[3rd POV]
The rules were simple.
A 2vs2. Similar to the 2nd stage. But this time instead of being the first to score 5 goals, it was a game of pure ego.
There was no real goal or finish line. The game could get to 100-0 and they would still keep playing.
And yet both teams were determined to win. Even if there was no prize.
The ball started in Jude's possession. He calmly passed the ball back to Hiori and launched himself forward.
In a 2vs2 what matters most is individual prowess, yet Jude knew that when it came down to it, he wouldn't be able to win against Rin.
But with Hiori with him, it was different.
"I didn't know there were so many interesting people in Blue Lock." Bachira guarded Hiori closely, yet the latter was able to keep the ball surprisingly well.
Although not to Karasu's level, his ball keeping abilities were way above average.
As you would expect from a person who was born for the sole purpose of becoming a world class football player. Hiori was taller than Bachira and was able to keep him at a fairly safe distance.
Meanwhile, Jude and Rin were facing one another.
It was Jude's first time playing with Hiori, but he instinctively knew that Hiori would be able to follow up.
After all, if he couldn't even do that much, then choosing him was a mistake.
[Shadow Walk]
Jude noticed that even with his earlier taunt, Rin was far too relaxed and took too long to look back at him.
It was quite unnerving.
So, using his now mastered special weapon, Jude made use of his lack of presence and sound to distance himself from Rin while he was distracted by the one on one between Hiori and Bachira.
Jude wasn't able to get too far, as even then Rin immediately felt that something was off, his monstrous instincts were definitely scary, but by then it was already too late.
Hiori was able to read Jude's play, and sent an extremely speedy cross to Jude.
Hiori barely glanced over at Jude, and without even taking the time to process the information of Jude being slightly free from Rin, he was able to send an extremely accurate pass.
Knowing that he wouldn't be able to intercept it, Rin ran to Jude instead. He hoped that by the time Jude trapped the ball he would be able to catch up and stop him.
Unfortunately for him, Jude didn't take the leisure to trap the ball and immediately smashed a volley shot into the empty net.
Maybe accuracy would be a problem if there was a goalkeeper, but since it was a friendly match, they didn't bother setting up the holographic keepers.
And so the game began.
1-0.
"See? That's exactly what happened to your brother." Jude teased.
This time he earned a more straightforward reaction from Rin. Even if he wanted to keep up his nonchalant persona, his clenched teeth betrayed him.
..
As soon as they were all back to their positions, Bachira sent a pass back to Rin as he was instructed.
In the following second, Rin had already armed his shot and sent the ball flying in a sharp curve that went around Jude and Hiori before landing deep into the net.
1-1.
In a matter of seconds, he equalized the score.
"Don't get too confident." His sharp voice echoed.
Rin didn't even have to move from his side of the field. Although it was a miniature version of a real field, this wasn't a feat many could reproduce.
"So that's a real genius." Jude muttered.
Many have called him a genius in the past. That word is thrown around quite easily. Anyone above average gets called a genius. But this time, it was different. He witnessed a true genius.
'I would feel better if it was Barou who's 2 years older than me, but that monster is 16, my age.'
..
Jude felt slightly disheartened, but more than anything, excited.
He finally had it. A clear goal to aim for.
He didn't want to simply surpass Rin. He wanted to break him alongside this whole project.
As a big fan of combat sports, he took with him the mentality fighters and martial artists had. The only one who can be number one is the one who destroys everyone below.
Only then can you confidently say you reached the top.
This was the one thing he loved most about combat sports.
Nothing else mattered.
Fame? Money? A pretty girlfriend? Those are just perks you pick up along the way.
The road ahead was long.
But that's what made Jude love football so much. What's better than winning against one person? Winning against eleven. And that in front of the whole world, in the sport event watched by the biggest amount of people all around the world.
The World Cup.
Being able to crush entire nations, bringing a whole country to tears by scoring a single goal. What could be more exciting than this?
Having the power to shatter the spirit and hopes of an entire country, that's something you can only obtain through football.
"A football who brings despair to a whole country..." Jude muttered before looking up.
He had the perfect opportunity in front of him.
Rin Itoshi, the number one of Blue Lock as well as the biggest hope for Japan.
'I wonder how it would feel to crush him-' Jude's thought suddenly came to a sudden halt.
[Flaw State]
He activated his special weapon reflexively.
His body reacted before his mind.
"Hiori, you better not bring me down." Jude spoke with a wide, euphoric smile as he received his new teammate's pass.
..
..
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[Bachira's POV]
Rin has a monster inside of him.
One different from Isagi. That's something I found out recently.
I was so happy to see that. After so long, I finally found two people who had the same monster as me.
But why is it that there's a third person?
Just who is this guy who provoked Rin-Chan and made us suddenly play against him? He was even able to convince Rin.
What kind of monster does he have?
I was so so curious.
I couldn't hold back any longer!
And so, without paying any mind to Rin's instructions, I followed the monster inside me. It told me to face that unknown player.
The moment he touched the ball I could feel a palpable pressure weighing on my body.
I stood in front of him and couldn't stop myself from asking:
"Do you also have a monster inside of you?"
..
..
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Author: As promised I went to edit it as soon as we reached 120 power stones, but I wasn't too satisfied with the chapter. So I ended up rewriting it and adding Bachira's POV instead.
I'm very much satisfied with the end result.