Isagi: I never imagined that there was someone even in the world that had a faster shot than you.

Ryu: -_- It's not by much, I can amp it up eventually if I actually need to. More importantly, you saw that last play right?

Isagi: Yeah. It's exactly like our last play. That can only mean one thing.

They saw targets in the eyes of Kanata and Kaiser.

Isagi: Those two both have Metavision.

Ryu: Well, one thing for certain, two things for sure: No holes on the defense here.

Ryu smirked, having an idea.

Ryu: Welp, this is gonna be too easy.

Barcha kicked off the ball again, with Kalin starting with his dribbling right off the bat.

Kalin: This is gonna be easy.

Kalin sprinted forward, with Gesner and Grim trying to defend against him. He began to do ball rolls, feigning carelessness. Gesner took the bait, however was shocked when he was nutmegged. Grim while Kalin moved tried to pluck the ball from him using his superior strength, but ended up failing as the striker did a La Croqueta, causing Grim to fall. As he moved Ness was the one to come up next.

Kalin: One on one? Please.

His eyes began to glow, as he did a Rabona nutmeg to get past Ness. Finally, Kanata had come along. Kalin looked, and saw Bachira was being marked by Isagi, while Kaiser wasn't too far from Otoya.

Kalin: Alright, just one little head on clash couldn't hurt.

As they neared each other, it seemed as if a small field was created. Kalin did scissor steps, then exploding right. Kanata followed, before opening his hips to avoid being nutmegged by a following Elastico. Able to recover from his slip up, Kalin managed to get the ball back, then moving into a roulette. Halfway through when his back was turned to Kanata, he pulled off a Sombrero flick.

Yukimiya: So many high level moves used as once...

Raichi: Are these guys really our age?!!

Hiori: Wait...

The ball was flicked high into the air, and both boys turned around to try and get it for themselves.

What they didn't expect however was for someone to aim for the most critical moment of their duel.

???: That's one mistake too many boys.

Ryu had leapt into the air, heading the ball away from Kalin.

Ryu: Don't forget, you're not the only members of the old Yokosuka team here.

Isagi: Ryu!!

Kalin: Woah!

Kanata: 'He waited for the right opportunity to strike, and then used his superior physical abilities to break our one on one. This CAN'T be the same Ryu I knew in High School.'

The ball landed, with Kaiser seemingly about to retrieve it.

Kaiser: What a lovely gift. Thanks, little bro.

Ryu: BEHIND YOU MORON!!!

As Kaiser went to get the ball, with his stealthy steps, and drive for it more, Otoya was able to slide and kick it away.

Otoya: You didn't really want that.

Bachira: Nice one, Otoya!

Being nearby, Bachira was able to trap the ball for himself, breaking away from Isagi momentarily, due to his superior speed.

Ryu: 'Ugh, this is exactly why I hate lazy fucking defense!!'

Taking advantage of the moment, Kalin had moved away from both Ryu and Kanata, going to the far left of the Penalty Box.

Kalin: OVER HERE!!

Bachira immediately passed to where Kalin was, with the defense ready to react.

Ryu: 'The most likely action from Kalin will be a pass to Bachira from that-'

Defying all expectations on the field, Kalin DID NOT pass the ball, taking an almost impossible shot at the goal.

Ryu: WHAT THE HELL?!!

The Goalkeeper wasn't able to react in time, with Kalin scoring another goal.

Score: 2-2

Bachira: YEAH!!!

Kalin grinned, as all eyes were now on him.

Ryu: 'Are you kidding me?! A Line Drive Shot?!! How the hell would I be able to predict that?!!'

Ryu looked at Kalin, as Bachira and Otoya jumped on his shoulders.

Ryu: 'Wait... The ridiculous angle of that kick...'

Ryu thought back to prior games, and then thought back to Sae.

Ryu: 'It's not for passing, but his Kick Technique is on the same level as Sae's. No one on this field could've predicted that.'

With the new information, Data began to flow into Ryu's mind.

Ryu: 'If his Weapon is the same as Sae's... Then it can be stopped in a similar way as well.'

Upon making this realization, Ryu had another one.

Ryu: 'Hold on. I just immediately thought of a way to counter someone's weapon. Even in the U-20 match, it would've taken me a few plays to think of that.'

He began to smile, with the other players noticing.

Ryu: 'I've upped the level my brain works at so fast! I'm fucking awesome!'

The ball kicked off once again, as now back on offense, Bastard Munchen moved forward. Ryu began to analyze the area, before he was passed the ball by none other than Kaiser.

Kaiser: Go on, Ryu. Show me exactly what you can come up with.

Ryu: ... Heh. Alright then Michael. Though I'll warn you, you're gonna regret this.

The defenders all got in place, with Ryu's eyes glowing blood red.

Ryu: Now, I think it's time I give you guys a proper hello.

Ryu started dribbling forward, moving unbelievably fast up the field.

Kalin: What the?!!

On the sidelines, even Lavinho was surprised.

Lavinho: How can a kid his age move that fast while Dribbling?!

FLASHBACK!!

Ryu and Noel Noa seemed to be having a conversation, with the Number One Striker adorning a mostly stoic expression, as per usual.

Noa: ... So if I heard you correctly, you desire MY help personally to attain these skills?

Ryu: Yup.

Noa: Then I'll ask you why you think I should. Explain your reasoning to me for this, Ryu Kaizen.

Ryu: Simple really. There's no one else in Blue Lock who could teach me these skills better than you. When it comes to play style, and our physical attributes, I can't think of anyone else I have a closer comparison to.

Ryu looked at his feet.

Ryu: Hell, I'm even ambidextrous like you. Although in that aspect strength isn't the issue, just minor accuracy problems.

He looked back up, almost mirroring the stoic look of Noa.

Ryu: My talents could've been taken elsewhere for obvious reasons. At Manshine City I could've increased my physical aspects more than they are. At FC Barcha they could've broadened my creativity, allowing my playmaking to skyrocket to the top of the U-20 Category. At Ubers, I could've broadened my Tactics, and increased my base football knowledge to be right by the upper echelons of my peers. And PXG? Ha, well I could've teamed up with my greatest opponents and my talents would be brought out.

He looked Noa right in the eyes, completely serious.

Ryu: Bastard Munchen offers the two things, one where I can't get anywhere else. A mentor that embodies what I believe to be near the peak of my style.

Noa: ... You make a solid argument. Very well. What do you want to work on the most right now?

Hearing that, Ryu began to think.

Noa: None of these skills can be properly attained all at once. With unlimited options comes strict choice. What way will bring you closer to being the best at this moment?

Ryu: ... Got it.

Noa: Beforehand however, what was the final thing you get here?

Ryu: ... Challenge.

FLASHBACK OVER!!

Ryu: Here I come, FC Barcha.

Four players had grouped up in order to stop the speeding Ryu. However instead of slowing to pick them apart one by one, he was able to go around all of them at high speed. The first he got with a Chop Dribble, the second ended up being thrown off balance by a Reverse Elastico, the third defender fell victim to a lightning fast rabona, and the final defender was nutmegged by a La Croqueta.

Ryu: 'Maze Run!!'

Raichi: Holy shit!!!

Igarashi: Look at him go!!

Hiori: Did anyone else catch all that?!

Ness: Unreal! Speed, touch, technique, vision-

As a Barcha defender attempted a shoulder tackle, Ryu flicked the ball into the air, before using the defenders own momentum, along with his strength, to flip them over himself.

Ryu: 'Maybe I should thank Rin for that... Nah he's still an asshole.'

As Ryu got control of the ball once again, the Goalkeeper seemed to be in a bit of fear. As he prepared to shoot, Bachira and Kalin attempted to pincer him on both sides.

Bachira: Nuh uh uh!! It's not gonna be that easy, Dragon Ace!

Kalin: Get smoked!

Seeing coming this however, Ryu was able to put his arms out, and hold both players at bay, seemingly without effort.

Kalin: 'Wait what?!'

Bachira: 'He's stronger too!'

Ness: Even physical strength?!!

Ryu: And now, the finale.

Bachira: 'I can't believe it!'

Ryu grinned, as he kicked the ball with a lightning fast Dragon Strike, with the Goalkeeper unable to react.

Bachira: 'Every aspect of Ryu's game has been pushed to a crazy new level!'

Score: 3-2 Bastard Munchen

Once again, the field was in a state of total silence. However unknown to the players, the rest of the world watching were cheering to their hearts content. Kaiser watched in absolute awe, thinking what he had seen was a trick.

Feeling himself ever so slightly, Ryu struck a pose after the goal.

Ryu: And that's how it's done. And unlike you Michael, I can start and finish a play by myself. That's the point of my Sonic Dribbling.

Ness: W-Was that the Kaiser Impact?!!

Kanata: So Ryu can do that bullet of a shot?!

Ryu: Please, Kaiser Impact is way less flexible than my Dragon Strike.

Kalin: Shit, maybe I was feeling myself a little too much on that last one.

Isagi smirked, breaking a sweat upon seeing the performance.

Isagi: A solo performance for the first goal? You've gotta have something to prove.

Ryu
Speed: S 96
Defense: S 90
Pass: S 96
Dribble: S 94
Shoot: S 96
Offense: S 97
Overall: S 95
Up 4!!

Ryu: Hello world. I'm back.

Yukimiya: It's not even the fact that his dribbling move options are greater. The control he has with the ball to move so fast is nothing short of supernatural.

Hiori: The guy's an even bigger monster.

Bachira picked the ball up, spinning it on his finger.

Bachira: You're better than ever Ryu. I'll make sure to crush you.

Lavinho: Hey hey, wait a bit blondie! That's some pretty great entertainment being made here! I want planning coming out but... Let's use my 3 minutes.

Lavinho threw off his jumpsuit, revealing the Barcha uniform.

Lavinho: Star Change System! I'll join the battle!!

Ryu and Isagi both realized what this meant.

Ryu: Shit...

Isagi: The whole field is about to change.

Noa: Your immaturity hasn't changed a bit, Lavi. If the balance collapses, what is there to teach, you idiot.

Noa stood up, revealing a uniform under his jumper as well.

Noa: Why do you gotta be such a pain?

Ryu: -_- Great, an even bigger challenge to read.

Ryu's mind began to go to a mile a minute, as data began to enter and rapidly crack.

Once he realized he immediately waved off the mass thoughts invading his mind.

Ryu: Not this time dumbass! Way too much to calculate on the first go!

Isagi: Hey, you're learning fast.

Ryu: Ah shaddup.

Ryu began to hop in place, noticing the conversation between Lavinho and Noa.

Ryu: 'With the best in the world here, surely the field will change.'

Noa: Ryu Kaizen.

Ryu: Huh?

Noa: You will be moving back to a regular Midfield position. As will you, Yoichi Isagi.

Isagi: Seriously?!!

Ryu: What?! I just snapped the Barcha defense on my own! Where's the logic in this?!

Noa: That's true, and while that is impressive, you're missing the bigger picture. While you both have proven yourselves to be an effective option in Bastard Munchen's attack, the goals you both scored weren't quite as efficient as Kaiser's.

Kaiser simply smirked hearing this, as Ryu was annoyed.

Noa: But what you can do in this scenario is something Kaiser can't do properly. Bolster the Defense of the Midfield, and restrict the freedom of FC Barcha.

Ryu hearing this looked at FC Barcha, before cracking his neck.

Ryu: If I see a chance to score, I'll take it... But this can work.

Ryu's eyes began to glow brightly.

CHAPTER END!!