Three Days into Blue Lock
"It's been three days since we came to Blue Lock," Keisuke murmured, catching his breath as his muscles warmed up and loosened.
He scanned the faces around him. Team V had been enduring a relentless series of tests, and he had pushed himself harder each day. To him, these challenges were opportunities to test what his body's true stats were for the first time. If he wanted to be the best in football, he knew he had to understand what exactly his limits were.
"Keisuke! I must admit, the way you're effortlessly completing these trainings is making you shine." Aryu commented, his tall frame stretched as he struck a playful pose beside Keisuke. "But tell me, have you considered how stylish it would look if you kept your hair a bit more in check during training? The disheveled look only works with the right flair."
Keisuke awkwardly chuckled, appreciating Aryu's praise but still weirded out by eccentricity. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, tossing his sweat-dampened hair back. He glanced at Yukimiya, who stood nearby with his usual composed expression, adjusting his breath.
"You're pretty intense about these endurance drills, Keisuke," Yukimiya remarked, crossing his arms as he leaned tiredly against the treadmill console. "But how is it that you haven't stopped yet."
Keisuke smiled, brushing aside Yukimiya's frustration. "To me, this is just a warm-up," he replied. "If Blue Lock is meant to make you the best striker in the world, you can't afford to hold back. Physical strength is essential. Besides," he paused, a confident tone entering his voice, "it's something I can confidently say nobody can match me."
"Ah, I see," Yukimiya responded, smiling confidently. "In that case 1-on-1 nobody can match me."
Keisuke raised an eyebrow, meeting Yukimiya's challenge. "Oh? Maybe that's worth testing at some point," he replied, his competitive spirit flickering to life as he stepped off the treadmill.
"But first, I'll be needing water. Aryu, could you pass me the water?"
"Of course, but don't forget about me." Aryu chimed, grabbing a water bottle and passing it to Keisuke with a flourish.
Keisuke took a long drink and tossed the bottle back. "Appreciate it," he said, rolling his shoulders as he prepared for the next test. "Time for the jumping test," he announced, motioning to both Aryu and Yukimiya. "Let's make this interesting."
"Bring it on," Yukimiya remarked with a smile.
"I'll shine brightest in this test." Aryu declared with full confidence in his ability.
Keisuke stepped forward, planting his feet with focused intent as he prepared for the jump. He launched into the air, impressively reaching 72 centimeters. Yukimiya followed suit, jumping to reach a similar mark.
"Not bad," Yukimiya said with a grin.
While the two staring competively at each other Aryu took flight reaching 80 centimeters.
"I am shining!" exclaimed Aryu while in the air to the both of them.
Both Keisuke and Yukimiya were shook out of their competition by Aryu completely taking them by suprise.
…
As Keisuke ate his yakitori, savoring every bite with an enthusiastic, "MMHH! That is so good! Ahhh! I love food!!" he looked up just in time to see Aryu and Yukimiya approaching with their own meals.
"Ah, what did you two get?" Keisuke asked, his eyes lighting up as he watched his teammates join him.
Aryu placed his tray down, his eyes sparkling. "A stylish sushi platter, of course. Presentation matters, even in food!" he said, striking a pose that only he could pull off while balancing his tray in one hand.
Yukimiya smirked as he set his food down. "Just a simple katsu curry," he replied, adjusting his round glasses. "Nothing fancy."
Keisuke chuckled, feeling the energy from both players. Despite the lighthearted banter, a more serious thought had been on his mind for days. He put down his bowl and looked at them with newfound intensity. "Actually, I've been thinking a lot about the team... specifically, about you two." His tone had shifted, catching both Aryu and Yukimiya's attention.
Aryu paused mid-pose and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Stylish teammates only, I assume?"
Keisuke laughed but kept his gaze serious. "Exactly! Over the past few days, I've been observing everyone, trying to figure out who I can rely on during intense matches. I believe it's you two."
Yukimiya took a sip of his water, nodding. "And what exactly are you suggesting, Keisuke?"
Keisuke took a breath, gathering his thoughts. A fire in his eyes. "What I'm saying is... I want to work together, but I need you both to be all-in. Trust my calls on the field, and we can be a great team."
The two players exchanged glances, their reactions showing both excitement and a hint of curiosity. "Fine by me," Yukimiya replied coolly. "As long as your lead is as strong as you say it is."
Aryu, ever the showman, grinned. "You had me at stylish. Just tell me where to be, and I'll make it happen, flawlessly."
Keisuke laughed, appreciating their confidence. "Then it's settled. The three of us together—we'll be unstoppable."
"So, here's the plan…" Started Keisuke as he planned to take advantage of their status as the 3 strongest amongst the 11.
…
"Hey, everyone!" Keisuke's voice boomed across the room, waking up the groggy players around him.
"Huh... what...?" one player mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"It's way too early for this..." another voice grumbled from the back.
Ignoring the murmurs, Keisuke smiled and raised his voice just a bit. "I just have something quick to say! It'll help all of us if you hear me out!"
Yukimiya, leaning casually against a locker with his model-like smile, crossed his arms.
"Look, I know all of us are trying to improve, and I thought maybe we could help each other out. There's no reason for anyone to be left behind. Let's make sure we all walk out of here with a future."
"Well said, Keisuke," Aryu chimed in, flashing his usual stylish grin as he adjusted his long, flowing hair.
"Exactly! But I get it," Keisuke continued, looking around at the slightly skeptical faces. "Some of you might think you don't need anyone else's help, and that's fine. But for those who want it, we can form a team – a real team. Let's challenge each other, give our best, and make sure no one falls behind."
Yukimiya nodded thoughtfully as he played along with Keisuke's plan. "I like it. Working together would also mean we would have more chances to showcase our talents individually. Count me in."
"And of course, we'll keep it classy," Aryu added with a wink, striking a dramatic pose.
A few players still looked uncertain, shuffling uncomfortably as Keisuke continued. "Look, I'm not forcing anyone. Don't hesitate to reach out. I won't give up on anyone here."
After a moment, several players nodded, moved by Keisuke's sincerity and likeness.
Just then, a loud announcement sounded.
"Ding, dong, dang, dong... Ahem... We've finished compiling the test results from the last few days. Hurry back to your rooms and check out your new rankings."
With calm confidence, Keisuke glanced at the players. "Well, I told you all choosing me is the best option, and I'm now ranked 221. If anyone else is interested in joining my plan, just let me know."
The room was silent as players processed Keisuke's words. After a moment, a few hesitant voices broke the quiet.
"Alright, I'm in..."
"Same here."
A small smile crossed Keisuke's face as he gave them an encouraging nod. "Awesome. Let's work hard together."
…
BOOP! "Hello, and nicely done, all of you unpolished gems. Are you enjoying your life here at Blue Lock?" Ego said as he appeared on the screen.
"Mr. Ego..."
"Shove it! How can anyone enjoy this place? Is living in this hellhole supposed to make us better?!"
"That's right... I just want a decent meal..."
"Shitty football calls for a shitty environment, capiche?"
"But let us talk about Blue Lock now. This facility is arranged into five different stratums. We have twenty-five teams, ranging from 'B' to 'Z,' with each set of five teams in a stratum living under the same conditions."
"By the way, since 25 players—one from each team—were eliminated during our game of tag, there are currently 275 players residing in Blue Lock."
"Huh? So, the ranking didn't change much, and why the hell is it so low?!"
"Also, each team is formed by the ranks of their players. In other words, Team B's players are from 1st to 11th, Team C's from 12th to 22nd, and so on. You, Team V, are in the worst stratum of all: Stratum Number Five. Yours is the team made up of players ranked between 221st and 231st."
'The bottom of the barrel...'
"Oi, doesn't that mean that we're screwed either way."
"Hah? Maybe it does, but I'm determined to make the best of it. If you want to improve, you'll need to listen up. Because if I'm struggling, we're all in trouble," Keisuke said, his tone full of frustration with an excited smirk on his face.
"Players of higher ranks from the other blocks have better meals and training equipment... which represent the lifestyle of those strikers at the very top."
"Here is where the finest football players get to live like kings. Win, and you too can seize such a lifestyle! This is what it means to be in Blue Lock. Let the first selection begin."
"Alright, everyone! Follow my lead, and let's turn this around!" Keisuke said with a confident smile on his face.
"YES, SIR!" The rest of the team yelled in unison.
"Now, onto the details of Blue Lock's First Selection, starting next week. The First Selection will be between you, the fifty-five players of the fifth stratum... consisting of a round-robin among the five teams within it. When all is said and done, only the top two teams will advance to the 2nd Selection. It's all-or-nothing."
As the speech concluded, Yukimiya leaned in, adjusting his glasses with a confident grin. "Looks like we've truly reached the starting point of Blue Lock? I'm looking forward to who our opponents are."
Aryu, added, "Stylish determination, Yukimiya! We'll go all out."
The team nodded in agreement.
"Huh? Wait a minute. You're telling us 11 players from Team V are playing together? But aren't we all forwards...?" one player exclaimed, looking around in confusion.
"Looks like we'll have to cover other positions... How about being our goalkeeper?" another suggested, glancing at the lowest ranked player.
"W-what? Why me...?"
"Listen up, everyone! I'll take the lead as the striker. Yukimiya, you'll playing on the wing attacking from behind the strikers with you 1-on-1 ability. And Aryu, you'll be the center forward ahead of all of using your height and reach to your advantage to receive the long passes and crosses inside the box ," Keisuke said, adopting a determined tone. "The rest of you can focus on defending and holding the ball. All you need to do is play to our strengths and pass the ball around."
"Wait, are you serious?" someone asked, still bewildered.
"Yes. After all, football is about scoring goals, right? So why not let our strongest forwards lead the way?" Keisuke explained, trying to rally the team.
"He's right." Ego said as he spoke again after watching the team come into agreement.
"Football is, at its core, a sport where one scores goals. It would only be natural for all of you to play as forwards. You may have the positioning system and tactics that come with it ingrained in your foolish heads, but that is simply one part of football's long history. In the beginning, football was a sport played with every member as a forward."
"So our football will begin from that starting point. And from there, fix your knowledge of football from scratch. For nearly 25 years, Japan's National team... has time and time again evolved itself exponentially on a global level."
"That was thanks to the dream we yearned for together as a country. In 1992, the J-League was founded. In 1997, we earned a spot in our very first World Cup. In 2002, we reached the Round of 16 in the WC held by our country and South Korea."
"In 2010, we managed yet again to get past the group stage despite all the naysayers. And in 2018, we drove the contending Belgium to a corner... We had reached closer than ever... yet it was so painful... we had fallen just one step short of being among the very best countries in the world."
"But it also meant that football fans acknowledged us... they had seen that Japan was a force to be reckoned with. With that said, if we want to cross that very last step... the state of Japan's National Team cannot continue as is."
"Our predecessors had their eyes set on the World Cup's glory. They wanted Japan to 'carve out their part of the football world,' and... they backed up that will. When did we turn away from the dream we had so strived for...? Thus, I proclaim this to be the time for the Japanese football dream to be revived!"
"Throw out what you think of as 'common sense.' Reject it. And cram this new mentality deep down those brains of yours. The most important thing for Japan to become the best country in the world is not 'the teamwork between 11 players.' It is to have... a 'Hero' among them. Messi, C. Ronaldo, Neymar... the sheer presence of players like them has changed the sport forever."
"New defensive systems were created for the sole purpose of stopping them, and to overcome these systems, they evolved ever-newer tactics."
"Just like that, one player, within one team... from one country... was able to change the world! That is the sport of football! From now on, Japan's football... will enter a new stage! One not led by adults who have lost sight of that dream... but by the star from the chosen three hundred high school students!"
"When we refer to the 'World Cup'... do we have the courage to look at this new dream? Can we prepare ourselves to compete for it? Everybody in Blue Lock is now primed."
Ego finished off with a smirk.