The elimination board was unforgiving.
As the final rankings for Team Z appeared on the massive screen, the room was plunged into silence. For most of the team, their dreams were crushed in an instant.
Ego's cold voice broke the silence.
"This is Blue Lock. Weakness isn't tolerated here. You're out."
Jinro, Akihiro, Tetsuya, and the others—faces drained of hope—were escorted off the field by staff, their Blue Lock dreams over.
For those who remained, their survival came at a cost. The ones eliminated weren't just teammates—they were comrades who had fought alongside them in matches, shared in victories, and suffered in defeats.
But there was no room for sentimentality.
Ego's words echoed again, harsh and unrelenting.
"The ones still here: congratulations. But you've only just survived the first culling. From this point onward, it's no longer about being good—it's about being exceptional."
The board now displayed the names of the surviving members of Team Z, alongside their ranks:
#280 – Kuroka Bachira (The Tyrant King)#281 – Sora Himekawa (The Puppet)#282 – Kaito Isagi (The Reawakened Challenger)#283 – Toma Iguchi (The Opportunist)#284 – Renji Suda (The Silent Enforcer)#285 – Kenta "Bear" Motosu (The Tank)#286 – Juzo Nakamura (The Lightning Speedster)#287 – Itsuki Hoshino (The Flashy Trickster)#288 – Daigo Shigematsu (The Elusive Dribbler)#289 – Yuji Tanabe (The Long-Range Sniper)#296 – Daichi Kurogane (The Weakest Link… or so they thought)
Those ranked below #289 were eliminated, except for one exception: Daichi Kurogane.
Eyes turned toward him, some filled with confusion, others with disdain.
Kaito couldn't hold back. "Why is he still here? He's been the weakest since day one!"
Ego smirked, his voice dripping with menace.
"Because, Kaito, Blue Lock isn't about where you start—it's about how far you're willing to go. Kurogane is still here because I see potential in him. A seed that, if watered correctly, might grow into something monstrous. If you don't like it, prove that you're better."
The room went silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
The New Challenge: Groups of Three
Ego's next words ignited a fresh wave of anxiety.
"For the next round, you will form groups of three. These trios will determine your survival. Choose wisely—your ability to synergize with your group will decide whether you live or die in Blue Lock. Each group will face off in 3v3 matches, and the losing team will have a member eliminated. Only the best will move on."
The room erupted into chaos.
"Groups of three?!" Sora exclaimed, his mind racing.
Kuroka smirked, his eyes scanning the remaining players. "This is where the fun begins."
Daichi, standing on the sidelines, clenched his fists. He knew no one would willingly choose him. His reputation as the weakest link was like a brand burned into his skin.
But Daichi wasn't going to let that stop him.
Kaito turned to Toma and Renji. "We need to form a group. We've got the best balance between offense and defense. Let's lock this down."
Toma nodded. "Agreed. We can't afford to mess this up."
Sora, meanwhile, was cornered by Itsuki and Yuji, both pleading for him to join their group.
"You've got the vision," Itsuki said, flashing a desperate grin. "We just need you to set us up for the goals."
Sora hesitated, glancing at Kuroka, who hadn't moved from his spot.
"Why aren't you forming a group?" Sora asked, his voice sharp.
Kuroka's grin widened. "Because I'm waiting for the right moment. Unlike you, I don't need to beg for teammates. They'll come to me."
Sora's teeth clenched.
"You arrogant bastard…"
The Formation of Teams
As the clock ticked down, the groups began to solidify:
Kuroka Bachira, Sora Himekawa, and Kaito Isagi
A trio filled with tension and fire. Kuroka's dominance, Sora's vision, and Kaito's reawakening made them a terrifying team, but their egos threatened to tear them apart.
Toma Iguchi, Renji Suda, and Kenta "Bear" Motosu
A well-rounded team with strength, defense, and tactical awareness.
Daichi Kurogane, Juzo Nakamura, and Yuji Tanabe
An underdog team, formed out of necessity. With Daichi as the supposed weak link, their survival depended on him rising to the challenge.The First Match: Kuroka's Trio vs. Toma's Trio
Ego's voice rang out again.
"Your first match begins now."