"Blue Lock is using a 4-5-1 formation, which appears to be a conservative counter-attacking style!"
{T/N: 4 defenders, 5 midfielders and 1 striker, plus the goalkeeper. This is the standard way to read the formation.}
"Meanwhile, U-20 has opted for a 4-3-3 formation. As expected, the highly anticipated Sae Itoshi leads the attack as the midfield anchor. Interestingly, U-20's regular striker Shūto Sendōu has moved to the wing, with newcomer Ryōsuke Kira stepping into the striker position. What's your take on this, Mr. Natsuki?"
"It seems U-20 might be using this as another training opportunity. Though Ryōsuke Kira has impressed in local competitions, we'll have to see if he can perform in such a high-stakes match!"
In the commentary box, two veteran football commentators analyzed the game while Blue Lock launched their attack.
Yoichi took first possession, scanning the field as he drove forward.
They weren't using a conventional 4-5-1 formation. During attacks, Rin served as the core, with Seishirō and Yoichi forming a triangle around him to coordinate the offense. Meanwhile, defensive midfielder Tabito Karasu dropped back to create a three-man defense with Ikki and Jūbē Aryū, while fullbacks Hyōma and Meguru surged forward to join the attack.
This aggressive formation was only possible because Blue Lock consisted entirely of forwards! Their strategy was clear: seize control early and use their attacking advantage to score first!
In any competitive sport, scoring first brings both tactical advantage and a surge in team morale.
As Yoichi charged forward with the ball, Ryōsuke appeared before him.
"Come on, Isagi." Ryōsuke's expression sharpened with focus.
Though he had dominated Blue Lock's top spot with absolute superiority, he knew better than to lower his guard. Blue Lock's players possessed unmatched competitive spirit — they could surpass their usual limits at any moment.
After all, giving your all is the only way to truly respect the match, your opponents, and your teammates.
"Your speed and ball control have improved significantly, Isagi. You've been working hard." Ryōsuke smiled.
"All to defeat you."
Yoichi returned the smile, his eyes reflecting both his opponent's face and the entire field!
'Kira has incredible speed and an uncanny ability to spot weaknesses in dribbling. Based on previous footage, nobody gets past him one-on-one. Right now, trying to beat him directly would be suicide — it's the lowest probability option. I need to avoid direct confrontation!'
Without hesitation, Yoichi made his decision, instantly passing to Meguru on the opposite side.
Their opening strategy was simple: complete the attack before U-20 could organize their defense. There was no time to waste — they had to score first!
"Firing away!"
Upon receiving the ball, Meguru's eyes lit up with excitement. He burst forward at full speed and, despite tight marking from a defender, executed an almost perfect move to break through!
"What?!"
"That move!"
"Is he really in high school?!"
The spectator stands erupted with amazement, and the commentators were just as stunned.
"Blue Lock's number 8, Meguru Bachira, has shown incredible dribbling skills — effortlessly breaking past the defender! Outstanding!"
"Now, who can keep up with my rhythm?" Meguru surged forward as defenders converged to contain him outside the penalty area.
His breakthrough had already shattered U-20's defensive formation!
A grin spread across his face as he spotted a familiar figure moving into position: Yoichi!
"It had to be you! Let's tear through U-20's defense! Right at their weak spot!" Meguru launched a precise cross, sending the ball at an unexpected angle toward Yoichi.
But in that instant, a figure materialized between ball and target — swift as a striking viper!
Oliver Aiku!
"Impossible!" Yoichi stood dumbfounded, never having anticipated anyone reaching that position.
Oliver intercepted the ball with devastating jumping ability and hang time, though the ball fortunately went straight out of bounds rather than to another defender.
"Could he read me that easily? No — both the run and pass were perfect, and he wasn't even marking me. Was it prediction? No... he processed everything in front of goal in an instant! Vision, mind, physical ability — what kind of monster is he?" Yoichi marveled.
"Oliver! Oliver!"
The stadium thundered with Oliver's name — the U-20 captain's reputation preceded him.
"An excellent clearance from Oliver, proving why he captains the 'Diamond Generation' rapid-attack team! What a spectacular display!"
With that single move, he'd brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch, electrifying both crowd and commentators.
Oliver turned to Yoichi, his gaze sharp, "Number 11 from Blue Lock, none of your players will score another goal past me!"
"Another?" Yoichi froze, then immediately grasped the meaning.
Someone from Blue Lock had already scored against his defense. There could be only one person: Ryōsuke!
During team training, Ryōsuke had been unstoppable, consistently breaking through U-20's vaunted defense. This wasn't a reflection on Oliver's defensive skills — Ryōsuke's attacking ability was simply that extraordinary.
Oliver could shut down Blue Lock's attacking routes with ease.
Moreover, Yoichi had watched U-20's match footage, and Oliver was clearly more formidable now than in the recordings.
Had he also been improving all this time?
However... This only fueled Yoichi's excitement.
If Ryōsuke could penetrate the defense of a monster like Oliver, then Yoichi would strive to reach that same height.
With their team's united strength, they would pierce through his defensive line!
"Sorry, but we're definitely going to blast the ball into your goal." Yoichi flashed an excited smile as he issued his challenge.
"Oh, bring it on." Oliver smiled, sensing an intense desire to win from his opponent, 'Looks like Kira was right — Blue Lock is full of hungry players. This is getting interesting.'
After the throw-in, Blue Lock reorganized their attack.
After a few passes, Yoichi realized it would be difficult to break through Oliver's defensive zone head-on. Their only option was to look for openings from the sides.
As he surveyed the field, he saw Eita Otoya on the right wing tightly marked by Miroku Darai with no room to move. After quick consideration, he passed the ball to Kenyū Yukimiya on the opposite side.
"Finally, it's here?" A smile spread across Kenyū's face as he firmly received the ball and burst forward.
His incredible dribbling speed made him arguably Blue Lock's strongest one-on-one player.
Of course, this was excluding Ryōsuke.
The moment Kenyū touched the ball, Ryōsuke had already shifted to defend, positioning himself directly ahead.
"I hear you're the real Number One in Blue Lock. I'm looking forward to facing you head-on." Kenyū smiled confidently.
During Blue Lock's earlier selection matches, he had outmaneuvered Rin with his excellent one-on-one skills, cementing his belief in having the strongest individual technique.
That's why he wanted to face off against Ryōsuke — to determine the true king of one-on-one.
"Our playing styles should be quite similar, relying on speed and power. But in this aspect, I can confidently say I'm the best in the country."
Kenyū had studied footage of Ryōsuke's matches and recognized his offensive tactics — using speed and physical abilities for forceful breakthroughs, much like his own style.
To him, Ryōsuke was like another version of himself. A worthy opponent to defeat!
"Perhaps, but there's a fundamental difference between us. This style is your only trump card, while for me it's just one weapon among many — and even as just one weapon, its sharpness far exceeds yours." Ryōsuke responded calmly to the provocation.
"Big words!"
In the next breath, Kenyū exploded into motion!
He leaned forward, probing Ryōsuke's center of gravity with the ball before bursting into top speed for the breakthrough.
Like an arrow released from its bow, he aimed straight for U-20's heart!
"What speed?! Blue Lock's Number 5 is showing incredible breakthrough ability! It looks like U-20's new member Ryōsuke Kira can't stop him!" The commentator exclaimed.
"Seems too easy~" Kenyū smirked, glancing to his side where Ryōsuke had disappeared, apparently beaten.
But just as smugness crept in, a terrifying chill ran down his spine from the other side.
"Where are you looking?" Ryōsuke's voice cut through the air.
"What?!" Kenyū froze, stunned by the sudden voice.
He had clearly beaten him — so how had his opponent caught up, and from the far side no less?!
What kind of monstrous speed was this?!
"No, Ryōsuke Kira wasn't out of position... My God, he just caught up to Kenyū Yukimiya from behind with even greater speed! How can he be this fast?!" The commentator's voice shook.
Kenyū's speed had been remarkable, but Ryōsuke's was simply otherworldly.
"How can Ryōsuke be this good?!"
"That's too fast!"
"What a monster!"
The spectators watched in awe, stunned that this newcomer — essentially making his tournament debut — could display such capability.
"What frightening speed..." Junpei pushed up his glasses, his voice quavering.
Back on the field, Ryōsuke engaged with Kenyū.
But Kenyū wouldn't yield easily, desperately accelerating while using his refined technique to protect the ball, leaving no openings.
However... if that was all he had, Ryōsuke knew exactly how to counter it.
He heightened his concentration, eyes locked on Kenyū. The crowd's cheers faded to silence, and time seemed to slow. He could see everyone's breathing in the rise and fall of their chests.
❖ Transparent World! ❖
Under this enhanced state, Ryōsuke saw Kenyū's movements with perfect clarity.
Though his ball control technique was masterful — nearly impossible to challenge in a one-on-one — under Transparent World, his movements revealed countless openings!
The instant Kenyū lifted his leg, Ryōsuke struck. He dropped his center of gravity, twisted powerfully, and swept his left leg like a striking spear, precisely kicking the ball away from Kenyū's feet!
Successful steal!
After completing the steal, Ryōsuke immediately deactivated Transparent World. The ability drained too much mental energy for continuous use — he still needed recovery time between activations.
Still, this single use had served its purpose perfectly.
"Impossible! Yuki was beaten in a one-on-one? And the ball was stolen so cleanly?!" Tabito, Blue Lock defensive midfielder, stared in shock.
He knew Kenyū's capabilities firsthand — the player was undoubtedly among Blue Lock's elite.
Yet against Ryōsuke, he stood no chance.
❖❖❖
T/N: Hey! Liked what you read? Support your friendly neighborhood translator on Patreon! Think of it as buying me a coffee... or ten!
For just $1.50 (that's less than your daily meme budget), get extra chapters! Want more? $2 gets you bonus content, $5 unlocks premium stories, and $10 makes you my hero (and gets you everything I have, including earlier acess to new books)!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/collection/1305258