Battle Group (
Overview[]
Isagi is overjoyed at hearing he has made the starting lineup, with the announcement shocking some of Isagi's former teammates. Yukimiya asks why Shido isn't on the lineup considering his skills and position in Blue Lock, and Ego explains his decision.
Shido, who has extremely high physical stats and a self-sufficient style of play, is excessively violent, especially towards Rin. They would not be able to be on the same lineup, so Shido was planned to be a substitute player who could replace Rin, but right as Ego decided all of this, Sae picked up Shido to play on the Japan U-20.
In 15 days, Blue Lock will face the Japan U-20 and show Japan their skills. Before then, Ego will train them all to be a team that can overcome any circumstance. Some of Blue Lock Eleven comment on the upcoming events, and the team begins its preparations.
Summary[]
Yoichi Isagi, absolutely ecstatic, clenches his fist in delight as he hears he has made the regular lineup of the Blue Lock Eleven. This news takes some of the room by surprise as many players look in shock and disappointment. Shoei Baro is seething with anger, staring right at Isagi as he hears the news. Kenyu Yukimiya then asks Jinpachi Ego why Ryusei Shido is not on the starting lineup; he scored plenty of goals and he was the #2 of Blue Lock. Ego responds by calling it an excellent question and then proceeds to explain his reasoning.
Ryusei Shido scored an average of 2 goals per match, demonstrating his ability as a striker, second only to Rin Itoshi. His aggressive behavior outside of the games cannot be overlooked, but he boasts extremely high physical stats, and all the goals he scored, he scored from his own skills. During the Third Selection, Shido was unable to spark a chemical reaction with Rin even once, and given his highly violent behavior towards Rin at the end of tryouts, his participation would put the team at an overwhelming disadvantage if he did the same thing in the match against the Japan U-20. For that very reason, he made the decision to not have Rin and Shido on the same lineup. Isagi agrees with Ego's logic, and Ego adds that above all else, Shido cannot be properly handled by anybody in Blue Lock. Ego repeats that Shido's goals were scored by his own skills, and someone who could understand his thoughts and evolve his level of play does not exist in Blue Lock.
Gurimu Igarashi says that there is probably nobody in Japan who could understand Shido, but Yukimiya adds that it would still be a waste of his talents. Ego agrees and states that if the team was ever in a pinch, he would sub Rin out for Shido as the team's joker card. He would act as a powerful drug that could completely reverse the flow of the game, with his job being to replace Rin in a time of need. That was Ego's original plan; however, right as Ego was finalizing his roster, he received a call from the JFA President, Hirotoshi Buratsuta, saying Sae Itoshi was dissatisfied with the forwards of the Japan U-20. If they didn't accept Sae's conditions, then he would just cancel the match and shut down Blue Lock regardless. The condition given was that Sae got to pick one forward to take from Blue Lock and add onto the U-20; he chose Shido.
Three hours before the starting lineup announcements, Shido was sitting in the Punishment room, a dark room with one light and security cameras, while he lay strapped down to a dolly, completely restrained. Shido pleads to be let out of confinement and gets angry when nobody responds. Just then, the door opens, and Sae and Anri Teieri walk into the room with Sae greeting Shido. Shido asks who he is, and Sae responds that Blue Lock is a place much too small for him, and he will free him. Sae wants his ego, and he wants Shido to play for him.
Ego continues saying Sae did not choose any of them but Shido, and he confirms Shido will play for the U-20 against Blue Lock. Ego, a little bewildered, states that the team was always going to be centered around Rin or Shido because, in his head, those were the only two viable options. Rin's play style involves him connecting with his surroundings and synergizing with them, and Shido's currently involves playing the game alone, refusing to link up with anybody in a self-sufficient manner. Ego chose Rin and Sae chose Shido, and as for which one chose correctly, that will be determined in 15 days. Also, 12 more players can still be registered on the team, so those who did not make the starting lineup still have a chance to prove themselves.
Ego ends the announcements and reminds the players that if they lose this match, Blue Lock will be shut down and their football careers will be over. With 15 days left, Ego plans to train the players to work as a team so they may crush the Japan U-20. Ego tells his players to go forward with the resolve to risk it all because there is no more room for failure. Rin scoffs at Ego and calls his words lukewarm. To Rin, this match is just another step to becoming the best striker in the world. Meguru Bachira adds that he has been do or die since he entered Blue Lock, and Tabito Karasu says he's no idiot who would back down now when he's come so far. Eita Otoya calls the upcoming match exciting; Kenyu Yukimiya says he's looking forward to it; and Seishiro Nagi adds he wants to play already. Isagi notes that everybody is right. Being chosen as a regular on Team Blue Lock isn't the end goal; it's just the beginning, for they will go beyond this and make it to the world stage. Ego calls their egos excellent, and now they will commence their last training camp.
Chapter Notes[]
- Ego explains why Shido isn't on the starting lineup.
- Shido's play style is incompatible with anybody from Blue Lock.
- Ego explains that Shido was handpicked by Sae to play with him on the Japan U-20.
- 12 more players can be registered on the team and sit bench.
- Ego plans to turn his egotist players into a team in 15 days.
- The Blue Lock Eleven express their resolve to win despite the circumstances.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
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| U-20 Arc | |
|---|---|
| Chapters | 109 · 110 · 111 · 112 · 113 · 114 · 115 · 116 · 117 · 118 · 119 · 120 · 121 · 122 · 123 · 124 · 125 · 126 · 127 · 128 · 129 · 130 · 131 · 132 · 133 · 134 · 135 · 136 · 137 · 138 · 139 · 140 · 141 · 142 · 143 · 144 · 145 · 146 · 147 · 148 · 149 · 150 · 151 |