|| Prove Your Worth ||

"You ready," Yukimiya asked Sho as they began putting on their assigned jerseys over their Blue Lock jumpsuits. "Yeah, of course, I'm just ready to see how good you and Karasu are," answered Sho, gazing towards their jerseys. "I agree," spoke Yukimiya, looking towards Karasu's number 6 badge. From across the changing room, Karasu caught Yukimiya's gaze and lightly chuckled. "No need to feel down Yukimiya, you're only four points below me. We should both worry about Sho. He's the weak link in our team." Stated Karasu as Sho pulled on the sleeves of his number 14 jersey. "You'll learn to respect me sooner or later." Said Sho as he stepped out of the changing room towards the pitch.

In the empty field, two big monitors hung from the walls. One monitor swiftly counted down from two and a half minutes until the start of their match, while the other monitor showed the rank of everyone that was about to battle.

Tabito Karasu: Rank 6

Kenyu Yukimiya: Rank 10

Shihoin Sho: Rank 14

Versus

Eita Otoya: Rank 8

Shoei Baro: Rank 12

Meguru Bachira: Rank 18

'Where have I heard Baro's name?' Thought Sho, as he soon disregarded his thoughts about the player. He analyzed the field, immediately noticing the small size of the pitch, as well as Blue Lock Man as his goalkeeper from the corner of his eye. Sho poked and prodded the hologram until the rest of the players came out from their respective sides.

"Out of the way trash. Don't stand in front of me." Angrily said from across the field.

Sho turned his back from Blue Lock Man and watched as the rest of his team and Otoya's walked out from their respective sides of the large room, housing a miniature field.

The two large monitors that hung from the walls quickly changed from their ranking and showed the mysterious man known as Jinpachi Ego, as he got straight to the point, disregarding formalities.

"This match will happen on this mini field that has an area of 40(131 feet) by 30 (98 feet) meters. The goal size is also smaller. The goalkeeper's on both sides of the field will be the hologram, Blue Lock Man. Those who win will be able to steal a player from the opposite team and advance to the next round, and the team who's a member short will go down a stage. Three versus three, first to five goals!" Jinpachi explained, releasing his finger off a button, ending his explanation.

Baro's attention was quickly averted from his trash teammates beside him to prey he's had his eyes on for more than a few weeks. Before he could confront his target, a loud ring blared every second counting, down from five, stopping him in his tracks.

He leisurely got into position and stretched his arms as everyone else followed suit, mentally and physically preparing themselves.

Animosity slowly grew in some of their hearts as both teams imagined the other under their boot.

Each second felt like an eternity as the clock counted down from three seconds.

3....

2...

1..

Kickoff!

Sho started the kickoff with a quick pass towards his higher-ranked teammate, Karasu. "Let's see what you got," whispered Sho.

"I know what to expect from him, so let me deal with him," said Otoya, addressing the rest of his teammates. "Whatever you say, I got Sho then," added Bachira.

Karasu paused in his movements as he received the ball and ushered Otoya closer, motioning his pointer finger. Otoya accepted his challenge and pressured Karasu, pressing his body into his back. Yukimiya saw Karasu getting pressured and signaled for a pass but was quickly rejected as Karasu's piercing blue eyes were filled with determination to pass Otoya.

Karasu brought the ball to his right foot and spun past Otoya in one swift motion. He, unfortunately, couldn't go far as Otoya trapped the ball under his foot.

"Come on. You thought that'd work against me?" Taunted Otoya, turning towards Tabito's grinning self.

'What was he grinning about?' Thought Otoya, blindly turning back in the direction of Karasu's goal. Suddenly, the savage and selfish man is known as Baro, as he rushed towards Otoya, briskly stealing the ball from his teammate.

"What the hell are you doing?" Shouted Otoya as Baro flew past him. "Shut the fuck up, you shitter!" Shouted back Baro as he inched closer and closer towards his prime hotspot for a goal.

His plans fell through as Sho quickly placed himself in front of Baro and took up a defensive stance, ready to steal the ball from Baro at a second's notice.

"Sho right," asked Baro, as Sho replied with a simple nod since he didn't feel like conversing with his enemy.

"Let's see if your sub-par defensive skills can keep up! Yelled Baro, madly rushing right through Sho. 'Well, aren't you aggressive?' Sho thought, as he kept up with his little rush towards the goal.

Sho's Superior Spatial Awareness kicked in, finding his glasses-wearing teammate behind Baro. He went in for an all-or-nothing tackle as Baro expected that reaction, briefly moving to the left, pausing for only a moment.

That moment was all Yukimiya needed, stealing the ball from Baro's grasp.

Yukimiya traveled down the miniature field, with the ball in tow, until he matched up with his first challenger.

"You should bring over Otoya because you won't win this 1v1." Yukimiya proudly said, inching closer and closer towards Bachira.

"I think I'll be just fine." Responded Bachira, going in for a steal.

Yukimiya feinted the ball towards the right, then quickly spun around with the heel of his left foot in one swift motion. He rushed through Bachira, making quick work of him.

"They never learn."

After disposing of Bachira, Yukimiya contemplated facing the next attacker or simply shooting over him since he was in range for a goal. He chose the latter.

Before Yukimiya decided to kick the ball, he sadistically watched as Otoya charged him. As soon as he was close enough, Yukimiya threw his leg back and kicked the turf under the football, popping it up well over Otoya. Otoya immediately stopped in his tracks and jumped for the ball as it was all for naught, as the ball landed perfectly in the top right corner of the goal.

Sho, Karasu, and Yukimiya 1 - 0 Otoya, Baro, and Bachira

Yukimiya didn't waste any more energy celebrating and jogged back to his position, preparing for their retaliation.

"Nice job," Complemented Sho as Yukimya got into position with Karasu.

Bachira started the kickoff and passed towards Baro, receiving it.

"That bastard, I'll crush you!" Shouted Baro as veins on his forehead began to bulge. Smoke erupted from the sides of his ears as he began ignoring his open teammates and charged Sho for the second time.

Baro learned from the first encounter with Sho and decided to use his Superior Physique. He purposely got within three meters (five feet) of Sho and kicked the ball towards his head, which Sho wasn't expecting, blinking in surprise.

The ball barely grazed Sho's head, resulting in it gracefully popping up in the air. He used his Spatial Awareness but couldn't stop Baro from his full sprint towards the ball, as Baro left off where he was and used all his power to kick the ball in the goal.

Sho, Karasu, and Yukimiya 1 - 1 Otoya, Baro, and Bachira.

"I don't need anyone!" Shouted Baro, convincing himself.

Sho's adrenaline spiked as he returned from his goal and stayed stationary in the center circle, patiently waiting for everyone to get into their positions.

Immediately after everyone got into position, Sho ramped up his Spatial Awareness as he began thinking of the most optimal shot and lightly grinned, figuring it out. The plastic spikes under his cleats dug into the soil as Sho got ready for the kickoff. As he took a few steps from behind the ball, Bachira soon realized what was about to happen.

'The Spinless Shot,' thought Bachira, remembering the time Sho practiced that weapon while he watched from the sidelines a few years ago.

'Only you could've caught on, Bachira.' Thought Sho, as he tiptoed to the ball and lightly kicked under the ball with his left foot.

The ball delicately rose from the ground, as the Blue Lock logo on the ball was visible. Moving closer and closer towards the goal, Bachira made it in time to reach the goal. All he could do was jump for the ball and hopelessly watch as the ball unpredictably curved past his head and into the goal.

Sho, Karasu, and Yukimiya 2 - 1 Otoya, Baro, and Bachira.

Otoya was thoroughly impressed by the elegant kick and softly clapped. "That was pretty good."

Sho turned around and half-heartedly grinned at both of his teammate's impressed expressions. "Yukimiya, you think you could steal the ball from them?" Asked Sho, as Yukimiya nodded in response.

Bachira slowly strolled back to the center circle for the kickoff and quickly forgot about the goal.

Baro signaled for the ball as Bachira harshly turned away from him and passed to Otoya.

'Yeah right, you ball hog.'

Otoya was quick enough on his feet to immediately collect the ball and run down the field with it. Yukimiya traced Otoya's movements and constantly pressured him—going in for steals at random times, failing to obtain the ball from Otoya's erratic dribbles.

It seemed like Yukimiya needed some help as Karasu joined him in guarding Otoya while Sho kept his tight defense on Bachira, leaving Baro wide open.

In anger, Baro yelled. "To me." Signaling for a pass from Otoya.

Otoya trusted in his weapons and kindly ignored Baro's pleas. Instead, he dribbled past Yukimiya and blinked in amazement, turning around and watching Karasu easily catch up to him.

Karasu chased after Otoya, quickly trapping him. Otoya didn't expect that intense pressure as his tight dribbles loosened, resulting in Karasu kicking the ball up towards the center circle.

"Get it, Yukimiya. Then send it my way, towards the goal." Yelled Sho, running towards the abandoned side of the field, where no one but Blue Lock Man stood.

Yukimiya followed Sho's request and put some of his strength behind his pass down the field.

The ball reached the other side of the field in a split second as Sho dove for the ball with his outstretched leg, roughly arching the ball over Blue Lock Man's head and into the net.

Sho, Karasu, and Yukimiya 3 - 1 Otoya, Baro, and Bachira.

Sho harshly shoved his closed fist in the air in excitement after that play.

"Nice pass, Yukimiya." He shouted as everyone got back into position.

Before the kickoff, Karasu aimlessly spoke to his teammates. "I've got mostly everyone figured out more or less, so let's put them away."

Sho nodded in agreement with Karasu as Bachira stepped out of the center circle and let Baro in, immediately alerting Sho as Baro gazed in Sho's direction and laughed.

"I'll beat all of you by myself!"

Sho read into the field's future and watched as Baro scored in his mindscape but returned to reality as Baro got ready to kick.

Baro threw his leg back and used all the power in his muscles to kick the ball across the field as Sho ran for the goal and angled himself perfectly, stopping Baro's goal attempt.

Right at the goal line, Sho stood with the ball under his cleat. He slowly walked up the field. Progressively increasing his pace the, closer he got to the midfield line. By the time he got to the midfield line, he was already in a full-blown sprint as Sho surveyed the field with his Spatial Awareness and saw Karasu signaling for the ball. Before he passed it towards him, he waited for his oncoming attacker to get closer, giving Karasu more space. Once he was in arm's length of Otoya, he sharply cut it towards the open space Karasu was occupying.

With the ball in Karasu's possession, he rolled it away from him and waited until he saw Baro rush for the ball from the corner of his eye. Just as Baro was about to kick the ball, Karasu abruptly rolled it back to him and watched as Baro ran by him.

'You think you'd learn from the first two times.' Thought Karasu as he continued down the field with the ball.

With Sho blocking Bachira from pursuing him, and Otoya three meters (10 feet) away. Karasu decided to play with the ball, lightly kicking it up, then turning around and kicking the ball with the heel of his foot, resulting in his team's fourth goal.

Sho, Karasu, and Yukimiya 4 - 1 Otoya, Baro, and Bachira.

As soon as Karasu scored the team's fourth goal, dread overcame Bachira. The sudden thought of losing soon enveloped all of Bachira's mind as he began convincing himself that he'd be chosen for Sho's team.

Bachira shook himself and thought back on all of his plays during the game while he walked back to his position.

'I've barely done anything this game. Really? What the hell have I done?'

"Hey Otoya, go in the center circle and pass it to me," Bachira said, repositioning himself."

Otoya kicked it towards Bachira as he received the ball and instantly looked up, surveying the field.

He jogged with the ball until he met Sho halfway towards their goal. Bachira spotted both Otoya and Baro running down the field. Hell would have to freeze over before Baro ever passed to him, so he angled it perfectly into Otoya's chest.

Bachira continued down the middle of the field after Otoya received the ball.

As long as Sho was two steps behind him, he knew he had a shot for a goal. Bachira continued down the middle of the field, then signaled for the ball again, as Otoya kicked it back.

"Hell yeah." Uttered Otoya, watching Bachira lock the ball behind his foot, then heel flicking it over Yukimiya.

"Uh, oh. Bachira broke through." Warned Yukimiya, turning his back from the goal and running alongside Bachira, fighting for control of the ball.

Right behind their fight for the ball, Sho stood, patiently analyzing the situation, looking for the right time to attack. Baro unexpectedly reached Sho's peripherals as he ran from the right side of the field towards the goal — interrupting Sho from finding the ideal opportunity to steal the ball.

Baro continued down the side of the field until he was in arm's reach of Bachira's scuffle with Yukimiya but, Sho roughly blocked Baro from ruining the one v. one.

Both Bachira and Yukimiya lunged forward, extending their legs towards the ball. Bachira's foot was inches from the ball as Yukimiya utilized his longer legs to kick the ball up and over nearly everyone.

The ball violently rose from the ground it was previously on, erratically moving through the air until it unexpectedly landed in the laps of the young player with dark purple hair.

"Well. Count your lucky stars." Ominously whispered Karasu.

He drove down the field while Bachira and Yukimiya rose from their downed positions.

Only Otoya and Sho realized what was about to happen as Sho lazily sat down on the turf and watched what was about to unfold. Meanwhile, Otoya lately reacted to Karasu obtaining the ball.

Having all the time in the world, Karasu peeked over his shoulder and tauntingly waved his hands goodbye. With little to no difficulty, Karasu shot the ball through the net, ending the game.

Sho, Karasu, and Yukimiya 5 - 1 Otoya, Baro, and Bachira.

"Well, I'd count us even now."

Sho's tone took a bit of a disrespectful turn as the smile on his face remained unchanged. Getting up from his sitting position, he jogged down the field and greeted Karasu with open arms.

After their minute-long celebration, they approached all three players of the losing team and decided their fates.

"I'll admit, you helped the team the most so, I want you to decide who should be on our team cause none of them stood out to me." Uttered Yukimiya with no remorse.

"You know who I'd like to join the team but, I agree with Yukimiya in letting you decide who should join our team." Said Karasu, voicing his opinion.

Both teammates left Sho to decide their fates as they both walked through the winner's gate.

With their lingering words in Bachira's mind, he knew that he'd be chosen. His hopeless eyes soon gained a little light in them as he looked up towards Sho, dismissing his last comment.

"Just us...

....

....

...

..

Eita Otoya."

Any chance of their friendship faded with those parting words as Sho turned his back on Bachira and continued down the winner's gate towards the next stage.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes, that just happened.

Hopefully, you enjoyed reading this chapter.