Blue Lock, I, Kira Ryosuke, Obtain Thunder Breathing at the Start

"That's right, the attacker is Oogawa Hibiki, but the one who truly organizes the counter-attacks every time is Niko Ikki."

Kira Ryosuke replied, "So for this match, our tactics need to change slightly. I'll be responsible for the backfield this time, and I absolutely won't give them any chances for a counter-attack."

"Kira, you're handling the backfield this time?"

Kuon Shosei asked with some surprise, "Then who's going to be in charge of offense?"

Kira Ryosuke cast his gaze towards a corner of the locker room where Chigiri Hyoma sat silently:

"I'll leave it to you, 'Big Sister'."

"Huh?"

Everyone was a little surprised, and even Chigiri Hyoma himself hadn't expected this.

"Can 'Big Sister' really do it?"

"He was basically slacking off the entire last match."

"I also think it's a bit unreliable—but since it's Kira's idea, then I have no problem with it."

The others started discussing amongst themselves, and Chigiri Hyoma was momentarily at a loss for words due to the sudden situation.

"I believe in 'Big Sister'. Besides, the opponent will definitely face us with a completely defensive stance in the first half. You can all attack freely. If the whole team relies on me to advance, then no one else will be able to improve, and it wouldn't be fair to the players who have always played defense. Maybe I can even play as a goalkeeper later on."

Kira Ryosuke said with a smile.

They were a team, and if they wanted to keep winning, every aspect of their play would definitely need to improve.

After all, the opponents they would face later would only get stronger, especially Team V, whose strength was on a completely different level compared to other teams.

It wouldn't be difficult for their team to qualify, but Kira Ryosuke also wanted to 'greedily' learn and improve himself during this time.

The stronger the opponents and teammates, the more Combat Points he would gain, allowing him to strengthen his abilities at a faster pace.

It wasn't just about the striker position; Kira Ryosuke also wanted to take this opportunity to verify if his unlocked abilities could be effective in other positions as well.

According to the system's previous introduction, if he used skills to complete steals, assists, and other actions, he could also gain a huge amount of points.

"But... can I really do it?"

A hint of confusion still lingered in Chigiri Hyoma's eyes.

"Don't worry. Just increase your firepower and attack freely. I'll handle the defense in our half,"

Kira Ryosuke said.

"And you guys need to work hard to create openings in their defense and wear them down in the first half—and if the score isn't widened by the second half, I'll shift to the front line and help you completely destroy their defense."

In Team Y's locker room, Niko Ikki had already gathered his teammates to discuss their next strategy.

"We must win this match!"

Although his thick bangs covered Niko Ikki's eyes, everyone knew that his expression at this moment must be extremely serious and focused.

"Team Z is very strong, but they're not insurmountable. Team Z is very different from Team V—Team V has three players with outstanding offensive capabilities, which leaves our defense struggling to cover everywhere. But for Team Z, there's only Kira Ryosuke worth defending against; the others are not a threat."

As Niko Ikki finished speaking, he clenched his fists, his tone becoming even more resolute.

"I will use these eyes to lock down all of Kira Ryosuke's offensive routes! I absolutely won't let him score! We must win this match!"

"Yeah!"

Under Niko Ikki's speech, Team Y's morale surged to an unprecedented level.

They had no more room to retreat. If they were eliminated in this match, they would basically have no chance of qualifying.

An hour later, the players from both teams arrived at the match venue according to the broadcast instructions.

The morale of both teams was exceptionally high. Before the match had even officially begun, a battle of wills had already spread between the two teams.

Kira Ryosuke could feel the opponent's gaze focused on him, but he paid it no mind and instead opened his system interface.

[Host: Kira Ryosuke]
[Current Combat Points: 0]
[Combat.Thunder Breathing.Total Concentration LV2 Proficiency 88.07%]
[Combat.Thunder Breathing First Form.Thunderclap and Flash LV2 Proficiency 75.11%]
[Combat.Thunder Breathing Second Form.Rice Spirit LV1 Proficiency: 100% Upgrade: 50 Combat Points]

After days of daily training and highly efficient practice within the Combat Space, Kira Ryosuke had already raised the proficiency of Rice Spirit, which he had only recently unlocked, to the maximum level, and it was about to upgrade to LV2.

After this match, he should be able to obtain enough points.

At the same time, Kira Ryosuke wanted to see if his unlocked skills could be effective in other positions.

Chapter Thirty-One: An Unquantifiable Existence

"Kira, this decision is a bit too sudden..."

On the field, Chigiri Hyoma walked up to Kira Ryosuke, his face still showing some worry.

"This is a good opportunity for you, isn't it?"

Kira Ryosuke replied with a smile, "The opposing team's defense in the first half will definitely be very strict, and we'll need you to help us break through their defensive line—and I imagine they'll be tightly marking me in the first half. Your appearance will surely catch the opponent off guard."

"But..."

"Don't forget, you've been practicing with me every day these past few days. You know your own physical condition best."

Kira Ryosuke patted Chigiri Hyoma on the shoulder. Although the latter had previously said he had basically given up on soccer, he still followed Kira Ryosuke for extra practice after the team's training sessions every day.

"The first half is your space to shine. I'll guarantee safety in the back."

Kira Ryosuke said, turning his head to look at the other side of the field, "Look, those guys from Team Y are already looking eager to attack."

At this very moment, on another half of the field, almost everyone from Team Y was staring intently at Kira Ryosuke.

Having watched the video, they all knew that Kira Ryosuke had almost completely dominated the match between Team Z and Team X.

Niko Ikki's tactics were very direct and clear: focus entirely on defense, especially targeting Kira Ryosuke.

Niko Ikki believed that if they could completely shut down Kira Ryosuke, the main attacking point for Team Z, they would have a very high chance of winning this match.

A few minutes later, all the players from both teams had arrived on their respective halves of the field, having assumed their tactical formations.

However, the focus of Team Y inexplicably fell on Kira Ryosuke.

"What's going on?"

"Kira Ryosuke's position... is in the backfield."

"Is he a defender this game?"

The members of Team Y murmured amongst themselves, never expecting Kira Ryosuke to play as a defender.

"This guy is looking down on us, isn't he? I will absolutely crush their defense!"

Oogawa Hibiki frowned, a hint of anger in his eyes. Kira Ryosuke appearing in a defensive position was clearly looking down on his team.

Beside him, Niko Ikki's expression was serious as he carefully studied the opposing team's lineup.

Judging from the overall expressions and movements of Team Z, they didn't seem arrogant.

What bothered Niko Ikki was Chigiri Hyoma, who was playing as a winger in this match.

However, Niko Ikki had almost no impression of this player; he had shown no performance in the previous match, as if he didn't exist.

Why would Team Z put this player in a forward position?

"Although the opponent's tactics are somewhat beyond our expectations, do not let emotions affect you, and do not mess up the tactics. Everyone else is responsible for defense, only Oogawa is responsible for offense. No matter what, we must win this match!"

"Okay."

"The match is about to begin, please have both teams get ready!"

The broadcast echoed through the enclosed stadium, and almost all the players entered a state of intense focus.

"Team Z will kick off first. The match begins!"

As the broadcast announced with a crisp chime, the horn for Team Z's attack was sounded.

Bachira Meguru quickly dribbled the ball, advancing towards the opponent's goal from the center. He possessed superb dribbling skills, making him very suitable for breakthroughs.

However, this was something Team Y had already anticipated. They guessed that besides Kira Ryosuke, Bachira Meguru might have a significant amount of ball possession, so they had already prepared countermeasures.

Just a few steps after Bachira Meguru started dribbling, he was quickly double-teamed—and his peripheral vision caught the presence of another person.

Niko Ikki.

The double-team was just a feint; it was actually a trap set by Niko Ikki for Bachira Meguru, aiming to lure him into his defensive zone so he could steal the ball more effectively.

However, Bachira Meguru's reaction was still very swift, and Kira Ryosuke had already mentioned to him before the match that Team Y might employ such tactics.

"It really is a double-team! Just like Kira said!"

Before Niko Ikki could close in, Bachira Meguru immediately passed the ball back to Isagi Yoichi, who then organized the offense again.

After a period of passing and organizing, Team Z had several shooting opportunities, but they were all blocked by Team Y.

Finally, the ball came to Kunigami Rensuke's feet.

"Good chance!"

Kunigami Rensuke raised his left foot and unleashed a fierce shot towards the goal!

But as soon as the ball was kicked, two defenders directly blocked the path, stopping the shot and clearing the ball.

Team Y had already investigated Team Z. In the first match, Kunigami Rensuke had displayed powerful long-range shooting ability, so he was naturally guarded against.

"Attack again!"

Isagi Yoichi, who was not far away, happened to gain possession of the ball and spread his legs, preparing to shoot.

But just as he got a chance to shoot, it was disrupted. Niko Ikki seized the moment and snatched the ball right from Isagi Yoichi's feet.

"Finally caught a weakness!"

A smile spread across Niko Ikki's face. This was his team's strategy.

Focus on defense, find the opponent's opening—then launch a counterattack.

Because Team Y's defense was so tight, Team Z had to send more players into their half—this meant Team Z's own half became defensively weak.

The next step was for Oogawa Hibiki, who had the strongest offensive firepower on the team, to finish the job!

"Niko Ikki, while his physical stats are average, his sharp overall vision and excellent spatial judgment compensate for his weaknesses, making him the most promising raw talent in Team Y."

Ego Jinpachi muttered to himself, sitting in front of the screen.

"Team Y's defense is very solid. Team Z has no room to attack. But I'm a bit confused. Kira Ryosuke should be Team Z's star player, right? Why is he playing defense?"

Teieri Anri, also watching the live broadcast intently, asked with confusion.

"I'm not sure about that either."

Ego Jinpachi shrugged, involuntarily recalling what Kira Ryosuke had once told him—everything was for the sake of victory.

What kind of performance would he put on playing in the defense line?

Ego Jinpachi possessed a very high IQ. In his eyes, every player's performance was part of a script he had arranged.

But Kira Ryosuke was the only one he couldn't figure out.

Chapter 32: 1v1, Oogawa Hibiki VS Kira Ryosuke!

"Without Kira, it would be hard for Team Z to break through this defense... Oh, right, Mr. Ego, which one was the monster you mentioned earlier? Is it one of these two teams?"