4-2.
This is a score that almost no one expected before the match. Even if the names were swapped and the national youth team was in the lead, the fans would still find it unbelievable. Before Sae Itoshi was recruited, the national youth team relied on their "four steel walls," led by Aiku, to dominate. The national youth team's winning philosophy was based on defense. An amateur team wants to score two goals against them? What a dream!
This can be seen from the odds set by the betting companies. The national youth team had a handicap of three goals against the Blue Lock team. But now, the Blue Lock team has not only scored but has scored four goals and is leading by two. No wonder the "happy bean" players are so upset, and they're cursing the national youth team's coach. A three-goal handicap? That's the kind of odds you'd see in an English Premier League match against a Chinese Super League team! Now, the "happy bean" players who bet heavily on the national youth team have one foot out the window.
The feeling of being down by two goals at halftime is completely different from being down by two goals now. This is because another ten minutes have passed, and the national youth team must score three goals in less than thirty minutes to get the lead. With the sweeping and clearing ability that the Blue Lock team—or rather, that newcomer No. 7—has shown, the national youth team has a hard road ahead. Unknowingly, Tendou has been cursed countless times. Of course, he doesn't care about these guys. In his eyes, these guys are all losers who deserve to die. You say Tendou also placed a bet? How can it be called gambling when it's a guaranteed win?
The match continues. The national youth team kicks off, and Sae Itoshi immediately tries to replicate their last attack. However, as soon as he crosses the halfway line, he sees Tendou's tall figure blocking his path.
"Player Tendou is marking player Sae Itoshi!"
"I see..."
"The Blue Lock team is trying to shut down the national youth team's engine!"
"Although player Sae Itoshi hasn't scored yet, the national youth team's two goals were both orchestrated by him."
"He is the core of the national youth team. If he is shut down, the national youth team is in trouble!"
The commentator's words are like hands pushing the gamblers who bet heavily on the national youth team out of the window. The thing that Hirotoshi Tsurugi feared the most has come to pass. If their engine (Sae Itoshi) stalls, let alone getting the lead, it will be hard to even drag the match into extra time.
Sae Itoshi's expression is normal. It's as if he had already guessed Tendou would do this.
"I never thought I'd meet a player like you in this country."
"Playing against you is very interesting, Tendou."
Sae Itoshi steps on the ball and looks directly at Tendou.
"Don't talk to me like a winner. You're the one who's losing right now."
Tendou beckons to him with his finger. To put it in Gojo Satoru's terms, "You're the challenger."
"Hmph!" Sae Itoshi scoffs. He knows that he's not the strongest in his generation. But he has never lost in this country, and it's impossible for him to lose to a player younger than him.
"I will perfectly destroy you!"
Sae Itoshi's pupils darken, and two flames shoot out from the corners of his eyes.
Flow!
The "Flow State," Sae Itoshi immediately enters it. Tendou can see that his breathing starts to become balanced. Even in the middle of a match, his breathing remains steady. His heart rate also slows down, and his body's cells become active as his physical potential is released.
"Flow?!"
Isagi Yoichi and the others immediately notice Sae Itoshi's change.
"Does this mean he's only just starting to get serious now?"
"What a stupid question. This guy finished the first half with hardly a single drop of sweat on him!"
Tabito Karasu's position in this match is the defensive midfielder. He has had a lot of time facing Sae Itoshi one-on-one. No one knows better than him that Sae Itoshi was just toying with them in the first half. The extremely low sweat rate is enough to prove that he wasn't giving his all.
"Here we go, the true Sae Itoshi," Tabito Karasu mutters.
The next second, he pushes the ball and charges directly towards Tendou. He's a guy who doesn't like to be on the losing side. Tendou used the word "genius" to mock him, and now he's using the same method to mock him back.
"Provided you can get past me."
As soon as Tendou says that, a similar glow appears around him. He's also entered the "Flow State." For Tendou, controlling "Flow" is not that difficult. The first time he experienced this state, he was able to master it in just three attempts.
Then, they charge directly at each other.
Their rhythm and movements are faster than before. Everyone feels like it's just a blink of an eye, and they've already clashed.
Tap!
Tap!
Their shoes continuously tap on the grass, and their bodies change positions constantly. Others looking at their feet feel like they're seeing mirages and can't make out what they're doing. The ball is also bouncing around like it's gone crazy. Isagi Yoichi, who is an expert in calculations, can't calculate any routes. With no results, he can't insert himself into this battle.
Everyone is stunned by this scene.
"This... they can still improve?!" In the stands, someone feels that this scene is too crazy, like a joke.
...
"No, are they playing basketball?" a fan says, covering his head. If it weren't for the fact that they've been playing with their feet, they would have thought these were two basketball players going one-on-one on a football field.
"Why? They've already been playing for more than sixty minutes, but their condition is getting better?"
The murmuring voices gradually get louder and louder. Sixty thousand fans watch with their mouths agape. But once they enter the "Flow State," no outside sound can get to them.
"Pass it to me, Sae!"
Yo Hiori walks over to help, and Sae Itoshi's pupils move, looking at him. Tabito Karasu sees this and immediately moves towards Yo Hiori. But it's a feint. After making a passing feint, Sae Itoshi suddenly charges towards Tendou's side.
However, Tendou's "six eyes" start to turn at this moment. He sees the future in Sae Itoshi's "All."
"Your vision is too narrow."
Tap!
Tendou taps the ball with his foot, and Sae Itoshi passes by him. He's gone past him, but the ball is left behind. Sae Itoshi's eyes widen, and he can only watch as Tendou charges forward, dribbling the ball.
"A one-on-one between Sae Itoshi and Tendou!"
"A very intense showdown between the two core players of their respective teams!"
"He's past him! Sae Itoshi has gotten past Tendou!"
"Wait, the ball was stolen!"
"A tight press in the midfield. Tendou makes a steal in a one-on-one. The Blue Lock team's counter-attack begins!"
...
Get 30+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"