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

After a few more exchanges, Oogawa Hibiki became completely hesitant, no longer daring to attack Kira Ryosuke.

Team Y's only offensive weapon had lost its edge, and all that awaited them was a slow death.

Every time Oogawa Hibiki's attack was blocked, Kira Ryosuke would turn it into a counter-attack opportunity. Even with Team Y's tight defense, they couldn't possibly block every single one. This time, Kunigami Rensuke seized the chance.

Before the end of the first half, the score had already become 2:0.

The whistle for halftime soon blew, and the players returned to their respective locker rooms.

Inside Team Y's locker room, the atmosphere was incredibly oppressive.

"What's the deal with Kira Ryosuke?"

"Even Oogawa can't get past him?"

"He's supposed to be playing defense for the first time... how is he so good..."

Niko Ikki's expression was grim. His tactics hadn't worked; instead, they had given the opponent one scoring opportunity after another.

Kira Ryosuke was far more powerful than he had imagined.

Even from the defensive line, he possessed terrifying dominance.

Even Oogawa Hibiki, the team's strongest offensive weapon, couldn't break through him.

Niko Ikki turned his head to look at Oogawa Hibiki beside him.

Oogawa Hibiki had a towel draped over his head, sweat constantly dripping down the sides of his face. His expression was filled with dejection, and even his usual confidence had vanished.

Oogawa Hibiki had been completely crushed by Kira Ryosuke.

'Relying on Oogawa Hibiki alone won't work... he can't break through Kira Ryosuke. The team's ace is neutralized. If this continues, it will have an increasingly negative impact on team morale. Although we're only down by one goal, if we don't score soon, we're just facing a slow death.'

Niko Ikki understood this perfectly.

Chapter 36: Desperate Measures, Team Y's Final Counterattack

"Everyone, quiet down and listen to me."

In Team Y's locker room, all eyes were focused on Niko Ikki's face.

Niko Ikki gritted his teeth. Although he knew his actions were extremely risky, Team Y had no other choice now.

"We have no room to retreat. We're on the edge of a cliff in this match. We can only go all out. We have to use that tactic – all-out offense!"

Oogawa Hibiki alone couldn't get past Kira Ryosuke, so they would have the entire team face Kira Ryosuke together!

No matter how good Kira Ryosuke was, he couldn't defend against the combined attack of the entire team!

Niko Ikki believed this.

"The young lady is amazing, running so fast!"

"Kira is the most incredible; Oogawa is their ace player! Kira completely shut him down!"

"Team Y looks completely finished. If this continues, we should be able to win the match without any problems!"

Meanwhile, in Team Z's locker room, spirits were high. The opponent's offense had been completely shut down, and they held a two-goal advantage. Victory was practically assured.

"We can't let our guard down yet."

Unlike the cheering crowd, Kira Ryosuke remained calm.

"We've basically already won, right? Leading by two goals in the first half, it'll be incredibly difficult for them to make a comeback, won't it?"

Raichi Jingo seemed unable to understand.

"With their defensive formation, even if we don't score any more in the second half, they won't be able to score!"

"While we have a significant advantage right now, don't forget how much energy people can unleash when they're at a disadvantage."

Kira Ryosuke explained, "Team Y can't afford to lose anymore. If they lose this match, it basically means they're eliminated – so they'll definitely go all out and attack."

"You mean they'll shift their focus entirely to offense in the second half? A complete change in tactics?"

Kunigami Rensuke also chimed in.

"Very likely."

Kira Ryosuke knew that in the original story, Team Y had a desperate tactic called "one-minute kill counterattack."

If the score was tied, they would use this tactic at the end, with the entire team participating in the offense for one minute to crush the opponent.

The score wasn't tied now, but if Team Y only focused on defense, they would surely lose.

Therefore, they would definitely go all out and choose an all-out offensive strategy.

Although this was almost the complete opposite of the first half, with almost zero defense, if they could successfully score, they would have a few seconds to return to their half and reorganize their defense.

The more danger an enemy is on the brink of, the more likely they are to unleash power beyond their potential. Because if they are eliminated, their professional careers will essentially end, so in a sense, this is the eruption of their survival instinct.

"Then what's our tactic for the second half? Full defense?"

Isagi Yoichi asked, confused.

Normally, as long as they maintained their defense and didn't let the opponent score two goals, they would have won.

Kira Ryosuke simply smiled:

"It's enough if we can block the first goal—if they score on their first attack, the point difference will shrink to one, and their morale will get a huge boost—"

At the same time, he held out a finger, "But conversely, if we successfully defend the first goal, we'll have an opportunity for a counter-attack. Their focus is entirely on offense, and they won't have the ability to fall back on defense. If we can score a third goal, then the scales of victory will truly tip in our favor."

"Understood."

"Let's do our best! Aim for our second victory!"

A few minutes later, both teams returned to the field.

After adjustments, everyone on Team Y wore serious but incredibly determined expressions. They knew they were already in a desperate situation.

And the more desperate the situation, the more a person's potential could erupt.

Team Y's formation had changed. Oogawa Hibiki had returned to his own half.

"Hibiki, let's break through Team Z's defense together,"

Niko Ikki said, "Kira Ryosuke might have strong individual defensive capabilities, but his teammates might not. We'll focus our breakthrough on the players on Team Z who appear to be the weakest defensively."

"Yeah."

Oogawa Hibiki nodded. The disappointment and frustration from his earlier loss to Kira Ryosuke had subsided considerably, replaced by a sense of resolve.

They had no turning back in this match.

"As expected, the formation has changed..."

On the other side of the field, Kunigami Rensuke observed the opponents closely. Just as Kira Ryosuke had said, they seemed prepared to go all out.

"Here it comes!"

As the whistle blew for the second half, Team Y kicked off and immediately charged towards Team Z's half.

They were already two goals down, and they had to fight for every minute from now on.

All ten players, excluding the goalkeeper, rushed towards the goal.

This was an incredibly sharp double-edged sword. If they could score in the very first moments of the second half, Team Y would still have a chance to turn things around.

Conversely, if their attack failed, they might very well give Team Z an opportunity for a counter-attack.

If they conceded another goal, Team Y's match would essentially be over.

This offensive push was the key to the outcome of the game!

Niko Ikki was currently in possession of the ball. His eyes scanned the entire field like a satellite, observing everyone's every move.

'Kira Ryosuke is in a central position. I need to avoid direct confrontation with him as much as possible!'

'Although Hibiki can't directly get past Kira Ryosuke, he's more than capable of dealing with others!'

'I need to create a situation where Hibiki is matched up against someone else!'

Niko Ikki thought for a moment, then raised his hand and made a special gesture—he had devised several tactical plays specifically for Team Y, and these gestures were the signals to convey them!

Upon seeing this, Oogawa Hibiki immediately moved to the wing, charging deep into the midfield at extreme speed.

Kira Ryosuke prepared to intercept and block his path, but at that moment, three players suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his way. These three were the sturdiest players on Team Y.

This was Niko Ikki's tactic: to have other players provide cover for Oogawa Hibiki!

Even if Kira Ryosuke was a defender, his movements absolutely had to be locked down!

Chapter 37: In Front of the Penalty Area, I Am Absolute Defense

"It's up to you, Hibiki!"

Niko Ikki kicked the ball powerfully. It traced a perfect arc in the air, landing precisely on Oogawa Hibiki, who was cutting inside from the wing.

"Great pass!"

Oogawa Hibiki caught the ball steadily. At the same time, he turned his head and glanced at the center. Kira Ryosuke was being blocked by three players, preventing him from reaching their defensive line.

Although Kira Ryosuke would eventually get past them, these few seconds were enough for Oogawa Hibiki to create distance.

The all-out offense allowed Team Y to commit more players to the attack.

Most players wouldn't directly participate in the offense; their presence in the opponent's half was solely to disrupt the defenders!

"Ryosuke, I admit I can't get past you! But what about your teammates!"

Oogawa Hibiki shouted, as if venting his anger.

"Stop him quickly!"

Imamura Yuudai rushed in front of Oogawa Hibiki, but the latter easily nutmegged him, getting past him with a simple move.

Although Oogawa Hibiki had faltered against Kira Ryosuke, it didn't mean he was weak.

In reality, Oogawa Hibiki's offensive ability would be considered top-tier even among these four teams!

"What incredible speed!"

Kunigami Rensuke and Naruhaya Asahi quickly moved to cover.

Oogawa Hibiki nudged the ball with his right foot, shifting their weight—then, in that instant, he abruptly pulled the ball back!

A feint!

Oogawa Hibiki effortlessly bypassed them both.

"Well done, Oogawa!"

Niko Ikki's face broke into a smile. It was precisely his court-vision, his ability to survey the entire field, that had devised this tactic.

He had some players block Kira Ryosuke, while others were instructed to break into predetermined positions in the opponent's half. The goal was to distract the defenders and reduce the number of players Oogawa Hibiki would have to face.

Everything was under Niko Ikki's control.

"I am the master of this court!"

Niko Ikki flashed a confident smile, clenching his right fist tightly.

If they could score this goal, the outcome of the match would once again become unpredictable!

At this moment, only the goalkeeper, Iemon, stood between Oogawa Hibiki and the goal. He had already lifted the ball, appearing ready to shoot!

"Don't even think about shooting!"

Iemon had already rushed out, unwilling to give Oogawa Hibiki any chance to shoot.

Iemon hadn't moved much, but he was already drenched in sweat. Oogawa Hibiki's attack this time was indeed filled with danger.

A fatal threat!