24 hours later.
The adaptability test officially began. Tendou had already changed into his jersey and, along with Itoshi Rin and the others, came to the preparation room. According to the rules, as the No. 1, he would team up with the No. 2, Itoshi Rin, to form Team A. Shidou Ryusei would be in a team with Otoya Eita, and Karasu Tabito would be with Yukimiya Kenyu.
"Yo, No. 1. The match is about to begin. Let's get along well."
Shidou Ryusei still couldn't suppress the restlessness in his heart. This was an outright lunatic. In the original story, he was on a team with Itoshi Rin, and they often got into fights. But his ability was beyond question.
Normally, for a player to act, it usually takes three steps: see, think, and then act. This is the normal state of things, because before a person acts, they need to feed the information they've gathered back to their brain. After the brain analyzes it, it then sends commands to every part of the body.
Shidou Ryusei, however, was different. He didn't really need the "think" step. His extraordinary physical instincts and reflexes allowed him to react to the ball just by seeing it. What required Isagi to enter the Flow state, for Shidou was just a passive ability. In addition, his body's flexibility was extremely strong, which allowed him to score with unexpected movements. In Blue Lock, his shooting attribute was definitely in the top tier.
If one had to find a template, Tendou believed he was somewhat similar to Aomine.
"Put away that ridiculous expression, you tentacle bug." Tendou said, not even raising his head.
Shidou Ryusei's forehead had two bangs that looked like tentacles, and he had meticulously dyed them pink, making them look odd. Hearing this, Shidou Ryusei felt a surge of impulse to beat the other guy up. And he really did it. His personality was as violent and aggressive as his playing style. His desire to score was as strong as his desire itself.
But Tendou raised his head and shot him a glance. It was a simple glance that made Shidou Ryusei's kick freeze in mid-air. What kind of look was that? Shidou Ryusei couldn't describe it. His instinct was just telling him that if he kicked this, he would have a very miserable end.
"Tch, fine. Anyway, I'll be able to teach this guy a lesson soon." Shidou Ryusei didn't really believe that Tendou was that strong. Or rather, he didn't think he was that much weaker than him. Tendou being able to score 3 goals probably had a lot to do with having two good teammates. After all, his team had three of the top six players.
...
On the other side, the selection of teammates had concluded. Excluding the top six, all the players had gathered in the central hall again. Contrary to what Chigiri and Reo had expected, the number of people who chose Group A was still the most, and Isagi was among them. Chigiri's and Reo's words weren't without reason, and he had also taken them to heart. But precisely because of this, if he could still shine brightly by the side of a person like Tendou, his chances of being selected for the starting lineup would be greater. Many people held this same belief.
...
The schedule was for a total of 5 matches, with a 6-hour interval between each match. In addition, for the sake of fairness, players were not allowed to watch other matches before their own was completed.
The first match began quickly. The first to play was Team A versus Team B. Besides the two main players, the other three who would play would be decided by a draw. The results of the first draw were quickly out:
Team A: Tendou Kageyoshi, Itoshi Rin, Isagi Yoichi, Hiori Yo, Nanase Nijirou.
Team B: Shidou Ryusei, Otoya Eita, Chigiri Hyoma, Zantetsu Tsurugi, Imamura Yudai.
Both sides got into their positions and, after changing, walked through the tunnel to the field.
Isagi went forward to get his black jersey. As he walked through the long tunnel with the other two, he finally arrived at the field. At this time, the top four of Blue Lock were already waiting. Looking at Tendou and Rin, Isagi took a deep breath.
In the second selection, he was actually the core of the team. He had used his "intelligence" and keen spatial awareness to weave Nagi and the others together, creating an excellent chemical reaction.
However, the two men in front of him were not Nagi or Barou. They possessed the same abilities as him, and the abilities he didn't possess, they had them too. That was all the more reason to choose them. Only by devouring them could he take the next step. This was what Isagi was thinking.
"Oh, here they come. You guys are the little fry trainees," Shidou Ryusei said, looking at the players coming out of the tunnel, his words full of contempt. He was just that kind of person. To make him see you in a new light, you had to show him enough strength. For example, Itoshi Sae. He was able to make Shidou Ryusei act as obedient as a pet cat.
"You really did choose Group A, Isagi."
"Yeah. My goal is you, Tendou."
"Then go for it."
Tendou simply greeted him and then waited for the match to begin.
"BEEP!"
The first match started immediately. There were no superfluous words, no tentative probes. Team A, after kicking off, immediately launched a fierce attack. Tendou received the ball from Rin and, like a lone wolf, advanced with the ball down the middle of Team B's field.
Not knowing Tendou's true strength, only that he was the number one, Imamura Yudai was the first to close in. If he wanted to show his worth, he had to be all-around, including showing his defensive ability. If the top six were the attackers for the Blue Lock team against the U-20 representative team, then showing Ego his defensive ability now would make it easier to be selected for the starting lineup.
However.
Swoosh!
Imamura still didn't know what had happened. He only saw a white light erupt from the No. 1 in front of him, and then, with a swoosh, the other disappeared from his sight. That feeling was...
"It's just like facing the prodigy Loki from the World All-Star Team."
Zantetsu was also shocked. To have such athletic ability with that physique... he was a monster. With just a single power dribble, Tendou had left the first defender behind.
Seeing this, the members of Team B immediately swarmed him in a fan shape. Isagi, instinctively, pushed forward to support Tendou. Seeing that the opponent's defensive attention was all on Tendou, Isagi immediately raised his arm, calling for the ball. He planned to do a one-two with Tendou. In his mind, this was the best way to break the deadlock.
As expected, Tendou's gaze fell on him. Isagi immediately prepared to receive the ball. But Isagi's role was only to draw the opponent's defensive attention. The moment his Six Eyes rotated, Tendou had already seen the momentary gap in the opponent's defense and seized the opportunity. Then he accelerated a second time. A flash of white light erupted from his body, and he charged through the enemy's defense like a comet.
"I knew you'd do that, Tendou!"
Chigiri wasn't fooled. He was too familiar with Tendou. But he had still overestimated his own ability.
BAM!
Without any fancy moves, just pure talent. Tendou used his body to knock Chigiri away, and then, from a position about 23 meters from the penalty area, he took a shot.
...
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