Chapter 7:The Fire Ignites

The tension in the room was palpable as Kira and the other players caught their breath after the chaotic first game of Blue Lock. Sweat dripped down their foreheads, and adrenaline still coursed through their veins. The initial shock of the competition was beginning to wear off, replaced by an unwavering determination. Kira's heart raced, not just from the thrill of the game but from the exhilaration of proving himself. This was what he had fought for—a chance to showcase his skills, to become the greatest striker in Japan.

As the players regrouped, the lights in the training room dimmed, and a massive screen flickered to life. A familiar figure appeared, the charismatic director of Blue Lock, Jinpachi Ego. The anticipation in the room grew thick; everyone was eager to hear what he had to say.

"THIS IS THE WORLD OF COMPETITION," Ego began, his voice smooth yet commanding. "THE WORLD-CLASS STRIKERS YOU SO CASUALLY ADMIRE FACE THESE COMPETITIONS EVERY DAY… AS THEY SURVIVE BY RISKING THEIR LIVES."

Kira's pulse quickened. The stakes had never felt higher. He could feel the weight of Ego's words settling over the group like a thick fog. This was not just a game; this was survival.

"HOW'S IT FEEL? RISKING YOUR LIVES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE YOU'VE BEEN BORN. ARE YOU SPOOKED? ARE YOU SHOCKED? THIS IS JUST THE WAY THINGS ARE IN BLUE LOCK."

With each sentence, Kira's resolve solidified. He had always dreamed of being a part of a world where only the best thrived. Ego continued, his voice rising in intensity, "IT'S CLEAR NOW, RIGHT? YOU REALIZE HOW SHABBY AND MEDIOCRE YOUR SOCCER LIVES WERE UP UNTIL NOW? AND YOU TREMBLED, DIDN'T YOU...? YES…! I SURVIVED!! THAT'S VICTORY."

Kira clenched his fists. He felt the heat of determination ignite within him. The feeling of surviving, of pushing through the challenges, was intoxicating. This was the moment he had prepared for—the opportunity to show the world who he truly was.

"CARVE IT INTO YOUR BRAINS!! EVERY TIME YOU FEEL THAT PLEASANT SENSATION, YOUR EGO WILL GROW AND YOU'LL GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO BECOMING THE WORLD'S BEST STRIKER."

The intensity of Ego's gaze seemed to pierce through each player. Kira could see the reflections of their dreams and fears in the eyes of his teammates. It was a reminder that they were all here for the same reason—to rise above and become the best.

"CONGRATULATIONS. YOU'VE PASSED THE BLUE LOCK ENTRANCE TEST." The words echoed in the room, and Kira felt a rush of exhilaration wash over him. They had made it through the first challenge, but there was no time to celebrate.

"THERE ARE ELEVEN OF YOU IN EACH ROOM. FROM NOW ON, YOU'LL BE LIVING TOGETHER AND SHARING A COMMON DESTINY AS BLUE LOCK'S TEAM Z."

The screen flashed to life, displaying the names of the eleven players. Kira's heart raced as he scanned the list, his eyes landing on the name he had come to respect and rival—Wataru Kuon.

In his past life, Christian Mason had known how crucial teamwork was, but here, in this new form, Kira understood that competition would also require a fierce individualism. Wataru had been a standout player, someone who had the potential to shine brightly. Kira felt a competitive spirit ignite within him, fueled by the memories of both his past and his new life.

As the names flashed across the screen, the gravity of the situation settled in. Kira could feel the weight of his ambitions pressing down on him. He was not just competing for himself; he was representing all the dreams he had fought to regain. He remembered his past life—the loss, the pain, the crushing blow of injury that had taken away his chance to play. But now, reborn as Ryosuke Kira, he had the opportunity to rewrite that fate.

As the screen faded to black, Kira stood taller, his resolve solidifying. He could not afford to hold back; he needed to give everything he had. He looked around at his teammates—some faces were determined, others were still in shock. But Kira could see the flicker of ambition in their eyes.

He stepped forward, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Let's give it our all, Team Z!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the room. "We're here to prove ourselves! We're here to become the best!"

His words hung in the air, igniting a fire within the others. Kira could see the shift; they were starting to believe.

Ego's words echoed in his mind, "RISKING YOUR LIVES." This wasn't just about soccer; it was about proving oneself, breaking through limitations, and fighting for every moment on the field.

As the reality of Blue Lock sank in, Kira knew that this was just the beginning. He was determined to seize every opportunity, to push beyond what anyone thought possible. He would not allow himself to be eliminated again. This time, he would forge his own path, battling against everyone who stood in his way.

"Are you ready to push yourselves?" Kira looked around, meeting the eyes of his teammates.

Wataru Kuon stepped forward, a determined smile on his face. "Let's show everyone what we're made of!"

Kira nodded, feeling the camaraderie form. They were in this together, but ultimately, only one could emerge as the greatest.

"Let's make this the start of something incredible!"

With that declaration, the atmosphere shifted once more. Kira could sense the eagerness from the group; they were ready to embrace the chaos, the competition, and the chance to become legends.

In the control room, Ego Jinpachi sat back, observing the screens as the players of Team Z bonded. His eyes lingered on Kira longer than usual. Something about Kira's performance intrigued him.

Ego muttered to himself, "Kira Ryosuke… or whatever you used to be called. I didn't expect you to adapt this quickly. But this isn't enough. I wonder, how far can you really go?"

Teieri Anri, standing beside Ego, noticed his focus. "Is there someone special in this batch, Mr. Ego?"

"Maybe," he said cryptically, pushing his glasses up with a smirk. "But they're all still rough diamonds. It'll take more than just surviving to truly shine."

In the room of Team Z, some time had passed since Ego finished speaking, but no one said a word. The sudden elimination and brutal reality of Blue Lock weighed heavily on their minds.

Igarashi's fate lingered in their thoughts. Although few of them had known him well, seeing someone's football career completely terminated in a single moment was unsettling. Even if he wasn't a standout player, the shock of his exit reminded them all of the stakes. This was survival of the fittest.

Kira took a deep breath, his usual cheerfulness returning as he broke the silence. "Now that we're part of the same team, let's get along well. We'll need to fight side by side in the future. I'm Kira Ryosuke, pleased to meet you."

His voice, casual yet confident, eased some of the tension in the room. He extended his hand to Kunigami, who shook it firmly. "Yeah, I'm Kunigami Rensuke. Pleased to meet you too."

One by one, the others introduced themselves. Isagi Yoichi, with a determined nod, added, "I'm Isagi Yoichi from Ichinan High School. Pleased to meet you!"

"I'm Kuon Wataru. Let's do our best together."

"Chigiri Hyoma."

With the introductions over, the tension finally seemed to dissipate. Conversations flowed more easily, and the players slowly began to explore the facilities. The gym, cafeteria, and training areas were all equipped with high-tech gear that hinted at the extreme training they'd be undergoing soon.

"Kira, would you like to have a meal together?" Isagi asked quietly, his nerves still showing.

"Sure," Kira replied with a smile, nodding his head. They headed toward the cafeteria, a spacious and immaculate area devoid of staff. Everything was managed by machines.

Kira's gaze landed on a sign that caught his attention:

One goal = 1 point, can be exchanged for desired items.

1 point: steak, massage3 points: return of mobile phone5 points: deluxe sleeping bed10 points: 1-day outing ticketKira smirked. "Ego's playing games with us even here. The more you score, the better your rewards. He's pitting us against each other, even off the field."

He wasn't too interested in the food but the rewards like phone access and better sleeping conditions intrigued him. He knew it was all part of Ego's strategy to fuel their hunger for goals—and, ultimately, for victory.

With his tray in hand, Kira found a seat with Isagi. As they began to eat, Kira couldn't help but feel the weight of the journey ahead. Every meal, every training session, every game—it all counted now. Ego's voice still echoed in his head, reminding him of the stakes.

This was just the beginning, but Kira was ready. He would survive, thrive, and rise to the top.

As they finished their meal, Kira whispered to himself, "Let's do this."