After understanding each other's weapons, the next step was practice.
Team Z temporarily decided on their formation, unsurprisingly choosing an offensive 4-3-3 formation. Four defenders, three midfielders, three forwards.
The center forward was the unshakable Tendou; no one could replace his position. The left winger was provisionally set as Bachira Meguru, and the right winger was Kira Ryosuke. But unlike Tendou, the playing time for the two wingers was limited. Other players would take turns playing on the two wings, coordinating with Tendou.
After that, it was practice.
Due to the limited number of people, they couldn't play a full practice match. They could only gather in small groups of two or three to practice small-scale passing combinations. They didn't need to play too complexly; they didn't have that kind of chemistry. The tactical coordination was mainly based on basic combinations like give-and-go and one-two passes.
...
Night.
Most of the players were asleep.
Tendou went alone to the next room, planning to watch some match recordings. It was mainly the recordings of Team Z and Team Y. He needed to collect data to make the results calculated by his "Big Data Statistics" more accurate.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the room, someone was already sitting in front of the screen, watching the recording of the match between Team Z and Team X.
"Chigiri Hyoma, that's your name, right?"
This person was none other than Chigiri Hyoma, who had silky red long hair and was more delicate-looking than a woman.
"That's me. Hello."
Chigiri Hyoma's body was curled up into a ball, his chin resting on his knees, looking listless.
The talented players in Team Z were few and far between. Besides Isagi Yoichi with his monstrous adaptability, the rest included Bachira Meguru with his outstanding feel for the ball, and the speedy winger Chigiri Hyoma. The talent of these three should be the highest in Team Z.
Oh, right, now there was also Kira Ryosuke. Although this guy had a lot of ulterior motives and was even trying to "politically maneuver" against others during the day, in terms of talent, he was indeed at the top of Team Z.
"I remember during the meeting, you didn't reveal your weapon, did you?"
In the afternoon, when everyone was introducing their weapons, only Chigiri Hyoma had kept his hidden. His reason was "I don't want to say," which was extremely willful. No wonder people mocked him for being a "young lady."
"Even during the match, you were different from those guys. There was no fighting spirit in your eyes."
Tendou cued up the recording of Team Y's match, talking with Chigiri while watching. He knew why this "young lady" had become so withdrawn.
Chigiri Hyoma possessed innate speed, hailed as the fastest sprinter in Blue Lock. But in a match before entering Blue Lock, his leg suffered a catastrophic ACL tear. Although it had healed, the doctor's advice was that it would be best not to engage in intense sports like football anymore. If the old injury were to recur, there was a chance he would never be able to play again.
At first, Chigiri hadn't given up, but when he returned to the team after his injury had healed, the knee of his right leg haunted him like a nightmare. The once brilliant "lightning newcomer" gradually lost himself and became just another ordinary player.
"Is it because of the injury to your right leg?"
"You know?"
Chigiri hadn't planned on telling anyone about this, and he was surprised that Tendou already knew.
"I happened to see a report about it." Tendou's eyes were fixed on the screen. "But since you chose to stay on the field, you should have been prepared to risk everything."
"You don't understand." Chigiri's expression was pained. "If my ACL tears again, my life will be completely over. I'll never be able to play football again."
"Are you incapable of understanding human language?"
"What do you mean?"
"Since you chose to stay on the field, haven't you already made a choice in your heart?"
Tendou turned back to look at him, his azure eyes seeming to be able to penetrate through skin and tissue, directly into the deepest part of his soul.
Hearing this, Chigiri's hand gripped the flesh of his thigh tightly. A moment later, he stood up and left. "I'm tired. I'm going back to sleep."
"Instead of playing half-heartedly while constantly worrying, it's better to just shatter it completely so you never have to fantasize about it again. That way would be more convenient, wouldn't it?"
"What do you think?"
Chigiri's body froze for a moment, then he walked out of the room without a word.
Tendou watched him leave, then opened his virtual screen. He found that the camera wasn't on him.
What a waste of breath!
I thought those lines were pretty cool.
...
Daybreak.
Team Z welcomed their second match of the first selection, against Team Y.
Currently, the first round of matches was over, and Team V was ranked first. Although Team Z had also won their first match, they were temporarily ranked third due to goal difference.
For Team Y, who had lost their first match, this was a game they could not afford to lose. If they lost again, they would have two losses in two games. Even if they won their last two matches, their chances of advancing would be very slim.
Why? The previous point-based advancement speculation within Team Z was not accurate. A strong team like Team V had appeared in Building 5. Team Y, having played against them, could confirm that one of the advancement spots in Building 5 was bound to go to Team V. And it was very likely they would advance with a perfect record.
Team Z, ranked third, was also a team to be reckoned with. They had defeated Team X, which had Barou Shouei, and had come back from a 2-goal deficit to win by scoring 4 consecutive goals. Their strength could not be underestimated.
Now, 6 points in Building 5 was not safe at all; one could even say it was very dangerous. To advance, one had to get at least 7 points.
"...Be careful. The other team isn't here to play a friendly match with us."
"What nonsense are you talking about, you idiot Kunigami? Even now, you still don't know what kind of place Blue Lock is?" Raichi Jingo shot Kunigami a sideways glance. This place, Blue Lock, was simply more brutal than the real world.
So far.
The results of the first round were as follows: Team V with 8:0, 3 points. Team W with 4:0, 3 points. Team Z with 4:2, 3 points. The remaining Team X and Team Y had both lost, with Team X currently having two consecutive losses.
"Be careful of that number 9. His shooting technique is very strong. He's Okawa Hibiki, the top scorer from the Kumamoto Prefecture qualifiers."
The members of Team Z reminded and encouraged each other.
"But, it's fine as long as our ace is no worse than anyone else's."
Everyone turned their gazes to Tendou. So far, Tendou was the strongest player they had seen in Blue Lock.
...
Without any more words, amidst the tense atmosphere between the two sides, the match began.
Team Z kicked off first.
Tendou passed the ball to Bachira's feet. The moment he received the ball, Bachira immediately used his dribbling skills to attack the opponent's defensive line.
Team Y was well-prepared; two players immediately came to double-team him.
"Two people?"
"Isn't that a bit too few?"
Bachira wasn't afraid at all. A two-man defense wasn't enough to put pressure on him. With a clever la croqueta, he slipped past them from the other side.
However.
Just as he got past two people, a third person suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Not two people, but three!"
"Your dribbling... we've already studied it."
It was Niko Ikki.
With a clean slide tackle, he snatched the ball from Bachira's feet.
...
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