Proyect: Bland King - Ayanokouji Kiyotaka en Blue Lock

Blood dripped down Kira's nose, as he looked up at Isagi, completely dazed.

Kira: Isagi-kun? What are you doing?

Ayanokouji: (Isagi didn't have that mentality prior. Bachira must have awakened something in him.)

Kira: Wait, what is this? What's happening?

He hasn't accepted his defeat. He was still in the core of denial.

Isagi, sweating and returning to normal, didn't seem to know why he hit the only friend he made during Blue Lock at this point.

Isagi: I'm sorry. It's just... the ball came out of nowhere and...

Kira: Huh? Don't give me that bullshit-

*CLAPPING*

Ego: Diamonds in the rough, only results matter here. LOSERS LOCK OFF. Kira Ryosuke, you are disqualified.

Everyone aside from Kira, stare down at him, like the weak and injured prey he was. His face of sheer shock said it all.

He stood up.

Kira: This is bullshit. How is it possible for my future career to lie in tatters... all because of some stupid game?!!!! I'm Japanese soccer's jewel in the crown! You're telling me Igaguri and Isagi-kun are more talented than me?! HUH?!!! Why does this silly game of tag even matter?!!! What does it have to do with soccer?!

Ego scratched his head to comfort himself, listening to the annoying and squawking voice of Kira.

Ego: In Blue Lock, everything has something to do with soccer. Look around you, Mr. Mediocre Elite.

Kira: What?

Ego: The area around you, is the same size as the penalty area. Roughly 75% of all goals are born within these confines. If you can't do your work in this space, you have no talent as a striker.

Ayanokouji: (So running away from the ball in this area is almost like running away from a goal opportunity in real life.)

Kira: S-So what?!! Tag is nothing like soccer!

Ego: If you're the one running away, you need a keen sense of interpersonal space, tactics an positioning. If you're the one doing the chasing, your dribbling and aim must be precise, and the quality of your kicks must be high. Isagi, Ayanokouji, and Kunigami showed just that. Thus, playing tag in this area makes it an excellent soccer training drill, wimp.

Kira: E-Even so, how can you know anything about me in just two minutes?!!! A soccer match is 90 minutes!

Ego: On average, the total amount of time any player spends on the ball in a 90-minute game is about 136 seconds. You wasted the chance that was afforded to all of you equally.

Kira: B-But nothing could be done in those last ten seconds-

Ego: Would you say the same thing if it was a match? When the ball hit you, there was still one second left on the clock. You could've survived if you blasted it at the immobile Igarashi. But you didn't see it. In a way, it was the last play right before the final whistle. The moment your teammate's shot hit you, you gave up and accepted defeat. That's why you didn't see it. You missed your chance at victory by not taking the extra step.

Kira: No...

Ego: Whoever is 'it' in this game might be the loser if he holds onto the ball too long. But he might also be the winner, as only he has the power to choose who is hit next. A striker shoulders the responsibility an fights until the very last second. Isagi Yoichi targeted someone ranked higher than him, not the fallen Igarashi. Bachira Meguru stole the ball off him and went after the strongest guy.

His smile widened.

Ego: That's a selfish obsession with victory that isn't affected by the group's common sense. That's the egoism of a striker I'm looking for. You lost because you ran away from it. Kira Ryosuke, lock off.

Standing there, completely defeated and broken, Kira mumbled words to himself which eventually turned to a hidious anger.

Kira: But... B-But he came at me... Bachira came out of nowhere... BACHIRA CAME AT ME OUT OF NOWHERE!!!!!

Isagi: K-Kira-kun?

His face looked like it would implode onto itself. He wasn't in a good mood to say the least.

Kira: This isn't right. It... can't be.

After saying another useless statement, Kira left room Z and vanished in obscurity, with his dreams forever broken and his trust in humanity destroyed.

Bachira stuck his tongue out and looked right at Isagi. After a a minute of silence, Isagi questioned Bachira. 

Isagi: Why did you pass it to me? If I hadn't kicked it, you would've lost.

Bachira: Hm? Because I knew you'd kick it. It was written all over your face.

Isagi: Huh?

Bachira: 'Only results matter here,' right? So I believed in you and I won, right?

Isagi: (This guy is totally crazy.)

Igarashi mumbled to himself.

Igarashi: Is this ridiculousness going to continue?

Ego: 'Ridiculousness'? You're right. That's the world of 'win or lose.' Those world-class strikers you so casually adore put their lives on the line like this every day. How does it feel to fight for your career for the first time in your lives? Does it scare you? Does it excite you? This is normal in Blue Lock. Are you shaken up and relieved? That's what victory feels like. Etch that into your brain. Every time you get a taste of that pleasant sensation, your ego grows. And that will elevate you to the height of the world's greatest striker.

Ayanokouji: (I see.)

Ego: Congratulations. You have passed the admission exam for the Blue Lock dorm.

A few of the strikers: YEAH!

Ego: There are 11 of you in this room. You eleven will be living together. At times, you'll work together. At other times, you'll betray one another, Blue Lock team Z. Find how to turn a 0 into a 1.

Ayanokouji: (Turning something from a 0 to a 1. What could he mean by that?).

...

...

...

A couple days of intense training followed. A large weight room equipped with mats, treadmills, and thick rope was provided. 

Each of the 11 strikers trained to their heart's content, realizing that they needed to get better an fast. 

Occupying the 4 treadmills was Ayanokouji, Raichi, Isagi, and Igarashi. At a speed of 20 kph for 2 hours straight, Igarashi had fainted and Isagi was dragging his feet along the machine.

Raichi: I didn't think anyone would keep up with me. Not bad, boring bastard!

Ayanokouji: Good stamina goes a long way. 

Raichi: You're damn fucking right!

Igarashi vomitted across the floor. 

Igarashi: They're... not human...

Isagi: (Is Ayanokouji a robot or something? Even Raichi is gasping for air. He's not even out of breath.)

After another 30 minutes, Ayanokouji moved his training regimen to his legs while others measured their verticals. 

Raichi: Ayanokouji! 

Ayanokouji: Yes?

Raichi: We stopped the treadmill at the same time. Don't ya wanna find out who has more stamina?

Ayanokouji: It's obviously you. I feel like passing out. 

Raichi: You're so full of shit, saying that while looking absolutely dandy. 

Ayanokouji: It's already too late in the day. 

Raichi: Then tomorrow? Come on! You can't be the best striker without having the most endurance!

Ayanokouji: No thanks. 

Raichi: Tch, what a kill joy. 

Once evening training was completed, everyone went to the cafeteria. There, Ayanokouji was given a plate of pickled radishes as his side dish along with bland rice and miso soup. He already knew this was indicative of his rank, since he had experienced the same thing in Project: Bland King. 

Ayanokouji sat alone until Raichi plopped his food right next to him. 

Raichi: Looks like you're a social outcast here, calm bastard. 

Ayanokouji: Then you must be in the same boat, Raichi. 

Raichi: I'm just feeling sorry for you. 

Ayanokouji: (Yeah, sure.)

In the distance, Gagamaru was eating a delectable meal since he was a higher rank. What was strange about it, however, was that he used his hands to eat rice and pick up pieces of food. He had no manners whatsoever. Naruhaya swooped in and ate one piece of the more delicious food on his plate, causing the caveman to chase him across the cafeteria. 

Igarashi: Careful, Isagi! They might steal our food!

Isagi: But who would want our low-quality food anyway?

...

...

...

It was nighttime, and everyone slept in their sleeping bags in a completely empty room with no furniture. Ayanokouji, who had still not fallen asleep, saw Bachira leave the room. Shortly after, Isagi woke up and left as well. 

Ayanokouji: (They must be going to train even more. Too much training can also hurt your body. They only give us 6 or so hours to sleep anyway.)

Not caring or curious enough to find out what the two were doing, Ayanokouji went back to sleep.

About a couple of hours later, the rest of the strikers woke up to the sound of an announcement being projected from the speakers above. 

'The results of the fitness tests have been assessed. Please return to your rooms and confirm the latest rankings.'

Ayanokouji: (Huh... my ranking changed.)

Looking down at his arm sleeve, Ayanokouji saw his rank had went up to 275. 

Ayanokouji: (275... well that doesn't do much for me. I'm sure we weren't the only group of 12 to undergo that admission exam. We are from Room Z. That means, if we're basing it on the alphabet, then there has to be 25 other teams. But then by taking a player off each of the 26 teams, the lowest rank would be 274 and not 275. The ranking system might be excluding a letter, particularly A since he wouldn't want any of us to be considered first-rate strikers by any stretch.)

Commotion swirled regarding our rankings. Bachira and Isagi entered the room also revealing their ranks when asked about them. Isagi's rank went up to 273 and Igarashi's was 274. Kunigami's ranking also went up to 266. It seems each of the ranks fluctuated by 25. 

Igarashi: Looks like I'm still ahead of you Ayanokouji, hahahaha!!!

Ayanokouji: And Isagi's still one level higher than you. 

Igarashi didn't like his retort and ignored him. He seems to still hold a grudge from what happened in the admissions test into Blue Lock. 

Raichi: Haha!!! Even though your ranking went up, your still last, Ayanokouji! You won't be the best striker like that!

Ego: Well, well. 

The screen turned on revealing Ego. Whatever commotions the strikers had amongst themselves dissolved as he continued speaking. 

Ego: Hello there, diamonds in the rough. How are you enjoying life in Blue Lock?

Raichi: Cut the crap! Do you really expect us to improve in this crummy environment?! 

Naruhaya: Yeah, what he said. I want better food. 

Ego: The environment's crummy because your soccer skills are crummy, duh. Idiots. 

Raichi: What?

Ego: Let's talk a little bit about Blue Lock. In this facility, a total of 25 teams from B down to Z are split into five groups, one per building. Oh and by the way. 

Showing Kira's face caved in from Isagi's shot, Ego paused it and spoke. 

Ego: Each team lost one person after the game of tag so there are 275 people left. 

Ayanokouji: (It figures. So I'm still last then.)

Igarashi: What? So I'm still second to last?! I was happy for nothing!

Ego: Your rank decides your team. Ranks 1 through 11 are in team B, ranks 12 through 22 are in team C and so on. In short, you team Z guys are the lowest ranked in Building 5. 

Isagi: These guys are in the lowest group?

Raichi: Tsk, don't lump me in with these losers. 

Igarashi: What?!

Kunigami: Who are you calling 'losers'?

Kuon: Now, now. Let's calm down guys. 

Ego: Higher-ranked players eat gourmet food and get to train in better buildings. Performing well in the selection will also win you certain perks including cellphone privileges. 

Ayanokouji: (I can contact Kei then. It's feasible. I'm not sure if she'd want me to at this point, however.)

Ego: In here, the best soccer player is king. If you want a better environment, win your way up. Any questions?

No one dared to say a word. 

Ego: Alright, then. Let's begin the first selection. The first selection will involve the 55 of you in Building 5. It's kind of a five team round robin. Only the top two teams will move on to the second selection in this survival match. 

Chigiri: So the eleven of us on Team Z will play as a proper team? We're all forwards though. 

Raichi: Then I'll play center forward!

Kunigami: Huh? No, I will. 

Gagamaru: No, me. 

Naruhaya: Igarashi, you can be on defense. 

Igarashi: HUH?!

Isagi: (A team made of forwards? That's crazy talk.)

Ego: Listen up. Soccer was originally a sport all about scoring. You've been stupidly imprinted with the notions of positioning and tactics, but all of those roles only evolved over time. Soccer initially started out with everyone playing as a striker. So play soccer as it was originally. Create soccer from zero with your brains. 

Isagi: (Create soccer from zero?)

Ego: Get this through your thick skulls, diamonds in the rough. What we really need right now for Japan to become the best in the world isn't the teamwork of eleven players. What we need is one hero. 

...

Occurring at the same time in a press conference of the JFU across the country, Anri finished speaking about the ambitions Blue Lock hopes to fulfill and its use in making Japan's World Cup dreams a reality.

The press weren't fans of such a proposal, since it ended 299 other careers from great prospects for Japan. 

A member of the World 11 of the next generation, midfielder Itoshi Sae, listened to this all along with his manager. 

Manager: Sae-chan, we'd better get going. The flight back to Spain is-

Sae Itoshi: Cancel it. 

Manager: Huh?!

Sae Itoshi: I want to see what kind of idiot's going to be born in this country with my own eyes.