This match was spread across two episodes. To summarize, it could be described like this:
In the first episode, the members of Otoya Eita's team showed off their individual skills, scoring one brilliant goal after another.
In the second episode, Isagi Yoichi's team began their desperate counter-attack, completing the comeback at the last moment.
A very classic, "royal road" trope.
However.
The protagonist of this match was not Otoya, Isagi, or Nagi, but Barou Shouei. Although the three of them had their highlight moments in the match, the "awakening" completed by His Majesty the King at the end of the match stole all the limelight.
This striker, toxic to the core, had once fallen so low that, with just a single glance from Isagi, his body would uncontrollably send the ball to the opponent's feet, willingly assisting the "soccer trash" he so despised.
However, Barou is Barou. He, who was determined to be the only king on the field, completed his awakening just as he was about to lose himself.
That was a pass that could have decided his future football career.
In the end, Barou did not pass. He strengthened his will, refusing to cooperate with anyone, not wanting to be a supporting character for others even if it meant becoming a villain. This will promoted his evolution. After his awakening, he used a series of lightning-fast cuts to get past his opponents and score the goal that tied the game. At the same time, he was awarded a special effects boost second only to Tendou's, which won him the affection of many viewers.
The production team had fully established Barou's character with a single goal-scoring process.
...
In the player-stealing phase, Isagi's trio's gazes were all fixed on Otoya Eita. They all chose to snatch this No. 6 for their team without hesitation.
...
After watching the match, Tendou threw away the snacks he had only eaten a third of. He stretched, ran to the gym to lift some weights, and "digested" the calories he had consumed.
"I can finally leave this damn place."
His next target was Isagi's team. To defeat them, snatch one of them, form a 5-man team, and challenge the all-star team—that was what he had to do next.
...
Meanwhile.
Ego Jinpachi and Anri Teieri were reporting to the people at the JFU about the success of the Blue Lock project and the content of the second stage of selection.
"In summary, in the second selection, players need to hone their individual relationships, deepen their self-awareness, and their understanding of others."
"Everyone needs to think independently and build a team to compete. This will cultivate forwards who do not rely on others and have a strong sense of self."
Anri's report came to a temporary end. The head of the JFU, that fat pig, still disapproved. The Blue Lock project was simply too expensive. Unless this project was free, he would never give it his full support.
"What you said is very reasonable, but in the end, don't you still need talent?"
"A true genius is a genius no matter what he does."
Hearing this, the others began to chime in. This group of people did not support the Blue Lock project; they believed that making money was the kingly way.
"That's right. What we need is the next star for the Japan team."
"Hurry up and cultivate a talented high school student who can generate buzz."
Someone suggested first launching a genius to give the fans an explanation, and at the same time, they could use this player to recoup some funds.
Of course, Anri would not agree. "The selection has only reached the second round. It's too early to talk about these things. At the very least..."
"You guys want a star that badly?" Ego spoke up, interrupting Anri and attracting the attention of everyone present. He mercilessly ridiculed the group in front of him. He said, "What a bunch of hopeless old men who have fallen into the eyes of money. Just because of your eagerness for quick success, how many geniuses have been ruined by you in the past?"
Hearing this, the people from the JFU all fell silent. In the past, there were indeed many geniuses who were impatiently pushed into the public eye before they had a chance to "land." They turned these "geniuses" into stars, attracting the attention of fans, giving them hope, and then harvesting the money from their wallets. The poor fans, who could only earn a meager income from their monthly work, willingly sent their money into the JFU's wallet because of their love for the sport.
And those young people who were turned into stars, most of them would get lost in the adoration of thousands, or be crushed by the huge pressure, and eventually become ordinary people. In the end, the genius became a mediocre talent, the fans' hopes were dashed once again, and the only ones who truly benefited were this group from the JFU. They had made a fortune by deceiving the fans.
How did they operate specifically?
It was nothing more than sending young players to the holy land of football in Europe. But young players who were not yet ready, even if they went to Europe, would find it difficult to win the internal competition in their teams and would end up warming the bench. This stage is the fastest period of growth for a player. Without playing matches, their skills cannot improve. In the end, due to the huge pressure from public opinion and other factors, they play worse and worse, falling into a vicious cycle...
Then, after a few years, when Europe no longer wants you, the JFU brings them back to the country, sends them to a team in the domestic league, and can even sell them for a good price. This is the most typical "export for domestic sale."
"What I want to create is not this kind of third-rate forward."
Ego's merciless words made the faces of those below him flush. Someone angrily slammed the table and said, "We... we also need operating funds! We must earn enough..."
Although they were the top brass of the JFU, most of this money would eventually flow into the national treasury. Otherwise, with the JFU operating like this and the fans reacting so strongly, why hadn't these senior officials stepped down yet? There were still people protecting them from above.
Ego debated with the crowd, arguing vehemently with the top brass of the JFU.
...
On the other side.
Isagi's team, having arrived at the fourth stage, also heard the rumors here. After taking a shower, they gathered in their room to discuss.
"Did you all hear?"
"Of course. They've practically become the final bosses of the fourth stage." Otoya played with his hair.
After losing the first match, they had all fallen into the loser's bracket. In the end, after 2 more matches, they had finally arrived at the fourth stage. The interval between each match in the second selection was 24 hours. In other words, Tendou's and Rin's teams had already been in the fourth stage for 3 days.
Given their strength, Isagi's team all thought they had already passed smoothly. They hadn't expected both teams to be stuck here.
"After all, they are the two strongest teams at this stage. It's understandable that no one dares to play against them."
For Tendou and Rin, this was a helpless situation, but at the same time, it was also a recognition of their strength.
"Since they can't find other opponents, why don't they play against each other first?"
"Are they afraid of losing? Not confident?"
"Impossible!"
Isagi and Otoya spoke at the same time. Whether it was Tendou or Rin, neither was the type of forward who would be afraid of an opponent being too strong.
"I heard from Reo that it's because there's no one on Rin's team that Tendou wants," Nagi said, lying on the bed playing a game.
No one he wants... so it's not that he can't win.
"Then what about us? Which team should we choose?"
...
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