Isagi Yoichi's words were concise and clear.
Translated, it meant that only by establishing Tendou as the team's core could they unleash their greatest fighting potential.
Raichi Jingo and Kunigami Rensuke weren't idiots; how could they not know this? It was just that they still hoped to score goals themselves and fight for a higher ranking. The chance to play in the Youth World Cup was too rare; they wanted to prove themselves no matter what.
But...
After Isagi shared his analysis, the rest of the team basically agreed. Only a few of the players who had previously played as center forwards wanted to be the main attacker, but they were too few in number, and their objections couldn't affect the overall situation.
You have to know, even Kira Ryosuke thought that having Tendou as the team's starting center forward was the best choice.
"Since that's the case, then for our future matches, Team Z's formation can be temporarily set as a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-2-1. What about the candidates for the two wings?"
The several wingers on the team looked at each other. After some discussion, they could only resort to the old method: taking turns playing on the left and right wings.
"A good direction, you uncut gems of strikers."
Ego Jinpachi only appeared on the screen after Team Z's discussion had ended. He was here to announce the results of the second match.
"The second match in your Building 5 has ended."
"Team X defeated Team Y with a score of 8:0."
8:0?
The moment this number appeared, everyone in Team Z was dumbfounded. After all, the match time in the first selection was only 45 minutes. If they had played a full 90 minutes, wouldn't the score have been 16:0?
This wasn't basketball!
Of course, based on Isagi's interpretation, he then gave another passionate speech, more thoroughly instilling the concept of egoism into the players.
He emphasized one word in particular.
Weapon!
All-around warriors on the football field were ultimately a minority. Especially for a creature like a forward, every single one had their own unique, exclusive skill.
For example, Kaká's speed, Ronaldinho's flair, C-Ronaldo's shooting technique, Messi's feel for the ball, Inzaghi's poaching instincts, and so on...
Every star player is unique and almost impossible to replicate. Even C-Ronaldo, hailed as the most all-around player, was no exception. In short, forwards' weapons could be similar, but never exactly the same.
Many of these things are innate. Then, through professional training and combined with one's own talent, they form a weapon that is uniquely one's own.
...
Meanwhile.
Tendou had already arrived at the cafeteria. When he received his food, he noticed a big change compared to yesterday. Most of it was low-carb, low-fat, and high-protein—the purest of fitness meals.
"What's going on here?" He looked up at the camera.
"This is a reward for your extraordinary talent and self-discipline. Are you satisfied? If you're not satisfied with this arrangement, I can have it changed back for you."
"No need, this is fine."
Geniuses always get preferential treatment. He accepted this "special treatment" with a clear conscience.
"Just in time. I need a tablet with internet access. Can you do that?"
"The rule is, no contact with the outside world."
The implication was that it wasn't allowed. The phone that Nagi Seishiro later got could at most only be used for games.
"However, you are an exception. If your reason can convince me, I might consider it." Ego Jinpachi adjusted his glasses. If Tendou wanted a tablet for something unrelated to football, he would definitely not agree.
"I plan to watch matches."
"There are match video replays available within Blue Lock."
"I'll watch those guys' match replays on my own. What I want to watch are all the matches from the top five major leagues."
"All the matches?"
"All of them!"
Ego Jinpachi fell silent. The broadcast went quiet for a short while. If it was for watching matches, it was indeed related to football. After all, the training content for professional players included tactics classes, post-match analysis, and so on. These were very necessary courses that could improve a player's tactical literacy and better understand the coach's strategic intentions.
Unlike Barou, is he a player who is good at thinking?
Ego Jinpachi thought for a moment and then agreed.
"I understand. I can give you the tablet, but I won't approve the request for internet access. I will help you download all the matches you want to see."
"That's enough."
Although he couldn't go online and find the matches he wanted to watch himself, he had at least achieved his goal of data collection.
"Then just wait for my notification. Don't disappoint me, kid."
...
Tendou quickly finished his meal. When he returned to the room, the guys from Team Z were still discussing things. But this time, they were sharing their own "weapons."
Some said their weapon was being all-around, some said their weapon was dribbling, others said it was shooting power, speed and technique, heading... there was a wide variety, covering almost all the skills for scoring goals.
"Oh, Tendou, you're back. We were just talking about our weapons. Come join us," Isagi invited Tendou over.
"What weapons?" Tendou found a spot and sat down.
"Our individual goal-scoring weapons. For the upcoming matches, we all think it would be better to get to know our teammates as soon as possible. By the way, what is your weapon?"
Everyone was very curious about this question.
Based on the goal-scoring methods Tendou had displayed so far, the most eye-catching was naturally his lightning-fast sprinting speed and his unparalleled physical strength. In addition to that, he also seemed to be very good at long shots; two of his three goals were cannons from over 20 meters out. His passing and vision also seemed to be excellent, as he was able to spot Bachira in a crowd and deliver the ball precisely to his teammate's feet.
"It must be speed, right? When Tendou sprints at full power, not even Barou can catch up!"
"I think it's his strength. He can knock two people away at the same time by himself."
"So, Tendou's strongest weapon is his physical talent, right?"
Kunigami Rensuke also played as a center forward; he knew very well how alluring Tendou's physique was.
"I haven't thought about this question," Tendou shook his head.
He wasn't lying; he really hadn't considered this question. He had too many weapons. So far, his main method of scoring was indeed by carving a bloody path with his body, using speed and strength to tear apart the enemy's defense, and then using his Six Eyes to find the goalkeeper's weakness and shoot directly. He had long since combined his abilities with his body.
If he really had to pick one, the Six Eyes was probably the ability he used the most. He had already gotten used to using these eyes to see through the enemy's weaknesses and then break through with his unreasonable physical attributes.
"However, all the abilities you mentioned, I have them. And I can do them better."
"So, you're all-around, right?"[
...
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