"Baro and Shidō are both going on the field at the same time?" Yoichi swallowed hard, thinking this was a reckless move.
Reo would secure the defense in the back, while Shoei and Ryūsei were tasked with breaking the offensive deadlock.
But a crucial question remained: how would those two coordinate? They were completely incompatible players.
Yoichi felt a dull throbbing in his head — using Metavision for extended periods put tremendous strain on him, leaving him exhausted. But he knew he couldn't back down now. They had to grit their teeth and win this match.
He closed his eyes briefly to rest while considering possible strategies. With his Metavision, he might be able to maximize both Ryūsei and Shoei's individual abilities.
No. Yoichi shook his head firmly. While that approach would help those two show better results on offense, it shouldn't stop there. Perhaps he could even devour them both, making them his own.
His gaze fell on Shoei and Ryūsei, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable, like black holes ready to consume everything around them.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
In the U-20 locker room, the whole team's morale was soaring.
"We're still ahead, we just need to hold steady in the second half."
"Blue Lock is strong, but we're still a cut above!"
"Their stamina looks much worse than ours — we should have an even bigger advantage in the second half!"
"What tactics should we use in the second half, you two geniuses?" Oliver asked while wiping his sweat, addressing Ryōsuke and Sae.
"Blue Lock won't give up so easily. They're bound to make significant changes in the second half." Sae remarked coolly, as if whatever Blue Lock might do was beneath his concern.
"I think so too." Ryōsuke nodded, "Several of their players are extremely fatigued, so they'll probably make substitutions. I have a feeling Rin Itoshi might get replaced by Ryūsei Shidō."
In the original story, Sae had chosen Ryūsei as his U-20 teammate.
But now things were different — Ryūsei was still part of Blue Lock, though due to his incompatibility with Rin, Jinpachi had kept him on the bench.
Ryōsuke understood that Jinpachi hadn't abandoned Ryūsei — he was saving him as a secret weapon for when Rin could no longer lead the team to victory.
Rin's first-half performance hadn't been ideal. Though he'd briefly threatened U-20 during his Flow state, they'd weathered it without significant damage. Having expended considerable stamina, it seemed likely Jinpachi would deploy his "weapon" for the second half.
Though Ryūsei possessed immense potential, his inconsistency was a liability. In Blue Lock's original lineup, he would struggle to sync with his teammates — only players of Sae's caliber could fully harness his abilities.
But circumstances had shifted dramatically. Yoichi had mastered Metavision, enabling him to deliver passes rivaling Sae's precision and maximize Ryūsei's offensive prowess.
And Yoichi wasn't alone — Ikki had developed similar capabilities.
Furthermore, Ryōsuke anticipated Reo's entry in the second half, knowing his copying ability might replicate their Metavision.
This evolution meant Blue Lock's offense and defense would strengthen considerably. Ryōsuke would face three opponents with Metavision watching his every move.
They would try everything to neutralize him. Yet he remained unfazed.
"Ryūsei Shidō? That player with the distinctive style? His skills are remarkable despite his difficult personality. I wondered why he wasn't starting." Oliver mused, recalling Ryūsei from Blue Lock's footage.
"I never encountered him at Blue Lock, but his playing style clashes with Rin Itoshi's — they simply can't coexist on the field. Still, whatever strategy Blue Lock employs, victory will be ours." Ryōsuke declared confidently, raising his hand.
"Yeah, let's do this!"
His teammates surged forward, joining their fists with his in solidarity.
Sae remained apart, observing from a distance. This was a one-time arrangement — he had no intention of building lasting connections.
Yet he couldn't deny Ryōsuke's remarkable influence over both teams. He'd never encountered anyone quite like him, and his curiosity was piqued.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
After halftime, both teams returned to the field.
The PA system announced Blue Lock's substitutions.
"Why did that really fast Blue Lock player get subbed out?"
"Who are these new players? Never heard of them... Wait, Reo Mikage — could he be from the Mikage Group?"
"Who's Ryūsei Shidō? Why did they sub out Rin Itoshi? Is the brother battle over just like that? Wasn't he doing pretty well just now? Strange."
The spectators were buzzing about Blue Lock's substitutions.
Ryūsei emerged from the player tunnel, stretching lazily while gulping in the fresh air.
"Ah, the taste of freedom~ How refreshing! My dear little Rin-Rin must be suffering miserably on the bench right now~" His face lit up with excitement for the upcoming match.
"Don't forget we're still behind." Ikki reminded him.
"Whatever, it's just one goal. I'll put on a little show and overtake the score in an instant~" Ryūsei narrowed his eyes as he gazed into the distance.
He spotted Ryōsuke returning to the field.
His smile grew even wider, "What a feast awaiting me!"
Ryūsei's eyes gleamed with confidence.
The match resumed with U-20's team taking the second-half kickoff!
Sae advanced with the ball and, after a series of passes, delivered it precisely to Ryōsuke's feet.
The moment he received the ball, a ghostlike figure charged toward him — Ryūsei!
"Little Ryōsuke, I guess this is our first time meeting~" Ryūsei said with a smile, as they had never faced each other before in Blue Lock.
Though he appeared to be making casual conversation, his positioning was highly aggressive — ready to pounce at the slightest opening.
"Technically it's the second time, since we all gathered in the main hall after the first round of selections." Ryōsuke replied, keeping the ball firmly under control.
"That doesn't count! I never got to properly introduce myself then! But surely little Ryōsuke, you must know who I am by now." Ryūsei narrowed his eyes, his body subtly shifting forward, ready to intercept.
"Indeed, I've heard of you. They call you the Pink Pest, don't they?" While speaking, Ryōsuke carefully observed Blue Lock's new formation.
Unlike their orderly first-half defense, their second-half setup appeared chaotic, with players positioned seemingly at random. However, Ryōsuke knew this was intentional.
❖ First Form ➠ Thunderclap and Flash! ❖
Ryōsuke suddenly accelerated, bursting past his opponent.
"So fast!" Ryūsei's eyes widened.
Though he reacted instantly, Ryōsuke's speed far exceeded his expectations — before he could move, Ryōsuke had already passed him.
He had watched Ryōsuke's lightning speed from the bench, but experiencing it firsthand was entirely different.
Though Ryūsei's focused defense proved ineffective, the moment Ryōsuke passed him, another player rushed into position with incredible speed — lightning-quick, like a python spotting its prey.
Reo Mikage!
"This guy's movements..." From across the field, Aiku watched intently — Reo's movements looked oddly familiar.
Like watching another version of himself!
This was Reo's 'Chameleon' — his copying ability with 99% accuracy!
Though not a starter, he had prepared while watching from the bench, absorbing everyone's movements, including Aiku's superb defensive abilities.
Now he focused intensely, eyes locked on Ryōsuke. While copying Aiku's movements, he also recalled Ikki's earlier plays. Before entering the field, Yoichi had mentioned a 'special way of using the eyes.'
❖ Metavision! ❖
Observe, then think!
Reo's excellent mimicry skills and well-balanced abilities allowed him to enter the realm of Metavision. His defense now rivaled Aiku's.
"Long time no see, Kira! This time I'm definitely going to beat you!" Reo shouted, using Metavision to analyze the field and predict Ryōsuke's possible breakthrough routes.
He maintained careful distance from his opponent, making it harder to be beaten by speed and giving himself more reaction time.
"Just a mere imitation, spouting big words again?" As Ryōsuke spoke, his peripheral vision caught others approaching.
Ikki Niko.
Previously, Blue Lock's defense had relied solely on Ikki, with weak defensive fullbacks. Even though Jūbē possessed excellent physical abilities, his defensive instincts were lacking.But now with Reo's addition, their defense had transformed.
What once seemed chaotic became a highly organized formation. Reo formed the first line of defense with Ikki as the second — creating a system where if one was beaten, the other could quickly cover.
With both wielding Metavision, there were no blind spots in their defensive half. Blue Lock now effectively had two defensive masterminds!
"We will definitely stop you!" Ikki shouted with fierce determination.
Like Reo, both he and Yoichi had endured three weeks of hellish training, dramatically improving their physical condition and defensive abilities. Driven by their burning desire for revenge against Ryōsuke, they had completely abandoned offense to focus on these defensive positions.
"What a solid defensive line, but..." Ryōsuke lowered his center of gravity, his aura shifting.
An invisible pressure spread across the field.
"A defense of this level — I'll still tear it apart!"
❖ Thunderclap and Flash ➠ Lightning Arrow! ❖
Ryōsuke gathered power in his right leg and exploded forward, fierce as a cheetah pouncing on its prey.
Reo was now perfectly mimicking Aiku's defensive movements. His mental focus peaked as Metavision sharpened his grasp of dynamics, allowing for split-second reactions. Without wasting a single motion, he positioned himself at the perfect defensive spot!
But it wasn't enough!
Despite Reo reaching an excellent level, he still couldn't match Ryōsuke's speed!
It was godlike speed that defied common sense!
Even with ample reaction distance and Metavision predicting possible attack routes, Reo was still half a step too slow.
"I'm here too! Pest Control!"
Before Reo could lose his position, Ikki made his move!
Also using Metavision to track Ryōsuke's attack route, predicting his speed, and anticipating Reo's defeat, he perfectly positioned himself in front of the opponent!
❖❖❖
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