Proyect: Bland King - Ayanokouji Kiyotaka en Blue Lock

Aside from the words Ego had already said, there was one other thing he mentioned. Although only two teams would pass through to the next selection, the strikers that have the most goals in the other 3 respected teams, also move on to the next round. 

Ego: You will be going up against team X for the first match. It begins in 2 hours. 

Once Ego finished speaking, the 11 strikers soon were at odds determining the lineup. 

Kuon: Why don't we do rock, paper, scissors for positions? 

For the most part, everyone agreed and the winner would choose their favored position and so on. The team all had a turn for rock, paper, scissors and the final 4 were Isagi, Gagamaru, Raichi and Bachira. The final match ended with Isagi throwing rock and the others throwing scissors, making him the winner. 

Raichi: Damn it! Isagi won!

Kuon: Then, starting with Isagi-kun, we'll each say which position we want to play in. 

Isagi: I wanna be the forward. 

Raichi: Oh, fuck off! This blows!

Ayanokouji: We all decided to play rock, paper, scissors for the positions so now is hardly the time to complain. 

Raichi: Heh, I guess you're right. I could be like you and pick second to last, hahahaha!!!

After 9 of the strikers decided their positions, it was time for Ayanokouji. 

Ayanokouji: Left centerback. 

There was only two positions left and they were a centerback and the goalkeeper so it was a no-brainer. Lemon, the final striker, was left with goalkeeper. 

Thinking amongst themselves, they created their preferred formation. 

Kuon: This is our formation for the first match. 

With Isagi as the striker, Gagamaru, Bachira, and Naruhaya rounded up the other forwards. The two midfielders are Raichi and Kunigami. And the defenders from left to right are Kuon, Ayanokouji, Igaguri, and Chigiri. And at goal, is of course, Lemon. 

Kuon: We'll go for the win with Isagi-kun as our center forward. 

Bachira: Gotcha. 

Igarashi: Isagi's ranking is super low. Can we win with him as our focal point?

Kunigami: Stop complaining, Igaguri. 

Raichi: All we gotta do is win. 

Gagamaru: No objections here. 

Chigiri: 'All we gotta do is win' huh?

Naruhaya: Can you even play as goalkeeper, Lemon?

Lemon: I lost at rock, paper, scissors, so I'll have to do it. 

Isagi: (A battle about creating soccer from zero? What did he mean by that?)

Kuon: It's almost time. 

Just like that, 2 hours had come and passed. The eleven strikers changed into their blue uniforms, all with their distinct numbers. Ayanokouji's jersey had the number 1 on it. 

As the team came onto the field, they grasped the sight that was team X. Both teams shared the same desire to win and dominate. 

One such a player stood in the front, Shoei Baro.

Both sides went into their respected positions. The game was about to start. 

Speaker: In the first selection, all fouls will be called by VAR. Building five's first match will be a half game lasting 45 minutes. Team X versus Team Z time for kickoff. 

Team Z had the ball first, with Isagi and Bachira checking it up for the first possession of the game. 

Bachira: You scared, Isagi?

Isagi: Um...

Bachira: Let's have fun. Otherwise, we'll lose. That's how soccer is. 

Isagi: (He's right, there's no need to be scared. My rank is 273. I'm rock bottom. I just need to play and climb up the ranks!)

Receiving the ball, Isagi began the game by dribbling it up. 

Isagi: (Should I pass it back and build up an attack?)

But before he could do anything, Raichi snuck up from behind and stole the ball away from Isagi. 

Isagi: Hey! What are you doing, Raichi?

He smiled.

Raichi: The rules say the top scorer goes through, right? I don't care about the team. I'm doing this my way. 

Kunigami: Now you're talking, Raichi.

Raichi didn't have the ball for long, as Kunigami steels it for himself. 

Kunigami: If that's how it works here, I'll make no bones about playing for myself. 

Ayanokouji: (Oh, guess he can be a bit selfish. Interesting. But they all don't seem to understand that we can't score a goal on our own. From what I've seen, the only person who has the capabilities to do so on this team, is Bachira.)

Kunigami and Raichi wrestled with their arms over the ball until it was stolen by the other team. 

And just like Ayanokouji's team, they bickered with one another and a large brawl for possession of the ball broke out in the middle of the field. 

Ayanokouji: (I've never been in a soccer match before, but I'm pretty sure this isn't normal. It's all because of what Ego mentioned in the end regarding the top scorer. It makes sense seeing as everyone is inherently a striker. I can't really learn about the game of soccer all too much looking at this chaos, however. This must, however, be the 0 Ego referred to. This chaos is 0 and we need to turn it into a goal.)

But Ayanokouji knew that going into that pile would just add to the chaos so he stayed in his position while Kunigami, Naruhaya, Igarashi, and Raichi all fought for the ball in the middle of the field. Kuon soon followed, in an effort to calm them down leaving just Chigiri and Ayanokouji on defense. 

One entity soon emerged from the chaos. He pushed right through Kunigami and Raichi and escaped the dome of strikers that fought for the ball. 

It was Baro, his eyes pulsing in a red aura. 

Isagi: (He broke free?)

Baro: Don't stand in my way, or I'll kill you. 

Isagi tried his best but Baro heel flicked the ball over his head and ran right past him like a freight train. 

Nutmegging Bachira, Baro now had a clean path towards the goal. All that was left for him to do was pass Ayanokouji, who had acclimated on his approach. 

Ayanokouji: (His power may be equal to mine, but his technique surely isn't. He's most likely going to get past me.)

Baro: You want to die?

Ayanokouji: Not now. Probably after a normal lifetime. 

Because of his training in Project: Bland King, Ayanokouji knew the basics of soccer such as dribbling, passing and defending. 

And with just that, it might have been impossible for him to do much of anything. 

However, Ayanokouji had observed Baro's physique ever since the match began mere minutes ago. His shots didn't have finesse. No... it had power. 

Trying to dribble past Ayanokouji, Baro found him more difficult than the others. He was glued to his right side. 

Baro: You're a fucking pest. Just die. 

Using his strength, he pushed Ayanokouji slightly and gathered enough space. 

Hitting the ball dead in the center, it left Baro's feet instantly towards the goal. 

But Ayanokouji reacted to his shot, contorting his body and deflecting the shot with the tip of his foot. 

Ayanokouji: (25+ meters. That must be your range. What a shame. Your shot was too quick. My loss.)

The shot smashed right into the left pole and into the goal. Lemon couldn't react to the velocity of the shot.

***Team X {1} vs. Team Z {0}*** 

Baro looked straight at Ayanokouji. 

Baro: Now hear me, you suckers and remember my words. For me, the ball isn't my 'friend' or any nonsense like that. It's just a spherical servant that exists solely so I can shine. On the field, I am king. So remember that, peasant. 

Isagi: (I-Is it even possible to beat a guy like that? Ayanokouji reacted instantly and it still went in.)

???: Awesome!

???: Nice play, Baro!

Ayanokouji: (I was close that time. But it still resulted in a goal. I can use my physical attributes to compensate for my low soccer IQ for now. However, the more time I'm acclimated in a game setting, the more I can react on reflex rather than by notion.)

Igarashi: You're the goalie aren't you? Act like one! 

Lemon: But I've never been a goalie before. What am I meant to do? 

Igarashi: And why couldn't you clear that ball, Ayanokouji?! Thanks to you we're down a goal. 

Ayanokouji: Sorry, that one was on me. 

Kuon: It's only one goal. Let's calm down. 

Isagi: He's right. If we stick to our positions and pass around-

Raichi: Huh?! If we do that, then as the center-forward, you'll be the one that scores. Losers should play in the defense! All you have to do is pass to me!

Igarashi: Hell no, pass to me!

Gagamaru: No, to me!

Naruhaya: No, me!

Speaker: Team Z, resume the game. 

Everyone returned to their positions and Isagi passed once again to Bachira in the midfield. 

Isagi: I guess it's just you and me Bachira. We'll pass to each other and weave our way through-

Igarashi: It's mine!

Stealing Isagi's pass, Igarashi ran up the field. 

Isagi: Igarashi?! What are doing?!

Igarashi: Are you dense, Isagi? The top scorer survives. If I stay on defense, I'll never get a goal. Now I get what this first selection of Blue is all about. It's a battle where you only pursue your own ability to score!

The ball wouldn't be in his possession for long, since Igarashi didn't have any remarkable talents that could help him with 1v1 situations let alone 1v11. He lost it instantly and it was right back to defending. 

Igarashi: Crap!

???: You suck. It's mine now!

Raichi: You lost the ball? I'll fucking kill you!

Naruhaya and Raichi charged towards the attackers despite their need to defend the backfield. 

Kuon: Guys! We need to stay back and defend!

Ayanokouji: (This is a complete disaster. They're suppose to defend but instead they press forward, leaving me on my own here.)

The other team, now invigorated with Baro's goal, decide to work together and attack in an organized manner. They all head back to their positions and pass the ball around, leading to Baro getting the ball and running through the center of the field. 

Raichi: It's Baro! 

Kunigami: We'll stop him!

Isagi and Bachira ran towards him from the back. 

Ayanokouji: (Now he has multiple openings.)

Baro: You sure throwing so many players at me is a good idea?

He passed the ball behind him to an open teammate who sent a through ball right to another striker in the box. Since he was 6 or so feet away, he couldn't do much of anything but accept another goal conceded. 

Igarashi: Save it Lemon!

Ayanokouji: (He can't possibly save it. He's not a goalkeeper. That's what will make these games generally high-scoring.)

Hitting it right from the pass, Baro's teammate smashed it through the left upmost side of the goal making the cushion now 2 goals. 

***Team X {2} vs. Team Z {0}*** 

???: Thank you, King Baro!

Isagi: (Damn! They're already playing like a team.)

Raichi lifted Igarashi up the floor with one hand, fully enraged. 

Raichi: It's cuz you lost the ball, dumbass!

Igarashi: I told you guys to stop him!

Naruhaya: Damn, I can't do this!

Ayanokouji: (This game is a lost cause. I shouldn't waste my time defending. What's the point if the majority of my defense is going to attack up front and lose the ball instantly? This game will instead, be a sacrificial lamb. I'll have my eyes analyze the other team, especially Baro. We have similar builds so I might be able to replicate his moves if I focus and learn from his goals.)

And so, for the next 30 minutes all the way to 38th minute, 3 more goals were scored by Baro and the score was...

***Team X {5} vs. Team Z {0}*** 

Ayanokouji: (So that's how Baro does it. Maybe I can give it a try and combine it using my ability. I planned not to do anything this game, but if this doesn't wake up my team, I should just aim for the top goal scorer like everyone else.)

With the score being 5-0 and only 7 minutes remaining, the game was effectively over. However, that wasn't the case for Ayanokouji. For him, this is when it started. 

Ayanokouji began to run up the field, leaving his position in the back. 

Ayanokouji: (I might be a fledgling now, but the more I experience, the more I can grow.)

Igarashi: Ayanokouji! Stay back on defense! What are you doing?!

Isagi checked the ball again to Bachira. 

Bachira: With this much time left, we can't get 5 goals sadly. But we can at least put one on the scoreboard. 

Isagi: (Bachira's right. We can at least put one up. We can change that 0 into a 1!)

Bachira received the pass and moved forward, but before going up much at all, Ayanokouji darted right past him and stared right into his eyes. Ayanokouji's eyes looked crazed and a hint of a white aura could be seen from Bachira. 

The monster, a being Bachira has that he listens to in order to get stronger, responded to Ayanokouji's determination. 

Bachira: (The.... monster is telling me to pass....)

As a complete reflex, Bachira gave a sharp pass towards Ayanokouji as he darted through the midfield and trapped the ball perfectly. 

Raichi: Huh?! Where the fuck are you going?!

Ayanokouji: (Don't rely on my dribbling. Use my strength, speed and positioning to break through the middle.)

???: Now you want to atta-

Touching the ball through the midfielder's legs, it was a nutmeg. Ayanokouji had penetrated into the 40 meter range. 

Baro: Where do you think you're going, peasant? I am the king, remember? 

Pushing the ball to the left, Ayanokouji flicked it through his legs and right through Baro's legs. He now went past Baro but noticed he stuck his foot out to steal the ball. 

Ayanokouji: (If I don't do anything, he'll take the ball away. I guess I'll settle for this now. I'll just do what the best players in soccer always do when the game is on the line.)

Contorting his body, Ayanokouji moved his right leg up which collided with Baro, and sent Ayanokouji to the ground, 38 meters away from the goal. 

Speaker: Foul, Number 10 Shoei Baro. Free Kick for Team Z. 

Isagi ran up to Ayanokouji. 

Isagi: That was close, Ayanokouji. Nice run. 

Raichi: Are you a dumbass? You're on defense. Stay on defense! 

Igarashi: You were lucky they didn't take the ball away from you. 

Kunigami: So who's taking the free kick?

Raichi: I will take it! 

Naruhaya: Huh? Why you? I should take it!

Gagamaru: No, me. 

Kuon: Guys!

Ayanokouji: Why is there a debate?

The entire squad looked over to him. 

Raichi: Hu-

Just a glimmer from Ayanokouji's eyes was enough to shake even the eccentric and crazy Raichi. 

Ayanokouji: I dribbled more into the field than the rest of the team did in 40 minutes of playing. I earned the foul. So naturally, I get the free kick. 

Igarashi: That was just luck! We don't even know if you can shoot-

Bachira: Sure, Ayanokouji. Take it. That's why I passed to you after all. 

Isagi: Bachira's right. Ayanokouji earned the free kick so he should take it. 

Raichi: Well, he better not fuck it up then. Just send a cross and I'll smash it in!

Wiping the blood that seeped out of Ayanokouji's nose, he placed the ball on the spot and everyone from both teams got into position. 

Baro: Go on wimpy coward. Let's see if you are really a striker or not. 

Isagi: (It's 38 meters out. It's too far away to shoot at the goal. But I saw him in the game of tag and his accuracy. Maybe Ayanokouji can do it. Turn 0 into 1.)

A whistle rang through the speakers meaning that the free kick was a go. 

Ayanokouji walked up to the ball at a steady pace, his eyes wide open. 

Ayanokouji: (This feeling in my body... it almost feels like... something alien that's not suppose to be there. It's just telling me to shoot it. I've already scanned and analyzed every single player on this team. I know their physical attributes and weaknesses. I just need to thread the ball.)

His eyes visualized the goalkeeper, taking into account his height, reach, inexperience. 

He took into account the 5 players jumping in the air to block a potential cross, the other 9 teammates of his fighting for good positioning in the box, and the one defender on the ground to protect from a flat shot. 

And when it all registered into his brain....

*KICK*

...his body finally responded. 

A side kick to the left side of the ball made it leave Ayanokouji's feet and go airborne. It looked like it was going to hit the stands. 

Ayanokouji: (I don't know how, but it feels exactly like that time in Project: Bland King when I made a goal from 40 meters away. The perfection of the shot... pleases me...)

Igarashi: It's going wide! Damn!

As if it followed the commands Ayanokouji dictated it, the ball curved 10 meters and hit the sweet, top right spot of the goal, swooshing inside unscathed.

Isagi: (It was... beautiful.) 

His entire team was left in shock and the score was now...

***Team X {5} vs. Team Z {1}*** 

Baro's eyes widened and stared right at Ayanokouji. 

Ayanokouji walked back to his side of the field along with the rest of his team who just witnessed a super goal that not even an elite goalkeeper could block. 

It was a perfect free kick. He was able to accomplish this because Ayanokouji's ability is...

Ayanokouji: (The first part of my ability rests in my eyes. After studying on soccer for a month, I've been able to read tactics, a person's attributes in cohesion with soccer, and their weaknesses. The second part is my ball placement. After analyzing my opponents physical attributes and weapons, I can thread the ball through any location I so choose. As long as I hit the ball perfectly, I know exactly where it goes and if a goal is possible. My range is 40 meters. It's only made possible due to the 'S-tier' stats in physique that Ego mentioned prior.)

Bachira: Ayanokouji, nice goal. 

Kunigami: That curve at the end was unfair. How did you even make it do that?

Isagi: (An absolute monster. His ability, his weapon... has to be ball placement. That free kick looked identical to Messi's best freekick goals. Amazing. Our team has another weapon.)

Igarashi: How'd you do that, Ayanokouji?

Ayanokouji: It was pure luck.