After Tendou completed a brilliant tackle, he immediately launched a fast counter-attack.
Team B was once again in a dilemma. Putting Tendou aside, the strength of the two teams was actually quite similar. Even if Team A had Itoshi Rin, didn't Team B have Shidou Ryusei?
But the trouble was that besides Rin, Team A also had Tendou, who was a cut above everyone else in Blue Lock.
The moment the players from Team B saw Tendou with the ball, they didn't know what to do. This monster was not someone who could be handled by one or two people; it would take at least three to have any effect on him.
The problem was, this was a 5-on-5 team match. If they used three people to defend against him, who would take care of the others?
Tendou didn't give them much time to think. He transformed into a shooting star, his whole body emitting a pure white light, with a black monster behind him. The special effects were maxed out as he charged towards the enemy's defensive line.
Team B's speed in tracking back was very fast. The moment Chigiri lost the ball, the others had retreated to their own half.
Tendou advanced instead of retreating, crashing headfirst into Team B's 4-man defensive line, his bravery frightening. At the same time, Isagi, Rin, and the others from Team A were also making high-speed forward runs.
Otoya and the others, seeing this, understood in their hearts that they couldn't wait any longer; they had to make a decision immediately. Either go all out to surround and annihilate Tendou and bet on a chance, or quickly retreat to the vicinity of the penalty area.
They chose the former, even though doing so had a very high probability of getting stabbed in the back.
All of this was foreseen by Tendou in advance.
BAM!
Before the encirclement could form, Tendou had already sent the ball out. The ball, almost hugging the ground, drew a banana-shaped curve and finally landed on the left side of the penalty area.
Itoshi Rin arrived right on time, received the ball, cut inside into the penalty area, and completed the shot before the covering defenders could get into position.
The ball went in! 4:0!
The electronic referee paused for a few seconds before blowing the whistle. Before scoring, Rin had also completed a hair's breadth offside beat. Even the electronic referee needed to watch it repeatedly a few times before making a final judgment.
2 goals and 2 assists.
Tendou had single-handedly created four goals. At this moment, his figure, in the hearts of the others, was as majestic as Mount Tai.
After scoring, he did not celebrate but stood there quietly. Even if he did nothing, he gave people the illusion of a god looking down on mortals.
...
Isagi had once again missed a scoring opportunity. Like Rin, he had noticed that optimal goal-scoring position. In fact, his spatial awareness and brain's calculation ability were even above Rin's. What he lacked was that first-class athletic ability.
He couldn't help but think of Flow again. If he could enter Flow, maybe he could...
"Don't think about it," Tendou spoke up to remind him.
Tendou had seen similar scenes more than once. Back then, when Kagami Taiga was in a desperate situation, he had also attempted to use the power of the Zone to turn the tide. Although, Flow was not as arrogant as the Zone; the more you wanted it, the less it would give it to you. But in the end, these two states had one thing in common: they required the player to concentrate all their attention and be fully invested in the game.
Extraneous thoughts would only make oneself further and further away from the realm of Flow.
"Do what you're supposed to do, play your own game, do what you can."
Isagi had the illusion that he had been seen through. After nodding heavily, he focused his attention on the match.
...
The score was 4:0, but Team B did not look downcast. Instead, they were even more eager to show themselves, to at least score one goal. It would be best to score a goal directly against Tendou.
"It would be great if I could score a goal on that guy's head," Imamura Yudai pursed his lips. He felt that scoring a goal in a direct confrontation with Tendou would have the same effect as facing professional players like Loki.
After so many rounds, when they faced Tendou, it felt like they were facing the players from the World All-Star Team; there was no significant difference at all.
"You can just think about it. The person in reality is called Zhang Jike," Zantetsu said, mercilessly telling him to give up this idea.
"Why? He's just one person. If we cooperate well, it's not like we don't have a chance," Shidou Kyohei's performance in this match had been terrible. Offense, defense—there was nothing worthy of praise. He believed that scoring a goal on Tendou's face was his last chance to become one of the starting eleven in Blue Lock.
"Why else? Of course, it's because that guy Tendou hasn't used his full strength yet," Otoya said, shrugging his shoulders. How could they forget the state Tendou was in after entering the Zone? That was Tendou's true form. Against the World All-Star Team, he had the upper hand even in a one-on-two, and it took three people from the other side to force him to pass the ball.
So actually, the match could have been declared over at this point.
"What?" Imamura and the others didn't know. They felt like their own teammate was joking with them. He's already this strong, and you're telling me he still hasn't used his full strength?
Itoshi Rin is also No. 2! There's only a one-rank difference, how can they be like two different species?
'Dude, don't disbelieve. Listen to advice, eat your fill!'
'I'm crying to death! Even though Tendou already has 2 goals and 2 assists, he's really holding back!'
'This is such a mind game. In a first-to-five match, 2 goals and 2 assists is the result of him holding back...'
'Give me the ball! I want to go home!'
'I feel for Team B for a second.'
The real-world audience, seeing this, also had a good laugh. They no longer held any expectations for this match. The outcome was already decided. The only suspense was whether Isagi could score a goal.
...
Team B kicked off for the fifth time. However, at this time, the camera was already focused on Isagi. His brain was spinning at high speed, accompanied by an inner monologue. He gathered all of Team B's few attacks and the players' confidence together, running a deep simulation in his mind.
For example, Chigiri: what are his abilities, what can he do, what are his own team's choices... all were stuffed into his brain for calculation and deduction.
He did not rush to participate in the defense because Tendou would solve the trouble. It wasn't that he had figured Tendou out, but simply that he believed—believed that Tendou could neutralize Team B's offense.
And Tendou did not disappoint him.
The offense initiated by Otoya: a quick run down the right wing and a cross. Rin saw through his intention and stuck out a foot to block the ball that was supposed to be passed to Chigiri. The ball hit his foot and changed its path.
Just as the ball was about to fly out of the penalty area for a clearance, Shidou, following his instinct, came under the ball and, with heaven-defying body balance, jumped for a bicycle kick while running, heavily kicking the ball and abstractly sending it towards the goal.
However.
The moment the ball bounced on the ground and crossed the goal line, Tendou, wreathed in white lightning, arrived. He also stuck out a foot, for the second time, destroying Shidou's certain goal.
Tendou subconsciously launched a counter-attack. The scene his eyes saw immediately made him stunned for a moment. He suddenly looked up.
Behind everyone, Isagi was sprinting with all his might towards the other half of the field. This guy had seized this counter-attacking opportunity at the first moment, his eyes spinning like a vortex.
He was completely in the zone.
He had to admit, Isagi was indeed a natural-born striker. His sense of smell for goals was too keen.
...
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