Yoichi's abilities have improved tremendously since we last saw him!
Under Ryōsuke's guidance, he has achieved remarkable results in both offense and defense!
His physical conditioning — previously his greatest weakness — has improved significantly thanks to the ruthless training regimen imposed by a certain team captain.
The Yoichi standing before us now has undergone a complete transformation!
He lowered his center of gravity, eyes fixed intently on Rin. He understood the full extent of his opponent's abilities — no matter how hard he trained, matching Rin's individual skill in such a short time would be impossible.
Yet Ryōsuke had equipped him with strategies to narrow the gap between them!
Rin didn't consider Yoichi worth his attention. He suddenly accelerated, intending to use his superior speed to bypass him!
In Rin's eyes, Yoichi might have been someone barely worth noticing before.
But only barely! Compared to Ryōsuke, he wasn't even worth mentioning!
After accelerating, however, Rin noticed someone consistently tracking his flank!
Yoichi!
"Are you some kind of parasite?" Rin glanced at him with disdain, though secretly surprised that his opponent could keep up with his speed.
"Sorry, but I'm going to lock you down completely!" Yoichi replied with a confident smile, his gaze unwavering.
He actively defended against Rin, eager to measure exactly how big the gap between them still was!
"Looks like even someone like you has put in a little effort." Rin said slowly.
He had noticed this guy's improvement in video footage earlier, but facing him in person, he realized Yoichi's growth exceeded expectations.
However... What did that matter?
In his eyes, Yoichi barely existed — Ryōsuke was his only target!
"But it's still far from enough!" Rin's expression turned serious as he accelerated further.
This was the result of his training under Julian — under the "Prodigy's" guidance, his velocity had improved dramatically!
Although being coached by Julian, a peer who had previously defeated him, irritated Rin tremendously, he had to admit he'd learned a great deal!
How to utilize his legs, how to adjust his breathing rhythm... How to achieve even greater speed!
"So fast!" Yoichi couldn't help but exclaim.
He could feel Rin reaching an incredible speed, instantly widening the defensive gap he had barely maintained!
However... Yoichi had already completed his task! Through his positioning, he had lured the opponent into his trap!
Behind him waited Jingo and Ranze, forming an encirclement! Even Rin couldn't advance further against three defenders!
"I've said before..." Rin spoke slowly, "The scenery that mediocre people like you see, I can see it too!"
In his vision, the positions of Jingo and Ranze were clearly visible!
With his superior vision, he detected Yoichi's encirclement immediately. Yet he still charged forward — because his goal was precisely to draw them into surrounding him.
"I'll kill you, lower eyelash!"
"Don't you dare pass through!"
Jingo and Ranze blocked his path.
But Rin slightly adjusted his body and threaded a precise pass between the two!
This masterful pass was reminiscent of his brother Sae!
Rin's objective was to draw the three-man trap, pulling their defensive line toward him. Meanwhile, on the other side, someone else waited in position!
Ryūsei Shidō!
Ryūsei was there because of the positional changes between both teams — in a sense, Rin had guided him into that position!
This was Rin's puppet strategy! Using his absolute individual skill to manipulate both opponents and teammates!
"As expected, you positioned yourself as ordered, you antenna pest." Rin remarked coolly.
"What do you mean your orders? I just found the optimal position myself!" Ryūsei laughed loudly, showing no respect for him.
"Rin actually passed to Shidō?" Yoichi widened his eyes in surprise.
Meanwhile, Ryūsei, having received the ball, sprinted at full speed toward Bastard München's goal!
Gin Gagamaru, Bastard München's defensive mainstay, moved forward to intercept him.
"Stop right there. I will stop you."
"Stop me? Haha, nothing could be more amusing!" Ryūsei burst into laughter.
'What move will he use?' Gin's mind raced, anticipating which technique his opponent might employ.
But in that instant, Ryūsei made an inconceivable move — he shifted slightly and passed to the side.
"What?!" Gin was astonished.
He never expected Ryūsei — whose selfishness ranked in the top three at Blue Lock — to even consider passing.
And more surprising still... his pass was intended for Rin!
While everyone's attention was fixed on Ryūsei, Rin had already swiftly moved into position beside him, there to support his teammate!
"Cooperate with me nicely! Rin-Rin!"
"Shut up, antenna pest. Just follow my lead properly." Rin replied, turning slightly to kick the ball high into the air.
The arc of the ball soared extremely high!
"Could it be?!"
At that moment, Ryūsei had already leapt high into the air.
"Here I come~" Ryūsei focused all his attention on the shot.
Absolute concentration and the thrill of challenge!
❖ Flow! ❖
At that moment, Ryūsei resembled a demon returning from hell to the mortal world, with an invisible pair of wings on his back — he leaped to an unimaginable height, preparing to strike the ball directly in mid-air!
Rin had used his puppet strategy, guiding him to this position, then utilizing his exquisite ball skills to deliver the perfect pass!
Meanwhile, Ryūsei leveraged his powerful scoring ability, using wildly imaginative movements to score!
This pass surpassed even the one between Sae and Ryūsei in the original story!
What appeared to be brilliant coordination between the two was, in reality, just a collision between Blue Lock's two most selfish players!
In Rin's mind, he held absolute control, manipulating his teammate like a puppet and believing himself to be the true master. Meanwhile, Ryūsei equally believed he was exploiting Rin! After all, only Rin's passes could give him the perfect opportunity to shoot!
Each believed they were dominating and using the other. Ironically, it was precisely this dysfunctional relationship that created their seamless coordination on the field.
This strange chemical reaction between egoists produced results far superior to the merely physical interactions they had shown previously.
"Get pregnant!"
Ryūsei shouted, delivering a powerful strike toward Bastard München's goal!
"Sorry, but such indecent acts aren't allowed in public!" At that instant, Ryōsuke burst in from the other side.
He leaped high into the air, simultaneously activating his Transparent World!
Ryūsei's heartbeat, breathing, and pulse were all clearly visible. Ryōsuke could sense every cell in that pervert's body craving to score.
And Ryūsei's next movements were perfectly clear in his eyes!
Ryōsuke thrust his foot out in mid-air, directly blocking the shot at the moment of release!
"How mean, Ryō-kun!" Ryūsei responded with a smile.
After destroying the shot, Ryōsuke quickly controlled the ball underfoot and launched a powerful pass!
On the other side, Yō and the others were already counterattacking at top speed!
This was the tactic Bastard München had learned from their battle against Manshine City — a rapid counterattack following a defensive interception and long pass!
"Hiori, has an extraordinary guy like you finally awakened?!" Tabito quickly retreated, tightly guarding his position in front of Yō.
In Paris X Gen, he played the role of defensive gatekeeper. His excellent analytical ability combined with precise control in confrontations gave him impressive defensive skills.
And the opponent he now faced was Yō, who had once been on the same team as him!
"Thanks to Kira and my other teammates, I think I've found the joy in football." Yō said, carefully observing the situation across the field.
He had an accurate assessment of his abilities; Tabito was extremely strong, and his chances of breaking through directly were slim.
Maintaining composure at all times was Yō's greatest strength.
Rather than holding onto the ball, he passed it directly to the side — where Kenyū, the blade, had been waiting!
"Finally here!" Upon receiving the ball, Kenyū sprinted at full speed.
Though eye problems from excessive fatigue had forced him to leave the previous match early, he knew that while on the field, he needed to give everything!
Whatever the consequences, he didn't care. What he treasured most was his time playing!
However, Kenyū had barely started running when a large, imposing figure emerged from the side, blocking his path!
Zantetsu Tsurugi!
"STOP, isn't that how you say it?" Zantetsu pushed his glasses up, speaking slowly.
"Long time no see, Zantetsu!" Though Kenyū smiled, his heart filled with surprise.
Despite knowing Zantetsu had explosive short-distance speed, he hadn't expected him to become this fast. This guy has undergone terrifying growth.
But Kenyū's role was to tear apart the opponent's defense with his powerful one-on-one abilities!
Although Zantetsu was strong, he still wasn't qualified to stop him!
Kenyū suddenly accelerated, baiting his opponent to speed up as well — then abruptly stopped and changed direction, forcing Zantetsu's center of gravity to shift backward!
Now he had added an element of 'softness' to his attacks, no longer relying solely on speed and physicality, but incorporating rhythm changes. This both reduced his stamina consumption and made his dribbling more effortless!
"What?" Zantetsu was shocked by this movement.
This kind of rhythm change was something Kenyū had never shown in previous footage! With Zantetsu's center of gravity shifted, Kenyū gained ample space for a breakthrough!
Accelerating again!
"So fast! It would be terrible if I can't defend against this!"
Just after dodging past Zantetsu, another troublesome figure suddenly appeared before Kenyū!
Aoshi Tokimitsu!
Though previously unremarkable, Aoshi had joined Paris X Gen's team and secured a starting position.
Kenyū knew this guy's abilities — his physical attributes were absolutely terrifying within Blue Lock, and after this period of development, they had likely improved even further!
He glanced to the side; Zantetsu was now pursuing at top speed from behind!
"I said STOP, didn't I? Or did I use the wrong word?"
Caught in a pincer attack from front and back, Kenyū showed no panic. This situation was actually perfect!
"I'm the bait!" He smiled slightly, immediately passing the ball to his left, "Go, my hero!"
On the other side, a heavy cannon was quietly approaching!
Rensuke!
{T/N: Hero is the alias of Rensuke, for those who didn't understand.}
"Nice pass, Yuki!" Rensuke successfully received the ball from Kenyū.
PXG's goalkeeper, Renoir, wasn't at Ken Wakashimazu's level; he absolutely couldn't stop this powerful shot!
"Go!"
Releasing all the power in his body, Rensuke kicked the ball forcefully, sending it toward the goal at terrifying speed!
The power of this shot was definitely no less than Hyōma's Red Panther Shot. But at that moment, an unfamiliar figure appeared directly in the ball's path.
"Let me see just how powerful your shot is!"
The newcomer was none other than Ryoma!
❖❖❖
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)! You can have access to almost 15 books!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/collection/1305258