A week passed before anyone noticed.
The second round of Blue Lock selections had concluded, and seven teams would gather in the hall based on when they finished their trials.
Seishirō and his group were first to arrive. Under Ryōsuke's leadership, they had completed the second round at record speed — a full two days ahead of the next team.
"Kira's been gone for a week without returning. What's he up to?" Meguru wondered, hands resting on his head.
"No clue. I don't have a phone to check — Nagi, you have one, right? Message Kira." Ikki turned to the lazy boy.
"Never saved his number." Seishirō shrugged.
"What's the point of even having a phone?!" Rensuke exclaimed.
"Gaming." Seishirō replied instantly, "Besides, we talk face-to-face anyway, so phones aren't necessary."
Just then, the surrounding doors opened as other qualifying teams filed in.
Rin and his group entered second.
His eyes held equal measures of arrogance and anger — he was eager to find Ryōsuke for a revenge match. When he couldn't spot his rival immediately, confusion crossed his face.
More teams arrived gradually. Shoei Baro and Reo Mikage broke through as the fourth team, while Yoichi and Hyōma came in seventh.
Earlier, he had challenged Rin again but failed, losing Zantetsu in the process. Though Rin's team finished ahead of them, his own group still managed to complete the second round.
Spotting Meguru and the others, Yoichi rushed over to greet them.
"Bachira, Kunigami! No surprise seeing you advance first, but... where's Kira?" He noticed their team was down to four, missing Ryōsuke.
"We're not sure. He traded goal points for leave, but hasn't returned. Mr. Ego only said Kira had important business, and that we'd see him again later." Meguru explained.
"Oh..." Yoichi nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Did you face Loki and the others too?"
"Yeah."
"Every team had to play against stars of that caliber. Blue Lock is incredible. How did you score?" Yoichi asked eagerly.
Despite giving everything he had, the skill gap had been too vast — Team World Five had crushed them 5-0.
"We didn't finish the match — it was forcibly stopped — but the final score was 2-1 and we were winning!" Meguru's excitement bubbled up as he spoke, "Too bad you weren't there to see it! Kira went toe-to-toe with Loki in a one-on-one and managed to stop him!"
"Kira stopped Loki?!" Yoichi was dumbfounded.
He had witnessed Julian's godlike speed, which had seemed completely beyond human ability.
And Ryōsuke had actually managed to stop him? Just how amazing was he?!
"As expected of Kira!" Yoichi couldn't help but praise him.
In his heart, he realized the gap between himself and Ryōsuke was growing even wider.
He had to work hard to catch up!
Nearby, Rin overheard their conversation and bit his lip.
When he had played against the World Five, even giving it his all, he couldn't overcome the massive skill gap. Julian had effortlessly torn through their defense line, and he had been powerless to stop it.
But now hearing that Ryōsuke had successfully stopped his greatest enemy infuriated him.
Why could that insect do it when he couldn't?
He had to defeat Ryōsuke! That guy must fall by his hand!
He made this vow in his heart.
As over thirty people flooded into the hall, the giant screen lit up.
[Talented gems, I have special news for you.]
Jinpachi appeared on screen, pushing up his glasses as he spoke deliberately, drawing everyone's attention.
[You might wonder why, since your football careers will soon be destroyed along with the Blue Lock project, leaving you as worthless garbage.]
His words left everyone shocked.
[Before that happens, well done, everyone. The battle against the World Selection players was an irreplaceable defeat — yet some of you didn't lose.]
Jinpachi's statement once again left the players below dumbfounded.
"Someone could compete with those world-class stars?"
"Is that for real?!"
"How is that possible?!"
Most of them didn't know Ryōsuke or his abilities. Only those directly involved like Meguru, and those who had just heard about it like Yoichi, knew the truth.
[I originally planned to have the remaining teams fight until only five people remained... But plans have changed. It seems the big shots in the football world want to crush the Blue Lock project as soon as possible.
Therefore, the third selection will determine our fate — the U20 representatives will have a special match against Blue Lock's selected players. If we win this match, we can forcibly take their U20 representative positions!]
This announcement was more explosive than any previous news.
The Blue Lock members would face the U20 representatives — and if victorious, they could take their positions. These opponents were undoubtedly formidable.
"I can't believe they agreed to these terms..." Jingo Raichi, who had also passed the selection, swallowed hard.
Although Blue Lock had many young prodigies, they had been mere high school players before, with a vast gap separating them from professionals. Most were unknown until Blue Lock gave them a fresh start.
[They probably agreed because they don't think they can lose. After all, when they heard their opponents were just 300 high school students — all forwards at that — they readily accepted the match.]
Jinpachi explained, aiming to provoke his players' competitive spirit.
[Their plan is to use this match as a publicity stunt, destroy Blue Lock, and make a fortune while leaving us to be ridiculed. How does that make you feel? Dissatisfied? Nervous? Afraid? But I firmly believe you're capable of turning this country's football world upside down.
However... the enemy is gathering all their resources to ensure total victory. Besides the current U20 representatives, there will be one more opponent: Sae Itoshi.]
"Sae Itoshi!" Yoichi exclaimed.
Everyone present knew of this young midfield prodigy — the brother of the incredibly powerful Rin.
He turned to look at the "brother", whose expression had turned grave, fists clenched and eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Defeating Sae was everything his football stood for. This match would be Rin's perfect chance to overcome his brother, with all spectators as witnesses.
"Who's the other person?" Meguru asked eagerly.
[The other person is a player chosen by Sae Itoshi himself. He designated this player as his teammate — it's the main reason he's participating in this match.]
Jinpachi's gaze grew meaningful.
[And this person is actually a member of Blue Lock.]
"What?!"
The moment they heard these words, Meguru, Yoichi, and even Rin knew the answer.
[Ryōsuke Kira — quite a few of you have met or competed against him already.]
Jinpachi's lips curved slightly upward.
"Ryōsuke Kira, that name sounds familiar!"
"Isn't he the one who had that conflict with Rin Itoshi?"
"Didn't Rin Itoshi lose once and return to the three-person zone — could it have been to Ryōsuke Kira?!"
Others whispered among themselves.
Rin's face darkened as rage rose from deep within. He had already considered Ryōsuke his arch-rival, but never imagined his brother would specifically choose him as a teammate.
Beneath his anger lay endless hatred for both Ryōsuke and Sae. The two people he must defeat would now be his opponents.
'Destroy them, I must destroy them both!' Rin's knuckles cracked loudly as he dug them into his palms.
Moreover, his killing intent was so terrifying that even Jūbē and Aoshi kept their distance.
[Sae Itoshi abandoned you all and chose Ryōsuke Kira instead. Do you know why?]
Jinpachi displayed a stack of documents on screen — the World Five's evaluation of Ryōsuke. Each world-class star had nothing but praise for him.
Now everyone understood who Jinpachi meant when he spoke of someone competing with world-class stars.
[Originally, Ryōsuke Kira was my designated ace player, meant to be Blue Lock's absolute core in the U20 match. However, due to Sae Itoshi and the higher-ups' demands, I had no choice but to release him. Without Kira, Itoshi wouldn't participate, the match couldn't happen, and we would lose our only chance to prove ourselves.]
Hearing this, Rin grew even more agitated, biting his lip until it bled, his eyes bloodshot.
Meanwhile, Yoichi stood shocked. He never imagined he would face Ryōsuke as an enemy under these circumstances.
His emotions were complex, but they quickly gave way to an inexplicable excitement. Though Yoichi considered Ryōsuke a friend, he yearned for the chance to compete against him.
He had already resolved to catch up to him.
Until he surpassed him!
At that moment, Yoichi felt a desperate urge to "devour" Ryōsuke's talent.
"We've got our chance for revenge!" Meguru's face lit up with excitement.
"Going to face Kira? I want to win." Seishirō said quietly.
For them, Ryōsuke was both friend and rival.
Nearly everyone had made him their target to chase.
'Just as expected.' A smile crossed Jinpachi's face.
The prospect of facing Ryōsuke as an enemy had ignited Blue Lock's fighting spirit.
This sense of challenge — it was the prerequisite for creating miracles.
"I have to admit, you've done well, Kira." Jinpachi muttered to himself.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
At the same time, at the U20 National Team Training Center.
A middle-aged man named Yasumori Hōichi was briefing the U20 members about the upcoming match.
He was the temporary U20 coach appointed by Chairman Hirotoshi.
"Now that you have the match details, let me introduce our highly anticipated new recruit, the genius player — Sae Itoshi!"
Yasumori gestured excitedly toward the door as Sae entered with a cold expression.
"It's Sae Itoshi!"
"We actually get to play with him?"
"So cool!"
Even among the U20 squad, Sae had many admirers.
"Sae Itoshi, please say something to boost the team's morale!"
Yasumori said with a fawning smile. Sae replied impatiently:
"Be grateful you get to play with me. I have no interest in any of you, but since this is probably your only chance in life, work hard and don't irritate me. That's all."
Pure arrogance — he showed no regard for the U20 members whatsoever.
"Don't look down on us, genius!"
Below the stage, several players bristled at his attitude, and tension filled the room.
"Ah — we have a second player joining the U20 representatives, also from Blue Lock." Seeing the awkward situation, Yasumori quickly changed the subject while glancing toward the door.
A figure appeared in the doorway. Sae turned slightly, his gaze falling on the newcomer.
"Ryōsuke Kira."
❖❖❖
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