Facing an opponent like Itoshi Sae, Ye Liangqiu knew that he also possessed the ability to predict, and could even sniff out the scent of a goal.
Most importantly, he could control his teammates to exert extreme pressure.
This was the eye that could oversee the entire field.
But now, Ye Liangqiu didn't feel that sense of pressure, or rather... not even a feeling of being evenly matched had appeared.
Ego, as the coach, sat with the substitute players, watching Ye Liangqiu on the field, who was tearing apart the opponent's defense single-handedly. He wasn't as happy or excited as one might expect, but instead, he was propping his chin, deep in thought.
The tactics were correct, yet there was a sense of unease.
The substitute players, however, were chattering excitedly about the previous goal.
Clearly, that goal had provided a significant boost in morale.
On the field, the second goal's kickoff was very swift.
This time, the U20 team kicked off.
To ensure tactical success, Itoshi Sae, as the special invitee for this team, stood over the ball, his expression cold as he looked at everyone. Cheers were incessant; after all, his fame was immense, and the entire stadium seemed to be enveloped by him, making Blue Lock feel somewhat breathless.
Itoshi Rin looked at his familiar yet estranged older brother, a flame of revenge burning in his pupils.
The time for revenge had come!
The next second, with a whistle.
Itoshi Sae quickly dribbled the ball and ran. His movements were incredibly fluid, and the ball at his feet didn't affect his speed at all. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, he sprinted towards the opposing half.
Figures were reflected in his pupils.
And his path had already been locked onto by one person.
That was Ye Liangqiu. In this tactical arrangement, Ego, knowing that the most difficult opponent in the U20 team was the genius Itoshi Sae, had arranged for Ye Liangqiu, who was invincible in one-on-one defense, to intercept him and pressure this genius as much as possible.
The moment their gazes met.
Itoshi Sae seemed to feel a gaze from hell, that sense of danger lingering around him, causing his foot to instinctively pass the ball before he even got close to Ye Liangqiu.
The ball traced an arc.
To everyone's surprise, the pass seemed casual.
Yet it was a mid-speed, low-altitude pass over 50 meters, showing that Itoshi Sae had honed his passing weapon to an unimaginable degree; at least in Blue Lock, such passes were very rare.
The one who received the ball was the U20 winger, Chokenjin.
He couldn't help but praise the excellent pass, then quickly dribbled the ball and ran.
However, while Blue Lock had a super-strong offensive system, their defense was by no means weak.
Nagi Seishiro had already arrived in front of him, a flame seemingly burning in his calm eyes.
Chokenjin quickly made a horizontal pass, sending the ball out again. They weren't a team like Blue Lock, who only knew how to charge forward, but a true professional team, operating with great synergy.
And the one who received the ball was the right winger, Kori Teru. His hair was tied in a small ponytail, making him look a bit naive, but his footwork was incredibly fast.
Their cooperation instantly tore through Nagi Seishiro's defense.
Then they quickly approached the penalty area.
Itoshi Sae was also tracking back with Ye Liangqiu, neither giving way... or rather, Ye Liangqiu simply didn't give him a chance to enter the field. This was a technique he learned from Otoya Eita: Otoya Eita would constantly restrict the weakest person to find a breakthrough.
But Ye Liangqiu, on the other hand, sought the strongest person to find a breakthrough.
Because he knew Itoshi Sae's crucial importance in this match; if he could neutralize him, this match would be tantamount to an immediate victory.
Their arms were intertwined, each restraining the other.
Itoshi Sae frowned deeply.
Ye Liangqiu, however, smiled, "Blue Lock has many geniuses like you."
"But every single one has been polished by me, destroyed time and again, allowing them to be reborn from their cocoons. Each rebirth brings me a sense of novelty, but ultimately, they still can't defeat me."
"This feeling makes me bored."
"And can you make me feel that sense of novelty?"
"Or rather... like these useless geniuses, be destroyed by me little by little?"
"Shut up." Itoshi Sae finally couldn't help but speak, and he suddenly accelerated and rushed out.
But in terms of speed, Ye Liangqiu was faster. Moreover, while simultaneously seeing the future, restricting this genius new star was the core of this match, so it remained to be seen who was truly the strongest.
Facing such defense, Itoshi Sae's weapons were completely ineffective.
But still, with the enhancement of Beyond Vision, he arrived at the place where the scent of a goal was strongest.
With a "thump."
Following a low pass from Kori Teru, the ball flew directly towards Itoshi Sae. He glanced at Ye Liangqiu, knowing very well that Ye Liangqiu was marking him.
But as a professional player, he had seen this kind of thing many times.
If one could truly perfectly restrict an opponent, then in a game, everyone would just restrict one person, and then would there even be a game?
Seeing the football flying in an arc, Ye Liangqiu and Itoshi Sae's movements were almost identical, both raising their legs simultaneously, intending to intercept the ball directly.
However, at this moment, a figure appeared. Itoshi Rin was enveloped in dark mist, his murderous eyes fixed on the two of them.
"You bastard brother, it seems you've completely treated me as air!"
His appearance even surprised Ye Liangqiu a little.
This guy... had he been lying in wait for so long?
Itoshi Rin, in an instant before either of them could touch the ball, received it directly, then quickly ran towards the opponent's goal.
Suddenly, the situation on the field changed once again.
One second it was the U20's home ground, the next it became Blue Lock's counterattack.
Yoichi Isagi, seeing Itoshi Rin exuding sharp killing intent, couldn't help but marvel at how brilliantly that interception was. Because he too had found that slight opportunity to possess the ball through the atmosphere on the field.
But due to the formation, he couldn't move freely.
Seeing Itoshi Rin gain possession, Ye Liangqiu stopped clinging to Itoshi Sae. To be precise... this was part of the plan.
Playing mind games? Then let's play!
Your team needs Itoshi Sae to take the initiative.
So... I'll suppress your main player, gradually exposing your weaknesses.
A hint of surprise flashed in Itoshi Sae's eyes, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by a murderous gaze. He had guessed that this cooperation between Itoshi Rin and Ye Liangqiu was targeting him.
He just hadn't noticed it, because he knew his younger brother very well.
However, Itoshi Rin's change in this short time had exceeded his expectations.
Itoshi Sae looked coldly at Ye Liangqiu's retreating back and spoke softly, seemingly with regret, "Rin, it seems you still haven't understood what I said back then..."