As Yoichi Isagi was deep in thought, the large screen behind Jinpachi Ego changed again—this time showing the five members of the World Five.
"Stacking small successes until reaching this point—
By constantly exploring yourselves and feeling the world, recognizing your own shortcomings—
For you, what exactly is the goal of 'defeating the U–20 Japan National Team'?"
"Is it 'boring'?
Or is it 'anxiety-inducing'?"
To this question, Yoichi Isagi already had his answer.
(No—!)
(It's a 'challenge' that lets me enter that 'immersed' state!)
(On that grand stage… I'll achieve my own FLOW!)
(I'll find a scoring method I can immerse myself in—one that belongs solely to me!)
"Now you understand, right?"
"On the day we face the U–20 National Team, only if all eleven Blue Lock players on the field simultaneously enter the FLOW state…"
"...will the door to victory open for the very first time!"
Seeing that the timing was right, Ego announced:
"Alright then—go prepare, Blue Lock!"
"When this Ultimate Training Camp concludes, it will mark the beginning of Blue Lock overturning Japanese football and becoming the new generation of egoists——"
"The entire world is waiting for your goals!!"
...
Meanwhile, at the U–20 Japan National Team training camp...
"Faster! Don't let your foot bend too much. When you shoot, all you need is enough power for the ball to score—don't use unnecessary strength."
"That's just wasting time during your shot. You must refine your power and your form so you can create the perfect shooting moment."
"And when you search for a shooting lane, don't anticipate too early—but don't look for it last-second either."
"The perfect timing is that instant when you begin your shooting motion. Seize that fleeting moment and find your angle!"
"Idiot—don't stop moving! When you're preparing to shoot, you need to be able to block out everything around you!"
Speaking sternly was Sae Itoshi, while Ryūma was on the field training—suffering, yet enjoying it.
"Uh, Sae? I only stopped to think so I could make sure I understood what you meant."
Sae stared at him stone-faced and continued:
"That's still not acceptable. Your biggest weakness right now is that your brain can't process on-field information fast enough. That alone places you a tier below top-class players."
"It's only because you awakened that so-called 'Slow-Motion World' that you're not in serious trouble."
"You can't become the world's best relying solely on brute physique and speed."
"What you must evolve now is your thinking. Everything else is secondary."
Ryūma had actually sensed these problems himself… he had simply avoided confronting them.
Except for the match against Kudo Tōya, he had never encountered an opponent the Slow-Motion World couldn't overcome.
But hearing Sae lay it out so clearly, Ryūma finally snapped awake:
If he kept relying on Slow-Motion World while ignoring this weakness, could he really beat world-class players?
As Sae said—
Slow information processing wasted time. Even if Slow-Motion World compensated for it, it only kept him from being utterly crushed by elite players.
If he could achieve a fully perfected, quadruple-speed Slow-Motion World…
Ryūma was confident he could fight the world's top players head-on. Even against their full strength, he wouldn't flinch.
But at best, that would allow him to tie.
Ryūma wanted to defeat them.
To surpass them.
Which meant his weakness had to be addressed—yet evolving wasn't something that happened in a day.
Hours passed. Ryūma was soaked with sweat, mind drifting from exhaustion.
"Alright, that's it for today. Get some rest."
"From now on, train exactly as I told you."
With that, Sae turned toward the exit.
"Huh? Sae, you're not coming back for the remaining days?" Ryūma called out from the ground.
"I have other matters to attend to. I'm leaving."
Watching him go, Ryūma muttered helplessly, "Fine… extra practice it is then."
...
A few days later, inside the Blue Lock conference room.
One day until the final showdown...
Ego looked at the full assembly, adjusted his glasses, and began:
"Alright, diamonds in the rough."
"Tomorrow is the final battle. Today, I'll be announcing the starting lineup changes caused by Ryūma's departure."
Hearing this, the Blue Lock boys tensed up—especially those who hadn't made the list the first time around.
"First, adjustments among the original starters. After five test matches, it's clear that Ryusei Shido and Rin Itoshi have zero compatibility."
"It even escalated into a real fight by the end." Ego pinched his forehead in frustration.
"In all five Adaptive Training, Shido and Rin—"
"—did not produce a single shred of chemistry."
"Frankly speaking, among all of you, the only person who can generate any synergy with Shido Ryusei is Kudo Tōya."
"And considering Shido's violent behavior during the selection match—if something like that happened against U–20…"
"He'd definitely get a red card, putting us at a severe disadvantage."
"So, combining all these factors, I believe Rin Itoshi and Ryusei Shido should never be on the field at the same time."
Hearing that, Shido Ryusei chuckled immediately:
"Simple! Just kick little Rin out of the starting lineup!"
"Heh. Sending you, you golden-haired cockroach? Might as well surrender before kickoff."
"Haha! Careful or I'll kick your head off later, Rin!"
"Try it. Just try."
"Enough, Shido. Follow Mr. Ego's arrangements."
Kudo Tōya tugged him down.
Ego continued calmly:
"Rin Itoshi's individual technique draws others in, amplifying the team."
"In contrast, at this stage, Shido Ryusei can't coordinate with anyone except Kudo Tōya."
"He's a self-complete type."
"Therefore, my decision is: Shido Ryusei and Kudo Tōya will start on the bench."
"Kudo Tōya can only maintain full output for around one half."
"And since he's the only one who can push Shido's evolution, he'll serve as our finisher in the second half."
"As for Shido Ryusei—he will be our trump card to replace Rin Itoshi when the team finds itself in crisis."