Chapter 13: Thunderclap and Flash, LV2!
After dinner, Ryosuke Kira rested for a bit before heading to the gym for training. The facilities here were top-notch, perfectly suited for the regimen Riko Aida had previously arranged for him.
Jogging, advanced push-ups and planks, flexibility drills… Kira didn't slack off for even a moment. Before he realized it, several hours had passed.
[ Congratulations! You've gained 4 Points. ]
After hours of training, Kira had once again earned his daily 10 points — a routine as natural to him as clocking in at work.
[ Current Points: 50 ]
He'd previously spent points to upgrade Total Concentration Breathing to LV2. When he arrived at Blue Lock, he had 30 points. Add the 10 from the tag match and the 10 from today's workout — that made a clean 50.
Exactly enough to upgrade Thunderclap and Flash to LV2.
Nearly a week of hellish training had significantly improved his physical ability, but it had still only been eight days — progress was limited. Even now, he couldn't use Thunderclap and Flash freely under Total Concentration Breathing; every use still left his legs aching with sharp fatigue.
At present, in a 90-minute match, he could use the skill twice — once per leg — when shooting under full concentration. If used for sprinting and dribbling instead, both legs would need to execute the technique simultaneously, meaning he could only release it once.
The move was powerful, yes — but if it couldn't be used multiple times during a match, then it wasn't enough.
One or two chances for shots or breakthroughs simply wouldn't cut it.
Jinpachi Ego hadn't said anything yet, but Kira knew that in a few days, they would be facing other teams. When that time came, he would need to score — a lot.
That would be the moment when Thunderclap and Flash would truly shine.
Saving up points for a new skill was one option, but new abilities always required practice and adjustment. With the first match coming up so soon, he wouldn't even have time to unlock one properly. For now, upgrading Thunderclap and Flash was the smartest move.
Without hesitation, Kira made his choice.
[ Upgrade successful! Thunder Breathing — First Form: Thunderclap and Flash has reached LV2. Proficiency reset. ]
[ Current Competition Points: 0 ]
With his points spent, Kira stopped his workout. There was still some time left tonight — just enough to test out the effects of his LV2 Thunderclap and Flash.
He soon arrived at Team Z's private training field. Each team had its own pitch for free practice, and Kira's eyes gleamed with focus.
He picked up a ball and placed it roughly 30 meters from the goal. Even among the Blue Lock prodigies, that distance was extreme — few could even shoot that far with precision.
Drawing a deep breath, Kira entered his Total Concentration Breathing state. He felt the airflow surge through his lungs, oxygen merging into his blood and transforming into power — gathering in his right leg.
Shoot!
Thunderclap and Flash!
He swung his leg. Power coursed through his muscles, converting directly into the ball's explosive motion — it rocketed forward like a cannon shell. Even Gin Gagamaru's vaunted left-foot power shots seemed like toy pellets compared to this.
In both range and force, Thunderclap and Flash under full concentration utterly surpassed them.
The ball slammed into the top-right corner of the goal. The net rippled violently, straining as if a beast were trapped within, thrashing to break free — and only after several seconds did it finally settle to the ground.
"Accuracy and power — both improved," Kira muttered. "Still a few centimeters off from my aim, but definitely stronger and easier to control than LV1. Most importantly…"
He sat down, focusing on his right leg.
As expected, the soreness came quickly — but it was far milder than before. The strain was noticeably less, and recovery would certainly be faster.
Still, he couldn't fire off consecutive Thunderclaps and Flash from the same leg within a short time. Forcing it would risk a muscle tear — a loss that would cripple his progress.
Now that he could use the move with both legs, if he managed his stamina and timing well, he could pull off four Thunderclap and Flash per match — theoretically scoring four goals.
Of course, that was only in theory. To make it happen, he'd need careful timing — say, one shot early in the first half, then rest and recovery before using the same leg again in the second.
If he failed to get a shooting opportunity in the first half, he'd lose that rhythm — and be down to one usable leg in the latter half.
In other words, he had to create scoring chances early.
And that wasn't as simple as breaking through the defense — even his own teammates could become obstacles.
That's why Kira had shown a glimpse of his true skill during the tag selection — to start earning his teammates' trust, and eventually take control of the team himself.
Blue Lock would only allow one player to rise above the rest, but for now, survival came first. Team Z's original success had been by the slimmest margin — strip away the so-called "protagonist's plot armor," and there were far too many uncertainties.
Kira refused to leave victory to chance. He intended to seize control of it with his own hands.
"What an amazing shot!"
A familiar voice called out behind him. Kira turned — Meguru Bachira and Yoichi Isagi had stepped onto the field together.
It was already late at night, and unable to sleep, they'd decided to come out and train as well.
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 1 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.