#chapter 264

In the first few pages of the manga, we were introduced to Kiyora's backstory and him being always in the middle of the conflict between his quarreling siblings and how they always make him a choice to which he should side on.

It's an interesting concept because of how the way he reacted to that throughout his life. There was always a look of indifference to him and how he may seemed cold and logical at times (hello? He looks like a colder version of Nagi) because for one the usual response to that is either being pressured and anxious because the important people in your life is making you a choice to which side are you on and this will definitely hurt or aggrieved the other party who is involved in it.

But Kiyora always operated on his logical reasoning on which would benefit him the most and we could that it became his comfort zone.

How does this relate to him as a player now in BM? Simple. He was presented with the same conflict and scenario he'd encountered when he was a kid with his siblings but now in the form of choosing who is the better player to ally with: Kaiser or Isagi. Now, I've seen a lot of people arguing that he should side with this or side with that to make them score a goal. But I can also see why because the author is blatantly showing us Kiyora's conflict and quandary on the matter but never the bigger picture yet.

Imagine a rather predictable chapter where he chooses one of them and it fails. Guess what happens to him? Out of top 23. That's right. He doesn't make it because he has failed to show his special capability and skill as a player out there. It doesn't matter if Isagi or Kaiser will score or not. In this chapter, the stakes are higher for those players who are desperate to make a name for themselves in this match and finally enter the top 23 and that includes Kiyora Jin.

If anyone noticed the next chapter title of the manga, "Beyond Restriction" it is a clue on the ego awakening of Kiyora because all throughout his life he needs to make a choice. A choice which side to put first that would benefit him in the long run.

But never choosing himself.

The author likes pushing the characters past their limit and comfort zones to get that character development and growth and in the case of Kiyora, the bigger picture is to make a gamble and bring himself out of his comfort zone by choosing himself first and foremost.

What do I mean by this? It's making everybody surprise and flabbergasted that no one had ever thought that he would do that and make him the dark horse of the match.

3 possible scenes I can see happening in the next chapter based from the last panel of the manga:

1. Ness makes a desperate attempt to pass the ball to Kaiser, Kiyora's observation had reached him an epiphany and intercepted the ball and score the goal for himself.

2. Amid the awakening of Ness' own ego in the match, we will get a scene of a probable unexpected teamup between Ness and Kiyora having a chemical reaction without looking at each other just like with Hiori and Isagi during the Ubers match and score the goal.

3. Hiori saw the potential in Kiyora in the most crucial of times and linked up with him to score a goal. A lot of people seem to be forgetting that Hiori is loyal to no one. Yes we have to thank Isagi for his contribution of his ego awakening but remember what he said to him back in the Ubers match? His passes are only worthy to receive by the players he deemed worthy enough to received them from him. If Hiori sees a potential in Kaiser then we will likely get a chemical reaction between the two and it will be the same with Kiyora. If Hiori sees that brimming potential in a player then he won't hesitate to pair up with them because his mentality is a world style of player and not a self type of player (wow. Borrowing personality terms from Isagi now eh?)

Up until now even Hiryuu coming down to earth seems to be a selfish, self-righteous quest with bad consequences for so many people...

And Yona?

Finally after a couple of chapters the coin has finally dropped on her. It was responsibility...the dragon warriors...!

What an unbelievable naive thing to think...happiness? Why does she think they have suffered? Why did she think have countless dragon warriors suffered before the actual generation?

happiness? I am baffled due to this much stupidity!

Yes, but wasn´t that the purpose of your journey? To change their fate? Or was this a nice holiday for you?

In a way, this might be even Zeno´s truest desire. Finally peace.

Finally, she does try to talk to the dragon gods and negotiate...however is this no real negotiation...it is a plea...and the dragon gods should just give up on their greatest desire?

Of course they do not let Yona go...

Does "three" mean that Zeno will stay immortal?

My poor guy can't really get anything good out of this, right?