"Fukuda, who do you think will win?"
Nozomi sat in front of the TV with Esperion's two youth teams, awaiting the start of the official match.
"I'm not sure." Tatsuya said with a smile, shaking his head, "Kurihayashi is with Manshine City in England, and Ashito is with Bastard München. I can't wait to see them face off!"
"In the last match... Ashito showed incredible growth..." Nozomi said thoughtfully.
At first, he hadn't noticed Ashito's impact on that game, but after Tatsuya's explanation, he realized just how far the boy had come.
The most significant improvement was that Ashito had started playing with his head.
Before, he would run aimlessly around the field, trying to be the center of attention with no regard for tactics. But in that match, he had embraced a supporting role.
Furthermore, both Ashito's physical condition and soccer skills had clearly improved. He was now more than qualified for the Youth A-Team.
[Now announcing the starting lineups for both teams.]
The TV commentator began reading out the starting lineups.
Nozomi's eyes widened in surprise, "That's strange — Kaiser and Ness aren't in Bastard München's lineup!"
Viewers worldwide watching the livestream noticed the same thing, causing an immediate uproar online.
"What's going on? Why isn't Michael starting?"
"Michael was terrible in the last game — no wonder he's benched!"
"Don't you dare talk about my brother like that! Everyone has off days!"
Online, Ryōsuke's and Michael's fans were locked in a heated argument.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Meanwhile on the field, the Manshine City players noticed Michael's absence from the starting lineup.
"What's going on? Even Michael's been benched? They must be underestimating us." Hyōma frowned, watching the "star player" sitting on the bench.
Despite Michael's poor performance in the last match, they found it strange that Bastard München's former youth academy star would be benched over just one bad game.
"No, it's because of Kira." Reo replied immediately.
He could tell from Michael's unhappy expression that being relegated to the bench wasn't voluntary.
In the last match, Michael hadn't just performed poorly — he'd been completely out of sync with Ryōsuke on the field, even refusing to pass to him. Now his striker position had been taken away.
Something must have happened during Bastard München's training — likely a power struggle between Ryōsuke and Michael for team leadership. Ryōsuke had clearly won, resulting in both Michael and Alexis being benched.
Though Bastard München had lost two powerful players, their teamwork would likely improve. With a clear core player established, they wouldn't face the same possession battles they did in their first match.
In a way, the team had grown stronger.
"Long time no see, Kira."
Hyōma approached Ryōsuke for a fist bump, with Seishirō and Reo following.
"Kira, this time I'm going to beat you." Seishirō said firmly.
"Get ready for your first proper defeat." Reo's eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he issued his challenge.
Since being thoroughly defeated and humbled by Ryōsuke, Reo's once-arrogant personality had softened, becoming more grounded.
"Bring it on then." Ryōsuke smiled as he accepted their challenges.
Meanwhile, Ashito stared intently at Haruhisa, his eyes showing reverence. Though they were in the same club, this was his first time sharing the field with this young professional.
"Ashito Aoi, I suppose this is our first meeting." Haruhisa greeted him.
"P-pleased to meet you!" Ashito nodded quickly.
Haruhisa approached Ryōsuke, "Hello, Kira-san, I've heard a lot about you."
"Nice to meet you. I've also heard much about you, Kurihayashi-san. I'm looking forward to our match."
"Likewise." Haruhisa kept his eyes fixed on him.
Tatsuya had mentioned Ryōsuke to him several times before, sparking his interest. This match would be his way of truly understanding this young man...
Though, to him, his own victory was already certain.
"Haruhisa is so handsome!"
"And Reo is so handsome too! He's the young master of the Mikage Group!"
"But Ryōsuke is definitely the most handsome!"
Online, fans had started discussing matters unrelated to soccer.
The Blue Lock Second Phase not only broadcast matches publicly but also featured an idol voting system. Viewers could purchase memberships or spend money to cast popularity votes for their favorite players.
Beyond skill, a player's popularity could influence their chances of becoming a starter — and increase their market value. Off-field influence was crucial, and clubs paid close attention to the commercial potential players could bring.
Currently, Ryōsuke's vote count led by an overwhelming margin.
The match was about to begin. Players from both teams took their positions on the field, ready to start.
Everyone had entered match mode — Blue Lock Neo Hero League's third match was about to begin!
With the whistle's blow, Bastard München launched their first attack!
Ryōsuke kicked off to Yoichi, and everyone charged toward the opponent's half!
Bastard München had established Ryōsuke as their absolute core, with most team members replaced by Blue Lock players. The remaining two players had also actively sought to coordinate with Ryōsuke and the others.
The team was now more united and stronger than in their first match.
Watching Benedict and others coordinating with Ryōsuke's charge, Michael sat fuming on the bench, his eyebrows knotted together. This should have been his stage to shine, but now his enemy had taken it.
Displeasure, anger, jealousy — Michael gritted his teeth as these emotions consumed him.
Meanwhile, Yoichi advanced at top speed while scanning for opportunities to distribute the ball. Though his soccer skills were slightly inferior to Alexis's, his superior field vision and game sense allowed him to better connect the team's plays.
Just as Yoichi received a back pass, a swift figure rushed in, blocking his path.
Reo Mikage!
"Isagi, you're worth 28 million now — that's more than our company executives!" Reo said with a smile, taking up a solid defensive position that made it impossible to break through.
'Is this imitating Aiku's defense? That pressure... no, it's even stronger than Aiku was before!'
Just as Yoichi considered his passing options, Reo suddenly pressed forward, pressuring his dribble.
The sudden change in rhythm caught Yoichi off guard. He hurriedly protected the ball — but his speed wasn't enough. Reo was faster!
He cleanly completed the steal!
"Is that imitating Kira's movements?" Rensuke asked in surprise, "No, it's different!"
Just as he had guessed, Reo was using Ryōsuke as his template for that instant steal. Due to the absolute difference in physical abilities and technique, he originally couldn't copy this monster's abilities at all.
But this gave him a new insight: speed and power could be compensated for by other factors — like rhythm.
While Ryōsuke relied on raw speed and explosive power for his steals, Reo used calculated rhythm changes to create bursts of relative speed.
Yoichi's less-than-perfect ball control gave him the opening he needed for the steal.
The counterattack begins!
"Well done, Reo! But I won't let you through!" Rensuke shouted, sprinting to block the path.
Reo abruptly changed his rhythm. Running at full speed, he suddenly halted, creating space between himself and his opponent.
Thanks to his recent training and powerful legs, Rensuke matched the sudden stop perfectly, instantly closing the gap that had opened.
"If you're trying to copy Kira, you're nowhere close. You'll never match his speed and footwork." Rensuke said, eyes locked on his opponent.
"Of course I know that. I can't copy him at all. That steal was just clever tactics, not Kira's true defensive style." A cold expression crept across Reo's face.
He burst forward again with Rensuke in close pursuit. Just as his left foot approached the ball, Reo switched his movement — right foot forward, left foot pulling back, then driving forward, wrapping the ball from behind his right foot to the front!
A reverse cow-tail dribble!
The fluid motion carried him past the defense.
"What?" Rensuke's eyes widened as he recognized the technique and rhythm.
It was the same move that arrogant player had used in the U-20 Match.
Reo was channeling Sae Itoshi!
Rensuke tried to pivot and chase, but Reo's arm blocked his position, preventing the turn!
That positioning technique mirrored Sae's perfectly! And Rensuke could feel remarkable strength from Reo's arm — something the previous Reo had never possessed!
He had transformed completely!
The old Reo would have instantly searched for Seishirō after receiving the ball, and during the U-20 Match, he'd focused solely on defense. This aggressive, independent offensive play was entirely new territory for him!
"I don't need to rely on anyone anymore! I'm not anyone's accessory!"
Like a phantom, Reo sliced through Bastard München's defense line single-handedly, charging straight for the goal.
"Great!"
On Bastard München's bench, Alexis and Michael couldn't hide their satisfaction at his performance.
Though he was their opponent, if he could challenge the current Bastard München, it would prove that Noel had made the wrong choice.
Michael was the true essential core for Bastard München!
At the goal, Reo positioned himself for the shot. Despite the difficult angle, if he could channel 'Rin Itoshi', he'd score with an outside curl!
"Chameleon, time to show your true colors!"
Just as Reo prepared to shoot, Ryōsuke rushed in, leaving him no space!
"That's incredible — you can cover defense even from that position? Kira, you really are a monster."
"You've gotten much stronger too, Reo." Ryōsuke stared intently at his opponent.
"That's thanks to you." Reo smiled slightly.
What he had just said wasn't wrong. Ryōsuke's terrifying individual ability had indeed helped reshape his personality.
But now Reo's mind was racing.
He knew neither Sae nor Rin could defeat Ryōsuke — and as their inferior copy, he stood even less of a chance.
Yet he had accomplished exactly what he wanted: luring Ryōsuke in!
❖ Metavision! ❖
Every player's position came into crystal-clear focus. There — a gap in Ryōsuke's defense!
"Go, show your creativity! Nagi!"
Reo pivoted sharply, launching the ball toward Seishirō on the opposite side!
❖❖❖
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