Chapter 88: I Will Devour You!

"Kira is so strong."

On the field, Nagi wiped the sweat off his forehead and spoke to Yoichi.

It had only been a few minutes since the start of the match, and he was already sweating. This was something that hadn't happened in previous matches.

"Yeah, Kira's strength is unprecedented. Even though we feel like we've become stronger, we still haven't seen the gap between us narrow."

Yoichi turned his head and cast his gaze on Kira in the distance.

"Kira must be improving himself at the same time."

Since coming to the Blue lock, no, even before that, Yoichi felt that he and Kira were simply not on the same level.

Even against Rin, Yoichi could sense that he could stand on equal ground with his opponent at times. But Kira seemed like a peak that Yoichi couldn't even touch.

This made Yoichi very unwilling.

He was eager to catch up to Kira and surpass him.

It couldn't just be a dream; it had to be something he must achieve.

"Yoichi, I want to surpass Kira. No matter what, I want to defeat him."

Nagi slowly spoke, and despite his usual laziness, he was now in a highly focused state.

"Yeah," Yoichi smiled and nodded.

Soon, the Blue lock team launched another attack, advancing towards the U-20 team. Rin dribbled the ball forward.

"The key is to break through their defense, but how should we do it? There must be a way, there must be a way."

At this moment, Yoichi was running off the ball next to Rin, and his thoughts never ceased.

"First of all, it's certain that even though Oliver has excellent defensive abilities, Kira is the one in the U-20 team with the strongest individual defensive capabilities. If not even Kenyu could do it, no one can defeat him in a 1v1 situation. So, we must try to avoid initiating attacks from Kira's position on the offensive end."

In Yoichi's eyes, Kira didn't have a fixed position on the field. He could immediately provide defensive support like a defender, while also fulfilling the responsibilities of a forward and launching counterattacks. This guy had no weaknesses.

Especially on a small-sized field, Yoichi had watched some of Kira's footage. In a small-sized field, his offensive and defensive abilities were magnified.

However, it's not a small-sized field anymore, but an official 22-player match.

In such a scenario, Kira is bound to have moments of distraction.

With the field expanded, no matter how fast Kira is, as long as we guide him towards the sidelines, even if he quickly defends the other flank, it will take him time!

The tactic is to initiate a feigned attack from one side, drawing the defense over, and then swiftly circulating the ball to launch another attack from the other side.

This kind of tactic is highly challenging for ordinary teams because even the feigned attack must come from a player who can truly threaten the goal; otherwise, it's impossible to manipulate the defense.

However, all eleven players on their team belong to the Blue lock.

Each one of them desires to score a goal, and it is precisely this selfish desire that makes this tactic so threatening.

Only with that level of feigned attack can they deceive Kira!

Yoichi looked at Rin beside him but didn't say anything.

On one hand, Rin would never listen to any commands or instructions; he only trusts his own judgment.

On the other hand, Yoichi also understood that Rin fully comprehends the current situation.

He is the absolute core of the Blue lock, possessing a puppetry strategy that can control everyone's actions.

Rin is the commander of this team!

At this moment, Rin swiftly dribbled the ball forward, while Yoichi continued to make off-the-ball runs by his side.

Although he didn't have many touches on the ball, every movement Yoichi made posed a threat to the U-20 team, providing Rin with more passing options and forcing the defenders to divert their attention to Yoichi.

Yoichi is the bait for Rin.

And this allows Rin to have more space to make breakthroughs.

He suddenly accelerated, using his superb dribbling skills to directly bypass the defender in front of him.

Two more players appeared in front of Rin, but he showed no signs of slowing down and charged straight through the gap between them.

"This guy, does he think he can bulldoze through?!"

"We must stop him!"

The defenders immediately pressed forward, ready to close down Rin's dribbling space. However, he lifted his foot and lightly flicked the ball, sending it soaring through the air above the defenders' heads. Taking advantage of this moment, he successfully made a breakthrough.

It was as if he was toying with them.

"Impressive fellow, but this time I won't let you pass, you little thief!"

Other players were left behind, and Oliver immediately filled in the defensive gap.

However, at this very moment, Rin didn't linger on the ball but instead used the back of his heel to pass the ball to the left flank.

This time, Hyoma joined in with the attacking press.

"Finally!"

The moment he received the ball, Hyoma suddenly accelerated.

His red hair fluttered as he sprinted at high speed. Known for his quickness, Hyoma resembled a red cheetah on the field, charging towards the goal line and leaving behind a red streak.

"The number four of the Blue lock... Hyoma! What kind of speed is that!?"

The commentator exclaimed in astonishment.

Everyone on the field was instantly captivated by Hyoma.

"This guy, can he really be that fast?!"

Within the U-20 team, defender Teppei, known for his speed, had already chased after Hyoma at the fastest pace possible. Although he also possessed impressive explosive power, there was still a gap between him and Hyoma. Moreover, Rin's earlier breakthrough had disrupted his positioning, creating a considerable distance between him and Hyoma right from the start.

"Is this guy really that fast?!"

Teppei shouted helplessly.

"Seize the opportunity and score directly!"

In Hyoma's eyes, there were almost no defenders left, only the goalkeeper positioned slightly to the side.

But just as Hyoma was contemplating how to take the shot, a terrifying chill rushed towards him from the other side.

Sensing this presence alone, Hyoma knew exactly who it was.

Kira.

Kira activated Thunderclap Flash, granting him speed surpassing that of Hyoma, and directly blocked his attacking path from the side.

"Kira has once again arrived in time at the scene. My goodness, his speed is like lightning, catching up to the number four of the Blue lock from behind!"

The commentator, upon seeing Kira's appearance, became even more excited, and their voice trembled.

They had initially thought of Kira as a mere support character for Sae, never expecting him to display such frightening strength.

"Damn it, Kira, you're the only one who can catch up to me with your speed!"

Seeing Kira's arrival, Hyoma couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile. The moment his opponent appeared, he knew that scoring was absolutely impossible.

He had witnessed Kira's terrifying individual defensive abilities. Even Kenyu had failed to break through in front of Kira. Continuing to dribble would only result in losing the ball. Now, Hyoma's only option was to pass.

Hyoma immediately assessed the situation on the field, and in that instant, he realized something.

"So, in the end, I was just a decoy? How cunning. But now I have no other choice. I'll just give it back to you!"

Hyoma had no other option but to deliver a long cross.

And his target for the pass was Rin!

Rin shared the same idea as Yoichi. He needed a sacrificial pawn to create an opportunity for himself, and he had to push Kira away from his path. That was the reason he passed the ball to Hyoma earlier.

It wasn't about sharing the ball, but rather using Hyoma's speed and attacking desire to fulfill his own offense.

"Well done. Continue running as the decoy for me."

Rin securely received Hyoma's pass and continued his charge towards the penalty area.

"You can't get past, little genius!"

Oliver appeared in front of Rin, blocking his way!

"Such quick reflexes. Was he not influenced by Hyoma's movements? Did he see through the tactic or does he have absolute confidence in Kira?"

Yoichi was filled with doubt, but at this moment, he needed to fully focus on the tactics.

He increased his speed, swiftly passing by Rin's side and simultaneously bypassing Oliver.

"Two against one?"

Just as Oliver turned his head, Rin suddenly made a move.

He didn't intend to pass to Yoichi the latter was also Rin's sacrificial pawn!

Yoichi was making off-the-ball movements around Rin, successfully disrupting the defenders' judgment!

"I knew this was a trap!"

However, despite just turning his head, Oliver's footsteps didn't falter. Instead, he closely followed Rin.

Based on Rin and Yoichi's previous coordination, he guessed the tactic the opponent might use!

Rin had regarded Yoichi as a trap

And Oliver had also set a trap for Rin!

He turned his head, pretending to be influenced by Yoichi, but in reality, he was waiting for the moment when Rin would act!

Oliver deduced that Rin relied on his right foot, so he made a clever move in his positioning, able to block Rin's right foot! He couldn't attack at all!

"At this level, you can't defend against me!"

However, Rin took a step forward, preparing to shoot against Oliver!

"What? You fool!"

Oliver couldn't believe Rin had made such a reckless choice, but the latter had already successfully kicked the ball!

An outside curve shot with his right foot!

Rin knew that Oliver was marking his right foot, yet he didn't choose to back down. Instead, he forcefully created a curved shot, testing both his mental composure and shooting technique!

"Damn it!"

The ball grazed past Oliver's side, heading straight for the goal with a cunning curve!

"Got it!"

Beside them, Meguru had already started celebrating in advance.

"It's still early!"

But in that instant, a figure dashed out from the side and leaped into the air, successfully intercepting the ball!

Kira!

The moment he defended against Hyoma, Kira immediately chose to retreat and ultimately positioned himself in front of the goal, blocking it just in time.

He understood the abilities of Blue lock better than anyone else!

Even the slightest opening, and they would cling onto it relentlessly.

"Damn it!"

Rin didn't expect that his surefire goal would once again be intercepted by Kira.

This guy is truly a monster.

"Kira once again completes the clearance. it's hard to believe that he actually plays as a center forward in this team, but without a doubt, his performance on the defensive end is as brilliant as the sun!"

The commentator didn't hesitate to praise Kira.

In the spectator stands, there were numerous scouts from other renowned clubs around the world, and they all etched the name Kira in their minds.

At this moment, Kira promptly completed the clearance, forcefully kicking the ball away

"Well done, Kira!"

Oliver applauded.

"No, not yet!"

But at that moment, another figure had already appeared at the landing spot of the ball.

Yoichi!

"Why is this guy appearing here?!"

Shuto exclaimed in surprise.

"As expected, just as I anticipated! Kira!"

Yoichi shouted excitedly,

"You were able to catch up to Hyoma and intercept Rin's shot in time. I knew you could do it, Kira. Only you can accomplish this!"

Yoichi accurately predicted that Kira would be able to return to defend and block Rin's shot. Utilizing his keen spatial awareness, he gambled on the landing spot of the ball!

Everything was going according to Yoichi's plan!

He knew well the terrifying individual strength of Kira, which he himself couldn't catch up to, so Yoichi had to employ other means.

Indeed, both Hyoma and Rin were part of Yoichi's plan. He acted as the bait for Rin while using the opponent as his own bait!

Yoichi intended to exploit Kira's excellent defensive abilities and devour him!

It was precisely because he placed all his bets on Kira's personal strength that he could achieve this!

"Kira! This time, I will devour you!"

Before the ball even touched the ground, Yoichi jumped up. His right leg was like a sharp gate blade, forcefully kicking the ball!

A Direct Shot!

(Note: blue lock always blue lock. hahahahahahah)