Blue Lock: Isagi the egoist

The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as ten-year-old Yoichi Isagi stood on the sidelines of the neighborhood soccer field, scrolling through clips on his phone. His eyes narrowed as the screen displayed the movements of Itoshi Sae, a prodigy whose name was spreading like wildfire throughout Japan. Sae's precision, control, and fluidity were mesmerizing. Isagi's heart raced.

"I have to try this," he muttered to himself.

Throwing on his boots, he sprinted to the nearest field. The ground was uneven, and the goalposts were rusted, but it didn't matter. He spent hours mimicking Sae's techniques—the deceptive step-overs, the graceful turns, the pinpoint passes. He wasn't content with mere imitation; he wanted to refine them, to make them his own. The ball became an extension of himself, obeying his every command. By the time the streetlights flickered on, Isagi was drenched in sweat but grinning.

The following weekend, Isagi arrived at the pitch for what he thought would be a standard match. To his shock, the opposing team's star player was none other than Itoshi Sae. The sight of the prodigy sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Isagi's teammates murmured nervously, their confidence shaken.

Isagi, however, couldn't stop smiling. I get to face him? Let's see how good he really is.

The game began, and it was immediately apparent that Sae wasn't just hype. His every touch exuded mastery, and his vision on the field was unparalleled. Isagi watched intently, analyzing Sae's movements. The match was a stalemate for the first half—both teams struggling to gain an edge.

Then, something clicked.

As Sae dribbled down the left flank, Isagi's mind entered a state of hyper-focus. The game around him slowed to a crawl, and every element of the field became crystal clear. He saw the trajectories of players, the gaps in positioning, the flow of the ball. It was as if he had unlocked a hidden layer of the game.

Meta-Vision.

With this newfound clarity, Isagi anticipated Sae's next move, cutting off his pass with a perfectly timed interception. He surged forward, weaving through defenders. A Ronaldo-chop sent his marker stumbling, and with a flick of his right leg, he unleashed a knuckleball that sailed into the top-right corner.

The crowd erupted.

With five minutes remaining and a 2-0 lead, Isagi wasn't done. A corner kick came his team's way, and he stepped up to take it. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as he lined up his shot. Isagi's eyes scanned the field, but instead of passing, he decided to take a risk.

Drawing his left foot back, he struck the ball with perfect technique. It curled beautifully, sailing past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the net. The crowd went wild. Isagi stood there, a triumphant grin on his face, soaking in the applause. 3-0.

Reporters swarmed the field after the match, eager to interview the boy who had outshone Itoshi Sae. Isagi, however, wasn't interested in fame. "I'll be the best striker in the world," he said simply, flashing a bright, unintentional smile that melted the hearts of onlookers. Cameras flashed, and within hours, social media was flooded with posts about "Isagi-kun, the cutest striker in Japan."

Sae approached him after the match, his expression unreadable. "You're good," he said finally. "Really good. You should join my team."

Isagi's eyes widened. "You wouldn't mind? I'd love to."

"Not at all," Sae replied, smirking. "It'll be fun having someone like you around."

A New Beginning

The transition to Sae's team was swift. Isagi's old coach wasn't thrilled, but there was little he could do. The forced smile he gave Isagi during their goodbye didn't fool anyone, least of all Isagi. I'll prove this was the right choice, he thought.

The first training session with Sae's team was electrifying. Isagi donned the new training jersey, feeling a surge of pride. Playing alongside Sae felt natural, as if their styles were designed to complement each other. Sae's sharp passes met Isagi's precise runs, and together they tore through the opposition during practice matches.

Watching from the sidelines, little Rin Itoshi clenched his fists. He idolized his brother and wanted to be like him, but now Sae had found someone else to share the spotlight with. Rin's frustration was evident, but Sae knelt beside him, ruffling his hair.

"You'll get there, Rin," Sae said softly. "Just keep working hard."

Meanwhile, Isagi was on cloud nine. For the first time, he felt like he had found someone who understood the game the way he did. Playing with Sae wasn't just thrilling—it was like unlocking new parts of himself. The synergy between them was undeniable, and Isagi knew this was only the beginning.

Together, we'll conquer the world.