In the evening, the Seirin team took Ryōsuke to a nearby BBQ restaurant for a celebration party.
"We've finally made it to the finals! All thanks to Teppei's performance and Coach Riko's tactics!"
"Haha, it wasn't just me — it was everyone's efforts! And Kira too! Without him, we would've been in real trouble."
"Those guys played such frightening basketball... aiming their elbows right at our faces!"
Everyone celebrated with laughter and joy, with Ryōsuke joining in nearby.
He had just received a message from Kagetora explaining that Kirisaki Daiichi High, under pressure from online public opinion, had issued a public apology — though their basketball club's reputation was now ruined.
The incident was so serious that the basketball association launched an investigation. If they found evidence of deliberate player-injury tactics, Kirisaki Daiichi would face more than suspension — they might be permanently disqualified from future competitions.
Meanwhile, Seirin had advanced to the national finals. Teppei was uninjured, and the whole team seemed unstoppable, poised to reach new heights. Each member showed unlimited potential.
"Ryōsuke, aah—"
Riko sat beside him, lifting a piece of grilled meat with one hand while cupping her other hand beneath it, feeding him carefully.
She leaned slightly against his side, her face bright with a happy smile.
"Hey hey hey, stop flaunting your relationship! You're not even trying to hide it anymore?!"
"So jealous, so jealous, so jealous!"
"Ugh, all this lovey-dovey stuff is ruining the BBQ!"
Ryōsuke felt mixed emotions — this was his first time eating normal food from Riko's hands. At least it was properly cooked.
Just then, his phone vibrated on the table.
Ryōsuke picked it up to find a lengthy message in English.
The sender was Julian Loki. His club's management expressed strong interest in Ryōsuke, urging him to join their league while detailing various benefits — the messages kept flooding in.
It was, plainly speaking, a recruitment attempt.
After their previous encounter, Julian had witnessed Ryōsuke's exceptional abilities and clearly didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Not just Julian — yesterday, Leonardo Luna had also sent similar messages, inviting him to their club's youth training camp.
Though the offers were appealing, Ryōsuke had no immediate plans to go overseas.
"It's all in English — who's it from?" Riko asked curiously, glancing at the message.
"Loki."
"Loki? What a strange name, is he a foreigner?" Junpei asked curiously.
"Yeah, Julian Loki, he's French." Ryōsuke replied.
"Oh, Julian Loki, I see." Junpei nodded absently, but then froze as realization struck.
Everyone at the table turned to Ryōsuke with looks of disbelief.
"Julian Loki?! The superstar from the French football league?!" Shun's voice trembled.
Though most of them weren't football experts, they all recognized such a legendary name.
"Yep, that's him." Ryōsuke said calmly.
"Are you serious? How is that possible?!" Junpei couldn't believe it.
Sure, Ryōsuke had some local fame, but Julian was a world-renowned star — they weren't even in the same league.
And this superstar was actually texting Ryōsuke?!
"Ryōsuke, how do you know Julian?" Riko asked, leaning in with curiosity.
"Didn't I mention it day before yesterday? Blue Lock arranged five foreign friends to compete against us, and afterward I exchanged contacts with them — Julian, Leonardo Luna, and the others."
"'Foreign friends', he says!" Riko flicked his forehead with her finger.
Everyone sat in stunned silence.
Ryōsuke had played against world-class stars? And was casually messaging them?!
Amazing — simply amazing!
They were speechless. In their eyes, Ryōsuke had ascended to another plane of existence.
Just then, Ryōsuke's phone buzzed with another message, this time from Jinpachi:
| Jinpachi Ego |
| Come to the Football Association headquarters tomorrow, I have something to tell you. Little Anri will pick you up. |
Ryōsuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
He quickly typed and sent a response:
| Ryōsuke Kira |
| This time, let's not trouble Miss Teieri... I'll come by myself. |
He couldn't forget yesterday's terrifying car ride with Anri — "crazy" didn't begin to describe it.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
The next day at noon, Ryōsuke arrived at the Football Association headquarters as agreed. Jinpachi was waiting for him in a room, with Anri standing at his side.
"You're here, Kira." Jinpachi gestured for him to sit down.
"What's the matter, Mr. Ego? Has the vacation been shortened?" Ryōsuke asked as he took a seat, though he suspected this had to do with the U20 national team match.
"No — in a sense, your vacation has been extended." Jinpachi said slowly, "I'll get straight to the point. I've organized a match that concerns Blue Lock's survival. I will select a team from the remaining Blue Lock players to face the U20 national team in three weeks. If we win, we can replace them and gain qualification for the U20 World Cup. If we lose, the entire Blue Lock project will be reduced to ashes."
"I see, that's quite a bold plan indeed." Ryōsuke wasn't surprised, as this aligned with his expectations.
"Also, you must know of Sae Itoshi, the genius midfielder and Rin's brother. He will represent the U20 team, and he has specified one Blue Lock player to join him."
"Who is it?"
This was just a rhetorical question. Ryōsuke knew that in the original story, Sae had chosen Ryūsei Shidō from Blue Lock — a player with such a wild playing style that others found him impossible to control.
Ryūsei was like a demon on the field. Only someone with Sae's powerful field control abilities could harness his potential.
Even entering only in the second half, Ryūsei had pushed Blue Lock to the brink, nearly scoring three times.
Had Ryūsei coordinated with Sae from the start, the match's outcome would have been even more uncertain.
Yet something felt off about the timing of Sae's selection.
"It's you." Jinpachi said, pointing at him.
"Huh? Me?" Ryōsuke was genuinely puzzled. This was unexpected.
This meant he would join the U20 team — becoming an enemy to Blue Lock.
While this wasn't particularly problematic, Sae's personality was worse than his younger brother Rin's. His arrogance knew no bounds.
Of course, he had the skills to back up that arrogance — even Rin, Blue Lock's most technically gifted player, couldn't match his brother.
Just as Ryōsuke was about to refuse working with such an insufferable person, Jinpachi stood and walked directly in front of him.
"This situation is unexpected for me. I know it might seem sudden, but I ask that you accept the invitation to represent U20." Jinpachi's expression and tone were completely sincere.
Only if Ryōsuke agreed would Sae participate, and only then could Jinpachi get the Football Association president's approval for the match. He needed to create a bigger stage for Blue Lock.
"If this is a request, then tell me the whole truth, Mr. Ego — your real plan." Ryōsuke narrowed his eyes slightly, "I know you care about more than just Blue Lock's survival. You're focused on the future."
Jinpachi adjusted his glasses and remained silent for a few seconds.
As Ryōsuke had said, this match was only the first step. The second step would be taking the Blue Lock project to the global stage.
"Then listen carefully to what comes next..."
After some consideration, Jinpachi revealed his complete plan to Ryōsuke, including his preparations to arrange matches with major clubs in the five biggest leagues.
If successful, the Blue Lock project would capture the world's attention.
"I see, Mr. Ego's plan is thorough, using this match as a stepping stone — but it all depends on Blue Lock's victory, right? If I represent U20, your chances of winning will decrease."
"That's true, but as long as the match happens, I've already won regardless of the outcome. It's enough if Blue Lock's players can shine on the field." Jinpachi's expression turned serious, his usually dark eyes now gleaming with light, "I firmly believe Blue Lock now has the power to shake this country's football world. And though you'll be our opponent this time, Kira, having you as an adversary might help create even more miracles. Plus, this match can prove which of our philosophies is correct."
As he spoke, he grew excited, letting strange statements slip out, but he quickly composed himself and focused his gaze through his glasses at Ryōsuke.
"Kira, what's your answer?"
"Since you put it that way, I'll agree. It should be interesting to face off against the other guys from Blue Lock."
This was Ryōsuke's response.
Although their philosophies differed, he acknowledged Jinpachi's dedication and serious attitude toward football. While the Blue Lock Project was incredibly extreme, it had given new life to countless unknown players and those who had lost their passion.
"However, I have one condition." Ryōsuke added.
"What is it?"
"The revival matches you've arranged — end them."
Though Jinpachi had just mentioned arranging revival matches in Blue Lock, Ryōsuke knew the revival system was far more brutal than the official selection.
It was absolute torture for both body and mind. In the original story, the eliminated Rensuke Kunigami had fought through the revival matches but emerged a completely different person.
Now that he had passed the selection, others would certainly face the same experience.
Even though Ryōsuke acknowledged Jinpachi's attitude and dedication, he could never accept his football philosophy.
"That's my condition for participating."
After a moment of conflicted silence, Jinpachi nodded, "Alright, I agree."
He had no choice — Ryōsuke's participation was essential.
"Since that's settled, the match will be held in three weeks. Consider these next few days extra vacation. Next week, you and Sae Itoshi will report to the U20 team, and you won't need to return to Blue Lock before the next phase. I'll contact you if anything comes up."
"Mm." Ryōsuke nodded.
"Let's see whose philosophy will truly bring about miracles."
"I'll make you realize how wrong you are, Mr. Ego, by completely crushing you on the field." Ryōsuke replied with a smile.
From now on, he had become Blue Lock's enemy.
Though he had made many friends in Blue Lock, on the field, he would give it his all without holding back. This was what it meant to respect both the game and his fellow players.
"We'll see about that."
❖❖❖
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