Early autumn sunlight filtered through the somewhat mottled glass window of Sunflower Orphanage, spilling over the worn yet wiped-shiny wooden floor.
Rin Kazuki sat before the old desk he had grown up with since childhood, idling with the smartphone used specifically for contact.
On the screen, the summons text message from “BLUE LOCK” had been lit up for a long time.
[Break is over.
Report back immediately.
—Ego Jinpachi]
Brief, hard, and cold, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.
Yet in Kazuki’s eyes, these few words read like an invitation to an impending feast.
“Finally putting an end to playing house, huh?”
“Kazuki, is everything packed?”
A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
The silver-haired, kindly-faced orphanage director pushed open the door and stepped in, holding a few freshly boiled eggs and a pair of brand-new kneepads in her hands.
In this world, Kazuki was an orphan, raised with painstaking care alongside a group of kids by this old woman.
Though his soul came from another world, the residual emotional memories of this fleshly body and every little bit of time spent together over the past few months gave Kazuki a deep-seated respect for this elderly lady.
In this world, she was his sole anchor.
“All packed, Director.” Kazuki stowed away the uninhibited, arrogant air on his face and stood up, his posture displaying a rare hint of obedience.
“Going this time…
it’ll be a long time before you can come back again, right?” The director squeezed the warm eggs into Kazuki’s hand, her eyes filled with worry.
“I watched the news on TV, saying that lock or whatever of yours…
the training is very tough, and you have to fight with that U-20 thing…
You’ve been stubborn since you were little, and your mouth doesn’t spare anyone.
Don’t let people pick on you in there.”
Get picked on?
Kazuki almost burst out laughing.
In that Blue Lock, he was the only one picking on others—since when was it anyone else’s turn to pick on him?
Yet he didn’t refute her, simply holding the old woman’s rough hand gently, a flicker of softness flashing in his eyes.
“Don’t worry, Director.
I’m just going to teach a bunch of unweaned brats how to play football.
You just wait in front of the TV—I’ll be the one standing at the very top.”
“Right, right, our Kazuki is the most capable.” The director smiled as she helped him straighten his collar, just like sending him off to school when he was a kid.
“Go on, health comes first.”
“I’m off.”
Kazuki slung the simple sports backpack over his shoulder, turned, and pushed open the door.
Sunlight hit his back, casting a long shadow behind him.
The tender moment was over.
Next up was hunting season.
“Get ready to tremble, raw stones.
And that so-called ‘World’s Eleven’…” Kazuki put on his earphones and took a wide stride forward.
Blue Lock, central gathering hall.
The massive metal gate opened slowly, the familiar icy air rushing against their faces.
“Aah—!
Finally back!” Bachira Meguru charged in like a joyful monkey, grabbing hold of Isagi Yoichi who was walking ahead.
“Isagi!
I missed you to death during the break!
Did you miss me?”
“Cough, cough…
Bachira, let go, you’re choking me!” Isagi struggled out of Bachira’s chokehold, a smile nevertheless hanging on his face.
“Though seriously, coming back here really gets my heart racing again.”
“Such a hassle…
why did the break have to end?” Nagi Seishiro dragged his feet behind them, while Mikage Reo pushed his luggage like a worried mother.
“Reo, can you carry me inside?”
“Denied.
You ought to walk on your own feet for once, Nagi.” Though Reo refused verbally, his eyes never left Nagi—a deep bond forged anew after experiencing the battle against the U-20.
Chigiri Hyoma, Barou Shouei…
Having undergone the baptism of that U-20 match, a bit of greenness had shed from these youths, replaced by an aura called confidence.
However, when they clearly saw the group of people on the other side of the hall, all small talk ground to a sudden halt.
The air seemed to freeze for a second.
Over there stood a group of guys dressed in casual clothes, possessing a completely different presence.
The man leading them sported his iconic stubble and heterochromatic eyes, leaning against the wall flipping a coin.
Behind him, Shutlocendo, Kazuma Nio, and other former U-20 National Team members lined up in a row.
“That’s…” Isagi’s pupils shrank slightly.
“The U-20 representative team?!”
Isagi strode forward, asking in confusion: “Aiku-san?
Why are you guys here too?”
By right, Blue Lock was a training camp for strikers.
Even though the U-20 representative team lost, their original system should still be intact.
Oliver Aiku slung his bag casually over one shoulder.
Hearing Isagi’s question, a meaningful smile surfaced on his stylishly rebellious face.
“Ah, called over by that four-eyed guy.” Aiku pointed to the security camera on the ceiling, shrugging his shoulders.
“In other words…” Isagi reacted swiftly.
“We’re teammates from now on?”
“Not just teammates, but competitors too.” Aiku straightened his posture, the oppressive aura belonging to a top-tier defender subtly emanating outward.
“Don’t think winning once means everything is fine and dandy.
In this new project, it’s hard to say who gets to stay.”
Just as both sides were conversing in an atmosphere that was both harmonious and laced with gunpowder, a lazy burst of applause suddenly echoed from the hall entrance.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
The applause wasn’t enthusiastic; rather, it carried a distinct tone of mockery that sounded exceptionally grating in the cavernous hall.
Everyone’s eyes were drawn over in an instant.
A slender figure walked in against the light.
With one hand tucked in his pocket, he took off his earphones with the other and draped them casually around his neck, his eyes holding a playful disdain as if looking down on all living beings.
“Ah-re-re, what a touching reunion scene.”
Kazuki’s iconic poison-tongued voice rang out, instantly sending many people’s blood pressure soaring.
“Long time no see, useless stones.
Did you have a pleasant break?
Have you been playing football properly lately?
Or did winning one match against the U-20 make you think you’re invincible under the sun, resting on your laurels and sleeping soundly?”
“Rin Kazuki!”
“You bastard are still as punchable as ever!”
“Shut your trap, goalkeeper jerk!”
A commotion instantly broke out among the crowd, with Raichi Jingo and Igarashi Gurimu in particular stomping their feet in rage.
Kazuki completely ignored their anger, strolling lazily into the space between Isagi and Aiku.
He first cast a glance at Aiku, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.
“Yo, the defeated generals are here too?
Looks like that four-eyed frog Ego intends to recycle garbage.
But that’s fine—I was getting pretty bored having no decent targets for daily training anyway.”
“Your mouth is still as foul as ever, Rin.” Aiku didn’t get angry, his smile growing even brighter instead.
“This time I won’t let you guard that goal so comfortably.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Kazuki let out a soft snort, then turned his head to look at Isagi.
“And you, Isagi Yoichi.
Has that ‘spatial awareness’ of yours fully evolved?
Don’t go crying on the pitch when the time comes, begging me to help save your ass.”
Isagi took a deep breath, fight kindling in his eyes: “No need for you to worry.
I’ll show you my goals—more than anyone else.”
“Try me then.” Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
Just as the crowd was ready to escalate the roasts and perhaps even start throwing hands, the lights across the entire hall suddenly went out.
*ZZZZT—*
The massive main screen burst to life, its blinding white light forcing everyone to narrow their eyes instinctively.
Right in the center of the screen, that gaunt man with straight bangs and black-rimmed glasses—Ego Jinpachi—was sitting in front of his monitor hugging his knees. The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
“Welcome back, raw stones.”
Ego Jinpachi’s flat, emotionless voice pierced clearly into everyone’s ears through the surround sound speakers.
“I won’t waste words on nonsense.
As you know, we won the match the other day.
Those decaying old men at the JFU had no choice but to bow their heads.
Now, the authority to select the Japan U-20 representative team has been fully handed over to me.”
Excited whispers rippled through the crowd.
This didn’t just signify victory; it meant power and freedom.
“However!”
Ego’s tone abruptly shifted, his volume surging with a trace of madness.
“There are still 100 days until the U-20 World Cup officially kicks off.”
Ego extended a single finger, waving it before the camera lens.
“If you as you are right now were dragged onto the world stage to face real monsters like Germany, France, and Brazil…
win?
Heh, absolutely impossible.”
Complete silence fell over the hall.
Except for Kazuki, everyone felt a heavy weight pressing down on them.
The world—that was a domain they dreamed of, yet one filled with the unknown.
“So, to strike while the iron is hot and force a rapid qualitative change in you ‘semi-finished’ scraps of waste in the shortest time possible, I came up with a method for all of you to evolve rapidly.”
The image on the screen began to shift, displaying countless complex data streams and tactical boards.
“Here is a question for you all: What is the single most core element for a football player to become stronger?”
No one answered; everyone listened with bated breath.
“Is it talent?
Is it hard work?
Is it a coach?
No, none of the above.”
Ego pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting an eerie glint.
“The awakening of self-desire, the conscious awareness to turn latent capability into a weapon…
to draw out these things buried deep within your bodies, the key lies, without a shadow of a doubt, in—environment!”
“Only when placed in an environment brimming with competition, crisis, and high-level confrontation will a living creature be forced to evolve for the sake of survival.”
Ego on the screen continued:
“Previously, you were in this extremely unique, brutal, locked-down space called ‘Blue Lock,’ obtaining growth by devouring one another.
But that is not enough.
If you wish to advance to a higher tier, you must place yourselves in an environment of that higher tier.”
“Therefore, for the upcoming ‘Phase Two of Blue Lock,’ I have decided to throw you into a far hotter, far vast world.”
Ego suddenly stood up, spreading his arms wide.
The screen behind him exploded into five massive map sectors, alongside five logos that drove football fans across the globe wild.
“Next, you will throw yourselves into the highest peak of the football world!”
“England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France…”
“Even in this era of extreme commercialization, the places that encompass popularity, strength, money, and glory all in one remain these—the European Top Five Leagues!”
*BOOM—!*
In this moment, the blood of every youth present boiled.
That was the holy land of football, the ultimate dream of every professional player.
“In such an environment, competing on the same pitch with world-class stars, getting crushed by their overwhelming pressure, and then reshaping yourselves amidst despair…
this is the ‘Neo Egoist League’ I have prepared for you!”
An extremely distorted and fanatic smile surfaced on Ego’s face.
“In this league, there are no seniors or juniors, nor any nationality restrictions.
I want you to view yourselves as commodities and market yourselves to the entire world!”
“The victor takes all; the loser gains nothing.”
“Alright, raw stones—are you ready to head out to the world stage and cause a storm?”
LanLi: Have you guys ever seen shorts of ‘Kingofpov80’?
The other guys definitely have a group chat without him, (this was a comment there and I was like…
Kazuki too prolly)
Ok just ignore me.