Chapter 228: The First Match Begins
"This is seriously insane… They could at least give us one day to prepare."
Even Yukimiya, who normally maintained perfect manners, couldn't suppress his irritation.
Tokimitsu clutched his head in despair.
"Ahh… starting the match immediately like this?
I barely know these guys… What if I screw up in front of the whole world's livestream…?"
....
"Enough complaining."
Once everyone had vented enough, Shinichi spoke, drawing all attention to him.
"If I'm not mistaken, Ego Jinpachi has another reason for rushing the matches. After all…"
"The U-20 World Cup is almost here."
His words hit everyone like lightning.
Indeed—Blue Lock started in winter, and with the New Hero League added, the U-20 World Cup was looming.
No wonder Ego was speeding everything up.
....
"Still, he could've told us first. This ambush is just cruel."
"C'mon, you know his personality. It's nothing we haven't dealt with before."
Even with a logical reason, complaints echoed throughout the room…
Until Shinichi decided it was time.
He stood up, clapped his hands—and silence fell instantly, as if the room had been muted.
Satisfied, he nodded.
....
"If you're that frustrated, good. Keep that feeling. Unload every bit of it on your opponents."
He slowly exhaled, and an overwhelming pressure spread from him like a stormfront.
Lightning—bright silver mixing with deep black—crackled behind his eyes.
"My goal in this New Hero League is simple."
"Victory."
"Don't think about the loser's bracket. If I lose even once, that's failure."
His voice grew sharper.
"No matter who the opponent is. Even if it's Noel Noa."
"I'm sick of hearing about 'future potential.'
I'm starting the new era myself."
The pressure only intensified—a suffocating aura that made every player's heartbeat pound louder and louder, echoing through the room.
....
"I'm beginning my legendary journey. Will you walk this path with me?"
No one spoke.
But the dozens of eyes glowing with silver lightning said more than words ever could.
"Good."
Shinichi threw on his training top and stepped out of the room.
"Then come with me. Let's take the win."
....
The players emerged from the tunnel, eyes blazing.
On the opposite side, their opponents stepped out—
And leading them was—
....
"Noel Noa."
Shinichi turned, meeting the gaze of the world's number one striker.
Despite being shorter, Shinichi's aura didn't falter.
"Looks like it's time for me to tear off that fake 'world number one' shell."
"Worry about yourself first," Noa replied coolly.
"After this, you'll need to pick a club to join. Losing badly here might cost you millions."
....
BLUE LOCK TV Commentary Booth
"Wow—no one expected the most hyped matchup to happen in the first match!"
"Shinichi vs Noa. The new generation's world #1 vs the real world #1."
"Which means one of them will definitely enter the loser's bracket!"
The commentators were shocked when the player lists came in.
....
"Honestly, this is the fairest arrangement. Neither side has preparation time, so the result could go either way."
"Plus, neither of these two superstars will be eliminated early, which is perfect for the show."
"I'd actually love to see them clash now, then meet again in the finals with proper team chemistry."
The first commentator swallowed hard.
"This guy… does he think the rest of the players are air? Is he not afraid of being murdered online? Who paired me with this idiot?!"
....
Meanwhile, none of the players knew a commentator was dying inside.
They were feeling pressure far worse.
Despite no ball being kicked—
Shinichi and Noa's clashing presence weighed on the entire stadium like invisible gravity.
Grass didn't bend.
Lights didn't flicker.
But every player felt the crushing heaviness in their lungs.
....
"Ahem… Players, please step apart."
The special referee hired for Stage Two was near tears.
He stepped between them carefully—
only to find neither Shinichi nor Noa had even moved toward each other.
The pressure was just that overwhelming.
.....
"A-Anyway… I'll decide possession with a coin toss.
Captains, call it."
Feeling their gazes pierce him like knives, the referee rushed his words.
Noa stayed silent, glancing at Shinichi.
Shinichi answered immediately:
"Heads."
Ping!
The coin spun upward—and the referee, sweaty with nerves, failed to catch it.
It fell onto the grass—slightly tilted, but unmistakably—
Heads.
And just like that—
The first match of the New Hero League Stage Two began in the most chaotic way possible.
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