[Match suspended!]
The announcement echoed across the field.
"We're not continuing?"
Ryōsuke and the others stood confused.
"Tch, just when it was getting interesting." Adam complained in frustration.
"Well, since that's what the announcement said, there's no point in continuing." Leonardo shrugged, "Though I must admit, the intensity of the match far exceeded my expectations. Was it because of the chain reaction Kira triggered?"
"You are all exceptional players. The outcome of this match was truly unpredictable." Julian approached them, offering sincere praise.
His words remained polite but were markedly different from before — he had acknowledged the team's strength. For players of their caliber, being forced to get serious by the Blue Lock players was essentially an admission of defeat.
Julian walked directly up to Ryōsuke, "Kira, it was a pleasure competing against you. You're sure to make waves in the football world — perhaps even surpassing me."
"You're too kind. It was just luck." Ryōsuke replied modestly.
"Let's exchange contact information. We could discuss football sometime, and if you ever consider playing in our league, feel free to reach out to me."
"Sure, okay."
"Hey hey hey, Loki just asked Kira for his contact info!"
The others cast envious glances.
"So jealous!!!"
After exchanging contacts, the Team World Five prepared to return to their hotel.
"Hey kids, I was wrong earlier. I apologize." the previously arrogant Adam said before leaving.
"This was truly a valuable match!" Leonardo said with a smile.
Julian fixed his gaze on Ryōsuke's face, "Until we meet again on the field."
"Yes, see you then." Ryōsuke nodded.
It was a challenge, and he had accepted it without hesitation.
〘 Congratulations! Earned Competition Points: 300! 〙
〘 Achievement Unlocked 'World Stage Debut': First time competing against world-class players in an official match and completing at least one goal/assist/interception/containment/breakthrough/clearance! Daily training Competition Point limit increased to 30, training efficiency for earning Competition Points improved, and received Mysterious Skill Box x1! 〙
This match earned Ryōsuke the most Competition Points yet. Even though it was just a 5v5 mini-match, facing world-class opponents and witnessing his teammates' evolution had made it especially rewarding.
If the match hadn't been cut short, he might have earned even more Points.
Still, the reward was substantial — his daily training point limit had increased to 30, which meant more time in the Competition Space and faster skill improvement.
Soon after Team World Five departed, the others collapsed onto the ground.
"Whew, I'm exhausted. My shoulders feel like they're about to fall off. Are those stars even human?"
"They're so strong... I want to become that strong too."
"Even though we gave it our all, there's still such an obvious gap... The difference is really huge..."
"Well, that means we just need to practice more." Ryōsuke's face showed a mischievous smile as he looked at his teammates, "So, feeling like running five kilometers now?"
"Bro, have mercy! We'll die!"
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Outside Blue Lock, in a certain gymnasium.
[Game over! Congratulations to Seirin High School for advancing to the preliminary knockout finals!]
As the announcement rang out, Riko cheered excitedly.
Under her leadership, the once-unknown Seirin High School basketball team had used their bombardment tactics to advance straight to the knockout finals!
Just one more win and they would advance to the next round of the national league!
First phase objective, achieved!
"The finals are in two days... I wonder how Ryōsuke is doing." Riko eagerly sent news of her team's victory to him.
They had made a promise earlier that Ryōsuke would definitely come watch Seirin's match.
Right after sending the message, she received his reply.
| Ryōsuke — Boyfriend❤ |
| Congratulations! I'll definitely come for the finals! Save me a seat—oh, and I could sit in the coach's area too, just say I'm part of the support staff! |
"Okay!" Riko smiled involuntarily as she sent her text.
"Look, Riko must be chatting with Kira again."
"Yeah, just look at that lovesick expression!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, so envious, young love!"
"Hey, are you all tired of living?! Everyone's running five kilometers after today's match!"
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Evening time.
With no matches scheduled, Ryōsuke and the others only needed to wait for the remaining groups to determine their outcomes.
Seven groups would advance in total. Besides his group, six more needed to be selected. Since each group could only participate in one match per day and had to face the world-class stars, this meant they had a considerable period for rest and recovery.
After learning about Riko's Seirin team advancing to the finals, Ryōsuke prepared to use his privileges to attend. He had promised her he would watch, and he intended to keep his word.
His previous match against Team V had been impressive — he had nearly single-handedly demolished their goal. In the following 3v3 and 4v4 matches, he had scored multiple times, accumulating 10 goals. This was enough to exchange for another outing pass.
While others enjoyed their free time, Ryōsuke went to the cafeteria window and exchanged for an exit pass.
The cafeteria wall screen lit up, projecting Jinpachi's image.
[Well done today.]
He praised Ryōsuke. Though his expression remained unchanged, that performance had genuinely surprised him.
For a high school player to hold his own against world-class stars... Perhaps he could be the key to transforming this country's soccer.
"Just luck, besides, those stars weren't even being serious." Ryōsuke shrugged, then looked up at him, "According to what you told me before, there are no matches for a while, so I should be able to go out, right?"
[Yes, of course, but which day are you planning to leave?]
"The day after tomorrow."
[The day after tomorrow...]
Jinpachi pondered for a moment, seeming to wrestle with something, then continued after a few seconds.
[I'll give you three days off as compensation for today's early match termination. You all should be having English training now, but given how well you communicated with those stars, you clearly don't need it. Consider this extra time as a bonus.]
"I can hardly believe these words are coming from Mr. Ego's mouth..." Ryōsuke said with a smile.
For someone as strictly disciplined as this man to offer two extra days off was surprising — he must have his reasons.
Indeed, as Ryōsuke had guessed, Jinpachi did have ulterior motives.
[Let's leave together tomorrow morning. I need to visit the Football Association anyway, so I'll give you a ride.]
After he finished speaking, the screen went black.
Ryōsuke didn't linger. After a short rest, he returned to the field to train. With his increased daily training point limit, he could now spend more time in the Competition Space.
After completing his double practice session in both the real world and Competition Space, he opened his system interface.
— — — — — — — — — —
〚 Host: Ryōsuke Kira 〛
〚 Current Competition Points: 300 〛
〚 Current Skills: 〛
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Total Concentration | Level: 4 | EXP: 8.34% 〛
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - First Form: Thunderclap and Flash | Level: 3 | EXP: 100% 〛
〚 Upgrade Cost: 150 Competition Points 〛
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Second Form: Rice Spirit | Status: Upgradable | Level: 3 | EXP: 69.3% 〛
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Third Form: Thunder Swarm | Status: Upgradable | Level: 3 | EXP: 15.7% 〛
— — — — — — — — — —
After today's match, Ryōsuke had earned 300 points, and his First Form proficiency had reached 100% through extended practice.
Without hesitation, he upgraded it to Level 4. This enhancement increased the skill's power while significantly reducing its physical toll.
"My Competition Points are substantial now, and my daily fixed points have increased considerably. I should be able to save enough to unlock new skills."
Ryōsuke's gaze shifted to the next locked skill.
— — — — — — — — — —
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Fourth Form: Distant Thunder | Status: Locked | Cost: 200 Competition Points & Thunder Swarm Unlocked 〛
— — — — — — — — — —
He now had 150 Competition Points left. With over two hours of daily practice in the Competition Space, he could unlock the next skill in about a week.
His gaze shifted to the new Mystery Skill Box.
Ryōsuke wondered what effect this newly unlocked achievement would grant him.
〘 Open Box! 〙
〘 Congratulations! Unlocked skill: Transparent World! 〙
"Transparent World?" Ryōsuke was surprised — this was the highest realm swordsmen could achieve in the Demon Slayer world.
This ability allowed one to reach the pinnacle of perception through concentration, enabling them to see their opponent's lung movements and muscle actions to predict their movements.
When using Transparent World, the heightened perception made time seem to flow slower.
In the Demon Slayer world, few could reach the realm of Transparent World, yet Ryōsuke had now obtained this skill.
— — — — — — — — — —
〚 Demon Slayer Tree Skills: 〛
〚 Skill: Transparent World | Level: 1 | EXP: 0% 〛
— — — — — — — — — —
This ability would undoubtedly elevate his performance on the field.
Take his duel with Julian, for instance — while Ryōsuke could outpace him using Thunderclap and Flash, he had still been the one "chasing".
With mastery of Transparent World, he could move before Julian even started, predicting his attack routes!
This divine skill would surely prove decisive in future matches.
"Next round is the internal selection match, right?" Ryōsuke muttered to himself.
Though Jinpachi had promised that after the second selection round, Blue Lock's players could train with world-class stars — a crucial event came first.
The Blue Lock 11 Elite selection.
Under his planning, Blue Lock would select a team from the 35 advancing players to compete against the U20 National Team.
Sae Itoshi, the renowned genius midfielder, would also participate in this match.
Though Ryōsuke wasn't certain how events would unfold, he knew Jinpachi must be planning something — the match details could change at any moment.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
The next morning, Ryōsuke arrived early at Blue Lock's main gate.
A black sedan waited there.
"Good morning, Kira!" Anri greeted him with a smile from in front of the car.
They had met before when he first arrived at Blue Lock to surrender his phone and personal belongings.
She wore a black suit with a white shirt underneath, her elegant figure still gracefully apparent despite the formal attire.
At twenty-two, her delicate features made her look like a high school student — remarkably young for a Football Association employee, which spoke to her exceptional capabilities.
"Good morning, Miss Teieri. It's been a while. Are you and Mr. Ego heading out on business?" Ryōsuke asked politely.
Given Anri's formal attire and Jinpachi's mentioned visit to the Japan FA, they must be attending an important meeting.
❖❖❖
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