Tired? Let's Rest After Running Three Thousand Meters

"Impossible?!"

Mikage Reo's pupils widened, and his voice began to tremble. He had thought he could get past Kira Ryosuke using the exact same move.

But he did not know that no matter how perfectly he imitated it, it would always be nothing more than a forgery. Even though he had gained the ability to imitate ahead of schedule, beyond Kira Ryosuke's expectations, Kira could still determine what move he intended to use from his actions.

Kira Ryosuke had deliberately given Mikage Reo the illusion that he had successfully gotten past him. Then, at the instant Reo relaxed his guard, Kira used his exaggerated speed and physical ability to steal the ball.

"That can't be..."

Niko Ikki, standing nearby, was also dumbfounded.

"Reo did that well, and he still couldn't get past Kira Ryosuke?!"

He knew very clearly that Mikage Reo had done an excellent job just now, successfully creating a huge amount of space for himself—but it had been meaningless. He was still within Kira Ryosuke's defensive range. Kira had exploded forward from behind, caught up, and completed the steal. Mikage Reo had not even managed to advance a few steps.

This guy... is he even more terrifying than he was during the First Selection?

And in the brief moment they were stunned, Kira Ryosuke had already carried the ball into the Red Team's half!

Goal! The ball was in!

Ten minutes later, the match ended.

The three members of the Red Team sat exhausted on the grass. They had failed to accomplish anything on offense, while on defense they had been completely unable to stop Kira Ryosuke. He had done whatever he wanted and quickly ended the match with a 5–0 victory.

What had originally been their battle for revenge had instead made them feel the gap in strength even more clearly—so clearly that it was almost despairing.

After the match ended, it was time to choose one person from the losing side as a teammate.

The loser was practically the victor's spoils.

"How about choosing Barou? He's big and can contribute on offense."

Kunigami Rensuke pondered for a while before speaking.

"I think Reo would be better. He's more well-rounded."

Nagi Seishiro spoke calmly.

However, both of them turned their gazes toward Kira Ryosuke at the same time, leaving the final decision to him.

"Kira, what do you think?"

"I already have a suitable choice in mind."

Kira Ryosuke answered casually, then walked straight toward one of the people on the Red Team.

"Then keep moving forward with us as part of our team—Niko Ikki."

"What?"

Niko Ikki's eyes widened, and they filled with surprise. He had not expected Kira Ryosuke to choose him.

His offensive methods and physical ability were far inferior to Barou Shoei's, while his versatility and practicality were inferior to Mikage Reo's. Niko Ikki had believed he was the person least likely to be chosen.

"Let's go. We're getting ready to head to the next room."

Chapter 67: Tired? Let's Rest After Running Three Thousand Meters

"Ryosuke, I want to ask you something. Why did you choose me?"

As they walked through the passage toward the next area, Niko Ikki looked at Kira Ryosuke in confusion. He was very curious about why Kira had chosen him.

"Because you're the most suitable choice."

Kira Ryosuke answered with a smile.

"Barou is far too self-centered. His style of play damages the team atmosphere, so I eliminated him first. Reo's overall ability is very strong, but his mentality is easily affected by the things around him, which makes it difficult for him to maintain a high level of concentration on the field. Although you lack physical ability and offensive methods, Niko, you possess something neither of them has: an overall view of the field, excellent control, and a personality that's easier to get along with. You're more suitable as a teammate than the other two."

Kira Ryosuke was telling the truth. Of the three members of the Red Team, Niko Ikki was the only one truly suited to being a teammate.

"I see."

Niko Ikki nodded, but then turned his head and focused his gaze on Kira Ryosuke.

Although he truly did not want to admit it, Niko Ikki had faced Kira Ryosuke twice and knew his strength very well.

Kira Ryosuke was a monster through and through.

Niko Ikki also wanted to use this opportunity to stay by Kira Ryosuke's side and learn how he had become so powerful.

Soon, the group arrived at a new floor—the place they could reach only after forming a four-man team.

Just like the previous building, the facilities here were fully equipped: a cafeteria, a bathhouse, a training field, and a gym.

"Looks like we're the first ones here."

Kira Ryosuke looked around. There was no one else in the area yet. After all, they had cleanly ended the battle 5–0 and had not spent much time on it.

But not long after they arrived, another team entered.

Kunigami Rensuke immediately turned his expectant gaze toward them. He hoped that Isagi Yoichi's team had also managed to advance.

He spotted Bachira Meguru at first glance, and a delighted smile blossomed across his face.

But after the others entered, the smile on Kunigami Rensuke's face gradually froze.

Itoshi Rin, Ariko Juubei, and Tokimitsu Aoshi.

"What?"

Kunigami Rensuke opened his eyes in surprise. Seeing Itoshi Rin and the others arrive, he immediately understood what had happened.

Isagi Yoichi's team had lost, and Bachira Meguru had been chosen by Itoshi Rin and the others as their "spoils of war."

"Bachira, what happened?"

Kunigami Rensuke immediately hurried to Bachira Meguru's side and asked about his situation. He cared deeply about his former teammates being eliminated.

Kira Ryosuke was not surprised by this result. Itoshi Rin had originally been the ceiling of overall ability in Blue Lock, while both Ariko Juubei and Tokimitsu Aoshi possessed physical gifts that ordinary people could hardly hope to reach. The two teams had been worlds apart in overall strength. In the original story, Isagi Yoichi's team had lost to Itoshi Rin twice.

However, Kira Ryosuke was not worried that they would be eliminated. The stronger the opponent, the more it could help them evolve further.

At that moment, Itoshi Rin ignored everyone around him and walked straight up to Kira Ryosuke.

"Stop wasting time. Let me kill you, insect."

The veins on Itoshi Rin's forehead stood out clearly. Whenever he looked at Kira Ryosuke, an intense feeling of displeasure rose within him.

Moreover, during this Selection, Kira Ryosuke had once again been "ahead" of him, finishing the match faster than he had.

"I'd like to, too, but I suggest you take a look at the notice beside you."

Kira Ryosuke pointed at the wall. It clearly stated that the interval between matches for each team had to be less than twenty-four hours.

"It only means your death has been delayed. Be happy that you can cling to life for another day."

After delivering his threat, Itoshi Rin left directly and headed to the assigned room to rest.

Nearby, Niko Ikki remained silent, somewhat tense. He knew how terrifying Itoshi Rin's strength was. The intense pressure radiating from him made Niko feel suffocated, and the killing intent he emanated was no bluff.

Only a monster like Kira Ryosuke could remain calm in the presence of someone like Itoshi Rin.

Niko Ikki could not help but wonder who was stronger between Kira Ryosuke and Itoshi Rin.

"...That's what happened..."

Bachira Meguru told Kunigami Rensuke the general details of the match, and Kunigami could not help swallowing.

The combination of Isagi Yoichi, Bachira Meguru, and Chigiri Hyoma was by no means weak, yet they had still been crushed by a huge margin.

Just how strong is that Itoshi Rin?

"Although I'm a little unwilling to accept it, there's nothing we can do."

At that moment, Bachira Meguru turned his head and looked at Kira Ryosuke with an expectant gaze.

"But I'm a member of another team now, so we'll be opponents in the next match, right? I'll be giving it everything I've got."

"Then give it your all."

Kira Ryosuke answered him with a smile.

"But in the end, we'll definitely be the ones who win."

Blue Lock, monitoring room.

Ego Jinpachi pushed up his glasses, focusing his gaze on the five people before him.

The five men had different skin tones and came from different countries—but all of them were top-level players in this world.

Ego Jinpachi had spent a fortune inviting them to Blue Lock so they could spar with its members and let them understand what the gap in ability was.

The strength of these five top players was extraordinary. Compared with the people in Blue Lock, they were practically fighting from another dimension.

"One hundred million per person, plus a bonus of one million for every goal scored, just as we agreed beforehand."

Ego Jinpachi spoke.

"To be honest, this really is a deal that fell from the sky."

A Western man with a full beard spoke. Although his face wore an unconcerned expression, he truly had the capital to act that way.

Adam Blake, England's representative player, was known as the Goal Addict. He possessed astonishing physical ability. For him, dealing with these seventeen- or eighteen-year-old brats was incredibly easy.

"So we're playing against a bunch of kids? As long as I get paid, I don't care."

Beside him stood a muscular Black man with dreadlocks, Dada Silva, known as the Heavy Tank.

"You can't put it that way."

A man who looked like a child spoke. In reality, he was Pablo Cavazos, a star player who had already begun making a name for himself on the international stage.

"I'm really envious of your country. You have so much money to waste on a project that could never succeed."

A somewhat frivolous-looking man hugged his head and spoke with an indifferent expression. His name was Leonardo Luna, and he was likewise already a world-famous player.

"However, there's one thing I have to tell you in advance."

At that moment, Ego Jinpachi pushed up his glasses again, and his expression became solemn.

"If you lose even one match, you won't get a single cent."

"Oh? Mr. Eikoku, do you think there's any chance we'll lose?"

Standing among the five was a young Black man with a buzz cut. Although he was the youngest, his eyes shone like a lion's, and his tone was very polite.

Julian Roki, a supernova who had recently emerged in the French league. He was the same age as the others in Blue Lock, yet possessed terrifying strength.

It could be said that his potential for development was even greater than that of the other four.

"Originally, I thought that was impossible, too. Even if you played ten thousand matches, you would still win by a huge margin. But after noticing certain things, my view has changed. No matter how tiny the possibility, there is someone in Blue Lock whom even you cannot afford to underestimate."

Ego Jinpachi spoke slowly.

"Someone like that can't possibly exist."

The other four spoke in unison, while only Roki narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Mr. Eikoku, may I ask who that person is?"

"You'll find out when the time comes."

A meaningful smile appeared on Ego Jinpachi's face.

"After facing him for just one round, you'll know who I'm talking about. If my estimate is correct, you'll be taking the field much sooner than expected."

Meanwhile, Kira Ryosuke and the others followed the broadcast's instructions and arrived at their room.

The room in the four-person area was considerably better than those in the other areas. It was more spacious, had four separate beds, and the food in the cafeteria was more plentiful.

The luggage they had brought with them had already been transported to the room.

"Kira, do you play games?"

Nagi Seishiro took out his phone and asked.

"No. I don't play mobile games much. I'm going to train later."

After saying that, Kira Ryosuke left the room and headed toward the gym in this area.