Chapter 89: Assembly Complete
Buzz.
The massive doors slid open once more.
The players of the fourth team to advance walked in slowly.
"Huh? I don't recognize a single one of them," Bachira exclaimed.
"They look pretty stylish. Seem tough, too," Aryu said, sizing up the newcomers.
Kira scanned the members of the fourth team as well.
Awkwardly enough, Kira didn't really recognize this team either.
Recalling the manga, aside from the guy with the bandana, Nijiro Nanase, whom he vaguely remembered, he drew a complete blank on the rest.
"Zantetsu!!" Nijiro Nanase greeted Zantetsu warmly.
Zantetsu paused slightly and adjusted his glasses. "Yo. Long time no see."
Some members of this team had teamed up with Zantetsu before. They had previously faced off against Karasu Tabito's team.
Nanase was thrilled to see a familiar face and rushed over to chat with Zantetsu.
The rest of the group, much like the previous team, found another corner to settle into.
Chigiri counted the teams. "Seven teams in total. Three left."
After speaking, he exchanged a look with Isagi and Kira.
Obviously, Kunigami wasn't in this group.
"Next, please welcome the fifth team."
The announcement came promptly over the speakers.
Buzz.
Another set of doors slid open.
Bachira's expression suddenly lit up with excitement.
"It's him!"
Kira took a quick look. It was Ikki Niko.
At the same time, Kira's gaze was drawn to the blue-haired boy beside Niko.
Yo Hiori!!
That guy also had insane potential.
"Niko!!!"
Isagi recognized the core player of Team Y, whom they had faced before.
"Huh?"
Chigiri counted the members and noticed something off.
"Is this team missing a person? Why are there only four of them?"
"Beep. Hajime Nishioka of the fifth advancing team."
"He suffered an injury during the 'World Select Match' in the Third Selection and is currently undergoing treatment."
"Hajime Nishioka? You mean 'Aomori's Messi'?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Sure enough, Kira felt a pang of disappointment. Even this detail matched the original story perfectly. With only two teams left, the chances of Kunigami being here were slim to none.
"What's wrong? Still worried about your old Team Z teammate?"
Niko approached Kira and greeted him.
He looked around the room and nodded. "True, I don't see that big orange-haired guy. With his strength, he should be here..."
Kira fell silent at Niko's words.
Rin was also silent. Doesn't this guy know a few too many people? Is he some kind of football socialite?
"Next, please welcome the sixth team."
Buzz.
"I told you not to push me! I want to make my entrance in the middle!"
"Get lost! The Great Me is taking center stage!"
"Hey, hey, are you guys children? This spot is obviously mine."
Before the sixth team even appeared, the sound of arguing drifted out.
Hearing the voices, Chigiri and Kira's faces lit up with joy.
That was it.
They heard Kunigami's voice!
"Hey, hey! You three, that hurts!"
Bang.
With a loud crash, four entangled figures tumbled onto the floor.
What a flashy entrance.
Another unfamiliar face turned his head away as if he didn't know them.
And the person crushed at the very bottom? Who else could it be but Kunigami?
He looked up furiously at Raichi, Gagamaru, and Junichi Wanima piled on top of him.
"You three! If you want to mess around, pick the right time and place!"
"Kunigami! Raichi! Gagamaru!"
Isagi waved happily.
Kira let out a sigh of relief, a weight lifting from his shoulders.
Kunigami had successfully advanced this round.
A smile also bloomed on Chigiri's face.
"Hi-hi. Lots of familiar faces we haven't seen in a while."
Gagamaru stood up, scanned the room, and spotted Kira and the others.
"These idiots still haven't been eliminated," Raichi said with a fierce grin.
Kunigami, still on the floor, looked up and saw Kira.
In an instant, he sprang up.
The three people on top of him were thrown aside.
"Ouch! You're killing The Great Me!"
Raichi grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Kunigami marched straight up to Kira and Chigiri.
Gritting his teeth, he said, "You guys really have some nerve. Leaving me behind and going on ahead."
"You made me look everywhere for you..."
"Ah, Kunigami, I..." Chigiri panicked, not knowing how to explain himself.
Kira stood up with a beaming smile and extended his hand. "That's because I believed in you."
"I knew we would meet here..."
"Right? Hero!"
Hearing this, the anger on Kunigami's face melted into relief.
He smiled and extended his hand too.
"Don't think you can leave me behind, Genius!"
Their hands clasped together.
And suddenly, Kira's face turned bright red.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Kunigami! I was wrong, okay?!"
Kira let out a scream like a slaughtered pig.
Kira's howling echoed through the entire connection room.
Kunigami smirked mischievously. "I have to properly repay you for your 'trust,' don't I?"
Kira cried internally. Kunigami has gone bad.
Severe pain shot through his hand, making Kira dance around in agony.
Only then did Kunigami let him go.
Chigiri glanced at Kira's purple, crushed hand. He had been about to extend his own hand but silently pulled it back.
'Today is not a good day to shake hands with Kunigami.'
'Yup.'
Chigiri thought to himself.
"Hehehe..."
The familiar faces around them covered their mouths, snickering.
"Do you guys know? Gagamaru and I found poor Kunigami all alone with no team," Raichi began recounting the past.
"What did you say? I was just looking for Kira and the others!" Kunigami's face turned a rare shade of red.
"In the end, you still teamed up with us. And look, you're only seeing Kira now..."
"I think you're asking for a beating..."
Kunigami immediately started chasing Raichi around.
The members of Team Z were immersed in laughter and joy. Most of them were still here.
It was great.
"Finally, please welcome the seventh team."
The announcement came over the speakers.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the door.
Most people knew someone in Blue Lock, so everyone was watching closely to see if their acquaintances would appear in the final team.
Buzz.
The doors opened.
"Namu Amida Butsu!!"
The lead person made the Team Z veterans' jaws drop.
It was actually Igaguri.
"Eh? So many familiar faces."
Igaguri happily rubbed his bald head.
"So strange. Aren't you guys happy to see me?"
Igaguri looked hurt.
"Monk, how did you advance?" Bachira voiced the question everyone was thinking. "You didn't cheat, did you?"
'Hahaha.' Kira laughed internally.
"What are you saying, Mushroom Head? We were teammates once, you know."
"Of course I relied on my unyielding spirit!!!"
Igaguri looked proud, then leaned in close to Kira. Kira stared at him with disdain.
"Kira, let me tell you. I latched onto a huge carry. That guy is dangerous..."
"Be careful of him later."
Igaguri whispered cautiously.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
From behind the door, a figure walked in leisurely.
Evidently, he was the last member of the fifth team.
Kira's eyes widened.
Finally, they met again.
Ryusei Shidou.
Beside Kira, Rin also looked up, noticing the pink-haired freak radiating pure, chaotic pheromones.
"Igaguri. You just relied on me to win."
"And now you want to betray your master?"
"Does your former master really make you that loyal?"
Ryusei Shidou, exuding a dangerous aura, walked toward Igaguri.
Igaguri trembled and hid behind Kira.
The atmosphere in the room...
Instantly became tense.
***
Advancement List (Ranked in order of arrival):
Team 1: Ryosuke Kira, Itoshi Rin, Yoichi Isagi, Meguru Bachira, Jyubei Aryu
Team 2: Seishiro Nagi, Hyoma Chigiri, Shoei Barou, Mikage Reo, Aoshi Tokimitsu
Team 3: Tabito Karasu, Kenyu Yukimiya, Eita Otoya, Tsurugi Zantetsu, Jin Kiyora
Team 4: Nijiro Nanase, Akira Endoji, Taiga Tsunzaki, Reiji Hiiragi, Shizuka Haiji
Team 5: Ikki Niko, Yo Hiori, Kairu Saramadara, Ranze Kurona, Hajime Nishioka (Injured)
Team 6: Jingo Raichi, Gin Gagamaru, Rensuke Kunigami, Junichi Wanima, Kyohei Shiguma
Team 7: Gurimi Igarashi (Igaguri), Ryusei Shidou, Tetsu Sokura, Shingen Tanaka, Yukio Ishikari
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A/n: Yep, Ichigo survived the selection. Did anyone predict that?
Btw, can't forget the usual ritual: Hand over all of your POWER STONES!!!
(First Goal: 100 Stones = +1 extra Chapter)
For advanced chapters (20+): patre o n. com/Demonic_Fiction