Chapter 36:Second Selection: Part 3 – Clash of Egos
"In the second round of selection, matches will be played in compact indoor arenas tailored to the number of players."
…
"Well, this one's tiny," Yūshin Seiichi muttered, eyes darting across the small field. He was calculating the length, the width, the angles—all of it absorbing into his brain like a surge of electricity.
"You ready, partner? It's been a while since we fought side by side," Seiichi grinned, turning to Yūshin Zeya.
"Just don't embarrass me," Zeya replied, smirking as he stretched his legs.
Seiichi gave a cocky chuckle.
On the other side, Hiori Yo stood silently, glancing between the twins. For a moment, he felt like a third wheel.
"Ah… this is bad. I'm totally going to lose," Aoshi Tokimitsu whimpered, crouching nervously.
"I can't wait to defeat one of the Yūshin brothers… it'll be divine," Jyūbei Aryū purred, twirling a lock of his hair.
Ding! Match Start – Red Team vs. White Team
The ball was set at center field. White Team kicked off, with Seiichi stepping up.
"Aoshi, go mark the sheep-haired guy, number 27. I'll handle Seiichi. Zeya's yours, Rin," Aryū ordered coolly.
"Ah—okay…" Tokimitsu stammered as he locked eyes with Hiori Yo.
At least this guy looks beatable…
"Well then, let's begin. You ready, Sae's little brother?" Seiichi smirked at Itoshi Rin, stepping on the ball at midfield.
Tch.
Rin's brow twitched. The mention of his older brother sent a cold rage through him.
He didn't come to Blue Lock to make friends.
He came to surpass Sae—and destroy him.
Bang!
Seiichi tapped the ball backward.
Zeya stepped up immediately, planting his left foot and winding his right back like a taut bowstring.
He leaned in—body angled precisely.
BOOM!
The ball screamed forward like a rocket, spinning violently as it blurred through the air—
Bang! It exploded into the net.
"Yūshin Zeya's Tiger Shot! Let's go!" Seiichi shouted excitedly.
Ding! Goal! 1–0, White Team.
Zeya rolled his eyes at the nickname.
"What kind of idiot names a shot after a jungle cat…" he muttered.
Aryū wiped a bead of sweat from his temple.
That shot… it was clean. And terrifying.
Ding! Red Team Kick-off.
Unshaken, Rin stepped to the center line.
Still water pooled metaphorically around his feet. Calm, but deadly.
"I'll crush you, Yūshin Zeya," he whispered to himself.
Then—he moved.
Bang!
He fired from the kickoff.
The ball sliced through the air in a perfect arc, evading the BLUE LOCK MAN's outstretched fingers and thundering into the net.
Ding! Goal! 1–1.
"Wait… you can shoot off kickoff?" Hiori blinked.
"No idea, but hey, if it counts, it counts," Seiichi shrugged.
"Wha… another world-class shot?!" Tokimitsu cried, overwhelmed.
Aryū smirked, brushing hair behind his ear.
The opposition didn't even flinch. They were monsters.
"I told you. I'll defeat you." Rin's voice was sharp as steel.
"Oh?" Seiichi's lips curled into a grin. "Then come on, Little Sae. Let me break your ego."
Ding! Game continues.
This time, Aryū dropped back to stop Zeya's long shot early.
Seiichi passed to Zeya, then bolted forward. Zeya returned the ball in stride.
And then—Rin stepped in.
He was fast. He read the pass like a book and got in front of Seiichi.
Their eyes locked—both sharp, unblinking.
Seiichi feinted right. Rin didn't budge.
He feinted left—still nothing.
Alright then…
Seiichi tapped the ball backward suddenly—baiting a pass to Zeya.
Rin's eyes flickered toward the bait.
That moment was enough.
He nutmegged Rin—slipping the ball cleanly through his legs.
A move so quick, Rin didn't even have time to react.
He burst forward, body low and explosive.
"Shit—!" Rin cursed.
He lunged, arm reaching out—but too late.
Seiichi spun away, took a single step, and slammed his left foot into the ball.
BOOM!
The ball rose, dipped midair, and dropped into the net just beyond the reach of the BLUE LOCK MAN.
Ding! Goal! 2–1, White Team.
Seiichi stood, coldly locking eyes with Rin.
"You think that's enough to beat Sae? Pathetic."
"You bastard—!" Rin shouted, fury burning in his eyes.
Seiichi walked away, unfazed.
Hiori blinked in awe.
He's not just fast—he's terrifying.
With both Yūshin twins on his team, what was left for a passer like him to contribute?
"Hey, not bad right?" Seiichi nudged Zeya, grinning.
Zeya glanced at his brother's left foot.
"…It's improved."
A flicker of fire lit in his eyes.
Seiichi never slacked off.
Never waited.
And now, Zeya had to push even harder to keep up.
Let's see who breaks the ego of this field first.