“For the upcoming Third Selection, my original plan was to start by having you learn foreign languages.” For more chapters visıt noᴠelfire.net
“Then, through multiple elimination rounds, narrow it down to just five of you. However—”
“The plan has changed!”
“It seems the bigwigs of Japan’s soccer world can’t wait to destroy ‘Blue Lock’ right now.”
“So, I went ahead and issued them a challenge. The next selection round will take place three weeks from now.”
“It’ll be a match that will determine the very survival of ‘Blue Lock’—”
“A special send-off match: U-20 Japan National Team vs. the ‘Blue Lock’ Selection Team!”
“If we win, ‘Blue Lock’ will replace the current U-20 Japan National Team!”
Hearing Jinpachi Ego’s announcement, Jingo Raichi, Gin Gagamaru, and Junichi Wanima immediately spoke up.
“Replace the U-20 Japan National Team?”
“They actually agreed to that condition?”
Meanwhile, Ryūma rested an arm over Yo Hiori’s shoulder and whispered,
“Later, make sure to stop Rin for me.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
As the players whispered among themselves, Jinpachi Ego continued explaining on the big screen.
“The other side thinks losing is impossible. After all, you’re just thirty-five high schoolers thrown together at the last minute.”
“And when they heard that everyone here is a forward, they just laughed and accepted without hesitation.”
“Their goal is to destroy the ‘Blue Lock’ project…”
“…and use the national team’s publicity to attract attention and make money.”
“In the end, they expect ‘Blue Lock’ to lose miserably and become a national joke—”
“Then label it a failed training experiment in Japan’s football history!”
At that, the image on the screen showed Ego crushing the drawing in his hand, then forming his fingers into a gun pointed at his own temple.
“Now tell me—how does that make you feel?”
“Doesn’t it piss you off to be looked down on?”
“Don’t you want to prove them wrong?”
“I’ll tell you calmly and truthfully—”
“Right now, you have the power to overturn the entire Japanese football world!”
Hearing Ego’s words, Yoichi Isagi’s heart surged with emotion.
(I have the power… to change Japan’s football world!)
But Ego quickly cooled everyone’s excitement.
“However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The U-20 Japan National Team you’ll be facing is also coming with absolute determination to win.”
“And they’ll have one more player joining their lineup!”
As he spoke, a familiar figure appeared on the large screen.
The moment Rin Itoshi saw the face, his usually calm expression finally shifted.
“Sae Itoshi—they’ve decided to call him up to the U-20 Japan National Team.”
Across the room, Ryūma exaggeratedly said,
“Oh? And who might that be~?”
“Isn’t that Rin Itoshi’s dearest big brother?”
At those words, Rin’s shock vanished, replaced by a chilling glare directed straight at Ryūma.
He began flexing his wrists as he walked toward him.
“What? Did I say something wrong? That’s your big brother, isn’t it?”
Ryūma immediately pulled Yo Hiori in front of him as a shield. Hiori sighed helplessly and said,
“Alright, alright, Rin. You two still haven’t changed—always bickering.”
On the big screen, Jinpachi Ego’s voice cut through to stop them.
“Enough! The time has come to stake everything!”
“Your time in here has forged your individuality, your Weapons, and your Chemical Reactions.”
“You’ve experienced world-class football firsthand. For all thirty-five of you…”
“…a spot on the U-20 Japan National Team is no longer a fantasy—it’s within your reach!”
“Go forth, diamonds! The ones who will change this era… are us, the ‘Blue Lock’!!”
He paused to let his words sink in before continuing.
“The match will take place three weeks from now—Sae Itoshi leading the U-20 Japan National Team against the ‘Blue Lock’ Selection Team.”
“If you win, you’ll take their places.”
“But if you lose, ‘Blue Lock’ will cease to exist—”
“Now go, my diamonds in the rough!”
“‘Blue Lock’ will change the future of Japanese football!”
Yoichi Isagi listened to Ego’s words, his heart racing with anticipation.
(A match against the U-20 Japan National Team!)
(Just a while ago, I was a complete nobody, with nothing to my name...)
(If we win, I can join the U-20 Japan National Team!!)
(A match where I can change my entire life through my own strength!!)
Raichi and Gagamaru were the first to voice their concerns.
“Hey, wait a second!”
“I get that this is a huge opportunity, but how are we picking the eleven for the ‘Blue Lock’ team!?”
“Don’t tell me the midfielders and defenders are gonna be chosen from us too!?”
Ego nodded matter-of-factly and replied with a hint of pity,
“Of course. And as for the goalkeeper—same deal. We can’t use the Blue Lock Man.”
“We’ll have to build an entire team using only forwards.”
Ryūma couldn’t help but snicker.
“Looks like Ego’s got a soft spot for that Blue Lock Man—but seriously, that guy couldn’t stop a single ball.”
“Haha, you’re right, Ryūma. I’ve never seen that Blue Lock Man make a save.”
“Yeah, he’s just there for decoration.”
Ryūma then glanced at Seishiro Nagi beside him, before nodding toward Reo Mikage in the distance.
“Hey, Nagi, aren’t you gonna go catch up with your buddy?”
“No need. There’ll be another chance.”
Ryūma grinned and slung an arm around Nagi’s neck.
“What’s this? Did you two have a fight?”
“You’re not going to talk to him, and he’s not coming to find you—sounds like a fight to me.”
Nagi stayed silent, perhaps unsure how to explain things between him and Reo.
“Well, fine. But if you two really see each other as friends, then just talk it out.”
Ryūma patted Nagi on the shoulder and dropped the topic, knowing full well that it was something they’d have to resolve themselves.
(Heh, if Nagi just opened his mouth, he could get Reo back in three sentences.)
(So I’m not worried about them… what I am worried about is what might happen to me~)
Rubbing his temples with a sigh, Ryūma suddenly remembered something—Sae Itoshi would be choosing one player from Blue Lock to join his side.
(Heh. In the original story, it was Shido… but with all the butterfly effects I’ve caused, Blue Lock’s path has changed completely.)
(Who’s to say I won’t be affected this time? If Sae Itoshi ends up picking me… things could get very interesting.)