Chapter 38: The counterattack begins!

"Don't rush! Second offense!"

Niko shouted loudly after receiving the ball, trying to calm his teammates down and reorganize the attack.

But deep inside, he was incredibly anxious at this moment.

Despite the well-executed setup that created such a good opportunity, they still couldn't score.

What kind of monster is Kira Ryosuke?

Niko realized that he had completely underestimated Kira Ryosuke's strength. The opponent was even more terrifying than he had imagined.

With the failure of the first offense, although Team Y luckily obtained a second offensive opportunity, the pace unknowingly slowed down.

And for them, who were trailing in score, this was not a good thing.

"Think, think! Come on, Niko, think!"

Niko's mind was filled with anxiety at this moment. The plan he had worked so hard to devise had failed, and he had to find a way to break the deadlock.

He turned his head and looked at Okawa, who was far away, and noticed that the determination had completely vanished from his face. He wasn't even making active runs anymore.

"Since Okawa is... now I can only rely on myself!"

Niko clearly realized that Okawa was no longer able to make an impact, and now he had to launch the attack relying on himself.

Abandoning defense and organization!

It was the only choice, and Niko himself had to break the deadlock.

Niko widened his eyes, and at this moment, the entire layout of the half-field unfolded before him.

It was as if he was overlooking the entire stadium.

At the same time, Niko pinpointed the most suitable attacking route with unparalleled accuracy, where there were almost no obstacles!

Niko suddenly accelerated. In the complex and chaotic field, he found the weakest point in the defense along the attacking route and swiftly penetrated into the heart of it.

This was how he cleverly utilized his ability to perceive the entire field during his own offensive play.

"How did he manage to get here?!"

The members of Team Z were momentarily surprised, completely unexpected that Niko could launch a direct attack to this extent.

"Niko has identified the weakest spot in our team's defense!"

Isagi Yoichi suddenly realized. He possessed abilities similar to Niko, which allowed him to guess the opponent's tactics.

He also came to the realization that, just as Kira Ryosuke had said, Niko was the most threatening person within Team Y!

"We have a chance!"

Niko continued to surge forward, utilizing his expertise to quickly approach the opponent's goal at the fastest speed.

But within his field of vision, a swift figure appeared before him.

Kira Ryosuke.

It should have been the weakest defensive route, yet Kira Ryosuke intercepted Niko's attacking route with an unreachable speed.

"Kira..."

Niko watched the person blocking his path with utmost caution.

This guy is an absolute monster.

The Blue lock Plan was clearly designed to cultivate an extremely strong forward, but Kira Ryosuke appeared in the position of a defender in this match.

Not only that, he is more terrifying than any defender Niko has ever encountered. It's as if he is a demon guarding the territory of the goal.

However, Niko still had his own plan in mind.

Launch an attack with the entire team, have Okawa make a breakthrough along the wing, and let the other players provide cover.

Kira Ryosuke spoke slowly.

"I know you are the core of Team Y, and you have devised a very meticulous plan for this attack. But it's useless. In the face of an absolute gap in strength, your strategies are nothing but a joke."

"Then let me show you who the master of the field truly is!"

Niko shouted defiantly. While he claimed to take the initiative in the attack, he was also observing the positions of all his teammates, searching for a teammate to pass the ball to.

He anticipated this situation. If Kira Ryosuke didn't come to defend him, he might be able to directly break into Team Z's penalty area and create a scoring opportunity.

And if Kira Ryosuke did come to defend him, it would mean that the defensive pressure on the other players would be reduced!

This was Team Y's last chance.

Okawa!

At this moment, Niko drew the attention of many defenders. Their eyes were focused on him, while Okawa was in a position where he could pose a threat to the opponent's goal!

"Damn, pull yourself together!"

Niko had to take a gamble. Although Okawa had lost his fighting spirit at the moment, if he could gain possession of the ball in that position, he would surely be able to make a successful shot!

Niko had already aimed in the direction, preparing to pass the ball powerfully to Okawa.

But he overlooked one fact.

There was a stark difference in strength between him and Kira Ryosuke.

The moment of hesitation in Niko's attempt to pass was observed by Kira, and just as Niko was preparing to pass the ball, Kira Ryosuke had already made his move

With a speed faster than Niko, he intercepted the ball and kicked it forcefully, sending it flying!

"How is this possible?!"

Niko widened his mouth in astonishment, finding it hard to believe what had just happened in front of him.

His momentary hesitation was seized by Kira Ryosuke!

What is going on with this guy?

"Retreat and defend!"

Niko, having lost possession of the ball, immediately realized that things were not looking good. He loudly called for his teammates behind him to retreat and defend, without any hesitation, sprinting towards his own half.

He was well aware that if Team Z found an opportunity for a counterattack, they would be in big trouble!

Meanwhile, the ball had fallen to the ground, and Bachira Meguru successfully received it.

"What a fantastic interception!"

 Bachira Meguru chuckled.

"Let's counterattack!"

He immediately dribbled the ball towards the opponent's half. However, due to Bachira Meguru receiving the ball from a deep position and not being particularly fast, some of Team Y's players had time to position themselves for defense.

"Double-team him! We absolutely cannot let them score!"

Two figures suddenly appeared in front of Bachira Meguru, clearly intending to double-team him and completely block his attacking route.

"Pass it there."

In Bachira Meguru's mind, a voice resounded.

It was his own monster, his formidable football intuition.

The position indicated by the monster was an empty space with no one around, even Kira Ryosuke, who was the closest, was at a considerable distance.

At that moment, Bachira Meguru noticed a change in Kira Ryosuke's movement—he took a step forward, assuming a posture ready to run.

Their gazes met, and an inexplicable understanding was born between him and Kira Ryosuke.

"I see!"

Bachira Meguru grinned, a surge of excitement filling his heart.

Ordinary people wouldn't be able to receive that ball---

But Kira Ryosuke could!