But it was obvious that Yoichi Isagi didn't care about anything Jinpachi Ego had just said.
"Who cares about any of that?!"
"I don't give a damn about it!"
"The future of Japan Nation soccer? Our prospects? None of that matters!"
"I—no, we, Blue Lock, only care about right now! Winning this match, here and now!!"
"We don't need a next time. Losing means death!"
"Blue Lock isn't dead yet! We just want to become number one in the world!!"
"So find a way to help us win, four-eyes!!"
"Isn't this kind of ego exactly what you taught us?!"
[Jinpachi Ego: Huh? Weren't you calling me Mr. Ego just a second ago? How did I turn into four-eyes after a few sentences?!]
Feeling the terrifying hunger for victory pouring off Yoichi Isagi, Anri Teieri couldn't help but shiver.
Jinpachi Ego let out a faint, subtle smile as he adjusted his glasses.
"Is that so, Yoichi Isagi?"
"Then let's move on to a plan so unprecedented that even I can't predict the outcome."
"It's your turn to step in—our 'secret weapon'! Shōei Barō!"
With murderous energy rolling off him, Shōei Barō took one massive stride out of the bench.
"I've been waiting so long I'm practically moldy, rookie!"
At the commentary booth, Atsuto Tereasa saw the substitution board go up and immediately called it out.
"Alright, we're now at the 25-minute mark of the second half!"
"And at this moment, trailing by two goals, Blue Lock's Eleven make a substitution!"
"Their final slot will take off Eita Otoya, and coming onto the field is—"
"Number 14, Shōei Barō!!"
As he walked off, Eita Otoya glanced at Shōei Barō and said, "Maybe tone down the killing intent a little, King?"
"Defenders can pick up on that."
"Shut up! This is dominance!"
Shōei Barō clearly couldn't hold it in anymore—he'd been bottled up for far too long.
"Barō!"
"You're playing left winger!"
"Tōya will get you into your 'Awakening Moment' first. Then use the vertical link to move together down the left flank—"
As Yoichi talked, Shōei Barō reached his side.
"Hey, rookie!"
"Watching the match from the bench, I kept thinking—"
"You've been pretty damn boring out there."
"Mind your own business!" Yoichi Isagi shot back, glancing toward Jinpachi Ego.
('With Barō joining, use his overwhelming offensive power to smash through them.' Ego believed this was the signal Blue Lock was sending!)
On the bench, Anri Teieri looked at Blue Lock's new formation, worry all over her face.
"Um, Mr. Eishin! We've basically never practiced this formation…"
"Is it really okay to give no clear plan?"
But Jinpachi Ego didn't show even a trace of panic.
"It's fine. I'd already planned for Shōei Barō to come on. I'm not giving up the match."
"I told you, didn't I? Up to this point, everything has gone exactly how I scripted it."
"And just as I predicted, 'Even when the situation turns against them, Blue Lock still clings to victory.'"
"But one thing surprised me—those Blue Lock brats' ego and burning passion have surpassed my expectations!"
"Then our chances of winning…"
Before Teieri could finish, Jinpachi Ego cut her off.
"Shut your mouth and watch."
"The Blue Lock you're seeing right now—"
"Might just create the hottest place on the football field."
…
On the pitch, the Blue Lock players gathered near the center circle to set up their final tactics.
Seishiro Nagi stuck out his tongue and looked at Shōei Barō.
"Welcome to the battlefield, King."
"Died in battle after scoring just one goal? Trouble magnet?"
"Pass the ball to me!"
Seishiro Nagi obviously had no intention of listening to Shōei Barō.
"Not a chance!"
Kudo Tōya brushed his hair upward and added,
"Forget the formation. We're eleven forwards—just attack with everything we've got!"
"Hahaha, I've been dying for this!"
Rin Itoshi, panting heavily, wiped sweat from his face. His voice burned with fierce resolve.
"Yeah. From here on, forget about balance."
"Push the forward line up and launch a full-on assault!"
"Even if we're beaten bloody, we win!"
Kenyu Yukimiya and Seishiro Nagi chimed in one after another.
"Oh, getting fired up, Captain!"
"Yeah—we're winning this!"
Once again, Shōei Barō proved he was the 'outsider.'
"Bullshit. I'm not dying with you idiots."
"Alright, let's go!" Yoichi Isagi stared straight toward the U-20 National Team.
(This is the situation—the strongest formation for an all-out attack—)
(Scoring is salvation! The only way for Blue Lock to survive!!)
…
On the other side, Ryūma Banjō noticed the newcomer and nudged Sae Itoshi.
"Sae, look at that Shōei Barō."
"That guy's hilarious. He steals the ball from his teammates all the time—especially from Yoichi Isagi."
"Boring."
Sae Itoshi wasn't interested. He brushed Ryūma's hand off his shoulder and headed toward his position.
…
Blue Lock's ball. Yoichi Isagi starts the kickoff!
After the kickoff, Yoichi passed straight to Rin Itoshi, charging up with him toward the U-20 National Team.
(Barō's weapons are his dribbling breakthroughs and his super mid-range shot with a 29-meter range.)
(If he can receive the ball freely in that area in front of the goal, his scoring chances skyrocket!)
(I'll draw Barō into that zone, then break through from behind and look for my own shot!)
Seeing nearly every Blue Lock player pushing forward, the U-20 National Team spread out to respond.
Haru Hayate immediately closed in on Shōei Barō, convinced that a sub brought on this late had to be a trump card.
But Rin Itoshi, who was currently dribbling, had no intention of following Haru Hayate's expectations.
(More back-and-forth between Rin and Yoichi? Not using Barō at all?!)
Indeed, Rin Itoshi didn't pass to Shōei Barō—nor did he pass to Yoichi Isagi as Haru Hayate expected.
Instead, he passed to the heart of Blue Lock at that moment—Kudo Tōya!
Seeing this, Haru Hayate froze, confused.
(Rin Itoshi chose to pass it back to that Kudo Tōya? Is this the turning point of some tactic?!)
Kudo Tōya received the ball without wasting even a fraction of a second, widening his stance and making a clean passing motion.
And in that instant, Rin Itoshi and Yoichi Isagi both burst into motion—one from the left, one from the right—charging straight at Haru Hayate.
...
(Full Series is already available on P@treon)
[email protected] / GhostParser