"Not Alone" (ひとりじゃない Hitori Janai?) is the third chapter of the 17th volume and the 143rd chapter overall of the Blue Lock manga series.
Summary[]
The crowd cannot stop roaring as the sports commentator is in disbelief at the back and forth between the Japan U-20 and the Blue Lock Eleven. He calls it a "deathmatch" and says that the pressure on the field is even reaching high into the stands through the commentator's box. Yo Hiori and Jyubei Aryu are helping Rin Itoshi stand from his last second block, and the sports commentator asks Natsuki what he thinks. Natsuki exclaims that the match is fascinating and unbelievable. The Blue Lock Eleven are just too strong, and the synergy between the Japan U-20 players has never been better. Just one more point can possibly be scored, and it is still anybody's game to win. He says he feels like they are about to witness the birth of a hero. The sports commentator, Tereasa, explains that this corner kick is a huge chance for the Japan U-20, and the game will resume shortly.
The two teams line up accordingly and wait for the kick to be taken, with Rin thinking if he aligns his thoughts with Sae Itoshi's, then he can feel and see the danger zones. As Sae prepares to take the corner kick, Rin thinks that the fact that he still is awed by Sae means that no matter what skills Sae has learned and how the bigger world has shaped him, he has still continued to grow, to hone his own skills and intuition. At this rate, even if Rin can stop Sae, he won't be able to score his own goals. Rin questions what he should do, as its obvious that the match will be over if he doesn't guard against Sae's play, but he questions if that will be enough. Rin affirms that it will be over if the Japan U-20 scores, and he is the only one who can stop Sae, and he needs to do this alone. He needs to feel him, read him, and predict his aim. Today, right now, he will surpass his brother. Sae is ready to take the corner kick, and all the players are ready to react to whatever happens. Tabito Karasu tells the team to block the goal even if it breaks them; Hiori confirms the statement; Reo Mikage says they will crush them; and Aryu states he will become a wall. Yoichi Isagi readies himself as Rin thinks and tries to anticipate Sae's aim while pressuring Shuto Sendo. Rin thinks that the spot Sae wishes to aim for is the spot that will most beautifully destroy the field at this moment. Sae performs a monstrous yet beautiful kick into the penalty box, and Oliver Aiku rushes past Karasu while Haru Hayate holds him off, and Rin realizes that the ball is going for Aiku. Rin positions himself and jumps to throw Aiku off balance and hit the ball, but as the ball inches closer, Ryusei Shido jukes past Reo, and Rin realizes he was wrong and the ball was sent Aiku's way as a feint, and as it bounces on the ground and lands right in front of Shido, who is ready to take the shot. Shido prepares a header, and Rin believes the game is over when Isagi comes from Shido's side and kicks the ball away from Shido at the very last second, having read the play.
Isagi notes that he made it just in time as he kept his eyes on the three most important people in the play, Sae, Rin, and Shido. While Rin was reading Sae and blocking Aiku, Isagi was able to react to Shido just in the nick of time due to following his reflexes and reacting instead of thinking. This vision could not have been done without following Rin's thought process, and Isagi was effectively able to cover Rin's blind spot, which shocked the field and left the stands distraught. Aiku calls a second ball, and as Sendo reaches for it, Hiori taps it first, getting it into his possession. Hiori states that it's time for Blue Lock to end this, and possibly the last counter of the game begins with Isagi rushing up the field. Rin is visibly confused by Isagi's tenacity, thinking that he won't even let him lose to Sae in peace. Isagi thinks he wants to fight on his own, but Isagi and all of Blue Lock keep overtaking him. Blue Lock won't let Rin fight alone. Rin finally realizes that he is not alone in his fight, in his tenacious quest to win, and then he immediately feels disgusted and gets visibly angry, vowing to ruin them all.
Chapter Notes[]
- Sae takes a corner kick, effectively evading Rin and perfectly placing the ball in front of Shido.
- At the last second, Isagi kicks the ball away from Shido.
- Blue Lock gains possession of the loose ball and starts their last counter.
- Rin realizes he is not fighting alone, and this thought disguises him.
- Rin vows to ruin those who keep getting in his way.
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 |