Chapter 2 - Blue Lock

As soon as I arrive at the address, I notice that everyone is older; I recognize some from the Okinawa tournament, others from tournaments we competed in, all attackers.

When I enter through the door leading to what seemed to be a warehouse, a crowd of people looks in my direction; a tense atmosphere makes my heart race, everyone whispers among themselves, some giving sideways glances. At the back, a slender figure with evenly cut black hair introduces himself.

"Congratulations, Raw Gems, all attackers here were chosen by me, to participate in a project. 300 people."

Everyone in this room is an attacker?

"My name is Ego Jinpachi; I have been hired by the Japanese Football Federation to make Japan a world champion."

The silence in the room is broken; everyone around me starts commenting on this extremely ambitious and unreal objective.

"For Japan to be a champion, we need a super striker. To cut to the chase, I will make one revolutionary player out of 300. Watch the images of the facility."

On the screen, images of Blue Lock appear, several hexagons that constituted dormitories with gyms, dining halls, football fields, and recreational areas.

"My idea is for you to abandon your personal lives during this special training; you won't be able to go back home. I will eliminate 299 players from the project, leaving only 1; this will be the number 1 striker in the world."

Eliminate 299? Only one stays?! Is this guy crazy?

"That's all. Thank you."

The atmosphere becomes heavy in the warehouse. Everyone stares at each other with confused and worried faces. No one could really understand what was happening.

"Excuse me! With all due respect, but I disagree with the explanation you gave, Mr. Ego," says a boy with white hair.

Isn't that Kira? He was highlighted in the magazine for the national tournament...

"Everyone is important to the team, and besides, some here are saving themselves for the national championship. I wouldn't leave my team to participate in such madness."

Kira's words cause commotion, and some players begin to complain about Ego's words. Tsk. National. Don't even remind me...

"Well... I see you have serious problems indeed... National..."

Ego pauses briefly and takes a deep breath, puffing out his chest.

"SCREW IT. I dont give a shit."

Everyone shivers at the unexpected turn.

"Whoever wants to leave, leave. I don't give a damn about it. Do you want to be the best in a high school tournament in a football underdeveloped country? Is that it?"

Is he... really saying that the national is trash? That it's worthless?!

"I get a huge despair thinking that YOU guys are the future of Japan."

Everyone in the room breaks into a cold sweat.

"It can be said that Japanese football is organized, tactical, and all that. But. Second-rate." Ego raises his finger. "What is football? Bonds? Friendships? Companionship? Bullshit. Football is about how much you can destroy your opponent; I'm not impressed that this country's football is of such a low level. Screw all those who want to play buddies in football."

I start clenching my fist tightly; I don't know if I can fully comprehend everything this guy says, but his speech is igniting an internal hunger in me in a way I didn't know was possible.

"Hey! Honda... Kagawa... All Japanese players who played together as an 11-man team. They are all stars and idols to me. You're wrong!"

"Honda? Kagawa? Huh?" Ego opens a wide smile. "Did they win the World Cup? No! So they're losers! Didn't I tell you that what matters is winning at the top of the world?!"

The room seems to get annoyed by Ego's speech, looking frustrated at him.

"Hey! Kid, why are you smiling?!" A player next to Arthur pushes him.

"Mind your own business." He's right. None of them won a Ballon d'Or, a Golden Boot. Nothing. They go unnoticed in the history of world football.

"For example, Noel Noa, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Messi. They all shine with their individual achievements like Ballon d'Ors and top scorer awards."

"Now find something in common between all these and others like Pelé, Cantona, Ronaldo... They're all selfish. They all strive for prominence and shine at the decisive moment of the game."

Everything he says makes sense. I want to play to be the best.

"I will make a human being grow in this country, one who will stand above 299 defeated striker bodies... Only one true hero."

I can be that hero. I will be.

Arthur clenches his fist so tightly that a little blood starts to trickle.

"Now, Raw Gems, I ask you one last thing."

"You're in the World Cup final, 0-0 on the scoreboard, 43rd minute of the second half. The ball falls to you, facing the goalkeeper. Your teammate is by your side, millions of people are watching you. What will you do..."

"SHOOT!" I shout loudly; everyone around me looks at me in shock.

Ego gives a small smile and continues. "Shoot without hesitation. That's the kind of striker I've come to make in this country."

A door begins to open behind Ego...

I can't hold back the excitement; I ignore my injury and run towards the door. Even before Ego finishes his speech.

"It's behind this door; there lies my destiny, my deepest dream of becoming the greatest scorer of all time... The best striker in history."