Chapter 53: Second Selection Cleared: Seven Teams Advance
"Next up, the second cleared team—please enter!"
Click…
Gate No. 2 slowly rose.
"Oh! They're here!"
"Who could it be this time?" Bachira Meguru said excitedly, hands resting behind his head.
Step… Step… Step…
The second team to clear the round appeared: Isagi Yoichi, Nagi Seishiro, Chigiri Hyōma, Barō Shōei, and Zantetsu Tsurugi.
"Ah… long time no see, everyone," Isagi said, eyes locked onto Seiichi and Zeya, his voice filled with rising determination.
He was back—and this time, he had one goal: to defeat those three monsters.
"Oh! I knew you guys would make it!" Bachira grinned and ran up to the group. "And Barō! Zantetsu! You're here too!"
"Of course," Chigiri said with a firm nod. "We haven't taken our revenge yet."
"If I don't beat them," Nagi added, calm as ever, "I'll never give up on football."
"Good," Barō strode forward, eyes burning. "You two made it. Next time, I'll—"
"You finally lost to Isagi," Seiichi cut in flatly, stepping forward with a faint smirk. His words landed sharp as steel.
"You couldn't even beat him… and you still dream of being our king? That's just pathetic, right, Zeya?"
"…Yeah," Zeya replied, voice low and cool.
"You…"
Barō froze, his muscles tense, rage surging behind clenched teeth.
"Fine. Then I'll crush Isagi first. And then—I'll destroy you both."
He turned and stared daggers at Isagi, who'd just been catching up with Bachira.
Isagi felt a chill run down his spine.
"Oh boy… looks like the target's shifted," Seiichi whispered with amusement.
"You're provoking Barō to pressure Isagi?" Zeya asked, unsurprised.
"Tch. You caught on, huh?" Seiichi grinned.
⸻
Click…
"The next team to pass—please enter!"
Step… Step…
The third team: Karasu Tabito, Otoya Eita, Yukimiya Kenyu, Himizu Tatsuki, and Yuzu Haruhiko.
"Oh… new faces," Bachira tilted his head. "Right, Seiichi?"
"Bachira," Seiichi said with mock seriousness, "In moments like this, it's all about posture. Cold eyes, hands in pockets, lean slightly—bam! Cool factor goes up 200%."
He struck a half-step pose and feigned indifference.
"…You're ridiculous," Bachira muttered, walking off to greet Isagi instead.
"You think that makes you look cool?" Zeya asked, barely hiding his disdain.
"Shhh. Let me have this," Seiichi whispered, now leaning dramatically against the wall like a shōnen manga protagonist.
⸻
Click…
"The fourth cleared team—please enter."
Step…
Nanase Nijiro, Aoshi Tokimitsu, Jyūbei Aryū, Hiiragi, and Kuon Wataru entered.
"Sigh… Born for top 3, yet only the fourth to clear. That's just so unfashionable," Aryū declared dramatically, flipping his hair.
"Aryū, stop. You're embarrassing us," Kuon muttered, facepalming.
"Kuon?" Seiichi muttered, surprised. "Even he made it?"
The timeline had clearly shifted due to his and Zeya's presence—but anyone who reached this far had earned their right.
⸻
Click…
"The fifth cleared team—please enter."
Niko Ikki, Haiji, Saramadara, Kiyora Jin, and Nishioka Hatsu stepped into view.
"Niko!" Isagi called. "I knew you'd make it. Now we can compete again."
"Not just you," Niko replied with cold focus. "I'm coming for Seiichi too. One by one."
"Wait—aren't they short a player?" Chigiri asked.
The broadcast interrupted:
"Nishioka Hatsu of the fifth team is currently undergoing treatment after an injury sustained during the World All-Stars match."
"Aomori Messi, huh?" Reo Mikage muttered, somewhere nearby.
"You guys played the World All-Stars too?" Bachira asked Isagi.
"Yeah…" Isagi nodded grimly, recalling the pressure of that match.
"They're insane," Bachira muttered. "Even when they weren't serious, we barely got three goals."
"…Three goals?!" Isagi repeated, stunned. His voice echoed through the room.
"You scored three goals against them?!"
His heart pounded. His own team had been steamrolled—5–0 in less than ten minutes.
But these guys—Seiichi, Zeya, Rin—they'd actually fought back?!
"Mostly thanks to them," Bachira nodded toward the trio.
Suddenly, the entire hall turned to stare at them.
Shock. Respect. Curiosity.
This was their moment.
Seiichi smirked. Perfect. Everyone was watching. His pose was flawless.
What none of them knew was that the World Stars had only gotten serious after facing the Yūshin Twins. The rest of the Blue Lock players had suffered the backlash of that shift in intensity.
⸻
Click…
"The sixth cleared team—please enter."
Even before the door rose:
"Move, dumbass! I want center!"
"Shut up!"
Step…
Raichi Jingo, Gagamaru Gin, Endōji, Tanaka, and Sarudōji stomped out.
"Raichi!!" Isagi shouted.
"Get off me, idiot!" Raichi roared, already wrestling with Gagamaru for the spotlight.
"They haven't changed one bit," Bachira laughed.
"There's only one team left…" Isagi whispered.
Please… let it be them.
"Reo and Kunigami still haven't arrived," Nagi observed.
Seiichi opened his eyes and focused on Gate 7.
Would it be… them?
⸻
Click…
"The seventh and final cleared team—please enter."
Step…
Shidō Ryusei, Igarashi Gurimu, Reo Mikage, Sokura, and Kurona Ranze entered.
⸻
To be continued…