Just as that terrifyingly powerful shot was about to slam into the White Team's net,
Adam Blake, using his tremendous physique, leapt into the air, twisting mid-flight, and smashed the ball away with his forehead.
Seeing this, Rin Itoshi clicked his tongue in irritation and immediately searched for Leonardo Luna's position.
He was wary of history repeating itself—if this shot got blocked again, the match would almost certainly be over.
Fortunately, when he looked back, he saw Luna not far behind, still locked in a physical struggle with Yoichi Isagi.
The ball deflected by Adam Blake arced high through the air, descending toward the right flank of the White Team's backfield—
and over there, a new battle was already unfolding.
First was Dada Silva, charging forward from his own goal.
Next came Julian Loki and Ryūma, both sprinting toward the same spot at nearly the same moment.
Trailing just a step behind was Jyubei Aryu, also dashing toward the area—
though his goal wasn't to contest the ball, but to restrain Dada Silva and prevent him from leaping freely to win it.
Seishiro Nagi moved toward that direction as well, but at a slow, almost casual pace.
The reason was simple: Pablo Cavasoz, the opponent he was marking, was doing exactly the same.
As Ryūma sprinted toward the landing point of the ball, he quickly sized up the situation in his mind.
(Seriously? This much pressure?)
(Dada in front, Loki behind, and Adam at the goal?)
(Even if I get to the ball first and avoid Loki's challenge, I'll still have to deal with Dada in front—and even if I shoot past him, what do I do about Adam?)
(Damn it, another dead end... Should I pass?)
While thinking, he glanced at Rin out of the corner of his eye.
(Hmph. The good news is that Luna isn't coming... but the bad news is also that Luna isn't coming. T﹏T)
(Him staying back means he's given up trying to block my shot—but it also means the passing lane to Rin is completely cut off. T﹏T)
He pulled his gaze back and discarded the thought of passing.
Even if Luna was being held by Isagi right now, Ryūma knew that wouldn't last the moment he tried to pass.
Taking a deep breath, he locked his eyes on the descending ball, a grin forming at the corner of his mouth.
(Here we go again—another do-or-die moment. Shooting's my only option. If this doesn't go in, it's over.)
(Ego... that guy really is a genius coach.)
(To push a striker into this kind of situation—this is the ultimate test!!)
Despite being surrounded, Ryūma felt no despair.
Instead, heat flooded through his veins—pure adrenaline and determination.
His heart pounded faster, his blood roared, and in that heightened state, his speed surged beyond his limits,
allowing him to overtake Julian Loki, who had been running neck and neck with him.
Loki's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected Ryūma to accelerate again.
"You really are something... then I suppose I should go all out too!"
In an instant, Loki got serious. The two-length gap Ryūma had created shrank to just one.
Ryūma didn't look back. He knew it wouldn't be that easy to lose Loki.
But he didn't have time to care either—he was already nearly at the ball.
Seeing Dada Silva closing in from ahead, Ryūma grimaced internally.
(What now? A forced shot?)
(No... if I shoot right away, Aryu won't be able to stop Dada from blocking my path.)
(Damn it, time's running out! Loki's almost here!)
(Then... I'll just beat you in one move!!)
Without slowing down, Ryūma charged past the dropping ball, leaning his body forward.
As it reached the height of his calves, he trapped it between both feet,
then in one fluid motion, alternated his heels to flick it upward—launching it into the air.
The seamless maneuver let him slip right past Dada Silva in an instant.
Dada reacted fast, twisting to chase after him, but Jyubei Aryu extended an arm to block him,
forcing another collision between them.
Their struggle worked perfectly in Ryūma's favor—because the two of them now stood directly in Loki's way.
Although Loki quickly sidestepped them and changed direction,
that brief delay was all Ryūma needed for a direct shot.
Reaching the ball again, Ryūma swung his right leg back wide.
He planned to meet the descending ball midair with a powerful strike—to blast through the White Team's goal head-on.
He wasn't worried about Adam Blake stopping him.
After all, he still had one trick left—his Shift Shot!
But just as Ryūma planted his foot to fire, a blur appeared in the corner of his vision—
someone rushing straight into his shooting lane at incredible speed.
Fortunately, his insane body control saved him. He stopped his right foot just before contact—
something almost no other player could've managed.
(Pablo... Cavasoz!?)
(Damn it, when did he get here!?)
Instinctively, Ryūma glanced toward Seishiro Nagi—only to see him near where Dada Silva and Aryu were tangled up.
(Huh? Why's Nagi over there? And judging by his face, even he looks shocked!?)
(Damn it... what did Cavasoz pull to slip past Nagi? Even if Nagi's not the best defender...)
(He should've at least warned me that Cavasoz was coming!)
Ryūma shook his head, forcing his focus back toward the goal as his mind raced.
(Forget it. This isn't the time. The shift shot's no good now—I can only change the trajectory once.)
(Even if I get past Cavasoz, Adam Blake will definitely stop me in front of the goal!)
(No time! Loki's almost here—if he reaches me, I'll be trapped one-on-three!)
(Should I pass back? Nagi's behind me, unmarked... If I could just get the ball to him—)
As Ryūma lowered his head, his mind suddenly went blank.
Then, a memory flashed through his mind—the day he first entered Blue Lock.
The day Jinpachi Ego stood on the stage, shouting his philosophy to all of them with absolute conviction!
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser