The Birth of A Hero

As the final whistle blew, the U-20 players collapsed onto the grass in frustration and exhaustion, evident in their expressions.

On the other hand, the Blue Lock players and bench erupted into cheers, filling the stadium with loud shouts of joy as they celebrated.

Anri couldn't believe it. They had actually done it—they had won the match. Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she let the reality of their victory sink in.

Murano's teammates quickly rushed from the field to celebrate with him, their faces beaming with the thrill of winning—and ultimately taking the spots that belonged to the U-20 players.

Kurona patted Murano's shoulder in admiration. "Great job," he praised. "You scored a hat-trick and helped us secure the win."

"That's what I'm here for," Murano added jokingly.

Even though he was completely exhausted after the game, all of Murano's teammates gathered around him, and he found himself at the center of attention.

On the other side...

"I was wrong. I thought this small island could never give birth to any decent striker." Itoshi Sae said as he walked up to Itoshi Rin.

"Brother," Itoshi Rin muttered.

"A striker who can completely dominate a match, huh? " Surely Hayashi Murano is the one who can change this country's football." Itoshi Sae added as he stared at Murano, whose teammates had now swarmed him.

"An egoist like that might have what it takes. Japan can still change." Sae said as he left the pitch.

The proceedings quickly moved forward as the U-20 players walked off disappointed by the game's outcome, their defeat reflected in the large score margin.

"Hey, Murano! They're calling for you!" They want to interview you on TV!" Nishioka said it happily.

"Okay," Murano replied.

"Yes, hurry up and go!" Nishioka urged him.

"Okay," Murano responded, his voice increasing in volume.

"Hurry!" Nishioka repeated eagerly, clearly hyped up about it.

"Okay!!" Murano yelled back, starting to feel annoyed at Nishioka's constant reminders.

Murano was pretty familiar with these events, as he had media training when he was a kid back in his own world.

He scanned the scene and saw the sportscaster, interviewer, photographers, and cameras all set up and ready to go.

As he approached, the interviewer exclaimed, "Ah! "Here he is!" he said, holding a microphone and a small notebook in his hand.

"Hayashi Murano, who scored three goals for the Blue Lock Eleven and made a single assist to win the match," The interviewer introduced Murano to the audience.

As he walked to the stage where the cameras and everything were, Murano was composed and calm.

"Please let us know your thoughts and feelings on the match," the interviewer asked.

"I'm excited about my performance, so I'm feeling good," Murano replied without stretching his responses.

"It appears your win today will allow you to enter the U-20 team, although you could easily break through to the first team of the actual Japan team. "Do you want to share what your goals are going forward?"

"HaYaShi MuRaNo!!"

"HaYaShi MuRaNo!!"

The sound of the chanting crowd filled Murano's ears, and he couldn't help but think about his lifelong dream of becoming the greatest footballer. It was a dream that had carried over from his past life before he died tragically while chasing a ball across the street. This time around, he was determined to not give up on football.

"I want to become the Greatest Of All Time." He declared, looking determined.

"And to begin that journey... I will lead Japan to victory in the U-20 World Cup."

_______

Blue Lock

Main Stadium Locker Room

"Damn, Murano, you were so cool in that interview!"

"Yeah, you carried an aura of professionalism... Now that I think about it, you didn't even stutter," Hiori pointed out.

"Just as I expected from our hero," Kunigami added, despite never having played with Murano before. He knew Murano was extraordinary.

"Sucks that I couldn't play," Karasu said, looking sad but shaking that off quickly.

Nishioka shared the same sentiment, as he had been injured prior to the game, so he couldn't play.

"But hey, still, we really did win!" Nishoika yelled happily.

"We are going to be the U-20 team now♪!" Shidou screamed with excitement.

"Yeah!!" The whole team screamed back excitedly.

Anri walked into the locker room. "Everyone, you all gave it your best effort," she said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"Stop crying, moron. You are making it look like this result is some kind of miracle." Ego chimed in, scratching his neck.

"Ego... But they are..." Anri replied with joyful tears still rolling down her cheeks.

Ego cut her off as he took the stage. "Calm yourselves. We won, just as planned."

"I-I'm sorry," Anri whispered.

Ego started off by saying, "Our team struggled in the beginning and missed chances, but then Shidou broke through to score, up until then, it was exactly as I had planned."

"However, Murano's hattrick on such a grand stage exceeded my expectations," Ego admitted, doubting that Murano could handle the pressure. Murano's previous records outside of Blue Lock showed that he had only played in one match and was usually not a starter.

Ego continued his analysis, "This victory was brought on by every one of you here. You all have surely... made this place in the world where football was the most heated. And grasped victory at a turning point in your lives."

"Congratulations, you unpolished gems. You've accomplished something amazing." Ego praised the Egoists.

"However, this cannot become the peak of your football lives. This victory isn't the end of a fight. It's the true beginning for Blue Lock." Ego reminded them.

"Murano may have stolen the spotlight today, but we all still have equal chances in the future."

"I intend to make one of you the best striker in the world." The dream hasn't changed. Prepare yourselves, you unpublished gems. BLUE LOCK HAS REACHED A POINT OF NO RETURN." Ego walked off as he concluded his speech.

"Outrageous words that sharpen the mind. Very stylish," Aryu said as he stroked his hair.

"Very nice. I'm getting excited. Yeah, same here." Bachira said, looking determined.

After chatting amongst themselves for a while, Anri chimed in and interrupted their conversation.

"Alright! So today, as a special bonus for your victory today, the menu at the cafeteria will be super luxurious and all-you-can-eat!. This is all I can personally do for guys... But I want all of us to celebrate today!!" Anri told them.

"Heck yeah!!" Karasu yelled.

"Celebrate all night, baby!" Gagamaru screamed.

"I'll take a bath first." Hiori said as he made his way out.

The rest of the team happily talked about food as they walked to the cafeteria.

Blue Lock

Score

U-20 Japan 2-5 Blue Lock

 | 10' Ryusei Shidou

27' Itoshi Rin|

 |28' Hayashi Murano

 |45' +2 Seishiro Nagi

50' Itoshi Rin|

 |62' Hayashi Murano

 |80' Hayashi Murano

Blue Lock Project

Phase One: COMPLETE

WILD CARD

The shockwaves of the Blue Lock Project reach the world... And finally, the seal on that heavy door is opened!!

Meanwhile, the survivor of the Blue Lock Wild Card walks out the door.

In the shadows, the winner stood tall with a strong and muscular physique as he walked out... What really happened in that room?

What horrors, what challenges did they endure within those walls?

We all knew the odds were stacked against him yet he still survived in the original manga.

But, who would have thought?

Stepping out of the door is none other than... Igarashi Igaguri!

The man with more plot armor than Batman himself!

If anyone had the mental and physical fortitude to endure such an intense environment, it was none other than the monk himself.