Chapter 68: Kneel!

After finishing their training, it was already evening. Kira led his teammates for a tactical.

Based on the expected formation of the opposing team, each person would be matched up against a different opponent.

Ikki was matched up against Meguru, who had a similar physique. His excellent defensive abilities should be able to create some trouble for Meguru.

Rensuke was matched up against Aoshi, whose greatest strength lay in his monstrous physical abilities. Rensuke, with his strong build, was the best fit to guard against him.

Nagi's natural talent would be able to rival Jyubei.

And finally, the opponent's strongest player, Rin, was left to Kira to handle.

Although there were assigned matchups, the actual situation could change during the course of the game.

At this moment, Kira opened the system interface.

[Host: Kira Ryosuke]

[Competitiveness Points: 130]

Today's game only awarded Kira 80 points, but it was still higher than he had anticipated. After all, the number of players and the scale of the game were smaller than a normal match, and the time spent was considerably shorter. It was reasonable that the reward in points was also less.

However, tomorrow's opponent had overall strength that could be considered the strongest, even surpassing the big three of the V Team from before.

Aoshi and Jyubei possessed physical abilities, and Rin's overall strength was undeniably the top among the Blue lock. Not only did he have outstanding shooting skills, but he also possessed excellent spatial awareness like Yoichi and Ikki, being able to perceive the movements of the entire field. He could even guide others to act according to his will, like a puppeteer on the field.

But Kira didn't believe that he would lose.

"We're going to face someone like Rin tomorrow. Are you nervous?"

Kira cast his gaze upon the people in front of him, waiting for their response.

"If you ask whether we're nervous, well, maybe a little. But precisely because there's someone like Rin, we need to win."

Rensuke answered firmly,

"I've already experienced that feeling of unwillingness once, and I don't want to go through it again."

Nagi, although still wearing a calm expression, had a serious look in his eyes as well.

"Me too. I don't want to lose anymore, and his arrogant attitude is getting on my nerves."

Ikki nodded in agreement.

"Alright then, let's go all out tomorrow and take care of them."

A smile appeared on Kira's face.

....

Meanwhile, Meguru and Rin were training.

"Hey, Rin, do you have a monster in your heart?"

Meguru, drenched in sweat, sat on the grass, panting, and turned his head to look at Rin.

"What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of half-baked question is that?"

Rin turned his head and glanced at Meguru with disdain.

"It's not something that actually exists, just a fantasy of football that aligns with your own desires. I think impressive individuals should have it."

"Who knows? It's because you're controlled by such childish things that you appear weak and boring on the field. You can spend your whole life playing against monsters, while I'll become the world's number one."

Rin had no intention of wasting time on idle talk with Meguru and turned to leave.

However, at that moment, Meguru spoke again.

"But there's one person who's an exception. Kira. The monster in my heart feels fear towards Kira, or rather, Kira is a more terrifying existence than a monster. We must never underestimate him."

"Ridiculous statement. He's just a stepping stone for me to climb higher, and I'll mercilessly crush him along the way."

Rin turned and spoke, without pausing for a moment, then left the training field.

...

The next day, Kira and his team arrived early at the lobby on this floor.

Meanwhile, Rin and his team had been waiting for a long time.

"Are you in a hurry to die?"

Rin narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on Kira, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"I can return that line to you word for word."

Kira replied with a relaxed expression, looking around. Besides them, another team had also arrived, but Kira didn't recognize them.

However, the faces of those four people were filled with expressions of fear. Each of them had heard of Rin's name and witnessed his formidable strength during the assembly. Some of them had even faced Rin in the first selection round.

They all shared a consensus in their minds: challenging Rin was a dead end.

Fortunately, the rules of this round required the consent of both teams for the match to take place. This gave them a glimmer of hope, as they would absolutely refuse if Rin's team actively challenged them.

"This is definitely a dead end... They will definitely be demoted straight back to the 3rd district."

In their eyes, it was an absolute impossibility to win...

Meanwhile, Rin completely ignored the other team and looked at Kira with an extremely contemptuous gaze.

"All right, I'll send you on your way."

"I made it clear to you. If I win, I won't choose you. Just go back to the previous stage and start over, so that others can see the pitiful defeat of the mighty Rin."

Kira replied with a smile.

"You're quite trendy, but I'll bring the match to a stylish end."

Jyubei used his hand to smooth his hair, wearing an indifferent expression on his face.

"Uhh... Can we really win...? I'm so nervous... so nervous... so excited..."

Though Aoshi appeared very negative, in reality, he couldn't wait to start the match.

"Kira and also Rensuke, this time we're going to fight each other. I'll give it my all!"

Meguru smiled and said to Kira.

"Such a hassle. Let's get it over."

Nagi said slowly.

"We will definitely be the winners."

Ikki said the same.

"Bring it on!"

Rensuke stepped forward, exchanged punches with Meguru, a look of impatience on his face.

His heart was filled with nervousness, but at the same time, he eagerly anticipated the match.

Soon, both teams of eight players arrived at the field. After verifying their fingerprints, the match officially commenced.

Kira's team, the White Team, and Rin's team, the Red Team.

The match began, with the Red Team launching the first attack!

Meguru swiftly dribbled the ball past midfield, while Ikki, responsible for defending against him, immediately closed in, not intending to give the opponent any chance to break through.

"What a troublesome guy with those thick bangs. I didn't expect to encounter you here!"

Meguru said with a smile, flicking the ball to the side, passing it to Rin's feet.

"What a boring bunch you are. Just a group of people thrown together."

Rin, standing at the centerline, skillfully stopped the ball, then lifted his head, gazing down at the people before him, including his teammates.

"Your comrade was my stepping stone in the previous round, wasn't he? There's not much difference between you. I really hope you all disappear from my sight. The field is a battlefield, and I'll personally kill all of you."

Rin suddenly raised his foot and took a shot from the midfield!

The incredibly fast ball flew right through the gap between Ikki and Rensuke, heading straight for the goal!

"What a tricky curve!"

Ikki couldn't help but exclaim.

This shot not only possessed an ultra-fast speed, leaving him with no time to react, but it also curved directly towards the corner of the goal, giving them no chance to make a defensive move!

And that ball was heading straight for the top right corner of the goal!

"Just accept your defeat honestly."

Rin said calmly.

But his words suddenly stopped, and his expression became serious.

Rin's spatial perception, which encompassed the entire field, allowed him to detect an unusual presence within the field.

And just when almost everyone thought this shot was a sure goal, a swift figure suddenly appeared in front of the goal.

Kira Ryosuke!

 Thunderclap Flash!

Kira concentrated his explosive power in his legs, then leaped high and used his head to forcefully disrupt this otherwise certain shot.

"A very stylish shot, but the clearance this time is even more stylish! The jumping ability and timing control are at a remarkably stylish level."

Jyubei praised Kira's defense.

There was a twitch at the corner of Rin's mouth. He had no idea why Kira appeared in that location.

Because in the instant of the shot, he had captured the positions of everyone, and Kira's original position should have been far away from the goal, making it impossible for him to interfere with this shot.

But after the shot, Rin noticed that Kira was sprinting towards their own goal at a super speed.

Moreover, his route was very direct, as if he had seen through the trajectory of this shot.

Indeed, it is precisely because of Kira's ability Thunder Swarm that he could better judge the trajectory of Rin's shot and disrupt it at the last moment!

"This annoying guy."

Rin couldn't help but curse.

At this moment, after the ball was headed away by Kira, it fell at Nagi's feet, and in the instant he touched the ball, he passed it out.

Kira, who had just been in front of their own goal, sprinted forward and successfully received his teammate's pass.

Kira's speed was incredibly fast as he closed in on Rin.

Rin immediately retreated, tightening their defensive line, while carefully observing Kira's movements and the positions of the other players on the field.

He guided Kira along the route he anticipated, deep into their own half. This would narrow the opponent's attacking options, while the timing of Jyubei's retreat and Aoshi's double-team from different directions would make it easy for Rin to read the passing lanes and easily make interceptions!

This was Rin's most terrifying aspect manipulating the entire flow of the game invisibly.

"Are you predicting my actions?"

Kira said to Rin,

"Your ability to perceive the entire field is indeed remarkable, a power I have never possessed."

"Good to know. This is the difference between me and you ants. I can see the scenery that you ordinary beings can't even glimpse..."

"However."

Kira narrowed his eyes slightly and a smile appeared on his face.

"Your ability has no meaning to me."

"What are you talking about?!"

"Even if you can see my attacking trajectory, what can you do about it?"

While Kira was finishing his sentence, he suddenly accelerated once again!

 Thunderclap Flash!

Kira's sudden burst of speed surprised Rin, as it seemed even faster than before.

Rin's body instinctively reacted, shifting his weight backward to try and keep up with the opponent's speed as much as possible.

But in that instant, Rin heard a loud warning from Meguru:

"Don't be fooled! It's a feint!"

"What?"

Before Rin could react, Kira suddenly decelerated and stood in front of Rin as if frozen in place.

To be able to come to a sudden stop at such high speed and still maintain complete control over the ball, it was evident that Kira possessed terrifying physical qualities, balance, and ball control skills.

Due to Kira's sudden change in rhythm, Rin's body involuntarily leaned forward again, but his balance was completely disrupted. His ankles struggled to stabilize his stance, and he stumbled, falling to the ground.

Rin widened his eyes in disbelief. This was the first time he had been cleanly passed by a player in a one-on-one situation.

On the defensive end, he felt completely toyed with.

"Kneel down. It seems like this is the first time you understand the meaning of respect."

In the moment he fell, Kira's voice echoed in Rin's ears.

And with a gust of wind sweeping by, Kira had already accelerated once again, heading straight for the goal.

Even though Aoshi and Jyubei were desperately trying to chase him, they couldn't catch up to Kira's speed at all.

He lifted his foot! He took the shot!

The goalkeeper of the Red team, the BLUELOCK MAN, made a desperate attempt to save it but couldn't stop Kira's shot!

1-0!