Chapter 142: World Standard

After Shuto Sendo clears the ball off the line, Meguru Bachira concedes the U-20 ace is not bad and accepts this is not his day. Oliver Aiku collects the loose ball with a chest trap and needles the fallen Sendo, who fires back that he is the true ace of the Japan U-20. Sendo announces he will not surrender his place to Blue Lock's newcomers and vows to become the world standard, no longer chasing models but a Hollywood actress instead. His teammates mock the sudden speech even as they admit he is finally looking outward, and Ryusei Shido delights in seeing Sendo's ego surface.

Aiku plays the ball to Sae Itoshi and reflects that Blue Lock's heat has spread through the whole team, one selfish striker awakening the midfield, defense, and goalkeepers alike. Double-teamed by Yukimiya and Karasu, Sae lofts a pass toward Kento Cho and Teru Kitsunezato, saying he rewards whichever striker sits in the sharpest position. The pair exploit the height mismatch against Yo Hiori and Jyubei Aryu, slicing through with a one-two, but Reo Mikage heads the shot away. On the rebound Sendo strikes again, only for Nagi and Baro to collide into a wall that blocks it.

The ball drops back to Sae, who threads a no-look pass to Aiku, storming up from deep. As Aiku loads a match-ending shot, Rin Itoshi lunges into a sliding block that skews the ball over the crossbar. Hirotoshi Buratsuta fumes, Anri Teieri watches in awe, and only five minutes remain.

Aiku recovers Sendo's clearance and sets up a counter while declaring the match has shifted the U-20's mentality and will reshape Japanese football. The U-20 repeatedly break through and fire on Blue Lock's goal. Aiku himself surges up from the back line for a final attempt, which Rin blocks at the last second with a slide. Five minutes are left on the clock.

This is the second chapter of Volume 17 and the 142nd overall, part of the U-20 Arc. It ran in Japan on August 18, 2021, in Issue 2021-38, and reached the United States on January 17, 2023. The chapter is adapted in Episode 37 of the anime. Its cover features several Team Z members not otherwise present in the story.