Chapter 90: Blake's Guarantee
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
"All players advancing to the Third Selection have completed entry."
The announcement echoed from the speaker.
However, the explosive tension in the room didn't dissipate in the slightest. All eyes were fixed on Kira's group.
"Hey, is that guy Ryusei Shidou? He looks totally unhinged," Tabito Karasu remarked, recalling Shidou's performance from the VAR footage. It fit his style perfectly.
Eita Otoya glanced over and gave his evaluation. "Too high-profile. Not my type."
"Hahaha, true. He's the exact opposite of your personality."
Karasu and Otoya watched the drama unfold like old friends enjoying a show.
"Hey, hey, hey. Buzz Cut, get over here. Let me beat you up a little." Shidou barked the order, eyes blazing.
Igaguri trembled, instinctively starting to stand up to obey, but he shot a fearful glance at Kira in front of him.
Kira shook his head at him.
Sure, Igaguri's skills were trash, but they had fought side by side. Kira wasn't going to sit back and watch a former teammate get bullied like that.
"What are you, a child? Getting off on playing the schoolyard bully?"
Kira shot back, refusing to back down.
"Child?"
Shidou was instantly triggered. "And who do you think you are? Some kind of grown-up?"
In a flash, Shidou sprang up and launched a side kick straight at Kira's face.
Just as Kira prepared to dodge, he felt someone pull him from behind, yanking him out of the kick's path.
"Chigiri?"
Kira looked back. It was indeed Chigiri.
"What is wrong with this guy?"
"Looking like some delinquent punk... He's really pissing me off."
Chigiri stared at Shidou with open hostility.
Seeing his first strike fail, Shidou raised his fist, ready to charge again.
But a large hand grabbed his fist from the side.
Kunigami looked at him with a stern expression. "That's enough, you violent maniac..."
"Oh... the Hero has arrived?"
Shidou stared provocatively into Kunigami's eyes.
To Shidou's surprise, Kunigami's gaze was unusually firm. It was as if there was already bad blood between them.
"If you're looking for a fight, count me in. You tanned antenna freak." Bachira rolled his wrists, stepping forward.
"Nah, it's not a tan, it's the sun," Shidou said with a smirk.
"Let's see who's trying to mess with Kira..."
Aryu and Rin also crowded around. Rin looked icy cold, radiating an aura that screamed 'don't mess with me.'
"Oh-ho? That guy named Kira seems pretty popular." Karasu's eyes filled with interest.
"Oh? Are you inputting new data again?" Otoya asked.
"Depends on how he performs on the field." Karasu closed his eyes, lost in thought.
Shidou, standing in the center of the crowd, scanned the group.
He looked at Kira mockingly. "You've really got a great harem, don't you? Even in a prison like this..."
Buzz...
The screen on the side wall lit up, displaying the figure of Jinpachi Ego.
"Alright, diamonds in the rough. That's enough."
"If you start a real brawl, you'll be forcibly removed..."
"Besides, you don't have time to mess around. Your football careers might be about to turn into worthless trash, just like Blue Lock itself."
"Disappearing into the sea of mediocrity."
Everyone's attention shifted to the screen.
Hearing this, Kunigami released his grip.
Shidou scoffed and tactfully walked to another corner.
"Disappear?" Igaguri looked confused. Wasn't everything going full steam ahead?
"Ah, right. The match against the World Five really made an impact on everyone, I assume."
"I'll tell you the meaning behind it later."
Ego paused, then continued. "Originally, I intended for you to study English properly."
"After layers of selection, only five people were supposed to remain."
"But the plan has changed."
"Those old geezers at the Football Association are itching to destroy Blue Lock."
"So, I decided to challenge them directly. The next selection will take place in three weeks."
"It will be a match where the survival of Blue Lock is on the line."
Everyone felt their breath catch in their throats.
The survival of Blue Lock?
Bachira looked nervously at Kira. If they lost, would everyone have to leave this place?
"The Japan U-20 National Team versus the Blue Lock Eleven..."
"A special send-off match."
"What? Against the U-20 National Team?"
"Are you crazy? We have to play them?"
"This... this is..."
The crowd instantly exploded. Discussions erupted everywhere.
Finally, the moment was approaching.
Japan's U-20 National Team!
Kira's memories from his past life resurfaced. He had read this part in the manga, and if things followed the original plot, he knew exactly who he would be playing against.
Ego waved his hand, signaling for silence.
He announced, "If we beat them, Blue Lock will replace the U-20 National Team."
In an instant, the room reached a fever pitch.
***
Meanwhile.
Tokyo International Airport.
Adam Blake was on the phone, talking to someone.
"Blake, did you numb your brain away with all those women? Japan actually has a kid as talented as you were back in the day?" The incredulous voice of Blake's team manager came from the other end of the line.
"Chris, when have I ever lied to you?"
Blake was annoyed by the lack of trust. "Besides, my eye for talent has always been spot on."
"Spot on, my ass. I trust your eye for women, but when have you ever scouted talent?"
"Seriously, trust me. Even Loki extended an olive branch to him, but he turned it down."
Hearing this, the other end of the line went silent.
After a long pause.
"If even Loki was interested, then he must be a rare talent. Are you confident you can sign him?"
"Relax. I'm his idol."
"Is that so..." The manager seemed convinced. Despite Blake's constant scandals, his handsome looks and flashy playstyle did attract a lot of teenage fans globally.
"So, did he come ask for your contact info?"
"Uh..."
Speaking of this, Blake felt a bit awkward.
He had deliberately stayed at Blue Lock for a few extra days, even wandering around the training grounds several times. Yet, Kira hadn't approached him once.
It confused him.
But he figured the kid was just too shy.
"Don't worry, Chris. I left my business card in his room. He'll definitely call me..."
Blake guaranteed confidently.
"Alright, good luck. Come back to England soon."
"My flight's taking off now. See ya."
Blake hung up the phone.
He looked out at the land of Japan. He had a premonition that Kira was the one who would change football in this country.
Thinking about how Kira would soon come running to him, Blake waved his fist happily.
"Yes! Yes!"
The people around him looked at him like he was a lunatic.
***
72 hours ago.
Iemon sat on his knees on the grass, unable to believe he had been eliminated.
"Am I... really this bad?"
Memories of Team Z flooded his mind.
He stood up like a walking corpse and left.
"In the end, I just lacked the resolve to fight others for supremacy."
Iemon thought to himself.
Just as he was about to give up, a fork appeared in the road ahead.
At the end of each path was a door.
One door said EXIT.
The other door said WILD CARD.
After a moment of thought, the look in Iemon's eyes changed. He made his choice firmly and walked down one of the paths.
-----
Hand over all of your Power Stones!!
(First Goal: 100 Stones = +1 extra Chapter)
For advanced chapters (20+): patre o n. com/Demonic_Fiction