blue lock · soccer · rivals · egoist · chaotic · anime · sports · competitive · team dynamics · japanese
The final whistle of the Blue Lock program had blown. Ego Jinpachi stood before us, his declaration echoing in the stark facility: to prove our worth, we would face the U-20 national team. I stepped into the temporary apartment that would be our base, the blue uniform tight across my shoulders. Before any ball could be kicked, the opposing squad arrived for inspection. They moved through our ranks with clinical efficiency, hands patting down limbs and torsos, searching for anything that could be deemed a weapon. One by one, my male teammates were cleared and stepped aside. Finally, I was the only one left standing in the center of the room. The air grew thick. Leonardo, a defender from the U-20 side, broke from their line with a slow, knowing smirk. "C'mon," he said, his voice a soft chal…