BLUE LOCK CHAPTER 44: RIVALRY BATTLE

RIVALRY BATTLE

Chapter 44 begins back in the First Stage clear gathering area, where Kunigami and Chigiri finally arrive. Isagi, Bachira, and Nagi have already moved ahead, leaving them behind. That sting matters because Blue Lock is no longer letting friendships stay comfortable.

“Can’t believe those assholes…”
“…went and left me behind…!”

Kunigami and Chigiri quickly realize they are thinking the same thing.

“Let’s team up.”

Kunigami and Chigiri Form Their Team

Kunigami congratulates Chigiri on passing the First Stage.

Both of them notice the same painful truth: the people they know have already advanced.

“You’re the only one…”
“…here that I know.”

This moment matters because the Second Selection is already separating old groups.
Players must rebuild their teams from whoever survives.

Isagi Enters the Third Stage

Meanwhile, Isagi faces the next shock.

“I already have to fight…”
“…against Rin?!”

This matters because Isagi’s new team has barely formed, yet they are already standing near a dangerous opponent.

There is no slow build.
Blue Lock throws them straight into pressure.

The Rules of the Third Stage

The Third Stage is a mini-game battle.

“3 vs. 3 | 5 Goals”

Blue Lock Man will be the goalkeeper for both teams.

The first team to score five points wins.

This matters because the match is simple, brutal, and direct.
No long game.
No hiding.
Score first, win fast.

The Winning Team Steals a Player

The real twist arrives after the win condition.

“The winning team…”
“…will get to select a player from the losing team.”

The winner steals one player and becomes a four-man team.

This matters because victory is not just survival.
Victory is recruitment.

Every match can make your team stronger.
Every loss can tear your team apart.

The Path to Clearing the Second Selection

The system explains the structure.

A three-man team wins and becomes a four-man team.
A four-man team advances to Stage 4.
Win again, become a five-man team.
Reach Stage 5, and the Second Selection is cleared.

“Each time they advance to the next stage, they add a new member.”

This matters because the goal is not only to win matches.
The goal is to build the right team through battle.

The Cruel Loser Rule

Then comes the harsh part.

“The player who…”
“…remains unchosen at the end…”
“…will be forced to leave.”

If a team loses and has a teammate stolen, they return to the previous stage.

Lose again, and the team becomes smaller.
At the bottom, one player can be left alone and expelled.

This matters because every match carries real danger.
A player’s value decides whether they survive.

The Rivalry Battle Begins

The Second Selection finally gets its name.

“This is the ‘Rivalry Battle.’”

It is a system where players steal their rivals.

Teams also get to choose their opponents, but only if both sides agree.

This matters because strategy begins before the match.
Who you fight decides who you can steal.

Isagi Understands the Strategy

Isagi realizes they do not have to play Rin immediately.

“We don’t have to force ourselves to play against Rin…”

Bachira explains the logic.

“If the winning team gets to steal someone…”
“…then you should play against whoever you want on your team, right?”

This matters because the smartest opponent is not always the weakest one.
The smartest opponent is the one with the player you want.

New Blue Lock Rankings Are Revealed

The system presents the new rankings.

“They’re not fake this time, of course.”

Isagi is ranked #15.
Bachira is #16.
Nagi is #7.

“This is the order in which you all cleared the First Stage.”

This matters because the rankings now reflect performance.
They also create pressure, status, and targets.

Ego Explains the Chemical Reaction

The players here can turn “0” into “1” on the battlefield.

“This will smash those ‘ones’ together…”
“…mix them up…”
“…and elevate them…”

This matters because Blue Lock is not just testing individual weapons anymore.
It is testing how egos collide.

“Whoever can control the chemical reaction between egos…”
“…will be strikers able to seize the ticket to the next stage.”

The Rule Is Simple: Steal Your Rivals

The message becomes clear.

“Use whatever means necessary…”
“…to steal our rivals!”

This matters because teammates are no longer guaranteed.
They are earned, stolen, and lost.

From this point forward, every player is both a partner and a prize.

Rin’s Team Appears

The top three rankings stand out.

Aoshi Tokimitsu is #3, nervous and full of negative thoughts.

“If I lose…”
“…nobody’ll choose someone like me…”

Jubei Aryu is #2, obsessed with being “styl.”

“That’s the…”
“…styl thing to do.”

Rin Itoshi is #1.

“I’ll end it quickly and advance.”

This matters because Rin’s team is powerful but unstable.
They are not close friends.
They are three strange egos placed together by speed.

Rin Reveals His Reason for Being Here

Rin makes it clear that everyone else is just a stepping stone.

“You guys…”
“You’re just stepping stones to me.”

He says he is here to take advantage of the rule that winning can lead to representing Japan in the U-20 league.

Then he reveals his true purpose.

“The purpose of soccer to me…”
“…is to crush Sae Itoshi.”

This matters because Rin’s ego has a clear target.
He is not fighting for friendship, fun, or approval.

He is fighting to crush someone.

Isagi’s Ego Chooses Rin

Isagi looks at Rin’s team and understands they are strong.

But that does not stop him.

“My ego is saying…”
“Let’s battle.”

Bachira and Nagi agree immediately.

“I figured ♪”
“I had the same idea.”

This matters because Isagi chooses danger over safety.
He does not want an easy route.

He wants the player who pulls his ego forward.

Isagi Wants Rin on His Team

Isagi’s reason becomes clear.

“I want Rin on my team!!!”

The matchup is confirmed by fingerprint.

“3 vs. 3”
“Match confirmed.”

This matters because Isagi is not just trying to beat Rin.
He is aiming to steal him.

That is the heart of the Rivalry Battle.

Rivalry Battle Begins

The chapter ends with the match officially starting.

“Second Selection, Third Stage…”
“Rivalry Battle, begin!!”

This matters because the rules, teams, rankings, and stakes all collide here.

Isagi, Bachira, and Nagi have chosen the hardest road.
Now they must prove their egos can survive it.

Final Thoughts

Blue Lock Chapter 44 review introduces the cruel structure of the Rivalry Battle.

Win, steal a rival, and grow stronger.
Lose, get broken apart, and risk expulsion.

Isagi could avoid Rin, but his ego refuses.
He wants to fight him, beat him, and take him.

Continue to Chapter 45 →