There was half a day left until the next round of the Plunder Battle began.
Inside the lounge.
Lying on the bed, Ye Liangqiu seemed to be lost in thought. It had been some time since this BLUE LOCK started, and he always felt like something was missing...
Every battle flashed before his eyes.
Winning... seemed to be a given, but in the end, he felt like he was missing something, and this feeling had been with him ever since the Plunder Battle began...
Pleasure? Thrill?
No... neither. Ye Liangqiu stared at the ceiling, falling into a rare moment of deep thought.
In contrast, Hiori Yo sat cross-legged on his bed, watching Nagi Seishiro play games on his phone, then glanced at Itoshi Rin, who was resting with his eyes closed, and rubbed his chin, thinking hard.
"Mr. Pleasure, Mr. Tsundere, Mr. Boring?"
"Then what am I?"
Itoshi Rin's eyes slightly opened, seemingly glancing at Ye Liangqiu, and he snorted coldly.
This team was truly strange... The next match was about to begin, but they seemed more relaxed than expected, with not a hint of tension.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, "Hey, Tsundere, let me ask you a question."
"Do you have absolute love for soccer, or are you just pursuing being the best in the world?"
"Or did you come here because of someone?"
Itoshi Rin opened his eyes. His tone was somewhat cold, but he still replied, "What else? If I couldn't even have basic love for soccer, do you think I'd be here?"
"Besides, I have something I absolutely must do."
"Is that so?" Ye Liangqiu's tone seemed much calmer. "I thought someone like you only came to BLUE LOCK out of a desire for revenge. It seems you're very different from what I imagined."
Itoshi Rin's mouth twitched, and he forced himself to calm down. He was afraid that if he exchanged another word with this Hong Yan Guai Tai, he wouldn't be able to resist kicking him.
But then, Ye Liangqiu continued, "That's nice... Actually, sometimes I envy you. At least you have reasons for revenge, for pursuit."
"Let me ask you, if one day you truly reach the same platform as that person."
"On the same field, and you thoroughly defeat him."
"How would you feel?"
"What do you mean?" Itoshi Rin raised an eyebrow, somewhat confused, but a scene of defeating Itoshi Sae appeared in his mind. Would he be happy? Excited?
But it would probably be more of a momentary joy, right?
Ye Liangqiu smiled slightly, "That feeling might be unforgettable, but it might also make you instantly anxious and uneasy."
Hearing this, Itoshi Rin snorted coldly, "None of your business!"
Ye Liangqiu closed his eyes again, and a faint smile slowly curved his lips. "I'm just kindly reminding you. If that day truly comes, and you feel lost, just hide in my shadow. Perhaps I'll give you the most comfortable environment to play soccer."
"After all, I don't care if someone weaker than me stabs me in the back."
"That includes all of you."
He understood, but Itoshi Rin only felt that this guy in front of him seemed like a completely different person from how he was on the field. "What about you?"
"Did you come to BLUE LOCK simply to pursue being the best in the world?"
Ye Liangqiu shook his head, "My idea of being the best in the world is simply to use that title to make life a little better. Soccer truly brings me unparalleled thrill."
"And I only pursue fresher things. Perhaps one day I'll truly become the best in the world, but once the novelty wears off, I'll turn and leave."
"My love for soccer is no less than yours."
"But it's only limited to it allowing me to try more fresh things."
"Like you players."
Itoshi Rin seemed to be meeting Ye Liangqiu for the first time, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
Hiori Yo, on the other hand, listened silently to their conversation, his pupils contracting and expanding, as if he had heard something incredible.
Although Nagi Seishiro was playing a game, the screen on his phone remained paused on the death screen.
Until the conversation ended.
Hiori Yo suddenly asked, "By the way, are we not going to discuss tomorrow's tactical arrangements?"
"Their team seems pretty good."
Ye Liangqiu and Itoshi Rin spoke at the same time, both with a somewhat arrogant tone, "No need."
Hiori Yo looked at Nagi Seishiro, but the guy was already asleep.
What kind of team was this?
However, it seemed tonight passed peacefully....
In the monitoring room.
Ego Jinpachi watched rows of data scroll before his eyes, and replays of various matches constantly flashed on the screen. A slight smile played on his lips.
"The final showdown is about to begin."
.......
The night passed without a word.
Ye Liangqiu rubbed his somewhat messy hair, got out of bed, and found himself alone in the room again. He couldn't help but grumble, young people really had endless energy...
He walked to the cafeteria, where everyone else had already arrived early.
"You're slow." Itoshi Rin glanced at Ye Liangqiu.
Ye Liangqiu chuckled, "Yeah... Not like a self-disciplined genius like you, huh? Practicing self-cultivation every day? Afraid you'll rust?"
After exchanging greetings, Ye Liangqiu looked at Hiori Yo, who was sipping miso soup in small mouthfuls, and asked, "Have they arrived?"
Hiori Yo pointed to the four people not far away, "Earlier than us, especially the pink-haired whip guy among them."
"Oh? Looks like he's pretty motivated too..." Ye Liangqiu looked over at the four. Bachira seemed to notice his arrival and waved hello.
It had begun, this battle of mutual consumption.
The savagery in Itoshi Rin's eyes could no longer be hidden. The failure of the last match meant he would prove his worth in this one, and thoroughly defeat this arrogant Hong Yan Guai Tai.
Arriving on the field.
The four players' positions were 2-2. Ye Liangqiu and Itoshi Rin stood at the very front, while Hiori Yo and Nagi Seishiro were in the penalty area, as the field had been significantly reduced.
The opposing team had the same formation: Shidou Ryusei and Bachira at the front, and Monk and Kurona Ranze in the backfield.
Ye Liangqiu spoke softly, "Say hello."
"Let them see your No. 1 skill."
"Shut up!" Itoshi Rin stepped on the ball, looking at the four opponents, his focus gradually intensifying.
The next second, the so-called greeting flew out.
Almost the moment the whistle blew, Itoshi Rin lifted his foot and unleashed a powerful shot. The ball arced through the air.
Kurona Ranze showed his shark-like teeth and grinned, "Amazing! I knew this would happen, so I've already prepared."
In an instant, he dashed out with astonishing speed. Although he was very small, his focus, speed, and reactions allowed his body to act almost simultaneously.
Just before the ball entered the net.
He leaped up and blocked it with a single foot.