ISAGI HAREM

Ch 6 LSS: The Calm and the Storm

Ego knew about it this whole time, and he's living for the madness.

The thing is, Jinpachi Ego sees everything. That's a fact.

Sure, certain areas of Blue Lock like the bathrooms and dorm rooms usually didn't have cameras inside because - contrary to popular belief he does understand the need for privacy. Plus, why the hell would he want to subject himself to watching the private lives of teenagers?

Even before the existence of Blue Lock TV, Ego's been advocating for the privacy of his players. He wants to create the world's best striker, and he wants to do it without the pathetic influence of the money grubbing hands of those from the JFA. But, the reality is, Ego needs the funding, and only the higher ups can get him that. Anri may have a small amount of say when it comes to protecting these teenagers, but even she couldn't do anything when they suddenly decide to publicize the Neo Egoist games in exchange for continuous funding of Blue Lock.

Ego decides to play along with their game, if only for Blue Lock's benefit. He makes it his mission to get the best of the best for his players - costs be damned. He already knows the amount of money they'll most likely be getting and spending - so he also knows they can afford it, and Ego will take advantage of spending as much of their greedy money as he can to further his goal of finding Japan's best striker.

So when he pitches the idea of the Neo Egoist League, he makes certain to let them know that he wants who he wants and they better make it happen. They're not given any other choice but to agree, of course - especially with international companies as backers. But then they follow up the deal with a very specific condition: the presence of Isagi Yoichi in the first game for the League ‐ regardless of the boy's standing.

This ticks Ego off, for multiple reasons. Not only is it an insult to what Blue Lock stands for, it's a direct insult to Isagi himself. What's worse is that he has to be the one to speak to Noa about it, and as expected - neither of them are happy.

"No." Noel Noa stands in front of him with arms crossed and a frown clearly on his face. "If Isagi Yoichi wants to be in Bastard's starting lineup against Barcha, he has to earn it like everyone else."

"You seem to think I want this." Ego sits on his chair, a hand on his chin. "I'm in the same line of thinking as you, Noa. But my hands are tied."

"And you're just letting it happen? That's not like you." Noa replies. "Surely you've seen his starting performance? He couldn't even hit that target and score against Kaiser. I've spoken to Loki as well. I don't need a poster boy on this team."

Ego blinks at this and then his eyes blaze with a look that shocks Noa himself. "Is that what you all think of him? A poster boy for Blue Lock?"

"Is he not? Your JFA is certainly making it seem that way." Noa says seriously, and Ego knows it's a true enough statement. It's not as if Noa is wrong, not really. After all, Noel Noa knows what it's like to climb to the top and actually work for it. Any reputable striker in their right minds would find it insulting to be put on a team just for the purpose of "image".

Right after the U-20 match, the higher ups were quick to paint Isagi into an ideal picture of a posterboy for football. Anri didn't sugarcoat the fact that these greedy bastards made it clear that they'll be satisfied if that's all Isagi Yoichi becomes - the "face" of Blue Lock and Japanese football.

But they're all wrong.

"Isagi Yoichi is an egoist, just like all the others that have clawed their way into this third selection. You might think he's nothing special, especially compared to all the other egoists here that have already earned their footing. And what was it that Michael Kaiser called him? A clown?" Ego says with a tilt of his head. He then gets up from his chair and stalks slowly towards Noa.