Chapter 69: Giving Up
U-20 Training Base – 5-a-side Ground
"These two are unbelievable…"
Oliver Aiku could feel it. His body was burning—every nerve, every cell, singing with adrenaline.
There was no doubt about it.
Yūshin Zeya and Itoshi Sae were the future of Japanese football.
Victory? Defeat? None of that mattered anymore. For the first time in years, Aiku wasn't thinking like a captain—he was thinking like a footballer. A man addicted to the thrill of the game.
He wanted to enjoy it. To let it consume him.
Drop!
The match resumed.
Compared to the energy after Zeya's explosive goal, the rest of the U-20 team now looked shaken—silent, even.
Sendō pushed the ball toward Aiku. But there was fire in Aiku's eyes. A strange, wild heat that made him believe he could defeat anyone.
He surged forward.
And immediately—Zeya stood in his path.
"Pass it over, Aiku! I'm open!" Nio Gin called out from the wing.
"Don't distract me! I'm in the zone!"
In his mind, a wave of instinctual data flashed past:
Left breakthrough: 80%
Right breakthrough: 30%
Short pass: 100%
But Aiku didn't hesitate.
Left it is!
He feinted right and burst left, driving toward Zeya's weaker side.
Zeya narrowed his eyes.
He's charging straight at me? Interesting.
Just as Aiku passed him, Zeya's hand reached out—perfectly timed—blocking the space with calm precision.
"My instincts say you can't stop me," Aiku whispered.
With a hard shoulder push, Aiku broke free slightly—more forceful than Zeya expected.
His physical balance is stronger than it looks…
Zeya started to recover, shifting his hips to block the lane again—but it was too late.
Aiku launched a high-arcing cross toward the far wing, where Sendō was already cutting in.
"Perfect ball! Aiku!" Sendō shouted, meeting the pass in full stride.
He cushioned the ball on his chest, let it drop, and—
Volley!
Bang!
The Red Team's second goalkeeper, sprang like a falcon and punched the ball away with both hands.
"What the hell?! Since when were you this good?!"
Sendō stared wide-eyed.
"Don't underestimate me!" Backup keeper grinned. "I'm here to become the main keeper!"
"You little—!"
Aiku laughed, walking up to pat Sendō's shoulder. "Nice volley. Get ready. We're taking the next one."
Bang!
Darai Miroku fired the corner kick deep to the far side of the box. The ball spun in the air, homing toward Aiku.
This one's mine!
Aiku jumped—
But so did Yūshin Zeya.
Lightning sparked behind his golden eyes. The Zone had activated.
Tread!
Zeya exploded off his planted foot and soared.
"What?!" Aiku flinched.
Bang!
Zeya's forehead met the ball cleanly, heading it away toward Sae at midfield.
Then he landed, coiled like a spring—and took off again, full sprint into the open half.
"Fall back! DEFEND!"
Hayate shouted in panic, trying to stall Sae's progression while the others scrambled.
Sae didn't waste time. He launched a sweeping pass across to the left—
Zeya caught it and accelerated.
He's even faster now?! That's insane!
Aiku chased with everything he had—but Zeya's form was flawless. He moved like a machine built for speed.
"Here we go…" Nio muttered, tense. He was the last line of defense.
Don't dive in… Keep the angle… Wait for support…
Tread!
Zeya touched the ball past Nio—directly behind him—and then detonated forward.
"You've gotta be kidding me!!"
Nio turned too late.
And behind him, the U-20's starting keeper, Gen Fukaku, stepped up, reading the situation.
"Come on… I've got this—!"
But as Zeya surged into the gap, Nio managed to touch the ball slightly—
Only for Zeya to brush him aside and push off his left foot at max speed.
He's not slowing down…!
Gen braced himself.
"Don't let him shoot!!"
Bang!
Zeya and Gen collided.
But just before the crash—Zeya poked the ball through Gen's legs with his toe.
The ball rolled cleanly into the net.
Ding! Red Team scores! The score is now 4–1.
Zeya collapsed to the ground, wincing. Gen's knee had struck his shin during the collision.
Even with shin guards—the pain was sharp.
"You okay?!" Aiku sprinted over, concern in his eyes.
Zeya grimaced, checking the guard. Not broken. He stood up slowly, limping.
"I'm fine…"
"Wait!"
Aiku turned to the others.
"We concede! This match is over!"
"What?! Captain? Why?!"
"There's still time!"
"If we lose, Blue Lock will control the narrative!" Sendō objected.
"Shut up. I'm the captain."
Aiku walked to Zeya, looking him in the eye.
He extended a hand.
"From now on, this team is yours to lead."
Zeya took the hand and shook it. "I'm not interested in commanding others. I don't care about the U-20's politics."
He turned slightly.
"But when we face Blue Lock—I'm the core."
Aiku blinked.
He's serious.
Sae stepped forward.
"Don't worry about me. I stayed in U-20 just to face Blue Lock anyway."
He looked at Zeya.
"He's the only one worthy of receiving my passes."
"Two of Japan's greatest talents… siding with Blue Lock over the U-20?" Aiku exhaled.
"…This country's football is about to change."
Sae smirked.
"Without me and Zeya, your chances of beating Blue Lock are zero."
Aiku chuckled—not in anger, but in awe.
What a time to be alive.