"Mr. Ego will now summarize the first half and go over our tactics for the second!"
Hearing Anri Teieri say this, everyone in the room dropped their other thoughts and fixed their attention on Jinpachi Ego.
"Alright. First, let's talk about why you scored."
"You need a correct understanding of the situation you're in."
"For this match, we prepared tactics in advance—formation shifts, coordinated plays."
"But against top players your age, none of that worked at the beginning."
"The ones who broke the deadlock were without a doubt Rin Itoshi and Yoichi Isagi."
"Compared to training, you deliberately stayed closer to each other. By keeping Yoichi Isagi right by your side, you greatly expanded your choices."
"Rin Itoshi, why did you do that?"
Rin thought for a moment, then answered bluntly:
"Because we couldn't break through their four-back line. If we didn't crack that defense, we couldn't do anything."
"I needed a scapegoat, and Yoichi was convenient enough."
"A scapegoat? Good wording." Ego pushed up his glasses, then turned to Yoichi Isagi. "But that's not something you'd think of during training."
"So, Yoichi Isagi, do you consider yourself cannon fodder?"
"No! I want to score!"
"Good. That's exactly right." Ego nodded, clearly pleased.
"All eleven players on the field must believe they're the protagonist. Each of you has your own 'ego' that fights to the end."
"That's what created the only goal in the first half. But the second half won't necessarily unfold the same way."
"No—in fact, it can't. I'm sure you've already noticed."
"Ryūma Banjō hasn't taken things seriously yet. At least defensively, he's been far too careless."
"But if he goes full power, will you still be able to spare attention to deal with his interceptions? That's why Blue Lock's secret weapons are coming out!"
"In the second half: Kudo Tōya will replace Ikki Niko, and Ryusei Shido will replace Hyōma Chigiri!"
"Honestly, I'd rather not put Ryusei Shido and Rin Itoshi on the same pitch—but we have no choice now."
"Kudo Tōya, I expect you to make full use of this unstable time bomb called Ryusei Shido."
(All that time I spent running away, clinging to the excuse of 'giving up soccer'… that was my blank period.)
(And karma shows up now? How pathetic.)
(If only I could just keep running…)
Hearing his substitution, Hyōma Chigiri clenched his fists, frustration burning in his eyes.
But he also understood why Ego made that decision. His nonstop, high-intensity sprints had pushed his stamina to the edge.
Every minute and second of the second half mattered. He couldn't afford to drag the team down.
"You've made the most sprints, constantly running back and forth, always chasing Ryūma Banjō. You've hit your limit, Hyōma Chigiri!"
"Hold onto that frustration and rest." Ego gave Chigiri a rare word of comfort.
Then he turned to the others, his tone heavy.
"You've accomplished nothing so far."
"Don't get comfortable. Keep attacking."
"Until the final second, never let go of the belief that you are the protagonist."
"That's it. Now—change the formation from a single striker to a double striker."
"That splits the offense into two fronts: Yoichi Isagi with Rin Itoshi, and Kudo Tōya with Ryusei Shido."
"These two completely different attacking styles will keep shaking their defensive line."
"The rest of you—use that instability to crush them!"
"Alright, for the second half, I have only one order—"
"Bring the score back! Overtake them! Show them that one protagonist is all this story needs!"
After Ego's blood-stirring speech, Yoichi Isagi took a drink of water and thought:
(Yeah… 'Blue Lock' isn't about winning together.)
(It's about pushing forward to 'score for yourself'—even if it means sacrificing others, sacrificing everything.)
(Just like Rin Itoshi's style—)
(I'll prove myself in this match!!)
...
Inside the U-20 National Team locker room.
"What an easy match."
"Yeah. We're already up by three goals, but those Blue Lock guys do have some skill."
"At least they broke through our defense once."
"No surprise—the younger brother of Sae Itoshi. The curve on that shot was perfect."
"Hmph. There won't be a next time."
Sitting alone, Ryūma Banjō didn't share their optimism. He knew the second half wouldn't be easy.
Just then, Sae Itoshi returned from his shower and quietly sat beside him.
"What's wrong? Worried about the second half?"
"Huh? Not really. Just giving you guys a heads-up. In the second half, Blue Lock's strongest support—Kudo Tōya—will definitely come on."
"It's hard to describe his abilities. Put simply: one-on-one, I can't easily get past him, and he can't easily get past me."
"But that's not even the scariest part. He has a skill that draws out his teammates' potential, called Awakening Moment."
"Forget it, explaining won't help. You'll understand once you experience it yourselves."
"Alright, second half's starting. Let's go." Oliver Aiku said, leading the way out of the locker room.
"Yeah. Let's go see for ourselves that ability Ryūma was talking about."
...
Inside the stadium, Atsuto Tereasa and Harutaro Natsuki shouted excitedly:
"Alright, everyone! The second half is about to begin!!"
"The U-20 National Team leads 4–1 after the first half!"
"Can the Blue Lock Eleven catch up and overturn everyone's expectations?"
"What kind of incredible story awaits us in the second half?!"
"It's getting exciting!"
Once both sides took the field, Ryūma Banjō saw the newcomer and let out a helpless smile.
"Heh, you really came on, Tōya."
"Yeah. Long time no see, Ryūma."
They stared each other down, their battle intent unmistakable.
For Kudo Tōya, defeating Ryūma Banjō had become an obsession.
For Ryūma Banjō, Kudo Tōya was a rare and worthy rival.
Spotting the new players, Tereasa spoke from the commentator's booth:
"Oh? For the second half, Blue Lock has substituted out No. 3 Ikki Niko and No. 4 Hyōma Chigiri!"
"Coming on are No. 12 Kudo Tōya and No. 13 Ryusei Shido—once again, we have absolutely no data on either of them!"