Episode 17

* Title
* Additional Time

**Donkey** (ヘタクソ, *Hetakuso*?) is the 17th episode of the Blue Lock anime series.

## Synopsis

Chigiri, Kunigami, and Mikage's team fully utilizes each other's weapons of speed, physique, and eyes for tactics. On the contrary, Isagi's team struggles due to the lack of coordination. Through observing and analyzing the opponent's combinations and his teammates' individual play, Isagi discovers a new way to use his weapon and evolve himself one step further. And the tide of ego in this game triggers others to evolve.

## Summary

Isagi fuses his new pieces: blind spot and off the ball with his spacial awareness, resulting in him perfectly seeing where everyone is looking and giving him new ideas for possible routes to goal. He passes to Baro and knows that Mikage will shift his weight to turn and face him, but in that moment Isagi goes the other way and passes Mikage. Isagi is now facing the goal alone and waits for a pass from Baro, however, Baro ignores him and continues to play alone and loses the ball to Kunigami. The red team then counterattacks. Nagi covers Chigiri and Isagi covers Mikage, but knows that leaving Kunigami is bad as he will enter his comfort zone and shoot. Kunigami does exactly that and scores, giving his team 2-0 lead.

Nagi confronts Baro for not passing to Isagi, who was free, but Baro questions him on why he would pass to someone else so they can score. Nagi tells him nothing will matter if they don't win, but Baro states it doesn't matter if it ain't his goals. As the two can't coordinate, Isagi decides to control the team. Isagi then starts thinking of a chemical reactions with Nagi and Baro, and update his vision of the field.

As the game restarts, Isagi looks at Baro and realizes that whatever pass he gives him, it won't lead to a goal. At the same time, he looks at Nagi and sees endless goal potentials. Isagi realizes that he has evolved to the level where he can sense Nagi's off-the-ball movements. He gives him a pass and Chigiri heads towards it, stating that he can't compete with speed with him. Nagi states that no matter how fast he is, humans are unable to suddenly go backward. Nagi then touches the ball in unthinkable way and redirects it behind Chigiri, eliminating him and opening a chance to shoot. Nagi then takes the shot and scores. As Nagi's play went beyond Isagi's vision, Isagi realizes that this is the chemical reaction between him and Nagi. Nagi wants that Isagi and he to continue playing alone, but Isagi know that they are barely holding against the red team and the chemical reaction with Baro is the missing piece they need to win.

Isagi tells Baro that with the current situation, he doesn't smell the goal from Baro. His play needs to allow Nagi and Isagi the chance to score, and only then they can start making the most of each other's play. Baro states again that he win through his goals, and would rather die than play for someone else. Isagi tells him that if he passes to him, it will create more options for them and that may make Baro score more. However, Baro keeps on his "I win how I please" and isn't interested in other options. Isagi tells him they will lose if he continues like that, but Baro if fine as he doesn't want to change his core principles. Isagi gets angry and tells him that his way of thinking is wrecking his potential. Isagi teamed up with Baro, because he knew Baro could be so much more, but at this rate his career ends here. Irritated, Baro tells Isagi to watch his mouth. He knows he has talent and is frustrated he isn't winning. He doesn't care about his chemical reaction or making the most of each other's play, as that is the football Isagi wants to play and is only hearing from Isagi "do what I tell you". Baro takes position and states that both are egoist and he shouldn't think for a second he can control him. Isagi wonders why is he so hung on Baro. Is it because he wants to win this game or that he finds Baro's situation such a waste. Nagi states that Baro is still behaving like a king, when his way isn't working, and if he never admits defeat, he will never know true frustration.

The game continues and Mikage faces Isagi. He tells Isagi that he doesn't understand why Nagi chose someone like him. Mikage states he doesn't have any special weapons like the rest, but this is why he is only thinking about winning. Mikage then passes Isagi and then passes to Kunigami, who as he sees Baro coming, returns the pass back. As Kunigami gets free from Baro, Mikage passes him back. Isagi realizes that Mikage is the core of his team and while he doesn't specialize in particular skill, he excels in every area. The ball reaches Chigiri and Nagi faces him, but Chigiri states that he isn't like Baro and gives a long pass towards the center of the penalty kick area. Isagi tries to get it before Mikage, but Kunigami comes pushing Isagi away and scoring with a header.

Isagi wonders if he should give up on Baro and play with Nagi, but he figures they can score a few more times, but will still lose. Isagi then thinks of Naruhaya calling him genius of adaptability. He then realizes its not about making the most of his play, but that he have to devour Baro. Isagi believed that if he fit into Baro's style, he will respond, but he was wrong. That's controlling someone and expecting it to change, which isn't adaptability. Isagi realizes he needs to change the way he uses his talent, and that by devouring Baro's play, Isagi will dominate the field. Isagi tells Nagi that the two of them are going to win the game and to keep his eyes on Isagi.

When the game continues, Isagi knows that the red team is now wary of Nagi and Mikage is man-marking Isagi to stop him from passing to Nagi. Even if Isagi manages to pass to Nagi, the rest will position themselves to outnumber him. Kunigami isn't tightly marking Baro as he only needs to shut down Baro. Everyone right now knows that Baro is useless in this game. But because of that, Isagi decides to play with Baro. As Isagi dribbles towards Baro, the red team is surprised and Kunigami moves to shut down Baro, but Isagi wanted exactly that as he then passes towards Nagi. Chigiri prepares to face Nagi, but Mikage tells him to not fall for it as Nagi will then evade him. Chigiri then stops himself before Nagi controls the ball and blocks him. Mikage joins Chigiri, leaving no chance for Nagi to pass them. Baro then runs on the side, wanting the ball, but Kunigami covers him. Nagi then realizes that everyone is focused on what he is doing, but from his point of view, the space he only sees, he sees Isagi waiting to emerge from a blind spot. Nagi then states he kept his eyes on Isagi and passes to him. The red team then realizes all of this was to get Isagi on goal, and Baro was a decoy. Isagi notes that you can't change anyone, so its you who has to change. Isagi then scores, lowering the red team's lead to 3-2. Baro realizes that Isagi used him to score the goal himself. Isagi calls Baro "donkey", an insult Baro often calls other, and to continue playing the way he is playing and not getting in their way. Baro gets angry and wants to prove that he is the king of the field.

The red team starts with the ball and Mikage feels that Isagi is different now. The rest of the team are also wary of Isagi and wait for a pass from Mikage. Mikage goes with the link-up play they practiced, passing to Chigiri, who then passes to Kunigami. However, Baro fights to get the ball, stating that if the ball won't come to him, he will get it himself. He manages to take the ball from Kunigami and start a counter attack. Nagi asks for a pass, but Baro refuses. Mikage then comes helping Kunigami and they kick the ball away from Baro. However, the ball goes into Isagi, making Mikage and Kunigami wonder if Isagi took that position, knowing what would happend when Baro took the ball. Chigiri charges Isagi, but he passes to Nagi, who then scores, equalizing the score, 3-3.

The red team is with the ball again and Chigiri knows that if they keep relying on their weapons, Isagi will keep reading them and shut them down. As Mikage passes him, Chigiri knows that his weakness is when he takes the ball and controls it, which slows him down and Nagi will the use that moment to block him. Because of that, Chigiri decides to risk it propel the ball with his first touch without stopping it, so that he can continue running. As he does it, he keeps his distance from Nagi. Baro comes tackling him, but Chigiri jumps over him and then shoots and scores. Nagi realizes that Chigiri evolved. Isagi finds this awesome and states that an egoist who gets buried before them can't become the world's best striker.

## Additional Time

### Another Team of Three

Raichi clears the stage, but notes it took him quite some time and wonders with who he will team up. Gagamaru sees him and states that there is no one here as it seems everyone moved on already, like Naruhaya. Junichi Wanima pops up behind Gagamaru and glares at him. Raichi states he either way won't have teamed up with Naruhaya. Raichi wonders if Gagamaru is the only one left. Gagamaru states he would love to team up with Nagi or Isagi. As Junichi keeps staying around Gagamaru, Raichi states he is annoying and wonders what he want. Gagamaru then realizes that his little brother used to interpret for him, so they should try to decipher what is Junichi saying. Junichi then makes a face and Gagamaru guesses that he is asking where he can get sushi. Junichi denies it and makes the face again with Gagamaru guessing he is looking for a samurai. Gagamaru keeps making wrong guesses and Raichi states he either way doesn't care about a traitor as he is probably complaining about something. Junichi gets quite angry and yells that they are wrong. Junichi then tells them to listen to him. He explains that he likes how hard to shake off is Raichi, and despite his rough playstyle, his insight and presistence shine throught. Junichi believes his team survived thanks to his qualities. As for Gagamaru, his unexpected and original plays make him one-of-a-kind. It may look like he is doing things randomly, but he is chosing the most optimal due to his abilities. Junichi feels the three are a good match and they should team up. Feeling flattered, Gagamaru and Raichi easily accept.

## Characters by Appearance

* Yoichi Isagi
* Rensuke Kunigami
* Reo Mikage
* Hyoma Chigiri
* Seishiro Nagi
* Shoei Baro
* Jingo Raichi
* Gin Gagamaru
* Junichi Wanima