Hearing that, everyone froze. Rin Itoshi's pupils shrank sharply, shock flooding his expression.
Under the group's confused stares, Jinpachi Ego continued,
"Hirotoshi threatened me—he said that if I didn't accept Sae Itoshi's terms, he'd cancel this match for being a box-office disaster."
"And 'Blue Lock' would disappear immediately."
"There's only one condition—!"
"Sae Itoshi wants one person from 'Blue Lock' to join the U-20 National Team!"
Three hours earlier...
Inside the special lounge for the Third Selection...
A silver-haired boy, bare-chested, was lazily drying his hair with a towel.
His sculpted, powerful chest was fully exposed, eight sharply defined abs lining his torso.
His back was broad and strong, each muscle carved like stone—he practically radiated raw, overflowing hormones.
But just then, the lounge door suddenly swung open. A pink-haired young man stepped inside, ruining the entire aesthetic.
The silver-haired boy saw who it was and immediately felt something was wrong. He opened his mouth, but the newcomer cut him off:
"Hey, Monster!"
Yes—this silver-haired boy was Ryūma Banjō, fresh from the bath.
Ryūma blinked for a few seconds before squeezing out a smile.
"Uh… hey, Sae-san!"
Sae Itoshi looked at him, surprised. He hadn't expected the guy to recognize him.
Before he could answer, Anri Teieri behind him coughed twice.
"Um, can you put on a shirt first, Ryūma Banjō?"
"Uh—" Ryūma let out an awkward laugh, quickly throwing his shirt on.
"Sae-san, what brings you here?"
"You know me?"
Ryūma's smile stiffened as his brain spun at full speed.
"Ah? Ah! I'm… a good friend of your brother Rin Itoshi."
"He talks about you all the time. Says he has an older brother who spoils him a lot."
Sae Itoshi stared at Ryūma with a strange expression, briefly wondering if choosing him had been a mistake.
But he quickly returned to business—he still had something important to say.
Ryūma had pretty much guessed why he came, but he clung to a sliver of hope.
"Hmph. That U-20 national team? They're useless. Especially the forwards."
"I've watched all your 'Blue Lock' matches. Isn't 'Blue Lock' way too small for someone like you?"
"So? Interested in coming with me? I'll make you the world's number one striker."
"I need your EGO to tear things up for me."
Listening to Sae Itoshi's half-coaxing, half-manipulating pitch, Ryūma knew things were spiraling out of control.
(Oh hell—so I was chosen!)
(But… why didn't he pick Shido?)
(I'm only, like, a teensy bit stronger than Shido—just a few billion percent… is this necessary?)
(He's basically asking me to betray Blue Lock!)
With that thought, Ryūma stood up sharply, meeting Sae's gaze head-on.
"Sae-san, I really would love to be your teammate. Or your partner."
"But! I can't betray 'Blue Lock' and help the U-20 team win!"
"Everyone in 'Blue Lock' is my friend. I can't stab them in the back!"
Hearing Ryūma's firm declaration, Anri Teieri was unexpectedly moved. She didn't think this boy held such strong loyalty toward Blue Lock.
"Don't reject it so quickly. We can talk this out."
Just then, a balding old man with a round belly walked in.
"Huh? Chairman Buratsuta? Why are you here?"
Anri was clearly startled.
Buratsuta Hirotoshi grinned, ignoring her, and focused on Ryūma.
"Football is a business, after all."
"Kid, how about we talk conditions for you joining the U-20?"
Ryūma didn't respond, but Buratsuta wasn't bothered—he kept talking.
"First, if you help me defeat 'Blue Lock,' I promise that from today on, you'll be an official member of the U-20 Nation National Team."
"Second, every goal you score in this match—500,000 yen bonus. How's that? Pretty generous, right?"
Ryūma's face stayed blank, his voice a low growl.
"What's that supposed to mean? You trying to insult me with this?"
"Join the national team? Aside from Aiku having some strength, aren't the rest trash?"
"If Sae-san doesn't want them, why would I? Isn't it obvious he chose me over that garbage?"
Buratsuta's face stiffened immediately. His voice went rigid.
"Fine—one million per goal!"
Ryūma frowned, impatience creeping in.
"Hold on. Are you trying to insult me with money? Haven't you heard? I don't need your pocket change."
"One million five hundred thousand per goal! That good enough?"
"Hah? Everyone in 'Blue Lock' is like a brother to me! You're asking me to tear my own brothers apart!"
Buratsuta's face had turned completely dark. Teeth clenched, he growled:
"Two million! Per goal! Don't push it, kid!"
At that, Anri Teieri finally snapped.
"President Buratsuta! Stop insulting this child! If he doesn't want to go, stop forcing him! This boy—"
"OK, deal! Looking forward to working together!"
Before Anri could finish, Ryūma cheerfully agreed.
"You—wait… you?!"
Anri stood frozen, realizing she'd been passionately acting out a one-woman play for no reason.
Once she recovered, she shot Ryūma a furious glare, then turned away, refusing to even look at him.
Ryūma was left utterly confused.
(Um… this woman's mood swings are insane. Multiple personalities?)
"Hmph. Happy working with you."
As Buratsuta turned to leave, Ryūma quickly called out,
"Wait, Chairman Buratsuta!"
"I have one more condition!"
"Huh? Another condition? Don't you think you're going too far, Ryūma Banjō?!" Buratsuta barked.
"Haha, relax, Chairman—just a tiny condition."
"It's simple: even if Sae-san and I lead the U-20 to victory, you cannot immediately shut down the 'Blue Lock' project."
"Huh?" Buratsuta let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Hahaha! You're killing me! Not dismantle it? Then what's the point of this match?"
...
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