SWNOVELXO Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Blue Lock
1 month later...
***
Each day, for 15 hours, the masterpiece was given a set number of shots and goal conversions, dribbling sessions, passing drills, and impossible physical milestones that tested his body's capabilities.
Failure to meet requirements of the day meant immediate elimination from the program.
5 hours a day at the very least, was spent on watching soccer, formations, positions, specific historical moments, and dissecting the Japanese National team. Ayanokouji acted like a sponge and absorbed the information word-for-word.
The remaining 4 hours were for sleep and meal time.
Food was distributed based on performance. Barely meeting the goals of the day granted Ayanokouji bland rice and water. Exceeding it dispensed steak, ramen, and sausages.
Countless hours of training and coordination with a ball engraved itself into Ayanokouji's mind. For 31 days, he ate, lived and breathed soccer.
Despite the grueling training, it was very familiar for him. Thus, his endurance never wavered.
Finally, once the grueling training hit the 31st day, Ego finally entered the room and looked down at Ayanokouji, who was dousing his head with an entire water bottle.
Ego: Can't say I expected much at the beginning for someone with no experience, but your performance was... mediocre. Your dribbling is average, so is your passing. For now, your physical attributes are your strength. They are all exceptional but you still don't know how to use them just yet. At the very least, you were able to find your weapon, albeit, it's more like a weapon walking with a cane but it's better than nothing. It's a start.
Ayanokouji: I've shown you a weapon. Now what happens?
Ego looked blankly at Ayanokouji.
Ego: While you underwent your training, I finished the preparations for Blue Lock. Two hundred and ninety nine other strikers from across the country are coming tomorrow. You'll have to stand out amongst them in order to reap the rewards. It'd be pretty pathetic if you were the first one 'locked off', dull and boring 'masterpiece.'
...
The Next Day...
...
From across all of Japan, 300 strikers arrived at a set location, confused about the invitation and the appearance of only strikers.
Most notably, walking in together, were two strikers, Isagi Yoichi...
...and Kira, the jewel of Japanese soccer.
The chatter continued to spiral about amongst the young strikers, some that were 16, and others that were already 17 or 18.
And one 'striker' snuck through a wave of strikers and passed right by Isagi and Kira.
It was Ayanokouji. He had been given normal clothes and some basic necessities in order to blend with the others. He began to survey the landscape, and noticed how confused the others were that only strikers were invited. Since Ego had already spoken to him about his goals, he was a little more informed.
As Ayanokouji waited right in the middle of the crowd of students, A tan-skinned student who was at least 3 or 4 inches taller than him, pushed right past him.
Ayanokouji: Sorry, I didn't know where I was going.
This striker didn't pay him any mind and mumbled one word before continuing about his way.
???: Boring.
After a few excruciating minutes of total confusion, a voice finally welcomed the 300 strikers into the Japan Football Union.
Ego: Congratulations, diamonds in the rough.
A spotlight lit the front stage which had a large, white, screen. Ego continued to speak.
Ego: You are 300 18 and under strikers who have been chosen according to my arbitrary and biased decision making. And I am Ego Jinpachi, the man hired to make sure Japan wins the World Cup.
Mumbles entranced the entire room, as students were taken aback from Ego's words. Ayanokouji listened from the people surrounding him and found out that Ego was essentially an unknown. No one has heard his name mentioned once in the realm of soccer.
Ego: Simply put, there's one thing Japanese soccer needs to become the best in the world: The birth of a revolutionary striker. I'll be performing an experiment here to turn one of you 300 into the world's best striker. And this is why we have BLUE LOCK.
Ego: Starting today, you will live here together and undergo the special top training I've devised. You won't be allowed to go back home and you'll say goodbye to whatever soccer life you've been living up to now.
Total silence followed. For the most part, the strikers were completely taken aback by the commitment of time this process would take, as most of them had nationals to worry about.
Ego: But I promise you this: If you manage to survive and beat out the other 299 guys here to become the last man standing, you will be the world's greatest striker. That is all. Nice to meet you all.
After his speech, one student raised their hand. It was the jewel of Japanese soccer, Kira. He wasn't exactly thrilled at hearing he'd miss out on the rest of his soccer career in highschool including the nationals.
Ayanokouji knew who he was because he had used some of his time during Project: Bland King to research other potential strikers. One such person was Kira.
Kira: I can't abide with these conditions. Each of us has a team that's depending on them. Some of us have nationals coming up. I can't abandon my team to participate in some nonsensical program.
With this, a majority of strikers agreed and shouted out their disapproval with the program. The majority had nationals and others found it annoying and completely creepy to suddenly be taken from their homes and live together with strangers.
???: Who even are you?
???: We demand to speak to someone that isn't crazy!
Ego scratched his head and listened to the flood of insults and jabs from the strikers he handpicked. Finally, he decided to break the silence.
Ego: I see. You're all serious ill, then.
Extending his hands out, Ego sighed.
Ego: 'Lock off.' Anyone who wants to leave can go. Is becoming the number one highschool team in this backwards country more important than becoming the best striker? Hm? Just thinking that the future of Japan is in your hands makes me lose hope.
Ayanokouji: (It's an honest line of thinking. Just the location was already sketchy enough. And toppled with already leaving your families and going to another facility to live for the next few months or so can also be perceived as creepy. Then again, I guess Ego would like a striker with both ego and passion for the game as if it were their lives.)
Ego: Listen up, ungrateful brats. The power of Japanese soccer is first-rate. You could call it the result of Japanese thoughtfulness. But in all other aspects, it is undeniably second-rate. Let me ask you, what is soccer? Is it about eleven players working together? Valuing your ties with others? Self-sacrifice? Playing for your teammates? This is why this country's soccer has remained weak. I'll tell you the real answer.
With a completely demented glare, Ego gave them the true answer.
Ego: Soccer is about scoring more goals than your opponent. Whoever scores the most goals is the greatest. If you just want to play friends with your buddies, then lock off.
Ayanokouji: (From my understanding, soccer originally started with everyone going for the goal. Therefore, everyone originated as a striker in the very beginning and it was complete chaos. Thus, positions were created in order to maintain an order and structure for each and every team that highlights chosen players abilities for what they're most suited for.)
Once again, however, Kira opened his mouth in retaliation.
Kira: That's a terrible thing to say, take it back. There are many athletes on the Japanese team I respect. We grew up watching them play together as an eleven. They are my superstars. You're wrong!
Ego scratched his head yet again and almost seemed confused at Kira's comment.
Ego: Hm? The Japanese team? But they've never won the world cup, have they? I'm talking about becoming the best in the world.
Following this, a slideshow of the best strikers in the modern game followed.
Ego: 'Instead of assisting my teammate to win 1-0, it feels better to pull off a hattrick and lose 3-4.' These are the words of the world's greatest striker, Noel Noa who beat Messi and Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or.
Extending his hands out, Ego continued listing prolific strikers and their inmost thoughts about what it truly means to be a striker.
Ego: Eric Cantana said, "I don't care about the team. I just want to stand out." Pele said 'The world's best forward, midfielder, defender, and goalkeeper. Whichever you ask about, the answer is me.'
He started to laugh and cackle out loud.
Ego: Well, awful right?! But they're all top level players!!!! AND THEY'RE ALL EXTRAORDINARY EGOISTS!!!!! That's what Japanese football lacks.
He pulled up his glasses and stared at the very core of all the strikers present.
Ego: You can't become the best striker if you're not the world's biggest egoist. I want to create that kind of person here. Someone who will stand on 299 corpses. A solitary hero.
Pointing at the 300 strikers standing before him, Ego said something that invoked imagination.
Ego: Just imagine it, you're in the World Cup final. Eighty thousand people in the stands. You're standing in the field. The score is 0-0. It's the second half of extra time. It's the last play. With a pass from your teammate, you're through the defense. It's you against the goalkeeper. Six meters to your right is a teammate. If you pass, you're guaranteed a goal. In a moment where the entire nation's hopes and the championship are riding on you.
Ayanokouji: (As much as I try, I can't really visualize it. I'm just not passionate about something I started in order to escape from a grimmer reality. I... don't feel a thing.)
Ego: Only an insane egoist can take that shot without hesitation.
With that, the large sliding door behind Ego opened up completely and a large light shined through, almost like it was heaven for those dedicating their lives to the sport of soccer.
Ego: Pass through these doors. Abandon all common sense.
Ayanokouji: (It... does nothing for me. It's only a means to an end...)
Ego: Take ahold of your egoism.
Ayanokouji: (Why... what is this..)
Right in front of Ayanokouji, the door didn't shine a murky light. Instead it appeared as an entrance leading to the unknown. A place where he wasn't the best. Where he could start at 0 and rise up.
A challenge.
His memories flashed back to the time he saw one of his young White room counterparts writhing on the ground and he simply stared down at the kid with empty eyes.
Despite never seeing himself as an egoist, his own thoughts made him a hypocrite.
...
"All people are nothing but tools."
...
"Nobody is stronger than me, even when I'm going easy on them. Remember that."
...
"It doesn't matter how it's done. It doesn't matter what needs to be sacrificed. In this world, winning is everything. As long as I win in the end, that's all that matters."
...
Ego: Nothing should bring you more joy than your own goals. Live only for that moment.
Smiling widely, Ego concluded.
Ego: Isn't that what it means to be a striker?
Before anyone else could react, Isagi Yoichi ran towards the opened door to grasp his chance at being the best striker. Many followed suit until everyone, including Kira and Ayanokouji, ran through the opened door and into the unknown.
...
...
...
Busses were lined up to take the strikers that agreed to participate in Blue Lock, which was all of them.
In a matter of hours, Ayanokouji and 299 other strikers were now at large conglomerate of facilities that made up BLUE LOCK.
Being handed his uniform and change of clothes, Ayanokouji was told to go in the room that coincided with the letter on his uniform.
His uniform had the number 300 and the letter Z.
Ayanokouji: This must be the ranking system. There are 300 people inside Blue Lock so it only makes sense that the number coincides with the rank. And Z must be the room with the lowest ranking players.
Walking over to room Z, he also ran into Isagi Yoichi, who was heading inside as well.
Isagi: Your uniform also says room Z right?
Ayanokouji: Yeah. And your rank? What is it?
Isagi: What rank?
Ayanokouji: I'm only speculating but the number must be your rank out of 300. I'm currently 300.
Isagi: Oh, I didn't even thought of that.
Looking correctly, Isagi was shocked to see his ranking at 298.
Isagi: (Crap! My ranking is too low. Relax, it could be something else. It's just speculation.)
Isagi: My name is Isagi. What's yours?
Ayanokouji: Ayanokouji. Oh, I remember that name. You're part of the team that recently lost to Kira, the jewel of Japanese soccer.
Isagi: (Oh, don't remind me.)
Isagi, with a slightly annoyed but smiling face, answered.
Isagi: Yeah, that's me. What school are you from?
Ayanokouji: I'm a second year that's been on the bench since I sustained an injury late last year. I'm currently rehabbing slightly.
Isagi: Oh...
The two entered Room Z and saw that people were already inside, changed. Isagi saw a familiar face, Kira. The two greeted each other.
Kira: It's nice to share a room with someone I know, hehe.
Isagi: Same here.
A shirt was thrown right on top of Isagi to which another striker by the name of Kunigami apologized for.
Kunigami: Sorry, didn't see you there.
Isagi: No... it's fine.
As he was about to hand it to him, Kunigami told him to mind his step. Looking down, Isagi was taken aback from someone sleeping on the ground.
???: Give me a pass, Zico...
Ayanokouji: (That must be... Bachira Meguru, an elite-level dribbler. What a strange group.)
Ayanokouji soon changed into his BLUE LOCK sports gear as did Isagi. While changing, a striker with a bald head, shook Kira's hand and smiled.
Igarashi: Oh, you're the jewel of Japan, Kira, right?! Nice to meet you, I'm Igarashi.
Kira: Oh, nice to meet you.
Igarashi: I come from a family of monks but that's not the kind of thing I wanna do. I'm here for a second chance at a new life!
As soon as everyone finished changing, Ego appeared on the screen above.
Ego: Have you finished changing, diamonds in the rough?
With his voice, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up.
Ego: Hello, there. The guys you're sharing your rooms with are both your teammates and rivals who will help you improve. Your abilities have been quantified and ranked by me according to my arbitrary and biased decision-making. That is what the numbers on your uniform represent. You can tell at a glance what rank you are out of 300.
Isagi: (Damn! So Ayanokouji was right. I'm so low.)
Ego: Your ranking can change based on the result of your training or matches. And the top 5 players will unconditionally play in the tournament being held 6 months from now. They'll be registered as forwards for the U-20 World Cup.
Everyone was shocked to hear such news, including Kira.
Ayanokouji: (So all I need to do is get into the top 5. That makes the job a bit easier.)
Ego: Additionally, anyone who loses at Blue Lock, will never get to play for Japan.
Isagi: What?
Ego: What you need to gain from here, is ego. I'll be testing you now how to measure it. So, it's time to play a game of tag. You have 136 seconds.
Above the long-red haired striker, a hidden latch opened and a regular soccer ball dropped to the ground.
Ego: Whoever is struck by the ball is 'it.' Whoever's 'it', by the end of the time will be locked off.
Isagi: Huh? What?
Ego: Also no using your hands.
A cartoon image of Ayanokouji emerged on the screen with his rank number and name as well as the time.
Ayanokouji: (Since I'm the last rank, I guess it makes sense for me to go first. All I need is to hit someone.)
Walking over to the ball, Ayanokouji looked around him and at his other strikers.
Igarashi: I'm getting away as fast as I can. Everyone for themselves!
The other 11 players dispersed across the room while Ayanokouji stayed right in the middle.
Isagi: (What? Isn't he going to shoot?)
Ayanokouji: (I guess it's time to put the only decent skill I learned in that project.)
Stepping back slightly, Ayanokouji lined the shot in... Igarashi's direction who was cutting around Isagi and Kira.
Ayanokouji: The angle works. A hit to the head will do the trick.
He extended his right leg off the ground and hit the ball dead in the center with the side of his foot.
Isagi: (The ball... is coming right towards me!)
The ball was airborne and traveled in the direction of Isagi and Kira. It then dipped into a curve and swung right between Isagi and Kira, smashing right into the back of Igarashi's head.
The blow slammed his head and body right on the ground an Isagi, along with Kira were shocked.
Ayanokouji: (It landed but it wasn't completely accurate. It should have hit the bottom right side of his back head in order to knock him out but I guess that wasn't going to be possible right from the start. I'll take it.)
With that, the screen then flashed towards Igarashi and his number of 299.
Isagi: (What accuracy! How did he hit the ball so perfectly in a room like this? I thought it was going to hit me square in the face.)
Kira: This is ridiculous. I'm here so I can prove him wrong. I will not let him decide my future!
Igarashi recovered from the ground and started screaming.
Igarashi: DO YOU GOT SOMETHING AGAINST ME?!!!! FUCK YOU! THERE'S NO WAY I'M GETTING OUT FIRST!!! I WON'T GO BACK TO THAT TEMPLE!
Taking the ball now, he kicked it right at Ayanokouji to which he dodged it and it almost hit another striker square in the face.
It was Raichi, the man with shark teeth and incredibly loud.
Raichi: Screw off, dipshit!
The ball rolled right up next to Bachira who was still sleeping on the ground.
Igarashi: Oh, lucky! He's still asleep!
But before he hit Bachira with the ball, his face got smashed right in from an acrobatic kick. Bachira has awakened.
Blood dripped out from Igarashi's mouth.
Igarashi: Hey, that's a foul! If this were a game, you'd get a red card!
Bachira wiped his eyes and sluggishly got up.
Bachira: Only handballs are against the rules, right? Morning.
Ayanokouji: (He's more athletic than I gave him credit for. Dribbling isn't the only thing that he's good at.)
Kunigami placed his hand on Bachira's right shoulder.
Kunigami: Hey, I'm not a fan of dirty play. Play fair.
Ayanokouji: (A noble man in a place like Blue Lock. He won't last long in this environment.)
Bachira: Mr. Strait-Laced, huh?
*SMACK*
Using the opportunity, Igarashi kicked the ball right into Kunigami's face, making him the new 'it' at rank 291.
Igarashi: You left yourself wide-open!!!! Amen!
Completely enraged, the veins in Kunigami's face contorted and his eyes became full of anger.
Kunigami: Bastard. I'll destroy you!
Igarashi took the opportunity to hold Isagi's body in front of him as a meat shield.
Isagi: What?!
Kunigami hit the ball perfectly dead in the center, releasing the ball at a velocity that rivaled any other in the room.
The ball hit Isagi's chest like a cannonball, incapacitating him on the ground for a bit and knocking out saliva and air from his lungs.
Kira: Isagi-kun!
Kunigami: Oh, sorry. Wrong person.
Isagi was now 'it'.
Isagi: (If I don't hit someone, my soccer career will be over in one minute. I don't want thing sto end right now!)
Hitting the ball, it didn't 'tag' anyone else.
Ayanokouji was now running in a separate direction away from the heart of the conflict. He wasn't going to be wrapped into this again after already tagging someone else.
Isagi ran after the other strikers, while taking note on their athleticism.
Isagi: I should take out someone that's lower than me.
Eyeing Ayanokouji, he was prepared to kick the ball in his direction.
Ayanokouji: Isagi, with your accuracy, you can't hit me. You might as well go for someone who's weaker than you physically.
Not listening, Isagi shot the ball and Ayanokouji jumped up, dodging the shot. The ball rebound from the wall, and he shot it again, forcing Ayanokouji to do a back flip out of the way.
Isagi: (What the hell? He's so nimble. I won't be able to hit him. I'll just go after Igarashi.)
Finally ignoring Ayanokouji, Isagi went after rank 299, Igarashi. There was now only 40 seconds remaining.
Igarashi: Come get me! You won't be able to keep up with my speed!
Isagi: (Crap, this is really bad. No. I don't want to lose. I don't want things to end now. I'll do anything. I just want to win! I want to keep playing soccer.)
Ayanokouji, seeing that Isagi wouldn't be able to reach him in time, decided to give him a hand.
Not because he wanted to get all buddy-buddy with him...
Ayanokouji: (He'll owe me and I'll get my first tool in Blue Lock.)
He sped up and passed Isagi, acrobatically hitting Igarashi across the back of his head and sending him tumbling on the ground right next to Isagi.
Ayanokouji: There's your out, Isagi. Take it.
Isagi: (What? Why did Ayanokouji help me?)
Kira: Isagi-kun, hit him before it's too late!
Igarashi recovered from the ground but he landed bad and his leg seemed bruised. He couldn't get up and instead held out his hands, trying to gain sympathy.
Igarashi: Hey, wait! Stay back. Stay away from me. I don't want this to end here.
Isagi: (I can win, I can survive...)
Igarashi: Please don't do it!
Isagi: (...But this guy's soccer career would end.)
20 seconds were left on the clock as Isagi prepared his shot.
Isagi: (No, I have to do it. That's how things work here. If there are winners, there must be losers. Making my dream come true means ending someone else's.)
But the shot never came. Instead, one instance came to Isagi's mind: the instance where he passed the ball to his teammate who missed and lost the nationals to Kira.
It soon brought a revelation, one that would change Isagi's thinking for the rest of his life.
As Igarashi opened his eyes, already preparing for the worst, Isagi had stopped the ball.
Igarashi: Eh?
Ayanokouji: (Hm? This is strange.)
Isagi: That's not right. If I don't change, I'll still be the same person.
Now addressing the remainder of the room, Isagi continued.
Isagi: I came here to change my life. I came here to become the best in the world.
Turning around, Isagi's eyes had a spiral, like that of a crazy person, and a blue aura emitted from his pupils.
Isagi: Unless I beat someone stronger than me, nothing will change!
A finger stretched itself out. It was Bachira, who Isagi was going after.
Bachira: I like you.
Isagi: Eh?
Bachira smiled.
Bachira: You're right. If you're going to beat someone...
*SNATCH*
Bachira: ...it should be the strongest one here!
Bachira had taken the ball away from Isagi and become 'it' as his rank of 290 appeared on the screen.
Ayanokouji: (Incredible. A complete maniac.)
With that, 10 seconds were left as Bachira dribbled towards none other than... Kira who was ranked 289.
Kira: Me?!
The coward ran in the opposite direction, all the while Bachira's smile grew even wider.
*KICK*
Kira jumped above the ball in sheer desperation and instinctively ducked as he saw Bachira swing his right leg that would have connected with his face.
Kira: Fucking maniac!
He ran away from Bachira while he regained the ball.
Seeing something no one else in the room saw, Bachira contorted his body and hit a semi-bicicyle kick that soared above Kira's head.
Kira smiled, thinking he was completely safe. But he could have never predicted that Bachira meant it as a pass... to the only friend he made in Blue Lock so far: Isagi Yoichi.
His eyes widened, as he saw Isagi's demented stare, looking seemlessly through him.
In a trance, Isagi reacted.
Isagi: The strongest guy...
3 seconds left...
Bachira: BOOM!
With all of his power, Isagi, on reflex, smashed the ball with a direct shot right into Kira's face, knocking him to the ground.
Another second passed and time was up.
Kira ended the match as 'it.'
...
...
...