Blue prison monster

Harutaro Natsuki trembled slightly with excitement, eagerly picking up on Atsuto Hama's words and continuing,

“I never expected this match to be so full of ups and downs!”

“『Blue Lock』 is strong, and with the added effect, the U-20 players are showing their best movement!”

“Will the 『U-20 National Team』 score another goal and end the match! Or will 『Blue Lock』 turn the tide and tie the score!”

“I have a feeling a hero is about to be born!”

“Alright, with only five minutes left, the match continues!”

“The U-20 Sakura Country National Team gets a corner kick!! This is a golden opportunity!!”

On the field, Rin Itoshi stared at Sae Itoshi's back as he walked towards the corner kick area, pondering in his heart:

(As long as I align my thinking with Sae Itoshi—)

(I can see, and feel, the most dangerous spot on the field!!)

(The reason I feel the same way I did when I watched him play from the sidelines back then is because even with his extraordinary skills, even after honing himself on the world stage)

(That guy is still constantly refining his understanding of soccer?)

(But, if this continues, even if I can stop him, I won't be able to score myself!)

(What should I do?! If I don't defend, we'll definitely lose this match, but am I content with that?!)

(No! If they score now, it's over!)

(Only I can stop Sae Itoshi, I have to do it alone! Figure out a way to predict! Figure out a way to feel it! Where is Sae Itoshi aiming?!)

(At this moment, the younger brother will surpass the older brother!)

At the same moment, Sae Itoshi spread his legs, preparing to take the kick!

Seeing this, the 『Blue Lock』 members in front of the goal spoke up one after another:

“Even if we're crushed to pieces, we have to hold on!”

“Got it.”

“Crush them!”

“I'm a ♦ iron wall!”

Rin Itoshi stared intently at Sae Itoshi, constantly thinking in his heart:

(I have to predict the target and then take him down! Sae Itoshi wants to break through the defense)

(The most dangerous, yet most perfect spot—)

(Is where Aiku is!!)

Thinking this, Rin Itoshi anticipated and jumped towards the incoming ball ahead of Oliver Aiku, and adjusted his posture to block Oliver Aiku.

(I can't let him jump freely! Crush him!! Take him down!!)

(Touch it first… Huh?! The trajectory of this ball?)

Watching the soccer ball fly past him, Rin Itoshi's pupils involuntarily widened.

(Calculated precisely, just one step short of reaching?!)

(Can't beat Sae!)

Rin Itoshi, watching Ryuga Banjo's figure already leaping forward, inexplicably felt a sense of despair.

Ryuga Banjo, using Jyubei Kudou and Ryusei Shido beside him as leverage, forcibly broke through their pincer attack.

“Heh heh, trying to stop my shot? Too naive!”

But just then, Yoichi Isagi suddenly appeared in a position closer to the ball, forcefully knocking the ball away.

“The naive one is you! It really is Ryuga!”

“Huh? Why are you here, kid?!”

Ryuga Banjo smiled helplessly. This existence that he had basically ignored for the entire game finally played his part.

While being pinched by Jyubei Kudou and Ryusei Shido, he also had to make a crucial reaction to coordinate with Sae Itoshi.

This ball relied purely on reflexes. Otherwise, with such an ambiguous pass trajectory, if Ryuga Banjo hadn't started moving immediately, he would have been directly blocked by the two people beside him.

But who would have thought that Yoichi Isagi, who had been mostly mediocre for the entire game, would suddenly explode as the match neared its end!

“Second ball!!”

“Quick!!”

“I'll get it!”

Even though the 『U-20 National Team』 shouted in time, the ball happened to land at Tabito Karasu's feet.

“Oh! Nice, Little Crow!”

“Another goal, a counterattack!”

“Go! The final counterattack!”

Tabito Karasu revealed his standard smile, rushing towards the 『U-20 National Team』 with all his might.

“Stick close to me, mortals!”

Rin Itoshi gritted his teeth, returning to his position while staring at Yoichi Isagi's back.

(Damn it! Always getting in the way, Isagi—)

(Even losing to Sae Itoshi, you have to interfere?!)

(I clearly just wanted to fight alone, Isagi!)

(『Blue Lock』 is always clinging to my soccer—)

(『Blue Lock』 won't let me fight alone?! Am I not, alone?)

(What's going on, this feels disgusting! I'm going to crush it!)

At this moment, Rin Itoshi's pupils were like fan blades, splitting into more than a dozen pieces.

“Wahoo——!”

“『Blue Lock』's Eleven Heroes defended the opponent's corner kick!!”

“Alright, with two minutes left in the match! The final counterattack begins!”

On the field, while Tabito Karasu was still thinking about who to pass the ball to, Rin Itoshi suddenly attacked from behind him, directly stealing the ball.

“Hey, what are you doing?!”

Rin Itoshi was clearly not going to explain to Tabito Karasu at this time, because he was completely immersed.

(What 『brothers』, what 『revenge』, what 『rivals』, whether it's Sae Itoshi, or Isagi! Or even the entirety of 『Blue Lock』, it doesn't matter!)

(Damn it, it's precisely because I was seeking answers from places other than myself that I was bound!)

[Too naive! Don't use me as a reason to play soccer anymore!!]

(Now I finally understand what Sae Itoshi meant back then—)

(The 『naive』 one is me! The reason I feel disgusted is because what I truly need to defeat, what I need to crush, is myself!!)

At this moment, Rin Itoshi finally entered the 『FLOW』 state, because his tongue involuntarily stuck out.

“Go, Rin!! Use teamwork….”

But when Yoichi Isagi looked at Rin Itoshi, he realized that he wasn't listening to him at all, and even changed direction, moving away from him.

(Huh, going on the outside? It's a counterattack now! Wouldn't that be a waste of time?!)

“Hey, Rin?!”

Yoichi Isagi looked at Rin Itoshi heading straight for Teppei Otoshi with confusion, wondering in his heart:

(Clearly, attacking straight ahead is the best option?!)

(Why is he still going to the narrow outside lane—)

Teppei Otoshi, seeing Rin Itoshi rushing towards him, also exclaimed in confusion:

“Coming all the way over here to me? Your tongue is sticking out, how rude!”

As Rin Itoshi approached Teppei Otoshi, the movements under his feet began to change constantly.

(Die, Shorty! I'm going to take you down!)

(Spiky Hair, your weapon is 『Speed』—)

(First, induce you to exert force and accelerate, and then use a reverse 『acceleration』 to crush you!)

Just as Rin Itoshi said, Teppei Otoshi was instantly passed.

Next, Rin Itoshi didn't rush straight towards the U-20 National Team's backfield, but instead headed towards Mikaru Karasu.