Chapter Sixteen: Overwhelming Strength, Taking Control of the Team / Chapter Seventeen: The First Selection Begins!

After the match, the two teams with the highest points would all advance to the next round. Of the remaining three eliminated teams, only the players with the most accumulated goals could advance.

The rules were not complicated, but they made the competition much more intense. They were even a test of human nature.

In the original story, Kuon Shosei of Team Z believed that his team had almost no chance of advancing, so he deliberately colluded with their opponents. In exchange for becoming the team's top scorer, he leaked tactics and sabotaged the matches to ensure that he would advance.

After explaining the rules, the large screen shut down again.

The first match would be Team Z versus Team X, starting in two hours. With time running short, the members of Team Z had no choice but to immediately begin discussing their strategy.

"We're all forwards. What should we do..."

"Can we really form a team? And Team X is ranked higher than us, right..."

"How about this? We decide our positions with rock-paper-scissors?"

Just as someone suggested rock-paper-scissors as a relatively fair solution, quite a few people around them voiced their agreement.

Only one person objected.

Kira Ryosuke.

"Sorry, but I don't agree with deciding this through rock-paper-scissors."

Upon hearing Kira Ryosuke's words, everyone around him turned their eyes toward him.

"Kira, isn't this 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. Besides, rather than fairness, this is more like leaving everything to luck. If we leave everything to rock-paper-scissors, capable forwards could easily be assigned to defense. This match concerns every one of our careers. I don't want so-called luck deciding my future."

Kira Ryosuke spoke slowly, and several people around him nodded faintly in agreement.

Once they were eliminated, their professional careers would essentially be over. No one was willing to take that risk.

"Besides, even if we use rock-paper-scissors to decide our positions and tactics, how many people here would actually follow them? Even if the team is eliminated, anyone who becomes the top scorer can still advance. That will infinitely magnify everyone's selfish desires."

As Kira Ryosuke spoke, he turned to look at Raichi Jingo behind him. In the original story, Raichi Jingo had been the first to steal possession from his teammates, further throwing the team into chaos.

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

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

But in truth, he felt a little guilty. Just now, he had been thinking that if he were assigned to defense, he would simply steal the ball from his teammates.

Can this guy read minds?

Raichi Jingo bit his lip resentfully.

"Then, Kira, what do you think would be the best way to assign positions?"

Kunigami Rensuke asked from the other side.

"This guy definitely just wants to show off!"

Raichi Jingo shouted, interrupting them.

"It's simple. Let our abilities speak for themselves. There are still two hours before the match begins, which is more than enough time."

Kira Ryosuke narrowed his eyes slightly as his gaze swept over everyone.

"The strongest person will become the team leader, and he'll assign everyone's positions."

He strode forward and stood in the middle of everyone.

Isagi Yoichi swallowed involuntarily. He vaguely sensed an inexplicable pressure emanating from Kira Ryosuke.

"We'll decide the leader through one-on-one king-of-the-hill matches. For now, I'll be the first challenger to defend the spot. If you doubt my ability or my decisions, then come and beat me."

Kira Ryosuke spoke as if he had become a completely different person.

Chapter Sixteen: Overwhelming Strength, Taking Control of the Team

Soon, everyone from Team Z arrived at the football field reserved for their team.

Almost everyone agreed with Kira Ryosuke's proposal.

There were only two hours left before the match. Although this process might consume time and energy, everyone understood that if they could not settle their positions and tactics, the entire team would become a scattered mess.

The first priority was ensuring the team's victory.

Kira Ryosuke understood this as well. What he needed to do now was unite the team and gain control over it.

Only then could he guarantee that victory would be his.

At that moment, Kira Ryosuke stood in front of the goal with one foot on the ball, his gaze sweeping over everyone in front of him.

"So, who's first?"

"Watch me slaughter you!"

At that moment, Raichi Jingo stepped forward first.

On one hand, he wanted to secure a forward position. On the other, he was extremely displeased with Kira Ryosuke, and this was his chance to defeat him.

If he could beat Kira Ryosuke, he would also gain control of the team. Raichi Jingo would never miss such an opportunity.

"Come on. You attack first. As long as you score, you win. You can start whenever you want."

Kira Ryosuke smiled at Raichi Jingo and kicked the ball over to him.

Raichi Jingo stared fixedly at Kira Ryosuke. Seeing his opponent's expression only made him more furious.

Although Raichi Jingo had realized that Kira Ryosuke was very strong during the tag game, he did not necessarily believe he would lose in a one-on-one match.

Raichi Jingo had great confidence in his own abilities. In a one-on-one situation, the attacking side had a slight advantage.

"Get ready to lose!"

Raichi Jingo roared, then quickly dribbled toward Kira Ryosuke. His opponent merely lowered his center of gravity slightly, leaving openings all around him.

There's an opening!

Raichi Jingo waited for the right moment, preparing to use his speed to force his way past his opponent.

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

Thunderclap and Flash!

This time, the skill was not combined with breathing techniques, so it did not reach its full effectiveness. Even so, it still gave Kira Ryosuke a burst of speed far beyond his usual level.

"So fast!"

Raichi Jingo was startled, but he did not panic. Instead, he turned sideways, planning to use his body to force his way past his opponent.

The closer a defender stayed, the easier it was for the attacker to find an opportunity to break through.

"Hey, it's just a one-on-one! There's no need to take it so seriously! You'll waste too much stamina and could easily get injured!"

Kuon Shosei shouted worriedly from the side.

But Raichi Jingo completely ignored the others. He had an extremely strong sense of pride and could never accept anyone being above him.

Especially after Kira Ryosuke had spoken earlier, Raichi Jingo had been incredibly displeased.

This was his best—and only—chance to defeat Kira Ryosuke. As long as he beat this guy, he could gain tremendous prestige within the team.

Once I defeat Kira Ryosuke and take the leader's position, I'll make this guy play defense. No—he can go straight into goal!

With that thought, Raichi Jingo forcefully stepped forward, preparing to get past him.

However, Raichi Jingo overlooked one thing: Kira Ryosuke was the kind of person who could stop Kunigami Rensuke's shot dead with his chest.

The side of his shoulder collided directly with Kira Ryosuke, producing a loud impact.

Raichi Jingo's eyes widened, filled with shock.

For a split second, he felt as if he had slammed into a huge boulder.

"Is this the extent of your physical strength?"

Kira Ryosuke's voice sounded beside his ear, utterly calm.

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

At that instant, Kira Ryosuke easily completed the steal and firmly controlled the ball beneath his foot.

"Your attack is over."

Kira Ryosuke merely spoke slowly.

"Hey, you fouled me just now!"

Raichi Jingo immediately turned around and demanded an explanation from the others.

"No. Kira didn't make an illegal move. That was a legitimate physical challenge."

Kunigami Rensuke answered.

"Now it's my turn to attack."

Kira Ryosuke's voice pulled Raichi Jingo's attention back. Raichi Jingo turned around with an annoyed expression.

"Bring it on! Don't think you've won just because you got lucky and stole the ball from me! I'll lock you down!"

Raichi Jingo gritted his teeth, feeling that he had lost all face. No matter what, he had to stop Kira Ryosuke's shot. He did not care even if he had to foul him.

He retreated several steps, bringing himself closer to the goal. This made it more difficult for his opponent to dribble past him.

"Is that so? Then I'll attack."

The moment he finished speaking, Kira Ryosuke quietly gathered strength in his legs. Just as before, he used the normal form of Thunderclap and Flash for movement.

This one-on-one match was not only meant to let him gain control of the team. It was also a practical test of Thunderclap and Flash.

"So fast!"

Everyone present cried out in surprise. Even Raichi Jingo was startled. He immediately shifted his center of gravity and sprinted toward the route Kira Ryosuke might take. Only then could he possibly stop his opponent's attack.

But at that instant, Kira Ryosuke suddenly came to a halt. The ball, which had been moving at high speed, stopped beneath his foot as if frozen in place. Raichi Jingo once again lost his balance and missed the best defensive position.

Kira Ryosuke gave the ball a light kick and successfully completed the shot.

Although the normal form of Thunderclap and Flash did not place a huge burden on his legs, it still consumed more stamina than an ordinary running shot. He could not use it without limit. Moreover, although this speed was extremely fast, he might not be able to dribble past a true expert so easily. After all, during a match, he would definitely face more than one opponent.

He still needed to improve further.

However, for Kira Ryosuke at present, using it several times in a match was no problem. In matches at this stage, it should prove useful on both offense and defense.

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

Raichi Jingo immediately shouted in protest.

"A loss is a loss."

Kunigami Rensuke immediately rebuked Raichi Jingo.

Everyone else present stared intently at Kira Ryosuke.

They finally understood Kira Ryosuke's strength. His position at the top of the team's rankings was clearly well deserved.

Chapter Seventeen: The First Selection Begins!

A dozen minutes later.

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

Kira Ryosuke spoke slowly.

During that period, he had not only defeated Raichi Jingo but also successively beaten Kunigami Rensuke and Bachira Meguru.

"That speed... It's practically cheating."

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

"That's ridiculous. He doesn't need any technique at all. He can dribble past people with speed alone..."

Everyone began discussing it animatedly. Only three people had challenged Kira Ryosuke, and all three had lost without question. After witnessing those three matches, everyone else already understood the gap between themselves and Kira Ryosuke.

They were not even on the same level.

The others also accepted Kira Ryosuke's position as captain. Even though Raichi Jingo was somewhat unwilling, he could only sit silently off to the side.

He kept saying that Kira Ryosuke had merely gotten lucky, but during their brief exchange, he had clearly felt how terrifying Kira Ryosuke's strength truly was.