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

After the match, the two teams with the highest points would advance to the next round, while only the player with the most cumulative goals among the three eliminated teams would be able to advance.

The rules weren't complicated, but they made the competition more intense and even a test of human nature.

In the original story, Kuon Shosei from Team Z believed his team had a very low chance of advancing, so he deliberately colluded with the opponents. He received compensation for becoming the team's top scorer, intentionally leaked tactics, and sabotaged the match to ensure his own advancement.

After the rules were explained, the big screen turned off again.

The first match was between Team Z and Team X, scheduled to start in two hours. With limited time, the members of Team Z had to start discussing immediately.

"We're all forwards, what should we do..."

"Can we really form a team? And isn't Team X ranked higher than us..."

"How about this, let's play rock-paper-scissors to decide our positions?"

As someone proposed the relatively fair solution of rock-paper-scissors, many around them expressed their agreement.

Only one person objected.

Kira Ryosuke.

"Sorry, I don't agree with deciding by rock-paper-scissors."

Hearing Kira Ryosuke's words, everyone's gaze turned to him.

"Kira, isn't that the fairest method?"

Kuon Shosei frowned and looked at Kira Ryosuke.

"That's right, it's the fairest method—but what we want is victory, not fairness. Moreover, rather than fairness, it's more like luck. If everything is decided by rock-paper-scissors, a capable forward might be assigned to a defender position. This is a match that concerns all of our professional careers, and I don't want so-called luck to decide my future."

Kira Ryosuke said slowly, and a few people around him were already nodding in agreement.

Once eliminated, their professional careers would essentially be over. No one was willing to take such a risk.

"Furthermore, even if we decide positions and tactics by rock-paper-scissors, how many people here will actually follow it? Even if the team is eliminated, as long as they become the top scorer, they can advance. This will infinitely amplify everyone's selfish desires."

As Kira Ryosuke spoke, he turned his head to look at Raichi Jingo behind him. In the original story, it was he who first snatched his teammate's ball, further causing chaos within the team.

"Hey, what do you mean by looking at me? Are you looking for death?!"

Raichi Jingo noticed Kira Ryosuke's gaze and immediately shouted indignantly.

But in reality, he felt a little guilty, because what he had just been thinking was that if he were assigned to defense, he would actively steal the ball from his teammates.

This guy... can he read minds?

Raichi Jingo bit his lip, unconvinced.

"Then Kira, what method of distribution do you think is best?"

Kunigami Rensuke asked from the side.

"This guy definitely wants to show off!"

Raichi Jingo interjected and shouted.

"It's simple, let strength decide. There are still two hours before the match starts, which is more than enough time."

Kira Ryosuke narrowed his eyes slightly, sweeping his gaze over everyone.

"The strongest person will be the team leader, and they will assign everyone's position."

He took a step forward and stood in the center of everyone.

Isagi Yoichi couldn't help but swallow. He vaguely felt an inexplicable sense of pressure from Kira Ryosuke.

"We'll decide the leader's position through a 1v1 challenge. I'll be the first challenger for now. If you doubt my ability or decisions, come and defeat me."

Kira Ryosuke said, as if he had transformed into someone else.

Chapter Sixteen: Crushing Strength, Controlling the Team

Soon, everyone from Team Z arrived at their dedicated football field.

Almost everyone agreed with Kira Ryosuke's proposal.

With only two hours until the match, although this process might consume time and energy, everyone understood that if their positions and tactics couldn't be decided, the entire team would become a scattered mess.

The priority was to ensure the team's victory.

Kira Ryosuke also understood this. He needed to unite this team and gain control.

Only then could he secure victory with 100% certainty.

At this moment, Kira Ryosuke stood in front of the goal, with the ball at his feet, his gaze sweeping over the people in front of him:

"So, who's first?"

"Watch me take you down!"

At this moment, Raichi Jingo stepped forward first.

On one hand, he was eager to secure a forward position, and on the other hand, he intensely disliked Kira Ryosuke. Now was an opportunity to defeat him.

If he could win against Kira Ryosuke, he could also gain control of the team. Raichi Jingo would never miss this chance.

"Come on, you attack first—as long as you can score, you win. You can start anytime."

Kira Ryosuke looked at Raichi Jingo with a smile, kicking the ball to him at the same time.

Raichi Jingo stared intently at Kira Ryosuke, feeling even more annoyed by his expression.

Although Raichi Jingo knew Kira Ryosuke was very strong during the tag game, he didn't necessarily believe he would lose in a one-on-one.

Raichi Jingo was very confident in his own abilities; in a one-on-one situation, the attacker held a slight advantage.

"Prepare to lose!"

Raichi Jingo roared, then quickly dribbled the ball towards Kira Ryosuke. The latter merely lowered his center of gravity slightly, his body full of openings.

An opportunity!

Raichi Jingo seized the moment, preparing to use his speed to power past his opponent.

But the instant he lowered his center of gravity to sprint, Kira Ryosuke appeared right in front of him in the blink of an eye.

Thunderclap and Flash!

This skill was used without the support of breathing techniques, so it wasn't at full effect. However, even so, it granted Kira Ryosuke greater speed than usual.

"So fast!"

Raichi Jingo was surprised but didn't panic. He turned sideways, intending to use his body to force his way past the opponent.

The closer the defender, the easier it was for the attacker to find an opening.

"Hey, there's no need to be this serious in a one-on-one! You'll waste too much stamina and risk getting injured!"

Kuon Shosei shouted from the side, sounding worried.

But Raichi Jingo ignored everyone else. He was a person with immense pride and could not accept anyone being above him.

Especially when Kira Ryosuke had spoken earlier, Raichi Jingo had felt extremely displeased.

This was his best, and possibly only, chance to defeat Kira Ryosuke. If he could beat this guy, he would gain significant prestige within the team.

If I defeat Kira Ryosuke and take the lead, I'll definitely make him play defense, no, he can go straight to being a goalkeeper!

Raichi Jingo thought this as he stepped forward forcefully, preparing to dribble past.

However, Raichi Jingo overlooked one point: Kira Ryosuke was the guy who could stop Kunigami Rensuke's shot with his chest.

His shoulder collided directly with Kira Ryosuke, making a loud sound.

Raichi Jingo's eyes widened, his gaze full of shock.

In that instant, he felt like he had run into a boulder.

"Is this your physical confrontation?"

Kira Ryosuke's voice echoed in his ear, his tone incredibly calm.

The disadvantage in physical confrontation caused Raichi Jingo to lose his balance. His running form was completely ruined, and he stumbled, eventually falling flat on the ground.

At that very moment, Kira Ryosuke easily completed the steal, firmly controlling the ball at his feet.

"Your offense is over."

Kira Ryosuke simply said slowly.

"Hey, that was a foul!"

Raichi Jingo immediately turned his head, seeking justification from the others.

"No, Kira didn't commit any foul just now. It was a reasonable physical confrontation."

Kunigami Rensuke replied.

"It's my turn to attack now."

Kira Ryosuke's voice drew Raichi Jingo's attention back. With a displeased expression, he turned to face him:

"Come on, don't think you've won just because you got lucky and stole the ball. I'll lock you down!"

Raichi Jingo gritted his teeth, feeling utterly humiliated. No matter what, he had to defend against Kira Ryosuke's attack, even if it meant fouling.

He took a few steps back, putting himself closer to the goal, making it harder for the opponent to dribble past.

"Is that so? Then I'm going to attack."

As soon as he spoke, Kira Ryosuke quietly gathered power in his legs. Just like before, he used the standard Thunderclap and Flash for movement.

This one-on-one wasn't just about gaining dominance in the team; it was also a practical test of Thunderclap and Flash for himself.

"So fast!"

Everyone on the field gasped in surprise. Even Raichi Jingo was taken aback. He immediately shifted his weight and sprinted towards Kira Ryosuke's likely path of attack. Only by doing so could he possibly stop the opponent's advance.

But at that moment, Kira Ryosuke suddenly stopped. The ball, which had been moving at high speed, seemed to freeze at Kira Ryosuke's feet. Raichi Jingo, once again losing his balance, missed the optimal defensive position.

Kira Ryosuke took a light kick and successfully completed the shot.

Although the standard Thunderclap and Flash didn't put a huge strain on his legs, it still consumed more stamina than normal running shots, so it couldn't be used limitlessly. Furthermore, while this speed was very fast, it might not be enough to easily get past truly skilled opponents, let alone facing multiple players in a real match.

He still needed to improve further.

However, for Kira Ryosuke at this moment, using it multiple times in a match was not an issue. At the current stage, it should be useful on both offense and defense.

"Damn it... damn it! No, that was just luck! One more! Let's go again!"

Raichi Jingo immediately shouted in defiance.

"Losing is losing."

Kunigami Rensuke, standing nearby, immediately scolded Raichi Jingo.

Meanwhile, everyone else present was staring intently at Kira Ryosuke.

They finally understood Kira Ryosuke's strength; his top ranking in the team was not for nothing.

Chapter 17: First Selection Match, Begins!

Ten-plus minutes later.

"In that case, I will temporarily serve as the team captain for this selection match."

Kira Ryosuke said slowly.

In the time that had just passed, he had not only defeated Raichi Jingo but also successively beaten Kunigami Rensuke and Bachira Meguru.

"This speed... it's completely cheating."

"Is there really anyone in Blue Lock who can surpass Kira Ryosuke in speed?"

"It's too much, he doesn't need any technique at all, just relying on speed to get past people..."

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Only three people had challenged Kira Ryosuke in total, and all of them had undoubtedly failed. After witnessing these three matches, the others clearly understood the gap between themselves and Kira Ryosuke.

They were simply not on the same level.

Everyone else also acknowledged Kira Ryosuke's captaincy. Even though Raichi Jingo felt somewhat unconvinced, he could only sit silently on the side.

While he claimed the other person was lucky, during their brief exchange, he clearly felt just how terrifying Kira Ryosuke's strength was.