(Why is Rin staring at me like that?)
Following Rin Itoshi's gaze, Ryūma noticed he was glaring at the arm Ryūma had draped over Sae Itoshi's shoulder.
(Uh-huh… and he still says he's not a sis-con╮( •́ω•̀ )╭)
"Yo, Rin—better watch yourself or I'll blow you up out there!"
But Rin didn't respond to Ryūma at all. His eyes stayed locked on Sae.
Awkwardly enough, Sae wasn't acknowledging Rin either. He just rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, looking lazily ahead.
Standing beside Yoichi Isagi in the back row, Oliver Aiku chuckled.
"That Ryūma guy is seriously strong. He walked in and immediately kicked our ace out of the striker spot."
"Yeah, he's really strong," Isagi replied.
Hearing that, Oliver Aiku gave a faint smile and angled his head toward Isagi.
"You guys won't be scoring a single goal this match. Looking forward to it, 'Blue Lock.'"
"Oh."
(If we lose this match… my soccer career ends—)
(I've survived countless desperate moments to make it all the way to this stage—)
As Isagi thought that, both teams finished stepping onto the field.
"Japan!"
"Japan!"
"Japan!"
"Sae Itoshi!!"
The packed stadium roared, every seat filled, every voice screaming.
Ryūma's fighting spirit blazed to life under the adrenaline-soaked atmosphere.
A few seconds later, the voices of the broadcaster Teruhito Asahi and commentator Harutaro Natsuki boomed through the stadium.
"This is the match the entire nation of Japan has been waiting for!"
"The stadium is completely packed. How do you see this game going, Mr. Natsuki?"
Harutaro Natsuki spread his arms wide, visibly thrilled.
"Ahh, I can't wait any longer! After all, Sae Itoshi is playing today!"
"The whole world is watching!"
Asahi followed up immediately.
"Let's take a look at both teams' formations!"
"As expected, the much-anticipated Sae Itoshi is positioned right behind the striker line!"
As he spoke, the formations for both teams appeared on the giant screen.
"We're coming to you live from Blue Lock's main stadium!"
"Kickoff is moments away!!"
Inside the pitch, Isagi was visibly overwhelmed, thinking:
(I've really stepped onto an unbelievable stage…)
(A scene I could've never imagined before coming to Blue Lock… and now it's right in front of me—)
(How far can I go, standing before this many spectators?)
(No—that's not it!)
Clenching his fists, Isagi felt all tension disappear.
(It doesn't matter what's around me—)
(I need to focus entirely on myself… and immerse in this match!!)
Just as he steadied himself, a sharp slap cracked against his back.
[Thud]
"Quit being pathetic!"
"What are you scared of, idiot!"
Rin's way of encouraging others was strange as always, but Isagi still laughed.
"Hmph, I'm just excited!"
Meanwhile, in position, Ryūma looked over the Blue Lock players and thought:
(So Ryusei and Tōya aren't starting. Good! With Sae and me out here, we can rack up a few goals no problem.)
(We need to widen the score before Tōya comes on. Once he triggers the team's full 'Awakening Moment,' scoring becomes a pain.)
(Man… every player on Blue Lock's side has their own purpose and specialty!)
(On our side, aside from Sae and me—and the four-man backline with Aiku—the rest might as well be invisible.)
(By the end of this match, it might end up six-vs-eleven at this rate.)
With the whistle, the ultimate showdown began!
Blue Lock's ball. Rin Itoshi kicks off at center circle!!
Right after kickoff, Rin immediately passed to Yoichi Isagi. Receiving it, Isagi recalled Jinpachi Ego's tactical instructions:
(Our attack starts with the triangle formed by me, Rin, and Nagi—)
(This central triangle is our foundation!!)
[This setup is essentially a 4–5–1 with Rin Itoshi as the lone striker]
[But that's only the defensive shape. In attack, the key midfielder—]
[Tabito Karasu—drops back between the center backs to form a back three!]
[Then the fullbacks push high, shifting into a 3–6–1 with massive midfield coverage!]
[It's a formation only a team of all-around scorers can use—an adaptable system where any position can score]
[This is Blue Lock's ultra-offensive system!]
Facing Sae's interception, Isagi didn't panic. He passed immediately to Seishiro Nagi.
Nagi used a smooth decoy touch to beat Teru Kitsunezato, then returned the ball to Rin.
Rin was already prepared. He gave Kento Cho no time to act, sending the ball straight back to Isagi.
At the same moment, Meguru Bachira and Hyōma Chigiri burst forward at full speed.
Isagi, back in possession, noticed their movement.
(Don't waste this moment—the instant before the defense reacts—)
"Go, Bachira!"
"Firing!" Bachira said, licking his lips with excitement as he received the ball.
Haru Hayate immediately stepped in front of him.
"My, my. Going in already, kid?"
"You ready?"
Bachira answered not with words, but with ultra-fast step-overs, rapidly closing in.
(So fast! Left-right feints… this time he's serious!)
Realizing it, Haru Hayate quickly moved to cut him off.
But Bachira was ready. He gently planted his right foot on top of the ball.
(Pivoting on the ball while maintaining top speed?!)
"Here I go," he said lightly—then spun and slipped right past Haru Hayate.
(A high-speed aerial spin turn!!)
The crowd erupted in astonished gasps at Bachira's flawless maneuver.
But Bachira didn't have time to notice. He'd already reached a crucial zone.
(Next! Straight toward the goal!!)
(No—Not there—)
(The one who can keep up with my plays—)
(Isagi!!)
(I love you, partner!)
(U-20 or Blue Lock… we'll crush everything together!!)