[38] Team Formation Complete

"Hey, hey, I can't just pretend I didn't hear that! Didn't I already say he's my rival to defeat?" Aryu stepped in, blocking the two who were busy declaring their challenge. "What's the meaning of ignoring someone as glamorous as me?"

"Step aside, Aryu. I'm not interested in defeating someone I've already beaten once," Shinichi interrupted, cutting off Rin Itoshi, who was already on the verge of exploding. "If you want to face me again, then next time, make sure you're the first to challenge me before anyone else does."

"...I see," Aryu sighed after a brief silence. "A loser like me is once again a step behind. It's only natural you wouldn't want to fight someone as un-glamorous as me."

"But mark my words—I'll catch up to you in an even more glamorous fashion. Until then, just wait and watch."

Aoshi Tokimitsu, who had been cautiously hiding on the sidelines for a while, muttered nervously to himself, "Everyone here is so fired up... I can't even compare. People like this, the winners in life, are the ones who rule the world. Someone like me, with no confidence, will definitely get crushed."

"Hey! What are you mumbling about over there? Get over here!" Rin Itoshi, visibly annoyed, shouted at Tokimitsu, who flinched and hurried over, trembling. "Y-yes, sir…! Ugh, getting scolded by someone so overbearing. I guess someone like me is just destined to be a servant."

"What's with that guy?" Hiori asked, puzzled as he glanced at Tokimitsu. "I mean, he made it through the challenge pretty quickly, so his skills should be decent. Why does he have so little confidence?"

"Some people are just unique like that. No big deal," Shinichi replied casually. "Instead of worrying about that, how about guessing who the next one through the door will be? A steak on the line? I'm betting the next person is a guy."

"That's such a lame bet," Hiori replied, unimpressed as he shoved Shinichi aside. Just then, the doors swung open.

"So many people here already. Guess I'm a bit late?" Nishioka strolled in, stretching. His eyes landed on Shinichi. "Finally found you, you jerk!"

"Get over here! You've got some nerve—explain what you said to me that day!"

"Hahaha, sure, no problem. Perfect timing," Shinichi grinned as he dodged Nishioka's attempt to grab him. "I've got a match lined up with someone over there. Beat them, and I'll explain everything."

"..." After a brief silence, Nishioka turned his head away with a cold snort. "You think I care? Not at all! Fine, don't tell me... Besides, that's Sae Itoshi's younger brother, right? I've read some reports about him. Teaming up with him, even if I win, there's nothing glorious about it."

"I'll defeat you on my own. Until then, go ahead and bask in your little victories." Sulking, Nishioka turned his head away, refusing to look at Shinichi anymore.

Shinichi, helpless, shrugged toward Rin Itoshi, as if to say, This isn't my fault.

"Every single one of you... all trash with zero sense of urgency." Once again rejected for team formation, Rin's anger continued to simmer, steadily reaching a boiling point.

"So, who's next?" Aryu was still sulking from being rejected for a duel, Nishioka was pouting, and Rin looked ready to commit murder with a single glare.

If someone got too close, they'd immediately be subjected to his death stare.

Shinichi couldn't help but think that if Rin managed to enter the Legendary Training Camp, he'd probably awaken a special ability on the spot.

Meanwhile, Aoshi Tokimitsu looked like he wanted to melt into the floor whenever Rin even glanced in his direction, and Hiori didn't seem to have anything worthwhile to say despite his brief absence.

With nothing better to do, Shinichi propped his chin on his hand and stared intently at the tightly closed door.

Finally, the door creaked open again.

Emerging from the corridor was a figure with hair that blended shades of red and pink, styled into a short braid that dangled by his temple—Ranze Kurona.

"Um... is there something you need? You've been staring at me," he asked flatly, his eyes meeting Shinichi's.

"Ah, sorry, sorry! We're forming teams, and we've set up a little competition. Once the teams are formed, if there's an opportunity for a match, we'll face off. How about it? Interested?" Shinichi explained with a friendly smile. "See, that guy over there with the storm-cloud face like everyone owes him money, and the big guy, they're one team. As for my side, it's me and the blue-haired one over there."

"Forming a team quickly might not be a bad idea." After a brief moment of thought, Kurona nodded slightly at Shinichi with a blank expression. "Alright, I'll join your team. That other side... doesn't seem like a good fit for me."

"Alright! Rin! I finished forming my team before you!" Shinichi cheered loudly, purposefully raising his voice to provoke Rin Itoshi.

The latter shot back a murderous glare. "Shut up! Don't call my name, and I swear I'll kill you later!"

"Oh no, how scary... Come on, what's your name again? Let's get to know each other." Shinichi pretended to be frightened before enthusiastically slinging his arm around Ranze Kurona's shoulder and leading him to the side.

The room was now split in half: one side buzzing with cheerful introductions, while the other simmered with tension—a visibly furious Rin Itoshi, a trembling Aoshi Tokimitsu cowering in the corner, and two sulking losers brooding in silence.

A truly harmonious atmosphere.

Amid this chaos, Shingen Tanaka, sporting a wild afro, entered the room with a look of utter confusion.

"Team up with me!" Rin barked the moment Tanaka stepped through the door, his cold demeanor leaving no room for negotiation.

"Uh... sure, I guess? But what's going on here?" Startled, Tanaka instinctively raised his hands in defense and took half a step back.

However, Rin wasn't interested in explaining. Without another word, he strode to the door leading to the next stage. "Open it."

The door swung open, and Rin glanced back at Aoshi Tokimitsu and Tanaka. "Follow me."

"Guess we should go too," Shinichi said, standing up and stretching. As he passed by Tanaka, he gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

A confused Shingen Tanaka glanced at Aoshi Tokimitsu, who was trembling in the corner while biting his nails, and frowned. "So, can someone please explain to me what's going on here?"

...

"Yo, good to see you again, raw gems of talent." As they entered the next stage, the familiar face on the large monitor appeared right on time.

"As you've likely guessed, the third stage is a battle between the newly formed three-man teams."

"Impressive, we guessed right." Ranze Kurona gave Shinichi a thumbs-up with a completely blank expression.

Meanwhile, Ego Jinpachi continued his explanation, "In this stage, the football field will be smaller, and the goalkeeper will be a virtual player from Blue Lock. The first team to score five goals wins."

"Additionally, there's a special rule for this stage. The winning team gets to select one player from the losing team and steal them to form a new four-man team."

"With each stage, you'll gain a new teammate. Once you have a five-man team and pass the fifth stage, you'll have cleared the second selection round."

"As for the losing team, they return to the previous stage with their remaining members. If you lose even the 2v2 match, the last unselected player will be eliminated."

"This is the full scope of the second selection: a competition to claim your rivals and eliminate your enemies. Matches are self-organized, but both teams must agree to play."

"Are you done yet?" Rin interrupted, stepping forward and cutting off Ego Jinpachi's lengthy explanation. "I've heard enough. We've got two teams ready to compete. Stop wasting time and start already."

"Since Itoshi Sae, this is the first time I've wanted so badly to crush someone."

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