Chapter 127

**"Dragon Drive"** (ドラゴン・ドライヴ, *Doragon Doraivu*?) is the 127th chapter of the Blue Lock manga series

## Overview

Niko's last second interception caused a foul which Niko was yellow carded for. Shidou almost gets into a fight with Niko due to the foul but Sae calms him down. Gagamaru and Isagi go to make sure Niko is alright but he is frustrated at himself for barely blocking the ball. Niko's ankle is hurt a bit but he exclaims he is alright and still wants to play. He also states he has found a new love for crushing strikers.

The Japan U-20 is given a freekick due to the aforementioned foul and Shidou and Sae debate on who will kick the ball. After coming to an understanding by hearing Sae out, Shidou decides to dash for an open spot on the field to shoot and Chigiri instantly marks him anticipating a pass coming from Sae. Chigiri was right for Sae kicks an intense rightward pass to Shidou's location that is barely out of range of interception by Chigiri. With his immense abilities, Shidou jumps over Chigiri and kicks the ball right over the heads of the defense into the goal with almost little effort. The goal ties the game 2-2.

## Summary

   Ikki Niko's last second interception turned into a foul as he ends up kicking Ryusei Shidou's foot and displacing him in midair. The referee calls the play and issues Niko a yellow card. The commentators note that even with the foul, the play between Sae Itoshi and Ryusei Shidou was impressive and unexpected. Shidou expresses his frustration at Niko for intercepting the ball and in turn kicking him. Niko apologizes saying he mistook him for a bug and this angers Shidou who begins to charge at Niko. Sae immediately tells him to stop being an idiot or he will get a red card. He can prove his worth by scoring so he needs to stop discouraging him anymore than he already has. Shidou responds by calming down and saying how considerate Sae is.

Yoichi Isagi and Gin Gagamaru go to Niko to help him get up and congratulate him on his impressive play even though it was a foul. Niko responds in frustration saying he couldn't stop Shidou without fouling even though he saw the play unfold clearly before his eyes. Niko says he simultaneously saw where the ball was at and where it was going; he analyzed those players and found the most dangerous spot yet he couldn't stop the play because of Shuto Sendo. Sendo's movements and strategical placement on the field was a simple yet constant distraction to Niko and this made him unavailable to follow up defensively the way he wanted to. Isagi was thoroughly impressed by Niko's vision but sees Niko grabbing onto his ankle asking if he is hurt. Niko says not to worry about him because he can still play and he wants to play. Even though he is frustrated at not being chosen as a striker, he realized something from the play just now; how fun it is to crush the strikers that step into his zone. Niko expresses his belief in their team winning as he walks away and he thanks Isagi for helping him change.

   A freekick is given to the Japan U-20 with Sae and Shidou at the top of the penalty zone and most of the other players in formations in the zone. Shidou tells Sae he is going to kick the ball since the Sae's kick might get intercepted by Rin who can read him. Sae responds by saying that they are clustered and there is a lot of them and deducts there is nowhere for Shidou to kick either. Shidou tells him to shut the fuck up, he earned the free kick and now will get to shoot it and Sae asks if that really is the best option. Shidou is confused by Sae's words and Sae condescendingly explains that Shidou's thinking is limited. The play that is "realistically possible" and the play that is "ideal" must be brought together as best as possible; Sae tells Shidou to not stop thinking outside the box and imagine his very best goal. Shidou responds by saying Sae says some exciting stuff and he just thought of an advanced super move. Shidou asks if Sae can keep up but then he questions who Shidou thinks he is; Sae says the time to dream is now. Shidou gets excited by this statement and prepares to kick the ball but at the last second feints past it while the real kicker Itoshi Sae gets ready to make his move. Hyoma Chigiri responds by immediately marking Shidou, thinking Sae's next move has to be a pass because of where Shidou is dashing to. Shidou is heading for a spot where he will be free and unmarked while waiting for a pass but Chigiri notes he won't let that happen on his watch. At the very last second before Sae kicks the ball, Sae grasps the field and the players on it and then he kicks the ball with immense force rightward towards Shidou. The defenders jump trying to block the ball and Chigiri sees the ball coming his way just as he thought. Sae had kicked an ultra fast pass but Shidou isn't even looking at the incoming ball so Chigiri tries to intercept it with a headbutt but falls short by barely an inch and at that moment Shidou reacts to the ball. He leaps up and over Chigri, meeting the ball in the air and kicking it with such intense force it flies right over all the defenders into the goal with little reaction from anybody. The game is now tied 2-2.

## Chapter Notes

* Niko's last defensive play ended up fouling Shidou and he received a yellow card
* Niko hurt his ankle a bit
* Niko has found joy in playing defense and crushing strikers with his plays
* Sae and Shidou link up one more time to perform the Dragon Drive
* The game is now tied, 2-2.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Ryusei Shidou
2. Ikki Niko
3. Hyoma Chigiri
4. Shuto Sendo
5. Jyubei Aryu
6. Sae Itoshi
7. Gin Gagamaru
8. Yoichi Isagi
9. Rin Itoshi
10. Kenyu Yukimiya
11. Itsuki Wakatsuki
12. Haru Hayate
13. Teru Kitsunezato
14. Meguru Bachira
15. Eita Otoya
16. Kento Chou