1st selection, the first selection will involve a five-team round-robin, here are the rules.

Rule 1 - round-robin between teams V, W, Z, Y, and Z. The top two teams will advance to the second selection, while the rest will be disqualified. An exception is made for the top scorer of each team, who will also advance.

Rule 2 - the bottom three teams get disqualified 'but the top scorers from each team will advance'

Additionally, you will receive a special bonus point for each goal, 1 goal = 1 point. exchange your points for prizes:

Goal Bonuses

1 point, 300g sirloin steak

3 points, return of mobile phone
5 points, luxury sleep bed
10 points, 1-day outing ticket

As Akira sat with the rest of what was now dubbed Team V in their shared sleeping quarters, intently listening to the rules of the first selection the curly-haired teen smiled at the thought of getting his phone back. As he had been parted from his music far too long and it seemed Nagi felt the same way too regarding his games.

"I see. So we must score ten goals to get the 'One day outside Blue Lock' pass to break out of here." Zantetsu misinterpreted again as he eyed the jumbotron that displayed the rewards chart, prompting Reo to set the record straight for him, again. "No, idiot. You've got it all wrong. It means we've got to win the five-team round-robin with this eleven. It's nice working with you, Team V." But before anyone could respond to his greeting Ego's face graced the screen again.

"Hello there, diamonds in the rough. Your game against Team Y will kick off soon. Will you prioritize your own goals or the team's victory? The karma of a striker is put to the test in this first selection, this is a battle about creating football from zero." and with that, he was gone leaving the room perplexed at the decision they faced.

Themself or the team, what will it be?

As Team V walked to their locker room to change for their match, Akira couldn't help but let his mind linger on Ego's words "What are you thinking about, Akira?" Reo asked peeking to look over at his friend who seemed so close, yet so far as if his mind had drifted off into space.

"Ah, nada Reo no worry" Akira dismissed his previous thoughts as he went to reassure his friend he was fine, though in reality, he was at war with himself. Himself or the team, the choice was killing him. "Stop thinking so hard, you're gonna give yourself a headache." Nagi chimed in, wanting nothing more than to relieve him of his stress. Someone so pretty shouldn't have to worry about anything.

Throwing on his black Team V bib on top of his body suit Akira looked to his two friends, 'what would he be without them?' he thought as he smiled before finishing up getting ready, making his way down to the pitch with the rest of his team.

The field was massive, with tall ceilings, jumbotron's on either end showing who was playing and the time left, with flood lights on all four corners of the pitch casting a blinding white light leaving no place for anyone to hide.

Walking towards the centre Akira took notice of one of the opposition players, he was shorter than him with black poofy hair that covered the top portion of his face eyes included. Even with his eyes covered, the curly-haired boy could tell he was looking right at him.

"You ready to go, Akira?" Noticing his darling's attention was focused elsewhere Reo decided to bring it back to him, unable to accept that someone other than him or Nagi had captured his attention. "sim, vamos" Akira mumbled his eyes still locked in a contest with the teen across from him as neither one of them was willing to back out first, wanting to establish dominance over the other.

The game kicked off, Reo started with the ball but as he went to make a play towards either Akira or Nagi he found himself being shoved out of the way by one of his teammates. "I'll take that," their unremarkable teammate said taking the ball from the amethyst-eyed teen.

"Wh-What are you doing? We're on the same team!" he yelled confused as to what was going on, "The rules say the top scorer advances, who cares if the team wins or not?" Reo quickly realised that this had turned into a free-for-all and while their team tussled the ball fell into the opposition's hands.

"Thanks for the ball," it was the teen that Akira was staring at before "I'm not a fan of that rolling brawl style of play" and the bronzed teen couldn't help but agree with him as fighting benefited no one on team V.

'It's that teen from before, the one who was staring at my Akira. I'll show him, I'm a cut above that for hunting him down.' and with that Reo snatched the ball back, thanking the banged teen just as he had done moments ago. But that joy didn't last long as Zantetsu found a way to ruin it. "Bastard. Zantetsu, you idiot!"

"You still calling me that, Mikage Reo?" he yelled before taking a shot, the sheer power and spin on it making it difficult to stop, as it found its way into the back of the net with ease.

Team V 1 - 0 Team Y

Sensing an opportunity Reo decided to quickly rack up his own goal, while Nagi hung back in goal and Akira was biding his time, for what he had no idea. Team Y was in a state of shock, how were they already two down? Ikki Niko gritted his teeth as he looked at the curly-haired boy who had caught his interest, why wasn't he doing anything? and why did he look like he was waiting for something?

Reo and Zantetsu traded off goals, as they tried to one-up the other. The score was now, 5 - 0 to Team V, and the two were exhausted "Damn it" the glasses teen mumbled in exhaustion as he bent over trying to catch his breath. "That's my hat-trick, I win. Hey, why are you so relaxed, Nagi? Akira, you too? come on!" Reo yelled looking at his two friends one who using the goal net as a hammock and the other who was still staring at the long-banged teen of Team Y.

'Why is Akira looking at him, I'm the one that scored a hat trick, not him. Look at me.' The purple-haired boy was writhing with jealousy, and in that moment he wanted to crush Team Y and that no eye's teen to prove to his beloved Akira that they were nothing compared to him.

"Look, it's like a hammock. So comfy, I mean our team won, right? Congrats Reo." Nagi was right, their team had already won and with less than twenty minutes to go there was no way back for their opposition but the Mikage boy wanted to prove a point.

"Sure, but that's not exactly. Oh, I know. Hey, Nagi, Akira. Want your cell phones back right?"

"Hm? Course. I wanna play games on it"

"Yeah, I miss me música"

"then score three goals"

The realisation hit the two like a bolt of lightning as they both sprang into action, much to Reo's delight. As Akira ran to receive the long pass the amethyst-eyed teen sent his way, he found himself covered off by the bang teen from before who looked to stop him from shooting and one of his teammates looking to poach his goal.

Akira stopped the ball, before leaning back into a bicycle kick leaving everyone stunned as it slashed into the net. 'how did he react like that? Is this what he was waiting for? So this is Ito Akira the genius?' Ikki Niko thought dropping to his knees baffled, at that moment the curly-haired boy felt a sense of deja vu from his debut match. But instead of feeling smug, he felt sad for the dejected teen before him.

'it'll be over soon, just need two more goals' he thought as he went on to do just that, then aiding Nagi in getting his three. The game finished Team V 11 - 0 Team Y, as all of the players filtered off the pitch, Niko stayed seated on the floor collapsing in defeat once the final whistle blew.

"Hello"

"What do you want," Niko said looking up, his bright teal eyes staring holes into the curly-haired boy before him.

"Uh um good game" Akira mumbled slightly embarrassed, 'his eyes are pretty' the curly-haired boy thought as he looked into the deep cyan orbs, so clear they could have been mistaken for the ocean. "Akira!" Reo called from the exit expectingly, as the showers awaited the both of them.

"Bye um..." the bronzed boy didn't know his name, "Niko" the team Y player said as he looked at the teen before him in a new light. A gentle creature with a killer instinct for football. "Ah! Bye Niko, good luck in the next game!" Akira dashed off, to join Reo in heading to the showers.

The Mikage boy put his arm on the curly-haired teen's shoulder, looking back at the bang teen's his face painted in a twisted smirk. Sending a clear message, Ito Akira was his and to stay away. But Ikki Nico was never one to listen, especially to preppy rich boys. Thinking back to their interaction Niko couldn't help but blush, silently hoping that he would see the bronzed beauty again. Knowing his skill level, there was no doubt he would.

Meanwhile, in building five's communal baths, Akira Nagi and Zantetsu were the only ones remaining. Akira washed his hair in the far corner, and Nagi floated in the centre rinsing off the lather of body wash, all while Zantetsu sat on the edge of the bath brushing his teeth.

"Don't brush your teeth in the tub, that's dirty." Nagi groaned as he looked at the glasses-wearing teen, "O-Oh, sorry. It's our family motto. 'Even if you forget ceremonial occasions, don't forget to brush your teeth.'" Zantetsu apologised head slightly bowed in shame.

"That's a dumb-sounding provern." Nagi deadpanned

"My parents are dentists" Zantetsu retorted

"Wow, you have smart blood" the white-haired teen awed at the revelation

"Yeah, they're all smart. Apart from me." The glasses teen admitted his eyes refusing to make contact with the other two in the room.

"So are you, like, a mutation that your family called an idiot a lot growing up?" Nagi bluntly questioned to which Zantetsu quickly shut down his speculation. "No, my family's very good to me. Truly smart people are kind enough not to call an idiot, an idiot. Like Akira."

"Another dumb-sounding proverb"

"Those were my words. Like you say, people around me have always made fun of me. But when I realized I was a fast runner, I decided to make the world of sports my home. Get good at football, become a pro, become the be the best striker in the world, and become the most respected idiot in the world. That's my dream."

Listening to Zantetsu speak, Akira both pitied him and found a new appreciation for him. Finding his story inspirational, he found what he was good at and ran with it. Literally.

"You already the most respected idiot to me, Zantetsu," the curly-haired boy said trying to reassure the teen, who seemed rather sad a dredging up old memories. the glasses teen blushing ever so slightly at the bronzed teen's words, before giving him a nod of gratitude. "Huh, You're kinda cool." Nagi agreed

"Nagi Senishiro, why do you play soccer?" the question came as a slight surprise, but the lazy teen answered it regardless. "Hmmm...I just followed Reo and Akira here. So I don't have any grand dreams like you" his words confused Zantetsu slightly. "You 'followed' them? What's so great about those two? No offense Akira."

"nenhum levou meu amigo"

"Dunno. Maybe it's because they're the first people to take an interest in a guy like me, who finds everything a hassle."

"You're a weirdo."

"Yeah, I get that a lot"

"But you're not a bad guy" Zantetsu followed up "Neither of you are" he said looking to Akira also who smiled at his words. Nagi thanked the teen for his kind words before asking a question on his mind.

"If thinking's not your forte, why not just do what Reo and Akira say for now? They're super smart."

The room was now silent, with a mutual understanding lingering between the three. And as they finished up in the bath, and made their way to bed. They knew the new Team V front four would be unstoppable, well almost as they would soon come to find out.

"If this guy believes in them, then maybe I'll give it a try"