"The first selection will be a round-robin tournament among the five teams in your building.
The two teams with the highest total points will remain in Blue Lock. The rest will be expelled.
Anyone expelled loses their chance to ever represent Japan."
Ego's voice echoed from the loudspeakers, cold and precise.
"However," he continued, "from each of the three eliminated teams, the top scorer will be allowed to stay.
If a team has multiple top scorers, the one with fewer penalties will advance.
So you'll have to choose: do you help your team, or do you score for yourself?
This is a battle to reinvent football from zero to decide a striker's fate."
The first match: Team X vs. Team Z.
Kickoff in two hours.
Inside the locker room, Kuon stood before the tactics board.
Today's formation: 4–2–3–1.
Forward: Ryan Hoshino
Midfield: Raichi, Isagi, Bachira
Defensive Midfield: Imamura, Gagamaru
Defense: Naruhaya, Kuon, Chigiri, Raichi (rotational)
Goalkeeper: Iemon
Kuon tapped the board confidently.
"Listen up. We'll use this formation for our first match.
The plan is simple build around Ryan as the central striker and aim for victory."
No one objected.
After all, if Ryan didn't deserve to play up front, no one did.
Ryan raised a hand lazily.
"Kuon, quick question, what's the plan today? Possession game, or counterattack?"
Kuon looked over. From the few days he'd known Ryan, he already understood: when Ryan asked something, it wasn't because he didn't know it was because he had an idea and wanted someone to set him up.
"You have something in mind, don't you?"
"Heh. Of course I do."
Ryan's grin spread wide.
"I've come up with a super invincible tactic. Once we use it, we'll be unbeatable."
Isagi, already suspecting what was coming, played along with mock excitement.
"Really, Ryan? What is it? Tell us!"
Ryan crossed his arms proudly.
"Since you insist, I'll tell you. The tactic is called…
'Pass It to Ryan.'"
He paused dramatically.
"The concept is simple: you all pass the ball to me.
I break through, shoot, score and we win. Genius, right?"
Everyone clapped half-heartedly.
"Wow, amazing."
"Yeah, brilliant plan."
Ryan nodded seriously.
"Naturally. My superior intellect told me this would work.
Don't worry , I'll let you guys show off in future matches.
But for today, just leave everything to me."
Kickoff
Team Z walked out of the tunnel.
Ryan led the way, shoulders loose, humming under his breath.
They warmed up first, then waited as Team X entered the field.
At the front of X was a spiky-haired guy with a cocky grin. Behind him… a bunch of forgettable faces.
Everyone took their positions.
"For the first match of the First Selection, fouls and match control will be handled by VAR only," announced the broadcast system.
"Game duration: one half, forty-five minutes.
Match one Team X vs. Team Z. Kickoff!"
Z kicked off first.
Bachira rolled the ball under his foot, glancing toward Ryan.
"Nervous, Ryan?"
"Nervous? I'm thrilled. Can't wait to crush them beneath my boots."
The whistle blew.
Bachira tapped the ball forward. Ryan took it, dribbling leisurely ahead.
Three defenders closed in instantly.
Ryan grinned.
Only three? Guess they're underestimating me.
He lowered his center of gravity, then burst forward.
A sharp acceleration sliding right between two defenders, his hands pushing them aside lightly, using their weight to launch himself again.
The rest of Team X scrambled to close the gap.
Too late.
One nutmeg.
One body feint.
One perfect flick over an opponent's head.
In mere seconds, only the goalkeeper remained.
Ryan's back arched; his right leg snapped forward like a whip.
The ball screamed through the air, a cannonball into the top corner.
The keeper didn't even move.
He just turned his head in time to see the net bulge.
GOAL!
The stadium or rather, the isolated training ground erupted in echoes of awe.
Ryan sprinted toward the corner flag, dropping into the most iconic celebration in football history.
"Siuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!"
Team Z's bench exploded in cheers.
Even the stoic Chigiri cracked a smile.
Meanwhile, Ego watched from his observation room, smirking.
"Hoshino Ryan… a self-absorbed idiot with the instincts of a god.
Just what Blue Lock was built for."
And down on the pitch, Ryan pointed at his teammates with a grin.
"Remember the tactic, boys pass it to Ryan!"