𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓 | 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙠

17. 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳

"𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒, I've decided Itoshi Rin and Ryusei Shidou will not shard the field."

Ego's mind flickered to the meeting with Itoshi Sae. A meeting that he knew now, could end up being the cause of Blue Lock's end.

As he spoke, a dreading feeling ate away at his heart, fearing the results of the words that would soon escape his mouth.

The mere thought had never crossed his mind, that Adonis Saint would be the one Sae would choose.

He knew they were practically brothers, that the two had grown up playing on the pitch alongside eachother, but he never expected Adonis to play in a game like this, let alone again at all, and especially not after he'd quit from the Blue Lock side.

As good as those within the program had become, a combination of two of the worlds next best stars would be almost be too much a problem to overcome.

So, all he could do was hope.

"When this team encounters a dilemma, Ryusei Shidou would swap in for Rin Itoshi as a Joker," He said, continuing to explain.

"A powerful interjection that could change the flow of the game. I'd switch him in with Itoshi in a dire situation."

Ego took in a deep breath, his heart near beating out of his chest.

"Just after I decided on this lineup, I received a call from the President of the JFA," He stated, pausing slightly before continuing.

"He said Itoshi Sae was displeased with the forwards on the U-20 team. If we didn't submit to Sae's demands, he'd call off the game since noone would watch."

"There was just one condition," He said, "That Itoshi Sae could take any player from Blue Lock and add them to the U-20 team.

Sae Itoshi didn't choose anyone here. Whether it was Rin Itoshi, or Ryusei Shidou, I only had those two choices for team Blue Lock,"

"I Chose Rin Itoshi, while-"

"Wait," A voice interjected, "Does that mean... No, We won't have to play against Shidou, right?"

"No, you won't."

A collective sigh was released, all the Blue Lockers seemingly relieved that they wouldn't need to go against Shidou. A monster that they felt, with Itoshi Sae's genuis, would be near unbeatable.

Soon, they'd wish it was Shidou they were matched up against.

"Instead of choosing Ryusei Shidou, Like I'd anticipated, he chose a different Blue Locker, Someone that some of you may be familiar with, Akito Kaguya."

They didn't know what to feel, Yes, Akito was good, but how good was he now? In conparison to those that went through the tryout, while he sat at home.

"Well that isn't too bad, Right? He was supposedly good, but he'll be out of practice, it's been some time since he quit Blue Lock. It doesn't make sense to pick him." Yukimiya said.

Ego paused, listening to the Blue Lockers agree with Yukimiya, hearing no fear in their voices.

How long would that fearlessness last, he wondered.

"That's correct, it would make no sense to pick him... if he was actually Akito Kaguya."

"What?" Multiple voices rang out, confused as to what he meant by that.

And so it begins.

The fear that spread, that unease, that sense that they were in danger. The source of his terror.