Harutaro Natsuki trembled slightly with excitement as he followed up on Atsuto Tereasa's commentary.
"Who would've thought this match would have so many twists and turns!"
"Blue Lock's strength is overwhelming, and under this momentum boost, the U-20 players are showing their best movement!"
"Will the U-20 National Team score another goal to end the match? Or will Blue Lock pull off a miraculous equalizer?"
"I've got a feeling… a hero is about to be born!"
"Alright—five minutes left! The match continues!"
"The U-20 Japan National Team has earned a corner kick!! This is a huge opportunity!!"
On the field, Rin Itoshi stared at Sae Itoshi's back as he walked toward the corner flag, thinking:
(If I can just synchronize with Sae's thought process—)
(I'll be able to see it, feel it—the most dangerous spot on the field!!)
(The reason I felt that same sensation from years ago, watching him from outside the pitch… is because even with all his talent, even after being tempered on the world stage—)
(that guy keeps sharpening his understanding of soccer, without ever stopping.)
(But at this rate, even if I manage to stop him, I still won't be able to score a goal myself!)
(What do I do?! If I stop defending, we'll definitely lose. But can I accept that?!)
(No! If they score now, it's over!)
(Only I can stop Sae. It has to be me. I need to anticipate! I need to sense it! What is Sae Itoshi aiming for?!)
(This moment… the younger brother will surpass the older!)
At that exact instant, Sae Itoshi spread his legs and prepared for the kick.
Seeing this, the Blue Lock defenders shouted at the front of the goal:
"Even if we break our bones, we defend!"
"Got it!"
"Crush them!"
"I'm a damn iron wall!!"
Rin Itoshi focused completely on Sae, his mind racing:
(I need to read his target—and kill it! Sae is aiming for the)
(most dangerous, most perfect spot————)
(Oliver Aiku!!)
With that thought, Rin leapt ahead of Oliver Aiku toward the incoming ball, adjusting his body to block him.
(Don't let him jump freely! Crush him!! Take him down!!)
(First touch… wait?! This ball's trajectory—)
As the ball sailed past him, Rin's eyes widened in shock.
(Perfectly calculated… just one step out of reach?!)
(This wasn't for Aiku?!)
(The real target is Ryūma?! Damn it, I—)
(I can't beat Sae after all!)
Watching Ryūma already leaping forward, Rin felt a sudden wave of despair.
Ryūma pushed off both Kudo Tōya and Ryusei Shidō beside him, forcing his way out of their double pressure.
"Heh, trying to stop my shot? Too naive!"
But in that moment, Yoichi Isagi appeared faster than anyone else, knocking the ball away.
"You're the naive one! Of course it's you, Ryūma!"
"Hah? How the hell did you get here?!"
Ryūma let out a helpless laugh—this guy he'd basically ignored the whole match still managed to clutch up at the end.
Even while being sandwiched by Kudo Tōya and Ryusei Shidō, he reacted instantly to Sae's hidden intention.
Pure reflex. With such a deceptive pass trajectory, if Ryūma hadn't moved immediately, he would've been blocked by the two players around him.
But no one could have predicted that Yoichi Isagi—mediocre for most of the match—would suddenly ignite right before the end!
"Second ball!!"
"Hurry!!"
"I've got it!"
The U-20 players reacted quickly, but the ball dropped perfectly at Tabito Karasu's feet.
"Oh! Beautiful, little Karasu!"
"One more! Counterattack!"
"GO! Final strike!"
Tabito Karasu flashed his trademark grin and sprinted toward the U-20 defense.
"Keep up with me, mortals!"
Rin Itoshi gritted his teeth, turning back while staring at Isagi's retreating figure.
(Damn it! Getting in the way again, Isagi————)
(Even losing to Sae… you have to meddle?!)
(I just wanted to fight alone, Isagi!)
(Blue Lock always clings to my soccer————)
(Blue Lock won't let me fight alone?! I'm… not alone?)
(What is this feeling? It's disgusting! I'll crush him!)
Rin's pupils split into dozens of fan-like fragments.
"Waaahhh————!"
"Blue Lock's Eleven block the corner kick!!"
"Two minutes left! Final counterattack begins!"
While Tabito Karasu was still considering who to pass to, Rin suddenly attacked from behind and stole the ball outright.
"Hey—what the hell are you doing?!"
Rin didn't respond. He was fully immersed.
('Brotherhood,' 'revenge,' 'rivalry'—none of it matters. Not Sae, not Isagi, not even Blue Lock itself!)
(Damn it—even looking for answers outside myself… that's what shackled me!)
[Too naive! Don't ever use me as your reason to play soccer again!!]
(Now I finally understand what Sae meant back then——)
(I was the naive one! The disgust I felt… it was because the one I needed to defeat, the one I had to crush—was myself!!)
In that moment, Rin Itoshi finally entered the FLOW state—his tongue sliding out unconsciously.
"Go, Rin!! Use the combination pla—"
But when Yoichi Isagi looked at Rin, he realized he wasn't listening at all—he'd even veered off in the opposite direction.
(Huh? The outside lane? But this is a counterattack! Isn't that wasting time?!)
"Hey—Rin?!"
Isagi stared in confusion as Rin sprinted straight toward Neru Teppei.
(Charging forward is clearly the best route!!)
(Why take the cramped outside lane—?)
Neru Teppei, seeing Rin come right at him, shouted in confusion:
"You came all the way to me? And your tongue's sticking out—how rude!"
As Rin closed in, his footwork rapidly shifted—
(Die, you little runt. I'm taking you down!)
(Spiky head—your weapon is speed————)
(I'll lure you into accelerating, then crush you with counter-acceleration!)
Just as Rin predicted, Neru Teppei was blown past in an instant.
But instead of charging straight into the U-20 back line, Rin angled his run toward Miroku Darai.
...
(Full Series)
p@treon com / GhostParser