Chapter 45: The Fourth Gate Passed!
Blue Lock – Level 4 Final Match
Red Team: Yūshin Seiichi, Yūshin Zeya, Itoshi Rin, Hiori Yo
White Team: Isagi Yoichi, Chigiri Hyōma, Nagi Seishiro, Bachira Meguru
Drop!
Red Team scores again!
The score: 4 – 1!
Isagi's interception was read like an open book by Seiichi, who delivered a pinpoint pass to Rin. Rin then carved through the defense and fired it into the top corner. Just one more goal — and the match would end.
…
On the White Team's side, the air was tense.
Bachira Meguru — dropped his usual mischievous grin. His shoulders drooped.
"Just one more and it's over…" he muttered.
Despite dribbling past Hiori a few times, the rest of the Red Team — monsters like Seiichi, Rin, and Zeya — locked everything down.
"We can still turn this around," Nagi said plainly.
"Even if they've scored four first, we can still win," said Chigiri, clenching his jaw and brushing sweat from his crimson bangs.
Isagi raised his head, eyes burning. "We haven't lost yet. If we break them down together, we'll find a path."
Drop! The game resumes.
Isagi passed to Nagi, who relayed it to Bachira. On the wing, Chigiri bolted to drag defenders, giving space for the triangle play.
They advanced steadily — but just as Isagi moved into scoring range, the Red Team's defense adjusted.
"Eh?" Isagi muttered.
Hiori Yo suddenly swapped with Seiichi, marking Isagi directly.
Seiichi drifted wide and immediately pressured Bachira with perfect anticipation. No matter where Bachira turned, Seiichi was already there.
They're reading us perfectly, Isagi realized.
Isagi hesitated.
Just then—Chigiri darted in from the right. With a subtle fake and sudden burst, he pulled the defense toward him. It was chaos in the center.
Perfect!
Bachira spun and launched a cross-field pass.
The ball arced across to Nagi. Rin shadowed him tightly.
But—
Isagi! Run now!
Nagi didn't hesitate. With a quick hop and twist, he passed low to the far right side of the box—where Isagi had made a surprise diagonal run.
Seiichi sprinted in to close the angle.
But Isagi had already pulled his leg back—
Boom!
A clean strike!
Ding! Goal! 4 – 2!
The White Team erupted.
"Nice one, Isagi!" Bachira whooped.
"That's it!" Chigiri pumped his fist.
Nagi gave Isagi a small smirk. "You found it. Good pass."
Isagi nodded firmly. "Let's go. We're not done."
…
On the Red Team side, Rin stared at Seiichi. "You let that happen."
Seiichi tilted his head, grinning. "And?"
"You could've blocked it."
"Yeah," Seiichi said casually. "But what's the fun in crushing someone with no hope? Let them believe they can win… before tearing it away."
Rin scowled. "Childish."
"You're just grumpy 'cause you didn't block it," Seiichi teased.
Zeya remained silent. His golden eyes stared across at Isagi.
He could feel it.
Isagi wasn't the same anymore.
…
Drop! The match resumes.
"Zeya."
One word from Seiichi was enough. Zeya's aura flared like a wild beast awakening. His stance shifted, his eyes locked onto the goal.
Go time.
Zeya passed to Seiichi, who instantly blasted forward.
"Watch it!" Isagi warned.
Chigiri rushed in. Bachira and Nagi moved to intercept.
But it was no use.
Seiichi and Zeya moved like synchronized predators.
One sharp pass from Seiichi—Zeya faked receiving it—
Backheel redirect!
The ball skipped between two defenders!
Seiichi flew through the space behind them, arriving at the ball like it had waited just for him.
Hiori and Rin stayed back, watching. This was their show.
Nagi dove to intercept.
But Seiichi flicked the ball up.
"Not this time."
He twisted mid-air—
Boom!
Volley pass to Zeya at the far post!
The ball sailed—
Zeya was already there.
He didn't rush. He let the keeper dive first.
Then calmly rolled it over the line.
Ding! Final score: Red Team 5 – White Team 2
Match Over.
…
Isagi fell to his knees. Not from pain. From frustration.
He had grown.
But they… were simply on another level.
"No…"
Bachira crouched beside him.
"Still smiling?" Isagi asked.
Bachira shrugged. "We met monsters. That means I've got more to chase."
Chigiri sat down, wiping his face. "Tch… not fast enough."
Nagi looked up. "They were sharper. Better chemistry. But that's good."
They all turned to Seiichi and Zeya.
…
"Nice shot," Hiori told Zeya.
Zeya nodded. "You too."
"Let's pick one," Seiichi said, turning toward the White Team.
Rin folded his arms. "It doesn't matter."
"Let me," Seiichi said.
He pointed.
"You. Bachira Meguru. Let's go."
"Eh? Me?" Bachira blinked, then grinned. "Heh. Got it."
He turned to Isagi. "See ya, partner. I'll be waiting."
"Go," Isagi said with a smile. "Beat them."
…
Seiichi glanced back one more time.
"You've got potential," he told Isagi. "But right now… you're just food."
Then he walked into the gate, followed by Zeya, Rin, Hiori, and Bachira.
…
The first team to pass Level 4:
Yūshin Seiichi
Yūshin Zeya
Itoshi Rin
Hiori Yo
Bachira Meguru
The next level awaits.