Yo Hiori paused, scratched his head, and said awkwardly,
"But I've been trying for so long and still can't get that feeling back. Even if I did, it probably wouldn't help much."
Ryūma watched Yo Hiori's expression, shook his head, and chuckled.
"Alright, Hiori, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just pass me the ball with confidence and leave the rest to me."
"Don't worry, I won't lose, Hiori."
"Yeah, I believe in you, Ryūma. You've never let anyone down before, and this time will be no different."
"Ryūma, go back to sleep. Don't worry about me—I'll practice a little longer."
"Alright, Hiori. Just a bit more, okay? Don't push yourself too hard."
"It's fine, Ryūma. I'll just take a few more shots and stop."
Ryūma nodded with a smile and slowly walked toward the training field entrance.
He didn't step out right away, instead pausing in silence before turning back.
"Hiori, I feel like you've changed since I first met you."
Yo Hiori froze, then walked over and asked curiously,
"You mean my skills improved? But I haven't noticed any difference."
Ryūma smiled faintly and shook his head.
"No, not that. I mean your attitude toward soccer has changed a lot."
"Before, whether it was practice or a match, you always gave off this 'whatever happens is fine' kind of feeling."
"But after that match against Team Y, you actually came here at 4 AM to train on your own. You've gotten so dedicated."
"And now, when you play, I can feel genuine joy from you. Before, there was no emotion in your game at all."
"Of course, I'm not saying that was bad—it just makes me curious, what's changed?"
"Haha, nothing much, Ryūma. I just feel like I need to work harder, or else geniuses like you and Rin will leave me far behind."
"Alright, Ryūma, I'm going back to training. You should head back too."
"Yeah, fine. Just don't overdo it, Hiori!"
"Got it..."
A faint smile lingered on Yo Hiori's face as he resumed practice, his thoughts turning inward:
(Ryūma, the reason I've changed is because of you. You've made me love soccer again.)
(I'm no longer playing just for "their" expectations, but also for the reason of fighting alongside you.)
(This time, I'll help Ryūma defeat Team X!)
As Hiori thought this, he suddenly managed to recreate that Remote Control Passing sensation again.
"Hahaha, I did it again! That's the feeling!"
...
The next day, at the training ground...
"Alright, training's over. The final match is about to begin."
"Triplets, keep your current formation. Maintain the triangle spacing for both defense and offense."
Ryūma nodded with satisfaction at the triplets' coordination, then turned to the four defenders.
"You've practiced that group press long enough—use it in the final match."
"Daiwa, your Sliding Tackles have improved. You're allowed to use them in the box."
"But! All four of you need to be careful. No fouls—especially not inside the penalty area."
"Don't worry! I've practiced my tackles so much, I won't mess up this time!"
After Putian Daiwa spoke, the other three defenders added,
"We'll be careful, Ryūma. Inside the box, we won't go overboard."
Ryūma then looked toward Yo Hiori and Rin Itoshi, smiling.
"Hiori, how's your passing coming along?"
"Not bad, Ryūma. I can't fully reproduce Remote Control Passing yet, but my accuracy has improved a lot."
"Looks like you've made real progress, Hiori!"
"And as for that cold-faced guy over there—the brainy Tabito Karasu is yours. That ninja really interests me."
Tch. Don't boss me around.
Rin Itoshi left the field impatiently. With the final match about to start, he needed to prepare.
"Alright, everyone, I'm off to shower. See you in the locker room!"
...
Inside Team V's locker room...
"Oh? Looks like I'm not the last one this time?"
"Rin must've gone to shower too. Such a clean freak."
Ryūma laughed, recalling how after his own shower he'd gotten hungry and gone to the cafeteria, where he ran into Rin.
While chatting, he accidentally spilled soup on him.
(Haha, if the match weren't about to start, Rin would've definitely beaten me up.)
(Man~ the last match is already here? Time really flies.)
Watching the countdown timer, Ryūma spoke to everyone,
"This is our final match. We've already secured full-team advancement..."
"But! I want us to advance undefeated, in first place!"
"And there's one phrase you're probably sick of hearing by now, which is—"
"We won't lose!"
Just then, Rin Itoshi walked in, hair still damp from his shower, and snapped impatiently,
"Move it already! Why do you always have to spout so much nonsense?"
Without stopping his steps, Rin headed straight for the match tunnel.
"Hah, always so impatient, Rin. Can't I even say a few words for the final match?"
"Alright! Let's go, everyone!"
Ryūma followed into the tunnel, the others right behind.
...
Inside the arena...
Team X entered almost simultaneously with Team V.
Leading them were: Tabito Karasu, with dark hair and blue eyes,
and Eita Otoya, whose white hair now had a jarring streak of green.
(Seriously, that green streak looks way too out of place...)
Ryūma muttered to himself but quickly moved into position as the mechanical voice began the countdown.
Blue Lock, Building 5. Match 10.
Team V vs. Team X.
3, 2, 1... Kickoff!!
Team V possession. Ryūma takes the kickoff from center!
(Let's see how strong Blue Lock's third and fourth stages really are!)
"Time to accelerate~!"
With that, Ryūma instantly burst forward into Team X's half.
Team X used a four-back formation as well, with three midfielders and three forwards.
"Come on, endurance monster—don't think you're getting past me!"
Stepping up to intercept was Tabito Karasu, smiling as he ran toward Ryūma.
(Tch, where the hell did Rin go? I told him to handle Karasu.)
Even as Ryūma thought this, his feet were already in motion. He didn't slow down at all in the face of Karasu's interception.
As he neared him, he suddenly burst to the right!
(This guy really is fast! I studied him almost all night and still couldn't find many weaknesses.)
(His speed, stamina, and physical strength completely cover up his minor flaws.)
(But he has two fatal weaknesses: first, his arrogance born from overconfidence...)
(Second, his Metavision is terrible—even Team W managed to slip past him using his blind spot once.)
"So I told you—don't even think about getting through me!"
Karasu cut him off to the right almost instantly!
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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