Chapter 30:The Calm Before the Storm

n the dimly lit lobby of Building No. 5, tension hung in the air. The players of the other three teams sat with their heads in their hands, many fighting back tears. Their dreams of becoming the world's best striker were crushed. One by one, they were about to leave Blue Lock forever. The only teams to survive the carnage were Team Z, which advanced as the first-place team in the group, and Team V, which secured second place. The rest were not so lucky, eliminated without a second chance.

In a corner of the room, Niko Ikki leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and his face unreadable. His team, Team Y, had been knocked out, and most of his teammates were packing their bags, heading toward the exit. Niko, however, remained. As the top scorer of his team, he had earned the right to stay in Blue Lock. His eyes scanned the room, watching his teammates leave with heavy hearts.

The loss weighed on him, not just because his team had failed, but because of the match that had shattered his confidence. It wasn't the big three of Team V that haunted him, but Kira Ryosuke. The pressure Kira had put on him during their match was unlike anything Niko had ever experienced. It had pushed him to his limits, revealing his own weaknesses in a way no other player had.

"Kira Ryosuke..." Niko muttered under his breath, his hands balling into fists. "I will definitely seek revenge."

In another part of Blue Lock, Baro Shoei stood alone on Team X's training field, still practicing long after his teammates had left. Like Niko, Baro was the top scorer for his team and had secured his place in Blue Lock. But unlike Niko, Baro felt no sadness for his teammates' departure. In his eyes, they were nothing more than weaklings, talentless trash that had dragged him down. Their departure was nothing but a relief to him.

"Kira Ryosuke," Baro growled, his eyes burning with rage as he slammed the ball into the net, "I'll crush you and make you my subordinate."

It seemed that Kira had unwittingly made more enemies than he realized.

As evening fell, Kira stood on the training field, drenched in sweat, his body moving fluidly through a series of drills. Despite having secured Team Z's advancement as the top team, he knew that this was just the beginning. The first step had been taken, but the road ahead was long and treacherous.

As Kira practiced, memories of the match against Team V flashed through his mind. His "Ultimate Copy" had allowed him to mimic not just the abilities of players like Baro and Nagi but had also enabled him to integrate their talents seamlessly into his own style of play. With God-Speed Impulse, his reaction time and movements had become nearly instantaneous, allowing him to outmaneuver even the most skilled defenders.

But it wasn't just about copying others. Kira had something else—a hidden ability he was only beginning to uncover. His "Perfect Body" allowed him to push his physical limits further than most players. The muscles in his legs and arms seemed to adapt to the stress of each match, growing stronger with every challenge. His speed, strength, and agility were already impressive, but now, with the training and competition pushing him harder than ever, he felt that his body was evolving into something unstoppable.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the field, Kira heard footsteps approaching. He glanced over his shoulder to see the rest of Team Z walking toward him, all of them visibly exhausted from the day's battle against Team V. Yet, despite their fatigue, there was a look of determination in their eyes.

"You're still training?" Kunigami asked, his voice tinged with both admiration and disbelief.

Kira smirked, pausing his drill for a moment. "We can't afford to rest. There's still a long way to go."

Raichi, ever the loudmouth, grinned despite himself. "I swear, if you keep training like this, you're gonna leave us all in the dust."

Kira shrugged. "Then let's train together. We should all advance together in the next round."

"Yeah, but let's make one thing clear," Bachira chimed in, flashing his usual playful grin, "the title of the world's number one striker is mine! You guys can fight for second place."

The others laughed, and with that, they joined Kira on the field, pushing their tired bodies to train once more.

The next morning, the large screen in the team dorm lit up, and the familiar face of Ego Jinpachi appeared. His voice was sharp and cold, cutting through the stillness of the early hours.

"Congratulations, all you raw talents. You have passed the first round of selection," Ego announced, his tone devoid of warmth. "But before you start celebrating, there's more. We need to wait for the matches in the other buildings to conclude. In the meantime, you will all undergo intense physical training. No ball work allowed."

Raichi groaned loudly, his frustration evident. "What?! Why do we have to wait for them? We already passed!"

Ego's expression didn't change. "You only passed in the lowest-ranked wing. Don't get cocky."

Kira listened in silence, his mind already racing ahead. Physical training without ball work would mean that he wouldn't be able to practice his finer techniques, but it also presented an opportunity. His "Perfect Body" could handle far more stress than the average player, and these ten days of strength training could push him to an even higher level. He needed to be stronger, faster, and sharper for the upcoming second selection.

For the next ten days, the training was relentless. The schedule consisted of grueling long-distance running, vertical jump exercises, and core-strengthening drills. The intensity was meant to break them, to separate the weak from the strong. But for Kira, it was an opportunity to grow even stronger.

Every day, he pushed himself to his limits, feeling his body adapt and grow under the strain. God-Speed Impulse became sharper with each passing day. His movements were becoming almost reflexive, his body responding to the ball and his opponents without him even needing to think.

The other players struggled. Isagi, in particular, often collapsed after each training session, his body unable to keep up with the intense regimen. Yet, even he showed signs of improvement as the days wore on.

By the end of the ten days, Kira stood at the peak of his physical condition. His stamina had increased, his muscles were stronger, and his speed had reached a new level. His "Perfect Body" had evolved, allowing him to push his endurance and power to heights he hadn't thought possible.

On the final morning, the screen in their dorm lit up once more, and Ego's face appeared again. This time, there was a slight smirk on his face.

"Congratulations. You have completed the first selection," Ego said, his voice still cold but carrying a hint of satisfaction. "Now, it's time for the second selection."

Kira's heart raced as Ego explained the rules of the next round. Three players would form a team and face off against other trios. The winning team would be able to recruit a player from the losing team, while the losing team would face the risk of elimination. It was a battle not just of skill but of strategy and trust.

As Ego's image faded from the screen, the members of Team Z stood up, their bodies tense with anticipation. Each player knew that they were about to face their greatest challenge yet.

Kira, however, felt a sense of calm wash over him. He had his "Ultimate Copy," allowing him to adapt and counter any opponent. He had "God-Speed Impulse" to outmaneuver them, and his "Perfect Body" to endure whatever punishment they threw his way.

But more than that, he had something else—a burning desire to win, to prove that he was the best. The second selection would test him in ways he hadn't yet imagined, but he was ready.

As they headed toward the central area for the second selection, Kira's thoughts drifted back to Niko and Baro. They had both vowed to seek revenge on him. But Kira welcomed their challenge. After all, if they couldn't handle him before, what chance did they stand against him now?

With a smirk, Kira stepped forward, his eyes focused on the future. "Let's see who comes out on top," he whispered to himself.