The bus ride to the Blue Lock facility was quiet, but inside Zaahir's head, thoughts raged like a storm.
He gripped the edge of his seat, his fingers digging into the fabric. This is it. The moment where everything changes. The moment where he officially steps into the battlefield that will determine the future of his career.
His body was calm, but his heart pounded with anticipation.
He knew exactly what was coming. The introduction, the explanation, the first test. The culling begins today.
The bus slowed to a stop. Zaahir glanced out the window, his sharp eyes taking in the towering structure ahead. Blue Lock.
A facility that would forge Japan's greatest striker.
The doors hissed open, and one by one, players filed out, all of them looking around in confusion or curiosity.
Zaahir didn't hesitate. His feet hit the ground, and he took a deep breath.
Let's do this.
Inside the facility, the players gathered in a massive white hall, the walls sleek and modern. Conversations buzzed around him—some players were nervous, others confident.
Zaahir's eyes scanned the room. Familiar faces. Players who would go on to become some of the best in Japan—Bachira, Kunigami, Chigiri… Rin Itoshi.
His gaze lingered on Rin for a second longer. In the original timeline, he would eventually become the main rival to Isagi. But now? He'll have to deal with me instead.
A giant screen suddenly flickered to life, capturing everyone's attention.
Then, he appeared.
Jinpachi Ego.
His voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"Welcome to Blue Lock."
His speech was exactly as Zaahir remembered it. The brutal honesty, the cutthroat philosophy.
"If you are here, it means you have been chosen. Chosen to fight for a singular goal—to become Japan's greatest striker. And if you fail… you will never play for the national team. Ever."
Gasps filled the room. Some players looked stunned, others furious.
Zaahir?
He smirked.
This was what he had been waiting for.
"Now," Ego continued, "let's begin."
With a loud beep, the doors in front of them slid open, revealing a long corridor.
Zaahir stepped forward without hesitation.
His new life had officially begun.
Zaahir stepped through the doors, his eyes adjusting to the bright white lighting of the corridor. The atmosphere was sterile, almost suffocating in its coldness. The players murmured among themselves, some still shaken by Ego's ruthless declaration.
As they moved forward, the corridor split into multiple paths, each leading to different rooms labeled with numbers. Zaahir's gaze landed on the sign overhead.
"ROOM Z."
He exhaled sharply. Here we go.
Following the signs, he entered a vast locker room where several players had already arrived. Some were stretching, others sizing each other up.
Then, his eyes landed on a familiar figure.
A wild grin, messy brown hair, and eyes full of mischief.
Meguru Bachira.
Bachira caught him staring and tilted his head with an amused smile. "Yo, you look like you've seen a ghost."
Zaahir smirked. Not a ghost. Just someone I know way too well.
He turned away before he could get dragged into conversation. Instead, he took in the rest of the room.
Rensuke Kunigami, Chigiri Hyoma, Imamura, Naruhaya…
All of them, future stars—or at least, potential ones.
This is where everything starts.
A loud beep echoed through the room, silencing the chatter. The massive screen on the wall flickered to life, revealing Ego's face once more.
"Welcome, failures."
The blunt insult immediately put some players on edge. Imamura scowled. "Tch, this guy's really pissing me off."
Zaahir, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm. He had heard this speech before.
"The first test is simple," Ego continued. "You will be playing tag."
Confused murmurs broke out across the room.
Ego smirked. "You have one minute. Whoever has the ball when time runs out is eliminated."
A countdown appeared on the screen.
60 seconds.
A ball rolled into the center of the room.
A moment of silence.
Then—
Bachira moved first.
With a gleeful laugh, he sprinted toward the ball and launched it toward the nearest target—Kunigami.
The test had begun.