Blue Lock: Beyond Greatness

"Hello, everyone! Welcome to BLUE LOCK TV! We're back at the match between the U-20 National Team and Blue Lock Eleven. We're now in the second half, with only 18 minutes left until the final whistle. We've just received news that Zantetsu Tsurugi from Blue Lock has been substituted. As a speed-based player, he's been sprinting non-stop throughout the match—looks like he's run out of stamina."

"That's right. Ryousuke Kira is coming on to replace Zantetsu. This is Blue Lock's final substitution. Speaking of Kira, he's one of the few players who already had a reputation before entering Blue Lock. He was once hailed as a 'jewel of Japanese football' and was even pre-selected for the U-18 national team. Who would have thought that he'd end up as a substitute in Blue Lock?"

"Meanwhile, the U-20 National Team has also made substitutions. Miroku and Teppei have been subbed out, replaced by two of their original strikers, Kento Cho and Teru Kitsunezato."

"It looks like the U-20 team is getting desperate to bolster their attack, even at the cost of sacrificing their prized defensive structure by adding more forwards."

"Exactly! After a brief adjustment, the match resumes, and U-20 has possession. We can see that the entire U-20 team is radiating pure intensity. Even their defenders are unconsciously pushing forward. I wouldn't be surprised if, given the chance, the whole team charges toward the ball in a final, all-out assault."

"Indeed! After all, this is a national team that even drafted additional reinforcements, yet they're still getting completely dominated by just one player—Kanzaki Shinichi. It's a bitter pill to swallow. Right now, the U-20 team is fighting for their last shred of dignity!"

"Exactly! But on the other hand, the same goes for Shinichi. This is his official debut match, and he has immediately reached his peak, single-handedly dominating the entire game. Crushing a professional team like this will undoubtedly become a defining moment in his career. So, if the U-20 National Team is fighting for their dignity, then Shinichi is fighting for his own glory."

"As for the remaining players, their performances in this globally broadcasted match will directly shape their futures. In a sense, they are fighting for their careers. Three different forces, each stepping onto the same battlefield for different reasons. But in the end, there can only be one victor."

"Who will achieve their goal and emerge as the hero to close this match? Let's find out!"

...

"Feeling frustrated?"

After announcing the final substitution, Ego suddenly spoke, addressing the players behind him. The entire bench fell into silence—no one responded. But Ego didn't seem to mind. He continued speaking, as if having a conversation with himself.

"Good. Frustration is exactly what you should be feeling. Remember this feeling—the helplessness of sitting on the bench, watching your teammates fight on the field while you can do nothing. This is your current level. You half-baked players aren't even qualified to step onto the pitch alongside them."

"But compared to those who didn't even make it onto the bench, you're already far luckier. You still have a chance to make up for it. So if you don't want to feel this frustration again, at the very least, train yourselves to a level where you can step onto that stage. Got it?"

Seishiro Nagi, Otoya Eita, Nishioka Hajime, and the other substitutes instinctively clenched their fists.

Even within Blue Lock, they had always been the stars of their respective teams. But now, in this battle among the best of the best, they were nothing more than spectators.

At this moment, they weren't even side characters—just faceless extras, completely overlooked, unqualified to even fight for the title of "hero."

"Yes!" xN

...

"We've already tried using Cho and Teru's formation before, but it didn't work well, which is why we stuck with our previous setup. That means relying on our training formation is meaningless here. So, in this situation, I can only move based on my instincts and trust that Sae and Hiori can link us together."

On the field, Isagi quickly strategized the next offensive play. His gaze finally landed on a specific player—Shidou.

'Yes… It has to be you. The strongest spear in U-20's attack. If we want to score, the only way is to unleash your full potential.'

"Shidou, just run as freely as you want. I'll do everything I can to support you."

"Oh?" Shidou didn't even look at Isagi. He just kept stretching, preparing for the kickoff. "You've got a bit of an eye for the game, I'll give you that."

"But you guys are always using me as a decoy. I'm sick of it."

"From this moment on, I'm going to explode in my own way!"

Before Isagi could even process what Shidou meant, the whistle blew. Hiori kicked off, passing the ball to Sae, and the rest of the team immediately moved into position.

Pushing aside his confusion, Isagi followed closely behind Shidou, ready to provide cover.

However, Shidou completely ignored him. He didn't even care about his marking defenders—instead, he kept making wild counter-movements, as if he was trying to shake off Isagi himself rather than his opponents.

"Shidou, what the hell are you doing?! This is a crucial moment!" Isagi shouted in shock.

But Shidou didn't acknowledge him at all. He kept going his own way, breaking apart the team's formation. Isagi had no choice but to abandon his plan of assisting Shidou.

"Damn it!" Isagi clenched his teeth as he sprinted toward the attacking half. "If Shidou won't cooperate, then my ideas won't work either."

"Fine! If you won't work with me, then I'll carve out a new path on my own!"

"The one who will become the hero... is me!"

However, in a place unseen by Isagi, a pair of gleaming golden, serpent-like eyes locked onto him.

"I see it… The one trying to break open the game…"

"Which means—if I shut you down, I can shatter the last glimmer of hope in your so-called dawn of victory—"

"And plunge you into the deepest despair!"

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