The hall was seething like a volcano after Igo's new announcement.
The giant screen was still blazing, displaying a single, massive message:
"A true striker doesn't need permission to make his mark."
A heavy murmur spread among the players, everyone sensing that after this announcement… things would never be the same again.
◆ Scene 1: Asaf – The Fire That Ignited
Asaf stood in the middle of the hall, head held high, his eyes wide as if they had glimpsed a new future.
Igo's words pounded inside him like a massive drum.
He felt his chest ignite… that old feeling, that genuine desire to fight, returned with even greater force.
He whispered to himself:
— "If Igo wants a striker who doesn't wait for permission… then I'll be the first one."
He clenched his fist… and took a step forward… Then he heard a familiar voice.
— "Man… you look like you're going to explode."
Pachira stood behind him, smiling that crazy smile that only appeared when the real fun began.
Asaf chuckled softly; for the first time since the show began, he actually felt like fighting.
---
◆ Scene 2: Pachira – The Beast Awakens
After Igo's announcement, Pachira felt something stir inside him, something that had been dormant for a while.
The Beast.
That strange feeling…
That desire to play freely, to run without limits, to tame the impossible.
He stood staring at Asaf:
— "Hey… Asaf. Do you hear the Beast?"
Asaf looked at him in surprise:
— "A Beast?"
Pachira moved closer, his smile widening:
— "I hear it screaming… It wants to play… It wants goals… It wants competition."
Asaf laughed despite himself.
Pachira was a mix of madness and genius, but he was the quickest player to grasp the offensive instinct.
---
◆ Scene 3: Isagi – The New Plan
Across the hall, Isagi was staring at the screen, but with a completely different perspective…
The perspective of an analyst, a player who sees what others don't.
His mind was racing.
"Ego wants a striker who doesn't wait… a striker who sees the truth before anyone else… a striker who secures victory on his own."
He breathed slowly, then said to himself:
— "If I want to become number one… I have to think like number one."
At that moment… Isagi made a crucial decision:
He would no longer depend on anyone.
He would forge his own path.
---
◆ Scene 4: Nagi – Laziness Breaks
Nagi was lying on the bench, pretending to be uninterested.
But Ryo knew the truth.
— "Nagi… I saw you flinch when Ego spoke."
Nagi slowly opened his eyes:
— "Eeah… don't exaggerate… it's just that the conversation was… fun."
Ryo grinned broadly:
— "Fun? That means you want to play."
Nagi sighed, but couldn't hide a small spark in his eyes:
— "I guess… I want to win. Just so I'm not inferior to them."
That was the first time Nagi had ever admitted to a genuine desire…
And that alone was explosive.
---
◆ Scene 5: Ryo – The Heir Who Decided to Rebel
Ryo saw everything.
He saw how Asaf changed… how Isagi ignited… how the beast in Bachira awoke… and how Nagi finally moved.
He whispered to himself:
— "If I stay the same… they'll all surpass me."
Ryo wanted to be the best…
Not to imitate anyone…
But to write his own glory.
For the first time, he felt that he wasn't just Nagi's follower.
---
◆ Scene 6: Chigbury – Speed Isn't Enough
Chigbury was running in the corner, nonstop.
Whenever he felt pressured… he ran.
But today… running wasn't enough.
He stopped abruptly and said:
— "Speed alone won't make me a real striker."
He clutched his chest, pressing hard against his heart:
— "I need more… I need something to devour the pitch."
That was his first admission that running… wasn't enough anymore.
---
◆ Final Scene: Ego's Shocking Announcement
The screen shook again.
Ego appeared with his cold, grinning face.
— "Attackers…
Prepare yourselves. The next challenge will break half of you…
and lift the other half to glory."
He paused for a moment… then added:
— "The next mission starts in 24 hours.
And only the survivors… will remain in the Blue Lock."
The screen went dark.
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Then…
The real competition began.