Blue Lock: I, Ryōsuke Kira, Start With Thunder Breathing

Soon, Ryōsuke had returned to Blue Lock.

Most of the members were also here, though some had not returned — like Yoichi and others who were representing Blue Lock at various commercial activities.

However, Ryōsuke didn't rest much; after returning to Blue Lock, he immediately went to the field to train. He hadn't practiced much these past few days due to being busy with events and now needed to catch up on the progress he had missed.

Just as he arrived at the practice field, he noticed someone was already there: Yō Hiori, the "Ultra Sadist".

Ryōsuke remembered Yō; his abilities at Blue Lock could be considered top-tier, possessing impressive physical attributes, refined technique, and excellent field vision.

But even so, he had a very low presence at Blue Lock. While others wanted to showcase themselves as much as possible, he was completely the opposite — he preferred not to be noticed by others. One could say that Yō was among the few at Blue Lock who didn't want to stand out.

Since childhood, his parents had placed excessively high expectations on him. They didn't care about his feelings, but only wanted him to become the world's number one forward to satisfy their own desires—

They treated Yō as nothing more than their possession, and this had made him lose interest in soccer.

"Hiori, what are you doing?" Ryōsuke asked.

At that moment, Yō was sitting beside the field, seemingly deep in thought. Previously, Ryōsuke's interactions with him hadn't been extensive.

"Nothing, I'm just spacing out here." Yō said slowly from where he sat.

"I have a feeling that you don't really like soccer, Hiori." Instead of starting training immediately, Ryōsuke sat down beside him and asked.

Although Yō got along reasonably well with everyone, there was still a sense of coldness about him.

"Yes, I don't really like soccer." Yō replied without hiding anything.

At the same time, he looked at Ryōsuke, seemingly recalling something, then continued asking.

"Kira, do you have that feeling of being 'expected' by others?"

"Expected? Well, it's not too bad for me."

"My whole life has been filled with expectations, so I've grown to dislike soccer." Yō lowered his head to look at the ground, his gaze becoming deep.

"Do you have anything you like?" Ryōsuke asked.

"I... I'm not sure."

"Did you like playing soccer before?"

"Before, I quite enjoyed it, but..."

"Although it might sound like simple advice from someone not in your position, I think you shouldn't care too much about others' expectations. After all, it's your life to live." Ryōsuke said slowly, "Why care about others' expectations? You should care more about your own — do you have expectations for yourself?"

"Expectations for myself..." After hearing his words, Yō fell into contemplation, seemingly caught in a dilemma.

"If you're feeling lost, why not just get moving? Once you get busy, you won't care about anything else."

"Is that so?"

"Want to join me?" Ryōsuke stood up and extended his hand to him.

"Mm." Yō nodded, grasped his hand, and also stood up.

Meanwhile, in his mind, he was continuously pondering what Ryōsuke had just said.

Did he like soccer? He certainly liked it before, but now he didn't anymore.

So what were his expectations for himself? Excluding his parents' wishes, did he want to become the world's number one forward?

Yō wasn't sure. But perhaps by following Ryōsuke, he could find the answer.

He remembered that Seishirō initially wasn't very interested in soccer either, but after being around Ryōsuke, he seemed to have become highly motivated.

"Let's go."

The two went to the field and began the simplest training.

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Ten days later, the match was about to begin.

Michael Kaiser and Alexis Ness were no longer in the team, and the starting lineup remained unchanged from last time.

After a period of rest, the second match was finally about to start. Everyone had made preparations and arrived at the field.

Ryōsuke led his team through the tunnel onto the field, while Ubers had already arrived and was waiting.

The moment he stepped onto the field, several gazes immediately focused on him.

"Long time no see, Kira." Kojiro approached him, his face bearing an eager smile.

"Long time no see." Ryōsuke shook hands with him.

The last time they met was at the beginning of the Second Phase of Blue Lock.

Kojiro, the "Fierce Tiger", was one of the most powerful forwards in the original Captain Tsubasa series, having once dominated Tsubasa during their youth. His Tiger Shot was even powerful enough to split a tree in half.

Now, he was staring intently at Ryōsuke, his eyes filled with curiosity. After all, this guy was the one who had defeated Tsubasa.

Elsewhere, Shōei also approached Ryōsuke, but this time he didn't utter any harsh words like before, remaining silent instead. In his eyes, however, the desire for revenge against Ryōsuke had grown even stronger.

He had transformed compared to before — he was no longer the reckless player who would attack impulsively whenever he got the ball. Now, Shōei could work in perfect synergy with Kojiro, complementing and restraining each other.

Further away, a long-haired man wearing a cap was staring intently at Genzō.

Ken Wakashimazu was also a nationally renowned goalkeeper. However, no matter where, his reputation was always overshadowed by Genzō. Whenever people discussed the nation's top goalkeeper, they would definitely place Genzō first and Ken second.

This was also true for their current salaries; Ken's was inferior to Genzō's.

This made him very unhappy. He believed he was absolutely not weaker than that "Young Master". And now was his chance to prove himself… If he could defeat Bastard München in this match, it would mean he had surpassed Genzō!

In this match, he must defeat his opponent!

"Kira, this time we'll be facing each other as enemies."

Nearby, Oliver Aiku and others approached, along with Ikki Niko and Jūbē Aryū.

They all shared one thing in common: outstanding defensive abilities, together forming Ubers's strongest defensive line.

"Both our teams are currently on a two-game winning streak. Although there's no issue of qualification in this round, the throne of first place will be taken by us, Ubers!" Ikki's determined gaze penetrated through the gaps in his thick bangs, landing on Ryōsuke.

"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it." Ryōsuke said with a smile.

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Meanwhile, various video websites and TV stations were warming up for the regular match.

After all, both Ubers and Bastard München currently had records of two wins and zero losses. Whoever won this round would be the champion of this Neo Hero League.

And excellent performance would naturally increase their market value.

[Coming up next is the live broadcast of the Blue Lock second stage match between Ubers and Bastard München!

This match is full of highlights! On Bastard München's side, Ryōsuke Kira's annual salary has exceeded 300 million, the highest among all players! Not only that, but they also have Genzō Wakabayashi as their super goalkeeper! His market value has reached 100 million!

However, Ubers is no less impressive! Shōei Barō displayed incomparable attacking power in the last match, tearing apart FC Barcha's defense! He successfully scored two goals! His playing style has become more reasonable without losing its aggressiveness! His current offered annual salary has also reached 100 million!

Their team also has an outstanding forward, the genius striker Kojiro Hyuga who once won the U-20 World Cup for our country! His shots are as fierce as a lion! Market value: 150 million! And their goalkeeper Ken Wakashimazu has successfully integrated karate with soccer, saving countless threatening shots! Market value: 70 million!]

The commentator was excitedly introducing both teams. As a clash between two powerhouses, the whole world was watching this match.

"Kira's match is about to start!"

In the women's dormitory, Aina Yoshiwara, without makeup, was eagerly staring at the live broadcast on her phone screen. Though not particularly exquisite, her appearance gave people a very pleasant impression.

On the other side, the members of Grand Blue had also gathered in front of the TV, waiting for the match to begin. On the table, unopened bottles of alcohol had been stacked into a small mountain.

In the Blue Lock building, the other teams had also simultaneously stopped their training to watch this live broadcast together.

"Please, both teams enter the field."

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As the announcement sounded, players from both sides simultaneously entered the field.

"Italy also seems to have won both their games." Ashito said with a nervous deep breath.

"Yes, that's right." Ryōsuke nodded, his face beaming with a smile, "But it doesn't matter, because their record is about to become two wins and one loss."

Nearby, Yoichi looked far across to the opponent's half of the field. Shōei, Ikki, Oliver, and Jūbē — even without counting Kojiro and others — this lineup could be described as extremely luxurious. The overall strength of this team was far superior to the previous two they had faced.

But precisely because of this, they were all the more valuable to defeat.

On the other side, a slim man was smiling at Ryōsuke, his eyes revealing a beast-like hunger.

"310 million, the most expensive price tag, undoubtedly Bastard München's ace, right?" the man muttered to himself, his face showing an almost pathological smile.

On the back of his neck was a mouth-shaped tattoo, seemingly greedy to devour everything.

One of the New Generation World XI, the "Ace Eater" Don Lorenzo!

"To think he pushed Michael out of the team, how interesting! If I could devour him, if I could defeat him, then I would have a value of over 300 million, right?"

For Lorenzo, who once lived in a garbage dump, nothing was more important in this world than money. In his eyes, a player's strength was directly linked to their market value.

"There's nothing in this world that money can't buy, ok? This one's 20 million, this one's 17 million..." His gaze swept across everyone, finally landing on Ryōsuke. His smile became radiant, "Added together, it's still not 300 million. Though Michael is gone, an even more delicious prey has arrived~ Devour him, Ubers, ok?"

His reason for coming to Blue Lock was the same as Michael's: to increase his own market value. Defeat valuable opponents to further enhance his worth.

And now, Ryōsuke was the most suitable target.

Before the match had even begun, the atmosphere on the field had already become heated.

There were those who yearned for revenge. Those who yearned to prove themselves. Those who yearned for money. Everyone's purposes were different, but their goal at this stage was the same:

To secure victory in this match.

Whistle~~~!!

As the referee's whistle sounded, the match between Ubers and Bastard München officially began.

Bastard München attacked first!

After kickoff, Yoichi immediately broke through at top speed, quickly shaking off his defender.

After long-term training, he was no longer the kind of player who couldn't accomplish anything on his own.

However, just as he got past one person, Ikki immediately came in for defensive support, giving him no chance to break through further.

Ubers's defense was extremely tight, like an unceasing stream with no gaps. As soon as one defender was passed, the defensive line would immediately shift, allowing others to provide support at the fastest speed.

And players like Ikki were exactly the type that Yoichi found most difficult to deal with. The two were almost identical in physical condition... And their abilities were also nearly exactly the same.

"Don't forget, I can see the same landscape as you, Isagi!" Ikki said slowly to him.

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