Team White 5 - 1 Team Red
Match Stats;
Team White(5)
Hayashi Murano: 2 goals, 2 assists
Ranze Kurona: 1 goal, 1 assist
Shoei Barou: 1 goal, 0 assists
Ryusei Shidou: 1 goal, 1 assist
Team Red(1)
Hajime Nishioka: 1 goal, 0 assists
Ikki Nikko: 0 goals, 0 assists
Saramadara: 0 goals, 0 assists
Hiori Yo: 0 goals, 0 assists
"Back to stealing a player," Shidou said, urging us to pick the next player.
Barou replied, "I already have a player in mind, and we have to go with him. He may not have scored or assisted, but I believe I can score more goals with him in it."
The team looked at Barou expectantly, eager to see who he had in mind.
"Well, we have to go with the one I want," Shidou replied provocatively.
I needed to give it some more thought because the next spot on the team is very important. The match versus the world five was next, and with how strong they were in the manga, we needed to have the best possible lineup.
My top two picks would be Nishioka or Hiori. When compared to other players, they perform well. Their abilities and performances have consistently stood out, but they also had a unique ability to think strategically and adapt to various game situations.
Nishioka is more like a blend of Kurona and I. He doesn't have my explosiveness or Kurona's passes, though. Yo Hiori, on the other hand, was composed under pressure and was quick to hit accurate passes. He is able to read the game well, just like Nishioka.
Looking back on the game, I don't think he fits the title of 'Aomori's Messi'. While he has a short stature and plays a lot like Messi, I don't rate him at all. He's decent enough to have made it this far in Blue Lock, but there are other players with greater talent and an even greater impact on the field.
Additionally, I have my doubts about his ability to truly perform at the highest level given his inconsistencies, and injury proneness in crucial moments. On a second note, he happened to sustain an injury during his team's match against the world's best. I don't want to risk losing the match against the world's five.
Looking at my other choice, Hiori, his vision allows him to envision the best pass in any situation, allowing him to form telepathic links with his teammates and avoid opponents. He is exceptional at controlling the ball and making first-touch, rabona, key passes, crossing, and outside passes.
Hiori's reflexive passing, considering other players' positions and the field, makes him a formidable opponent. He can use his weaker right foot and adjust his passing to his teammate's tempo thanks to his meta-vision.
I was able to conclude this data by recalling his skills from the Blue Lock manga. That was when I knew who I had to steal.
"We should pick—"
"I want Hiori, number 27," Shidou said as he interrupted me. I let it slide because that was who I wanted.
"I'd be surprised if you hadn't picked him," I said, "given how much he managed to control and lock you off throughout the game." I flashed a menacing grin.
Shidou was about to respond but was disrupted by Kurona.
"Yeah, we need one more support player since there are already three attacking players."
Kurona was right; we already had three explosive attackers. Adding another support player would create a more balanced team, which wouldn't be preferred in this type of environment (Blue Lock).
However, the attackers could move more forward without turning to look behind them if they had solid support from the back. We'll have to wait and see if this ends up being the thin line that separates us from victory or defeat.
"I want number 27 as well; adding him to our support line would help me score goals." Barou said as he pointed to Hiori. With that, it seemed that Hiori was the player Barou initially wanted.
I approached him, who was lying on the ground, and called out, "Yo Hiori."
I lowered my hands, prompting him to grab them, and said, "Come with us, your passes are needed."
Hiori grabbed my hands to help him stand up and said, "Well, that's it then."
Hiori quietly followed me, while the rest of the players on the losing team slumped their shoulders and stared at the ground.
Ranze Kurona (4), Hayashi Murano (5), Shoei Barou (18), Yo Hiori (27), Ryusei Shidou (111).
Second Selection "Rivalry Battle" Cleared!!!
"Congratulations on Successfully clearing the fourth stage; you have been rewarded with 9000 system points and 2700 system cash," Lisa announced as I walked through the 4th stage corridor.
"You now have a total of 19,175 system points."
"A system update is now available."
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"Well, Well, unpolished gems. Congratulations on clearing the second selection, first and foremost. You are welcome to continue and go through the doors," Ego announced as we entered the room.
"Be exploited, and exploit others. Use others and be used. You should now understand the principles behind sparking a chemical reaction."
We listened intently as he went on.
"Next is the third selection, but before that, the group you have put together so far will be up against several world-class players. You'll play in a 5 vs. 5 match against the World's Five in about 24 hours."
"You're frogs under the well. It's time you jump out of the well to see the whole world," Ego said as he concluded his speech with a wide grin on his face.
Prior to him concluding his announcement, He displayed the players of the World's Five.
First was Leonardo Luna, The Scion of Real Madrid.
Second was Adam Blake, The Goal Junkie.
Third was Pablo Cavazos, The Freckled Baby.
Fourth was Dada Silva, The Heavy Tank.
Fifth was Julien Loki, The Prodigy.