Chapter 8: The flaw in perfection.

A Day earlier: Tokyo Japan

Japan National Soccer Facility: Project Blue Lock.

North Shaw walks behind an old Japanese man wearing a white lab coat, obviously a scientist, through a small corridor with the windows showing large training fields with children seemingly training in them, playing football and completing all kinds of drills.

"Don't be in shocked, this is the footballing programme that left the world in awe. A facility that could produce the best players in the world with pure ease. Creating egotistical maniacs who could decide a match on their own." The scientist muttered as they continued to walk.

"It is unethical to say the least. Making mere children abandon the joys of life just to make money. Football should be fun, not a job." North replied, clearly uncomfortable.

"It seems we have differing philosophies on what football is. I think it is about seeing the true limits of human perfection and surpassing them. Which is why I am shocked at your request." The doctor said as he opened a particular room.

"Shocked at what. It's a simple transfer request for a player who fits our needs." North replied seeming confused. "I understand that part. It's just that this facility can produce any type of player you want, with a specific profile tailored for you. Why on Earth would your Coach want one of our defects?" The doctor stated as a young, 24-year-old Japanese man walked out of the room with a bag of clothes, in a trading kit. "Let's go kid." North simply said. As the man followed him.

The next day.

China, Beijing.

Supa Strikas Training camp.

+/- 36 hours to match against Beijing Red Dragons.

"Come on boys, get that jetlag off your body, we have a game tomorrow." Spenza stated as the players all sluggishly jogged around the pitch.

"Think we will win Coach?" Klaus stated, wearing branded tracksuits.

"No chance, we will be lucky if we lose by 2 goals." Spenza replied.

"Red Dragons are the Asian Champions, they are going to be playing in the Super League no.2 this season. Not at all a team on out level." Klaus said, stuffing his face with some chocolate.

"It's not that. It's just that their mentality is different from ours. They don't have a better team than ours. They are just in a good mood that's all."

"What do you mean?" Klaus asked.

"A good mood can change any result in football. A team that believes is one of the best teams in the world will al‐ways beat a team that has just discarded their best player." Spenza stated as he wrote something down.

"I SEE."

"Out of our four pretty Friendly's this month, we only need to win one. The one back home." "60 000 fans screaming is the only way to destroy a good mood, huh?" "BINGO!" Spenza stated.

Somewhere Across Korean Airspace.

A private jet on a flight towards Beijing.

North is sitting on a table eating as the Japanese player seems to be drying his hair. Now wearing a simple white t-shirt and pants he sits down and starts eating from another plate.

"Your... coach... want me? Why?" The man asked, in a Japanese accent of scrambled English.

"Your file. Taiko Suzuki. Top dribble speed-23km/h, top speed- 35km/h, pressing efficiency 90%, pass accuracy 89% dribble precision 87%, ex g/a per game 1,79. That is one of the most versatile profiles in football today." North replied, putting a file with Taiko's picture on the table.

"But I am not perfect. Not perfect for Blue Lock. I... am just... Bad Product. Can't Score much, not very good at de‐fending." Taiko replied, seemingly confused.

"We aren't buying you to defend now are we. And you don't need to score either. If you keep spamming those accurate Passes You will be perfect product in the coaches' eyes." North replied as he continued to eat. "I see." Taiko stated as he also ate.