Physical Ability Enhancement Training, Day 10...
Team V Dormitory, 7 a.m. Amid Ryūma's loud snoring, a mechanical female voice suddenly rang out:
"The first round of selection has concluded!"
"Ryūma, Ryūma! Wake up!"
"The first round is over!"
Ryūma didn't even open his eyes at first. Still half-asleep, he sat up slowly and mumbled in confusion,
"Huh? Is it mealtime? Didn't I just eat?"
"Uh..."
"No, Ryūma, open your eyes and look at the screen—it says the first round of selection is over!"
Wiping the drool from his mouth, Ryūma finally blinked awake and looked at the display.
"Oh, I thought it was breakfast time again. First round's over, huh? Alright, up and at 'em, guys!"
Unfortunately, his shout didn't help—everyone else was already awake.
Scratching his head awkwardly, Ryūma laughed.
"Uh... guess I'm the only one still asleep, huh? Haha."
The mechanical voice spoke again, breaking the awkward silence.
"All players, report to the underground central area immediately."
"Let's go, guys!"
"Yeah!"
Ryūma led the way out of the dorm toward the underground central area, with the rest of Team V following close behind.
As they walked, everyone buzzed with nervous excitement, chatting to shake off the tension.
"Man, those higher-numbered buildings must be stacked with monsters. Even Ryūma and Rin are only in Building 5!"
"Yeah, I wonder what the second-round rules will be. If it's still eleven-man teams, I swear we can drag those guys off their thrones!"
"Haha, sure you can. You're not confident in yourself—you're betting on Ryūma and Rin carrying you!"
"Of course! Who could possibly stop my bro's offense? And Rin's anticipation? It's on a whole different level!"
"Sigh... but if we get split up in the second round, I'm probably done for."
The one who spoke was Team V's goalkeeper. His words brought a short silence over the group.
Putian Daiwa slung an arm around his shoulder and chuckled.
"Hey, don't get all sentimental now. Without Bro and Rin, we'd all be toast anyway."
"Yeah, honestly, every extra match we've played feels like a bonus."
"True. We were gonna get eliminated sooner or later. Still feels frustrating, though."
"Hah, same. Back home, people used to call me a prodigy."
"Haha, and I was the 'hope of the whole village'!"
"But seriously, meeting Ryūma and Rin was pure luck for us."
"Yeah. Thanks, you two."
This time, Ryūma and Rin stayed silent, walking quietly at the front.
When they were about to exit the passageway, Ryūma suddenly stopped and spoke calmly.
"No need to thank me. Leading you guys to victory means leading myself to victory."
"Hmm..."
"I know you might be eliminated soon. The world might forget your names."
"But! For these four matches—thank you. Thanks for holding the line, protecting the goal, and backing us up on the attack."
A faint smile tugged at Ryūma's lips as he turned to look back at the rest of Team V—everyone except Yo Hiori and Rin.
"The world might forget your names, but I—the future world's number one striker—won't."
"Triplet brothers—Yamazaki Shin, Yamazaki Tō, Yamazaki Ha. Your triangular defense and offense might have flaws, but I really admire you."
"Goalkeeper Yamamoto Muji, thanks for taking on that low-profile role without complaint."
"And our so-called 'reliable' back four: Putian Daiwa, Kuriyama Chishima, Mizutani Kamishima, and Yamano Kenta."
"You guys might not always seem dependable, but you've all improved. Thanks for giving your all in defense these past four matches."
"The first round's over, so I'll give you one last promise."
"If you get eliminated from Blue Lock but still want to keep playing soccer..."
"Then come find me! Maybe my future self won't be a big shot, but once I've got pull at my club, I'll bring you guys in too."
"I won't let your soccer dreams end here!"
Hearing those words, everyone in Team V—except Rin and Hiori—was moved to tears.
Then Yo Hiori spoke up in confusion.
"What about me, Ryūma? What should I do?"
Ryūma grinned.
"Hiori, you idiot—you're already my future teammate."
"Partner..."
"Bro..."
Seeing everyone about to cry, Ryūma quickly waved them off.
"Hey, cut it out! Don't get all weepy on me."
"Hmph, enough with the nonsense. The exit's right there—move it."
Rin said impatiently and strode ahead toward the exit.
"What a pain," Ryūma muttered with a grin. "Alright, let's go, guys. Time to see what kind of freaks the other buildings have."
"Yeah!!"
...
When Team V entered the underground central area, it was already packed with players.
Ryūma glanced around the room, mentally sighing.
(Of course. The main character's gotta make a late entrance, huh?)
(Where's Isagi? Still not here...)
(How much has he evolved after four matches, I wonder?)
The ever-observant Yo Hiori was the first to notice something strange.
"Ryūma, did you see? The rankings on the other players' arms are the same as ours."
"Huh? Oh yeah, you're right!"
Ryūma pretended to be surprised, though inside he was smirking.
(Poor Hiori... completely fell for it.)
(All that training these ten days, thinking we were catching up to the higher-ranked buildings...)
(Then Jinpachi Ego drops the bomb—it was all a setup. Everyone's from Building 5.)
(But I get it. He did it to stoke our hunger for soccer.)
(Even knowing that, after so many days without touching a ball, I'm starving for it too!)
Just as Ryūma was lost in thought, Team Z—led by Yoichi Isagi—arrived in full.
Ryūma grinned at Yoichi's shocked face.
(Oh? The protagonist's finally here.)
(Judging by that expression, he's realized he was tricked too.)
Before long, Jinpachi Ego appeared on the massive screen.
"Yo~ yo! My little diamonds in the rough!"
"You've all worked hard on your physical training—well done!"
"The sharp ones among you may have already realized... there are no players from Buildings 1 through 4."
"To be precise, Blue Lock only has Building 5!"
"All of you thought you were the lowest tier, fighting like mad through the first selection."
At those words, several players shouted angrily:
"What!? You've gotta be kidding!"
"You lied to us?!"
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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