Blue Lock: Natural Selection

Chapter 6: Tag

Two hundred and ninety-nine forwards and one single fullback were packed on buses and sent across the mountains as they traveled to a pentagon-shaped building. On the ride there, (Y/N) sat with the boy who ran alongside him. Yoichi Isagi. He had lost to Kira Ryosuke in his national game. The two bonded well. 

"So you're a fullback? I thought Blue Lock was to make the best striker possible?"

"Yeah, pretty weird, right?"

"Maybe Ego saw potential to turn you into a striker? I mean, you definitely had the ego for it."

"What about you? You joined me back then, why?"

"I don't know. My legs carried me up there with you. I guess I just hoped this place would make me stronger."

(Y/N) smiled as the bus came to a stop. The two walked off as they turned in their phones and were handed jerseys. Isagi's was labeled 298 Z and (Y/N) a 300 Z from Anri. The two walked the halls of the concrete building until reaching Room Z. Isagi opened the door, and the two walked in. 

There were multiple other players. One was curled in a ball sleeping, and another looked like Ichigo? (Y/N) made his way to a corner to change into the uniform as Isagi talked with some short monk named Igarashi. The TV turned on as Ego appeared waving. "Hi. Hi. The guys you're sharing your rooms with are both your roommates and rivals who will help you improve. Your abilities have been quantified and ranked by me according to my arbitrary and biased decision-making. That's what the numbers on your uniforms represent. You can tell at a glance what your rank out of is."

(Y/N) didn't bother to look at his rank. He had already known he was going to be the lowest. After all, he was competing to be an egotistical striker starting as a fullback. Igarashi quickly whispered to Isagi. "Wasn't that the kid who said he would devour all of us? Who knew he was the worst out of all of us."

"Your rank can change based on the results of your training or matches. And the top five players will unconditionally get to play in the tournament being held six months from now. They'll be registered as forwards for the U-20 World Cup. Additionally, anyone who loses at Blue Lock will never get to play for Japan." The players stare at Ego, shocked at the words that come out of his mouth. A chance to win it all or lose it all. (Y/N) smiles. What a gamble. "What you need to gain here is ego. I'll be testing you now to measure that. So it's time to play tag. You have 136 seconds. Whoever's struck by the ball is 'it.' Whoever's 'it' when time runs out will be locked off." A ball drops in front of (Y/N) as the TV turns off. "Also, no using your hands. Those are the rules..."

The TV screen turns to a timer with a drawing of (Y/N). A blonde hair boy with shark-like teeth complains, "What the hell...? Is this a move-in test?! This ain't soccer!"

A boy with brown hair tries to open the automatic doors, but he has no luck. "Wait a minute...The stuff about representing Japan...Do you believe him? He's actually bluffing, right?"

"I dunno, but...what if he's for real?" replies Igarashi.

"I wonder?" says (Y/N) as he stares at the clock. "Should I go for the weakest?" (Y/N) winds up his foot as Igarashi widens his eyes before running towards a group of people.

"What the hell! Spread out!" yells the shark boy. (Y/N) launches the ball toward Igarashi, who dives out of the way, leaving it to bounce off the wall. Igarashi gives a sigh of relief and a quick laugh. However, his celebration was cut short as the ball returned to (Y/N).

"Perfect." The boy jumped up, trapping the ball with the outside of his left foot and kicking it full power over Igarashi with his right. Igarashi was mesmerized as the ball sailed over his head. Suddenly just as quickly, the ball curved downwards into Igarashi's chest. The boy was launched back with the ball knocking the wind out of him.

The room stares at (Y/N) in shock. How was this kid ranked 300? He had perfectly trapped a ball and made a reality-altering curve. Igarashi quickly got up. Seeing the difference in level between him and (Y/N). The boy chased after Isagi and anyone close to him. "This is ridiculous. I'm here so I can prove him wrong. Having our soccer lives decided by a game of tag is definitely wrong. I won't let him ruin my future," says Kira.

"What's wrong, Jewel of Japan? Are you scared of losing?" (Y/N) questions.

"Huh?"

"Keep your eyes on me, Jewel of Japan." (Y/N)'s pupils turn back to swirls as his aura radiates. "I'll be the one to send you back home."

"Your nuts!"

Meanwhile, Igarashi spots the sleeping boy, but before he can kick it, the boy stands up on his hands and delivers a kick to Igarashi's face, causing the boy to bleed. "Oww...Hey! That's a foul. If this were a game, that'd mean a red card!"

The previously sleeping boy rubs his eyes, mumbling in a tired voice, "We just can't use our hands, right? Morning." 

The Ichigo look-alike puts his hands on the sleeping boy's shoulders. "Hey. I hate dirty methods. Let's fight fair and square."

"Someone's a goody-goody."

Ichigo's face gets smashed in as Igarashi celebrates. The tv reads Rensuke Kunigami. Ah, so that's his name. An agitated Kunigami kicks the ball full power, aiming for Igarashi. "Urgh...you bastard..I'll crush you Iga-Guri!" The ball sails forward as Igarashi jumps on Isagi, smashing into Isagi's gut, launching the boy back several feet and knocking the wind out of him. "Ah...My bad. I wasn't aiming for you." 

Isagi runs around kicking the ball at anyone close but is unable to hit anyone. The previously sleeping boy jumps on Kunigami. "Nya Ha Ha! You hey! Here's your chance."

Isagi pauses as Kunigami grabs the previously sleeping boy and throws him. "I told you to play Fair and Square!" He lands on Igarashi, injuring him, before quickly getting off as Isagi stands in front of Igarashi. 

"Ah...Crap...Hey...Time out," says Igarashi.

"Go, Isagi-kun! Hit him! Now's your chance!" yells Kira.

Igarashi begs Isagi not to shoot as Isagi stands before him, holding his career in a single kick. Time winds down to 30 seconds as Isagi contemplates. If he hits him, he'll survive and continue his dream...But he'll end someone else's. "No. I came here to change my life...I'm here to become the world's best!" As Isagi turns around, his eyes turn into swirls, and the sleeping boy faces him.

"I like you! You get it!" He steals the ball, and the tv shows up Meguru Bachira. "If you're going to crush someone...Go for the strongest guy!" Bachira passes all of the players before standing before Kira. 

"Me?" Kira prepares to run. However, Bachira dribbles past him, searching for one person in particular. 

"No. You're the strongest." He appears in front of (Y/N). He kicks the ball at him. (Y/N) jumps up and quickly ducks as Bachira sends a kick. The ball bounces off the wall as Bachia plants his hands and sends a pass to Isagi. Isagi winds up for a kick as Kira smiles.

"End him, Isagi!" To Kira's surprise, Isagi suddenly taps it over (Y/N)'s head as the boy jumps up.

"Eyes up, Mr. Jewel of Japan!" (Y/N) turns his body upside down, sending a bicycle kick and smashing the ball right into Kira's face, causing the boy to bleed out of his nose. 

The timer hits 1, then 0, as the screen shows Kira as IT. Ego pops back on the screen, clapping, as Kira looks at Isagi in shock.

"Good job, you lumps of talent. Results are everything here. Now get out, loser! Ryosuke Kira...Lock off!"