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Yoichi Isagi is positive he did not fall asleep in a chair.
Sure he maybe could've spent some time watching videos of plays on his desk instead of doing his homework and eventually dozed off, but he was absolutely positive he'd gotten home after spending the day with the others from blue lock, took a shower, had dinner with his parents and excused himself to go to his room after a while. He spent his time thinking about the next stage of blue lock when he was to return after 12 days before dozing off which he remembers doing lying in his bed, not in this freakishly comfortable chair that he was currently waking up in.
He blinked a few times to get rid of the blurriness and turned to look around. Bachira was sitting next to him on his left, still sleeping unsurprisingly, and Chigiri to his right, who was also currently waking up. Looking back, he could see the entirety of the blue lock XI and those who were on the bench, The U20's team and a couple of other players, members of the new gen XI if he recalled correctly. He recognized Leonardo Luna, Sae itoshi, and Julien Loki looking over to the side a bit he could see Ego, Anri and—
Holy shit is that freaking Noel Noa?
A figure suddenly appeared at the front and clapped their hands. It was a rather sharp sound that had Yoichi wincing, but did the job of waking everybody else up quite effectively.
Once everybody was awake, a mild chaos ensued. Panicked shouts of 'where are we' and 'who are you' could be heard all over the auditorium? If that's what the blue haired boy could call it, a strangled scream of what he hoped was excitement from someone who sounded vaguely like Tokimitsu saying 'oh my god what am I doing here with all these superstar players' and he was pretty sure that was a snarl from someone in the back who was threatening to murder whoever dared to ruin his perfect sleep routine.
"I need you all to calm down." the figure, which was now actually being revealed to be a woman said calmly though the authority in her voice did get the chaos subdued for the moment. She was a woman of fairly average height, taller than most women he'd seen, who was clad in pristine white robes that seemed to flow around her even if she wasn't moving.
"What are we doing here?" Noel Noa (holy shit it was Noel noa) asked in a civil manner, though there was a slight strain in his voice.
Instead of answering his question, she directed a question of her own to the rest of the crowd.
"How many of you here, apart from those who participated, watched the U20's vs Blue lock game?"
Confused murmurs could be heard around the room. "Well?" She asked again, a bit sharper this time.
Hands rose from the new gen XI, the other players sitting around Ego and Noel Noa raised their hands, even though he looked a bit ticked.
"Good. Now how many of you thought that last goal was a fluke?"
Surprisingly, none of the players raised their hands though one did speak up.
"Calling it a fluke would be very narrow minded." Loki said. "Any good player would've seen that was a very well thought out move executed by number eleven."
"Okay then, how many of you think that Yoichi Isagi is on his way to becoming a world class striker?"
Now, none of the foreign players raised their hands. None except Sae Itoshi and surprisingly, Julien Loki.
Yoichi got a bit flustered at that.
The woman smirked "Thought so." She then cleared her throat.
"My name is Mikha and I'm going to be making all of you watch the match again, but from the player's perspectives."
"All the players? Wouldn't that be long and hectic?" Reo called out.
"Yes of course that would be hectic, so that's why we'll be mainly adopting one player's point of view, although some others would be shown." she said.
"And that player is?" Chigiri prompted,
"Oh, why Yoichi Isagi of course,"
Me?!
Another fit of chaos ensues.
"Why the hell does it have to be him?!" Rin snarls
"Yeah, why him? It should be me!! I'm the king!"
"Oh shut it king, you weren't even there for the first half of the game." Nagi drawled out.
" I'll kill you—"
"Settle down children," Mikha said exasperatedly.
"And why should that be important to us?" Snuffy asked, raising an eyebrow while crossing his arms.
"Well, I never said it was important, dear," she smiled wickedly. "Though, I would like to believe that quite a few of you here would disagree."
Snuffy's eyes widened a bit in surprise, and turned to look at the other blue lock, and even some other U20, players whose attention was fixated on Isagi Yoichi. A couple with disdain, a few with delight, and all with an an undoubtable fire of competition.
"While the Bluelock XI was a team that was originally centered around Rin Itoshi—" Karasu began.
"The heart of Bluelock is undoubtedly Yoichi Isagi." Sae finished.
Several eyes widened, Rin narrowed his mouth pulling into a snarl. "Yes, exactly." Mikha smiled pleased.
"Alright then, what about our families and our obligations? Some of us have other things to do." Chris called out while crossing his arms.
"You don't need to worry about that darling. I can assure you that time does not flow here so you will not be missing anything that goes on in the outside world." She said. "The screening will be an anime style show with a total of fourteen episodes which will be a total of five hours. After every three episodes, a break of thirty to forty five minutes will be observed. If any of you are hungry at any point just call out and food will be provided to you. Other things will be addressed as we go."
"What if we don't want to indulge in all of this?" Another player spoke. He had blonde hair with blue tips and a tattoo of a rose on his neck, that seemed to go down to his chest under his shirt. "Who says I want to waste my time watching some poster boy figure out their way in soccer?"
Hot irritation pierced Yoichi's skin. I don't know who he is, but I already don't like this guy.
"Yeah, well that 'poster boy' is going to kick your ass one day. Just you wait." Bachira spat, his amber eyes focused intensely on the man, his mouth drawn in a line. It was kind of disconcerting, especially for Yoichi, who was used to seeing Bachira smile literally all the time.
"It's okay Bachira," Yoichi said trying to placate him. "I don't think anyone would want him on any poster with that shitty haircut."
Someone in the back snickered, "Don't speak to Kaiser like that!" The man sitting next to him chastised. He was weirdly pretty, In a disarming kind of way, with his soft magenta eyes and purple hair.
"Shut up, Ness."
"I'm afraid, Kaiser, that you have no choice in the matter." Mikha fixed her gaze on him.
"Yeah, I wouldn't argue with the lady who essentially kidnapped a whole two teams and some of the best players in the world and put them in a room where time supposedly stops. It's best we start right away and get it over with so that we can go home sooner." Luna said.
"I agree." Ego spoke up for the first time. "We best just watch and get it over with."
"I'm glad that we're speaking the same language." She said.
"Alright Buckle up and enjoy."
The scene starts with a stage light zooming out onto a field filled with balls and a solid figure in the middle.
"If I win, it means our dream is over."
Both Itoshi brothers eyes widened simultaneously.
"Hey, lady why the hell is this being shown!" Rin bellows
The others flinch a little in surprise at his outburst.
Is this something concerned Rin's past? I have to know more. Yoichi thinks.
"No, wait, stop. I-I don't want to, Not like this—"
A foot on the ball. "You ready? Rin," Sae charges forward, Rin stands there in shock. "This is a one shot match."
Sae dribbles the ball forward, Rin still left in his state of surprise is too late to react. Sae gets past him Rin runs after him. He catches up, Sae pulls off a step over, evades Rin leaving him a clear path to the goal.
Rin grits his teeth. That stupid moment of weakness is being shown for everyone to see. He's disgusted.
"Why?!, Brother!" He reaches out for him.
"Rin, I've been away for four years." The older shoots the ball into the goal. "In all that time, have you learnt nothing?"
Rin hyperventilates on the screen it zooms in on him, and a dinosaur toy falls and cracks then silence.
"Whoa, Rin. Is that where you bro issues come from?" Igarashi says aloud.
"Shut it monk." He spits venomously.
'Huh, I knew Rin had issues with his brother, but I didn't know how deep they were.' Isagi thought while unconsciously leaning forward. 'Is that why he looked at me like that after the match?'
Bachira and Chigiri didn't miss the unusual interest Isagi had on the scene with Rin, they shared a look as if communicating something and moved their eyes to the screen.
A phone rings, and a hand is seen picking it up.
"How are things going on your end Ego?" A voice says, with boisterous laughter following after. The caller ID read Buratsuta.
"I'm grateful to you, you know, all it took was Sae Itoshi showing an interest in blue lock, and the media lost their minds."
"Is there a reason you kept extensively looking at Rin Itoshi's file Ego?" Noa asked. "Are you playing favorites?" He said disapprovingly.
"Favorites? What I'm not allowed to look at my player's stats?" Ego said not looking at Noa.
"You know what I mean."
"I'm afraid I don't."
"Tickets sold out almost instantly. Big match, big money. That's the kind of math I can get behind. And hey, it should help pay off your deficit."
The blue lockers scowled. Money grubbing bastard.
"Does your rambling have a point?" Ego says taking a sip of his coffee.
"Listen, are you serious about this?" The JFU official continues, "However good they might be, do you really think a mish-mash of strikers can beat Japans U20's? We're talking about elite players at the top of their game here."
"Elite players my ass, they got their asses handed to them by a bunch of wannabe strikers." Ness says, his voice filled with scorn.
"Just shut up and watch." Sendou grumbles.
Ego smirks. "Like I told you before, we're transforming Japanese soccer."
"You see, that's why Bluelock exists."
"My diamonds in the rough. 300 high school strikers entered our grueling selection process. Now only 35 of you remain in the fight to become the world's number one egoist."
"Whoa, there were 300 of you?" Chris asked. "Where the hell is everyone else?"
The camera shifted around showing different players.
"Who will it be?"
"The match is in three weeks. You will be taking on Japan's U20's captained by Sae Itoshi."
An image of a shirtless Sae is shown with the Japan flag behind him and other players in a smaller font on his sides.
A low whistle is heard from across the room, followed by snickers.
"Damn daddy long lashes."
Sae's Jaw clenches.
"Win this and you win the right to represent Japan!" Ego exclaims. "But if you loose, it's the end of blue lock."
A close zoom in of Isagi is shown with a fire in his eyes. 'Until a few months ago, I was a complete unknown.' flashes of his match with Ichinan is shown. 'No name nobody. Then I was chosen to come to blue lock, where I learned about ego and went through hell in the process.'
Crap they can hear my thoughts??
"Ohohoo, we can hear his thoughts??"
Flashes and snippets of the first and second selection are shown. 'If we win this match my dream to represent Japan, might come true.' The scene shows Isagi in his jersey being interviewed by an news reporter in a large stadium.
'But if we loose my soccer career could go up in smoke along with blue lock.' Glass shatters and Isagi is shown falling into a void.
"Damn, that's intense." Lorenzo comments.
"You have no idea."
"This is it, one game. If I can harness all I've learned, It could change my life." Isagi says clenching his fists.
"Hey, mastermind, I get that this is our big chance and all but how are we gonna make up a team?" Raichi drawls, pointing out towards the room with the players. "We've got thirty five freaking forwards!"
"I guess maybe, move some of us to midfield? And then assign some of us to defense?" Gagamaru suggests as Wanima Juinichi nods empathetically.
"That's the idea," Ego says. "A makeshift team of forwards. Our only and best option."
"Man, did you guys seriously play your debut game with just a bunch of forwards? That explains why your offense was so good. But your defense wasn't all that bad either. What the hell?" Neru says.
Aiku laughs. "That's blue lock for you."
"No way! We'll have no chance we're gonna be going against actual defenders." Tokimitsu whimpers out.
"It will be difficult, but, I like the challenge." Aryu purrs. Tokimitsu looks positively horrified.
"Oh please, this isn't about whether you like it or—"
"Cut the chatter!" Ego bellows, his teeth out in full display.
"Man that guy can be scary sometimes."
"Stuff of nightmares, really."
"The players I'm about to call, will make up the core of the team. Six in total. Blue lock's top strikers based on comprehensive evaluation." The dark haired man continues. "If your name is called, step forward."
Isagi is shown gulping.
"First, Rin Itoshi." He steps towards the big screen.
'Rin. I knew he'd be number one.'
Rin's chest unconsciously puffs up with pride. Yeah, better know your place you lukewarm bastard.
Sae, who was sutting next to him, rolled his eyes at the display.
"Next up, number two. Ryusei Shidou."
"And boom." he smirks. "It's me."
Igarashi gasps. "Didn't know he was that good!"
"What would you know know about being good you shit."
"Shut up!!"
"Well well, would you look at that," Shidou circles around Rin. "We're numbers one and two, nice. Should be fun, don't you think?"
"Man, this Rin kid is such a stoic bastard." Kaiser says.
"A thousand yen saying he's emotionally constipated too."
"Number three, Tabito Karasu." Karasu is shown looking back at the camera, waving his hands in a calm down motion. "Hold yer applause loosers."
"Oh man, Karasu…You're so cringe." Igarashi says.
A round of laughter passes across the room.
"You gonna take that lying down Karasu?" Chigiri says, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Shut yer trap!"
"Number four, Otoya Eita." Otoya steps forward into the light.
"Hey, What's up?"
"Number five, Yukimiya Kenyu."
"Hey, Thanks. Its an honour."
'One more name.' the screen zooms in on Isagi.
"Oh my gosh Isagi they totally fish lensed you," Bachira says in mouthfuls of laughter.
'I want it to be mine. I want to be at the core of Ego's group, The blue lock eleven.'
"Wait, Isagi, you didnt really think you were gonna be chosen? Were you?" Igarashi snickers.
Isagi goes rigid, and a faint blush paints his cheeks. "Well I-"
"Shut it baldie, at least he has a tangible goal. All you do is flail around the field. Honestly, how are you even still here?" Rin spat.
Isagu gapes. "Rin…"
Snickers travel across the room. Igarashi sinks bank into his seat.
"Finally, number six. Seishiro Nagi." Ego says.
"Me?" Nagi says nonchalantly, before stepping foward.
Isagi glares at him, blue eyes alight with competitive fire.
Shidou whistles. "Intense."
"Tell me about it."
"That is all."
"Umm, if I may," Yukimiya says "But why did you rank me fifth? what separates me from first?"
Snuffy nods in approval. "Thats a good question. You should always try to know where you fall short from whoever is the best. That's how you start improving."
"That easy to explain. There are thirty five of you, and only two managed to score a goal against the world five." Ego says, the camera shifts, now showing the two, he points at them.
"Rin Itoshi and Ryusei shidou. The rest was based on total goals in the first selection, as well as evaluations from the world five. And of course," He moves towards the screen. "Subjective inclination. That good enough? Mr lowkey model."
"It is," Yukimiya smiles. "Thank you."
"He's ranked fifith and hes a model?" Gagamaru exclaims.
"Pretty annoying huh?" Raichi grumbles.
"Have you ever experienced happiness Raichi?" Chigiri sighs.
"Only when im playing my sexy soccer!!" he says.
"So not in a while, got it."
"And so, the next selection begins now." Ego says. "First the top six will be divided into three teams by ranking. The remaining twenty nine players must then decide the pair they wish to team up with. You will form teams of five by adding three players to the top six duos." He explains.
"Then the fun begins." The man's grin widens. "Each team will play one five a side match."
'I get it,' Isagi thinks. 'He's trying to find players who can mesh with the playing styles of the core team members.'
"Why am I not even suprised that he clocked that on the first go." Reo says amusedly.
"Thats Isagi for ya," Nagi murmurs.
Sae Itoshi and Noel Noa look at the boy with renewed interest and curiosity, while Kaiser rolled his eyes. Anyone could have figured that out.
"The top six will play multiple times," Ego explains. "But for most of you here, this is a one shot deal. You see, these trials will determine who plays Japan's U20 team so dont screw it up."
"One match to show you're glam enough to keep around," Aryu says.
"Oh man, this feels pro level." Tokimitsu mutters.
"Alright, bring it on!!" Igaguri exclaims.
"Why are you always shouting." Sendou grumbles.
"Now, because of the headcount, one of you will get to play two games." Ego says. "Logically that honor will go to number seven, the runner up. Meguru Bachira, you will fill that role."
"Aye aye, captain sir." Bachira smirks.
'Damn, we've been playing together up till now,' Isagi thinks and the screen shows Nagi Bachira and Rin. 'Yet all of them are better than me?'
Nagi perks up at that, pride blooming in his chest. Reo notices, gives a scrutinizing look at Isagi who was being mercilessly teased by Bachira, his face painted red, and truns over to Rin, who had an air of smugness about him. Were all the people that were obsessed with Isagi like this?
"My my Isagi." Bachira says with a teasing look on his face, "You're going to have to work a lot harder if you want to reach my level."
"Oh just you wait. I'll devour you monster, you'll eat my dust."
He himself is like that it seems, Reo muses.
"My top six players, proceed to the next room." Ego says.
"He says that like he birthed them." Chris snickers.
"I mean, he technically did?" Lavinho quips.
Ego rolls his eyes. "Children, the lot of you."
The door opens and Rin walks towards it, the rest following.
"These rankings only reflect everyones curent standing. Thats including the top six. If their performance during tryouts declines rest assure their rank will reflect it."
"Now a message to the remaining twenty nine," Ego puts a hand on his face and the background turns static.
"This how you ace the tryouts. Assertion and co-existence." He holds two fingers up on each hand. "The top six already posses powerful individual skills and scoring prowess. You will assert your worth to them and prove your irreplaceable by coexisting."
"Assertion and co-existence huh?" Noa muses.
Ego remains silent.
"Oh and one last thing." Ego snaps his fingers, and glass is shown breaking on the screen. "You must subjugate them!"
"Remember this diamonds, the top six aren't just teamates youre playing alongside. They're stepping stones to make yourself stand out."
'I have to pick which allies I want.' Isagi thinks. 'Who's going to get me where I want to be.' the screen suddenly blackens.
"Go and choose," the screen lights up and a timer appears with Isagi in the center and everyone else suddenly gone from the camera's view. "Select the optimal teamates that will determine your destiny."