Yoichi Isagi took a sip of water but didn't answer Hyōma Chigiri right away. Clearly, he still hadn't made up his mind.
From beside him, Bachira spoke up directly.
"It's Team A, right?"
"Huh? Yeah."
"You really do know me."
Hearing that, Bachira grinned and went on,
"The only ones you've ever teamed up with are Ryūma and Rin from Team A."
"But if you really pick them, it's a huge gamble."
"In front of those two, trying to both 'coexist' and show your 'own style' won't be easy."
"Yeah…"
After replying, Yoichi fell silent, his thoughts spinning.
(Showing my worth in a team with Ryūma and Rin won't be easy.)
(Their presence could completely overshadow me—I might end up doing nothing.)
(Should I pick a different team instead…?)
...
Meanwhile, in the 'TOP 6' VIP lounge—
Ryūma lay sprawled out in his private room, groaning.
"So boring~ So boring~"
"Hey, Rin! How strong is your brother really? What are our chances?"
For once, Rin actually answered him.
"One hundred percent."
"Huh? Be honest—have you ever actually beaten your brother before?"
When Rin went quiet again, Ryūma sighed in exasperation.
"So, not even once? Then how can you say one hundred percent?"
"I will beat him," Rin said flatly. "I'll crush his dreams."
Ryūma rolled his eyes and muttered inwardly,
(Sure, sure. You just want to surpass your big brother so he'll finally say, 'My little brother's amazing,' huh?)
Then, the announcement came.
"Voting is now closed. The ultimate mission for the Third Selection will begin shortly.
All participants, put on your suits and assemble immediately!"
Ryūma's eyes lit up at the voice echoing through the room. The moment it ended, he was the first to shout,
"Nice! Time to roll out, everyone! You'll all get crushed by me eventually, but let's go through the motions first!"
Everyone else in the room—except Ryusei Shido and Rin Itoshi—glared daggers at him.
...
Final Mission – Assembly Area
Yoichi Isagi stretched his arms, waiting for further instructions from the mechanical voice while focusing his thoughts.
(Alright… the ultimate mission that leads to the match against the U-20 Japan National Team——)
(The 'Adaptive Training' to fight for a spot on the 'Blue Lock Selection Team' is about to begin!!)
(I've chosen Team A!!)
(Sandwiched between Rin and Ryūma… showing my presence there will be the key!)
(I've got to give everything I have in this match!!)
Once everyone had gathered, the mechanical female voice spoke again from the giant screen.
"Very well. I'll now tally the votes."
"Combining the first and second choices, the group distribution is as follows——"
Beep!
As she spoke, the large screen displayed the results:
Group A — 12 members
Group B — 8 members
Group C — 9 members
Seeing the results, Yoichi instinctively glanced at Bachira beside him.
(Ah, Bachira...)
(He picked Team A too!)
The voice paused briefly, letting everyone check their names, before continuing,
"There will be five matches in total. During the final match, Kenyu Yukimiya will join Team B."
"Each match will be six hours apart. Additionally, to maintain fairness—"
"Participants may not view the results of other matches before their own."
The screen then shifted, displaying the full match schedule:
Match 1: Team A vs Team B
Match 2: Team A vs Team C
Match 3: Team B vs Team C
Match 4: Team A vs Team B
Match 5: Team A vs Team C
"Without further delay, the first match will now begin: Team A vs Team B."
"First, three players will be randomly selected from each team—"
No sooner were the words spoken than a lottery machine appeared on-screen, spinning with a metallic clatter.
"Team A's first player is——"
Clank, clank~
"Nijiro Nanase!!"
Nanase stepped forward calmly. "Here."
The machine spun again.
"Next, the second player——"
Clank, clank~, whoosh~
"Yo Hiori!!"
Hiori nodded lightly.
"Me, huh? Looks like I'll be fighting alongside Ryūma right from the start."
The machine kept spinning.
"And the third player for Team A——"
Clank, clank~, whoosh~
"Yoichi Isagi!!"
Yoichi froze in surprise, stammering,
"Ah—p-present!"
Standing beside him, Gin Gagamaru couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Pfft—hahaha! You should've seen your face!"
Yoichi, too focused on what was happening, didn't even notice.
(So suddenly? I'm playing in the first match already?!)
"Now, we'll select Team B's players——"
The machine spun once more.
Clang, clang~, whoosh~
"First, Kyohei Shiguma!!"
"Second, Kairu Saramadara!!"
Raichi and Gagamaru groaned in unison.
"Man, those two look like trouble."
"A golem and a brute—great."
The voice spoke again,
"And finally, the third player——"
Clang, clang~, whoosh~
"Shoei Barō!!"
"Hmph. About time. I was getting impatient!"
Yoichi's eyes widened as he blurted out,
"Barō?!"
Shoei Barō glanced his way, smirking.
"See you on the field, rookie."
Yoichi ignored the taunt, his mind racing.
(No way… it's Barō?! This is bad!)
(He'll definitely be marking me the whole match...)
Bachira laughed softly beside him.
"An opponent you know inside out~"
Moments later, the mechanical voice concluded,
"Alright. All six players from Teams A and B—"
"Please put on your numbered vests and head to the entrance."
Yoichi took a deep breath, steeling himself.
(Stay calm. The opponent doesn't matter!)
(Focus—and show your worth in this team!)
(At the very least, I have to match Ryūma and Rin perfectly!)
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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