Chapter 121

**"1st HALF"** (1st (ファースト)  HALF (ハーフ) , *Fāsuto Hāfu*?) is the 121st chapter of the Blue Lock manga series.

## Overview

The crowd goes wild over Rin's goal and Isagi attempts to hug Rin for his incredible skill but Rin dodges and says the team will go with their Plan B. The U-20 are distraught at the current situation and Sae bluntly calls Sendo out for all his mistakes stating its the responsibility of the striker to score. He reminds the U-20 that if they lose, Blue Lock will hijack their team and they will disappear, not that any of it matters to him. Oliver regroups his team and tells them the play like this next play will be their last.

With only three minutes left in the first half, the Japan U-20 resumes the game passing the ball down the field faster and in tighter formation than before. Blue Lock tries their best to steal the ball but the U-20 break through and manage to shoot but they miss the net. Sae Itoshi recovers the ball and manages to send a strong pass into the penalty zone meant for Sendo but Rin comes behind him and blocks the ball. The ball coincidently lands right in front of Sae who takes a shot but it is narrowly intercepted by a last second save from Aryu. The first half officially ends with Blue Lock in the lead, 1-2.

## Summary

The commentators sit sunned as Rin Itoshi scores and allows Blue Lock to take the lead, with the score now 1-2. The crowd, bewildered yet impressed go wild at the super goal. Yoichi Isagi notes that Rin is a genius; the motion that prevented his opponent from predicting his timing and that outside shot with his right foot were all factors in Rin's super goal. Isagi shouts out to Rin for scoring an incredible goal and just as Rin sees him Isagi jumps in for a hug but Rin dodges it, letting Isagi fall to the ground. Rin states they have reached the five minute mark in the first half and tells his team they are going with Plan B. Meguru Bachira agrees, Tabito Karasu is complaining at Rin, Eita Otoya says its ok since they've taken the lead and Hyoma Chigiri helps Isagi get up saying he was a good decoy.

   Isagi states that the next goal will be his and the Japan U-20 defenders look exhausted as Blue Lock takes the lead. Aiku Oliver apologizes to his team for letting Rin shoot and Kazuma Niou responds by saying if even Aiku couldn't stop that shot then there's nothing to be done. Aiku agrees and says that shot really shows that Rin is the younger brother of the genius Sae Itoshi.

Just then, Sae walks up to Shuto Sendo and asks him how many times is he going to miss. The game only turned out this way because Sendo didn't score when given the opportunity. Sae insults him and calls him a shit striker, which upsets Sendo and he tells Sae to fuck off. Sendo states that Sae can't place all the blame on him just because he lost possession. Sae responds by saying its not about placing blame, its about taking responsibility. When someone creates an opportunity for you they are saying, "score a goal". Sae reminds them all that if Blue Lock wins the match, the Japan U-20 members will have their positions hijacked and he also reminds them that he doesn't really care. Kento Chou says the U-20 won't let it end like this and Teru Kitsunezato tells Sae to use him more. Haru Hayate asks if he can move forward and Itsuki Wakatsuki says they to catch up before halftime. Sae sighs and rhetorically asks if the U-20 are finally feeling the pressure from their situation. Aiku Oliver calls his team and tells them to play like the last minutes of the first half are all they have left.

   One of the commentators states there is only three minutes left in the game and that the stadium is in shock for they all thought the U-20 was guaranteed victory but Blue Lock has taken the lead. He asks if Blue Lock will be able to hold off the U-20 to keep the lead.The game resumes and the Japan U-20 is in possession with the offense dashing down the field. Isagi notes that the U-20 has increased their numbers on the top of the field and with Sae as the center they are trading short passes to breakthrough; he thinks that they playing totally different than from before because they are desperate. Sae passes the ball over Karasu and Kitsunezato traps the ball with his chest but is immediately marked Bachira. Isagi follows his lead and surprises Kitsunezato from behind. Isagi notes that the U-20 is not the only ones who can change their formation. When Blue Lock is in the lead at the end of either half, the offensive formation minus Seishiro Nagi will move down to fill in the gaps in the defense. Kitsunezato realizes he was baited and Isagi tells Bachira to steal the ball now that its a 2v1. Just then Chou comes by and tells Kitsunezato to pass the ball; Kitsunezato remarks on Chou's perfect timing and sends the ball his way. Determined to score, Chou prepares to shoot but Ikki Niko is there waiting for him. As Chou is about to shoot, Niko dives into his shot line limiting his course allowing for Gin Gagamaru to easily read the path and intercept the ball. The ball bounces off the goal post and one additional minute is given in the midst of the play. Just then, Sae sweeps up the ball right at the penalty zone but he is double marked by Bachira and Isagi who are determined to stop him. Sae swiftly dribbles to side just to feint and turn back into the gap between the two his feint created and he dashes straight past them with little effort. As he enters the penalty zone, Sae kicks the ball sending it sharply to the front of the penalty box where Sendo is positioned to receive it. Sendo notes the ball has a nasty trajectory and thinks he won't be able to react but he throws away his doubts and says he will be a hero. Just before the ball is in his range, Rin comes from behind him, surprising Sendo calling the pass and Sendo lukewarm. Rin states his brother won't become the best in the world with a pass like this and strongly intercepts it; the ball flies up in the air and lands right in front of Sae who is annoyed at Rin's constant interference. Without hesitation, Sae performs an incredible line drive shot that narrowly but intensely passes by all the other players heading straight into the goal. Gagamaru is a step behind and is unable to react in time but Jyubei Aryu at the last second performs a backwards roundhouse kick that effectively stops the ball in its tracks and it bounces off his foot hitting the goal post. The referee blows the whistle and calls the first half. The end of the first half ends with Blue Lock in the lead 1-2. The Blue Lock players celebrate, the JFA executives and U-20 coach look in disappointment but in the stands Ryusei Shidou looks on eager to join the game.

## Chapter Notes

* Blue Lock is in the lead near the end of the first half.
* The Japan U-20 become distraught at their current situation
* Sae reminds the U-20 of the ramifications of the game
* The U-20 make a last ditch effort to score and tie the game
* Both shots from the U-20 members and Sae Itoshi are blocked
* The first half ends 1-2, with Blue Lock in the lead

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Meguru Bachira
2. Hyoma Chigiri
3. Rin Itoshi
4. Aiku Oliver
5. Yoichi Isagi
6. Eita Otoya
7. Tabito Karasu
8. Miroku Darai
9. Teppei Neru
10. Kazuma Niou
11. Shuto Sendo
12. Itsuki Wakatsuki
13. Sae Itoshi
14. Kento Chou
15. Haru Hayate
16. Teru Kitsunezato
17. Ikki Niko
18. Gin Gagamaru
19. Jyubei Aryu
20. Anri Teieri
21. Ryusei Shidou