"Ryōsuke Kira? That name sounds familiar. Wasn't there talk about him joining the U20 team?"
"Hmph, those were just rumors. He's nobody special — just another Blue Lock graduate."
"Why is he here? Is he just tagging along with Sae Itoshi?"
The players whispered among themselves.
Despite having a reputation, Ryōsuke paled in comparison to Sae. The players were baffled by his recruitment.
Standing before everyone, Ryōsuke maintained a polite smile.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ryōsuke Kira. Please take care of me."
As he finished speaking, his gaze swept across the crowd below.
'Thank goodness, finally someone normal.' Yasumori thought with relief.
But then Ryōsuke spoke again, "I apologize, but I'm not anyone's tag-along. If anyone doubts my abilities, feel free to challenge me during practice."
His expression remained unchanged, but his voice carried absolute confidence.
"Confidence is good."
A stubble-faced man rose to his feet, smiling, his striking heterochromatic eyes gleaming.
Oliver Aiku, the U20 team's ace captain and defender, looked mature despite being only nineteen.
His defensive prowess was unmatched — he could "digitize" every opponent he faced, storing them in his mental database and executing perfect defensive moves like a programmed machine. His presence made U20's defensive line an impenetrable fortress.
"However, both of you will need to prove your worth on the field." Oliver lifted his gaze to the pair, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
The U20 meeting concluded quickly, and everyone moved to the training grounds to practice.
Yasumori only led the team through basic warm-up exercises before allowing free training. Lacking coaching expertise, he had been appointed by Hirotoshi purely for his compliance. Since U20 already had its established training system, his management role was minimal.
Sae remained on the sidelines throughout, keeping to himself.
To him, the team's training methods were primitive and ineffective — working with such untalented players seemed pointless. Yet he stayed, wanting to observe something specific.
His eyes were fixed on Ryōsuke.
Though Sae had personally requested Ryōsuke join the team, they'd barely interacted. He wanted to witness firsthand how Ryōsuke would perform on the field.
"Hey, you're Kira, right?"
As Ryōsuke practiced ball control alone, someone approached him.
"I'm Shūto Sendōu, this team's ace forward."
Ryōsuke turned toward the voice. The speaker wore a smile that wasn't friendly — rather, it carried an air of superiority.
He recognized Shūto as the one who'd challenged Sae earlier. As a top-tier forward and one of U20's key players, he commanded significant respect within the team.
Despite his unremarkable performance in previous matches, securing the starting forward position proved his considerable skill.
"Yes, what can I help you with?" Ryōsuke asked, sensing ulterior motives.
"As your senior, I should help guide my junior~" Shūto's smile held hidden intentions, "Let's have a 1v1 match. I can identify your technical flaws right away."
His condescending tone made it clear he viewed himself as superior.
Convinced that a Blue Lock graduate couldn't match a U20 representative, Shūto positioned himself far above Ryōsuke.
His true aim was to use this 1v1 to showcase his abilities, hoping to impress both newcomers and strengthen his standing within the team.
To Shūto, Ryōsuke was merely a stepping stone — his real goal was to catch Sae's attention.
Though Shūto resented Sae's arrogant attitude, he couldn't challenge the world-class soccer star directly. A loss to such a monster would tarnish his reputation as U20's ace. Besides, Sae would likely dismiss his challenge with contempt, making things even more awkward.
So he set his sights on the easier target: Ryōsuke.
"Alright, please guide me." Ryōsuke nodded with a smile, seeing right through Shūto's strategy.
He welcomed the challenge — this match would be perfect for showcasing his abilities and establishing his position within the U20 team.
Over the past week, Ryōsuke had grown even stronger.
Though he hadn't played any matches, his daily training earned him 30 points. He split these between Competition Space practice sessions and unlocking new skills.
He'd mastered the Fourth Form: Distant Thunder — a technique for powerful long-distance shots and passes. While it might not come in handy during this 1v1, it would serve him well in future matches.
Shūto had the others clear space near the goal, readying himself to face Ryōsuke.
"Oh? Sendōu is going to have a one-on-one with Kira?" Oliver smiled with interest. He'd figured out Shūto's intentions but chose not to intervene.
While he knew of Sae's prowess, Ryōsuke remained a mystery — only rumors spoke of his skill. Oliver was eager to see what this new recruit could do.
"Let me show you U20's offensive techniques first!" Shūto claimed the first attack, knowing the initial striker often held the advantage.
Ryōsuke simply nodded, unfazed.
"Watch carefully, Kira! Let your senior show you the offensive techniques of a U20 ace player!" Shūto charged forward, shouting confidently.
His words were meant more for Sae than Ryōsuke.
But Sae stood expressionless at the sideline, ignoring Shūto completely, his eyes fixed on Ryōsuke.
Shūto moved quickly, closing the distance and showing off with rapid step-overs.
With his Rice Spirit ability, Ryōsuke read his opponent's movements easily — the rhythm, though quick, was completely predictable.
At the same time, he concentrated his mental energy and activated another ability.
❖ Transparent World! ❖
Though using such a technique against Shūto wasn't necessary, Ryōsuke wanted to seize this first opportunity to test it in real combat. For him, this one-on-one wasn't just about proving himself — it was a chance to train.
Time slowed around him, and Shūto's movements played out like slow motion before his eyes, as if at half speed. Every blade of grass, every pebble, every expression on the faces around him — Ryōsuke saw it all with crystal clarity.
He studied his opponent intently, noting each muscle movement and even the rhythm of his breathing from his rising and falling chest. The openings in Shūto's stance stood out like black stains on white paper.
Now.
In the instant of his opponent's next breath, Ryōsuke struck.
❖ First Form ➠ Thunderclap and Flash! ❖
With an explosive burst of speed, Ryōsuke moved so fast that Shūto had no time to react. All he felt was a gust of wind before Ryōsuke materialized behind him.
The ball was already gone from his feet.
"What?"
"What just happened?"
"Sendō got his ball stolen?"
The other U20 members stood dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes.
"No... no way?" Oliver's eyes widened in shock.
He hadn't even been able to track Ryōsuke's movements.
Such terrifying speed — it was like a bolt of lightning.
Even more impressive was how Ryōsuke had completed the steal in a single move. Shūto was the team's ace forward with exceptional ball control, and his step-over moves had been flawless — not something easily countered.
Yet Ryōsuke had exploited the tiniest opening and snatched the ball away. He was like a dormant assassin, ready to strike at his opponent's throat the moment an opportunity presented itself.
Was Ryōsuke truly such a terrifying player...
Just as he had declared, he was no one's bonus prize — he was a formidable force in his own right!
Oliver couldn't help but feel excited about having a teammate of Ryōsuke's caliber.
He glanced at Sae and noticed him watching the play intently, a hint of appreciation in his gaze.
Since arriving, Sae hadn't properly acknowledged anyone. Yet Ryōsuke alone had managed to capture his full attention.
"I... I..." Shūto stood dumbfounded, unable to process how a high school underclassman had so decisively stolen the ball from him.
How was this possible?!
As he scrambled for an excuse, Ryōsuke smiled and said, "Thank you for the lesson, senior."
His tone was perfectly composed.
"Haha, no problem, you're a new junior after all, it's only natural." Shūto responded awkwardly, privately marveling at Ryōsuke's terrifying ability.
He was beginning to regret challenging this newcomer to a one-on-one.
"Senior, it's my turn to attack now." Ryōsuke brought the ball forward.
"Bring it on!" Shūto immediately took a serious stance.
Though he had just lost possession, defending successfully against Ryōsuke's attack might still salvage his pride.
'His defense is good, but his offense must be weaker. If I can just defend this ball, I can still prove myself!' As this thought crossed his mind, Shūto leaned slightly backward.
Having witnessed Ryōsuke's explosive speed, he judged him to be a pace-focused player and dropped back to deny him space.
"Sendōu's positioning sense is good…" Oliver, the defensive expert, remarked — for a forward, his defensive instincts were indeed impressive.
But Ryōsuke merely smiled as he took his stance...
He was preparing for a direct shot!
"Shooting from this distance?! That's insane!"
Shūto couldn't contain his shock, and everyone else watched in amazement, stunned by Ryōsuke's bold choice.
The goal was still far away, and the defender's position would give him ample time to react.
Yet there he was, preparing to take the shot!
On the sideline, Sae's eyes narrowed slightly, curious about this bold choice.
Ryōsuke's foot had already made contact with the ball.
❖ Total Concentration ➠ Thunder Breathing! ❖
❖ Thunder Strike, First Move ➠ Lightning Curve! ❖
As his foot connected, a deafening crack split the air — like a thunderclap exploding across a clear sky!
❖❖❖
T/N: This last move was part of a series of several that I will start implementing. This first one is a fusion of the First and Third Forms, and to avoid the repetitiveness of always using just these two, I will merge and create some moves that are cooler.
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