Chapter 109

**Battle Group** (戦闘 (せんとう) 集 (しゅう) 団 (だん) , *Sentō Shūdan*?) is the 109th chapter of the Blue Lock manga series.

## Overview

Isagi is overjoyed at hearing he has made the starting lineup with the announcement shocking some of Isagi's former teammates. Yukimiya asks why Shidou isn't on the lineup considering his skills and position in Blue Lock and Ego explains his decision.

Shidou who has extremely high physical stats and a self suffcient style of play is excessively violent especially towards Rin. They would not be able to be on the same lineup so Shidou was planned to be a substitute player who could replace Rin but right as Ego decided all of this Shidou was picked up by Sae to play on the Japan U-20.

In 15 days, Blue Lock will face the Japan U-20 and show Japan their skills. Before then, Ego will train them all to be a team who can overcome any circumstance. Some of Blue Lock Eleven comment on the upcoming events and the team begins its preparations.

## Summary

Yoichi Isagi absolutely ecstatic, clenches his fist in delight as he hears he has made the regular lineup of the Blue Lock Eleven. This news takes some of the room by surprise as many players look in shock and disappointment; Shoei Baro is seething with anger, staring right at Isagi as he hears the news. Kenyu Yukimiya then asks Jinpachi Ego why Ryusei Shidou is not on the starting lineup; he scored plenty of goals and he was the #2 of Blue Lock. Ego responds by calling it an excellent question and and then proceeds to explain his reasoning.

Ryusei Shidou scored an average of 2 goals per match, demonstrating his ability as a striker, second only to Rin Itoshi. His aggressive behavior outside of the games cannot be overlooked but he boasts extremely high physical stats and all the goals he scored, he scored from his own skills. During the Third Selection, Shidou was unable to spark a chemical reaction with Rin even once and given his highly violent behavior towards Rin at the end of tryouts, his participation would put the team at a overwhelming disadvantage if he did the same thing in the match against the Japan U-20. For that very reason he made the decision to not have Rin and Shidou on the same lineup. Isagi agrees with Ego's logic and Ego adds that above all else Shidou cannot be properly handled by anybody in Blue Lock. Ego repeats that Shidou's goals were scored of own his skills and someone who could understand his thoughts and evolve his level of play does not exist in Blue Lock.

Gurimu Igarashi says that there is probably nobody in Japan who could understand Shidou but Yukimiya adds that it would still be a waste of his talents. Ego agrees and states that if the team was ever in a pinch, he would sub Rin out for Shidou as the team's joker card. He would act as a powerful drug that could completely reverse the flow of the game with his job being to replace Rin in a time of need. That was Ego's original plan, however right as Ego was finalizing his roster he received a call from the JFA Preisdent, Hirotoshi Buratsuta saying Sae Itoshi was dissatisfied with the forwards of the Japan U-20. If they didn't accept Sae's conditions, then he would just cancel the match and shut down Blue Lock regardless. The condition given was that Sae got to pick one forward to take from Blue Lock and add onto the U-20; he chose Ryusei Shidou.

3 hours before the starting lineup announcements Shidou was sitting in the Punishment room, a dark room with one light and securities cameras while he lay strapped down to a dolly, completely restrained. Shidou pleads to be let out of confinement and gets angry when nobody responds. Just then, the door opens and Sae and Anri Teieri walk into the room with Sae greeting Shidou. Shidou asks who he is and Sae responds that Blue Lock is a place much too small for him and he will free him. Sae wants his ego and he wants Shidou to play for him.

Ego continues saying Sae did not chose any of them but Shidou and he confirms Shidou will play for the U-20 against Blue Lock. Ego a little bewildered states that the team was always going to be centered around Rin or Shidou because in his head those were the only two viable options. Rin's play style involves him connecting with his surroundings and synergizing with them and Shidou's currently involves playing the game alone refusing to link up with anybody in a self sufficient manner. Ego chose Rin and Sae chose Shidou and as for which one chose correctly, that will be determined in 15 days. Also 12 more players can still be registered on the team so those who did not make the starting lineup still have a chance to prove themselves.

Ego ends the announcements and reminds the players that if they lose this match, Blue Lock will be shut down and their football careers will be over. With 15 days left, Ego plans to train the players to work as a team so they may crush the Japan U-20. Ego tells his players to go forward with the resolve to risk it all because there is no more room for failure. Rin scoffs at Ego and calls his words lukewarm. To Rin, this match is just another step to becoming the best striker in the world. Meguru Bachira adds that he has been do or die since he entered Blue Lock and Tabito Karasu says he's no idiot who would back down now when he's come so far. Eita Otoya calls the upcoming match exciting, Kenyu Yukimiya, says he's looking forward to it, and Seishiro Nagi adds he wants to play already. Isagi notes that everybody is right. Being chosen as a regular on Team Blue Lock isn't the end goal; it's just the beginning for they will go beyond this and make it to the world stage. Ego calls their ego's excellent and now they will commence their last training camp.

## Chapter Notes

* Ego explains why Shidou isn't on the starting lineup
* Shidou's play style is incompatible with anybody from Blue Lock.
* Ego explains that Shidou was handpicked by Sae to play with him on the Japan U-20
* 12 more players can be registered on the team and sit bench.
* Ego plans to turn his egotist players into a team in 15 days.
* The Blue Lock Eleven express their resolve to win despite the circumstances.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Yoichi Isagi
2. Jingo Raichi
3. Gurimu Igarashi
4. Jingo Raichi
5. Nijiro Nanase
6. Reo Mikage
7. Shoei Baro
8. Kenyu Yukimiya
9. Jinpachi Ego
10. Hirotoshi Buratsuta (mentioned)
11. Ryusei Shidou
12. Sae Itoshi
13. Rin Itoshi
14. Meguru Bachira
15. Eita Otoya
16. Seishiro Nagi