Chapter Text
Screams of compassion and exhilaration can be heard across the stadium as Japan claims victory over France in the World Cup 2026 Finals.
Players from the japanese team swarm their world renowned striker as he had just scored the winning goal to end this intense match.
Isagi Yoichi had already made a name for himself after the Blue Lock project had come to a close, but winning the 2022 world cup was not something the greater public had expected from the striker. Much less taking home the 2026 World Cup in succession.
However, that in no way undermined his near perfect performance this match. Some we’re doubtful that Japan was going to be able to win against France this time around, especially with Julian Loki soear heading that monstrous team. But even a demon of a striker like that fell victim to Japan’s Ace.
Adrenaline was still pumping through Isagi’s veins as he ran across the field in pure ecstasy from his match deciding goal. He could feel nothing but the raw feeling of having achieved something so monumental.
So much, that he hadn’t even realized that his legs were starting wobble and give out as he continued to sprint, screaming his lungs out and before he knew it, he was toppling over from his body failing to keep up with his brain’s carelessness.
Damn, my body is giving out. I guess that’s what I get for playing at 100% that whole match.
Those were the only words that ended up crossing his mind as his burnt out body made its descent on the field.
. . .
Isagi wakes up, still in a cold sweat of what had just happened. The excitement not having made its way out of his system yet made him fail to realize his current situation.
Ugh… I really overdid it huh.
He thought to himself as he sat up on the bed he currently found himself in.
Hmm… huh? This is..?
A look of confusion washed over his face as he tried to decipher where he was currently located. Something about it seemed familiar, but he couldn’t quite pin point it.
Hold on… is this.. ―
His train of thought was suddenly interrupted by a stoic voice coming from a person he hadn’t even realized was in this room with him.
“Did you have a nice nap, Mr. I ran out of gas?”
Before he even had the time the whip around his head to see who the voice came from, he had already recognized who it belonged to.
W-What? Huh..? Why is he here?? And… Where am I??
”Noel Noa!?!”
The boy yelped as memories from his past at Blue Lock started to surge through his mind.
“You overexerted yourself and passed out. You’ve been asleep for the past 10 hours.”
The german explained, trying to appease the young striker’s confusion. Unbeknownst to him however, that confusion ranged miles further than he could imagine.
“Here, what would you like to drink? Water or coffee?”
He said reaching for the drinks on the small table set beside him.
Still trying to put together what was currently happening and why Noel Noa was currently in the same room as him, the raven answered trying not to display how his thoughts were catching up with what was happening.
”Um… Oh. Then, I’ll take water. Thank you.”
He answered turning towards the older striker, finally properly getting out of the bed he was bound to moments ago.
“So, how was it? Did you manage to defeat Kaiser?”
It was then that everything clicked for Yoichi. The gears had turned in his brain and he had finally come to the conclusion that somehow, he had been sent back in time. He would have normally pinched himself to check whether or not he was dreaming, but the cold temperature of the water he was drinking was enough of a sign that he was not.
Still completely puzzled on what he had just realized, Isagi responded to the male before him. He didn’t want to seem insane or something weird like that, so he had decided to just play it cool for now and say the say things he did the last time he experienced this.
“I.. Uh… Yeah. In that split second, I definitely beat Kaiser”
Those words had not come off as casually as he had hoped for, but he had the oppurtinity to make up for that during the rest of his conversation with the club’s Master.
After having once again given his speech to Noa about how he wanted to defeat Kaiser as a striker, the german had revealed to Isagi the Neo Egoist League’s new pricing on the players.
Looking at this leaderboard had really put into perspective just how much both he, and his friends has improve since Blue Lock. He would he lying if he said that seeing their past selves in this intant stage of their careers didn’t make him a little emotional.
Shortly after having finished his talk with Noa, Isagi was not sure on what do now that he had been seemingly magically aent back 8 years in the past.
But he figured that the first thing he should test was if he was able to use his current body the same way he did during the 2026 Word Cup.
. . .
Every step Isagi took as he left the room’s door gradually reminded him of the Blue Lock Building’s layout. He figured that he’d probably get the best opportunity to see how his body currently functions if he went to the community field in the Germany Stratum since it was the team he chose back when the Neo Egoist League first started.
As he turned the corner to head into the neighboring hallway, he managed to bump into a familiar figure.
”Oh, sorry I didn’t see you the－”
The raven hesitated for a second, failing to continue his sentence after seeing who he had just ran into.
”Bachira!?!”
He completely forgot he would most likely run into someone after having left the room due to being lost in thought, but he didn’t expect to see Bachira!
“Looks like the sleeping beauty finally awoke from his slumber!”
He playfully says without being able to stop himself from letting out a short giggle.
”And here I thought you’d never wake up after having played liked that during your match against Manshine. Where are you heading to so frantically, Isagi?”
Bachira added with a proud smug of how well his friend performed during the match.
Looking back on the footage that Noa showed him during their conversation, Isagi realizez just how far behind he was during Blue Lock compared to before he got sent back. There were alot of things he hadn’t refined that he didn’t even know about yet during that time.
”Yeah, haha. I didn’t think I would end up using that much energy against Kaiser and the Manshine team. Good thing we ended up winning.”
Isagi responded with a sheepish smile lathered across his face.
“I was heading to Germany’s community field to uh… Get back into shape I guess?”
He said, trying to avoid saying anything about his current situation.
”Oh! What a coincidence! I was heading there too! Chigiri told me he wanted to to talk to Kunigami since he hasn’t really said anything to anyone yet outside of our matches..”
Bachira said, trailing off in thought thinking about what could have turned Kunigami so grim since his exit from the Wildcard program.
Hold on… That’s right… I completely forgot Kunigami was like this at this point in time. I guess I could also ask him about that since he didn’t really tell me why he was like that even we he got better…
Isagi’s train of thought was immediately interrupted by the brown haired boy.
”But uh.. Isagi, y’know… the fields the other way..”
Bachira said, pointing towards where Isagi had been coming from with a slightly confused look on his face.
“Oh, right. My bad. I guess since were both going there we should go together.”
Jeez, looks like not having been here for a while has taken a toll on my memory of this place..
Isagi was just met with a nod and a smile from the other as they made their way towards the football field.