"What? Erik already..." Alexis's eyes widened as he realized Erik wasn't on the field — or even on the substitute bench.
Before the match officially began, Noel had already contacted club headquarters and terminated Erik's contract.
Whether in the first team or youth squad, Bastard München demands absolute obedience to superiors and an unwavering pursuit of victory.
As the world's top striker, Noel is the team's absolute core. The entire squad is built around him, and anyone else can be replaced at his discretion.
This applies equally to the youth team. Though Erik's performance among his peers was decent, it was merely that — decent. He was replaceable, and now he had paid the price for his reckless behavior that angered Noel.
"Erik's abilities don't match his temperament, and as I said, I am discipline itself. Bastard München doesn't need players who don't follow rules. Do you understand, Alexis?" Noel's hawk-like gaze bore down on the other's face, "Your behavior was too childish."
"I... I understand." Alexis's voice trembled as he turned to glare at Ashito with hatred.
Though clearly dissatisfied with the decision, he couldn't challenge Noel and could only nod reluctantly.
Alexis's eyes blazed with fury, as if he wanted to tear this trash apart.
But this time, Ashito met his gaze without fear.
"This is your only chance." Noel turned to look at Ashito.
"Yes!" Ashito nodded seriously before heading onto the field.
"You're here, Ashito." Ryōsuke smiled and high-fived him.
"Kira-senpai, I'll do my best!" Ashito smiled and nodded at him.
He couldn't help feeling nervous — this match was far more important than any previous ones.
Having barely played in the second division, he was now competing alongside world-class players — it was impossible not to feel nervous. Yet beneath the nerves, he felt a surge of excitement.
"We have a substitution for Bastard München — their renowned midfielder, 'The Magician' Alexis Ness, has been replaced by Ashito Aoi. Though this newcomer may be unfamiliar to many, he hails from the prestigious Esperion!"
"Esperion has been a dominant force in our J-League, with their youth team showing unmatched excellence in the lower divisions!"
"Worth noting that alongside Ashito Aoi, Haruhisa Kuribayashi — Esperion's crown jewel — is also competing in this Second Phase of Blue Lock!"
The commentators moved on quickly after Ashito's entrance, as his name was still unknown to the wider football world.
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"Ashito, look! Ashito's on the field!"
Back at home, his brother Shun Aoi eagerly explained to their mother about Ashito's appearance, breaking down the football rules and the significance of Blue Lock's Second Phase.
Noriko Aoi — their mother — watched the screen intently, her face glowing with pride.
At that moment, she wished she could tell the whole world that Ashito was her son.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Back inside Blue Lock, the match continued.
FC Barcha was taking a throw-in, reorganizing their attack.
Sae received the throw from his teammate and instantly passed the ball across the field to Tsubasa's feet!
The moment Tsubasa received the ball, Ryōsuke was already pressing him — a direct confrontation between both teams' ace players!
"Finally got a chance to face off against you, Kira!" Tsubasa's face lit up with an eager smile.
"Please guide me." Ryōsuke maintained complete focus on his opponent.
Tsubasa's strength was formidable, matching even the Master Strikers, as shown by how he had contained Michael in defense and launched those two dangerous shots.
Tsubasa suddenly accelerated while Ryōsuke adjusted his stance, studying his opponent's movements.
After one quick step, Tsubasa abruptly changed rhythm, attempting to break through Ryōsuke's right side with a turn — but Ryōsuke, with his Rice Spirit, had already anticipated the move and blocked his path.
"Excellent defense!" Ashito called out excitedly.
But Tsubasa wasn't limited to just one approach; against Ryōsuke's defense, he had other options in mind.
He stepped back, flicked the ball up with his heel, then forcefully chipped it over both their heads, accelerating to receive it behind Ryōsuke.
❖ Heel Lift! ❖
But Ryōsuke's speed proved superior — he completed his turn the instant Tsubasa lifted the ball, using his physical advantage to secure position first.
Tsubasa collided with him; despite his significantly improved physique from training in Brazil, he couldn't overcome Ryōsuke. It was like trying to move a boulder.
Ryōsuke had won! He gained possession first!
Without hesitation, he passed the ball to Yoichi's feet while sprinting toward the opponent's half at full speed.
"It's yours, Kira!" Yoichi controlled the ball briefly before launching a precise long pass forward.
The ball soared toward empty space — but Yoichi knew exactly who would reach it!
Right on cue, Ryōsuke appeared, expertly receiving the pass. Their perfect combination play had completely bypassed FC Barcha's defense!
"Ryōsuke Kira has possession! His combination with Yoichi Isagi proves lethal — Bastard München launches a lightning-quick attack!" The commentator shouted.
With Ryōsuke joining the offensive, the entire team transformed!
The match tempo surged as other players made supporting runs alongside him. His organized counter-attack left the opponents scrambling to defend.
Ryōsuke's goal was clear: score before the defense could set up!
"Stop him!"
"It's Ryōsuke!"
"Don't let him through!"
FC Barcha's defensive line rushed forward desperately.
But Ryōsuke remained unfazed!
❖ First Form ➠ Thunderclap and Flash! ❖
Like lightning, he found a gap in their formation and burst through, charging straight toward goal!
But suddenly, swift as the wind, a figure darted ahead of everyone else, taking the shortest path to intercept — Sae Itoshi!
This marked the first direct confrontation between Ryōsuke and Sae!
During their time on the U-20 Team, they had barely crossed paths, much less trained together.
However, after that match, Sae had fully acknowledged Ryōsuke's abilities — it was because of him that Sae decided to participate in the Blue Lock Second Phase.
His agent was baffled by Sae's choice. Not only could participating in the Second Phase affect his market value, but his Spanish visa was already approved — he could have returned directly to Spain.
Instead, he chose to stay and joined the Spanish representative team.
FC Barcha and his club Real Madrid were arch-rivals, and Sae's decision would put considerable pressure on him — but he didn't care.
"Finally time for the protagonist's scene, is it?" Sae said calmly, eyes fixed on Ryōsuke.
He could sense how Bastard München had become more threatening the moment this player touched the ball — a pressure that even Michael couldn't create.
"Sorry, but that's right." Ryōsuke smiled slightly and, without hesitation, prepared to face him head-on.
Sae adjusted his center of gravity while studying his opponent.
He had spent countless hours watching videos of Ryōsuke, analyzing his movements. Though typically aloof and proud, Sae approached football with unmatched dedication, constantly seeking improvement.
Now his focus reached its peak as he entered a state of Flow!
As Ryōsuke charged forward, Sae watched the ball at his feet, waiting like a coiled snake to strike with a clean tackle!
But Ryōsuke had already read his intentions!
❖ Transparent World! ❖
Sae's attempted tackle unfolded in slow motion before his eyes, giving him ample time to adjust.
Through Transparent World, Ryōsuke clearly saw every shift in his opponent's center of gravity.
Time to disrupt your balance!
Ryōsuke pulled the ball back sharply, evading Sae's fierce tackle. In one fluid motion, he lowered his center of gravity and prepared to break through on his opponent's right side.
Sae reacted swiftly, lowering his center of gravity and extending his arm to gain defensive leverage.
But Ryōsuke halted abruptly!
Through Transparent World, he had anticipated this move. Sae's reaching arm couldn't touch him — instead, it compromised Sae's own balance.
Sae's eyes widened slightly.
Ryōsuke seized the moment!
As his opponent tilted off-balance, he darted past, and then—
❖ Thunderclap and Flash ➠ Thunder Kick! ❖
Thunder exploded as the ball rocketed forward!
Moro, the goalkeeper, could only watch helplessly as Ryōsuke's shot found the back of the net!
[ Scoreboard ]
[ 1:0 ]
After being dominated by FC Barcha for so long, Bastard München had finally broken through!
"This guy transforms completely once he gets the ball." Lavinho smiled as he watched Ryōsuke on the field, eager to join the match himself.
Noel watched Ryōsuke's performance with a slight nod.
"Incredible, Kira... defeating Sae Itoshi one-on-one!" Ashito exclaimed in admiration.
Ryōsuke was truly formidable, like a player from another dimension.
Yet Ashito knew he needed to make his own mark on the field quickly.
"Damn it..." Alexis bit his lip, glaring at Ryōsuke with hatred. The opponent's goal felt worse than death to him.
"What's wrong, Alexis? Aren't you happy the team scored?" Noel glanced at him sideways, noting his every gesture.
"No, no, of course I'm happy!" Alexis quickly forced an awkward smile, no longer daring to act defiant before the coach.
On the field, Michael's face was filled with frustration.
Ryōsuke had stopped Tsubasa and defeated Sae in attack — something he himself couldn't do. Though he was unwilling to admit it, Michael understood that Ryōsuke's abilities surpassed his own.
He had wanted to use Ryōsuke as a stepping stone, but instead became one himself. His market value would surely drop if this continued.
"Damn it..." Michael clenched his fists.
"Kira-san is really strong... I've never met such a powerful opponent." Tsubasa looked at Ryōsuke from afar, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
It had been a long time since he felt this fired up.
"Come on, let's continue the match!"
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Meanwhile, at another Blue Lock field.
The match between Paris X Gen and Ubers had reached a fever pitch.
"What was that just now?"
Rin looked back in shock at Renoir, his team's goalkeeper, who lay on the ground struggling to get up, while the ball slowly dropped from the net.
"That was my Raiju Shot."
Kojiro Hyuga said with a smile.
❖❖❖
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