Third Selection

"The second selection has just come to an end. All the members who will advance to the third selection have now been gathered. Please promptly put on your bib uniforms and gather in the central joint room."

"Altogether, 7 teams, comprising 35 members, have successfully advanced. Members will be admitted in the order that they cleared the selection."

"1st clear team, please enter."

...

"2nd clear team, please enter."

...

Murano's POV

The door in front of us opened, and we walked through shortly after hearing "3rd clear team, please enter." Ten players from the first and second teams were already there. The first cleared team was made up of Bachira, Tokimitsu, Nagi, Rin, and Aryu. The members of the second cleared team were Kunigami, Yukimiya, Otoya, Himizu, and Yuzu.

I was very surprised to have seen Kunigami clear the second selection considering that he failed to do that in the manga. The fact that Nagi joined my team rather than Isagi's may have had an impact on this.

Since Bachira and Isagi were thinking that the last spot would go to the person who came in first, a spot was probably left for Chigiri. So that means that Kunigami joined a team that helped him clear the second selection. I wonder who would survive the wild card then.

"Murano, you also cleared the second selection as I expected," Nagi said, waving to me.

"I'm glad that you didn't think any worse of me," I responded.

"Yeah, Kurona is here too, so I guess you haven't lost since then," He replied with a smile, feeling relieved and grateful for his faith in us.

"You're the strongest here, after all, this is expected of you," he added as he went back to his team.

"Moving on, 4th Clear team, please enter,"

Gagamaru, Chigiri, Zantetsu, Kiyora, Isagi

"Moving on, 5th Clear team, please enter,"

Raichi, Reo, Wanima, Shiguma, Tanaka

"Moving on, 6th Clear team, please enter,"

Niko, Ishikari, Saramadara, Sokura, Nishioka

"Moving on, 7th Clear team, please enter,"

Nanase, Tsunzaki, Hiiragi, Endoji, Haiji

Ego continued by telling them what he had previously told Shidou and me, the fact that we had defeated the World Five, and declaring that the second selection was complete. The brand-new information was that Japan's U-20 team roster will include Itoshi Sae.

"Let's go, you unpolished gemstones. The ones to change this era of football will be Blue Lock," Ego said, after explaining the current stake of Blue Lock.

"U-20 team is a real team with actual defenders and midfielders Don't we have a disadvantage since we're all strikers?" Kunigami questioned him, unsure about the U-20 Match.

"Are some of us going to play as defenders and midfielders?" Kiyora added.

"Yeah, of course, and a goalkeeper too. Other than the forwards, we'll have to rush to patch together a team." Ego replied.

"The formation will be centered around the following six, whose names I will call out next,"

"Given your overall evaluations as of this moment, as of this moment, these individuals rank as the top 6. With the goal of putting together a team in just three short weeks, this method will be our best shot. Those who are called, step forward."

"First, as the overall number one, Hayashi Murano,"

As I stepped forward, I could feel the glances of the other players looking at me with jealousy. I wasn't bothered by it as I quietly walked up there.

"Moving on to number two, Ryusei Shidou,"

"Next, number 3, Itoshi Rin"

"Next, number 4, Kenyu Yukimiya"

"Next, number 5, Seishiro Nagi"

"Next, number 6, Ranze Kurona"

"That's all."

"Excuse me, Ego. Thinking about what lies ahead, I've got a quick question for you. What's your reason for putting me in fourth place? What's the difference between me and first place?" Yukimiya asked.

"Among the 35 of you here, Murano managed to bag a hat trick, while in second place, Shidou scored a brace against the World Five,"

Narrator's POV

Everyone was shocked by this and wondered, 'How Murano did that?' as they all turned to face Murano, who had a smug expression.

"Next, I took into consideration, how many goals you scored in the first selection, and the World Five players' personal evaluation,"

"Lastly, I used my own personal judgment. Does that answer your question? Mister Four Eyes Model," Ego ended his long explanation.

"Yes, thank you very much," Yukimuya replied, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Now then, I'll explain the next selection. First, the top six will be divided into pairs and assigned A, B, and C ranks to form three teams. Next, the remaining 29 players will decide at their own discretion which team they want to join. They will be added to their chosen team in randomized groups of three to make a complete team of five."

"While the remaining 29 players would only play in one match, the top six would be playing in multiple games,"

"Also, once the 29 who aren't in the top 6 divides into groups of three, there would be one member short for a team. So as an exception, Just one more person would have the chance to play in two matches."

"That honor would go to the runner-up, number 7, Hajime Nishioka,"

"First, the top 6 will all proceed to a different room. With that said, these rankings merely reflect your current evaluations, and they could turn completely upside down by the end of the tryouts." Ego said, prompting us to exit the room.

Murano's POV

Blue Lock

TOP 6 VIP ROOM

_______________

"Murano!" Rin shouted as he stopped me while I was heading to my room.

"You scored three goals against the World Five so what? That just adds another person I've to crush before my brother. Listen well, Murano, from now on I see you as my rival," Rin said as he brushed his hair.

"Remember this, I don't think of anyone as my rival. I'm far above anyone here. Facing the World Five made me realize that I'm the absolute best in Blue Lock. Revenge? Setback? No chance. I don't have a rival because the only one I compete with is myself," I said as I walked away.

________________

No.1 ROOM

I walked right into the "No. 1" room and laid down on the bed. Even though I wanted to rest, I couldn't wait to add the abilities of the World Five to my own.

'Add all the attributes to my own'

"Sure"

"Adding all attributes..."

[0/5]

"..."

"Adding Dada Silva's Jumping Skills."

"..."

[1/5]

"Adding Pablo Cevasoz's free kick-taking skill."

"..."

[2/5]

"Adding Adam Blake's Extreme Physique."

"..."

[3/5]

"Adding Leonardo Luna's Predator-Eye."

"..."

[4/5]

"Adding Julian Loki's Godspeed."

[0/5]

"Combination failed,"

...

What? It failed

...

"Would you like to retry?"

'Yes'

"..."

[0/5]

"..."

[1/5]

"..."

[2/5]

"..."

[0/5]

"Combination failed,"

"Would you like to retry?"

'Yes'

"..."

"retry:8"

"..."

"The system would be performing a Body reconstruction to help you maintain all these top-notch attributes."

"..."

[100%]

"Body Reconstruction Successful"

"However, It would be advisable for you to pick three attributes right now, and I'll remind you when your body can maintain more."

'Is there a reason why I can't add all of them at once?'

(A/N: Else he'd be too overpowered lol. Sorry if you're a little disappointed. What do y'all think the three abilities should be?)