Chapter 35: Second Selection: Part 2 – Team Forming Begins
Ding! Goal!
Target Complete: 100 Goals Scored
"Beautiful," Yūshin Seiichi murmured, rotating his left ankle with a satisfied smile. "My left foot has finally evolved."
Time to go. Zeya's probably been waiting.
Click—
The door to the next stage opened.
"…Only seven or eight people so far," Seiichi observed as he stepped into the waiting area.
His eyes quickly locked onto a familiar figure—Yūshin Zeya—leaning casually against the wall, eyes closed as if meditating.
"That's Yūshin Seiichi, Nagi," Mikage Reo said cautiously to Nagi Seishiro, who stood beside him.
Nagi's gaze briefly flickered toward Seiichi. Though he acknowledged Seiichi's strength, the one he truly wanted to team up with was Isagi Yoichi.
Seiichi was a monster—but Isagi gave him something more: the thrill of defying logic, the excitement of overturning expectations. That made Nagi believe Isagi could push him further.
Seiichi gave a nod to Reo and Nagi out of courtesy, then headed straight for Zeya.
"Yo, Zeya. I'm here," Seiichi said with a grin.
"…Took you long enough," Zeya replied calmly, opening his pale blue eyes.
"Eh? No teasing? Not gonna roast me for taking forever?"
"No point. You weren't even the first to arrive."
"Huh? Let me guess… Itoshi Rin beat you here?"
Zeya didn't respond.
"Hmph. Can't even beat Master Rin, huh?" Seiichi teased with mock disappointment.
"Shut up," Zeya snapped. "Use your time to decide who we're teaming up with."
If he didn't interrupt Seiichi, that idiot would just keep rambling forever.
"Who to team up with? Let's pick Isagi Yoichi," Seiichi suggested. "I've been calling him the protagonist for a reason."
"Give me a real reason."
"I'm serious! He told me to pass the ball to him. Straight to my face! That kind of ego is real."
"…Tch."
As Seiichi sang Isagi's praises, Zeya's expression darkened with irritation.
Click—
A door opened.
"Oh? Speak of the devil," Seiichi turned to find Isagi Yoichi stepping through the corridor, having just cleared the first stage.
Zeya immediately cut Seiichi off.
"Forget it. I'm not teaming with Isagi. I've already chosen someone."
(ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!
Isagi, confused by the sudden outburst, scratched the back of his head. "Huh? I didn't say I wanted to team with him…"
"Oh, sorry, Isagi." Seiichi turned around sheepishly. "Didn't realize you were already here."
"Well, then who's your pick?" Seiichi turned back to Zeya. "Don't tell me you're talking about Hiori Yo?"
"You know him?" Zeya raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously. You think I'd drag you all the way into Blue Lock and not know who's here?"
Seiichi dropped the conversation after that, both of them falling into silence as they waited.
From Seiichi's memory, nothing seemed out of place. Everything was happening just like it had in the original timeline.
Just as expected, Bachira Meguru and Isagi Yoichi had teamed up. After Nagi failed to recruit Isagi, he ditched Reo and joined Isagi's group.
"Seiichi! We'll go on ahead," Isagi waved before heading toward the next gate with his team.
"Got it," Seiichi smiled, but his eyes drifted to Reo, crouched in the corner with a broken look on his face.
Poor Reo. But if you keep standing still, you'll lose your treasure forever.
Click—
"Oh? Finally."
Seiichi turned his head as Hiori Yo walked out of the level-one gate.
"Hey~ Hiori, over here!" Seiichi called out cheerfully.
Hiori, surprised, slowly approached the two brothers.
"You must be Yūshin Seiichi—Zeya's brother. Nice to meet you," Hiori greeted politely.
"…Brother?!"
Seiichi's expression froze. His smile vanished, and a dark aura radiated from his body as he turned a death glare on Zeya.
"Ahem… anyway, let's form our team and get this over with," Zeya said quickly, trying to dodge the situation.
Seiichi said nothing, but his silent fury was evident.
As they entered the corridor leading to the next level…
"Wow, same hair color." Seiichi walked behind Hiori, twirling a strand of his blue hair. "What a coincidence."
Hiori laughed softly. "Yeah, I guess we match."
"I've decided. Our team name is Blue Storm."
"Sure, I'm in," Hiori replied.
"Don't name the team, idiot," Zeya grumbled.
"Looking forward to working with you again, Hiori."
"Likewise, Seiichi."
They bumped fists.
Seiichi liked this kid.
He was calm, smart, and a perfect passer.
Third Selection – Preparation Room
Because their team was freshly formed, they were allowed to skip straight to the third stage.
"Seiichi! You made it!" Bachira waved energetically.
"Yeah," Seiichi nodded.
Isagi's eyes flicked to Hiori.
He didn't look like much.
Could he really keep up with those two?
Just then, Ego Jinpachi appeared on the screen.
"Yo yo, rough diamonds."
The room quieted immediately.
"You've made it to the third stage of the second selection."
"This is a 3v3 match."
"You'll be playing small-sided matches. The first team to score five goals wins."
"The losing team loses a member—who will be selected by the winning team."
"Once a team reaches five players, they pass the second selection."
"The losing player in the final 2v2 who isn't chosen… is eliminated forever."
The room fell into silence.
Ego narrowed his eyes.
"Only true egoists climb over others to survive. If you're not ready to devour your friends—walk out now."
Silence.
"Also—you may choose your opponent."
A murmur rippled through the players.
Wait, we can challenge anyone?
Even… Itoshi Rin?
Seiichi?
Zeya?
Isagi's eyes flared with green fire.
"Wait…" Seiichi blinked. "He's looking at us."
"Don't tell me that guy is going to pick us to fight."
Yup.
Isagi Yoichi's eyes locked onto them, burning with hunger.
It has to be you, Seiichi.
"Before you decide, here are the updated Blue Lock rankings," Ego added.
"Based on who cleared the first round the fastest."
No. 1 – Yūshin Zeya
No. 2 – Itoshi Rin
No. 11 – Yūshin Seiichi
"No. 11? I hate this number…" Seiichi grumbled.
He glanced at Zeya's arm. "First place, huh? Not bad."
A cold voice cut through the silence.
"Let's play a match."
Itoshi Rin stood up and pointed directly at Seiichi, Zeya, and Hiori.
The room froze.
"…Alright." Zeya accepted without flinching.
Rin… the brother of Itoshi Sae.
Then this is fate.
I'll show him the strongest isn't born. He's built—right here.
"You sure about this, Rin?" Jyūbei Aryū chuckled. "Going after the top-ranked team already?"
"I'm fine," Rin replied.
Next to him, Aoshi Tokimitsu trembled.
"I-I can't win against the Yūshin brothers… If I lose, no one will choose me… I don't wanna play!"
"Shut up," Rin snapped.
"Doesn't matter who the opponent is. I'm going to win."
Confident bastard.
Seiichi's eyes narrowed, a slow grin spreading across his face.
Facing Rin—it made his blood boil.
Can't wait to crush Sae's little brother.
"Too slow…" Isagi muttered from the sidelines, watching them go.
Next round. I'll be the one to challenge you.
No matter who wins—Seiichi or Rin—
I'm coming for you.