Blue Lock: Isagi the egoist

The tension inside Blue Lock was rising. The selected Blue Lock XI had been finalized, and the upcoming match against Japan's U-20 national team loomed over their heads. The fate of Blue Lock rested on this single game.

Isagi stood at the center of the main training hall, hands in his pockets as he watched the others prepare. Ego had arranged internal scrimmages between Team A1, A2, B1, and B2, ensuring that the starting lineup was forged through fire.

The four teams battled each other relentlessly, but one thing was clear—Isagi was on a different level.

He barely needed to go serious, instead refining the technical aspects of his game. He experimented with long-range shots, tested his passing accuracy, and even trained his reaction speed against Rin and Karasu's pressing. His dribbling felt sharper, his body lighter. Every motion felt perfectly optimized for dominance.

After days of training, the Blue Lock XI was locked in. Ego stood before them, arms crossed, his usual smirk ever-present.

"This is the team that will fight for Blue Lock's survival," he said, eyes gleaming. "You are the best strikers this facility has produced, and together, you'll take down Japan's outdated system."

The team had confidence, but Isagi was on another plane entirely. He had surpassed every test, every limit. Now, he was ready for the real challenge.

Meanwhile, at the Japan U-20 Training Camp…

Sae Itoshi stood in the middle of the U-20 training field, arms crossed, watching the complete and utter disaster in front of him.

It was pathetic.

The players couldn't keep up with his passing speed, their reads were slow, and their movement was predictable. It wasn't even a challenge. The only ones remotely competent were Aiku and the defensive line, and even they weren't at the level he had hoped.

His expectations had been low, but somehow, the reality was even worse.

As the ball was played toward Aoyama, the U-20 striker attempted to dribble past Sae—a grave mistake.

With one quick movement, Sae stole the ball with ease, pivoted, and fired a no-look pass across the field. The other players barely even reacted in time.

"What the hell was that?" Sae scoffed, turning to the coach. "Is this the best Japan has to offer? These guys are amateurs."

The U-20 coach sighed. "We're working on their chemistry, Itoshi. Give them some time."

"Time?" Sae chuckled, shaking his head. "We don't have time. We're facing Blue Lock. Do you even understand what that means?" His voice dripped with disdain.

The others frowned, some muttering under their breath. Aiku, standing at the back, simply smirked.

"You sound scared, Sae," Aiku teased.

Sae shot him a glare. "I'm not scared. I'm just pissed. If I lose because of these guys, I'll never forgive them."

His thoughts drifted to Isagi Yoichi—the monster he had been keeping an eye on.

Unlike the rest of Blue Lock, Isagi wasn't just a wildcard talent—he was a complete anomaly. Even back in Spain, when they played together, Isagi's growth rate was terrifying.

He had no doubt that the "Number One" of Blue Lock, scratch that, of the World was going to be their biggest problem.

"Tch," Sae clicked his tongue. I guess I'll just have to handle this myself.

The training session dragged on, but Sae had already made up his mind.

Japan's U-20 team was going to lose.

And when they did, he'd be the only one left standing.

Back at Blue Lock…

Isagi stood in front of the mirror in the locker room, his eyes sharp, focused.

His body felt perfect. His mind was clearer than ever. Every piece of the puzzle had come together.

The match was coming.

And when it did, he was going to devour every last one of them.

As he laced up his boots, he couldn't help but smirk.

Time to prove why I'm Number One.

(Here are the Line-ups if you need them, though I'll probably mention them again in the U-20 game:

Blue Lock XI Lineup

Formation: 4-5-1

Goalkeeper (GK): Gagamaru Gin (His reflexes and goalkeeping skills make him a reliable last line of defense)

Defenders (DF):

Right Back (RB): Raichi Jingo (Tough and aggressive, capable of breaking up plays)

Center Back (CB): Igarashi Gurimu (Strong and dependable in defense)

Center Back (CB): Kuon Wataru (Good at organizing the defense and providing stability)

Left Back (LB): Ishikari Yukimura (Balanced in both defensive and offensive support)

Midfielders (MF):

Defensive Midfielder (DM): Barou Shoei (Physically imposing and can control the midfield with his strength)

Right Midfielder (RM): Chigiri Hyoma (Speed and agility make him a threat down the wing)

Central Midfielder (CM): Rin Itoshi (Tactical awareness and creativity to support the attack)

Central Midfielder (CM): Nagi Seishiro (Unpredictable and creative, providing key passes and dribbling skills)

Left Midfielder (LM): Bachira Meguru (Dribbling genius and can create opportunities for Isagi)

Striker (ST): Isagi Yoichi (The top player, with exceptional spatial awareness and playmaking abilities, leading the attack)

Japan U-20 Lineup

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper (GK): Wakatsuki Michiru

Right Back (RB): Yamada Shizuma

Center Back (CB): Tachibana Yuuto

Center Back (CB): Miyamoto Seiji

Left Back (LB): Tanaka Hiroto

Central Midfielder (CM): Itoshi Sae (A highly skilled and well-known player)

Central Midfielder (CM): Furuya Mikio

Central Midfielder (CM): Suzuki Haruto

Right Wing (RW): Nagamine Ryo

Striker (ST): Aoyama Keisuke

Left Wing (LW): Nomura Kojiro)

To Be Continued…