[What a sudden goal! Ubers, after a series of attacks, has successfully breached Bastard München's defense!] Only a few seconds after the goal, the commentator finally processed what had happened. [The scorer is... Shōei Barō!]
Meanwhile, online, the impact of that goal was quickly spreading!
| Didn't Shōei score two goals in the last match as well? |
| How did he just score? I couldn't even see the ball clearly! |
| Looks like Bastard München's winning streak is about to end! |
{T/N: Online conversations will be in this format now, as well as messages, but when it's a specific person communicating, I'll put the name above. This way it's easier to distinguish what is a message and what is a person speaking.}
Although Shōei's attempt to steal the ball from his teammate during the U-20 Match left a bad impression on the audience, as the tournament progressed, his powerful offensive abilities and rebellious personality actually earned him quite a few fans.
As things stand now, Ubers is the team most likely to defeat Bastard München!
"A shot without any warning... Barō has truly evolved..." Yoichi swallowed hard, watching Shōei's figure as he moved back to defend.
Meanwhile, Ryōsuke was deep in thought, searching for a way to break the deadlock.
Clearly, Ubers's tactical approach was designed to prevent him from utilizing his defensive advantages. Even if he chose to mark Shōei, Kojiro would be left uncovered.
Moreover, within Ubers's tactical system, every player had the potential to score, so focusing on marking just one person would mean neglecting others.
Additionally, their unique positioning and passing style made it extremely easy for defenders to misjudge situations. Although Ryōsuke could use his Transparent World to directly identify the opponent's weaknesses, he still couldn't maintain this ability for extended periods.
And their team's defensive capabilities were equally formidable.
One could say that Ryōsuke was now facing the strongest opponent in his career.
Compared to the original story, the team now included Kojiro and Ken, which had elevated their strength to another level. The "Karate Keeper" significantly enhanced their defensive capabilities, while the "Fierce Tiger" diversified Ubers's attacking options.
He needed to find a way to break through. Ryōsuke's mind was racing, and gradually an idea began to form.
"Kira-senpai, what should we do next?" Ashito approached, asking anxiously.
Although the match had just begun, he knew the team had reached a stalemate, and if they couldn't find a way to break through, Bastard München might end up on the defensive.
"Speed up." Ryōsuke replied, "If they control the rhythm, things could get very difficult. We need to bring the pace to our side. Their rhythm is slower, so we'll learn from Manshine City's approach and increase the tempo."
Rhythm is a crucial factor in matches; whoever controls it holds the initiative.
Furthermore, he knew that if Ubers continued with their current tactics, it would be a significant test of the players' stamina. Their slow-paced attack was designed to maximize offensive efficiency while minimizing energy expenditure.
Ryōsuke's aim to speed up was intended to deplete the opponent's stamina more quickly. This way, by the end of the match, Ubers would inevitably be exhausted, allowing his team to finish them off in one decisive push!
"I'll move my position back and take charge of organizing the attack. Isagi, you move up to the center forward position. Like last match, Yukimiya and Kurona — our faster players — will come to the front line, and we'll hit them with everything we've got." Ryōsuke turned to address the others.
"Understood!"
Soon it was Bastard München's kickoff, with Ryōsuke personally dribbling to break through midfield.
Ubers's defense line was like a well-organized wolf pack ready to tear apart its prey. If it were Ashito or Yoichi, they wouldn't be able to break through the opposing team's defensive coordination, especially with Lorenzo, that defensive powerhouse, at the back.
That's why Ryōsuke decided to move to the midfield position and lead the breakthrough himself!
He dribbled forward at high speed, and sure enough, Oliver and others swarmed in, surrounding him completely.
"Kira, don't underestimate us!" Oliver smiled at Ryōsuke, battle burning in his heterochromatic eyes, "We've also evolved now, you know!"
After the second phase of training in Blue Lock, his defensive abilities had become even more terrifying!
"I'm not underestimating you at all."
Ryōsuke carefully observed his surroundings; he was being double-teamed by several players. Besides Oliver, Jūbē and Shūto were also part of the encirclement.
Meanwhile, Ikki was moving around him, trying to cut off his passing routes to teammates.
At this moment, a smile appeared on Ryōsuke's face, and he narrowed his eyes, "But if you think this is enough to stop me, then it seems I'm the one being underestimated."
As he spoke, he unleashed his inner beast!
❖ Rice Spirit ➠ Play Time! ❖
The soccer ball became like Ryōsuke's pet, obeying his every command. Facing an encirclement defense, he knew he needed to attack from the weakest point!
So, his first target was Shūto!
Although Shūto was a decent forward, his experience as a defender was still lacking. Using Rice Spirit, Ryōsuke skillfully kicked the ball to an ambiguous distance, with his opponent right in front of him!
He created an illusion for Shūto, making him believe he had a chance to steal the ball. And Shūto took the bait. Seeing Ryōsuke dribble, he immediately leaned forward attempting to tackle!
"Don't fall for it, Sendō!" With his rich defensive experience, Oliver recognized the trap and hurriedly warned his teammate.
But it was too late. Shūto's center of gravity had already shifted, giving Ryōsuke ample space to get past him.
However, at the same time, Jūbē moved in almost simultaneously, positioning himself in front of Ryōsuke, covering the gap created by the misposition.
"I stand firm!"
They had practiced this coordinated defense extensively. Whenever someone risked being out of position, teammates would quickly cover the gap. This defensive system was virtually impenetrable.
Of course, only virtually.
Ryōsuke instantly used his toe to press down on the edge of the ball, causing it to bounce in the opposite direction. Simultaneously controlling it with his ankle, he immediately turned to break through from the other side.
However, after shifting his center of gravity, Shūto didn't stop but continued forward, trying to press Ryōsuke further.
This was still his trap.
❖ Sixth Form ➠ Rumble and Flash! ❖
Ryōsuke raised his arm, skillfully using his sense of distance to block Shūto's position, preventing him from pressing forward.
"His use of arms is excellent... probably even better than Karasu's." Yō Hiori offered praise from the sidelines.
As a former teammate of Tabito Karasu, he knew the other's abilities well. But without a doubt, when it came to using arms, Ryōsuke was superior!
At this moment, he not only blocked his opponent's position with his arm, but also used Shūto's body as a shield. Rotating around him, he directly broke through the double-team of Oliver and Jūbē, successfully bursting out of the encirclement!
"His movement and judgment are truly excellent, using the opponent's body to break through." Marc nodded in appreciation.
If possible, he really wanted that prodigy to join his team.
Having just broken through Ubers's encirclement, more players immediately surrounded Ryōsuke, trying to block him!
However, the moment he broke through the encirclement, they had no chance of catching him!
❖ First Form ➠ Thunderclap and Flash! ❖
Ryōsuke accelerated instantly, like a bolt of lightning across the field, directly penetrating into the opposing territory.
Just as he approached the goal area, that tall, slender shadow followed closely behind.
"What amazing speed, 310-million-yen Kira!" Lorenzo smiled as he watched him intently, "I certainly couldn't defeat you just now, but I'm just one part of the Ubers monster. You have to face the entire Ubers team, okay?"
His slender body twisted, his limbs moving like a python, trying to block all of Ryōsuke's attacking routes.
Although Lorenzo knew he couldn't completely stop him, even delaying him for one second would be enough. Just one second's delay would allow the other Ubers members to swarm in and surround the threat again!
This was Lorenzo's purpose: to act as bait and lure Ryōsuke into a trap.
For him, his reason for coming to Blue Lock was similar to Michael's — to increase his market value. But the two were different.
Lorenzo had been discovered by Marc, and despite his eccentric appearance, he actually respected that man greatly, even willing to be his dog if asked. For him, he didn't need to be the protagonist; as long as Ubers could achieve final victory, that was enough.
In terms of sportsmanship, Lorenzo was far superior to Michael.
"Sorry, but I'm not alone either." Ryōsuke responded with a smile. Instead of engaging in a 1v1, he slightly turned to the side, "You're the bait, luring me here — and I'm doing the same."
"What?"
Before Lorenzo could react, Ryōsuke suddenly stepped forward as if to pass the ball—
Yoichi had already appeared behind them.
"It's the 32-million-yen player?!" Lorenzo was slightly surprised, as his attention had been completely focused on Ryōsuke, momentarily ignoring the existence of other players.
Yoichi had used his Metavision to find a suitable path on the field and made his way here. Ubers's defensive line had been thrown into disarray by Ryōsuke, and no one had noticed his presence!
This breakthrough from the side was meant to draw Lorenzo out from the center!
Lorenzo reacted quickly, immediately turning to intercept Yoichi behind him, only to suddenly realize the ball hadn't been passed at all.
No, Ryōsuke wasn't the bait! Yoichi was the bait!
Ryōsuke's words and Yoichi's positioning had created an illusion for Lorenzo that they were going to execute a passing play. This hesitation and turning caused him to lose his defensive position.
It was a gap he couldn't close no matter how he controlled his body!
But Lorenzo didn't panic. Instead, he looked at Ryōsuke with confusion, "That's a zero-degree angle — how are you going to shoot?!"
In his sprint, Ryōsuke had reached the right side of the goal line. From this position, shooting with the right foot was practically impossible...
But for him, nothing was impossible. Divine Reflection, activate!
Copy target: Sae Itoshi, Perfect Kick Technique!
Sae was a left-footed player!
Although Ryōsuke had trained his left foot for shooting and could use Thunderclap and Flash to score directly when facing the goal, in this position, his left foot's accuracy couldn't be 100% guaranteed.
In terms of left foot accuracy and dexterity, Sae was undoubtedly the No.1 of the new generation.
However, Ryōsuke wasn't just imitating Sae alone. Different skills fused together would create new chemical reactions!
Second copy target: Michael Kaiser, Kaiser Impact!
Shooting path, clearly defined! The upper left corner of the goal!
Then came the impact!
❖ Divine Reflection ➠ Thunder Impact! ❖
Ryōsuke utilized his entire body's flexibility to gather power in his left leg, combining Sae's precise footwork for an accurate left-footed curving shot with Michael's Impact technique to increase his kicking speed.
He aimed for the goal's dead angle — a top-down deadly curve that most goalkeepers couldn't defend against.
However...
Ken was no ordinary goalkeeper.
"I am the nation's number one goalkeeper!" He shouted as he sprinted forward with power, jumped up, and forcefully pushed off from the goalpost.
It wasn't over yet!
Using that momentum, Ken's legs exerted force again, propelling him directly to the opposite goalpost, accumulating kinetic energy for his body, and finally launching him to a terrifying height.
This was his signature move!
❖ Triangle Jump! ❖
"What?" Yoichi's eyes widened, unable to believe this was a move a goalkeeper could perform.
And Ryōsuke's shot aimed at the dead angle was successfully blocked by Ken's hand!
❖❖❖
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