Revenger (
Overview[]
Summary[]
The newscaster confidently announces that the first to score was the Japan U-20, and it was none other than Sae Itoshi. The packed stadium proceeds to go wild with excitement, and the sports commentator comments that Sae really is a genius, and they finally get to see it. The newscaster adds that this is Sae Itoshi's strength today, and they just might be witnessing the birth of a hero. The Japan U-20 members begin to run up to Sae, congratulating him on his impressive goal, but he immediately shuts down their affections and says he could have scored three times, surprising everybody. Sae says he held himself back and spent his precious time passing to the forwards, yet Shuto Sendo wasted a perfect opportunity to score, so Sae got angry and just scored himself. Sae's words sting Sendo, and Oliver Aiku notes that the Blue Lock Eleven's goalie, Gin Gagamaru, happened to make a pretty good save. Aiku's statement confuses Sae, and he asks what the point of a striker who can't score is. Someone who has worse scoring ability than a midfielder like him isn't worthy of being called a striker. Aiku calls Sae harsh and asks if that's the case, then how many strikers does Japan even have? Sae responds by saying that's the point of the match—to figure out how many strikers Japan has to offer. Sae tells Sendo not to mess up again, and once again his words sting Sendo. Aiku wraps his arm around Sendo and tells him its okay because the game just started. He tells his young Ace not to miss the next one, and Sendo responds, saying that he knows because the Japan U-20 is his team.
The U-20 walk away to prepare for the next play as Blue Lock looks at them frustrated. Gagamaru is positively upset about the goal after his good save. Jyubei Aryu calls his play stylish, and Ikki Niko adds that Sae's scoring range is surprising. Niko also notes that a quick counterattack with Sae as the centerpiece following the Japan U-20's perfect defense has allowed for the U-20 to get considerably stronger. Yoichi Isagi agrees, thinking that they start out by fortifying their defense with their four defenders eventually stealing the ball and using Sae as an instant trigger to perform a counterattack; this is the Japan U-20's battle style. Isagi wonders what they can do to break them down.
In the stands, Anri Teieri communicates to Jinpachi Ego that the plays practiced during the training camp aren't working at all, and she asks if they will be alright. Ego responds that practice is just practice after all, which surprises Anri. Ego explains that when you are practicing, all you are doing is demonstrating your technical skills in a no-stress environment. Usually, people do really well in practice, but during the real deal they mess up and fall short. The decisive difference between practice and the real deal is the presence of stress: the setting, your opponent, your own body condition, changes in your mental state, and more. When in the real deal, there are a number of factors that could lead to your failure, and the only way to overcome stress is by improvising. Anri, confused, asks if Ego is going to give them any direction because if they don't do anything at this rate, they will lose, but Ego strongly tells Anri to just shut up and watch. When it comes to the real deal, Blue Lock's egoist always delivers.
The game resumes with Blue Lock in possession, and Rin Itoshi passes to Isagi, who is determined to find the missing piece that will allow him to crack open the U-20 defense. Currently, Isagi doesn't even know what he is lacking because that's how strong they are, but he is past that; Isagi is determined to clear his thoughts and concentrate everything he has got on building his plays with Rin. Isagi passes the ball back to Rin, to whom Itsuki Wakatsuki marks him, who tells him he has nowhere to go and nowhere to pass, but Rin tells him to kiss his buttocks as he sends out a short pass to Isagi, who runs up to the side of him. Isagi receives the ball, which surprises Wakatsuki, who notices that the duo is trading passes at a closer distance than before, and he wonders if they are switching up their attack. Haru Hayate marks Isagi and asks if they gave up on the triangle. Isagi, fully engrossed in the play, makes a perfect pass to Rin between the two defenders, and Hayate notices that the duo's passing tempo has increased, but Wakatsuki thinks that in reality, Isagi is just moving around Rin in a very calculated way as to increase Rin's mobility, allowing for Rin and Isagi to flow past them. Just then, Rin kicks the ball backwards past the two defenders into the hands of Meguru Bachira. Bachira comments that Rin and Isagi's coordination is making him jealous, but now these two can be open in front of the goal. Blue Lock has the numbers advantage now with only 2 center backs covering the center and Seishiro Nagi preoccupied with them. If Rin and Isagi can get past it will be their chance to score, and from that thought on, Isagi breaks away from Rin. Kazuma Nio and Aiku notice the duo splitting up and ready themselves. Aiku marks Isagi, and Nio tries to cover both Rin and Nagi while everybody else makes for the center. Nagi asks for the ball, but Bachira tells him there is a better place to send the ball, and without hesitation, Bachira strongly kicks the ball into the hands of Rin Itoshi, who has opened a path in the defense. Ego commends Rin's improvisation and comments that his awakening will pave the way to victory.
Chapter Notes[]
- Sae is not happy with the forwards of the Japan U-20.
- Sae mentions he had 3 chances to score in the previous play but prioritized passing to the forwards.
- Sae tells Sendo not to mess up again.
- The Blue Lock Eleven thinks about the Japan U-20's battle style.
- Ego explains the difference between practice and a real-game situation.
- Ego explains only improvisation can lead them to victory.
- The game resumes with Blue Lock in possession.
- Rin and Isagi flow past the U-20 defenders and break down the defense.
- Rin receives the ball in the penalty zone.
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 |