"Monsters? You've watched too much anime, Kappa-head," Ryan laughed, crossing his arms.
"I didn't think you were such a weeb. Let me, a proper normie, tell you real life's full of joy. You flirt with cute girls at school, get a few girlfriends, beat up your seniors on the team, kick your juniors for fun, hide the coach's wig so his shiny bald spot freezes in winter… that's the good life."
He spoke like some worldly older brother giving moral advice.
Bachira just smiled, eyes half-closed, listening quietly.
"No, that's not being a normie," he said cheerfully. "That's just being human trash."
Not far away, Yoichi Isagi couldn't hold back a sigh.
"Unbelievable… this guy's hopeless."
Ryan continued with mock seriousness,
"Anyway, it's the twenty-first century believe in science, not ghosts. Don't go trusting weird supernatural stuff. You're so gullible, someone's gonna trick you into joining a scam cult in Myanmar one day."
"Mhm, mhm. Got it, Hoshino you sure know a lot," Bachira nodded innocently.
"Of course I do," Ryan said proudly. "Wanna know a secret? I actually have a superpower."
"Oh? What kind?" Bachira's eyes widened, childlike curiosity sparkling.
"Don't tell anyone, okay? If the government found out, they'd probably lock me up and cut me open for research. I'm only telling you because we're close."
"I promise! I won't tell a soul!"
"My ability…" Ryan leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically.
"...is omniscience. I know everything in the world. For example…" he paused "your mom… she's actually a woman, isn't she?"
"Ehh? Amazing! You knew that?!"
Isagi buried his face in his hands.
"Yeah, okay. World's doomed. Let's just end it now."
On the other side of the room, Kuon muttered to himself, still processing what had happened that day.
"Can things really stay this insane from now on…?"
His thoughts were interrupted as Jinpachi Ego's mushroom-cut head popped up on the big screen again.
"Insane? You're right," Ego said, his grin sharp. "Because the world of victory is insane."
His voice filled the room.
"The strikers you idolize those so-called world-class heroes live and die by madness. They gamble their entire existence in battles like this every three days. Feeling scared? Numb? That tingling down your spine that's Blue Lock's reality."
Ego's eyes glowed behind his glasses.
"But deep down, you're thrilled, aren't you?
'I survived,' you're thinking. That that surge of joy is victory. Remember it. Every time you taste that ecstasy, your ego grows stronger, pushing you one step closer to becoming the world's greatest striker."
He spread his arms.
"Congratulations. You've passed the entry test. There are eleven of you perfect. From today on, you'll live, train, fight, and betray each other as one unit: Team Z of Blue Lock."
The next morning came heavy and restless.
Few had slept; closing their eyes only replayed the brutal chaos of yesterday.
For high-school kids used to comfort, this world was far too raw.
In the cafeteria, breakfast was served by rank. The higher your rank, the better your food.
Ryan glanced at Isagi's tray just pickled radish and smirked.
"Guess rank really does matter, huh. If I had to eat that after a workout, I'd be cosplaying a rain doll on the toilet by nightfall."
After eating, he gathered Team Z on the training field.
Standing alone at the front, Ryan flicked a ball forward, letting it stop perfectly between himself and the rest.
"Alright, from now on, I'm in charge of Team Z. Anyone who's got a problem come prove me wrong.
You all get one chance. Come one at a time… or all at once, if you're brave enough."
His casual arrogance made Raichi Jingo explode.
He stormed forward, teeth bared.
"You bastard! So cocky just 'cause you can fight? This is soccer settle it with your feet!
Fine, we'll go one-on-one. I'll crush you with my sexy soccer and humiliate you in front of everyone!"
"You idiot," Ryan sighed. "You think my rank came from fist-fights?
Stop talking and start kicking. I've got a nap scheduled after this."
"Tch! You're dead!"
The match began.
Raichi took the ball first; Ryan defended.
Raichi advanced slowly, probing. Ryan shadowed him, staying just far enough away.
Raichi hesitated shoot? No, his long-shot accuracy sucked. Maybe a feint, a speed burst?
But that crushing pressure from yesterday still haunted him.
Screw it, he thought. I'll blast past him!
He tapped the ball to the right and sprinted to circle around
only for Ryan to step in front effortlessly, blocking him like a brick wall.
Raichi strained, shoving with all his might, trying to sneak the ball through Ryan's legs
but Ryan didn't even budge.
It was like ramming into a mountain.
Ryan stole the ball with one smooth motion and switched roles.
He planted a foot on the ball, hands on his hips, smirking.
"Ready, Shark-teeth?"
"Just hurry up!"
"Hai hai~ impatient men aren't popular with the ladies, you know."
Before Raichi could retort, Ryan exploded forward gone in a blur.
"Wha ?!"
The next second, the net rippled.
Goal.
Instant.
From the sideline, Chigiri's eyes widened.
He clenched his jaw, lowering his gaze, hiding the flicker of frustration.
Ryan jogged back, grinning at Raichi.
"Wanna go again? I can give you a rematch privilege since you were first."
"Tch… forget it," Raichi muttered, slumping to the sidelines.
Ryan turned to the rest, spinning the ball on his finger.
"Alright, who's next?
Don't keep me waiting
I'm dying to taste your soccer."
That cheerful smile made everyone shiver.
Because they could all feel it
something dangerous was about to begin.