Chapter 8: Monster No. 1
Inside Blue Lock's underground compound, all eleven members of Team Z stood assembled in a row.
Start Comprehensive Testing!
From stamina and reflexes to shooting accuracy and speed—
Every statistic would be tested.
Every weakness exposed.
Endurance Test: Treadmill
"Hello?! Hello?! HELL—oh, I'm dying…"
Isagi Yoichi and Igarashi Gurimu collapsed beside the treadmill, wheezing like fish out of water.
That guy's still going…?!
Yūshin Seiichi had been running for nearly 90 minutes—nonstop, no slowing, no signs of fatigue.
"Is that guy even human…?" Igarashi mumbled, eyes wide.
"Hey! You two weaklings!" Jingo Raichi shouted. "Do you even want to become the world's best striker?!"
"Look at him…" Gagamaru Gin pointed toward Seiichi. "That's what a monster looks like."
Isagi remained silent, jaw clenched.
His eyes never left Seiichi.
How wide is this gap between us?
Two hours.
Only then did Seiichi finally step off, towel slung around his neck.
"Whew~ I'm sooo exhausted," he said dramatically, glancing at Isagi. "Still think I'm durable enough, Isagi~?"
Before Isagi could respond—
"Seiichi! That was insane!" Igarashi blurted. "I can't even last half that!"
Seiichi puffed out his chest, placing both hands on his hips like a superhero.
"Of course! I'm gunning for the world's best midfielder!"
"…Midfielder?" Isagi blinked. "Not striker?"
"Nope. Never was."
Seiichi brushed his bangs back, grinning.
"Let someone else chase the spotlight. I'll control the battlefield."
A memory flickered.
He and Zeya beneath the fading sun…
You be the world's best striker. I'll be the best midfielder.
That promise still burned.
Vertical Jump: 75 cm
"Oops. Not even my specialty," Seiichi muttered casually.
"Say that again, freakshow!" Kunigami Rensuke growled.
"Are we even playing the same sport…?" someone whispered.
100m Dash: 10.58 seconds
"No freakin' way!!"
"Why is he cracked at everything?!"
"At least I'm not alone, Isagi…" Igarashi moaned.
Isagi didn't reply.
He's in another league…
In every test, Yūshin Seiichi stood at the top.
Only Kunigami came remotely close in pure power.
Cafeteria – Team Z Block
Seiichi balanced a tray of food, casually scanning the room.
Still no sign of Zeya.
Figures. Five blocks. Five cafeterias. We're separated.
But that was fine.
We'll meet again in Stage Two… after we both evolve.
He smiled to himself.
Zeya's stronger than people think. He might even be stronger than me.
"SEIICHIIIII!!"
Asahi Naruhaya suddenly slammed his fork into Seiichi's tray.
"Hands off, food bandit!" Seiichi snapped, pulling his tray back like a feral raccoon.
"I LICKED THAT MEATBALL. IT'S MINE."
"Ewwwww!" Igarashi gagged nearby.
"You're disgusting, Seiichi!"
He turned—only to find Naruhaya had stolen his tray.
"YOU EVEN TOOK THE PICKLED RADISH?!"
Night – Corridor
"Yo, Isagi!" Bachira Meguru tossed a ball gently at Isagi's back.
"I saw Seiichi sneak out to train again. Let's spy on him!"
Practice Grounds – Team Z
The dome was silent, lit by cold-blue floodlights.
Yūshin Seiichi stood alone, lining up a free kick from deep midfield range.
Bang!
The ball curled like a blade into the upper corner.
Perfect arc. Perfect control.
"Whoa…" Isagi whispered. "That was… world-class."
"Yo. You two stalking me?"
Seiichi turned, sipping from his water bottle.
"Zeya used to drag me out for late-night sessions. Kinda stuck with me."
"You're a monster!" Bachira laughed.
"…Monster?" Isagi blinked.
"Yeah. The monster in my head told me—Seiichi isn't chasing a monster. He is one."
Seiichi chuckled.
"I'll take that."
Then he pointed to the air like a cheesy anime hero.
"Monster No. 1: Me.
Monster No. 2: Bachira.
Monster No. 3: Isagi."
He made a corny pose. Peace sign. Tongue out.
This guy is so weird, Isagi thought.
But something stirred in his chest.
They all had monsters.
Those selfish, ruthless inner voices pushing them beyond their limits.
But Seiichi?
He had already devoured his.
Rank Update
"All players return to your rooms. Rankings are being updated."
Seiichi checked his sleeve:
021.
Not bad. Seems Ego's finally recognizing me.
"275!" Igarashi shouted. "I'm not dead last anymore!!"
He turned toward Seiichi's arm.
"…TWENTY-FIRST?!"
Isagi blinked.
A 253-rank gap between us…
"Hey, do the math," Seiichi said casually. "Started at 300. One eliminated. 275 left. 25 teams."
"…Wait, I'm STILL last?!" Igarashi screamed.
"Bingo."
The screen activated again.
Ego Jinpachi appeared.
"Rankings determine your treatment. High rank? Better food, better rooms, better training."
"One note: Yūshin Seiichi will remain in Team Z for now."
No one protested.
Because no one could.
Stage One: Begins
With the rankings locked in, the first true stage of Blue Lock was about to begin.
The monsters were awake.
The field was drawn.
And only one ego would remain.