Chapter 51: Forced Recruitment
Japan Football Union – Secret Meeting Room
Inside a dimly lit chamber, the president of the Japan Football Union, Hirotoshi Buratsuta, sat silently in a leather chair, the flickering light of a projector reflecting in his stern eyes. On the screen, footage of the Blue Lock team's clash with the World All-Star squad played in full intensity—Seiichi's volley, Zeya's acrobatics, and Rin's awakening.
Dong… Dongdong…
"Come in."
Click.
The door opened, and Yasumori Hōichi, head coach of Japan's U-20 National Team, stepped inside.
"President Buratsuta," he said with a smirk, "I heard you've approved Ego Jinpachi's absurd proposal? If Blue Lock beats the U-20 team, they take our place entirely?"
"Why? Are you afraid?" Buratsuta asked, his voice low and cold.
"Of course not," Yasumori said with a short laugh. "A team made up of selfish strikers with no tactics? They'll be crushed. You're handing them three weeks, and we've trained for years."
He shook his head confidently.
"In fact, the funds given to Blue Lock would've been better used on refining our U-20 squad."
Buratsuta raised an eyebrow. "Hōichi… your arrogance never fails to amuse. But perhaps you should see this first."
He clicked the remote again, restarting the video.
This time, the match played from the very beginning—showcasing the full evolution of Seiichi and Zeya, their impossible goals against elite defenders, and their final synchronized strike that stunned even the World XI.
By the end, Yasumori's smile had faded completely. He was pale.
"These two… they're not normal."
Buratsuta leaned forward. "So? What are your odds of winning now?"
"…With our current squad? Fifty percent. Maybe."
Buratsuta narrowed his eyes. "What about with Itoshi Sae on the team?"
Yasumori immediately straightened. "Eighty percent. If Sae returns from Spain and joins us, I'm confident we can win."
"Eighty?" Buratsuta barked. "I want one hundred."
Yasumori lowered his eyes. "That's… hard to guarantee."
Buratsuta scoffed, standing and walking to a locked drawer. He pulled out a sealed folder and tossed it on the desk.
"Open it."
Yasumori did as told. Inside were two official national team call-up contracts—with the names Yūshin Seiichi and Yūshin Zeya printed at the top. At the bottom was a clause:
"Player will be automatically summoned to the national team roster upon reaching the age of 18. Parental/guardian signature verified."
"These two were scouted years ago," Buratsuta said, lighting a cigar. "I don't leave things to chance."
"But… what if Ego refuses? What if they decline the call-up?"
"It doesn't matter. Legally, we can claim them. If we get even one of the Yūshin twins, our win is guaranteed."
Yasumori nodded, a glint returning to his eyes. "With one of them—and Sae—we'll crush Blue Lock… and destroy Ego's delusional project."
Buratsuta smiled. "The media will praise us. We'll secure sponsors. And we'll never have to hear that name 'Blue Lock' again."
The room echoed with wicked laughter—cigars burning, the screen fading to black.