"Kira is so strong." Seishirō said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he spoke to Yoichi on the field.
Just minutes into the game, he was already sweating — something that had never happened in previous matches.
"Yeah, Kira's strength is unprecedented. Even though we've gotten stronger, the gap between us hasn't narrowed at all." Yoichi turned toward Ryōsuke in the distance, "I'm sure he has been improving too."
Ever since coming to Blue Lock — no, even before that — he had felt that this monster existed in a completely different dimension.
Even with Rin, Yoichi could occasionally feel like an equal, but Ryōsuke alone remained an unreachable peak.
This frustrated him tremendously. He desperately wanted to catch up to Ryōsuke — and surpass him. This couldn't stay a dream; it had to become reality.
"Isagi, I want to beat Kira. No matter what, I want to win against him." Seishirō said slowly. The usually lazy player was now laser-focused.
"Yeah." Yoichi nodded with a smile.
Soon the Blue Lock team began organizing another attack, advancing toward the U-20 team as Rin dribbled forward.
'How can we break through their defense line? There must be a way.' As Yoichi made off-ball runs beside Rin, his mind raced with analysis, 'First, while Aiku has excellent defensive skills, Kira has the strongest one-on-one defense on the U-20 team. If even Yukimiya couldn't beat him, no one can — we must avoid attacking from his position.'
In his eyes, Ryōsuke was positionless. He could defend like a back-liner while launching counterattacks like a forward — the guy had no weaknesses.
Especially on small fields, Yoichi had seen footage of Ryōsuke where his abilities were amplified, making him unbeatable even against all-star teams with Rin.
But this wasn't a small field — this was an official 22-player match. Ryōsuke would have moments when he couldn't cover everything.
On this larger field, no matter how fast he was, if they could draw him to one wing, he'd need time to defend the opposite side!
The tactic was clear: launch a feint attack from one side to draw the defense, then quickly switch play to attack from the other. This would be extremely difficult for normal teams, since even the feint must threaten the goal to draw defenders.
However, all eleven players belonged to Blue Lock. Each thirsted for their own goals, and it was this selfish desire that made the tactic truly threatening.
Only such an aggressive feint could deceive Ryōsuke — even he couldn't ignore it!
Yoichi watched Rin beside him in silence.
On one hand, Rin would never listen to commands or direction, trusting only his own judgment.
On the other hand, Yoichi knew that Rin perfectly understood the situation. He was Blue Lock's absolute core, wielding puppet tactics that could mobilize everyone.
Rin was this team's commander!
Now, Rin drove forward with the ball while Yoichi continued making off-ball runs beside him. Though barely touching the ball, each of Yoichi's movements posed a threat to the U-20 team, giving Rin more passing options and forcing defenders to divide their attention.
Yoichi was Rin's decoy, giving him more space to break through.
Rin suddenly accelerated, using exquisite dribbling skills to bypass the defender in front of him.
"Quick, cover!"
Two more players positioned themselves ahead, but Rin showed no signs of slowing, charging straight for the gap between them.
"This guy's trying to force his way through?!"
"We must stop him!"
The defenders pressed forward to pressure Rin's space, but he lifted his foot, gently chipping the ball over their heads before completing his breakthrough.
It was like he was toying with them.
"Impressive guy, but this time we absolutely won't let you through, you little thief!" After the others were beaten, Oliver immediately covered the defensive gap.
But Rin didn't hold onto the ball for even a second, instead using his heel to pass directly to the left wing.
This time, Hyōma joined the attacking press.
"Finally!" The moment he received the ball, he accelerated.
His red hair danced in the wind as he sprinted forward, resembling a crimson cheetah charging from touchline to goal line, leaving a scarlet streak across the field.
"Blue Lock's number four is... Hyōma Chigiri! What incredible speed!" The commentator exclaimed.
Everyone's attention locked onto him.
"How can anyone move that fast?!"
"We can't stop him!"
"Neru!"
Teppei Neru, U-20's speed specialist defender, chased after Hyōma at full speed.
Despite his own remarkable explosive power, Teppei couldn't close the gap. Rin's earlier breakthrough had disrupted his positioning, leaving him too far behind.
"He's just too fast!" Teppei shouted in frustration.
"One shot is all I need!" With only the goalkeeper ahead, Hyōma prepared to strike.
But suddenly, a terrifying chill rushed in from the side.
He knew that presence instantly: Ryōsuke!
"Not getting past me, Kunoichi!" Ryōsuke activated his Thunderclap and Flash, his superior speed allowing him to cut off Hyōma's attack route.
"Ryōsuke Kira arrives just in time — like lightning, he's caught up to Blue Lock's number four!" The commentator's voice trembled with excitement.
Everyone had assumed Ryōsuke was merely supporting Sae's debut, but here he was, displaying extraordinary ability.
"Kira, you're the only one fast enough to catch me!" Hyōma's bitter smile couldn't hide his frustration.
With Ryōsuke there, taking a shot was impossible. He'd seen those fearsome defensive skills firsthand — even Kenyū couldn't break through.
Dribbling would only result in losing possession. His only choice was to pass.
"How frustrating." Hyōma quickly surveyed the field, sudden realization dawning, "I see — I was bait all along. Cunning. But I've got no choice now. Back to you!"
He had to make a long cross.
His target: Rin!
Rin had thought like Yoichi — he needed a sacrificial piece to create his opportunity. By passing to Hyōma earlier, he'd kept Ryōsuke away from his path.
This wasn't about sharing possession — it was about using another's speed and attacking spirit for his own advantage.
"Well done, keep running as my decoy." Rin smoothly received the pass and charged toward the penalty area.
"Not so fast, genius little brother!"
Oliver appeared before him, blocking his path!
"Such quick reactions — wasn't Aiku misled by Kunoichi's movements? Did he see through our strategy, or does he just trust Kira completely?" Though questions raced through Yoichi's mind, he forced himself to focus on the tactical play.
He accelerated, sprinting past Rin while passing Oliver.
"A give-and-go?"
Just as Oliver turned his head, Rin made his move. He had no intention of passing to Yoichi — the latter was merely another pawn!
Yoichi's off-ball movement had successfully disrupted the defender's judgment!
"I knew this was a trap!" Despite turning his head, Oliver's footwork remained steady as he marked his opponent.
From watching Rin and Yoichi's earlier coordination, he had anticipated their tactics!
The little genius was using his teammate as bait — but Oliver had laid his own trap!
His head turn was just a feint; he was actually waiting for Rin's next move! Knowing his opponent was right-footed, Oliver had positioned himself perfectly to block that side. There was no way to attack!
"This level of defense won't stop me!"
Yet Rin stepped forward, preparing to shoot despite Oliver's presence!
"What? You—!"
Oliver couldn't believe such a reckless choice, but Rin had already struck the ball!
A right-footed curving shot!
Though Rin knew his right foot was being marked, he didn't hesitate — forcing a curving shot that tested both his resolve and technique!
"Damn it!"
The ball grazed past Oliver, curving viciously toward the goal!
"We've got it!" Meguru cheered from the sideline, celebrating prematurely.
"Not yet!"
At that moment, a figure leaped out from the side, intercepting the ball mid-air: Ryōsuke!
The instant after stopping Hyōma, he had fallen back, making it just in time to guard the goal.
He understood the Blue Lock players' capabilities better than anyone else. Even with the slightest opening, they would latch on and never let go.
"Damn it!" Rin hadn't expected this seemingly certain goal to be blocked by Ryōsuke again.
This guy was truly a monster.
"Ryōsuke Kira completes another clearance! My goodness, it's hard to believe he actually plays as a forward on this team, but without a doubt, his defensive performance shines as bright as the sun!" The commentator's praise flowed without reservation.
In the stands, countless scouts from renowned clubs worldwide simultaneously noted this name that kept shocking the audience.
As Ryōsuke completed his timely clearance, powerfully kicking the ball away—
"Well done, Kira!" Oliver cheered.
"No, it's not over!" Just then, another figure appeared where the ball would land.
Yoichi!
"This guy, why is he there?!" Shūto exclaimed.
"Just as I predicted! Kira!" Yoichi shouted triumphantly, "You could catch up to Kunoichi and block Rin's shot in time — I knew you could do it, Kira, only you could accomplish this!"
He had calculated that Ryōsuke would fall back in time to block Rin's shot, and used his keen spatial awareness to predict where the ball would land!
Everything was proceeding according to Yoichi's script!
He knew well that Ryōsuke's terrifying individual ability was something he could never match, so he had to use other methods.
That's right — both Hyōma and Rin were part of his plan. He had acted as Rin's decoy while also using Rin as his own decoy!
Yoichi planned to use Ryōsuke's excellent defensive abilities against him! It was precisely because he had bet everything on that monster's individual prowess that he could accomplish this!
"Kira! This time I'm going to devour you!"
Before the ball could hit the ground, Yoichi leaped up, his right leg like a sharp guillotine blade, striking the ball with full force!
❖ Direct Impact Shot! ❖
❖❖❖
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