Kira Ryosuke, What Other Surprises Can You Bring? / Is This Really His First Time Playing Defense?

In Chigiri Hyoma's heart, there was only one thought: he absolutely could not let down the opportunity Kira Ryosuke had created!

Shoot! It's in!

1:0!

"Nice work, Princess!"

"I didn't know you were that fast?!"

"That was amazing!"

The other teammates surged forward and surrounded Chigiri Hyoma, but he ran straight to the backfield and high-fived Kira Ryosuke first.

It was Kira Ryosuke's interception that had created their chance to counterattack.

The only person on the team who could defend against Oogawa Hibiki single-handedly was Kira Ryosuke.

"That was Oogawa! If it had been me, I wouldn't have been able to stop him at all... His step-over was executed perfectly."

"You've got to be kidding! What does Oogawa amount to in front of our big brother Kira?"

"If Kira hadn't been there, Team Y would probably have scored first."

Chapter Thirty-Four: Kira Ryosuke, What Other Surprises Can You Bring?

"It was just luck."

Kira Ryosuke said it with a smile, but naturally, the others did not believe his modest excuse.

Stealing the opposing ace's ball in a direct one-on-one had greatly boosted the team's morale.

At the same time, he opened the System Interface.

[Host: Kira Ryosuke]

[Current Combat Points: 0]

[Combat. Thunder Breathing. Total Concentration LV2 Proficiency 90.07%]

[Combat. Thunder Breathing First Form. Thunderclap and Flash LV2 Proficiency 77.16%]

[Combat. Thunder Breathing Second Form. Rice Spirit LV1 Proficiency: 100% Upgrade: 50 Combat Points]

Just as I thought. The proficiency of Total Concentration Breathing and Thunderclap and Flash has increased. It seems the method of gaining proficiency isn't limited to attacking and shooting—the same applies to defending.

Kira Ryosuke thought to himself,

These skills can also be developed for defensive use. Thunderclap and Flash lets me complete an interception instantly, while Rice Spirit allows me to better judge changes in the rhythm of an opponent's dribbling techniques. Perhaps they can be developed even further.

"Kira."

Just then, Chigiri Hyoma came back to Kira Ryosuke's side and nodded at him with a smile.

"Thank you."

After receiving Kira Ryosuke's pass and scoring, the nightmare in Chigiri Hyoma's heart had completely vanished.

"Let's keep it up."

Kira Ryosuke smiled and bumped fists with him, then turned to look at his other teammates. He raised his right fist into the air.

"Don't let your guard down. Let's take the game in one go!"

"Let's go!"

The members of Team Z gathered around as well, their fists meeting as they shouted in unison.

"Damn it..."

Oogawa Hibiki was utterly frustrated. It was his failed attack that had caused the team to concede.

They had originally planned to defend and counterattack, yet the opponents had scored with the exact same tactic. It was a huge blow to Team Y.

"Don't take it to heart, Oogawa. Maybe Kira was just lucky."

Niko Ikki walked over and comforted him.

Oogawa Hibiki merely grunted and said nothing more. He knew Niko Ikki was only trying to comfort him. Kira Ryosuke's interception had definitely not been luck.

That guy... he saw through my movements completely...

Oogawa Hibiki was unwilling to admit it, and a little irritated.

"Who was that guy just now?"

"Was his name Chigiri Hyoma? How is he so fast?"

"Damn, we were caught completely off guard. Could he be Team Z's main attacking point?"

The players from Team Y were discussing it animatedly. Niko Ikki remained silent after hearing them, because he knew his teammates' abilities were limited and that they had not noticed the real problem.

It looked as though their defensive line had just been torn apart by Chigiri Hyoma's speed, but in reality, Kira Ryosuke was the one who had made everything happen.

Kira Ryosuke had stopped Oogawa Hibiki. That was the key reason Team Y had conceded.

Moreover, the long ball Kira Ryosuke had just sent was definitely not something an ordinary person could manage. It was enough to show that he possessed exceptional technique.

A chill ran through Niko Ikki. Although Kira Ryosuke was playing as Team Z's defender in this match, he had actually seized the lifeline of the game and taken control of it.

If they could not get past the towering wall that was Kira Ryosuke, Team Y had only one possible fate.

"Are we really left with nothing but defending and gambling on a chance?"

Niko Ikki bit his lip unwillingly, his gaze fixed on Kira Ryosuke in the distance. His eyes were filled with confusion.

"This guy... isn't he supposed to be a forward? Why is his defense so terrifying?"

The monitoring room.

"Team Z doesn't look like a team that was only formed a few days ago. They already look like an extremely mature team..."

Teieri Anri watched the monitoring screen and spoke.

"Within Blue Lock, there isn't a single team that can perform to this extent. Most of them rely on their strongest few players to control the game..."

"Team Z has completed its transformation from zero to one, and has even taken another step forward."

Inside the monitoring room, Ego Jinpachi rubbed his chin with one hand and muttered to himself. At the same time, he opened the computer screen beside him. It was filled with rows upon rows of data, clearly divided into two sections by a vertical line.

"Look, Anri."

"What is this?"

Teieri Anri asked in confusion.

"This section contains Team Z's previous match data, while this is the data recorded up to before this match."

Ego Jinpachi pushed up his glasses.

"Every single person on this team has shown obvious improvement, whether in physical ability or on-field performance. I've always believed Team Z was the most uncontrollable. Raichi Jingo has a fiery temper, Kunigami Rensuke is somewhat rigid, and Bachira Meguru is a little 'crazy'... Every one of them has a very distinctive personality, making them extremely difficult to reconcile with one another. Yet in reality, they've been successfully integrated and produced chemistry beyond my expectations."

"Why?"

Teieri Anri's brows lifted slightly. It was obvious that this situation had exceeded Ego Jinpachi's expectations.

"Simply because of one person. I previously believed that if someone possessed outstanding ability, they could turn a chaotic team into a whole that served them. They would become the sun, while everyone else became stars whose light was obscured."

Ego Jinpachi turned to look at the other screens. Matches were also taking place in the other buildings.

But soon, his gaze focused once more on the match between Team Z and Team Y.

"But this person not only possesses strength beyond my expectations, he can also make his teammates better. I've never seen a case like this before."

Ego Jinpachi narrowed his eyes slightly and carefully watched someone on the screen.

"Kira Ryosuke, what other surprises can you bring me?"

Outside Blue Lock, at the headquarters of the Football Association.

A handsome young man sat in a chair, casually surveying his surroundings as though he had no interest in anything whatsoever.

His name was Itoshi Sae. At only eighteen years old, he was a prodigious midfielder who had already made a name for himself on the international stage. With powerful passing, ball control, and attacking ability, he could be called the strongest player in the country.

However, Itoshi Sae was thoroughly disappointed in the football of this country. He believed there was no forward here worthy of receiving his passes, and that even playing for a university team in another country would be better than playing here. He had only returned temporarily because his passport had expired.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Was This Really His First Time Playing Defense?

Itoshi Sae was arrogant and cold, and even looked down on familial affection to some extent. However, he truly had the capital to be proud.

Even with such a personality, Itoshi Sae's powerful abilities had still earned him countless fans. Even the president of the Football Association had no choice but to curry favor with him.

Some time ago, he had accepted an interview with the largest local television station. During the interview, he had made no effort to hide his disappointment and contempt for the country's football.

It was also that day that Itoshi Sae learned about the existence of the Blue Lock project by chance and developed a little interest in it. As a result, he had asked his agent to pay closer attention to anything related to it.

At that moment, two people were seated beside Itoshi Sae. One was his domestic agent.

On the other side sat an obese man whose face was covered in folds of fat. He looked completely unfit, but it was obvious that his life was full of rich food and drink.

He was the president of the Football Association, Furannami Hirotoshi. A sycophantic smile covered his face, making the already greasy-looking middle-aged man appear even more disgusting.

In Furannami Hirotoshi's eyes, everything related to football was business. Regardless of the results, as long as it could fill his wallet, that was enough.

And the person who could make him rich now was Itoshi Sae.

If he could make Itoshi Sae stay here and even play a match, he would surely be able to count ticket money until his hands went numb.

Therefore, Furannami Hirotoshi had to find a way to please Itoshi Sae, even though he was extremely displeased by Sae's arrogance deep down.

Yet Itoshi Sae had not even looked him in the eye once from beginning to end.

Furannami Hirotoshi handed a USB drive to Itoshi Sae's agent. He clasped his hands together and said with a smile:

"This is the match footage I managed to obtain from that fellow named Ego Jinpachi. It seems they've only just started a few rounds of matches. Of course, you can only watch this footage yourselves. It absolutely cannot be circulated!"

It was precisely because Itoshi Sae had shown interest in the Blue Lock project that Furannami Hirotoshi had used his authority to forcibly obtain the footage from Ego Jinpachi.

However, Furannami Hirotoshi was actually very dissatisfied with the Blue Lock project. He had initially supported it because he thought the project could make him money, but he had never expected that Ego Jinpachi would spend the entire budget.

Constructing a building like Blue Lock naturally required an enormous investment.

I have to find a way to shut down the Blue Lock project. But Itoshi Sae seems interested in it, so I'll think about it later. Maybe I can find a way to skim some profit from it.

Furannami Hirotoshi thought this to himself, but continued smiling as he spoke.

"If you're really that interested in the Blue Lock project, I can have those people take you inside for a visit. After all, they still have to obey my orders."

He seemed to be flaunting his authority.

At that moment, Itoshi Sae propped up his head with one hand and glanced at Furannami Hirotoshi indifferently.

"You seem to have misunderstood something. I'm only mildly interested. I just want to see whether this weak football nation can produce anyone worthwhile. I have no intention of wasting my time watching incompetent players. This footage is merely something to pass the time."

Itoshi Sae's tone was arrogant, as though he did not consider Furannami Hirotoshi worthy of his attention.

The agent beside him was sweating profusely, cursing inwardly.

That was the president of the Football Association. In the sports world, his authority could practically cover the sky with one hand. Yet Itoshi Sae still dared to speak to him like that?

However, Furannami Hirotoshi did not show any sign of anger. He was already cursing Itoshi Sae internally, but Sae might be his cash cow now, so he absolutely could not offend him.

"Haha, I understand. If you need any other footage later, just let me know anytime!"

Furannami Hirotoshi said with a smile.

Itoshi Sae said nothing more. He rose directly from his seat, while his agent took the USB drive and hurriedly followed after offering an apologetic smile.

Inside Blue Lock, the match continued.

After Team Z scored, Team Y continued maintaining its defensive-counterattacking tactic, but it was unable to score.

As their only means of attack, Oogawa Hibiki had been completely locked down by Kira Ryosuke.

He had another chance to compete with Kira Ryosuke head-on, but just like the first time, he never had the chance to shoot before Kira Ryosuke stopped him.

No matter what dribbling technique he used, Kira Ryosuke seemed to see straight through his movements.