The taste of victory still lingered in Ryoma Saito's mind as he returned to the central hall with his team. The scoreboard updated once more, showing the results of the 3v3 survival matches. Ryoma's team now sat comfortably in the middle of the rankings, with his name climbing up to 5th place.
Shun Nakamura, despite his loss, wasn't far behind in 6th place. His performance in the match had been enough to keep him safe from elimination. Ryoma glanced at the screen, his eyes lingering on Shun's name.
"That match was too close," Hiroto said, leaning against the wall. "Shun Nakamura isn't going to let us off easy next time."
Ryoma nodded. "He's good. Maybe even better than me—right now."
Hiroto raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"
Ryoma smirked, the embers of his ego flaring. "I'll surpass him. That's a promise."
---
As the remaining players gathered for the next announcement, Ego Jinpachi appeared on the massive screen. His ever-present smirk sent a shiver down the room.
"Congratulations to those of you who survived," Ego began. "But don't pat yourselves on the back just yet. Blue Lock doesn't reward mediocrity. Every second you waste is a second someone else is climbing ahead of you."
The screen changed, showing a new challenge: The Free-For-All Dribbling Gauntlet.
Ego's voice echoed. "In this round, it's every man for himself. The objective is simple: dribble through the field while dodging automated defenders. If the defenders steal the ball from you or you're too slow, you're out. Only the top ten fastest players will earn immunity from the next elimination round."
---
The players were led to a massive indoor arena. The field was lined with sleek, robotic defenders that moved with unsettling precision. Each player was given a ball and positioned at the starting line.
"Remember," Ego's voice boomed, "this isn't just about skill—it's about ego. Show me you have what it takes to dominate."
The whistle blew, and chaos erupted.
---
Ryoma surged forward, his feet dancing across the turf as he maneuvered the ball. The first row of defenders activated, their movements quick and calculated.
The player beside him fumbled, losing the ball to a defender that snatched it with mechanical precision. A loud buzzer signaled his elimination.
Ryoma stayed focused, his mind racing as he analyzed the defenders' patterns. They weren't predictable, but their slight pauses between movements gave him just enough time to slip through.
He cut left, dragging the ball with him, then spun sharply to the right, dodging a second defender. His movements were sharp, confident, and precise.
---
Further up the field, Ryoma noticed Shun Nakamura. Unlike the others, Shun wasn't just dodging the defenders—he was baiting them. He would deliberately let the robots close in before slipping past with lightning-fast dribbles, forcing them to collide with one another.
"Tch," Ryoma muttered. "Of course he's showing off."
But Ryoma didn't let it distract him. He focused on his own path, weaving through the maze of defenders. As he neared the final stretch, he felt the presence of another player closing in.
It was Kaede Arata.
---
Kaede was a wildcard—no one had seen much of him in the earlier rounds, but now he was a blur on the field. His dribbling was almost unnatural, his movements so fluid it was as if the defenders couldn't keep up.
"Who is this guy?" Ryoma thought, gritting his teeth.
Kaede smirked as he caught up to Ryoma. "Not bad, Saito. But speed alone won't cut it."
Ryoma didn't reply. Instead, he pushed himself harder, his legs burning as he surged forward. The final row of defenders loomed ahead, their movements faster and more aggressive.
---
Kaede reached the row first, executing a series of rapid feints that left the defenders spinning in place. He crossed the finish line with ease, earning first place.
Ryoma was right behind him. He dodged one defender, then another, his focus razor-sharp. As the last defender lunged, Ryoma flicked the ball over its mechanical legs, landing just past the line.
"Second place!" Ego's voice called out. "Impressive, Ryoma Saito. But Kaede Arata has set the bar."
Ryoma dropped to his knees, panting. He glanced at Kaede, who stood at the finish line, calm and composed.
"Who… are you?" Ryoma asked between breaths.
Kaede turned to him, his smirk widening. "Just someone who doesn't plan on losing."
---
Author's Note:
A new challenger appears! What do you think of Kaede Arata? Can Ryoma rise to his level, or is this the beginning of a new rivalry? Let me know your thoughts below and stay tuned for the next chapter!