Chapter 140: Choosing a League
"Let me be blunt. If you took this current roster to the U-20 World Cup right now, you would get slaughtered. You have zero chance of winning the title."
Jinpachi Ego adjusted his glasses, his eyes cold and clinical on the screen.
"I'll show you exactly why that is on the next stage. But for now, I've devised a way to accelerate your evolution. Let me ask you a question: What is the primary reason you've all gotten this strong?"
The room fell into a thoughtful silence. The Blue Lock survivors and the former U-20 players traded glances.
"Is it the awakening of our individual egos?" Isagi asked, leaning forward as he tried to piece together the puzzle.
"Maybe it's because we finally unearthed our hidden weapons?" Bachira added, though he sounded uncertain.
'It's because I've got a system full of cheat codes,' Kira thought to himself, a dry smirk playing on his lips. Obviously, Ego's theories didn't quite account for his specific brand of talent.
Ego watched them debate for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. "It's the environment. It's the brutal, isolated, and hyper-competitive ecosystem of Blue Lock that forced you to change or die."
Kira had to admit the man had a point. This place was a goldmine for attribute absorption. It was the perfect breeding ground for a monster.
"Now, for Phase Two..." Ego continued. "You are going to immerse yourselves in the five top leagues of the world. Popularity. Skill. Cold, hard cash. These five leagues represent the absolute peak of the global game. I want each of you to choose one environment to serve as your new crucible."
The room erupted. The players were vibrating with excitement. "The Big Five? They were actually going to be dropped into the heart of world football?"
Ego didn't wait for the noise to die down. "I'm going to give you my biased rundown of these five environments. Pay attention."
"First, England. This league is a meat grinder of speed and physical violence. It's a relentless, high-octane spectacle where goals are seized through raw athletic dominance. There is no room to breathe."
"Then there's Spain. This is the land of technique and pure innovation. Scoring a goal isn't enough; the fans demand artistry. It's a sanctuary for players who live for creativity and the thrill of the touch."
"Next, Italy. The home of tactical warfare and cunning. They built their legacy on the 1-0 aesthetic—the art of the perfect defense and the lethal counter-attack. It's where absolute individual skill meets a brand-new level of organizational discipline."
"Then, France. This league is the ultimate springboard for the world's rising stars. With a massive influx of capital in recent years, it's a high-speed highway to becoming the best in the business."
"Finally, Germany. The league of logic. They treat football like a science where goals are the only metric that matters. It's a ruthless, efficient pursuit of the win. Oh, and Noel Noa—the man currently holding the title of the world's best striker—plays there."
"That's the basic breakdown. Choose your path. Whether you want to be a striker or something else, it's up to you."
Ego paused, letting the weight of the decision sink in.
"This survival challenge in your chosen environment will be the final selection round before we lock in the U-20 World Cup roster. Now, pick your poison. Bet everything on your own vision."
The screen went black.
Kira's phone buzzed with a notification. Five buttons appeared on the screen, each representing a league. He looked around to see what the others were thinking.
"I'm going with Germany," Igaguri declared, though he sounded like he was guessing. I feel like the vibe fits us better.
"I'm taking Spain," Otoya said without hesitation. It sounds like a passionate place. I like that energy.
"Italy is calling my name. The Florence Cathedral demands a certain level of glamour," Aryu said, flicking his hair as he made his choice.
"France for me. It sounds like a smart league for a smart player," Zantetsu said, adjusting his glasses with a look of feigned intellectualism.
Kira rolled his eyes. 'Whatever makes you happy, man.'
"You guys are making these choices based on total stereotypes," Chigiri noted, looking unimpressed.
"We don't exactly have a scouting report, Chigiri. We have to go with our gut or our ego," Karasu said, shrugging his shoulders.
Kira looked at the side screen. Each league had a cap of nine players. It was first-come, first-served.
"Kira, what's your move?" Chigiri asked.
Kira didn't have to think twice. "I already know where I belong. I'm going to Italy. I want to dominate the tactical game. Mastering the system is how I'll crush everyone else."
It sounded a bit different from the pure individualism Blue Lock usually preached, but Kira didn't see a conflict. If he controlled the tactics, he controlled the pitch.
Chigiri nodded in approval. "I'm picking England. I want to see if my speed can cut it in a league that values raw power. I need to test my limits."
"Good luck, Princess," Kira said.
"What about you, Isagi?"
Isagi was staring at his phone, torn. "My gut says England, but I've dreamed of playing in Germany since I was a kid."
"Because of Noel Noa?" Kira asked.
Isagi nodded. Noel Noa was his North Star.
"I'm also choosing England," Reo said, joining the conversation. "A lot of my favorite clubs are there, and more importantly, the league smells like money."
"Sounds like a very Reo choice," Kira said.
"Me too. I heard the best player at trapping the ball is in England," Nagi added. That settled it—England was going to be a bloodbath with Chigiri, Reo, and Nagi all in the same mix.
"Great. We're stuck together again," Reo muttered, though his eyes were bright with excitement.
"What's the problem? It'll be fun," Nagi replied, looking bored as usual.
Kira glanced at Bachira's phone. "Oh, you already picked? Spain?"
"Yep! The land of speed and dribbling!" Bachira chirped.
"It fits you perfectly, Bachira," Kira said. He truly believed it. Bachira's freestyle approach was a natural match for the Spanish aesthetic.
"Honestly, I don't think it matters which one we pick," Bachira said suddenly.
The group looked at him, curious.
"Because no matter which path we take, the only thing that matters is that we've evolved by the time we see each other again. That's the only truth in this place, right?"
Bachira's gaze was steadier and more determined than anyone else's in the room.
Kira smiled. He was right.
"I'll see you on the other side then. Let's see who's still standing when the dust settles."
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