Chapter 92: The Choice
"Secondly, the ranking is based on total goals scored since the start of the First Selection."
"There's also the personal evaluations from the five World Five players."
"Finally, I added my own judgment. Do you understand now, you gentle, four-eyed model?"
"Huh? That guy's a model too?" Gagamaru asked.
"For some reason, that pisses me off," Raichi muttered. He hated every handsome guy equally.
"Understood. Thank you."
Yukimiya accepted the ranking criteria and nodded, fully convinced.
"Alright, let's begin the next selection."
"First, based on the rankings from high to low, I will divide these six players into three levels: A, B, and C."
"Two players per level, making a total of three teams."
"Next, the remaining 29 players will choose which team they want to join. Once you've decided, report to me."
"Then, I will randomly select three players to join each of the chosen teams, forming a five-man squad."
"Once the teams are formed like that, you will face off in a 5v5 match."
'So that's how it is.'
Use this method to find talented players who can sync up with the Top 6.
Isagi understood Ego's intention immediately.
"However, the Top 6 players will participate in multiple matches."
"But the rest of you 29 players only get one chance to play."
"This is the ultimate mission of the modified Third Selection."
"An aptitude test with your survival on the line. The stake is a spot against the U-20 National Team."
Aryu looked thoughtful. "Put that way, we really only have one shot."
"Feels just like being a pro, doesn't it?" Bachira looked eager to try.
"I'm definitely grabbing a spot." Igaguri clenched his fists with confidence.
'Which team do I want to join? And how should I showcase myself?'
'I should probably join a team that matches my style.'
Isagi thought to himself.
"Also, due to the odd number of players, I will allow the player ranked seventh to participate in two matches."
"Seishiro Nagi, you will take this role."
"Me?"
Nagi agreed with a slightly dazed expression.
"Nagi is ranked seventh?"
Isagi felt another pang of disappointment. It wasn't him.
'Are the top seven all above me?'
"Nagi..."
Reo looked at Nagi with surprise. He hadn't realized the gap between him and Nagi had grown so wide without him noticing.
"Top 6, go to the other room first." Ego commanded.
Kira and the other five followed Ego's instructions, leaving the room and heading to the exclusive waiting room for the Top 6.
"Hey, hey, hey! Tell me! How did you manage to score two goals against those monsters?"
Since arriving in the VIP room, Shidou had been glued to Kira, pestering him with questions.
At first, Kira managed to ignore him.
But finally, he couldn't take it anymore and said, "I just kicked the ball into the net. Isn't that enough?"
"Huh?" Shidou paused for a second, then burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! So you just kicked the ball into the net!"
Rin glared at Shidou with open hostility. He didn't have a good feeling about this guy either.
"Hello. I'm Yukimiya. Nice to meet you, Kira."
Kira turned his head to see the tall, handsome boy standing in front of him.
"Nice to meet you."
Kira extended his hand, and they shook.
"And this must be Rin. I've heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you too."
Rin just nodded, clearly uncomfortable with the social interaction.
"That match against Team World Five… Loki was really impressive. What about you guys?"
"Same here..."
Yukimiya started chatting with Kira and Rin.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Shidou stood silently to the side.
Otoya and Karasu stuck together, whispering among themselves.
The six people in the VIP room quickly split into three small groups.
Ten minutes later.
"Alright, diamonds in the rough."
Ego's figure appeared on the screen again.
"Without a doubt, in the previous battles, you have all proven your existence."
"You are the elite of Blue Lock."
"..."
Ego gave another passionate speech to pump them up.
Then, he disappeared from the screen.
The aptitude test was finally here.
Kira glanced at the pink-haired freak in the corner.
Just thinking about having him as a teammate gave Kira a headache.
'If I had known earlier, I would have tried to let Rin score a goal in the match against Team World Five.'
That way, Rin would be Top 2.
Working with someone you know is always easier. At least he wouldn't have to deal with this chaotic variable.
Sigh. No point in 'what ifs'.
Kira accepted reality.
"Going back to the room? Rin."
"Yeah."
Kira prepared to escape this place and get some rest.
"Bye-bye, partner!" Shidou waved at Kira with a grin.
This made Kira stumble just as he was walking out the door.
Dammit.
Kira felt resentful inside. He was deeply afraid he might end up fighting this guy during the match.
Fighting wasn't the main issue—Kira was mostly afraid of getting his face smashed in.
***
Third Selection Cafeteria.
The advancing members of Team Z, minus Kira, were gathered together for a meal.
After Kira and the others went to the other room, Ego had explained that they needed to find a team that suited their playstyle.
And also, for this meal, they could eat whatever they wanted.
"Hey, Monk, did you take every single dish on the menu?"
Raichi was shocked by the mountain of food in front of Igaguri.
"Of course! We can eat whatever we want just for tonight. If I don't eat, I lose out!"
"Let me take one of your burdens..." Gagamaru sneakily swiped some food from Igaguri's pile.
"Hey! Go get your own!" Igaguri complained.
"Hahaha..."
Everyone laughed.
"But, gathering everyone from the original Team Z... looks like that's impossible now," Raichi said, unusually sentimental.
"Yeah. Naruhaya isn't here to steal my food anymore. Feels kinda empty," Gagamaru reminisced.
Raichi counted on his fingers. "And pervy Imamura. And reliable Iemon."
"Huh? Where's Kunigami?"
Raichi noticed Kunigami was missing.
"I'm here!"
Kunigami appeared holding a bunch of drinks. He'd gone to get drinks for everyone.
"What were you guys talking about?"
Kunigami sat down heavily and twisted open a bottle.
"Just talking about the teammates who got eliminated," Bachira said with his mouth full.
"To be honest, we panicked when we didn't see you earlier, Kunigami. We thought you got cut."
"Huh?"
Kunigami looked confused. "You guys have that little faith in my strength?"
"Then why didn't you worry about me?" Raichi protested. "I showed up pretty late too, you know."
"With your 'Sexy Football' level, getting eliminated would be normal, wouldn't it?" Bachira started talking trash.
"You're asking for a beating!!" Raichi jumped up furiously and lunged at him.
Bachira dodged instantly.
"Kunigami, save me!!!"
Kunigami looked helpless. 'Will these guys ever grow up?'
"By the way, have you guys decided which team you're going to join?"
Everyone froze mid-meal. Clearly, this was the difficult question they needed to face now.
"Yeah. Which team should we choose..."
Isagi felt a bit lost inside.
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