novelraw Chapter 460 162: He Used to Play Basketball
Chapter 460 162: He Used to Play Basketball
"Beautiful! That was an absolutely textbook-level defense!"
The commentators were about to forget their own allegiances.
Such a smooth frontal interception was simply breathtaking.
The two experienced commentators knew very well that very few domestic players could complete such a series of moves.
Because Tendou's opponent was Itoshi Sae.
Even though he hadn't debuted in a first-division league yet and was still training with Real Madrid, his skill level already surpassed that of the local professional players.
"Here comes Blue Lock's counterattack."
On the field.
After completing the one-on-one frontal stop against Itoshi Sae, Tendou Kageyoshi didn't rush to pass the ball.
As soon as he made the steal, he noticed the opposing team's defensive line instinctively contracting towards him.
It was obvious.
Just as Tendou was targeting Itoshi Sae, the team's engine, the opponent was also targeting him, Blue Lock's core figure.
Tendou remained calm. He waited until the opponent's defense had shrunk to its absolute limit before sending the ball out.
"630" Go!
Bang!
The soccer ball was kicked out cleanly, skimming across the turf in a straight line.
The two defensive midfielders, Hayate and Watsuki, subconsciously closed in.
But...
Under the observation of the Six Eyes, there was no way they could reach the ball.
The ball shot through the gap between them like a meteor.
And behind them.
The two opportunists, Itoshi Rin and Isagi Yoichi, arrived once again.
This one through pass had once again pierced through half of the U-20 team's defensive line.
It was a 3-on-4 situation in the attacking third, with the U-20's four defensive stalwarts holding a numerical advantage.
However, in such a tense phase of offense and defense, you couldn't rely on numbers alone to win.
Isagi Yoichi cleverly used Nagi Seishiro's ball-trapping ability to find space for himself to tear through the defense.
As a result.
Itoshi Rin then used him, "stealing" Isagi Yoichi's success to create a goal-scoring opportunity for himself.
This relationship of mutual exploitation was a real eye-opener for the U-20 team.
However.
Itoshi Rin's final shot was narrowly blocked by Aiku at the last second.
"..."
Itoshi Rin said nothing, but he was furious inside.
Don't be fooled by how easily Tendou had scored 3 goals against this defense.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't be able to do it.
Why?
Because Tendou's ability was a level above everyone else in Blue Lock.
Just because Tendou could break through the U-20's four defensive stalwarts didn't mean others could too.
"A shot from Itoshi Rin from the edge of the box!"
"What a pity..."
"The U-20 team's captain, Aiku, stretched out his leg at the last moment to block the ball."
"The ball changed its trajectory and went out of bounds..."
The crowd let out a collective gasp, followed by a round of applause for Tendou.
Although the kid was a bit cocky and had even provoked them, the fans, his passing was truly astonishing.
This kind of surgical through ball was simply a pleasure to watch.
It was Blue Lock's corner kick opportunity.
Karasu Tabito took it as usual, looking for Tendou again, but this time Tendou failed to score.
Having witnessed his previous thunderous header, the U-20 players were marking his heading attempts tightly.
"Who the hell is that guy? Why have we never seen him before?"
"What about the U-20 team's technical department? Don't they have any information on him?"
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Buratsuta Hirotoshi was jumping up and down in his private box.
His eyes were locked on the number 7 on the opposing team.
The player had already amassed a spectacular stat line of 3 goals and 1 assist, performing even better than Itoshi Sae.
How could such a genius have gone completely undiscovered before?
This shouldn't have happened! To the Japanese Football Association, he was a treasure.
He should have been discovered by him sooner, brought into his fold, and helped him earn countless money, instead of being found by Ego Jinpachi.
"Chairman, uh... we really don't have any prior information on that number 7."
"In the data we could find, he only played in one high school soccer match, and then..."
The assistant looked at the information he had just found with a strange expression, not knowing how to continue.
"And then what? Spit it out!"
"This player, named Tendou Kageyoshi, he used to play basketball..."
Basketball?
"Are you telling me that our carefully selected U-20 team can't even compare to someone who plays basketball?"
How could the assistant dare to answer? He silently retreated behind him.
This world was too surreal.
A guy who was playing basketball six months ago switched sports and, in just half a year, outshone their genius, Itoshi Sae.
Why did these geniuses always appear in such strange places?
Getting sidetracked. Back to the match.
The match time reached the 70th minute, and Ego Jinpachi made a substitution.
Chigiri Hyoma was taken off, and his replacement came on.
Chigiri was filled with reluctance, desperate to remain on this grand stage to showcase his talent.
"What's with that expression? Do you have a problem with my substitution?" Ego Jinpachi asked without turning his head.
"No." Chigiri bit his lip, trying not to cry.
He didn't blame Ego Jinpachi for subbing him out; he only hated himself for wasting so much time.
He had given up on himself after his injury, creating a year-long gap in his career, to the point where he couldn't even last a full 90 minutes.
Leaving the field with him was Niko Ikki, who was replaced by Hiori Yo.
"The game was just getting interesting." Niko also didn't want to leave, but he too was reaching his limit. He could already feel his legs tightening, and if he continued, he'd get a cramp before long.
"Are you guys trying to show off? If you have time to cry, you'd better spend it cheering for the guys on the field."
Cry?
Raichi Jingo felt that those of them who didn't even get a chance to play were the ones who should be crying.
They at least got to play on the field, while the rest could only wait anxiously on the bench.
"We've been preparing this whole time, just for a chance to get on the field!"
Hearing this, Chigiri felt much better.
He said thanks, wiped his tears, and turned his gaze back to the field.
Near the center line.
Itoshi Sae once again received the ball and began to organize an attack, but standing in his way was the man known as the "Wall of Sighs," Tendou Kageyoshi.
"I never thought I'd meet a forward like you in a country like this."
Tendou was definitely the biggest surprise for Itoshi Sae on this trip back.
He had returned this time for a visa and for his younger brother.
But instead, he ran into Tendou.
This made Itoshi Sae feel that perhaps this country wasn't completely hopeless.
At the very least, these players from Blue Lock gave him a glimmer of hope.
"Can I take that to mean you're scared?" Tendou flashed forward, his pressure immense.
"No, it means I'm going to destroy you. I will show you the cruelty of the world," Itoshi Sae's eyes grew even colder.
His style of soccer was described as a precisely calculated "perfect destruction" soccer.
It was about defeating the opponent in the most optimal, most rational way, in the shortest amount of time.
Simply put, it was the pursuit of ultimate efficiency.
As soon as he finished speaking, Itoshi Sae was already in front of Tendou.
He had no intention of backing down.
Before Tendou could make a move, the ball suddenly left Itoshi Sae's feet.
A mistake?
No, it was a move to lure the snake out of its hole, similar to Aomine's style of baiting an opponent into action and then crushing them in one go.
And as expected.
The seemingly mishit ball was quickly brought back under Sae's control with a well-prepared, quick turn.
But Tendou hadn't moved at all!
...
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