Chapter 165: Reo's Metamorphosis
Time moved with a relentless rhythm, and before anyone realized it, the day of the clash with England's Manshine City had arrived. It was the third round of the Neo Egoist League. Bastard Munchen was on their mandatory break for this rotation, leaving the spotlight to two matches: Barcha vs. P.X.G. and Ubers vs. Manshine City.
The Blue Lock TV livestream was already humming with activity. Today's guest commentator was a familiar face—Natsuki, the man who had called the high-stakes U-20 match. He sat in the booth, his thinning hair catching the studio lights, which didn't escape the notice of the millions watching.
"Baldy's back in the booth!"
"Is it just me, or is the glare from his head brighter than the stadium lights?"
"Leave him alone. He looks like a friendly marshmallow."
Natsuki glanced at the scrolling chat on his monitor and nearly had an aneurysm. He took a deep, shaky breath, gripping his notes. 'Don't let them get to you. You're getting paid. There's a camera right there. Stay professional, you glorious, shiny man.' He forced a stiff smile and began the broadcast.
***
In the Ubers locker room, Marc Snuffy was the picture of calm. Kira's presence had turned the team into a tactical playground, offering him more options than he'd ever had in his professional career. This trip to Japan felt less like a coaching job and more like a pre-retirement vacation where he just happened to be building a masterpiece.
"I've said everything that needs to be said," Snuffy announced, his voice steady and commanding. "Clock in, Ubers. It's time to work."
"SIR, YES SIR!"
The squad erupted. Riding a dominant win streak, their confidence was at an all-time high. Led by Kira, the black-and-white striped jerseys flooded out of the player tunnel like an approaching storm.
***
On the pitch, the Manshine City squad was already waiting.
"Look at you, walking like you own the place," Chigiri said, looking up from his cleats. He stood up, shaking out his long red hair. "That 150 million yen price tag really changed your gait, didn't it?"
"I'm going to take everything you've built," Nagi added, his eyes devoid of their usual boredom. He was vibrating with a new kind of intensity, fueled by his magical goal in the last round. He wanted to prove that his evolution could swallow Kira whole.
Okuhito Iemon stood behind them, his face a hollow mask of cold focus. He said nothing, his gaze fixed on some point in the middle distance.
"Hey, Manshine. Good to see you guys still have some fight left," Kira said, offering a casual, easy-going smile.
"One hundred and fifty million... you're basically a walking corporation now," Reo joked, though his eyes were sharp and calculating. "The world's most expensive teenager. Must be nice."
"Coming from the heir of the Mikage Corporation, that doesn't mean much," Kira shot back.
"Fair point. In my family's world, 150 million is just the salary for a mid-level manager," Reo flexed with a smirk. "Don't let the fame get to your head. We're here to bankrupt you."
"Good. I hate playing against poor losers," Kira replied.
Kira's gaze shifted to Iemon. The former keeper's throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but the words never came. He just turned and walked toward his position. Kira felt a pang of concern. Whatever happened in the Wild Card had clearly burned the humanity out of him. Iemon looked like a man who had seen the abyss and decided to move in.
"All players, take your positions. The match is about to begin."
The stadium speakers boomed. The pleasantries were over.
"Alright, viewers, it's showtime!" Natsuki shouted, trying to regain his professional footing. "Let's look at the Manshine City lineup. They're running a 3-4-3 with Agi as the lone striker. Chigiri and Nagi are flanking him as high-speed wingers. In the midfield, we have the anchor, Iemon, and the playmaker, Mikage Reo..."
Natsuki's voice wavered as he saw a particularly nasty comment about his forehead, but he pushed through.
Match start.
Manshine City kicked off. Agi immediately dropped the ball back to Reo, who took control with an aggressive confidence.
"You aren't getting a free pass today," Sendo said, stepping up to form the first line of the Ubers press. He was focused, keeping his knees bent and his eyes on Reo's core. 'Don't break the line. Don't be the weak link.'
Kira watched from upfield, giving Sendo a mental nod. The guy was actually learning. But then, he noticed something different about Reo.
Reo met Sendo's press with a violent burst of physical power. He used his shoulder to shield the ball, spun with a fluidity that shouldn't have been possible for his frame, and left Sendo in the dust.
'He's faster. He's stronger. He's smarter.'
Kira focused his mind, summoning the data.
[Mikage Reo. Overall: 85 (A-Rank)]
[Speed: 81 (A)]
[Defense: 86 (A)]
[Passing: 89 (A)]
[Dribbling: 83 (A)]
[Shooting: 82 (A)]
[Offense: 86 (A)]
'He's a mini-me,' Kira realized. 'The ultimate all-rounder. He's optimized his body to copy the world's best.'
"Your little guard dog is a bit slow, isn't he?" Reo said as Niko stepped up to intercept.
"You talk too much, rich boy," Niko replied.
Reo didn't slow down. He began a rapid-fire series of ball taps, keeping his center of gravity low. Just as Niko prepared to shut down the passing lane, Reo executed a lightning-fast nutmeg, slipping the ball through Niko's legs and surging past him.
Niko stood frozen. He'd been expecting a pass—Reo had always been a playmaker, a facilitator for Nagi. He never expected Reo to take the duel himself.
'He's completely changed his style,' Kira thought. 'England really did a number on him.'
But Kira wasn't worried. The Ubers defense had several more layers of hell to put Reo through.
Lorenzo, who had been lazily watching the play with his eyes half-closed, suddenly snapped them open. The Ace Eater exhaled, a jagged, golden-toothed grin spreading across his face.
"Looks like I actually have to clock in for once," Lorenzo hissed. "I usually hate doing real work, but you look like you're worth the effort, purple-hair."
***
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