When the car stopped at the gate of Blue Lock.
Abel's face was already swollen like a pig's head, and he mumbled "Goodbye" in slurred English.
Then Schugglai forcibly shoved him into the car and muted him.
He looked at the magnificent, newly built structure behind Kira Ryosuke, a smile appearing on his lips, "Originally, I had no expectations for Japan, but after meeting you, my view changed. Perhaps the Forward who makes it to the end from here will shock the world."
"Goodbye, young man."
"I hope next time we meet, you can give me more surprises."
In the last second before he rolled up the car window, he didn't forget to remind, "Oh, and the path to the world isn't just about ball skills. To compete with geniuses from various countries, communication is essential, and language is the key between you."
"Just learning English isn't enough."
"In the Five Major Leagues, many players aren't that fluent in English."
As the car exhaust dissipated.
Kira Ryosuke watched them leave, a profound feeling in his heart.
"That's right."
"Abel and the others also happen to have fluent English, but in Serie A, there are quite a few players who prefer Italian. To spark something, this is also an indispensable skill."
He had just turned his head.
Anri's smiling face came into view.
"Welcome back, Ryosuke."
She smiled sincerely.
Things had indeed unfolded as Ego Jinpachi had predicted; Kira Ryosuke's first choice was still Blue Lock.
While relieved, a pang of guilt arose in her heart.
Would her selfish thoughts hinder a rising star?
Just then.
Ego's rigid voice came from the loudspeaker next to the monitor, "How much longer do you two plan to stand there?"
"Anri, bring Ryosuke to see me."
"Alright, Ego Jinpachi."
Anri led him to Ego's room.
The familiar smell of instant ramen spicy soup wafted to his nose. Ego slurped his noodles, his glasses glinting, "Although I thought you wouldn't give up the chance to grow in Blue Lock, I didn't expect you to actually refuse the Elite Club's nomination."
"Do you really believe that I can create the world's best Forward here?"
"Of course. Who told me I'd already bet everything on Blue Lock?"
The two exchanged a smile.
Ego adjusted his glasses, then suddenly pointed his chopsticks at the scene on the monitor.
Two teams were engaged in an intense battle.
"You've returned just in time. There's still time now; do you want to rejoin the match?"
Kira Ryosuke focused his gaze. The players battling on the field were Z Team, where Isagi Yoichi and his teammates were, and W Team, led by the Wanima brothers.
The score was 3-3.
The situation was extremely deadlocked.
Z Team players were all performing well, but they were one man short, which doubled the pressure on both their offense and defense.
The match time had already reached the last 10 minutes.
Ball possession returned to Isagi Yoichi's hands.
Watching him fully immersed in the game, constantly collecting information and forming puzzles to evolve, Kira Ryosuke chuckled, "No need."
"It seems they've developed new weapons during my absence."
"W Team is going to lose."
He said with certainty.
Isagi Yoichi's brain spun rapidly, passing the ball to the cheetah sprinting down the left sideline, the red-haired young master Chigiri Hyoma. He was unstoppable in his familiar territory; W Team's players simply couldn't block his speed.
"Well, you've evolved your eyes too, Isagi."
Kira Ryosuke seemed to see through his thoughts, murmuring, "Next, you're going to pass to Bachira, right? Using his dribbling to shake off as many defenders as possible, then passing to Kunigami for a mid-to-long-range shot."
He was like a prophet predicting the future.
He laid out everyone's thoughts and steps one by one.
And the people on the field did exactly that.
After Chigiri broke through to the byline, he sent a long pass to Bachira's feet on the other side. Using his terrifying monster dribbling, he easily toyed with several defenders, then drew enough aggro, choosing to pass the ball again.
The ball landed precisely at the feet of Kunigami, who was poised and ready, having evolved his weapon into a 28-meter no-spin shot.
Bang!
With a deafening roar.
The football shot out like an exploding shell.
Straight into the top corner, above the goalkeeper.
"Damn it, who falls in the same place twice?"
W Team's goalkeeper was clearly prepared. He leaped into the air. Although his hands couldn't catch the no-spin long-range shot, he suddenly tilted his head and used his face to forcefully block the powerful strike.
Clang!
The ball immediately hit the post and bounced out.
"Well done."
The younger brother, Wanima Keisuke, let out a cackling laugh.
Thinking the crisis was over.
Kira Ryosuke, behind the video, suddenly curved his lips, "It's not over yet."
"Everything is according to plan."
"I didn't expect you to master the use of your eye so quickly, Isagi, you damned egoist."
As if manipulated by him.
The next second, in the video feed, Isagi Yoichi's figure indeed appeared at the ball's landing spot, and taking advantage of the defenders' unpreparedness, he unhesitatingly lifted his foot and shot.
Goal—
The ball went in!
A mechanical prompt sounded from the loudspeaker.
4:3!
Isagi Yoichi scored 2 points alone.
With one minute remaining, he firmly secured the victory.
The match ultimately ended without suspense.
Z Team continued their winning streak, with three wins in three matches.
This time, everyone's confidence was boosted more than ever before. Having lost Kira Ryosuke, their ace, and forced to play with a 10-man lineup, everyone refused to lose, repeatedly pushed to their limits.
They evolved their weapons on the field.
It was an exhilarating match, and even more, a baptism of rebirth.
Isagi Yoichi and Bachira and the others were thoroughly enjoying the joy of victory.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the video.
Ego's eyes were low as he said, "Without the sun's protection, everyone yearns to become a new sun."
"emperor, Kira Ryosuke."
"Hmph."
Kira Ryosuke chuckled, "You underestimate me, Ego Jinpachi."
"There will always be only one emperor on the field, and that is me."
He was certain.
After observing Isagi Yoichi's predictions, his judgment was far beyond Isagi's rhythm.
This was the gap between Metavision.
Every move of the opponent remained in a dimension behind his.
All of it was captured by him.
It seemed that after battling Milmishes, unknowingly, the flawless imitation had elevated his understanding of Metavision by several levels.
Although it was still far from reaching the opponent's level, it was sufficient for now.
"What a delightful gain."
Kira Ryosuke licked his lips, extremely excited in his heart.
After discussing the day's events with Ego, he was sent back to Z Team's locker room.
The room door opened again.
The slender Anri walked in, looking at Kira Ryosuke's disappearing back, she happily said, "After his return, the competition will probably become even fiercer, right? Perhaps our development plan is about to succeed, Ego Jinpachi."
Ego Jinpachi glanced at her, then took a sip of soup, saying nonchalantly, "If the light before you is too dazzling, it might stifle other weaker lights."
"Eh?"
"What does that mean?"
Ego did not give a direct answer, merely looking at the cheering Z Team members on the display screen, "Everything will be judged after the next match ends."