Chapter 65: Without Realizing It… He Has Become Everyone's Enemy!
Very soon, Kira Ryosuke told the other four that he would be forming a team with Nagi Seishirō.
"We just happen to have four people total, so if one of us joins Kira's team, the remaining three can form another team."
As Isagi Yoichi spoke, he looked around.
"So… how should we divide ourselves?"
"Well, I actually have an idea."
At that moment, Bachira Meguru suddenly raised his hand.
"I don't plan on teaming with Kira! Our previous matches basically turned into his one-man show! This time I want to perform properly on my own!"
Hearing Bachira's words, Isagi also fell silent.
He couldn't keep relying on Kira. He needed to grow by himself.
Thanks to Kira's guidance during training, the shooting test earlier, and his own spatial awareness, Isagi had developed a new move—volleying at the exact moment of receiving the ball.
He named it Direct Shot Bullet.
Though it came slightly later than in the original story, Isagi had truly mastered it—but hadn't yet had the opportunity to use it.
Like Bachira, he wanted to see how far he could go without Kira.
"Then I'll team with Bachira!"
Isagi said seriously.
"I want to see my real level—
Even though I know I'm still extremely far from you, Kira, I'll do everything I can to catch up!"
Kira smiled and nodded at the sight of Isagi's determination.
Although Isagi hadn't had much of a chance to shine in the first selection, he had been undergoing intense training with Kira, receiving guidance every day. His physical ability and technical skill were already beyond his original timeline.
He would certainly shine in future matches.
"I also want to see which one of us is the fastest in Blue Lock."
Chigiri Hyōma laughed and bumped fists with Kira.
Just like that, the teams were decided:
Team 1: Isagi Yoichi, Bachira Meguru, Chigiri Hyōma
Team 2: Kira Ryosuke, Nagi Seishirō, Kunigami Rensuke
Kira turned to look at Kunigami. In the original story, Kunigami failed at this stage.
Though strong, he was still defeated by even stronger opponents.
And Blue Lock had a revival round—eliminated players would fight for a single revival spot.
Kunigami eventually won the revival match, but afterward was corrupted by Ego Jinpachi's ideology; his once honorable nature twisted into selfishness.
But Kunigami and Kira had a good relationship. If Kunigami followed Kira's lead in the same team, things could change.
"Then let's get going."
"Yeah!"
The six of them went through the door together, heading to the next room.
Meanwhile, in another hall, Mikage Reo sat gloomily on the floor. His eyes were filled with despair as if his soul had left his body.
At that moment, a silhouette appeared in front of him.
"Looks like your partner got taken by Kira. That genius with the terrifying trapping ability, right?"
Reo lifted his head toward the voice. He recognized the person—
Niko Ikki.
"What's it to you?"
Reo raised his head slightly, fixing his gaze on him.
"Don't you want revenge against Kira Ryosuke?"
At those words, the fire in Reo's eyes reignited.
Not only because of Kira—
but because Nagi Seishirō had abandoned him.
That bitter frustration continued brewing in Reo's heart.
"I'll make Nagi understand that choosing that guy was a mistake."
Reo stood up, his voice ice-cold.
"And the third member?"
"He's right here—another one who hates Kira Ryosuke to the bone."
Niko smiled and turned his head.
It was Barou Shouei.
...
Kira and the others arrived in another room.
Currently, only one team was there—
Itoshi Rin's team.
"Do you insects only know how to waste time?"
Rin scanned everyone with an arrogant gaze, finally stopping on Kira.
"The latest BL rankings are now being announced. The ranking order is based on the time you completed the first stage."
At that moment, Ego Jinpachi's face appeared on the wall screen.
The numbers on their badges changed.
Kira Ryosuke's badge now read "1".
"If you think this is such a waste of time, then why are you only second?"
Kira replied with a smile.
Isagi gulped nervously beside him—Rin's presence was overwhelming, yet Kira acted completely relaxed.
"Insect. This was just a boring stage."
A vein twitched on Rin's face.
"Ahem."
Ego coughed twice, interrupting the exchange.
"This is the third phase. Among the already formed three-man teams, you will now fight in mini matches. The goalkeeper for each team will be BLUELOCK MAN. First to five goals wins. The winning team will choose one player from the losing team to form a four-man team and proceed to the next stage. The first team to gather five members advances. Those who remain unchosen at the end are eliminated.
This is the Rivalry Battle."
Ego paused, then pointed at the screen.
"Also, you may choose your opponents freely, but only if both teams agree to it."
Ego finished explaining. Just as he was about to close the projection—
"Ego, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Regarding earning points for scoring goals—this rule still applies in later rounds, correct?"
Ego hesitated, then nodded.
"Of course. But due to the special nature of this round, if you want to exchange points for outside privileges, you must wait until this round is over."
"That's fine."
Kira smiled.
Aida Riko had already secured her place in the league. Her matches were beginning soon. Kira had promised to watch her match in person, so he had to keep that promise.
"That's all. Good luck."
After staring at Kira for a few seconds, Ego switched off the screen.
Kira turned to look at Rin. He remembered that before Rin formed his team, two other teams had entered early—
but clearly, they had heard Rin's name and witnessed his strength earlier, so they backed away from challenging him.
"So, which of you wants to die first? Not that it matters. The result is the same no matter who my opponent is. You're all just trash. I only want to keep winning."
Rin stood up, arrogance overflowing.
"What an unpleasant guy."
Bachira folded his hands behind his head, smiling excitedly.
Isagi too—his eyes were burning with willpower.
"Hey! Your opponents are us!"
Suddenly, the entrance opened again.
Three familiar figures walked in—
Niko Ikki, Mikage Reo, and Barou Shouei.
All three glared at Kira with murderous intent, each burning with the desire for revenge.
"This time, I'm winning."
"You exist only to obey! I'm the king of the field!"
"Nagi—I'll make you see that teaming with me is absolute!"
The three radiated fierce determination, as if ready to burn Kira to ashes.
"Perfect. You guys can be our first opponents."
Kira smiled.
Match confirmed.
Kira's team would face Reo's team.
Isagi's team, meanwhile, chose Rin's team as their first opponent.
Following instructions, Kira's group arrived at the field, did verification, and received their team colors—Kira's team was White, their opponents Red.
Once everything was ready, they stepped onto the new, smaller-sized pitch.
Kira looked at the Red Team: Niko Ikki, Mikage Reo, and Barou Shouei.
In the original, they were three completely different teams, but now, united by a single emotion—
Hatred for Kira Ryosuke.
In a way, they were an "Avengers Squad… of Revenge."
"From a tactical perspective, Red Team is surprisingly well-balanced."
Kunigami observed.
Niko and Reo both had offensive ability but were primarily organizers, while Barou was someone who demanded the entire team revolve around him—he would never pass. He had to be the finisher.
But now, with two selfless players supporting him, Barou's offense would shine even brighter.
"But no matter what, the ones who win will be us."
Kira replied.
"Right. We have to win."
Nagi said calmly. Kunigami smiled confidently.
"Let's settle this fair and square."
"3rd Stage Match: Red Team vs. White Team. White Team will start!"
At the whistle, Kira and his team launched the attack.
Kira dribbled quickly into the opponent's half—met immediately by Mikage Reo.
"I'll make Nagi understand that choosing you was the biggest mistake!"
Reo blocked Kira's path, refusing to give him any chance to dribble past. He narrowed the distance cautiously, analyzing Kira's movements with heightened concentration.
After ten days of hard training, Reo had grown stronger. He had long treated Kira as his imaginary rival, studying his footage obsessively, waiting for this chance at revenge.
He never expected it to come so quickly.
"Then do your best."
Kira moved.
Thunderclap and Flash!
In the next instant, Kira shot forward like a bullet—
"Damn!"
Reo growled. Kira's speed was even faster than before. But since he had intentionally kept his distance at first, Reo had a brief moment to react.
He quickly leaned back, shifting his weight to chase Kira—
But suddenly, Kira halted, spun, tapped the ball with one foot, created space instantly, and accelerated again—passing Reo effortlessly.
His explosive power and footwork made solo defending against him essentially impossible.
But at that moment, Kira sensed a presence at his blindside—
Niko Ikki.
With brilliant game sense and vision, Niko read Kira's route the moment he passed Reo, aiming to tackle from outside Kira's peripheral vision.
But Kira reacted faster.
He pivoted, shielding the ball with his back, and scanned the field.
He immediately spotted Nagi in open space.
A high-arcing pass flew toward Nagi—intentional, to avoid interference.
And Nagi would catch it.
"Bit tricky… but I can take it."
Nagi leaped high, hooked the ball mid-air—Super Trap!
And without landing—
Adjusted his body—
Shot!
1–0!
White Team scored first!