Chapter 126

**"2nd HALF"** is the 126th chapter of the Blue Lock manga series.

## Overview

The second half of the National Representative Match begins and Ryusei Shidou is officially subbed in as a forward for the Japan U-20. Rin and Shidou confront each other on the field and Anri and Ego discuss Shidou's sudden appearance in the game. Ego says not to worry for his team is strong and the U-20 don't know how to properly utilize Shidou anyway; also they finally get to see why he was chosen by Sae Itoshi above everyone else in Blue Lock.

The second half begins and Blue Lock is on defense preparing itself for Shidou's monstrous ability. With Sae in posession of the ball, Shidou performs some very confusing and sporadic off the ball movements but he is able to link up with Sae for a pass. After receiving the ball, Shidou starts a one-two pass with Sendo to get through the Blue Lock defense and once they get further in Sendo passes the ball to Sae. With Sae in possession of the ball, he performs a powerful kick that curves the ball into the penalty zone where the ball is met by Shidou who is about to perform a midair volley but at the last second he is intercepted by Niko.

## Summary

   The second half is about to start as the commentators note that the first half really was an upset, with Blue Lock taking the lead. Both the commentators are excited for the second half. Yoichi Isagi and Rin Itoshi walk onto the field ready to continue the game when Rin notices Ryusei Shidou on the field and remarks that the Japan U-20 actually decided to use him after all. Ryusei notices Rin and walks over to confront him calling him names and telling him, his time as number one is over. Isagi tries to interject but Rin rebuttals saying that Ryusei is right on time; he needed to jazz up his game and crushing him will do the trick. Ryusei throws the comment right back at Rin. The commentators officially announce Itsuki Wakatsuki is being subbed out for Ryusei but he is a complete mystery to the both of them. Anri Teieri notes that the Japan U-20 have changed their formation with Ryusei as the main forward and she asks how Jinpachi Ego will respond. He says they will continue on as they are, without changing formations for the Blue Lock Eleven has practiced for a situation playing against Ryusei Shidou. Ego comments his team won't fall apart so easily and the U-20 won't know how to properly use him anyway. Ego also notes that Ryusei is the only forward the Blue Lock Project could not rein in to get with the program; they finally get to see what kind of egotist he is and why Sae Itoshi chose him over everybody else. The second half finally gets started with the Japan U-20 in possession.
Ikki Niko stands ready in his defense zone completely focused on the impending danger of Shidou; Niko notes that Shidou's weapon is his overwhelming scoring ability in the goal zone. Niko is intent on not letting Shidou out of his sight because he knows his amazing ability will show when he gets the ball near the goal zone. Shidou runs randomly down the field confusing both the opposing team and his team and Niko watches him noting his off the ball movements are completely ignoring both teams' formation. Niko thinks practice was worthless when it comes to Shidou because he is solely focused on scoring goals alone with his mindset being that of a 1v21. Sae kicks a long but low pass down a narrow route between the players and the ball perfectly finds itself in the hands of Shidou.

   Hyoma Chigiri runs up and marks Shidou but Shuto Sendo also runs up and calls out for Shidou to pass. This confuses Chigiri and Shidou passes the ball, telling Sendo he finally gets it. Sendo tells him to shut up for he is just falling Sae's orders. Chigiri notices Sendo has changed his playstyle so he can support Shidou as a decoy like how Isagi supports Rin. This sudden link up breaks down Blue Lock's defense and Sendo passes the ball through a hole to Sae Itoshi.

With Sae in posession of the ball, he instantly graspes the a view of the field and the players on it. Without hesitation, Sae instantly starts motioning into a kick that looks like shot but in the goal zone Shidou lays in wait. Sae kicks the ball high but it curves leftward straight into penalty zone while waiting there for the ball is Ryusei Shidou. Shidou shakes off Chigiri and motions into a midair kick; Shidou notes how he likes it when Sae challenges his abilities and Isagi thinks to himself that just Shidou being on the field drastically increases the offense of the Japan U-20. Isagi worries the Japan U-20 will awaken if Shidou scores but at the very last second Niko intercepts the pass.

## Chapter Notes

* Ryusei Shidou is officially subbed in for the Japan U-20 as a forward.
* Jinpachi Ego states they will finally find out why Shidou was chosen by Sae Itoshi.
* Ikki Niko is focused on marking Shidou for he is aware of the danger he poses.
* Sendo starts acting as a decoy for Shidou like how Isagi was a decoy for Rin in the first half.
* Shidou almost makes an effortless goal but is intercepted at the very last second by Niko.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Yoichi Isagi
2. Rin Itoshi
3. Ryusei Shidou
4. Jinpachi Ego
5. Anri Teieri
6. Sae Itoshi
7. Meguru Bachira
8. Hyoma Chigiri
9. Seishiro Nagi
10. Ikki Niko
11. Jyubei Aryu
12. Tabito Karasu
13. Kento Chou
14. Haru Hayate
15. Miroku Darai
16. Teru Kitsunezato
17. Shuto Sendo
18. Gin Gagamaru