Chapter 275

Hiori realizes Charles's Rabona cross has fooled them just as Zantetsu barges Kunigami aside, springing Shido loose. Tracking the ball's path, Rin sees that Shido is positioned to spoil his effort, so he veers off in another direction, startling Shido, who wonders if Rin is fleeing. Instead Rin decides to attempt a far tougher finish from a height Shido cannot contest, planning a bounce shot smashed into the upper corner.

As he sets up, an image of Sae dismissing him as still tepid rises in his mind. Disheartened that the shot he intends cannot surpass his brother's phantom, Rin struggles to find a way past him, hearing Sae command him to stay in his shadow, worthless brother, and vanish from his life.

Rin cries out for a new impulse, and at that instant Isagi tears the phantom of Sae apart, swearing he will lay his own life on the line. Seeing Isagi block his shooting lane, Rin recognizes he can crash into him, erupt, and die together. As Isagi tackles, Rin fires while colliding with him. Shido calls him nuts for the crash shot, and Gagamaru marvels that the ball found the upper corner despite Rin being nearer the opposite side, dubbing him a monster for a free kick struck in midair. The two crumple to the ground, and Rin, blood running from his nose, says it feels incredible.

Rin battles the phantom of Sae, which Isagi rips apart as he claims his place as Rin's true rival. As Isagi moves to tackle him, Rin unleashes a crash shot and scores. The goal levels the match at two goals each.

The chapter's centerpiece is the crash shot, struck while Rin collides with Isagi in midair. Isagi's vow to risk his life is what finally lets Rin overcome the imagined Sae blocking his growth.