teeth, shielding the ball with his body.
I can't shake him…
"Nagi!"
Nagi responded instantly, repositioning just in time. Reo passed, Isagi Yoichi read the pass and sprinted—
But Nagi was already ahead, closing the gap.
And then—
A heel pass.
Straight to Seiichi, now free from Reo's defense.
"Zantetsu! Stop him!"
"I've been waiting!"
Zantetsu raced to intercept.
Seiichi dipped his shoulder left—bait.
His real move exploded right.
Zantetsu got a hand on him—strong, almost like Zeya's.
But not enough.
Seiichi cut right, didn't slow, and launched the ball—high, arcing over the defense.
"Overhead pass?!"
Zantetsu looked up in disbelief.
And then—
Isagi.
Flying toward the drop point. Eyes locked. No hesitation.
"Not again!"
Nagi surged after him like a blur.
Isagi jumped.
Then twisted mid-air—
This ball isn't for me.
From the left—
Chigiri Hyōma.
He arrived like a red streak, trapped the falling ball, and—
BOOM!
—a one-touch volley.
The keeper dove—too late.
GOAL! 4–2.
Beep—beep—End of second half (Part 1).
"Nice one, Chigiri!"
SLAP!
Isagi and Chigiri high-fived, beaming.
Something had clicked.
Something powerful.
And far behind them, Yūshin Seiichi walked silently back to the tunnel—expression calm.
But just as he turned—
He smiled.