Chapter 119

**"Third Arrow"** (第 (だい) 三の矢 (や) , **Dai San no Ya*?)* *is the 119th chapter of the Blue Lock manga series.*

## Summary

Meguru Bachira comments on the Itoshi sibling rivalry and Kazuma Niou annoyed states that they are doing this at a national match at that. As Sae Itoshi and Rin Itoshi rush down the midfield they are locked in arms with Rin struggling to gain possession of the ball. As Rin makes his move Sae performs a shoulder block and dribbles the ball outside Rin's range to prevent a tackle and while hugging the ball, keeping it close to himself he spins off and Rin and continues forward. Yoichi Isagi stands shocked at the play but before Sae can go much further Rin locks onto him with his arm again. From there Sae pushes off of Rin and dribbles the ball back and forth gaining momentum then perform a cross elastico nutmeg between Rin's legs with deadly precision. As he does this Sae tells Rin that as long as he is hung up on being his brother then he will never surpass him. Sae effectively breaks through Rin's defense and continues down the field; the commentator notes on Sae's victory in Round 1 of the Itoshi sibling rivalry and the crowd goes wild.

Tabito Karasu calls Rin a dumbass and says he needs to win. Jyubei Aryu comments that the Japan U-20 offense is coming and he tells Ikki Niko to stay vigilant. Niko responds and thinks back to his individual meeting with Jinpachi Ego. Ego tells Niko that he is average in both height and speed but asks him does he know why he was chosen as a starter for the Blue Lock Eleven. Niko replies because of his vision and Ego agrees. As someone who is highly capable of reading the field and grasping it he will serve as Blue Lock's watchtower. Back to the game, Niko thinks that he needs to detect all the players who are trying to link up with Sae. Not focusing on the player with the ball but the players who can receive the ball. Niko thinks he must quickly and accurately locate the most dangerous player and destroy them; As Sae passes the ball up, Niko dashes towards Shuto Sendo who is open to receive the ball. Niko notices the ball has a backspin on it making it easier to trap and even if he runs full speed he won't be able to intercept it because he will be a half step behind. Niko notices that Sae's cross is an elaborate bobby trap that drags him out opening the defensive line up so that the Japan U-20 may get past with ease and if he goes in to try to intercept it will be game over. Niko determined, says that this play is not enough to stop him so he decides to dash in anyway as if he fell for the trap but right before Sendo traps the ball he stops in front of him. As Sendo taps the ball with his foot, trapping the ball Niko notices the slight bounce and takes the opportunity to clear the ball while its still in the air.

Niko effectively clears the ball and Haru Hayate runs to recover it but Karasu gets to the ball first and says it's time to counterattack. As the Japan U-20 defenders come together to mark Karasu he finally figures out that the Japan U-20 defense has three stages to it. First, the moment they are in possession, Hayate goes to pressure the opponent. Second, the Iron Wall Quartet readies themselves in the back, guarding their designated zones where there are no holes to take advantage of. Karasu thinks that if there are no openings then he will have to create one himself then he sharply passes to Eita Otoya who came from behind his right side. Otoya receives the ball and is immediately marked by Miroku Darai but Otoya immediately passes the ball back to Karasu as he moves forward. Karasu receievs the ball pushing past Hayate and tells Otoya that they need to increase their speed as they start trading short passes. Darai comments that the assassin and ninja make a good combo but they are still evenly matched. Karasu notes on the third stage of the Japan U-20 defense; Aiku Oliver, their critical safeguard using his Total Defense. Aiku gets in the path of Otoya and comments on the nice play but says it isn't enough to get past. Otoya calls Aiku a dumbass for assuming Karasu and Otoya were the only ones in the play. Karasu smirkingly reveals that their true aim was to use Hyoma Chigiri. Otoya passes the ball to Chigiri who is on the right side of him and both the ninja and assassin tell the princess to blast a hole open.

## Chapter Notes

* Sae effortlessly gets past Rin
* It is revealed why Niko was chosen as a starter for the Blue Lock Eleven
* Niko uses his spatial awareness to clear the ball
* Karasu and Otoya start a counterattack
* Karasu reveals the three stages of the Japan U-20 defense
* Karasu and Otoya were merely a distraction so that Chigiri could get past.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

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