"Whew… just in time. Man, Utaha really was clingy this morning."
Ryan Hoshino glanced at the enormous building gates ahead and wiped away nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
Why? Because it looked cool, obviously.
Even if nobody was watching.
A slender boy with black hair and blue eyes walked toward the gate.
On the opposite side, another boy white-haired, sharp-eyed, looking exactly like an anime protagonist approached him. The two exchanged greetings.
Ryan recognized them immediately.
Yoichi Isagi the main character of Blue Lock, and Ryōsuke Kira, the guy who got eliminated in the second episode.
Seeing them in real life made him feel like he was living inside the show.
It was surreal.
But Ryan wasn't the type to "kiss up to protagonists."
Not when he wielded the power of the Generation of Miracles.
His only goal was to crush everyone beneath his feet no exceptions.
So, pretending not to notice them, Ryan casually walked past and stepped through the doors.
Inside, the hall was crowded dozens of familiar faces.
Most were players he had defeated in last year's national tournament.
Others he recognized from the anime.
The rest? Just extras.
There was still time before the event began, so Ryan glanced around, looking for something or someone interesting.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
The hairs on his head seemed to stand.
"Rin-chan, hisashiburi da na! (long time no see)."
That's right it was Rin Itoshi.
The two had played against each other back in middle school.
And why hadn't they met in high school? Simple Rin was sixteen, a first-year.
Ryan was a year older.
"Tch. It's you again," Rin muttered coldly.
"Hey, hey I'm your senpai, you know. Show some respect," Ryan teased.
In truth, Ryan hated Japan's whole senpai–kouhai hierarchy but only when it didn't work in his favor.
If someone older tried to pull rank, he'd happily teach them humility.
But if they were younger… well, then he was all for "respecting tradition."
Ryan slung an arm around Rin's shoulders, locking him in a playful headlock and ruffling his hair furiously.
(Don't worry not BL. Just friendly bullying.)
Rin struggled but couldn't break free Ryan's strength was overwhelming, like being trapped in a bear hug.
After a while, Ryan decided to let go before it got too far.
"Rin-chan, are you stalking me? I get it ever since I crushed you in that match, you've been in awe of me. But following me here? That's dame da yo (not okay)."
"Look, I know you're only one centimeter shorter than me, not as handsome, got a sharp tongue, long lashes, and worse ball control, but… my orientation's straight, got it? And besides, I already have three girlfriends."
"I… wasn't stalking you."
Rin's temple twitched violently as Ryan's absurd speech went on.
But he couldn't deny a word of it Ryan was better than him. Way better.
The only other person who'd ever made Rin feel inferior was his brother, Sae Itoshi.
And Ryan had made him feel the same way.
After some teasing, the lights dimmed, and a voice echoed across the stage.
"Congratulations, diamonds in the rough…"
A spotlight illuminated the platform, revealing a tall, skinny man with a bowl-cut hairstyle.
"You three hundred strikers under eighteen have been handpicked through my own discretion and bias," he said with a smirk. "My name is Jinpachi Ego, and I've been hired to help Japan win the World Cup."
The room erupted in murmurs of disbelief.
Ryan, however, stayed quiet, eyes fixed on Ego.
"To put it simply," Ego continued, "what Japan needs to become number one in the world… is the birth of a revolutionary striker.
I'll be conducting an experiment to create the world's greatest forward and this facility behind me is where it begins."
The screen lit up, showing a massive pentagon-shaped complex.
"Blue Lock. Starting today, you'll live inside. You'll undergo special training I've designed.
You won't go home. You'll say goodbye to your past football life.
But I promise whoever conquers this place, defeating the other 299 players, will become the world's number one striker. That's all. Nice to meet you."
The hall fell silent.
Everyone was too stunned to speak.
Then Ryōsuke Kira ever the loud one raised his hand, protesting.
He began rambling about teamwork, Japanese spirit, and fairness.
Ego opened his mouth to respond but someone else cut in.
A deep, cool voice filled the room, carrying an unmistakable tone of disdain.
"Ano… Kira-kun, if you don't want to join, you can just get lost."
"Do us a favor and stop spewing useless crap you're putting me to sleep.
If you think your ideals are treasures, keep them to yourself instead of embarrassing everyone. Honestly, I feel secondhand shame just listening to you."
"But hey, I get it," the voice continued. "Playing in Japan's tiny J-League after high school, marrying a gravure idol, living a happy family life that's a perfectly fine career path for you."
Everyone turned.
It was Ryan Hoshino.
He wasn't trying to act cool he just couldn't stand the pointless noise.
To him, wasting time on sentimental speeches was an insult to his soul.
As he walked forward, the crowd instinctively parted, forming a path up to the stage.
He stopped beside Ego and faced everyone below.
"If you all want to keep playing your childish teamwork games, go ahead. I'm sick of it.
I've heard that one-for-all crap from every high school coach I've met, and every time, I wanted to kick the ball right into their face."
"A striker," Ryan said, voice rising, "is a selfish bastard. We exist for that single, glorious moment the goal.
If you want me to pass instead of shoot, you might as well ask me to die."
He glanced sideways at Ego.
Ego smirked knowingly. Behind him, the massive Blue Lock doors began to open.
"Alright, that's enough of Striker 101," Ryan said, turning toward the gate. "Class dismissed.
You kids can run home to mommy now."
He waved casually over his shoulder as he walked toward the open entrance.
"Hope to see you all in the J-League someday not that I'll be watching. Ja na!"
The hall fell dead silent as Ryan disappeared through the door.
Then footsteps.
"I'm… a striker!"
It was Yoichi Isagi, sprinting toward the gate, determination blazing in his eyes.
"Damn it… Don't look down on me!"
One by one, more players followed charging through the doorway after him.
Until only Jinpachi Ego and Anri Teieri remained in the now-empty hall.
Ego covered his mouth and began to laugh a low, delighted cackle.
"Heh… I think I've just discovered something extraordinary."