Raichi:
"Hey! wait a sec! I get that this is a chance for us and all.. who's gonna be in the 'Blue Lock Eleven'?"

Gagamaru:
"Don't tell me you're gonna get some of us to play as midfielders and defenders?"

Ego:
"Yeah, of course, and a goalkeeper. Other than the forwards, we'll have to rush to patch together a team. The formation of the Blue Lock Team will center around the following six whose names I'll call out."

"These are the top-ranked players at present, and putting together a team in just three weeks will require a most rational gamble."

The screen changes to white after he said so.

《Those who are called, step forward..》

《First, as the overall number one. Itoshi Rin.》

《Next, number two is Shidou Ryusei.》

《Number three, Nishioka Hajime.》

《Number four, Karasu Tobito.》

《Number five, Otoya Eita.》

《Lastly, number six, Yukimiya Kenyu.》

Yukimiya raised his hand not long after the announcement.

Yukimiya:
"Excuse me, Ego-san. I have simple question for future reference. What's your reason for putting me number six? What's the difference between me and number one?"

Ego:
"It's simple, among the 35 of you here, the only ones able to score a goal against the World Five were these three. Itoshi Rin, Shidou Ryusei, and Nishioka Hajime."

"I then took into consideration how many goals you scored in the First Selection, and World Five's personal evaluation."

"Lastly he used his own judgement. Did that answer your question, Mr. Five Eyed Model?"

He smiled.

Yukimiya:
"I get it now, thank you very much."

Gagamaru:
"Eh? he's also a model?"

Raichi:
"He pisses me off."

...

Ego:
"Now then, I'll explain your next selection. First, we'll divide these six into pairs in descending order, and will be assigned A, B, and C ranks to make three teams."

A - Itoshi Rin, Shidou Ryusei.

B - Nishioka Hajime, Karasu Tobito.

C - Otoya Eita, Yukimiya Kenyu.

"The remaining twenty-nine players must decide which team they'd like to join. They will be added to their chosen team in randomized groups of three, to make a complete team of five. Then, each of these teams will have the chance to play in one game against another 5 vs 5 style."

Isagi:
(I see.. It's set up to find which members will suit the top six's best offensive pattern.)

Ego:
"Well, as formality.. members of the top 6 will be playing in multiple games. but the remaining 29 will have just the one chance to play. This is the final task of the revised Third Selection."

"With a position as a regular on Japan's National U-20 Team on the line.. It's time for your tryouts."

Chatters were heard across the room, until Ego continued explaining the Third Selection.

Ego:
"Also, once the 29 who aren't in the top 6 divide into groups of three. 3 × 9 teams makes 27 people, one team will be one member short, making them a team of two. So, as an exception, just one more person will have the chance to play in two matches. that honor will go to the runner-up to the Top 6, No. 7.."

"Nagi Seishiro."

Nagi:
"..Huh."

A gate was open beside me.

Ego:
"First, the top 6, you'll all proceed to a different room."

***

While waiting for Ego, Karasu decided to open a conversation with me.

Karasu:

"Aomori's Messi.. Nishioka-san, right? I'm looking forward to work with you."

Nishioka:
"Huh? oh, yeah me too."

Karasu:
"Given your nickname, I assume your weapon is something to do with technical dribbling like Messi, am I right?"

Nishioka:
"You're right, I'm more of a technical than a flair dribbler."

Karasu:
"I see.. You don't wanna ask mine?"

Nishioka:
".. What's your weapon?"

Karasu:
"I like to analyze people and figure out what I can attack."

Nishioka:
"I see."

The screen on the room turned on as Ego's popped out on the screen.

He told us not to let anyone outside the top 6 take our spot, I think he said the opposite for the 29 players outside.

There's one thing he said that stuck on head, "The soccer that you create.. will become the blade that destroys Japanese soccer.".

The screen then turn to a 24 hours counter.

Too bad I can't predict who'll be my teammates now that the future had changed a lot.

I'm not using APs for something I'd know a day later, so I stayed curious.

***

So it's time for first match already.

A1 vs B1.

A1: Rin, Shidou, Nanase, Hiori, Isagi.
B1: Nishioka, Karasu, Chigiri, Saramadara, Shiguma.

Holy shit that Shiguma guy is pretty big.

...

Nishioka:
"Nice to meet you again, Princess."

Chigiri:
"So, you got any plans in your mind?"

Nishioka:
"Oh, about that.. it's his job to handle it."

I pointed to Karasu as I said so.

Karasu:
"Just follow my lead on the field, it'd be easier to do so."

Nishioka:
"As for the line up.. would you mind being on defense, Shiguma, Saramadara? your height advantages will help a lot."

Saramadara:
"Fine by me."

Shiguma:

"..."

I guess that's a yes.

Nishioka:
"Chigiri and I will be a dual attacker with our speed and technique, Karasu will be the pivot in the middle, helping with both defense and offense. You guys fine with that?"

Karasu:
"So, in the end you still took my job, Nishioka. Well, I thought of the same thing, I'm good with that."

The others just nodding along.

...

Kick-off.

Rin started by passing to Shidou.

Shidou:
"I'm unstoppable~"

Nishioka:
"I won't let you go any further."

Shidou:
"Oh, you're pretty fast."

Isagi:
(Amazing.. he's now fast enough to keep up with Shidou's aggressive dribble!)

Thanks to Karasu's good positioning and not immediately charging towards Shidou, Shidou finally passed to Isagi.

Isagi passed the ball to Rin.

Shiguma tried to cover him but Isagi joined Rin on the attack and pieced through our defense with their one-two pass.

Just when Isagi was about to do a final through pass to Rin, Chigiri catches up and blocks the ball.

Saramadara only needs to clear the ball, but Shidou rushed from the back line to the loose ball.

Even though he's in a bad position to shoot, he's able to made it.

Shidou kicks the ball with his heel.

Team A Team B
[1] - [0]

Shidou:
"Every cell in my body.. is dividing to score a goal.. beat em all up!"

Karasu:
"Your defense and your plays are both second tier, but your physical abilities are totally focused on scoring when you're in the goal box.. aight, installation complete."

"I've figured you out, antenna guy. Well then, let's try this output."

...

Restart.

I passed the ball a few feet behind to Karasu.

Karasu walks forward, then looks from side to side with the ball is on the outside of his left foot. Noticing that, Isagi then charges to steal the ball from him, but it's a trap from Karasu.

Karasu dragged the ball back to his possession.

Karasu:
"You idiot. Sorry, but I have a principle of winning all my matches."

Karasu then dribble the ball forward.

Isagi:
(His body is strong?!)

Karasu:
"It's too bad that you're fighting against your opponent's strong point. If you aim for their weak point, your chance of winning will greatly increase."

"When you're surrounded by your teammates, you're able to increase your abilities through synergy. But when you're on yourself, you're mediocre."

Shidou:
"What kind of fun are you guys talking about? count me in!"

By shifting his center of gravity and an overwhelming feint, Karasu went past Shidou and Isagi with ease, scoring an amazing solo goal.

Team A Team B
[1] - [1]

Karasu:
"I will beat you down until you overdose, idiot."