Chapter 55: Tryout for the U-20 Game
"Hey! Wait a second!"
Raichi Jingo suddenly raised his voice, stepping forward as Ego Jinpachi appeared on the monitor.
"I get that this is an opportunity—but how exactly are we choosing the 11 players for the Blue Lock team?"
"Yeah," Gagamaru chimed in. "What about midfielders? Defenders? Are we just picking from us?!"
"I don't know about defenders,"Seiichi said, nudging Raichi with a grin, "but you'd make a pretty good goalkeeper."
Raichi's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! No way!! Absolutely not!!"
Ego clapped his hands once, sharp and commanding.
"Of course we're building the team using forwards. What else did you expect?"
The uproar exploded instantly.
"That's insane!"
"They have real defenders, real goalkeepers! We don't!"
"How the hell are we supposed to match a professional backline with zero defense?!"
"Shut it."
Ego's voice boomed, instantly silencing the hall.
"Do you think I'd let this be decided without a plan?"
"I've already identified six players. These six will form the core of Blue Lock's U-20 team."
"The highest-ranked players based on performance, stats, and evaluations."
He adjusted his glasses, tone cold and absolute.
"Step forward when your name is called."
The entire room tensed. Everyone wanted to be among the six.
"First—Rank #1: Yūshin Zeya."
Gasps echoed across the room.
"Zeya?! He's No.1?!"
"Not surprised, honestly…"
"Next—Rank #2: Itoshi Rin."
"Wait… Rin is higher than Seiichi?" Bachira blinked.
Isagi turned to look at Rin, but Rin didn't react. He simply narrowed his eyes, focused as ever.
"Rank #3: Yūshin Seiichi."
"Both twins made the top three… That's terrifying," Tokimitsu muttered, nearly trembling.
Karasu sighed. "Guess I'm out of the top three spotlight now."
"Rank #4: Shidō Ryusei."
"Tch. Took you long enough to say my name," Shidō said with a smirk, resting his foot on a bench.
"Wait—he's that strong?" Igarashi whispered.
"Just fourth?" Shidō scoffed. "I'm gunning for No.1."
"Rank #5: karasu tabito."
"Finally recognized,"Karasu smiled slightly. "Took you long enough, dumbass."
"Rank #6: Otoya Eita."
Otoya grinned. "Nice. Let's shake this whole system with ninjutsu."
Ego leaned forward again.
"These six are the core. They'll be split into three ranked pairs: A, B, and C. You, the remaining 29, will choose one pair to team up with."
Everyone started murmuring.
"What… we get to choose who we join?"
"But we only get to play once."
Ego nodded. "Correct. This is the revised final stage of the Third Selection. A one-shot adaptability test. Your chance to prove you belong on the team that will face Japan's U-20."
"Also—one of you gets to play twice."
The room paused.
Ego raised a finger.
"That player is ranked #7: Nagi Seishirō."
"Oh…" Nagi blinked, looking mildly surprised.
Isagi gripped his sleeve. He knew he hadn't done enough. The pressure burned in his chest.
⸻
Click…
A large door opened at the side of the hall.
Ego pointed to it.
"Top six—go inside. Get ready."
"But remember… this ranking is temporary."
"Your adaptability test performance can shift everything."
⸻
Seiichi grinned and waved dramatically toward the others.
"Wish me luck, everyone~ Try not to miss me too much."
"Shut the hell up!" Raichi barked.
"Go die, pigtail prince!"
"I'm joining Group B," someone muttered.
⸻
Inside the corridor…
Shidō suddenly threw an arm over Seiichi's shoulder.
"I've had my eye on you, Shi-Shi~ You're my kinda guy."
"…Shi-Shi? What the hell is that nickname?" Seiichi shoved Shidō off.
"Let's team up. Crush Zeya and Rin together," Shidō whispered, eyes gleaming.
Seiichi paused, then smirked.
"You wanna step on my brother to climb the throne?"
He gave a twisted grin.
"…Sounds fun. This prince supports that idea."
⸻
Zeya, walking ahead, felt a strange chill crawl up his spine.
He glanced back briefly at the two lunatics behind him.
…Yeah.
Something was about to change.
And he'd be ready.