BLUE LOCK CHAPTER 44: RIVALRY BATTLE

Chapter 44 opens by shifting the focus to the aftermath of the First Selection, as the remaining players gather and are officially introduced to the next phase of Blue Lock. Ego Jinpachi announces the updated rankings, making it clear that these numbers are real and will now directly reflect each player’s value. Isagi learns he is ranked fifteenth, placing him solidly in the middle of the survivors, while other familiar faces like Bachira and Nagi also receive their rankings. Ego explains that these rankings will constantly change based on performance, reinforcing that nothing is secure anymore and that every match from now on directly affects a player’s future.

The chapter then lays out the rules of the Second Selection’s third stage, known as the “Rivalry Battle.” Players must form three man teams and compete in a first to five goals match, with a neutral Blue Lock Man acting as the goalkeeper for both sides. The key twist is revealed when Ego explains that the winning team gets to steal one player from the losing side, while the losers are forced to move backward or risk elimination. This system turns teammates into potential targets and rivals into prizes, emphasizing that survival now depends on choosing battles wisely rather than relying on loyalty.

As the tension rises, Isagi struggles internally with the weight of these rules. He realizes that victory is no longer just about scoring goals, but about controlling the chemical reactions between egos on the field. Around him, different players respond in different ways. Tokimitsu spirals into anxiety, terrified of being abandoned again, while Aryu focuses on maintaining his pride and image. In sharp contrast, Rin Itoshi stands out immediately. Ranked number one, Rin declares his absolute confidence and openly states that everyone else exists only as stepping stones for his goal, which is to surpass and crush his brother, Sae Itoshi.

The chapter builds toward its climax as Isagi feels his own ego react to Rin’s overwhelming presence. Despite Rin claiming he does not care who he faces, Isagi’s instincts flare, pushing him toward a bold decision. Trusting that feeling, Isagi challenges Rin directly, declaring that he wants Rin on his team. The chapter ends with the matchup confirmed and the Rivalry Battle officially beginning, setting the stage for a high pressure clash where egos, ambitions, and survival will collide head on.