[It's hard to imagine that a player like Shinichi, who is already exceptional in the forward position, still has such a brilliant long pass in his arsenal. That miraculous reverse spin is something not just anyone can pull off, yet Shinichi was able to breeze past his opponent in such a short time, all while completely reading the positioning of both his teammates and the opponents. He then made the decision in an instant. Truly... it's hard to fathom what kind of energy lies within this young boy, who has already created a global sensation at such a young age!]
As the commentator's excited voice filled the air, the Ubers players rushed towards Barou, their hands reaching from all directions, eagerly messing with his carefully styled hair.
"Haha, little Barou is really impressive! Now, you're the second player on our team to score a goal, after Shinichi," Aiku said with a smile, throwing an arm around Barou's shoulder.
In truth, he was trying to control him so the teammates could take advantage. Niko gave a quick nod and, hopping around, started ruffling Barou's hair. "Exactly, exactly! If this keeps up, your market value is definitely going to skyrocket."
"Humph, isn't that obvious? I'm going to surpass that bastard. If I can't even do something like this…" Barou, still basking in the afterglow of his goal, initially enjoyed the attention, smugly snorting with pride.
But as the guys around him got more and more carried away, he couldn't take it anymore. With a roar, he threw off all the idiots who were taking advantage of the chaos and messing with him.
However, while the mood was lively on the Ubers side, a gasp of surprise came from the opposite side of the field. When a few people turned to look, they saw FC-Barcha's coach, Lavinho, take off his jacket and walk onto the field...
[Ah... this... is... Coach Lavinho from FC-Barcha about to use his 'Star Substitution System'? After using this, coaches from each team can temporarily replace a player on the field for three minutes!]
[This is the fourth match in the New Heroes Battle so far, and it seems all the coaches have been following some unspoken rule, refraining from using this power. I thought the first phase was just for developing new players and that we'd only see the international stars in the second phase. But now, the superstar Lavinho is going to take the field!]
"Ah, you guys are having a great time, huh? Though I wasn't planning on playing, since that little brat is on the opposite side, I guess it wouldn't be too overboard for me to step in," Lavinho casually tossed his jacket onto the bench, took off his sunglasses, and looked at Snuffy, "Hey, Snuffy, aren't you coming in?"
"I'm good, no need. We're still ahead in the score," Snuffy replied, not even thinking about getting up to put on his headband. With his legs crossed, he grinned and looked at Lavinho, "I just want to see how that kid performs when facing a full-fledged superstar in an official match."
[Ah, it seems Coach Snuffy has no intention of stepping onto the field. It looks like we won't get to see a showdown between the world's top players, but... Shinichi, this super rookie who is expected by fans worldwide to become the new generation's ruler, facing off against a long-established superstar, this is still going to be a sight to see!]
[The clash of the new and the old, the still-immature rising star facing the fully matured giant. How will this turn out? Let's wait and see!]
"Ah, you little brat, long time no see." On the field, Lavinho ignored everyone else and walked straight up to Shinichi. With his hands on his hips and a sly smile, he taunted, "You've really achieved something remarkable, huh? But, the difference between a superstar in an official match and a small field is like night and day. Let me teach you that, and then give you a taste of defeat."
"We drew last time." Even though Shinichi knew that last time he had been forced to end the match, he, who never admits defeat, certainly wasn't going to let Lavinho have the upper hand.
Without hesitation, he activated his ZONE. He sank even deeper, and with the roar of thunder and an indescribable but clearly present aura of talent rising, Shinichi had entered his peak state.
"Tch, you were the one who quit last time, but whatever. This time, I'll give you a proper defeat," Lavinho scoffed, slightly irritated by Shinichi's stubbornness. But since Shinichi was already in his peak form, he didn't waste time arguing. "I'll return that exact same line to you."
...
"Ara, these two are exuding such an intense aura, huh? But are Shinichi and Lavinho close?" Lorenzo watched the two opponents with wide eyes, blinking. Next to him, Kunigami nodded. "I'm not sure about the details, but during the first phase of Blue Lock, the five coaches at the time played a training match with all of us. They probably got to know each other then."
"That makes sense," Lorenzo nodded thoughtfully, then flashed a grin, showing off his golden teeth as he looked at Barou. "Little Barou, although it was already unlikely, it's going to be even harder for you to seize power now."
"I have a feeling that after this match, Shinichi's market value is going to skyrocket to an unbelievable level."
"Tch, no need for you to say that." Barou swatted away Lorenzo's attempt to comfort him, glaring fiercely with eyes full of murderous intent, staring unblinking at the two who were locked in a tense standoff, ignoring everyone else on the field. "But on the other hand, this also means an opportunity. If I can perform well in the match against the coach, it's not impossible for my market value to skyrocket."
"Ara, you're so ambitious." Seeing how Barou's words had sparked a fire in the Ubers team, Lorenzo clutched his chest as if frightened, stepping back with a wicked grin. "And you say I'm the one who measures people by money…"
"Aren't you all the same, a bunch of maniacs obsessed with increasing your own value? Hahaha!"
"Since you're not being overwhelmed by the fame of the superstars, then take this chance and fight for your future," Shinichi arrived at that moment. Facing Barou, whose eyes were gleaming with ambition, he grinned. "Exactly like that, don't let me tame you, keep your wildness, and tear through all your opponents. This is the true spirit of Blue Lock."
"Now, Ubers, let's charge forward together. I'm already tired of hearing all that talk about new generations and successors."
"I don't want to wait a second longer for our time. The prologue to the new era begins with us, and we'll open it ourselves, right here!"
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