"As expected of our Team Z, we're far ahead now."
Kuon narrowed his eyes and smiled, seemingly in a good mood.
"Next, we face Team W, who has one win and one loss. Let's defeat them and secure our qualification."
"Oh—!"
The members of Team Z excitedly raised their fists and cheered in agreement.
Ego Jinpachi slurped his cup noodles, gently tapping the table with his fork. "Allow me to deliver some unfortunate news while you're all celebrating."
"The next match..."
He extended his long finger, pointing at Kira Ryosuke. "Due to special reasons, he cannot participate."
"Huh?"
Kira Ryosuke was puzzled but didn't rush to ask, quietly waiting for further explanation.
However, the other members of Team Z couldn't sit still.
Raichi, with his explosive temper, immediately jumped off the soft bed and angrily said, "What kind of joke is this, Four-Eyes? Detaining someone at such a crucial moment? If we lose the match, can you take responsibility for my life?"
Bachira was also full of questions. "Can I ask what the reason is exactly?"
"After all, Ryosuke is our team's ace. Losing him is a huge blow to our combat strength."
Isagi Yoichi also realized the crux of the problem. "Wait, putting aside why Ryosuke can't play, if he misses a match, won't we be in the predicament of 10 players against 11?"
"Or are you saying you'll make up for our missing lineup?"
Everyone realized the seriousness of the problem.
This was a battle for their future. Even if they had a great advantage, losing one game wasn't a big deal, but no one wanted any unexpected changes.
Ego looked up, an arc of light glinting off his glasses, and pointed his fork at Isagi Yoichi. "Very good question."
"First, the Blue Lock selection is fixed; no external personnel will be added."
"Which means, in the next match, you will indeed have to fight with a 10-player lineup."
Raichi wanted to yell, but Kunigami stopped him.
He said with a stern face, "This joke isn't funny at all..."
Ego poured the empty cup of noodles into the trash bag, then pushed up his glasses, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Although this wasn't my intention."
"But it's a done deal. Changes on the football field are always sudden."
"Are you already wavering just because you lost one person?"
"Even in top football events like the Champions League and Premier League, there are cases where players are red-carded, and the remaining team members still win."
"This is not an absolutely impossible task."
"Moreover, Blue Lock is a place to cultivate offensive players. Those who place their hopes on others are not the egoists we need and will eventually be eliminated."
"It's only a matter of time."
Hearing this, everyone knew the outcome was decided.
Although the reasoning was a bit twisted, they couldn't refute it.
In the crowd, Bachira suddenly laughed, clutching the back of his head. "You're right. Since we came here to be the best in the world, that naturally includes defeating Ryosuke, right? It's just missing one match. With our evolved weapons now, isn't it even more exciting to win the game with our own strength?"
"Bachira..."
Isagi Yoichi murmured, as if his words had ignited his fighting spirit. "That's right, as long as we win, that's all that matters."
Kunigami, Chigiri, and others were also infected, agreeing in unison:
"Next match, I'll secure the victory with my long-range shots."
"No. It should be with my speed, right?"
Seeing everyone regain their confidence, Kira Ryosuke also felt relieved. These were opponents and teammates worthy of competing with him!
Under Ego's guidance.
He followed the instructions and arrived at a locked floor.
The elevator opened.
A petite figure came into view.
She was very beautiful; although not tall, it seemed all the nutrients in her body had gone to her full chest.
Her figure was exceptionally alluring.
It was the female manager, Anri Teieri.
"Come with me, Ryosuke."
She had a gentle smile on her face. "Ego is waiting for you."
They took the elevator directly to the third floor.
In a room equipped with electronic surveillance, Ego Jinpachi leaned back in a swivel chair. "Welcome to my secret base, genius."
The room wasn't very large.
Besides Ego, Kira Ryosuke noticed a portly fat man sitting on the sofa.
From the moment he entered, the man's gaze lingered greedily on the female manager, Anri. Seeing Ryosuke's glance, he wiped the drool from his mouth and laughed, "You must be Ryosuke, right? As expected of someone who can be on the cover of a football magazine. Both your looks and your skill are top-notch."
Seeing a hint of confusion in Kira Ryosuke's eyes.
Anri introduced, "This is Mr. Furancho Hirotoshi, the President of the Japan Football Association."
"It was his idea to specially summon you here this time."
Kira Ryosuke looked at Ego, his eyes questioning.
He knew a bit about Furancho; he was just a businessman masquerading as a high-ranking football executive, aiming to maximize the profits of the commercial league. Kira Ryosuke didn't want to become his money-making tool.
Ego clearly understood his thoughts as well.
He sighed.
Then he said, "Don't worry. Although this guy is one of Blue Lock's investors, the management authority is mine. What I'm about to tell you next, the choice is yours."
Hearing him say that.
Kira Ryosuke finally relaxed.
The fat man was corpulent and clearly full of schemes. He didn't want to be the other party's pawn.
"Why did you call me here this time?"
He asked.
Furancho waved his hand, signaling Ryosuke to let down his guard a little.
Perhaps because he was too fat, even in an air-conditioned room, it was still a bit stuffy for him. He pulled out a handkerchief and constantly wiped away sweat. "Well, well... don't be so wary of me, Ryosuke. I've brought you some incredibly good news."
"Oh?"
"Do you know Serie A?"
"One of the top five football leagues. What does that have to do with me?"
"Of course. Because I sent your footage to scouts from Serie A clubs, and several of them are interested in you, hoping to bring you into their youth academies for training."
"How about it? This is an opportunity for you, isn't it? It's much better than staying in this small Blue Lock."
"Even Itoshi Sae, who is famous throughout Japan, gained his reputation by joining a La Liga youth academy."
At this point, a hint of gloom flashed across Furancho's face. "Although that kid was too arrogant and refused to cooperate with me to form a commercial league, now that you've appeared, I believe you'll make the right choice, won't you?"
His face held a look of certainty.
Who wouldn't want to enter that supreme football Palace?
Moreover, he was just an inexperienced high school student.
However, Kira Ryosuke was not as excited as he imagined. Instead, he frowned and asked, "Can I know which clubs they are?"
Anri hesitated to speak.
She felt that Kira Ryosuke couldn't resist the temptation.
This would be a huge loss for Blue Lock.
Furancho cackled, "Clever guy. Although many have specified you, the most enthusiastic response came from..."
"The old Elite Club..."
"AC Milan!"
—— — — //