Chapter 134

**"Flowers"** (花 (はな) , *Hana*?) is the 134th chapter of the Blue Lock manga series

## Summary

Flashback to when Aiku Oliver was a young player in middle school, he is in the midst of trapping the ball between two defenders; Oliver thinks back that at first even he wanted to be a striker. Showered by compliments from both coaches and teammates on his strong physique which allows him to be the team anchor so that others can attack. Aiku thinks back that all he ever heard was play "for others", "for the team"; thats what all the adults said. Oliver rebuttals to one of his coaches saying that he wants to be the best striker in the world; He wants to focus more on himself, more on scoring. Aiku asks his coach to let him play the kind of soccer he wants to play and his coach clearly responds no. Aiku's middle school coach tells him that football is a team sport and his way of thinking is why he needs the coach's guidance. He tells Aiku that if he doesn't follow his rules then he will not let Aiku play. Surprised by his coach's reaction, Aiku solemnly agrees.

Aiku thought that all of the adults only ever give guidance to the players they deem acceptable; only the players under their control were allowed to flourish under them, they even decided when you got to flourish and grow. By the time you noticed everybody had turned into the same kind of player and Aiku was no exception. Fast forward to a championship game, Aiku is intercepting the ball in the air with a head butt, effectively passing the ball to his teammate resulting in his team winning the game and the championship. Aiku's team thinks they are the strongest as long as they have him and that they are the best team there is. By the time Aiku noticed, he had forgotten how to bloom, how to flourish as a player. Aiku goes to his coach and tells him that lately football hasn't been fun at all. Aiku's coach rebuttals asking why he is feeling this way because he is a regular forward on the team who was won every middle school title possible. He may not score a lot but his assists are nothing to sneeze at. He has a bright future ahead of him and going pro is not a pipe dream for him. Aiku thinks about going pro and responds saying all he will do is become slightly rich, marry some girl from TV, and be kinda happy; he could could never be satisfied with that. Aiku's coach looks on confused by his reply and Aiku asks him does he think Aiku can be the best striker in the world. Aiku's coach replies saying he can because he has the potential. Aiku sadly responds that he seriously doubts it. The him, that thought he could do it died awhile ago. Aiku thinks to himself that he didn't want to fully blame the adults because it was also his fault for not staying true to his beliefs and his dream. His life as a striker was tainted by a philosophy that made him play "for others" so he decides to put an end to that. Aiku tells his coach that he wants to become the best defender in the world which confuses his coach. Aiku continues that all these boring ass strikers that they mass produce will be crushed by him; he wants to destroy them as a defender and this time he won't back down. Fast forward to when Aiku is a pro on the Japan U-20, he is seen holding back two players as he secures the ball. Multiple headlines describe Aiku's splendid transition from forward to defender, Aiku being offered a spot on an Italian club team, and eventually he is named the captain of the Japan U-20. Oliver thinks to himself that he won't play football for others anymore, that he wants to bloom, to grow, for his own sake. But if one day, a true striker appears before him, struggling to bloom in Japan, he swears he will do whatever it takes to help them grow, to make sure they are not tainted as he was. He will extend his hand out as he wants to be someone that can tell them to bloom.

Back to the game where Aiku head butt cleared the ball in midair over Seishiro Nagi, the commentator states Aiku's clearing was amazing. Aiku thinks that he believes Blue Lock to be those true strikers he has been waiting for. Yoichi Isagi calls second ball and Rin Itoshi traps the ball midair with his chest and gains possession of the ball. Aiku notes that thanks to Blue Lock he is on max voltage right now; the level at which he perceives every player, their position, their field of vision, and their possible actions with his body has increased exponentially. Aiku's entire view of the field and the players on it has changed and this is only because Blue Lock is playing at their full potential; This sensation he has makes him feel invincible. Rin breaks past Sendo by nutmegging him but Aiku immediately marks him and he tells Rin the same shot won't work on him twice. Aiku thinks that what he must stop isn't the moment when Rin shoots but instead is his range. The space and moment he needs most be cancelled out. Just then Isagi comes from behind Rin asking for a pass. Aiku thinks that once again Isagi has come to support Rin but they both move only for themselves, a duo so good it pisses him off. Rin charges forward attempting to get past Aiku physically and Aiku thinks that if Blue Lock had started 3 years ago, he would also be over at their side aiming to become the best striker in the world. Aiku reacts to Rin's charge and re-positions himself in front of Rin accordingly effectively keeping the mark. Aiku thiks that Blue Lock is like a different timeline, the one he didn't choose, so he wants Blue Lock to try and surpass him as he moves to physically block Rin.

Isagi notices that Rin can't start up his shooting pattern and questions if Aiku is reacting faster than before, thinking that Aiku has entered Flow. Aiku looks at the ball seeing Rin's possible action and thinks that if they can't beat him then he won't allow them to bloom. Rin attempts to feint the ball and rush past Aiku but Aiku predicted this and heavily shoulder blocks Rin's entire body, effectively stopping Rin and kicking the ball away from him. Aiku thinks that for the rebirth of Japanese football, he will be the final wall and Rin reacts dumbfounded at Aiku's move just now thinking that Aiku reacts to all directions now. As the ball flies high in the air to the midfield, Sae Itoshi comments that it seems Aiku really can do it if he tries and calls him a selfish captain. Sae gains possession of the ball and says the credits are about to roll and Aiku tells Sae to go forward.

## Chapter Notes

* Aiku Oliver's background and philosophy are revealed
* Aiku has entered Flow State in reaction to Blue Lock playing at full capacity.
* Aiku is now able to perceive the field and the players on it in a whole new way.
* Rin gains possession of the ball
* Aiku marks Rin and blocks him from moving forward and steals the ball
* At the end of the chapter Sae has gained possession of the ball.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Aiku Oliver
2. Seishiro Nagi
3. Yoichi Isagi
4. Haru Hayate
5. Kenyu Yukimiya
6. Rin Itoshi
7. Shuto Sendo
8. Teppei Neru
9. Kazuma Niou
10. Sae Itoshi