Leverage

Isagi feels increasingly capable of finishing off plays with Nagi, but believes tapping into Baro's power will decide the match. When he approaches, Baro flatly refuses to assist anyone, insisting he would sooner lose than bow to another's will. Isagi warns that Baro is smothering his own gift and will fade away if he refuses to change, a notion Baro says makes him want to be sick.

Nagi proposes they simply win as a pair, and Isagi questions why he cannot let Baro go, concluding it is because he sees the striker's talent going to waste. Nagi observes that Baro will never taste real frustration until he first accepts a loss.

On the restart Reo carries the ball and meets Isagi, puzzled that Nagi would pick someone whose only trick is direct shots. Isagi asks whether Reo is hiding a talent of his own, and Reo answers that he owns no special weapon, which is exactly why winning consumes him. He slips past Isagi to link with Kunigami, and their one-two down the pitch makes Isagi see Reo as the team's nucleus, a versatile hub who balances everyone. Reo feeds Chigiri, Nagi steps in, Chigiri returns it toward Reo, and with Isagi covering Reo, Kunigami arrives to head it home. Rattled that a two-man effort may not be enough, Isagi resolves that if he cannot harness Baro, he will consume him.

Nagi and Isagi commit to winning without Baro since he refuses to cooperate. Reo works a one-two with Kunigami and then releases Chigiri, who drives at goal before feeding Kunigami for a headed finish. Red stretches the lead to 3 to 1.

This is the 61st chapter and the third of Volume 8, set in the Second Selection Arc. It was dramatized in Episode 17.