The Magician

A/N 1: Hey everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to update y'all on something important regarding where I will be uploading my stories moving forward. Due to the ongoing issues with and its app, I've decided to shift my primary focus to Archive of Our Own (Ao3) for future uploads. Many have probably noticed the problems has been experiencing. Stories and chapters are disappearing, messages and comments are refusing to go through, and even entire works are being deleted without authors doing so themselves. With no signs yet of these issues being fixed, I feel that Ao3 is the more stable and reliable platform for my stories.

That being said, while I will upload on occasionally, Ao3 will be the main place where my stories will be updated. I understand if you prefer to stay on and its app and do not want to switch platforms. But I still hope you will continue to enjoy my stories wherever you choose to read them. For those who want to follow my work on Ao3, you can find me under the same username of TopSpartan216. Thank you for the support you have given me.

A/N 2: If you wish to discuss my stories or those of others, you can join AizenTheGoat's Discord server, which is filled with plenty of other authors and readers alike. /xjR53BXJb9

Chapter Seven - The Art of Control

Naruto let out a sigh as he sat down on the locker room bench. The air felt heavy; everyone could feel the tension of the match. For his teammates, it was from the pace and intensity of the game. But for him, it was the new weight of his evolving play. What he had just done in the first half—he hadn't pulled off moves like that before. But now, he could do what he had only imagined before.

Yet, something was different for him. A slight fatigue nagged at him, just enough to notice. He hadn't felt tired from using his Eagle Eye in a long time. But with his vision evolving to another level, he could feel the subtle tax on his body. It wasn't so much that it bothered him, but it was enough to remind him that even he had limits. "I need to call him again," Naruto thought, glancing down at his water bottle absently. He hadn't seen his original mentor in half a year, but now he had a reason to reconnect with him.

"What was that?"

Karasu's voice snapped him from his thoughts. Naruto blinked, shooting him a confused look.

Karasu crossed his arms, eyeing Naruto with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. "The dribbling you pulled against Team Z—where'd that come from?" He raised an eyebrow, dropping his usual lazy demeanor. "I've never seen you do it, and judging by Kiyora's look, neither has he." Right on cue, Kiyora joined them, looking equally curious.

Naruto let out a small sigh, a faint smirk crossing his lips. "Let's just say it's something I was told to keep under wraps."

Kiyora tilted his head. "Keep it under wraps? Why? It obviously worked against Team Z, even that crazy guy, Shidou."

Naruto took a drink from his water bottle. "It wasn't ready, neither of them were. For some reason, I couldn't perform the dribbling with that kind of effect until today."

"Wait," Karasu interrupted. "Did you say 'neither of them'? You're still hiding more, aren't you?"

Naruto chuckled, nodding."You caught that, huh? But yeah. I trust you both to keep it a secret. I started working on these styles about a year ago, during one of my trips to Europe. They started out as ideas after watching a few Champions League matches. But no matter what I did, I couldn't perform them the way I wanted. Something held me back."

Karasu and Kiyora exchanged a look, both taken aback by the focused intensity in Naruto's eyes. They could guess what he meant by being "held back." Even as his teammates, they knew Naruto's skill had always surpassed most players'. The first half proved that, but it also showed them that Naruto still had more talent and skill than he was able to use. Karasu remembered Mr. Fukuda's words from before Blue Lock started.

"You four will start to see something while you're with Naruto in Blue Lock," Mr. Fukuda had said. "As you know, he has always been skilled, but there's more in him—something only Blue Lock might force out."

Naruto's voice brought them back to the moment. "The first one… I call it the Emperor's Cut. It's all about precision—small, controlled movements to disrupt my opponent's balance. A slight shift, a clean cut, just enough to throw them off. If it's done right, like you saw, it's almost invisible until it's too late."

Kiyora let out a low whistle. "That explains why it looked like the defenders were collapsing out of nowhere."

"Exactly," Naruto nodded. "It's like they're stepping into a trap without realizing it. Since most wouldn't be ready for the sudden movements, it's even more effective."

Karasu nodded approvingly. "And the other one?"

Naruto chuckled slightly at his friends' desire to learn more about his skill. "The second one is what I call the Vortex Break. Unlike the Emperor's Cut, this one is about overwhelming my opponents. I keep shifting, putting constant pressure on the defenders to make it impossible for them to predict my next move. It creates a chaos that I can use to push through."

Karasu chuckled. "Precision and chaos, huh? Fits you perfectly." There was a short silence between the three before he spoke again. "So, you've been working on these for a while, waiting until now to use them. What was holding you back?"

"I wasn't waiting until now to use them, I just couldn't use them how I liked so it was agreed that I wouldn't use them until I thought I could.," Naruto replied, tapping his temple lightly. "And it's less about me being held back and more like… I was waiting for the right perspective. My vision's been evolving. It's still my Eagle Eye, but… it's different now. I know it isn't Metavision, but whatever it is, I like it. It's the reason I was able to execute the Emperor's Cut against Team Z like I always wanted."

Karasu nodded slowly, eyes narrowing with understanding. "So that's why you've kept them a secret. They're… personal, I guess. Moves only you can do."

"Something like that." Naruto's gaze grew distant for a moment. "They were ideas I came up with on one of my training trips. I wasn't sure they'd ever work, but now…" He looked back at Karasu and Kiyora, a determined glint in his eyes. "Now, they're just getting started."

Kiyora's expression grew thoughtful. "You've mentioned Metavision before, Naruto. What is it? You once said you thought Karasu could develop it."

Naruto smirked as he looked at his friends. "I'll tell you later. Right now, we need to strategize for the second half. But I will say this: I'm starting to think our crow-themed friend might develop a vision different from Metavision altogether. Something possibly better."

Karasu shot Naruto a glare. "Full of surprises today, aren't you, Captain?" He paused, then straightened, his tone growing serious. "But you're right. What's the plan?"

Naruto whistled sharply, attracting the attention of everyone in the locker room. His gaze was steady as he surveyed his teammates' exhaustion. The first half was intense, more intense than any game they had played so far. Yet Naruto knew the second half would demand just as much—if not more—precision and focus. Every player needed to step up and fulfill their roles, and no opportunity could be wasted.

"All right, here's the plan going forward for the second half," he began. His voice was calm, but everyone could feel the commanding tone it held. "To start, my focus is on Shidou. I will be locking him down. My priority isn't to score anymore—it's keeping him from finding the space to score."

The team nodded, taking in his words with a quiet seriousness. They all saw the intensity Naruto's eyes held. He was completely focused and wouldn't allow any deviation from his plan.

Naruto faced Karasu, meeting his smirk with a sharp nod. "You know what this means, Karasu. You're leading the team on the field now. I trust you to keep everyone in order."

Karasu tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Guess that makes me the boss. Got it"

Naruto's expression changed, his gaze sharpening with intensity. "It should go without saying, but Hiori Yo, he's your target now."

Karasu's smirk turned thoughtful as he processed his directive. "I figured you'd say that. Hiori's not a weak link for Team Z, but if I can take him out, they'll crumble. He's their brain, after all."

"Exactly," Naruto replied. "Our film sessions showed us that most of their plays go through Hiori. He wasn't as central for Team Z in the first half, but they'll adjust. If you can disrupt his rhythm, they'll scramble to adapt, and that is when we strike back to score."

Karasu's eyes gleamed with new determination. "Understood, Captain."

Shifting to focus on Kiyora and Saramadara, Naruto continued with his plan. "Your job is to contain Yuzu and Himizu. We can't afford to let them make any plays that could disrupt our momentum. Stay tight on them; keep their options limited."

Kiyora replied with confidence in his voice. "I'll handle Yuzu. He won't even get a chance."

Saramadara crossed his arms, his eyes gaining the fierce look that gained him the moniker of The Predator of Shonan. "Himizu won't get any room to breathe. I promise you that, Naruto."

Naruto's gaze swept over the rest of Team V. "As for the rest of you—support the others when needed. I don't want to see any hero ball and pointless mistakes. Your job is to keep things stable on defense; help if it's clear, but don't leave gaps for Team Z to exploit."

Each player nodded quickly. They understood the roles Naruto gave them. His orders were precise, and the strategy their captain was forming was easy to understand. There was no room for mistakes anymore.

"One more thing," Naruto added, his voice dropping slightly. "This also means we're scrapping the plan for me to take over. From this instant, every goal will go through Saramadara, Karasu, and Kiyora. I'll handle the defense. They'll handle the offense."

Saramadara's eyes lit up with determination and excitement. "We'll get those goals, don't worry.

Karasu chuckled, glancing at Kiyora with a smirk. "Guess it's on us to finish what you started, huh, Captain?"

Naruto's lips quirked into a faint grin. "Exactly. If we can take the lead, then we can dictate the tempo. Slow the game down, keep possession, and force them to make mistakes. Stay calm and let them get frustrated. That is when we take the advantage and counterattack."

The room absorbed his words, each player mentally preparing for the half ahead. Naruto trusted the plan he gave everyone. It was clear and allowed everyone to play to their strengths. Every piece of the game was being accounted for, and every player had a role.

His gaze swept over Team V one last time. "Let's finish this," he said quietly.

With a final nod from everyone, he led the way out of the locker room and down the hallway. Confidence radiated from him as he stepped back onto the field with Team V alongside him. Everyone was ready to execute their captain's vision.

The whistle echoed across the field, signaling the start of the second half. "Come on, Naruto. It's time to use your Eagle Eye for defense." Without a second thought, Naruto moved. The ball had barely touched Hiori's foot before he was already man-marking Shidou. Naruto had confidence in his defensive abilities, even as a forward, but he wasn't someone who could replace a pure CDM or a CB.

Scanning the field every five seconds as he was trained, Naruto planned to use his Eagle Eye to its fullest. He couldn't help but smirk at the agitation on Hiori's face as he was forced to pass the ball backward to Himizu. But he couldn't take satisfaction in that too long as Shidou's erratic movements up the pitch somewhat distorted what he could see with his vision. "Interesting," he thought. "This distorted feeling hasn't happened since I faced him all those months ago."

A sudden movement shook Naruto off before he quickly recovered to continue his man-marking. "I know Shidou doesn't have Metavison or even the rarer Eagle Eye like I do. Is he possibly so unpredictable that my current vision can't 100% keep up with him?" Naruto didn't know what scared him more. His opponent possibly has a vision similar to his or that his other mentor was right, and the choice he made a year ago is hurting his football ability.

"Get out of my way, you parasite," Shidou yelled in frustration. While they were only in the opening minutes of the second half, Naruto was man-marking him like he had never seen. Every time he shook him off, his fellow blonde reappeared at his side or behind him just as quickly. "Is this the only defense you know?"

Naruto gave a little chuckle at the question. "Of course, it isn't. But it's the best counter to use against you." He quickly sprinted in front of Shidou to prevent Hiori from sending a long pass that would have given Team Z the advantage. "Sorry, can't let that pass happen." Before Shidou could turn around and call for a pass in the other direction, one of the CDMs came up to block the area off. "Can't let that pass happen either, you antenna freak."

While Naruto could have listened to the remark Shidou made, he was instead enjoying the side-show he had been watching the entire time he was focusing most of his vision on his target.

Karasu couldn't help but smirk at seeing Naruto press Shidou immediately after the tanned striker passed the ball to Hiori. While defending was more of his thing when they played together, he knew just how persistent his friend could be. Karasu knew he could easily steal the ball from Hiori, but that wasn't what he wanted to do. Naruto wanted him to take Hiori down, but Karasu wanted to toy with his target first. Staying within a four-meter radius, he could stop any potential pass lane.

Hiori passing the ball backward to Himizu was both good and bad in his mind. Good as it meant he was doing his job correctly. Bad as it meant Hiori was avoiding a confrontation with him. It also meant that the defending would rely on Saramadara now. Karasu couldn't deny that the grey-haired teen had improved on defense, yet he still had his tendencies. Such as now, he refused to press Himizu when Team V wanted to limit their options.

"Press him, ya fool. Follow the plan Naruto gave us." As if hearing Karasu's mental command, the striker rushed forward. Himizu was taken off guard when Saramadara interrupted his calm dribbling. But this worked against Team V as Himizu quickly feinted to the right before performing a roulette to get around his opponent. "So you all aren't a bunch of mindless robots who follow the antenna freak around."

Karasu wanted to leave his mark but knew he couldn't leave Hiori alone right now. Thinking quickly, he made a slight signal with his hand behind his back. It wasn't much, but it was all he could come up with during the time he had with the other members of Team V. Small signals to call them up or make them fall back during defense. Following Hiori, Karasu didn't need to look to see the other CDM rush forward to stop Himizu's progress. "Come on, Predator. Get your act together."

Glancing back, Saramadara easily caught back up thanks to the disruptions their teammate caused. "Wow, Hiori. I didn't think your teammate could be stopped so easily. Makes me think that Shidou is the only one worth defending."

Hiori didn't care what his former teammate said to him. All he wanted to do was get the game over with, hopefully with a win. But he did hate that Karasu looked down on him. He might not have been the best, but Hiori knew his skills were not mediocre. "I would have thought you would be your own person, not following someone else's orders."

Karasu smirked at those words, but that didn't mean he would brush those words off. "Alright, gamer boy. You can talk all you want, but at least I know how to make my own choices. I can tell… you're still the little robot your parents want you to be."

Hiori faltered at what was said, "What?"

"You should look at the ball," Karasu smirked as he crashed into Hiori. The cyan-haired teen barely trapped the ball that Himizu passed to as he tried to stay up. "Ya damn, fool."

Hiori was frustrated as he tried to keep the ball away from Karasu. He knew he should have noticed the pass from Himizu, but for once in his life, someone's words got to him. Karasu has tried to get under his skin, but this was the first time he succeeded. "How am I a fool, ya dumb crow?"

Karasu let out a laugh as he pressured Hiori more. "I call you a fool because you are one. I know you've played Assassins Creed before. Tell me, I've been called The Assassin for years. What weapon does every assassin have?"

"Why would that matter? Everyone knows it's the hidden blade. Wait… isn't that short teammate of his nicknamed the…" Hiori was broken out of his thoughts as the person he thought of slid tackled him and forced the ball away. He was at a loss for words at what happened. It happened so fast that he didn't notice Karasu run out of sight.

Karasu smirked as he looked at Hiori in his peripheral vision. His former teammate stood still, watching as Kiyora pushed forward. While Hiori wasn't a second rate player like many Team V have faced, compared to him, Naruto, and Kiyora, he wasn't near their level. Looking away from him and toward Kiyora, Karasu noticed the slight signal he gave. Sprinting toward his friend, they began a quick series of one-two passes to speed past the two Team Z midfielders on the right side.

"Yer 3-5-2 might have worked against a lesser team," Karasu said mentally. "But Kiyora, Naruto, and I have played together for too long to be defeated so easily." Karasu received the ball and charged the right back. Just before he got within the range of the defender, he used a backheel flick to send the ball to Kiyora. Dashing around the defender, Karasu noticed something in his peripheral vision that made him smirk. "Kiyora now!"

Kiyora didn't know what Karasu saw, but he knew what he wanted. Sending a through ball past the defender, he paid no attention to the shocked looks of Team Z. "What are you planning, crow?"

Smirking like the cat that caught the canary, Karasu laughed at the outraged calls of offside from the Team Z defenders. Knowing if he received the ball, it would be offsides, he let it sail past him, further confusing the defenders and shocking the goalie. "Yer a bunch of dumbasses. Do you think I would call for a pass if it weren't for my team to score?"

Shocking the defenders and the goalie, Saramadara surged past the defensive line. In an instant, the ball was struck into the back of the goal.

(Team V) 3 - 2 (Team Z)

Karasu Tabito - Goal - 32' Shidou Ryusei - Goal - 18', 25'

Uzumaki Naruto - Goal - 45' Shidou Ryusei - Yello Card - 36'

Saramadara Kairu - Goal - 56'

The Predator of Shonan refused to celebrate, knowing that he only needed to focus on doing his job right now. He slowly walked into the goal to retrieve the ball before meeting with Karasu and Kiyora to restart the game. "We can still score more. I don't want to focus on keeping the ball just yet." Saramadara didn't look at his teammates as he spoke, but he knew they agreed with him. They needed at least two more goals to finish this game and give Naruto some respite on defense.

"AHHHH!" Shidou's yell echoed throughout the field. "Those fucking idiots! All they had to do was get me the damn ball." He was furious not just at his teammates but at himself. When he saw that Team V was blowing every team out, he couldn't help but feel giddy. He played football to feel alive, and Team V would be the team that gave him the most enjoyment. The first half felt amazing, up until that damn blonde tore his team apart. But now, Naruto wouldn't even give him enough room to breathe.

"I would calm down, antenna boy," Naruto called out. "You don't want to get another card for being reckless, do you?"

Shidou turned to face his fellow blonde and couldn't help but feel as if there was something different about him. At the start of the match, all he did was walk around, not even trying on defense or offense. Then after he had fouled his teammate, Naruto changed entirely. "You aren't gonna stop me forever highlighter. I'll score again."

Naruto laughed as he walked away. "Highlighter! I'm gonna need to tell Alice that my hair earned me another nickname. She won't be happy, but at least I can laugh at her reaction." Naruto turned one last time to look at Shidou. "You might score again, I'll admit that. Defense was never my specialty. I've always trusted others to handle it. But I will say this. No matter if you score, Karasu will have already made sure that it won't matter."

Shidou hated hearing those words. To him, Naruto was calling his football worthless. "I will never be worthless again!" He wouldn't admit it, but those words from Naruto had shaken him more than anything ever had. "I'll make you realize that my football is the best there is. No matter what it takes."

Karasu smirked as he saw Hiori's look. His former teammate has always been analytical about things. For him, everything can be compared to a video game. It's like life is a video game in Hiori's eyes. So, Karasu wouldn't be surprised if Hiori was already thinking of a tactic to counter anything Team V might do. "Too bad for you, Hiori. Yer wild beast can be controlled, and he will be your team's downfall."

Karasu waited as Shidou once again passed the ball to Hiori. While he didn't expect this to change, he didn't think Hiori would immediately cross the ball to the far right of the field. "Crossing to that Yuzu fella, eh?" "Come on, Yo. Yer not gonna last long in Blue Lock with that kind of play."

Hiori knew that Karasu was right, but he didn't care at the moment. No matter the outcome, Team Z is guaranteed to make it to the Second Selection. But he would admit to himself that Karasu's words would come back to haunt him if he didn't change after this match.

As the ball flew through the air, Karasu had one thought. "This is your move now, Kiyora. Show these fools why your defending is no joke." A dangerous smirk appeared on his face that would have made Naruto proud.

Across the field, everyone watched as the ball soared toward Yuzu on the far right. Kiyora was already in motion before the ball had a chance to land. He knew that throughout middle school and high school, he played as a striker. He also knew that he was looked down on because of his height and his play style. Like Kurona, he relied on his speed and dribbling to score. But right now, he would show everyone on the field the defensive machine Naruto has molded him to be.

"Come at me, Yuzu. Just try to get past me and face the consequences." As if hearing his thoughts, Yuzu charged at him. The Team Z winger didn't even trap the ball entirely before he started moving. Kiyora didn't meet his challenge directly, though. No, he danced into a defending position just a few feet before Yuzu's stride. Just like his nickname, he would strike when the time was right.

Yuzu made a crucial mistake immediately. He tried to throw Kiyora off balance with a series of quick dribbles. But Kiyora wouldn't fall for something so trivial after all, for you couldn't use quick dribbling to throw off a player who had mastered balance.

"Is this all you're gonna do," Kiyora asked. He had once again forced Yuzu to reset and step back. "If you wanna get past my defense, you better try harder." Many didn't know it, but Kiyora had a mean streak as bad as Karasu. While he may seem nice at first, Kiyora wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. Even if doing things the peaceful way was easier, he wanted the conflict to happen. It was actually how he met Naruto in the first place.

So, as Yuzu flicked the ball forward and to the right, Kiyora lunged. But it wasn't for a tackle, but to mirror his opponent and make him even angrier. Like always, his footwork was precise, measured, and calculated. Using his gifted equilibrium, Kiyora absorbed Yuzu's movements and adapted to his rhythm. In his mind, if his opponent wanted to get past him, they better be able to dance around him. For a straightforward approach would never work.

And just like his favorite style of dancing, Kiyora broke his rhythm and disrupted Yuzu's. A sharp cut into the ball's path was all he needed to flick the ball away. Stunned, all Yuzu could muster was a yell of surprise. He reacted fast, pivoting to recover the ball, but Kiyora was already moving.

Not a word was said as Kiyora immediately moved forward. The only thing he needed to hear right now was the beat and rhythm in his head.

"Gotcha," Yuzu shouted as he moved to slow the short Team V winger down.

With a light touch and a quick pivot, Kiyora switched directions. He drug the ball back before accelerating forward. The right middle fielder from Team Z tried to challenge him next, but he was unprepared. With a quick feint, Kiyora was gone with an effortless glide to the left.

"Damn it! Stop him!" Yuzu's yell was heard by all, but the middle fielder wasn't fast enough to recover as even Yuzu passed him.

Karasu, who had been watching everything play out, gave a low chuckle. "Too obvious, dumbasses." He sprinted forward, leaving Hiori behind as he positioned himself just ahead of Kiyora.

Team Z scrambled. Himizu was the first to appear as he moved to intercept, but Kiyora didn't hesitate. He flicked his eyes toward Karasu, and in a blur of motion, the ball glided along the field to his teammate. Karasu received the ball and cut through the midfield. He weaved past a defender while using his wingspan to keep his distance. Looking to the left, he sent a through pass back to Kiyora.

"Here it is," Karasu thought. "The real play starts now."

"Shit!" Hiori was panicking. "Team V is shifting their tempo again. First it was that kid with the highlights. Then their last goal happened fast as well when they stole the ball. And this time we didn't even get a chance to attack." Hiori never felt like this before. To him, football was just an escape from his parents. But now it was feeling like another form of expectations were appearing before him.

Yuzu surged forward to stop Kiyora, but he couldn't keep up with his dribbling. The light touches and rapid movements made it difficult to tell where he would go next. He wasn't prepared for the roulette and lunged late. To his surprise, Kiyora drug the ball back and performed a lift. He wasn't prepared for the hand that Kiyora used to push him off balance.

"I can't stop him. Even If I know what's happening, it's impossible." Yuzu was in despair as he knew his opponent was going to get past him yet again. "Facing him one-on-one was foolish."

"Is this all you've got?" Kiyora's voice broke him out of his thoughts. "I might need to ask Naruto to trade marks with me if I want a challenge."

Just before the he could trap the ball, Himizu slammed into the back of Kiyora. It was a full-body shove that was meant to throw him off balance. Kiyora should have fallen and drew a foul. But he refused.

"Sorry pipsqueak!" Himizu laughed as he pushed against the smaller player. "But it seems that I need to crush you right now."

Kiyora looked over his shoulder at the now towering figure of Himizu and smirked. "Just try it, you snake freak!" Using the momentum of Himizu, he bent low and planted his hands on the turf, using his core strength to absorb the impact. Even as his opponent was practically on top of him, Kiyora held firm and refused to give the ball up.

"I'll take that," Yuzu said as he lunged for the ball.

Across the field, Naruto watched with a grin. He could guess what was coming next and knew he didn't need to mark Shidou for the moment. Instead, he laughed as the feeling he got earlier grew even more. "Come on, Kiyora, show me how you've evolved since our last real match. Let me evolve with you."

Back with the ball, Kiyora pushed off his hands and twisted mid-air. Doing this flipped the ball up and directly into an area he knew only he could control. "You fools can't break me. So how about you watch my new dance." Kiyora used his momentum and lifted the ball again before he shifted to spin off the ground into a spinning handstand. With a swift, fluid motion, he brought his right leg back before launching a pass across the field mid-spin.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Multiple people shouted at once, from both Team Z and Team V.

"Who the hell starts breakdancing during a football match!"

"That's your question?! Not how he did that trick?!"

The confusion was all the three most forward members of Team V needed to start the final stage of their attack. The pass from Kiyora was surprisenly sharp and percise as it curved to the left side of the field. As the ball reached a free Saramadara on the left side, Karasu sprinted towards the center. Those who did recover focused on those two, not noticing Kiyora use the momentum of his spin to star sprinting to the right side of the box.

Saramadara's grey eyes gleamed as he tore down the left side of the field. With Himizu focused on Kiyora, it left the entire left flank open with only a single defender just outside the box. His face gained a feral grin as he sprinted even faster. He eyed Karasu, who was weaving through the remaining defenders in the middle as Hiori tried to tail him.

Team Z's defense scrambled around like headless chickens. Their entire formation shifted as they tried to close the gaps, but that was a mistake. As they tried to close gaps between him and Karasu, only Himizu and Yuzu were left to trail the speedy Kiyora.

Just as he reached the left side of the box, Saramadara sent a cross to the center. It was too fast for Team Z to react and only Hiori had a chance to stop Karasu from shooting once it reached him. And as the ball sailed towards the purple-haired player, everyone prepared for him to shoot, but what happened shocked them. He didn't kick the ball… he lept over it.

He was just a distraction. The perfect feint to throw Team Z off one last time during this attack. As the ball bounced under him, it carried its momentum and sailed to the right side of the penalty box. Straight towards Kiyora. Players like Naruto, Karasu and Saramadara were already celebrating. Even Shidou was already yelling out in frustration.

Time seemed to slow down as the small winger stepped into position. Both Yuzu and Himizu lunged to close him down. Even if they could only decrease his shooting area. But Kiyora's shot was already in motion, and nothing would stop it. He struck low, clean, and precise. The ball shot forward like a bullet, slipping under both Yuzu and Himizu's lunges. Team Z thought the moment the ball made contact with the ground, it would slow down, but instead, it accelerated. The goalkeeper barely reacted as the ball suddenly curled upwards. Zipping past his outstretched gloves and slamming into the net.

(Team V) 4 - 2 (Team Z)

Karasu Tabito - Goal - 32' Shidou Ryusei - Goal - 18', 25'

Uzumaki Naruto - Goal - 45' Shidou Ryusei - Yello Card - 36'

Saramadara Kairu - Goal - 56'

Kiyora Jin - Goal - 65'

Once again, Hiori was frozen by a Team Z goal. So entranced by the goal, he never noticed Karasu walk past him. "That Kiyora… his core, his feet, his shooting…" His mind was racing as he tried breaking down everything he just witnessed. "His short stature, his balance, his movement… he leverages it all. I've never actually seen a player like him before. He's a grounder-specialist utility player?!" Hiori felt it again, the expectations that Team V was unknowingly placing upon him to do better. "They have monsters of their own…"

Karasu's voice then cut through the field. It wasn't directed at anyone in particular, yet Hiori knew differently. It was meant for Team Z. It was meant for him.

"Alright! We're ahead by two now." Karasu turned and his purple eyes gleamed. A sharp, dangerous amusement dancing within them. "Ya won't beat us if ya don't use yer brains, dumbasses." His smirk widened as he turned back and walked toward the center of the field. "Ya can't just rely on yer demon to win this game."

Naruto let out a huff as he prepared to man-mark Shidou again. It's all he's been doing in the second half. Being Shidou's shadow, refusing to let the striker move unchecked. He hoped doing this would help his Eagle Eye evolve just as he felt it start in the first half. And it was. He was dissecting every step his opponent took; his positioning was always one step ahead as he denied Shidou the space he craved. Yet this evolution was wearing on him. Naruto could feel it creeping in—the slow, gnawing weight of fatigue as it settled into his limbs.

He hasn't felt this kind of fatigue in months since he faced either of them on his last trips outside of Japan. A slight burn in his calves as he pushed off to meet Shidou's charge. The extra second it took to reorient his stance after a turn to mirror his opponent. And the way his breath came out a little sharper, a bit heavier. But against someone like Shioud, even the most minor lapse, the slightest sign of weakness would be exploited.

And the demon known as Shidou Ryusei noticed.

"You're slipping, highlighter," Shidou sneered. His usual maniac grin widened as he feinted to the right. "Getting tired already? I thought the Magician was a player with endless energy. Where'd it all go?"

Naruto didn't want to respond. He hated having someone talk down to him. So he didn't respond verbally; he let his play do the talking for him. Moving on instinct, Naruto adjusted to Shidou's movements with sharp and precise footwork. He just managed to move in front of his opponent, cutting off another potential pass from Hiori. But this time, it made him put in effort to make it happen.

It was only a half-second, a minor delay. But Naruto knew if he was any slower than Shidou would have gotten free. He knew he had made a mistake, for that minor delay was all Shidou needed to take advantage of the situation.

Shidou exploded forward with a burst of energy. He dropped his weight low before shifting into a full sprint toward the left flank of the Team V formation. Naruto reacted quickly, his legs kicking into full gear. But for the first time in this match, he fell a step behind. It wasn't a complete breakaway—he refused to let that happen—but he wasn't suffocating Shidou's space like before.

"Tch." Naruto gritted his teeth, forcing himself to accelerate. "I shouldn't be losing in a battle of speed to anyone here. Have I truly set myself back so much trying to please her that even Shidou can beat me?" He closed the gap again just before Hiori could attempt a through ball. As he cut across Shidou's run again at the last second, he noticed something. His timing was precise as always. His instincts as sharp as ever. But his body… his body wasn't obeying the way it had earlier.

Further up the field, Karasu caught the shift immediately. His eyes narrowed slightly as he tracked Naruto's movements. He was still keeping Shidou in check, but Karasu could see it. The slight hesitation, the just a bit late reactions, and the tense look in his eyes. Karasu could see it all. "What's wrong, Naruto? Can you not keep up anymore? Or is your evolution too much for the current you?"

"He's slowing down," Karasu muttered under his breath. He knew Naruto wouldn't show it, he wouldn't admit it, but someone with Karasu's analytic eyes could tell. The precision was still there, but Naruto's fluidity was slipping. "Just like a blade starting to dull after too much use." Even with these drawbacks, Karasu just hoped that Naruto would keep a cool head. This game didn't need to see any of the famous Uzumaki anger.

Still, Naruto refused to give in to the pressure. He pressed forward again, keeping a lock on Shidou with his man-marking. But his breathing was becoming more profound. His arms grew heavier as he tried to keep a hand on his opponent's back. Every time he moved in front of Shidou to force him somewhere else. Each sprint he took required more willpower.

And Shidou used this to his advantage. Each shift in direction tested Naruto even more. The next Team Z attack had Shidou come at Naruto in full force. He feinted once, then twice, before he surged in a sharp diagonal run. Naruto was right there with him, mirroring his every movement. He kept himself between Shidou and the goal now. But again, he felt it. He was late by a half-step again.

A quick turn of head saw Hiori and Karasu dueling for the ball. Himizu and Yuzu changed sides of the field, forcing Kiyora and Saramadara to follow. A quick shift from Shidou forced him to change his attention, and he knew something was wrong.

Shidou threw his weight into a hard cut to the right, and Naruto reacted accordingly. He shifted his body to follow, but his opponent didn't follow through on his movement. Shidou smirked as he doubled back the other way. And that was all he needed. At that moment, Naruto overcommitted.

He pushed off hard, forcing his body to recover from his mistake. His mistake wasn't a total loss, as he still managed to force Shidou into another defender. But that didn't matter at the moment—he had been beaten.

Shidou laughed with a maniacal grin, his pink eyes flashing with excitement. "You felt that didn't you?" he taunted. "You aren't sticking to me as tight as before. Getting winded already, magic boy?!"

Naruto exhaled sharply as he regained his footing. "Shut up, freak. I ain't done yet."

"Oooh, feisty!" Shidou chuckled before darting away toward the penalty area. "Seems you can still feel the dopamine!"

Naruto followed. He was still marking him aggressively, but it was getting harder. He knew it, Shidou knew it, and he wouldn't doubt if Karasu and Kiyora knew it as well. But Naruto refused to let Shidou get past him so easily. Even if it meant expending more energy than he liked, he knew he had to stay level with his mark.

Karasu, tracking the duel from the midfield, saw Naruto falter again. His smirk deepened, but not out of malice that it usually was from. He could tell something was coming, and it would be extraordinary. "He's still holding strong, but that idiot's definitely starting to feel it," Karasu thought. "This is going to get interesting."

The next few minutes were brutal for Naruto. Shidou kept throwing himself at him with reckless abandon. While Naruto kept blocking his path and passing lane his way, each exchange chipped away at his stamina. At the 70th minute, Shidou nearly broke free. Nearly.

It started with a quick pass from Hiori. Anticipating it perfectly, Shiro surged ahead with a burst of acceleration. Naruto followed, his legs burning even more as he tried to keep up. For a split second, it looked like Shidou had a clear path to score. But then, Naruto did something reckless.

Instead of keeping pace, he lunged—throwing his entire body into Shidou's path. His shoulder check was just enough to disrupt the striker's momentum. It wasn't a foul, though. It was just enough contact to knock Shidou off stride, forcing him to lose his touch on the ball.

And that was all Naruto needed. The second he saw the ball slip away, he turned and launched the clearance, sending it soaring to Karasu in the midfield. Falling to one knee, Naruto knew his friends would follow through with his orders.

Ignoring the shouts of anger from Team Z, all he could do was regain his breath. The exhaustion was creeping through his body. Even as he tried to stand up, his body protested every movement.

Shidou picked himself up off the turf, grin wider than ever. "That was dirty, magic boy." He laughed as he brushed his uniform. "Have I exhausted you so much that you made that desperate move?"

Naruto turned to look at Shidou. He hated that Shidou was right. His move was desperate. But he didn't care anymore. He just wanted to let his opponent know that he hasn't lost yet. "You're still not getting past me. If you wanna score, you better make sure I can't get in front of you."

Shidou licked his lips. His expression nothing short of exhilarating. "Oh, I like this! Let's see how much longer you can last."

Naruto didn't respond. There was no need to waste the energy to do so. Instead, he relaxed his body as he watched his team's attack. "End it already, guys. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

Karasu didn't think as the ball flew towards him. This was a moment where the illogical would fail, and only cool heads would prevail. The instant he trapped the ball, he flicked a quick pass to Kiyora. "Come on, guys. It's about time we mix mine and Kiyora's logic with Saramadara's instinct." So focused on already setting up his plan, Karasu missed Hiori's surprised look.

In tune with his teammate, Kiyora didn't hesitate to send a lightning-fast touch to Saramadara before Yuzu could react. The three members of Team V passed so seamlessly that Team Z's defense couldn't even process the shifts in tempo. Saramadara positioned himself in the same lane as Karasu, which showed that he could understand the unspoken plan.

Team Z couldn't react. Hiori's breath hitched as he watched the trifecta work together. "They aren't pushing forward as aggressively as before. They move forward before they inch back and push up again."

It was a slow buildup—measured and deliberate. Unlike their previous attacks, this was the complete opposite. If they once attacked like a storm, now they were patient, almost toying with their opponents. These three had once again changed the tempo of the match.

Karasu scoffed as he watched Team Z's defense breakdown with just a few passes. "Yer all idiots. Have none of you seriously figured it out? We've given you the entire half to do so."

This wasn't just an attack from Team V. This was a stalling maneuver. They weren't playing to outpace and outlast Team Z anymore. They were following Naruto's half-time instructions. This was the time to slow down the tempo deliberately—not to waste time, but to conserve it. To conserve Naruto.

All three of them—Karasu, Kiyora, and Saramadara—had seen what Naruto was doing before anyone else. Naruto had been evolving throughout the entire match. Each moment he observed, his dismantlement of Team Z, he was changing. But this evolution came at a cost. Naruto wasn't limitless. He had his limitations, self-imposed or not. His body was already pushed to the absolute brink. Every pas, every sprint, every duel he fought, it all wore him down.

Karasu, Kiyora, and Saramadara knew it before he admitted it to himself. This transformation was too much for the current him. That's why they weren't rushing forward like before. They were controlling the game. Team Z just didn't realize they were right where they wanted them.

Hiori tried to understand what he was looking at. "They have the ball, but they're not trying to attack?! What kind of plan are they going with now?"

Karasu, Kiyora, and Saramadara triangle their way up the field. They were using their own version of Tiki Taka, each touch designed to keep Team Z running without reward. Team Z couldn't steal the possession back. They weren't even getting close.

Hiori felt frustration creep up his spine. He realized what was happening and knew his team couldn't stop it. "They're deliberately keeping the ball away. This isn't just possession football. They're forcing us to follow their tempo!"

The ball moved again, and Saramadara took a calm touch. He looked up and surveyed the field as he knew his teammates would: a chessboard. The quick words Karasu spoke to him rang in his head. "They've already let us take control of the game. Naruto set his tempo, and then we set ours. It's time to switch it again. The moment they fall in line with us, it's over."

Team Z's formation was crumbling. It was too late, even as Yuzu and Himizu realized what Hiori had. The already shaky defensive line fractured even more. In fact, they realized Team Z as a whole was already broken. The players had been pulled apart by exhaustion and frustration.

The ball ended up with Karasu again. He took his time, dribbling in place as if daring anyone to take the bait. Yuzu and Himizu acted as his perfect catches as they surged forward—overcommitting. Karasu smirked, "Too easy." He shifted his weight and cut left before dishing the ball to Kiyora.

Himizu recovered fast and ran toward the small player, but it was pointless. Kiyora's footwork made stealing from him next to impossible. Himizu lunged with a snarl, but it was useless. Kiyora spun, pivoting his entire body in an effortless escape. A quick rabona left the late Yuzu stumbling.

Karasu exhaled. "And just like that… the gaps have formed."

Hiori's heart pounded. Team Z had spent the last seven minutes chasing shadows. Every pass was received and sent somewhere else, and Hiori felt he was seeing illusions. "Damn it! They've broken us down!" He was at a loss. Blue Lock was supposed to be where he hid from his parents before he eventually let his soccer dream die. But his opponents were actually making him want to try.

Karasu smirked as he saw the realization on Hiori's face. He once had that same look when he started playing with Naruto. It was when Naruto told him he would be better in a defensive position. And after months of knowing Naruto, he was proven right. Looking the other way, he received a slow pass from Saramadara before immediately flicking it toward Kiyora.

Himizu rushed forward, but he was too late. "Bad move, Snake-san," Kiyora thought. With no hesitation, he lobbed the ball toward Karasu.

Said player shifted his body just enough to act as a shield against Hiori. Just as Hiro ran to cut off the pass, Karasu used his wingspan to his advantage. "Too slow." With one hand, he boxed out Hiori.

Hiori gritted his teeth as he fought with newfound determination. "I can't reach—"

"Yer still the same, huh?" Karasu's voice cut through his thoughts.

Hiori felt something cold settle in his stomach.

"You think ya changed, but I can tell you haven't." A malice-filled smirk appeared on Karasu's face. "Yer just going through the motions. Still playing it safe, never trying to push past your limits."

Hiori pushed against Karasu's arm, but Karasu's balance was perfect. His ball control, wingspan, and hand positioning were all he needed. One spin. A quick shift of weight. And Hiori was stumbling past him.

Karasu's smirk left his face as disappointment took over. "Pathetic. I thought I told you to find something that gets your blood pumping. Just quit already and go home." With that said, he left Hiori behind on the ground as he moved up. He saw that the perfect play was unfolding and knew it was almost time. Kiyora sprinted on his right, breaking past the duo of Yuzu and Himizu. Not even checking for any other option to pass, Karasu sent a long ball flying forward.

Kiyora received the pass beautifully. His trap was clean and perfect. He was already prepared for his opponents and as he expected, Yuzu and Himizu converged on him. But he didn't even flinch. His body held firm, his core unshaken. Even as Himizu shoved against him, he once again absorbed the contact, refusing to fall.

"The fools don't even realize they fell for Karasu's trap. It might have been Naruto's strategy, but Karasu altered it to work even better." Kiyora saw Saramadara in his peripheral vision and smirked. "We through them off with speed. Then we threw them off again by slowing down. We've gotten inside their heads, just as Naruto and Karsu said, by controlling their reactions. We were ahead before even we realized it."

With the same flawless precision as earlier, Kiyora shifted onto his hands. The ball lifted into the air, forcing Yuzu and Himizu to lean back in preparation for what happened earlier. "This isn't my Twister Pass, dumbasses. This is the final strike to end this game."

Shocking Team Z again, Karasu charged directly at the three. With practiced ease, Kiyora lifted the ball even higher in the air before twisting to have his body balance on one arm horizontally. Yuzu and Himizu could only stare as Karasu used Kiyora as a launchpad. Using his teammate, Karasu placed a hand on his back before pushing off with his entire wingspan to get elevation. For a fraction of a second, their eyes met.

Karasu smirked. "Didn't think I'd actually use your breakdancing myself, pipsqueak."

Kiyora glared and shot back, "Shut up and score, you damn crow!"

Karasu swung his leg back before launching it forward.

As if they were one, their thoughts synchronized. "Just try stopping our Phantom Execution!"

The ball rocketed forward. The goalkeeper's eyes widened. He couldn't react. With the sound of a whistle, the ball tore into the net.

Everything fell silent. The only noise was the ball hitting the ground. Then—CHAOS.

Shidou roared in frustration at the opposite end of the field. His team had allowed another goal.

Yuzu slammed a fist into the ground as Himizu covered his face with his hands. Hiori was still frozen on the ground back where Karasu had left him.

Naruto exhaled as he took joy in what he just watched.

Karasu dusted his jersey off and gave Kiyora a look. With a sigh, Kiyora followed his friend's lead as they each held a hand out with a thumb up before turning it upside down.

"We've only practiced that shot once."

Kiyora smirked, "And yet you followed my lead, you annoying bastard."

(Team V) 5 - 2 (Team Z)

Karasu Tabito - Goal - 32', 87' Shidou Ryusei - Goal - 18', 25'

Uzumaki Naruto - Goal - 45' Shidou Ryusei - Yello Card - 36'

Saramadara Kairu - Goal - 56'

Kiyora Jin - Goal - 65'

Hiori was still knelt on the ground. His eyes widened from the shock of what Karasu said and from the goal. Karasu's words threw him off so much that he let the purple-haired player run free and score a super goal. Even now, he recalled his last conversation with Karasu before their final game. The conversation locked inside his head.

"Hiori Yo. You're extraordinary."

"Uh… thanks. You are?"

"Name's Karasu Tabito. I'm your senior from Bambi Osaka Youth. Nice to meetcha."

"Nice to meet you. But Haven't I seen you somewhere?"

"Possibly. But know this. You're a genius, Hiori. You have a natural physical ability, polished ball control, and outstanding football IQ. Your left foot kickin' sense is sexy as hell."

"Wha…"

"But when it comes down to it, your passion before the goal is mediocre. It's like your mind and body are out of sync. You don't love football, do ya?

"Yeah. You're amazing Karasu. People who know will know, huh?"

"I'm an analyst, after all. If you keep playin' like that, you'll never win against me."

"... I see. Karasu, do you enjoy having expectations put upon you?"

"Huh?"

"All my life, my parents just forced their expectations on me… That's probably why… I think I've grown to hate football."

"Yep, mediocre."

"Huh?"

"Worry about what other people want from ya later. What really matters is you. You need to have expectations of yourself. Figure out what gets you pumped up. That's the only way you can stand on the starting line, dumbass."

That conversation has repeated ever since Karasu made him fall. Expectations. It was a word that haunted him. But now he was staring at it differently. "I need to think on this some more."

"Have you realized yet?" Karasu's voice broke him out of his memories. "There was no way for you to win."

Hiori didn't know what to say. He was already confused enough as is and didn't know how to respond. Everything he thought he knew was changing, and he either had to adapt or fall behind.

"You guys kept rushing at us like you had a chance to win, even though there wasn't enough time for you to score even one goal." Karasu stared at the clock on the scoreboard as he spoke. "All we needed to do was dodge ya and pass the ball around. By doing that, we could shave away at yer stamina. That strategy of mine usually requires more players, but your team's mentality made it possible with less."

"What is the point of telling me this now?"

Karasu smirked one last time before he started walking in the direction of Naruto. "Because you guys took too long. The game's over, ya dumbass"

"Tweet, Tweet, Tweet! Team V Wins with a final score of 5-2 over Team Z!"

A/N: Thank you for any feedback you may have! I appreciate the constructive criticism. I will also try my best to answer any questions that are left in the comments.