The sound of Ego Jinpachi's voice cut through the tense air like a blade.
"Welcome to the next phase. This is where you either rise to greatness or vanish into obscurity."
The players stood in stunned silence, their bodies battered from the relentless training of the past week. But there was no time to rest. Ego's next challenge was the cruelest yet.
"You will each have five minutes to score 100 goals against holograms of top-tier goalkeepers and defenders. These holograms are programmed to simulate the reflexes and strategies of world-class players. Only those who succeed will move on. Fail… and your Blue Lock journey ends here."
Gasps rippled through the room, but there was no room for fear. The countdown began, and each striker moved to their station, their hearts pounding with the weight of their dreams.
Kaito stepped onto the pitch, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to fail—not here, not now. But the challenge was unlike anything he'd faced before.
The holograms were relentless, their movements calculated to block even the most precise shots. Kaito's frustration mounted as the seconds ticked away, his first few attempts falling short.
Then, he remembered something Kuroka had said to him during training:
"Don't just look at the ball. Look at everything. The field, the players, their movements. The answer is there—if you can see it."
Closing his eyes for a split second, Kaito took a deep breath. When he opened them, the world seemed… different. The holograms' movements slowed, their patterns revealing themselves.
He had unlocked Metavision, a rare ability to see the entire field and predict every move.
With newfound clarity, Kaito's confidence soared. He unleashed a flurry of shots, each one faster and more precise than the last. By the time the timer hit zero, Kaito had scored 100 goals, his name flashing on the leaderboard.
Rank: #6 – Kaito Isagi
But as he scanned the board, his heart sank. Five names stood above his, each one a reminder of the monstrous talent he was up against:
Young Julias, the Crowned Prince of England. His regal dominance on the field was unmatched, and he had finished the challenge with terrifying ease. Daichi Kurogane, the resurrected Beast. His raw power and aggression tore through the holograms like paper. Takura Kemura, the quiet but deadly playmaker. His precision and creativity turned the impossible into routine. Kuroka Bachira, the enigmatic prodigy whose unpredictable style left even the holograms helpless. Korosei Shinzuka, a striker as fast as he was deadly, his kicks striking with the force of a cannon.
Kaito clenched his fists, anger and determination swirling within him. He had evolved, but so had everyone else.
As the remaining players struggled to meet the challenge, tension filled the room. Kuroka leaned against the wall, watching the chaos with a sly grin.
Sora Himekawa, drenched in sweat, glared at him. "What's so funny?"
"You're still holding back," Kuroka said, his tone infuriatingly calm. "I thought you said you were going to devour me?"
Sora snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You're going to regret underestimating me."
"Oh, I'm not underestimating you," Kuroka replied, his grin widening. "I'm just waiting to see if you're capable of surprising me."
The fire in Sora's eyes burned brighter. He turned back to his station, his determination redoubled.
Meanwhile, Daichi leaned against a wall, his arms crossed as he watched the other players struggle. The once-uncertain boy was gone, replaced by a predator who had clawed his way back into the competition.
Kaito couldn't help but glance at him, unease creeping into his mind. "What the hell happened to him?"
Daichi met Kaito's gaze and smirked. "You're not the only one who's evolved Egoist."
As the final seconds ticked away, the leaderboard solidified. Ego's voice returned, sharp and mocking.
"Congratulations to those who succeeded. To the rest… goodbye."
The room grew silent as several players were escorted out, their dreams shattered. For those who remained, the stakes had never been higher.
Kaito stared at the leaderboard one last time, his name shining at #6.
"This is just the beginning," he thought, his fists clenched. "I'll climb higher. I'll surpass them all."