Who to challenge?
This was a difficult question. Whether it was Itoshi Rin's team or Tendou's team, they had no absolute certainty of defeating either.
Itoshi Rin's team, with No. 2, 3, 4, plus Bachira, had a stacked lineup.
Tendou's team, with No. 1 and No. 5, and the other two generals being Mikage Reo and Chigiri Hyoma. Others might not know just by looking at the rankings, but how could the players who came from Building 5 not know the strength of Chigiri and Reo?
What's more.
"I heard that Itoshi Rin challenged Tendou and was instantly defeated."
This wasn't a rumor. By now, everyone in the fourth stage knew that such an incident had occurred. For some reason, Itoshi Rin had gone to challenge the No. 1, Tendou Kageyoshi, and had ended up being instantly and miserably defeated.
"Itoshi Rin's team... for us, is probably the best choice," Isagi said, taking a deep breath.
Reason told him that challenging Rin's team would be an easier path to victory. The opponent's lineup was also strong enough; no matter who they picked, they could strengthen their own team. On the other hand, he had also made a promise with Bachira to get him back.
However.
The others did not agree.
"I don't care what promise you have with that Bachira, but my target is Karasu Tabito," Otoya was the first to speak. The words Karasu had said when he left that day were still fresh in Otoya's mind. He had told him to catch up quickly. Now that Karasu was stuck in the fourth stage because he couldn't find an opponent, this was the best opportunity.
"I also want Reo... hmm... I kind of want Tendou too." Nagi's original target was Tendou. But he had thought Tendou had already left ahead of him, so he had teamed up with Isagi in the end.
"That guy? I also approve of challenging Tendou Kageyoshi's team," Barou said, surprisingly agreeing with Otoya and Nagi. He was a man who was destined to become a great villain. If he was going to fight, of course, he had to fight the protagonist. And Tendou, this No. 1, was undoubtedly the most dazzling protagonist right now.
3 to 1!
Isagi's proposal was rejected by the group. But strangely, Isagi did not feel dejected because of this. He found that in his heart, he was also more eager to challenge Tendou's team. He longed to prove his own value in front of Tendou.
From the match against Kokuo to fighting side-by-side in Team Z, until now, Isagi felt that he had always been living in Tendou's shadow, always chasing his back.
The only thing that made him hesitate was his promise with Bachira. Now, he had an excuse to give up on that promise. For this, he even went to find Bachira and told him about his team's decision. The latter also expressed his understanding. "If that's the case, then there's nothing that can be done."
In a 4-man team, with 3 votes for challenging Tendou's team, Bachira naturally wouldn't blame Isagi.
"But you have to be careful, Isagi."
"Hmm?"
"Tendou and his team... they are strong. Very, very strong."
Others had only heard rumors, but Bachira had seen with his own eyes how Rin was instantly defeated by Tendou. Plus, recently, whenever he had free time, he would go find his "old teammates" to hang out. This made Bachira understand the strength of Tendou's team even better.
Putting aside the No. 1, Tendou, that player named Karasu was also quite formidable.
"Be careful of that Karasu, Isagi. His level is not just No. 5. I feel he's even better than Jubei and Tokimitsu."
"And Reo and Chigiri... they are not the same two people you knew before."
Bachira's words were sincere. The more he said, the heavier Isagi's heart became. Bachira wouldn't lie to him. Since he said so, it proved that their analysis was not wrong; Tendou's team was the strongest in Blue Lock right now.
"I know. Thank you, Bachira."
The two talked for a while and even went to the field for a few exchanges. Finally, Isagi left the field and headed in the direction of Tendou's team, accompanied by all of Otoya's team.
When the four of them arrived at the training ground, Tendou's entire team was practicing on the field. Noticing their arrival, they turned around in unison. The camera gave the four of them a big close-up. Enhanced by special effects, a thick black flame burned around each of the four. That aura was overwhelming.
'Holy crap! That oppressive feeling is maxed out!'
'Are they really going to challenge Tendou?'
'Although Isagi's team is very strong, no matter how you look at it, Tendou's team is stronger, right?'
'Now Isagi's team has No. 6 Otoya and No. 7 Nagi, plus Barou and Isagi whose strengths exceed their rankings. It's not like they don't have a chance!'
'Ah! Why didn't they choose Rin's team and get Bachira!'
'Who cares about Isagi-Bachira? All four people on Tendou's team have a lot of emotional entanglements with Isagi's team, okay?'
'Your "emotional entanglements" had better be the proper kind!'
'Hiyaku! Hiyaku…'
The real-world audience was instantly excited. They had been waiting for 5 or 6 episodes, more than a month in real-world time, and this confrontation was finally happening.
"I've come for you, Crow!" Otoya stared intently at Karasu. The latter, hearing this, smiled happily, but his expression was still as composed and arrogant as ever.
"Are you ready to join our team, Eita?"
"Reo!" Nagi also looked at his companion.
"Don't even start with me. We are already enemies, Nagi," Reo said, overjoyed in his heart, but on the surface, he was keeping him at a distance. He said, "You didn't choose me. I'm going to take you out here."
Another damn tsundere. The audience hadn't forgotten how this guy had been plucking toothbrush bristles in the middle of the night, muttering "Nagi will come back, Nagi won't come back."
...
"Have you decided, Isagi?"
"This time, we won't be as gentle as we were in Team Z," Chigiri said, looking proudly at the four in front of him. Although a few days were not enough for him to switch from the right wing to the left, he had indeed made significant progress.
"Yeah. Let's have a match," Isagi said, his eyes firm as he looked directly at Tendou. "Tendou, I won't just keep watching your back and moving forward!"
"Alright." Tendou had only one word, but it revealed a thick sense of confidence that everyone present could feel. He didn't have anyone else in his eyes. But as the No. 1, he indeed had the capital to be arrogant.
...
The match was thus set.
Returning to the room, Karasu and Reo began to discuss their game plan. Compared to 2v2 and 3v3, a 4v4 match obviously had more possibilities. The combinations and tactics that could be used were also more complex.
"Of course, while we have more choices, the diversity of the opponent's tactics will also be greater."
"In short, the conditions for both sides are equal. Don't you guys get easily shaken off by Eita," Karasu said, his eyes sweeping over Reo and Chigiri.
Tendou? With those eyes, even Eita wouldn't be able to escape Tendou's grasp.
"The formation is tentatively set to 2-2. The young master and I will drop back. Young lady, you can stand in front of me."
"Huh? Are you looking down on me?"
Of course, Chigiri knew why this arrangement was made. In this team, Tendou and Karasu were the two strongest. Karasu standing on the same line as him had the underlying meaning that he needed Karasu to wipe his ass for him.
"What else? Our General doesn't need anyone to wipe his ass for him."
Damn it! I really want to refute him, but I can't find a reason.
...
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