"You bastard..." Rin glared at Yoichi with gritted teeth, but there was nothing he could do.
Without a doubt, Yoichi was the clear winner just now. He had factored in even Rin's thought process.
This guy... his threat level is second only to Ryōsuke.
If Ryōsuke represents absolute power, then Yoichi is the pinnacle of intelligence!
Meanwhile, in Bastard München's backfield, Ryōsuke smiled as he looked toward his teammates, nodding with satisfaction.
Indeed, Yoichi and the others had proven themselves on the offensive end.
His strategy, Ashito's coordination, and the support from other players made Bastard München's offense incredibly smooth and threatening even without Ryōsuke.
Even without their absolute core, the team was not to be underestimated.
"Impressive..." Genzō nodded involuntarily, recognizing the excellence of that offensive play.
"You see, we're teammates — don't shoulder the pressure alone. When we share the burden, our team becomes stronger and more united." Ryōsuke turned to him, "By helping each other and compensating for each other's weaknesses, we become a team."
"Yeah." Genzō smiled and nodded back at him.
Meanwhile, Noel Noah sat on the coach's bench, silently watching the players on the field.
This Bastard München team was completely different from before.
Previously, the team revolved entirely around Michael Kaiser. Although they had coordination, Michael was undoubtedly the main character, with everyone else merely supporting actors whose only purpose was to pass to him and divert attention.
But now, even though Ryōsuke had been established as the absolute core, he didn't overshadow the others — on the contrary, under his presence, the others had an even bigger stage.
This kind of player is the true core, capable of driving an entire team forward.
The starting lineup had now been completely replaced by players from Blue Lock, with the original starters relegated to the bench — but they weren't dejected. Instead, they still cheered enthusiastically when the team scored.
Those who should have been competitors were now coexisting, creating a team atmosphere that was absolutely unprecedented.
"Ryōsuke Kira is truly a remarkable existence."
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"Damn it! These useless PXG members! Isn't that guy Sae Itoshi's brother? How can he be so incompetent?!"
In Germany, Alexis Ness anxiously watched the scene on the screen, jumping around in frustration.
"That Yoichi Isagi — how can he shoot with his left foot?! He didn't have that weapon before!"
Meanwhile, Michael remained silent, finally realizing that beyond Ryōsuke, the growth of the other players had far exceeded his imagination.
Was it because of this monster?
Michael didn't know, but as he watched his former teammates on the bench celebrating Yoichi's goal, he felt a complex mix of emotions.
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Back on the field.
Paris X Gen's members all wore grave expressions, their morale plummeting after that last goal.
"Don't look so gloomy."
Julian stood up from the coach's bench with a smile and walked directly onto the field.
He knew it was time for his entrance.
Despite his team's disadvantage, he felt his blood boiling. Right now, he wanted — needed — to get on the field.
To continue the unfinished match with Ryōsuke!
[Julian Loki! The French prodigy known as 'The God Sprinter' has entered the field! At nearly seventeen years old, this newcomer has already shown terrifying dominance in his league!]
The commentator introduced Julian with palpable excitement.
Julian was the true superstar, outshining even the other members of the New Generation World XI!
At just seventeen, he already stood at the pinnacle of world football, with many calling him Noel Noah's heir apparent — the future number one after Noah's retirement!
However, these predictions changed dramatically a month ago when the second phase of Blue Lock began. A new superstar had emerged!
Ryōsuke Kira!
"Julian has entered the field!"
"He was once the undisputed rising star, but now who will become the future ruler — him or Ryōsuke?"
"Julian is famous for his godspeed, but Ryōsuke seems just as fast!"
Online, debates about which player — Ryōsuke or Julian — was faster raged endlessly, with official websites even creating polls on the topic!
And in these polls, the two were virtually tied!
"Kira! Finally another chance to share the field!" Julian embraced Ryōsuke in greeting as he entered.
"Indeed."
"This time, I'm going all out!" Julian said with a smile, "You probably won't even see my taillights."
"Oh really? If our last match hadn't been forcibly stopped, you might have lost to me — and I was still unknown then."
"Haha, I don't think I would have lost." Julian's gaze turned serious as he stared intently at Ryōsuke, "But whether it was that match or today's game, they're just stepping stones, Kira. A bigger stage awaits you."
He paused briefly, then continued.
"I hope to face you on an even grander stage."
"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future." Ryōsuke replied.
After the substitution, the game quickly resumed with the French team on the attack.
Although Rin was reluctant, he recognized that with Julian on the field, the dynamic had shifted. After passing the ball to the Master Striker, he moved strategically into position.
Julian, after receiving the ball, advanced forward unhurriedly — yet his mere presence was enough to put Yoichi and Ashito on high alert as they moved to defend.
"Long time no see, Isagi. I was very impressed with you in our last match!" Julian said calmly to Yoichi.
At the end of the first phase of Blue Lock, each group of players had to compete against the Team World Five led by Julian.
Every team suffered a crushing defeat — except for Ryōsuke's team. Their match was stopped midway, leaving the potential outcome a mystery.
"Long time no see..." Yoichi looked at him with extreme caution, having witnessed his terrifying speed in their previous match.
"I've watched every match of your team! Your performance just now was also very good!" Julian said with a smile.
Yoichi kept his eyes fixed on him. Despite the compliments, he felt no joy. He noticed that Julian's eyes showed no wariness toward him.
As if Yoichi were merely an insignificant existence.
"Well then, are you ready?"
"For what?"
"Your defensive line is full of holes." Julian said calmly.
"Huh?"
Before Yoichi could react, a gust of wind hit his face like a wall, making it impossible for him to keep his eyes open!
Before he could even take a breath, Julian had already moved behind him!
Only then did Yoichi realize that during their previous encounter, Julian hadn't even been using his full power!
"What?! What kind of speed is this?!" Beside Yoichi, Ashito stared in terror, his eyes wide open.
In that instant, Julian vanished like lightning, disappearing without a trace! They couldn't even react in time!
Not just him — even the TV commentators fell silent, their words unable to keep pace with Julian's lightning movements!
Rensuke and Gin sprinted forward to provide defensive cover, but their efforts proved futile against such an opponent!
Julian took powerful strides, changing direction with the ball without losing any momentum.
Rensuke and his teammates couldn't react in time — not even managing to grab his jersey — as Julian swept past them like a hurricane!
"Such incredible speed!"
In front of the goal, Genzō stared in awe at Julian's velocity; he had never witnessed such terrifying speed!
The moment Julian entered the game, he effortlessly tore through Bastard München's defense line, leaving them completely helpless.
"Remarkable speed." Noel observed with a serious expression, "In terms of pure velocity, he's probably faster than me. He truly deserves to be called a Prodigy — his speed is truly god-like."
Noel knew with certainty that in terms of speed, that young man was undoubtedly the world's number one!
This man was destined to dominate the future of world football.
However... That was Noel's previous opinion. Now he had changed his mind.
Because he had witnessed the true future successor.
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Watching Julian's breakthrough, Michael involuntarily swallowed.
As fellow rising stars, he had always believed he and Julian were on the same starting line and had been somewhat concerned about the other's position as a mentor.
Only now did Michael realize just how vast the gap between himself and that true prodigy truly was.
There was simply no comparison. Julian's speed was absolutely beyond his reach!
Could Ryōsuke's speed surpass Julian's?
Michael was incredibly curious.
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At this moment, Julian was like a bolt of lightning, using his unique running style to single-handedly reach the penalty area.
And only one person could keep up with his speed — Ryōsuke!
As Julian broke through, Ryōsuke moved at an astonishing speed to defend in front of him!
"As expected of Kira! Among all the matches I've played, only you can keep up with my speed!" Julian said with a smile, his eyes full of anticipation.
In his eyes, all other players on Bastard München were mere decorations, even Michael. He only cared about Ryōsuke. No one else could get close, not even Rin or Ryūsei.
They knew that the contest between Julian and Ryōsuke was not something they could participate in.
Ryōsuke narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smile, "You've got one thing wrong, Loki."
"Oh?" Julian asked, somewhat puzzled.
"I don't just keep up with your speed — my speed is above yours."
"Is that so? Don't forget, I'm known as 'Speed' itself." Julian's eyes shone with confidence.
Though already a world-class star, he had never become complacent. After his previous encounter with Ryōsuke, he had trained even harder, taking his speed to another level.
'God Sprinter' was not an empty title!
"God Sprinter? The speed of a god, they say." Ryōsuke lowered his center of gravity slightly, "Then I'll surpass this god and show you!"
"Bring it on!" Julian's expression grew serious as he leaned forward like a cheetah about to pounce on its prey.
Next would be a contest of speed between the two — a microcosm of this entire match!
Sprint!
Julian suddenly accelerated, the tremendous force leaving visible marks from his cleats on the field!
In an instant, he had flashed behind Ryōsuke! His speed kicked up a gale!
"Julian is faster!" Zantetsu exclaimed in surprise.
Even though he was ranked first in explosive speed at Blue Lock, he was no match for Julian.
In his eyes, the contest of speed between those two speedsters had been decided, with Julian the undisputed winner.
However, Zantetsu could only see Julian's back and couldn't clearly see his expression. Genzō, who was facing Julian, could see everything!
Julian's eyes were wide with astonishment, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
Yes, Julian had moved past Ryōsuke in an instant — but only his body had gotten past his opponent.
The football that should have been at his feet had vanished!
And that ball was now at Ryōsuke's feet!
In the instant Julian completed his breakthrough, Ryōsuke had activated his Transparent World, seeing through his opponent's movements and using even greater speed to steal the ball!
He moved so fast that Julian couldn't even react.
"I've surpassed the gods." Ryōsuke whispered, just loud enough for Julian to hear.
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