"So, what formation should we use against the World All-Star Team?"
After everyone had recovered from their excited state, Karasu posed the question of what formation to use in tomorrow's match.
"We are all forwards. Logically, if the young master and I drop back, with Tendou, the young lady, and Eita in the front three, we can better utilize our advantages."
"But to be honest, our opponents are world-class players after all. I really don't have the confidence to defend against them."
Karasu was being very honest. Especially after watching the matches of those five people on Tendou's tablet. He didn't have a shred of confidence in a one-on-one, let alone with just him and Reo defending against 3, 4, or even 5 of the opponents.
"Simply put, with just me and Reo, we can't stop the attacks of those monsters."
This was not an easy problem to solve. The others all fell into deep thought. They were all attacking players; they had been playing in forward positions since they were young. Asking them to be defenders... they could handle the guys in Blue Lock, but defending against pros was just too out of place.
But if they went on an all-out, reckless attack, they might become the next Isagi's team.
"Let's go with a 2-1-2. Young lady and ninja on the left and right wings. Young master and Crow, you two drop back," Tendou said, closing his tablet and taking a compromised approach.
During this time, he had watched too many of Beckenbauer's matches. Now was a good time to test if he himself could become a libero.
Hearing this, the others all nodded in agreement. This formation of theirs, in the end, was a case of wanting to have their cake and eat it too. While ensuring the team's attacking power, they also had to handle their defensive duties well. This was very difficult; after all, the two sides were five pros versus five amateurs.
Whether this formation would end in nothing or in having it all would depend entirely on Tendou.
"Since the formation is decided, what about the right wing? Who's going to play there?" This was Otoya's concern. Because both he and Chigiri were right wingers. He was unwilling to give way to Chigiri, whose ranking was lower than his.
"The right wing is yours. I'll take the left."
Chigiri, of course, had not yet fully adapted to the ecological environment of the left wing. But he trusted Tendou. In a 2-1-2 formation, Tendou was the core of the organization. He believed that Tendou's passes could, as before, stimulate more of his own potential.
"Since it's decided, then while we still have some time, should we go to the training ground and practice the formation?" Karasu suggested.
To be honest, they hadn't felt much pressure in the match against Isagi's team; it was purely a case of hugging Tendou's thigh. Their stamina was still very ample.
"Then let's go."
Tendou didn't act cool this time and honestly went with his teammates to practice the formation.
...
On the other side.
Isagi, Nagi, and Barou, after losing the match, had returned from the fourth stage to the third. Although their advancement process was not smooth, the audience did not look down on their team because they had played nothing but peak-level matches.
The first time was against Rin's team, a trio of No. 2, 3, and 4. On paper, they were the strongest in all of Blue Lock.
The second time was against Tendou's team, a 4-man team led by the No. 1. In reality, they were the strongest in all of Blue Lock.
Even if they lost, they lost with honor. Their next match was in 24 hours.
Returning to the dormitory, Barou and Nagi did not fight over bed space this time. They lay on their own beds, recalling their recent loss. A 5:0 slaughter had been a huge blow to them.
"Hey, Isagi. That 'Flow' Tendou mentioned, how did you enter it?"
Unexpectedly, the first person to speak was Nagi. The little white-haired boy was now incredibly eager to become stronger. He thought of his promise with Reo, and also the thrill of confronting a strong enemy.
"Flow... I'm not too sure either. At that time, I followed Eita's advice. I didn't think before acting, but relied on my instinct," Isagi shared all his feelings after entering the Flow. At that moment, he had fused all his abilities into one and had broken through his own limits.
"I see..." Nagi looked up at the ceiling. "I wonder how Reo and the others are doing."
"Tch! How else could they be? Of course, they're preparing for the match against the World All-Star Team," Barou said with a look of dissatisfaction. For his own loss, and even more so for the fact that the opponent had no regard for him. He felt that those soccer trash had greatly disrespected him, the King.
"That's true. I really want to see their match against the World All-Star Team."
"Sigh~"
The three of them sighed at the same time. This time, they didn't even have a chance for revenge, because Tendou's team had already passed the second selection. They probably wouldn't be taking a step back.
"No matter what, let's pass the second selection first."
...
And then.
24 hours later.
Tendou led his team to a special field. By the time they arrived, the 5 members of the World All-Star Team were already waiting.
"Oh, they're here. A bit slower than I thought."
"They look pretty scrawny."
"After all, they're Japanese. It's a nation that has difficulty building muscle."
Tendou's team was not the first to arrive at the final point. They had been delayed in the fourth stage for a relatively long time. Before their arrival, the World All-Star Team had already虐 a few other teams.
Adam Blake, Loki, Luna, Dada Silva, and Cavasoz were chatting casually, not paying any attention to the few little kids.
...
"Let's finish this quickly, get the money, and I'm going to go have some fun."
"I want to go to Harajuku."
"Let's finish the match first before thinking about where to play. That person is the No. 1."
Loki noticed the rankings on Tendou's and the others' shoulders. This was the team with the strongest combined ranking they had encountered so far.
"No. 1? ...I just hope he doesn't piss his pants."
The Brazilian wolf, Dada, was dismissive. They were here purely for technical poverty alleviation. If it weren't for the money, who would come to a place like this?
"Little brat, today you will know what despair is. I will make your ass taste the feeling of blooming."
The Brazilian wolf immediately locked onto Tendou. Who else but the No. 1? If he took him out, the other little kids should behave themselves.
"Your mouth stinks. But I hope your skills aren't as stinky as your mouth. Otherwise, it would be no fun at all."
Tendou had forgotten how long it had been since someone dared to have a verbal battle with him. Anyway, those who had fought with him verbally had all become well-behaved in the end.
Dada Silva was stunned by his counter-attack. It was mainly because he hadn't expected this little brat to be so bold as to talk back, which made him a little embarrassed and lose face. But he didn't know that this was just an appetizer.
Tendou stared at him, his eyes full of contempt, and said sarcastically, "I heard you were born in the slums of Brazil. I guess the reason your mouth is so stinky is because you didn't brush your teeth often, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the bullet comments directly exploded.
'Holy crap! Descent of the God of Literature!'
...
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