"What are we going to do next?" Shinichi, sitting in the front passenger seat, propped his chin on his hand and glanced at Ego beside him. "Are we heading back to Blue Lock?"
"Pretty much. We'll just wait until the rest of the guys finish their matches," Ego replied, rubbing his temples in mild frustration. "Originally, when I declared war on the football association, I wanted it to feel like a life-or-death showdown. But now, you've taken all the sense of crisis out of it. It's such a waste of my efforts."
"Does it really matter? Just leak the news that we're going to face the U-20 national team and tell them that if they win, they can take their place..."
"Those single-minded fools will get all fired up on their own."
"True enough... As for those who don't get excited..."
"Just weed them out. If they can't get pumped up even for this, they're worthless."
...
"Ding dong, ding dong… The second selection matches have officially concluded. The list of players advancing to the third selection round has been finalized."
"Please put on your numbered vests and uniforms immediately and gather in the central connection room."
Inside Blue Lock, the female voice over the loudspeakers repeated the announcement continuously.
Rin and his group quickly set aside their English textbooks, packed their belongings, and headed toward the passage leading to the next stage.
"Shinichi… should be there, right?" Hiori frowned. Shinichi hadn't rejoined the team in the past few days, nor had he sent any updates, leaving Hiori feeling uncertain.
"Shinichi will be fine," Kurona said, patting Hiori on the shoulder. "He's a monster with insane recovery abilities."
"He must come back!" Rin, walking at the front, growled with a fierce expression. "I have to defeat him head-on! If he dares to fall behind on his own, I'll make him regret it!"
...
The doors opened, revealing a black-haired boy in a number 7 jersey standing nonchalantly in the center of the room. "Took you long enough, guys."
"Shinichi!" The group rushed toward him, raining punches and kicks on him in excitement. "You bastard! Not even a single message? Were you just laughing at us, you jerk?"
First Team: Complete. Members: Kanzaki Shinichi, Rin Itoshi, Hiori Yo, Ranze Kurona, Zantetsu Tsurugi.
"Second team, please enter."
As the next set of doors opened, a group of distinct figures walked in—a stylish guy with flowing long hair, a smirking raven-like boy, a sharp-eyed ninja with striking white highlights, a curly-haired player with sports goggles, and an energetic-looking newcomer.
Second Team: Complete. Members: Jubei Aryu, Tabito Karasu, Eita Otoya, Yukimiya Kenyu, Taiga Tsunzaki.
"Long time no see, Shinichi," Aryu said, twirling his long hair while keeping his eyes locked on Shinichi. "As promised, we've come to find you."
"What kind of idiot declares a challenge after showing up late?" Karasu sighed with a wry smile. Otoya, standing nearby, simply nodded in quiet acknowledgment.
"Next team to advance, please enter," the announcement echoed, leaving no time for further chatter.
From behind the doors emerged a group with distinct appearances: a short player with straight bangs, someone resembling Ichigo, a beautiful boy with long red hair in an unidentifiable shade, a gloomy-looking youth with slightly curly hair covering his eyes, and a hulking yet surprisingly timid figure.
Third Team: Complete. Members: Hajime Nishioka, Hyoma Chigiri, Rensuke Kunigami, Jin Kiyora, and Aoshi Tokimitsu.
"Shinichi, you bastard, I've caught up to you!" Nishioka immediately locked onto Shinichi. "Next step—defeating you!"
Kunigami and Chigiri curiously eyed the man who had been the subject of constant talk—from Isagi and Kira during the first selection, and from Nishioka during the second.
Before they could dwell on it, the next door opened, and the newcomer immediately set his sights on Shinichi.
"As expected, a man like you wouldn't fall at this stage," Isagi said excitedly, his gaze fixed on Shinichi. "I've finally caught up to you. I've... followed in your footsteps."
Fourth Team: Complete. Members: Isagi Yoichi, Bachira Meguru, Ryosuke Kira, Nijiro Nanase, and Shizuka Haiji.
"That guy is seriously popular," Yukimiya remarked, noticing that every new team seemed to have someone with a connection to Shinichi. "Are they all from the same building or something?"
"Not really," Karasu responded with a wry smile. "But… anyone who's faced him before and has even a shred of ambition would see him as their ultimate goal. Without defeating him, all dreams feel out of reach."
As the two talked, the next team appeared.
Unsurprisingly, the two leading players immediately rushed toward Shinichi to issue their challenge.
"Let's have another match! This time, we won't lose so badly!" Reo and Nagi pushed through the crowd in front of Shinichi.
However, they were quickly jostled back by the others.
"Hey, don't you know about first-come, first-served? I was the first to challenge Shinichi!" Nishioka grumbled at Reo.
Behind him, Aryu also chimed in, "No, according to the order, the first to challenge Shinichi should be the most stylish—me."
Fifth Team: Complete. Members: Reo Mikage, Nagi Seishiro, Yukio Ishikari, Kairu Saramadara, and Haruhiko Yuzu.
The group erupted into a noisy argument, but fortunately, the next two teams didn't include any of Shinichi's acquaintances.
Sixth Team: Complete. Members: Jingo Raichi, Gin Gagamaru, Reiji Hiiragi, Shingen Tanaka, and Kyohei Shiguma.
Seventh Team: Complete. Members: Tetsu Sokura, Ryusei Shidou, Akira Endonji, Shoei Barou, and Aiki Himizu.
With that, all seven teams advancing from the second round of Blue Lock's selection had finally gathered.
"That's enough. Let's put an end to these meaningless disputes," Ego's figure appeared on the screen, silencing the noisy crowd. "Hello, all of you raw gems of talent."
"Next, I have some good news to announce. You've been given a chance to leap to the top in one step," Ego declared.
"In one month, there will be a match. If you win, you will become the new U-20 national team representing Japan."
"Hmm, judging by your expressions, you've probably figured it out already. One month from now, your opponent will be the current U-20 national team."
"Replacing the U-20 team... they actually agreed to such terms?!" The crowd erupted in murmurs, astonished by the announcement.
Ego waited briefly for their reactions to settle before continuing.
"Well, given how disconnected you are from the world, you probably don't know what's going on right now. Let me tell you this—Japanese football is on the brink of a massive shake-up. This match will serve as a showcase for the new chairman of the football association."
"Which will prove stronger? The U-20 team forged by the traditional methods of the old system, or Blue Lock, representing the new wave? Whoever wins will hold greater influence in this era of change."
"So, what do you think? Are you trembling in fear at the thought of facing such formidable opponents? Or are you thrilled at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
"Go for it, everyone. Seize this chance in the midst of this revolution and step into the new era..."
"It's us—Blue Lock!"