the dreams and evolution of isagi yoichi

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/47394769.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: M/M
Fandom: Blue Lock (Manga), Kuroko no Basuke | Kuroko's Basketball, Haikyuu!!
Relationship: Isagi Yoichi/Everyone, Generation of Miracles/Kuroko Tetsuya,
Kageyama Tobio/Hinata Shoyou, kageyama tobio & isagi yoichi &
Kuroko tetsuya
Character: Blue Lock Ensemble, Kuroko Tetsuya, Kageyama Tobio, Isagi Yoichi,
generation of miracles (they’re kinda there but more being reacted to),
Haikyuu!! Ensemble
Additional Tags: Isagi yoichi & kageyama tobio & Kuroko tetsuya are brothers, isagi
yoichi is adopted, isagi is a brat, sassy isagi, Only in his head though,
Most of the time, kuroko is blunt and we love him for it, kags is kinda
ooc, but he’s still a dumbass, we still love him, everyone in blue lock is
kinda horny (the teenagers), seriously who thought it was a good idea
to put a bunch of hormonal teens together, Possessive Behaviour,
Obsessive Behaviour, everyone in blue lock is lowkey unhinged,
Kuroko and kageyama are supportive brothers, Kuroko is also kinda
unhinged, why is kags the only sane one, im the author and i dont even
know, no beta we die like Kira’s career, kuroko has like two rich
boyfriends, isagi is about to get like five of them, Everyone Loves Isagi
Yoichi, itoshi rin is a brat, kaiser is a dumbass, yandere vibes kinda,
gom is also kinda crazy, ego is regretting his life choices, So is Anri,
and noa, and all the masters, Should Loki be a love interest, hes just
gonna be on the fence for now, what am I doing with my life, pls dont
judge me, ill cry, Kuroko and kageyama and isagi are a terrifying trio, i
would piss my pants if all of them glared at me at once, no joke, kuroko
is worried for his brother, WE ALL ARE, Igarashi Gurimu bashing, is
that not an actual tag?, that should be a tag, he’s annoying and I hate
him, why is he still in blue lock, how, he’s actually useless
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2023-05-24 Updated: 2023-08-04 Words: 32,662 Chapters:
10/?

the dreams and evolution of isagi yoichi

by WynterWolfie

Summary

In which, Blue Lock is brought to react to their (future) ace’s journey through Blue Lock
and feelings start to rise. Oh and, apparently, his scary ass brothers will be reacting with
them

Or,
 Isagi has brothers, they’re scary, and (almost) everyone is a simp for Isagi, and the storyline
has changed slightly

Inspired by Blue Lock React! by Dreamquillz

 prologue

Isagi woke up to find himself in a dark room. What the fuck?

“Neh? Where are we? I~sa~gi~? Bachira ran up to Isagi. Isagi smiled, they were just about to go
against the World Five.

However, it seemed other people were not as calm as Isagi and Bachira were.

“Where the fuck are we?!” Barou screamed.

“Fuck! How the hell would I know!?” Raichi added. There was plenty of shouting throughout the
dark room, and Isagi noticed it was the different teams. Wait. Was that Itoshi Sae? Holy shit, Noel
Noa? Chris Prince? Why the hell were there so many professional teams here?! Even the World
Five were here, damn this was weird.

“Calm down you unpolished gems,” Ego said. He found a note in his pocket.

What up losers, you’re here to react to the football journey of Isagi Yoichi, you have no say in
this, so enjoy

Straightforward, Ego approved.

“What??? Why me!?” Isagi sank to the floor. Why was it always him?

“Yeah, why him?” Barou growled, while Rin glared at Isagi.

“I don’t see a way out of here, so I suppose we should so as the note says.” Ego adjusts his glasses.

A screen appeared before them, a very large one, and suddenly they were all seated in very
comfortable chairs, that were put into a specific arrangement, with what was left of Team Z sitting
near each other, followed by Nagi, Reo, Zantetsu, Rin, Aryu, Tokimitsu, Barou and everyone else.

Well, I suppose it’s starting.

 chapter one
Chapter Summary

The first chapter (this thing follows the manga btw), and people are curious about who
isagi really is

The scene showed a soccer field. It was a match between two schools. Someone was running
with the ball as two defenders chased after him trying to tackle him.

“Isagi! It’s you!” Bachira grabbed his best friend happily.

“Ha…ha, yeah…” Isagi looked down slightly. Everyone here was going to see his disappointing
and devastating loss, and he had no doubt Raichi, Barou and Rin would take the opportunity to
mock him. Assholes, those three were.

Isagi dribbled past one player by passing the ball through his legs. The camera centred on
his blue eyes, his intense gaze burning into the screen. If we win this, we’ll go to Nationals!

“Wait you can read my thoughts?!” Isagi yelped. He was so dead. His thoughts were weird as shit.

“I want to see what Isagi thinks of me,” Nagi admits.

“Same,” many Blue Lockers agreed. The foreign players found themselves amused and a bit scared
at how almost everyone seemed to fawn (whether visibly or not) over Isagi. Sae looked at the
screen with boredom. He knew Isagi had lost. His reaction showed it. He wanted to know what
made this boy so special.

It was the National High School Soccer Championship for the Saitama Prefecture Finals, and
Ichinan High was playing against Matsukaze Kokuou.

The score was 1-0 in favour of Matsukaze. The boys on the bench of Ichinan High were
screaming and cheering. “Go Isagi!” “This is our last chance, Isagi! We’re counting on you!”
They cried out, raising their fists up high and cheering on their most talented teammate.

Players that do not think of their own goals, their own personal success in a game, are not worthy
to go beyond simple high school matches , Ego thought as he watched the screen.

Nationals! Nationals! Nationals! Nationals! Isagi chanted in his head as he dribbled swiftly,
confusing the opponent. Black tendrils seemed to surround him as he did so.

Bachira leaned forward, was this Isagi’s version of his monster? The other players looked on with
interest, just who was Isagi Yoichi, really? What made him so special that they had to react to him?

Kurona looked at the screen, not showing it, but he was excited. Isagi seemed like the kind of
person he’d get along with, he didn’t know why, he hadn’t even actually talked to him. Hiori
looked with interest too. So yer one of those types that love ta play like yer life depends on it, huh,
Isagi Yoichi?

Isagi dribbled past another defender, as he had fooled the defender into thinking he would go
the other way.

I’m over here dumbass! Isagi grinned, his mind was dead set on going to Nationals. It was his
dream to be the best, after all, what better way than to go to Nationals and prove it by
beating everyone else?

People marvelled at the simple yet completely egoistical thoughts that ran through the high
schooler’s head. This was what Blue Lock wanted, Ego thought, hiding a smile, an egoist who
chases his dreams no matter what, someone who bounces back from despair and setbacks and takes
on the next challenge, Isagi Yoichi, I wasn’t wrong after all. He smirked to himself, though Anri
noticed his amusement.

One-on-one with the goalie!! I’ll decide with this shot! The goalie looked at Isagi fearfully, he
could sense the intense aura of the boy before him, and he trembled before someone like him.
Isagi’s eyes seemed to be alight with blue flames as he looked ahead, I’m going to Nationals!

“Isagi! I’m open!” Before Isagi could shoot, Tada ran up behind him.

Isagi closed his eyes. Soon, he would be teased mercilessly, soon. He braced himself for the
ridicule that was soon to ensue. His old mindset had no place in Blue Lock, it was why Kira had
been disqualified, he hadn’t adapted fast enough.

Huh…? Tada…? If I pass… we’ll get the point… Isagi looked conflicted, his thoughts were
running at an inhuman speed, what to do…what to do…?

“What are you doing, Isagi!?! It’s all over if we don’t get his!!” His coach yelled from the
bench. “ ‘One for all and all for one’ !” His coach reminded, and Isagi closed his eyes in
acceptance. Right… soccer is a sport played with eleven people, I can’t win alone….

“So that’s why you were especially shit when you first came here?! Your stupid coach kept
preaching about shit he didn’t understand?!” Raichi thundered into his ear, and Chigiri smacked
him, “Shut up, bastard… you’re too damn loud…” Kunigami muttered. Wild Card had already
began, and he only watched as his teammates became stronger through the videos Ego had shown
him, while he felt left behind.

“Eh…? Kunigami..?” Bachira was perplexed by Kunigami’s response, usually he would’ve been
quite calm. But Kunigami didn’t reply.

He passed the ball.

“Dammit, striker, that ain’t striker-like at all~!” Bachira wrapped an arm around Isagi’s head,
trapping him in a headlock.

“Bachira! Stop it!” Isagi protested, as everyone else watched in amusement at the duo’s interaction.
It was clear the two were close, the foreign players felt, they wondered how the chemical reactions
between them were like.

Tada took the shot, and Isagi was confident it would make it in. But it missed, hitting the post
instead and deflecting off.

Everyone winced. That was just a plain shit try. No other way to say it.

“What the fuck?! No way!” Isagi yelled, running after Kira Ryosuke, the striker of the
opposing team, who was making a counter attack.

Niko scoffed. There was no way. There was no way that this was the same person who had beat
him. Someone like Isagi Yoichi was many things, but someone who submitted to another’s rule
was not one of them. Similarly, Barou was frustrated. How the hell did someone as weak and
useless as the person on screen become the same person who had the guts to call him a ‘retard’, the
same person who made him doubt himself. No fucking way. How did he improve so quickly?!
Barou snarled in his mind.

But he was too slow, and his teammates were too weak, as Kira shot the ball into the goal,
winning the game for his team with a score of 2-0.

It’s over… we lost… Isagi looked at the scoreboard with dejected eyes. It was always like this.
He should’ve known better. It was always like this! Every time he was about to take the shot
for himself, Tada would show up and the coach would tell him to play as a team and Tada
would royally fuck it up for them! Every damn time! Isagi couldn’t bring himself to cry. He
should’ve known better. HeknewTadawasshitwhydidhepassdammit-
“I’m sorry everyone…. If I had scored… if I had just scored…” Tada cried as he faced his
teammates, who assured him that it wasn’t his fault. Isagi stayed quiet. It had been Tada’s
fault. His fault for not having good aim, for never training for himself. But it was Isagi’s fault
too, he shouldn’t have passed the ball.

Heshould’vejusttakentheshothewouldhavedoneitnottwoyearsagowhatwaswrongwithhim —

Those thoughts seemed so strange. Those who had come to know Isagi found these thoughts such a
contrast compared to the calm and somewhat confident boy they knew. Was this who Isagi truly
was? Had all they known been a lie? Rin looked impassive, but deep down even he was curious
whether the Isagi he had known and grudgingly admired (though he wouldn’t admit it) was fake.
Was someone else in his life he had grown to become fond of a lie? A fake? Isagi had improved
very quickly, if the video was anything to go by how he was before Blue Lock, if by some miracle,
Isagi were to get better than him (it was highly unlikely, right?), would he leave him and tell him to
quit football like Sae? Would he abandon him too? (Rin hadn’t even realised it but he had formed
an obsession with the blue haired boy already, and he wasn’t all too willing to let him go)

Bachira looked worried. Isagi always seemed so calm and composed. Did his crush best friend
really think that way? Why did he never tell him? Did the monster know? Why did the monster not
tell him? Dammit. Dammit. Dammit. Weren’t friends supposed to tell each things like this? Bachira
wouldn’t know. He never had friends before. Does that mean Isagi was never his friend? That
wasn’t true, right? (It wasn’t, but Bachira didn’t know that). (Bachira hadn’t realised that he was
still very dependant on Isagi)

Reo was astounded. He had always thought Isagi to be some way too talented player who stole
Nagi from him. But this was who he truly was? Someone who was filled with self-doubt and was
convinced of his lack of worth? Reo didn’t expect this, not in a million years. He wanted to find
out, just who the enigma that was Isagi Yoichi? (Reo didn’t get it then, but he had an obsession
with Isagi, comparable with his obsession with Nagi, but he had assumed it was hatred)

Nagi stared blankly at the screen, was this how fast Isagi’s thoughts were, such a pain, how could
anyone think that fast? No wonder Isagi was so good, it was no wonder Nagi had followed him.
Despite the lacklustre thoughts, Nagi knew if it meant being the best in soccer, he would follow
Isagi to the depths of hell. (Or maybe he’d do it even if it didn’t benefit him, Nagi didn’t realise
just how much he worshipped Isagi Yoichi)
Chigiri growled. This was the person who told him to step out of his way? The person who had
split him and Kunigami apart, then left him? The same person who had broken down Chigiri’s
well built walls and forced his monster out? This weak, useless, worthless, thing was supposed to
be that person? Who was the boy who had brought Chigiri out of his prison in his head? Because it
sure as hell wasn’t the boy on the screen. (Chigiri didn’t get it, maybe he never would, but he
hungered for the taste of despair and defeat Isagi had brought him, he both desired and hated to
hear those insulting, incriminating words laced with venom directed at him)

Barou growled as well. The person who so blatantly broke him apart and pieced him together like a
puzzle lost in such a humiliating way? Why did Isagi bow his head to such a person, look down to
the ground when he didn’t even when he was the King? He would make sure Isagi bowed before
him if it was the last thing he did. (Barou was in too deep to realise just how much his soccer life
seemed to revolve around Isagi)

All around the room, those who had the opportunity to play against Isagi Yoichi, or play with him,
were wondering, just how well did they really know the striker? He could hide such emotions
easily, he was a master at hiding his intentions, they wouldn’t know, would they?

Kaiser smirked. Interesting, Yoichi~ I want to see what kind of monster you are, you’re clearly not
as timid as you seem in your little corner~ I’m going to break you apart~

Ness sat next to Kaiser, and could sense the malicious intent a mile away. He would admit, he
didn’t get why he and Kaiser had to watch some worthless, no-name footballer, but since Kaiser
seemed interested, he didn’t say anything, but if this Yoichi got Kaiser’s attention any more, he
would end him.

Reporters swarmed around Kira, asking him questions after the goal.

“While I’m sure winning the qualifiers for Nationals is just one more step for you, how do
you feel about being able to play for Japan’s U-18 National Team?” One reporter asked.
Sae sneered. Such a lukewarm goal and these senseless people got excited over that? Japan really
was hopeless at football.

Kira laughed, moving some hair out of his eye, “Well, right now I’ve got my sights set on
winning Nationals with this team, but I would like to say one thing, the reason for all my
success… is from having a capable team behind me that I can depend on.” Girls nearby
squealed at Kira’s looks and attitude towards his friends.

Around the theatre, people knew instantly that this boy was hopeless. He had no chance of going
pro with that mindset. Kira Ryosuke would never make it far, his career in football could only last
in Japan, but no where else. Everyone knew this, that mindset was what corrupted Japan’s soccer.

The scene switched back to Isagi’s team, where the coach called for them to gather.

“You did well, and as much as it hurts to say this is the end of the road for Ichinan High, it’s
the last match for our third years, and for some of you, your last time playing football… but
you should be proud of those days you fought together as a team…”

Karasu snorted, “Who the hell would be proud of that? I can see that Mr. Ordinary over there looks
so ashamed to even be witnessing this,” eyes found Isagi’s shrinking form, as he glared at the
screen. How Isagi hated how naïve he had been, he should’ve followed his instinct, should’ve just
played his way, maybe he would’ve won then.

“You will remember this defeat for the rest of your lives…gh….gh…. But don’t ever think it
was meaningless and remember our time together fondly!” The coach began to cry and the
members of the team began to let their tears and cries out, breaking down into sobs, while
Isagi stood in the centre, face expressionless and calm, unlike the rest of his team, he wasn’t
crying. Not at all. All he could think about was the fact that he should’ve scored.

Those who knew the boy were shocked. Isagi was one to be very expressive, and a defeat like this
would’ve earned them a heck load of insults. Then again, it was proven that Isagi may not be who
he truly was. (He was, but they didn’t believe it, he was genuine in his actions, but he hid so much
more beneath his smile)

“There’s nothing meaningless in life! To me, Ichinan High will always be the best team in all
of Japan!!” Their coach sobbed, but Isagi did not looked fazed or even touched by his coach’s
words, no, he only looked angrier.

Even after such a humiliating loss, you still try to act as if it wasn’t your stupid words that made
us lose. ‘Ichinan High is the best team in Japan’ that’s not true at all, we’re just some nobody
team that lost their shot at Nationals. Isagi pushed his bicycle home, he felt that he didn’t
deserve the right to ride home after such a horrendous loss.

“You keep surprising me, more and more, Isagi, just when I think I know you, you spring more
surprises on me,” Niko looked at Isagi, his eyes not visible, yet Isagi could almost imagine the fire
alight in his eyes.

“How would you know how I am, Niko~? We’ve barely talked, don’t tell me you’re stalking me~”
Isagi gave him a teasing smirk, but Niko turned red. He actually had been observing Isagi intently.
They had been on the same stage for a while, when Isagi was on the Third Stage with Nagi and
Barou, and he had taken the opportunity to observe his rival.

There were glares from those closer to Isagi directed at Niko, why couldn’t Isagi tease them like
that?

And I’m just some nobody second-year forward on that no-name team… that’s the truth , Isagi
looked down, using his scarf to cover his face. It looks like I won’t ever be as great as you, huh,
Noel Noa.

Noa looked up at the mention of him, while Chris sneered. It seemed this boy was a huge fan of
Noa.
I was enthralled by your playstyle, I wanted to be a striker just like you since I was young , a
flashback shows a young Isagi hugging a football while watching Noel Noa play.

People greedily took in the image of baby Isagi, he was just too cute. Anri felt her heart mush from
the cuteness.

“You’re adorable, Isagi <3~!” Everyone could hear the heart in Bachira’s voice, it was weird to say
it that way, but they could.

So I played and played footbal l, images flashed by, showing Isagi single-handedly dribbling
past five players, and scoring near impossible shots and being celebrated by his teammates,
hailed as a hero and a prodigy.

That probably did wonders for his ego, wonder where that went , Sae’s eyes drifted lazily to the
blue haired boy who seemed to have caught his brother’s interest, and he couldn’t see what made
him so unique. He seemed too soft and kind-hearted to survive in the harsh world of professional
soccer.

But when he got to high school his coach drilled it into his head that he would only allow
team players on the team, and so Isagi, wanting to feel the thrill of soccer, slowly locked away
the talent that brimmed beneath the surface, and thus, the egoist Isagi Yoichi, vanished.

Players around the room felt a semblance of pity. This was why Blue Lock was created, why
Jinpachi Ego so obsessively tried to create an egoistic monster. Because Japan’s philosophy of
playing as team killed so many talents from early on. They lost their passion and love for the sport
they were gifted in, because no one let them hone their talents. Isagi was just one example, Sae,
Rin, Bachira, Aiku and more, they couldn’t be the prodigies they were meant to be. They faded
into the background, losing their ego, just because they couldn’t do anything.

It looks like my dream will be just that, and nothing more. I should have been better, that silly
dream of being the best in the world and winning the World Cup is just a fever dream now. Isagi
looked down sadly. He brought this onto himself. He did.
Nagi wasn’t used to seeing Isagi any less than confident, yet now, he saw Isagi at his lowest, upset
over a loss, he should only be upset when I beat him, I don’t like seeing him upset at anyone else’s
hands. He thought, gazing at the look of heartbreak on Isagi’s face, he should only look at me with
those despair-filled eyes.

His aura seemed to leak of his intent, barely noticeable to anyone but Reo, who looked at him with
a mix of jealousy and excitement. This was Nagi Seishirou! The genius he had found! His treasure
shouldn’t be thinking about Isagi, yet he couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect of seeing
Isagi and Nagi fight. He knew Nagi was a genius, but Isagi Yoichi was a unique being, who he had
never seen before. He was in a different league, a separate dimension from the world Reo lived in,
and Reo had never felt more drawn to anyone like Isagi Yoichi until now.

But realistically… I wouldn’t be able to go pro at my level…. I’m far too weak…. His mind
flashed to Kira, he might have a shot, I don’t know, he isn’t like Noel Noa who can dribble
from the defence line all the way to the opponent’s goal…. But he’d still probably go pro…

Despite all the tension, Bachira giggled. “Well he’ll never be able to, never again, you made sure
of that, egoist~” those left from Team Z remembered the first trial they had gone true, and began to
laugh as well. Those who had been in the same stratum as Isagi’s Team Z knew Kira had been
eliminated. They had only seen him at the start, at the entrance hall, but they hadn’t seen him after.
He had locked off, and from the way Bachira had said it, it seemed Isagi had personally dealt Kira
the final blow.

I have one year left till I graduate, even if I had kept playing football seriously, I’d probably still
have to give it up in the end… maybe… if I had listened to my instincts instead of coach… if I
had scored… the scene showed an imaginary situation in Isagi’s mind, showing him scoring
instead of passing, and the goalkeeper failed to stop his shot. Isagi could see the look of utter
hatred in the goalie’s eyes as he stared at him, he didn’t know why, but it felt thrilling. Would
my fate have changed back then…?

Aiku’s eyes glinted in anger. Isagi Yoichi was a blooming bud that had been cut off, but he still
had yet to die. His passion, his talent, his ego still thrived within him, still hungered for the sweet
taste of victory. This was one of the many buds he wished to protect until they bloomed, but he
wasn’t sure yet. He would observe and see whether this sprout was worth protecting and nurturing.
“Hah…. What-ifs are pointless in football… we didn’t win because I chose to play with my
team….” A group of kids playing nearby whispered that Isagi was crazy for talking to
himself, but he didn’t take much notice of them, he didn’t really care for their opinions.
“Football is a sport with eleven people… so you can’t win on your own… one for all…” he
kept muttering. All of a sudden, he grabbed the handles of his bike, using it as a stabiliser as
he let out a loud cry. “FUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK!!!” His voice was raw with his
emotions, and the group of kids ran away in fear.

Dammit! I really wanted to win..! Isagi looked down, tears forming in his eyes. It was finally
dark when he reached home.

Bachira listened to the heartbroken cry of Isagi, and felt his heart shatter. Don’t worry Isagi, you
and I will win everything from now on, I’ll make sure of it! Bachira thought. Isagi had brought him
light, so he wouldn’t let him down. Not now.

Others seemed angry, Isagi should only cry when they beat him, not some unimportant, no-name,
talentless team.

“I’m home!” Isagi called out as he walked into his house.

“Welcome back! How was the game?” His mother asked, poking her head out from the
kitchen.

“Your mum looks quite nice,” Otoya noted, and Isagi shot him a weirded out look. “Dude that’s
my mum, no.” Karasu snickered at Isagi’s reply.

“We lost, what’s for dinner, I’m hungry!” Isagi replied.

Kunigami noted the rather quick change in Isagi’s attitude. It seemed they were right, and Isagi
was pretty good at keeping his emotions in check. Why did he not tell his parents how he was
feeling? Did he always hide all the negativity he held within him?

“That’s too bad! I even made tonkatsu today!” His mother smiled at him.

“We just had that yesterday…” Isagi deadpanned. “Oh, izzat so? Sorry, but Ma and Pa
don’t really know that much ‘bout all that football stuff!”

People raised their eyebrows at Isagi’s parents rather nonchalant attitude towards their son’s loss.

“Hahah, it’s fine if you don’t really get it,” Isagi rubbed the back of his head, “ you’ve done
enough by adopting me and taking me in as your own,” he smiled appreciatively at his
parents, who smiled fondly back.

“YOU’RE ADOPTED?!?!” Came shouts from all over the room.

“Yeah…?” Isagi looked at them in confusion, what was wrong with that?

“So then, your name isn’t actually Isagi..?” Bachira asked.

“Actually, it is, I was left at an orphanage as a baby, with only my first name written on my
blanket, but no last name, but Ma and Pa adopted me, when I was about four, when I started
playing football, so legally my name is Isagi,” Isagi explained. Speaking of the orphanage, he
wondered how Tobio and Tetsuya were doing.

Speaking of adoption and being an orphan, I wonder how Tobio and Tetsuya are doing in
Miyagi and Tokyo, I should check in on them. Isagi had a small smile on his face as he
thought of the two he saw as younger brothers.

“You have brothers?” Chigiri looked at the boy he seemed to have never truly known.

“Yeah, well, they’re not biologically my brothers, they’re the same as me, no last age before our
adoptions. Tobio was taken in by the Kageyamas, while Tetsuya was adopted by the Kurokos, they
live in different prefectures, so I don’t see them often, and since we don’t have our phones, I can’t
text them either, I only have Ego-san to tell me how they’re faring,” eyes found the head of Blue
Lock, who merely looked at them with boredom. “What? He asked me to check on their silly high
school games, so I just told him the results,” it was clear Jinpachi Ego had a favourite, and his
name was Isagi Yoichi.

“Can we see them?” Bachira seemed to ask the room, much to practically no one’s surprise, he was
weird that way.

The screen flashed with a few words. ‘Later. After Isagi’s turn is done’

Bachira nodded eagerly, and sat back down, staring at the screen which changed back to Isagi’s
home.

“What sport do they play, by the way, and how old are they?” Chigiri asked. Even he was curious.

“They’re both a year younger than me, and Tobio plays volleyball while Tetsuya plays basketball,”
Isagi smiled brightly, the thought of the two made him shine like the sun. Some people couldn’t
help but get flustered, Isagi was just adorable.

“By the way, Yo-chan! There’s a letter for you from the Japan Football Association!” His
mother handed him a letter with a kind smile.
So his mother calls him Yo-chan as well, huh? But she’s not like my mum, Hiori stared longingly at
the close familial bonds between the Isagi family, how he wished his family was like that, but no,
his parents were far too obsessed with the idea of victory and being first to actually care about him.
His eyes darkened, he would never listen to them, don’t pile your stupid expectations, your hopes
and dreams on me, I don’t want them.

“Huh…?” Isagi read the letter, and froze, “ ‘Player Improvement Project’…?” He read out
loud to his parents.

“Isn’t this a good thing?” His mother asked, while his father barked a laugh, “Who knows?”

Why… am I….?! Isagi looked nervous and shocked.

Reo couldn’t help but sneer. Isagi had accomplished so much yet he still wondered why he got
chosen? Wasn’t it obvious enough already?
 chapter two
Chapter Summary

The second chapter is watched and Kuroko and kageyama are brought in

The next day, Isagi stood outside the Japan Football Union building, peering at the looming
building before him. Honestly, I’m not sure why they chose me, but why they go into all that
detail then skip the most important parts? Where the heck are we supposed to meet? Am in on
some candid camera show or something? Isagi looked at the letter he was given again. I’m
happy I was chosen, though!

“Oh? Aren’t you Isagi from Ichinan High?” Isagi turned around to see Kira standing nearby.
“You are, right? So they called you here too! Nice to meet you by the way! Do you remember
me?” If Isagi looked hard enough, he could see sparkles shining around Kira.

“Oh…” Isagi muttered.

Some people laughed at his shyness.

It’s Kira Ryosuke.

“Ah yes… we just lost to you yesterday… how could I forget..” Isagi replied.

So he remembers me? Isagi wondered.

“I definitely remember you! I had a hunch that you were quite the player! Yeah I thought
you had impressive field perspective and a high football IQ…. I noticed in out match earlier,
and I thought ‘if this guy and I were on the same team, I’m sure I’d get some amazing
passes!’ ” Kira smiled warmly at him.

“Such a backhanded compliment,” Sae said, looking at the screen. Rin looked at his brother for a
few seconds before turning away, this show may be about Isagi, but he sure as hell was going to
use this opportunity to beat his brother.

“Ah… thanks…” Isagi replied. Are you kidding me..?! Is he serious…?! That was such a
backhanded compliment! Give you good passes? I’m not only useful for passes, dammit!
However, Isagi kept his face straight, giving Kira a small smile.

Bachira was again reminded that Isagi knew how to fake a smile and that Isagi may not always be
happy with him. I don’t want him to hate me! I don’t want him to leave me! Bachira looked down
slightly. The mere thought of Isagi having a partner that wasn’t him made him sad.

Sae looked intrigued that Isagi had had the same thought as him. It seemed he truly wasn’t as weak
minded and weak-willed as he had thought.

“Right, let’s go! To be honest, I don’t even know where we’re supposed to meet. I tried
calling, but they didn’t pick up.” Kira informed him as they both walked into the building.

“Yeah… same…” Isagi said, maybe he doesn’t realise it, but he doesn’t give me the vibe of
those cool professional players, or is that just my personal bias?

“Nope, you are 100% right,” Niko stated bluntly.

“Someone who shoots as lukewarm as him has no place in the world of soccer,” Rin added. Why
had he added that? Isagi was just another tool for him to surpass his brother, he shouldn’t be
bothered by such simple things. Yet, at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel drawn into the
slowly unravelling mystery that is Isagi Yoichi, and he wasn’t so sure he wanted out of the
whirlpool he was being dragged into.

“There’s no need to be so polite, we’re the same age, right? So let’s act like, Isagi!” Kira
smiled brightly at him. Well ain’t he a charmer, no wonder the girls like him. “Sure.” He’s
rather impressive, he has a talent for football, and even more talent for socialising.

They reached a door that seemed to beckon to them, and they entered it. Inside, there was a
room full of boys, about three hundred, if Isagi’s instinct were correct.

Ego was surprised. The boy had indeed guessed the number of strikers in the room. His spatial
awareness was amazing, Ego grinned manically. He had chosen right.

All the boys turned to see who had entered.

“Woah, that’s a lotta guys!” Isagi said in awe, there were so many people in there.

“I think I recognise a few faces from here, that’s Okawa, the Ace from Senno, and that’s
Ishikari, the tallest player in high school. Oh, I see Nishioka, the ‘Messi of Aomori’ is here
too.”

Nishioka looked at himself on the screen, huh, it really did feel weird.

Hm? Don’t tell me everyone here is actually a forward? Isagi questioned in his head. What’s
the purpose of having only forwards here?

Nagi smiles lazily. Of course, Isagi was the first to figure it out, he always did think very fast. Noa
looked at the screen with interest, the boy had proven to have some semblance of talent that had
been squashed down, but not erased, perhaps, was this why Ego had chosen him?

“Tch. Test, one, two.” A voice came form the stage at the very front of the hall.

“Hey look, it’s four eyes’s first appearance!” Raichi laughed, and the Blue Lockers all had
different forms of amusement, but one glare from Ego made them quiet down immediately, even
Shidou. Ego was terrifying in his own way.

“Congratulations, you unpolished gems. All you under-18 strikers have been chosen solely
based on my criteria and biases to be here today. All 300 of you.” Ego looked out at the hall of
strikers, brimming with potential that had yet to flourish.

Those who hadn’t realised already, were shocked when they realised Isagi had indeed guessed
correct when he had said that there were 300 people in the hall.

Blank eyes stared into the crowd of silent teenage boys. “I am Jinpachi Ego. My job is to
make Japan a team capable of winning the World Cup.” Ego introduced himself.

The U-20 team would have protested more at the diss if it weren’t true, the adults in the Japan
Football Union just couldn’t be bothered to invest in them, and give them a better chance at
winning. All they cared about was the money.

Whispers broke out through the hall. “Who’s that guy? You know him?” Kira asked Isagi,
who replied that he didn’t.

But hold on, what did he say? The World Cup? Isagi glanced at the stage, where Ego continued
his speech.
“I’ll put it in simple terms. Japan requires one thing to become the strongest powerhouse in
football.” Isagi half-expected him to say play as a team, as every other adult had told him,
“And that is the creation of a revolutionary striker. From the 300 players gathered here
today, I will forge the best striker in the world through a certain project.”

“Now that I think about it, you need more than a striker for a team, yet you always say there is only
one winner in Blue Lock, you’re lying, aren’t you, Ego-san?” Isagi gave Ego a questioning smile,
to which Ego returned creepily. Just what did Isagi see that they didn’t? Was the thoughts of many.
Many noted that he always seemed to be on the same wavelength as Ego, always seemed to know
what he had been trying to say without Ego saying anything.

“Look here,” Ego pointed at a hologram that appeared, showing a building in the shape of a
pentagon, “For this purpose, we have built this facility called ‘Blue Lock’. Starting today, all
of you will live in this building, and follow, down to the letter, my personally designed
training regime.” Ego stated, ignoring the unrest that came with his words.

The foreign players deadpanned. A rather blunt way to demand high schoolers. Noa sighed. It
seemed his former rival would never change.

“You will not be able to go back home, and as of now, can consider your football careers as
you know them, over.” He continued.

“Is this a training facility or a prison?” Leonardo Luna asked.

“Both, I haven’t spoken to my parents since Blue Lock began,” Isagi replied. He knew what
happened next the most. It was about him after all. He couldn’t help but grin. He had the
advantage here. He knew how almost everything happened. This was going to be fun. Well, at least
until what they were reacting to passed the current timeline, then he would be just as clueless as
everyone else, so he would enjoy it while it lasted.

The foreign players winced in sympathy. Most of them spent quite a bit of time over road, and
could see their families either, they could see that many of the strikers, though quite a few hid it
quite well (*cough* Isagi *cough*) missed their families.
“But I will say this, if you manage to survive in Blue Lock, and defeat the other 299 players
around you… you, the last player standing… will become the best striker in the world. That
is all for the details. Nice to meet you all.” Ego finished.

“That was such a good speech, until you said the last part, which kinda ruined the vibe,” Chris
said, looking at Ego, who only rolled his eyes. What did he care for what someone who was only
number 2 had to say?

There was a silence over the hall as people took in what the man had said. What did he…?
What did he just say…? Isagi stared half in awe at the man on the stage. His words had struck
something within him, but what was that feeling? It felt so familiar, yet so distant.

Black tendrils began to surround him once more, noticed by only a few.

Noa leaned forward slightly. So is that your goal, Ego? Is this the boy you’ve chosen as your
champion? Those black tendrils, there was no doubt to the striker that it was Isagi Yoichi’s ego,
the ego that had been broken by his school, by Japan’s philosophy, but why was Ego so obsessed
with this striker specifically?

Before Isagi could continue his train of thought, however, a voice spoke up next to him.

“Hey! Sorry, but… I can’t agree with what you said just now.”

People groaned. Who was such an idiot to disagree with such truthful words?

It was Kira.
“No surprise then,” Karasu muttered to Otoya.

“For most of us, our team is our main priority, particularly those of us who’ll participate at
Nationals.” What was Kira doing? This man was talking about winning the World Cup!
What was Nationals compared to the World Cup? Isagi stared at his companion in shock.
He’s really dedicated to his team…

“There’s no way I can accept those kinds of terms. I…. I will not throw away my own team.”
Kira spoke defiantly to Ego, who looked like he had expected someone to speak like that to
him.

“Of course I was, I wanted to see who was in too deep of the philosophy of a team to be changed,
who were the weeds that had to be removed,” Ego spoke. Isagi glanced to the side, so he hadn’t
guessed wrong that day, huh?

“That’s right! I’m also playing at Nationals!”

“And why do we have to all live together!

“Yeah! Yeah!”

“Who the hell’re you, anyway?!

“Let’s see someone we know!” More defiant shouts arose from the crowd, inspired by Kira’s
words. They’re not wrong, with such a sudden gathering and talking about winning the
World Cup when some of us can’t even qualify for Nationals is a fever dream…. Isagi looked
at Kira for a second, remembering that loss. If there’s a chance of beating him…
“I’m guessing they didn’t make it through?” Kaiser’s amused tone rang through the hall,
surprisingly in Japanese. (For the sake of language barrier issues let’s just say they’re like wearing
the translators and hear each other in their native tongue)

Before anything else, two figures appeared in front of the screen.

“Tobio? Tetsuya?” Isagi stood up, looking at the two boys who looked around in alarm.

“Eh? Yo-nii? Where are we?” Kageyama asked.

Bachira looked on in curiosity, Isagi had said two names, but he only saw one person?

“Ohayo, Yoichi-nii,” a impassive voice spoke, as a boy with teal hair seemed to materialise out of
thin air, scaring majority of the people in the hall, bar Isagi and the more observant ones.

“Good to see you, Tetsuya,” Isagi smiled brightly at them, as two more chairs appeared right next
to Isagi’s, separating him from Bachira and the rest. Bachira was pouting, I want to sit with Isagi!

The two boys were given a run down of what was going on, and they sat down.

“I see… all of you are really fucked in the head, huh.” Ego spoke, looking down
condescendingly at the boys before him.

“Get lost then. If you’re thinking of leaving, go right ahead. Your teams are what now..?
You’d really choose your teams over becoming the best striker in the world…? You’d rather
be a high school champ in this shithole of a country..? Huh?” Ego mocked.

Kuroko looked at the screen, familiar words were being spoke, yet unlike with Aomine, he didn’t
feel sad, he knew how his brother in all but blood was. He might prioritise individual talent, but he
knew when to use his teammates. Aomine didn’t. Kageyama and Isagi did, so he wasn’t worried at
all. Besides, if they got too bad, he’d just Ignite Punch them, that should knock some sense into
them.

“When I look at all of you, I cringe at the thought of Japan’s future in football.” Alarm and
anger spread across the room like wildfire.

“You get it? Japan is the best country in the world when it comes to organisational skills in
football, which most people attribute to our innate national character, but before you get any
ideas, in everything else… we’re second rate.” Ego spoke bluntly.

Kageyama would not deny it either. He may not have played soccer himself, but he did play a
sport. A sport that required you to rely on your team. He knew first hand why Ego spoke such
words. In volleyball, no matter how much he wanted it, he needed his team. But in sport like
football, where you could rely on your own talents as well, where you could take that glory for
yourself, to throw that away in favour of your team was stupid.

“I want to know something… what is football to all of you?”

“My life.”

“Something I’d give up my life for in a heartbeat.”

“My everything.”
“What I’ve dedicated my life to.” There were various responses from the Blue Lockers, and the
professional players had to admit, those were some egoistical responses, that did not belong to
average teenagers.

“I don’t know how to play football,” Kageyama said, “Same here,” Kuroko agreed.

“Yeah, well you’re prodigies in your own sports, and that’s what matters,” Isagi said, looking
proud of the two boys. That only piqued the others’ interest even further, how good were the two
non-footballers to be called prodigies?

Ego looked at the two boys, scanning the two of them. The taller one, Kageyama, seemed like
someone who was a natural at sports, he had a good physique, and possibly a pretty good brain.
The shorter one, one the other hand, lacked the necessary physique to play any sport, but seemed to
be incredibly observant, if the way his eyes kept flicking throughout the hall was anything to go
by, as well as had a high IQ in general, he seemed to be the kind who preferred to stay quiet and
observe, and come up with the best possible tactic. What kind of monsters were they? Ego was
rather eager to find out.

“A sport where you try to score goals in teams of eleven members? ‘Our bonds are
important’? ‘I will play for my teammates’? Well, that’s wrong. That way of thinking is
exactly why Japan lacks football skills.” Ego glared down.

Sae couldn’t help but feel satisfied if only a little bit, here was someone who knew what he was
talking about. Someone who knew how shit Japan’s football was.

“I will show you what its all about.. football is at its core, a sport about scoring goals even att
the expense of your teammates. The best player is the one that scores the most goals… if you
want to play pretend football instead, then get lost already.”

What is this guy saying? It makes no sense, but why….

“How insulting! Take those words back!” Kira did not know the words ‘tactical retreat’ it
seemed, “Players like Honda, Or Kagawa, and many others, all of those who shape the Japan
National Team’s lineup… the value of team play instilled in the National Team is the same
that’s part of us! They are our stars! You’re wrong!” Kira spoke confidently. Isagi stared at
the boy with a conflicted expression, he was both wrong and right. While it was right to stand
up for our National team, he’s wrong in saying they are our stars, they’re not mine, I’ve never
looked at players from our country, international players like Itoshi Sae, Noel Noa, Chris Prince
and more, those are my stars, my idols, people who I look up to, not our National Team.

Sae didn’t know why, but pride surged in his chest when he heard that Isagi idolised him, thought
him to be a star. Maybe it was because this was what he had longed for in the beginning, when he
was younger, to be an icon, an idol for young players to look up to. Isagi Yoichi, just who are you?

“Hm? Honda..? Kagawa..? Hmm? You mean the squad has yet to win a single World Cup?”
Ego’s face split into a manic grin. “I don’t care about that trash. Aren’t I talking about
becoming the best team in the world? Come on. Let’s talk about Noel Noa, for example…”
Isagi perked up at the mention of the famous striker.

Ahh, Isagi’s so cute~ I want to hug him so badly~ Bachira stared greedily at the sight of an excited
Isagi. Kuroko’s eyes flickered to the dribbler, taking note of how he looked at his nii-chan, and
how others in the room seemed to too. So Yoichi-nii has many admirers… he thought, looking at
Kageyama who surprisingly seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

“He managed to win the Ballon D’or over astounding players like Messi and Cristiano
Ronaldo. He’s talked about as if he’s the best striker in the world…” Ego proclaimed, his
tone impassive despite the things he was saying.

Noa looked at his former rival, he really was fixated with being the best, huh? He would never
understand the anomaly that was Jinpachi Ego, and that was probably why he couldn’t understand
Isagi Yoichi either, they seemed too similar…

“And in his words, ‘I feel better losing 3-4 after scoring a hat-trick, than winning only by 1-0
with an assist’ ”
Noa nodded his head quietly, it was indeed true. Isagi looked at his idol for a quick second, he still
couldn’t believe he was in the same room as the Noel Noa.

Isagi smiled softly at the quote, it was the quote that made him idolise Noel Noa, and it was
what changed his football dream when he had first started playing. “And, one of the best
football players of the 20th century, Eric Cantona, said this: ‘When the seagulls follow the
traveller, its because they think sardines will be thrown not the sea.’ Pele, arguably the best
football player in history, and winner of three World Cups, once said: ‘The best forward? The
best midfielder? The best defender? The best goalkeeper? To all of those questions, I always
answer: that is me’. So! WHADDYA THINK?! AWFUL, AREN’T THEY?! BUT THEY
CAN SAY IT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BEST! ALL OF THEM ARE
REVOLUTIONARY STRIKERS!!” Ego cackled, changing his demeanour completely.

“He’s like Kise-kun with how fast his mood changes,” Kuroko muttered, scaring people who had
forgotten he was there, while Isagi and Kageyama snickered, it was true, the blonde haired model
changed moods faster than lightning, especially when Kuroko was involved.

“Who’s Kise?” Chigiri asked the phantom.

“An old…. Teammate… of mine…” Kuroko struggled to find a word to describe one of the people
who had abandoned him. He knew Isagi was going down the same road, he could only hope his
brother wouldn’t leave him too, not like them. Isagi seemed to guess what he was thinking (he was
always good at doing that) and wrapped a hand around his shoulder, offering him a reassuring
smile, while Kageyama pat him on the back.

Before anyone else could ask, Isagi gave everyone a spine-chilling glare (it terrified even the adults
in the room) that said ‘shut up or I will kill you’. No one said a word after that.

“Their extraordinary ‘egoism’ is the one thing Japan’s football lacks. You ill not become the
best strikers in the world, unless you have the ego to match.” Ego says.
I feel like what he’s saying is wrong…

“My purpose here, is to create such a player in Japan…”

Because no one has ever told me this… I’ve never been allowed to be anything but a team
player…

Everyone was once again reminded that Isagi was only one of many talents that had been
suppressed, trapped within the Japanese philosophy.

“From the corpses of 299 players… one hero will rise in all his glory!” An image flashed in
Isagi’s mind, a lone figure standing atop a mountain of bodies, bodies of those who failed,
those whose dreams were shattered and broken, that person did it, the strongest of them all.

People shivered at the grotesque display.

“Isagi, you have quite the scary imagination.” Bachira says, smiling happily, unnerving people
even more.

“Told you he liked those horror shows,” Kuroko muttered to Kageyama, who huffed in reply,
“Well he kept freaking out over it, I thought he didn’t like them!” He protested.

“Actually Tetsuya, I don’t really mind them, but they’re not my favourite,” Isagi corrected, and
Kuroko nodded.

Rin didn’t know why, but he felt upset when Isagi said he didn’t like horror shows, maybe it was
because he did?
The figure turned to stare at the screen, holding a football in his hand. His hollow eyes
seemed to peer into a person’s soul.

It’s impossible… some no-name guy like me would never… I just some random striker….

Kageyama stood up, and smacked his brother on the back of his head.

“Tobio! Wha-”

“Don’t you ever say that! You are way better than everyone else! If I catch you saying that again,
I’ll serve a volleyball right into your groin! I’ll give a pass for this reaction, but outside, I will do
it!” Kageyama threatened, and his serves must be pretty powerful, as Isagi paled instantly and
nodded. It wasn’t the best way, but Isagi had abandoned that idea for a while, he hadn’t thought of
himself as a no-name striker in a while, and hopefully it would stay that way.

“And I will Ignite Punch you in the gut too, Yoichi-nii,” Kuroko added, and Isagi groaned. One
was hard enough to handle, but both signature powerful shots/serves? He would not survive.

“I won’t! I won’t!” He put his hands up in surrendering position.

Kageyama sat down after apologising for interrupting the reaction, and Kuroko did the same.

Rin looked at their interaction with envy, how he wished Sae would be like that to him, getting
mad when he put himself down, rather than being the one to put him down. Why do you get what I
want? Why? Why? Why, Isagi Yoichi? Why?
“Alright, you unpolished gems… let me ask you one last question. Imagine this… you are at
the finals of the World Cup, playing under the eyes of 80,000 spectators in the stadium,”
Isagi’s eyes widened as the exact scenario came to play in his mind, almost instinctively, “You
are on that very field… the score? 0-0. It’s the stoppage time of the second half… the very last
play… a teammate has managed to pass the ball to you.” The scene changed to show Isagi’s
imagination once more, where he was the striker in Ego’s scenario. “It’s one on one with the
goalkeeper. There’s a teammate six meters to your right, if you pass it to him, you’ll probable
score that goal…” this scenario, it’s the same situation as yesterday’s match… Isagi turned to
look and Kira to see if he had realised, but he hadn’t.

Anri’s eyes widened in shock. She had known that Isagi had been Ego’s only pick, but she hadn’t
realised that he had used this exact scenario to reach Isagi specifically. Just what did Ego see in the
boy to want him in Blue Lock this badly?

“The hopes of all of Japan lie on your shoulders… you area at a turning point at the World
Cup finals…” the scene showed Isagi taking the shot, the shot he should’ve taken not one day
before, “Without hesitation, you shoot, if you desire that rebellious ‘egoism’, then step
through the gate.” The door behind Ego opened.

“I’ll say it once more, loud and clear… football is a sport to develop you all as strikers. Think
of literally everyone else on the field as supporting you.”

I had already lost.. but those words made me shiver

“Throw away your common sense. When you’re on the field, you are the star.” Isagi felt
adrenaline run through his veins at these words.

Hiori and Nanase knew that Isagi was the first to enter the gate. They had followed his lead. This
was what led him to dash first, huh?

No one had ever… told me something like that before…

“Your greatest joy is scoring points, and nothing else. You live for the excitement of that very
moment.” This guy…. “Now that’s…. A ‘striker’, don’t you think?” Ego gave a manic smile
that was probably not humanly possible. He’s changing the shape of my fate… I am a striker!

Adrenaline pumping through his blood, passion burning in his heart, his very aura telling
everyone loud and clear of his intent, Isagi Yoichi sprinted through the crowd that parted for
him, right towards the door, without hesitation.

Looking back, Chigiri had followed Isagi, even though he had been looking for a reason to give up,
something about the blue-haired boy just invited him, literally pulled him along for the ride, and he
had followed suit.

“Isagi!?” Kira exclaimed in shock, as Isagi’s actions seemed to ignite a flame within the room
of forwards.

“Fuck…! I’ll fucking go then…!” Someone yelled, running after Isagi.

“I’m going too!!”

“Me too!”

“I’ll go too!”

Soon, the whole room, like puppets on a string, like dogs after their owner, they followed
him, Isagi Yoichi.
Aiku whistled. It seemed like whether they had realised it or not, Blue Lock revolved around Isagi
at this point, from what he could see here, as well as in the reaction. Isagi Yoichi was the heart, the
leader of these egoistical strikers, and he couldn’t wait to see what kind of leader he would be.

Bachira grinned. He had sensed someone who could play with him. He had followed that instinct,
and he has yet to regret that decision.

It was something he had said. Isagi’s voice carried on, despite him not being in the scene, in the
world of football… it is possible to produce elite goalkeepers, defenders and midfielder.
However, the same cannot be said of strikers. After all, a first-rate striker is one… the faces of
various Blue Lockers, including Team Z as well as other players such as the Wanima
brothers flashed by, who appears in football’s most critical moment.

Some professional players grinned, this boy was right. Strikers are those who gave it their
everything, those who let themselves be consumed by their ego, by the game, they cannot merely
be produced like those from other positions, they are born, not made.

“300… everyone decided to participate… it seems.” Ego’s voice echoed through the now
empty hall.

“So the gears have started to turn.” Anri’s voice came from behind the curtains that stood
tall on the sides of the stage, as she stepped out to look at the room, “Fromm now on, I will
follow your every order. The future of Japan’s football is in those 300 players.. I will leave
this in your hands, Ego-san.” She held files of every player, their strengths, their weakness,
and their potential based on Ego’s calculations, it was all recorded there.

That got the Blue Lockers’ attention, they wanted to see those files.

“No, you’re not seeing those files, boys,” Anri said, rather amused. Those files were confidential,
they weren’t allowed.
“But Anri-saaaaaaan~” Bachira pouted. He wanted to see Isagi’s file! He wanted to beat him! And
he bet he wasn’t the only one thinking that.

“Perhaps, we’ll have to sacrifice 299 players for this… but that will create one true striker
above them all.”

That striker is going to be me! All the Blue Lockers thought. They weren’t there to lose. They
won’t lose. They were going to be number one, and nothing was going to get in their way.

“That’s the essence of Blue Lock.” Ego gave her a bored stare.

“It is….” Anri muttered.

“Then let us begin, Anri-chan… this will become football’s most critical moment.” Ego
seemed to peer right at the camera, his signature creepy smile on his face, as his left eye
twitched slightly.

People couldn’t help but feel excited for was what to come. They had been hyped up.
 break
Chapter Summary

Break time~!

They had been given a break.

“Isagi~ what were those black shadows? Was that your monster?” Bachira clung to Isagi like his
life depended on it.

Kuroko and Kageyama gave their brother a questioning look.

“Sort of, Bachira, I’m not really sure…” Isagi gave him an uncertain smile.

However, whatever Bachira was going to say was cut off by Kageyama and Kuroko ‘kidnapping’
Isagi for some brotherly-bonding time (basically interrogations ).

“Yo-nii, how have you been? Did you see my new partner? He’s pretty cool, huh?” Despite the
cold and aloof front Kageyama had in front of Karasuno, he was chatty and happy with them, more
open at the very least.

“Yes, I got Ego to let me watch some of your matches in exchange for goals I scored, he’s fast and
has a pretty high jump, and he seems happy with you~” Isagi gave Kageyama a knowing smirk, and
Kageyama flushed red.

Despite how discreet they were being, the three brothers could quite literally tell almost everyone
was listening to their conversation.
“Yoichi-nii, have you seen my new light? Do you think he can beat Aomine-san?” Kuroko asked.

Isagi ruffled Kuroko’s hair much to his annoyance, “Kagami-kun feels like Aomine-san minus the
massive ego, but he still has an ego, so I think if you pulled the strings right, you’ll be able to beat
even Seijuro.” Kuroko smiled softly at that, he hoped he and Kagami could beat his former light.
Isagi had met his old captain a few times, and had learnt English with Kuroko and Akashi. It
pained him to see how much that kind boy had changed, even the way he treated Kuroko, his
crush, had changed.

(Just to clear things up, the years are completely different in each anime I think, so I’m just
going to say around Second Selection should be about a month or two after the Interhigh I
think, so let this be the timeline between the three animes, Haikyuu is currently during the
Spring Interhigh arc, that’s what its called I think, basically before they lost to Aoba Johsai,
and KnB is just after they beat Kaijo at their Interhigh, so they haven’t gone against Aomine
yet)

Pull the strings? Was Kuroko like Isagi? A manipulator? (The answer is yes, yes he was) everyone
else was wondering. People who had played with or against Isagi knew very well that without
realizing it, he had pulled the strings in their matches, he was the puppet master of the show. And
it seemed his brother was the same as him.

“And to answer your question, Tobio, I am doing well,” Isagi smiled brightly.

“Now, Yoichi-nii, care to explain why you seem so different? You’re no longer the same quiet and
submissive person I once knew,” Kuroko looked at his brother.

“This place has changed me Tetsuya, I don’t know whether it’s for better or worse…” Isagi trailed
off at the end.

“No matter what, you’re still our nii-san, so we’ll support you and your dreams, just as you support
ours, but promise us this, no matter how good you get, no matter how famous you are, you’ll never
forget about us,” Kageyama wasn’t usually this sappy or anything, but it was only with his brothers
he was more calm and excitable.

“I promise, Tobio, Tetsuya, I won’t forget you, or leave you behind,” he directed the last part at
Tetsuya, who he knew could sense that he was something like a monster, just like those bastards.

Tetsuya smiled at him, a rare smile that not many got to see, “Thank you, Yoichi-nii.”

They chatted for a while more on volleyball and basketball tactics, which Isagi unsurprisingly
understood with ease (he never failed to surprise them, didn’t he?), and most of the footballers lost
interest when the conversation changed to other sports.

And soon the break ended.

 chapter 3
Chapter Summary

They finally arrive in blue lock

In order for Japan to win a World Cup.. we will create the best striker in the world. Which is
why 300 of the best high-school forwards have been gathered for this project. Ego’s voice spoke
as a letter of consent appeared on screen, it was Isagi’s.

The scene changed in Isagi sitting in a bus, staring out the window.

The only thing we were told is that we would be moving into some kind of lodging, so now we’re
on a bus, going through the mountains… suddenly, Isagi’s eyes widened in awe as a large
building came into view. And then we arrived.

“It’s so secluded, you might as well have been kidnapped and no one would have known,” Sendou
remarked. It was true. No one would have known what wold have happened to them, since their
location was hidden.

So that’s Blue Lock! The place that’ll turn our football lives upside down! Isagi peered
determinedly at the building that stood before him. I won’t lose! Not again!

Everyone got off the buses they had arrived in, in neat and orderly lines.

Things like our wallets and phones were all confiscated.

“It really is a prison!”

“I speedran to get my phone back,” Hiori admitted. After seeing the Goal Point list, he had scored
the goals he needed to get his phone back to play his video games. Nagi nodded, he had done the
same.

One by one, they gave us all uniforms. Isagi looked at the uniform handed to him, reading the
label on the sleeve, 299… Z… what does this number mean?

Glares were shot at Ego, some of them had truly panicked when they had thought that they were
the worst in the facility!

“All right, now each of you will go to the room matching your uniform’s letter. We’ll notify
you when to change into your uniform.” Anri informed them, and they entered the facility.
To Isagi, it felt like an elaborate labyrinth of concrete, he couldn’t tell doors apart at times.

It was 299Z.. so Z then. He found the door labelled Z.

It begins here, let’s see this “Blue Lock”… he opened the door to find eleven other guys in
there already.

Most of them were sitting on the floor, and their heads turned to look at him when the door
opened.

A shared room…? Isagi took in the layout of the room, strange, why did it seem to be the
same size as the penalty area?

The Blue Lockers paused as they realised this was the second time Isagi had accurately guessed the
numbers, first it was the number of forwards in the hall, and now it was the size of the room they
were tested in. Isagi really was out of this world.

“Isagi!” A familiar voice called as he turned to see Kira waving at him.

“I’m relieved… there’s a familiar face here!” Kira smiled. “Oh, Kira! Haha… I’m glad
too…” he was in fact glad, because he knew for sure that he would not be able to handle
things without anyone he knew.

However, Isagi was rather on guard. There were twelve people in the room, a football team
only required eleven players, there was no way someone wasn’t going to get, what was it Ego
called it, ‘locked off’?

“You just keep surprising us more and more, don’t you Isagi?” Chigiri looked at the boy who had
given him confidence and helped him awaken.

Suddenly, a shirt flew and hit Isagi in the face.

“Oh. My bad. My shirt flew away.” Isagi returned the shirt to a tall boy with spiky orange
hair and a well-built body.

“Ah, it’s fine,” Isagi replied. Damn he must work out a lot, I feel bad for anyone who gets hit
with a football by him, it’s probably going to hurt!

The remaining members of Team Z all gave Isagi amused smiles. It seemed he really was good at
predicting things, even what was going to happen to him.

“I didn’t mean me! I meant someone else!” Isagi pouted. It really had hurt, how he had gotten up
really surprised him.

Shidou looked interested at that. Mr Do-Gooder had hit the blueberry boy with a ball?

“Hey, you. Watch where you step,” the boy’s eyes flickered to the floor, and when Isagi
looked down, he found a boy with brown hair and yellow underhighlights sleeping on the
floor, sucking his thumb as he muttered in his sleep, “Hey… Zico… pass… pass it… to me…
Zico…”

Most people weren’t surprised at Bachira’s weirdness, it was a given at this point. Those that
didn’t know him gave him looks of bewilderment, which he ignored in favour of trying to scoot his
chair closer to Isagi.

What’s with him? What’s he dreaming about? Isagi looked a bit surprised, but decided not to
think too much about it and changed into his uniform when he noticed everyone else was
already changed, including the sleeping boy.

“Whoa! Don’t tell me you’re really Kira Ryosuke!?the ‘Treasure of Japan’ right here?! Look
a’that! It’s the real deal!!” Isagi looked and saw a guy with a shaved head eagerly shaking
Kira’s hand, much to Kira’s well-hidden but still visible discomfort.

“Th…thanks…” Kira seemed very uncomfortable, but maybe only Isagi noticed because the
guy kept on talking, completely ignorant of Kira’s feelings.

“Man you really are an idiot, aren’t you?” Raichi mocked the monk-in-training-that-refused-to-be-
a-monk.

“Shut up!” Igarashi yelled back, “Isagi’s just like me, and he’s still here!”
“Shut up. You should’ve just stayed at home, in your temple, where your future could be secure
and safe, how you’re still here is a complete mystery!” It was clear Isagi didn’t like Igarashi’s
remark of being the same as him. I’ve improved plenty but you’re the same! Don’t compare me
with you! His eyes seemed to spit fire at the monk, who cowered in fear. Isagi had broken himself
down and built himself back up over and over again, just to survive in the hell that was Blue Lock,
he wasn’t going to let himself be compared to Igarashi, who had yet to show even the slightest
improvement.

Rin froze. Those words… they sounded just like Sae’s words. Isagi… you’re just like him… I’ll
crush you, you and my brother! Rin glared at Isagi, who didn’t spare him a glance.

Isagi wasn’t done, it seemed.

“The only reason you managed to pass First Selection is because of us! I bet the only reason you
haven’t been locked off yet is because you were lucky enough to find a teammate that could carry
you! I know that because no one in their right mind would pick you over any other person here!”
Everyone didn’t know what to say. Most of them thought of Isagi as the type to keep his words to
himself, the type to act as the mediator in a friend group, but it seemed he had a beast within him
too.

“Y..you! Don’t get a big head just cause you managed to get Nagi in your group in the first part of
Second Selection!” Igarashi yelled back.

“Don’t talk to Yo-nii like that!”

“Don’t look down on Yoichi-nii.”

“Shut up you stupid, good-for-nothing monk.”

Never let it be said that Isagi was not well liked. People who had played with Isagi defended him
against Igarashi.

“You’re fighting a losing battle here, just stop~” Shidou smirked in amusement at his teammate.
He really wished he hadn’t fallen asleep and gotten through the selection late, he could’ve gotten a
better teammate that actually was worth something, this Isagi seemed like a decent player, better
than the one he had gotten saddled with at least.

Igarashi huffed, and relented. People still glared at him. Even Rin, he knew Isagi was better than
this useless person.

“Is this Isagi a friend of yours too? Nice to meet ‘cha! My names Igarashi Gurimu!” Igarashi
waved, grinning at Isagi, who replied back awkwardly, “Oh… hello…”

“You see, I was born in a temple, so even though I was basically destined to inherit it, I hated
having my life written out like that..! So I made a deal with my old man to forget it all if I
became a Pro player!” Isagi deadpanned. He hadn’t asked for a backstory. In fact, he hadn’t
asked at all for anything. Wait a sec, is he trying to get sympathy or something? Getting kicked
out of the program means he has to do what he hates, is this some ploy?! Isagi wondered. No
one just randomly tells everyone they meet their ‘tragic backstory’ unless they’re that stupid or
they’re trying to get attention or sympathy. Isagi trailed off, despite all this, Igarashi’s words
somewhat resonated with him. The feeling of being able to change your own fate was
something inspiring, after all.

“Huh?! So you’re saying that stupid sob story you kept telling everyone you met was for
sympathy?!” Raichi yelled at Igarashi, who cowered in fear again. Man he really was a coward.

“Well yeah, this is Blue Lock, everyone has their own way for surviving, but I wasn’t lying when I
said I didn’t want to be a monk! I really don’t want to!” Igarashi admitted. And Isagi had to give it
to the boy, he wasn’t wrong.

“My ambition’s gonna be what makes me win!” Igarashi held out his hand for Isagi to shake.
“You’re the furthest from winning right now, you weird monk guy,” Nagi looked at Igarashi with
blank eyes. Why did they have to even see this idiot? He wanted to see Isagi, not this worthless,
good for nothing monk.

“Hey!” Igarashi protested, but he didn’t fight any further. It was clear he was going to lose, even to
someone as deluded as him.

Isagi took his hand hesitantly, his eyes straying to the number on Igarashi’s arm, so he’s
number 300…

“Always alert, aren’t you?” Kunigami smiled. Isagi chuckled, he couldn’t help it, it was a survival
instinct, he was always checking for potential threats or allies, no matter where or when.

“Same here…” Isagi replied, unsure of what else to say.

“Are you done changing, you unpolished gems?” The screen that had been placed on the wall
turned on, and Ego’s face flashed onto the screen.

“Hey..hey…” Ego wiggled his fingers, staring creepily into the screen, “The people in your
room will be both your roommates.. and your rivals.”

Looks of astonishment were spread around the room, but Isagi didn’t feel all that shocked.
Hadn’t this man already said one player would beat everyone else, that already meant no
matter whether you were on a team, everyone was just another obstacle for you to beat.

Impressive, from a few words alone he could make such a deduction, maybe… Sae’s eyes trailed to
the younger boy seated with his friends. He has a rather good brain in there….
Rin noticed. Of course he did. He noticed how his brother kept glancing at Isagi. Isagi. Not him.
Why did Isagi get everything? He had improved at an astounding rate, and managed to overpower
him for a moment. He even got Sae’s attention god dammit! Jealousy clouded his heart and mind
as the bitter feelings of rage flooded his veins. He would get better, far better than Sae, far better
than Isagi, he would show both of them that he was number one, not them. He was the main
character in this story, not them.
 chapter four
Chapter Summary

The side novels leave everyone astounded at how impressive Isagi had been and will
be

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

“Actually, before we continue, can we see why Yoichi-nii’s ego only seemed to leak out barely
during matches?” Kuroko surprised most people again.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Chigiri asked the younger boy.

“Those black shadows. They aren’t a monster like that guy says, they’re his ego, his talent as a
player, but it only seemed to leak out. The Yoichi-nii I knew could dribble past a whole team’s
defence line without batting an eyelid, yet he seemed so different.” Kuroko explains, speaking far
more than most people thought someone who seemed as reclusive as him ever would.

The screen flashed with a message.

Okay. Please wait a moment…. Now starting… Side story: The Creature Known As A
“Striker”, Episode One: Selection

So we really are like in a show? We have side stories and everything? This is interesting, Isagi
thought.

“Okay, here’s the next video for selection,” Anri said, as she used a remote control to change
the screen, and Ego, who had been eating an unhealthy amount of cup yakisobas turned to
look at the screen.
Almost every Blue Locker looked forward, this was how they were selected for the program. They
wouldn’t miss this for the world, what did Ego see in them to select them?

They were in the Blue Lock Monitoring room, where the entire wall was covered with several
displays and even more computers for managing all sorts o data. On the screen, it was
currently playing the highlights of the Saitama Prefecture Finals, the Preliminary round for
Nationals.

“That’s…my match last year… in my first year of high school… you have videos of all of us?”
Isagi asked.

“Yes. Did you think I just went though files of you unpolished gems? I had to see whether you had
what it took for myself,” Ego replied.

“Is that how you always known Kageyama-kun and Kuroko-kun’s match results when Isagi-kun
asks for them? You find the footage of it?” Hiori couldn’t help but be reminded of when he was
younger, his parents would buy way too many screens to make him watch like ten different soccer
matches at once, when all he wanted to do was sleep or play video games. I’m out of there, I’m not
going back unless I absolutely have to.

Rin was suddenly reminded of the overarching villain in a story, who observed the heroes to find
their strengths and weaknesses, but he shook his head. Isagi wasn’t the hero, he wasn’t the
protagonist, he, Itoshi Rin, was. Not Isagi. Not Sae. Not anyone of these lukewarm people.

The cameras followed Number 11, who was Isagi. Near the end of the match, Isagi made a
brilliant pass to his teammate who scored. When the camera zoomed in on Isagi hugging his
teammate, Anri stopped the video.

“This kid… is not a good striker.. I’ll proceed to the next video for selection.” Anri said.
Anri winced. She had been wrong. Isagi was not a no-good striker. Not at all.

“Sorry, Isagi-kun…” she apologised.

“It’s fine, Anri-san, you weren’t wrong, I was no good as a striker back then,” Isagi shrugged, but
deep down those words hurt slightly, all he had ever wanted was to be a striker and yet he had let
his ego be locked up, shackled and chained within him, he had been worthless as a striker.

As a striker, he’s no good.

Ego and Anri were about to conduct an experiment to create the best striker in the world.
300 strikers under the age of 18, the unpolished gems of Japan, will live together and undergo
a special training program devised by Ego, the plan “Blue Lock”.

That one player who survives Blue Lock and is the last one standing after kicking out the
other 299 players will be the best striker in the world. So, this kid who is quick to give a pass
to his good friend and teammate is not quite right. What they were looking for wasn’t this
friendly sort of play that thought of others.

“Wait, Anri-chan. This is interesting material.”

Everyone paused. Ego had actually given him a chance? Well they knew Isagi had been chosen,
but they hadn’t known how, obviously.

Ego, who had just finished his cup yakisoba, leaned forward. He stared at the screen as if he
was devouring it.
“Show me all his videos. What’s his name?”

“What the hell?” There were many who shared this sentiment. Ego actually got interested in Isagi
enough to watch every video of him?

Isagi was shocked as well. He hadn’t realised this much planning and observation had gone into
the selection. But it only made the call for battle singing in his veins all the more delighted. These
strikers in Blue Lock weren’t chosen at random. They were picked by Ego and Anri. They were the
best of the worst, and beating them would bring him much joy.

Anri rushed to check the data. Player 11 of Ichinan High School Soccer Team is…

“….he’s Isagi Yoichi-kun.”

Ego played footage of some of Isagi Yoichi’s matches, and he realised that the player had a
very systematic way of moving.

Everyone watching saw it too. There was no denying it. Isagi’s positioning, his movements, his
passes, everything, right down to the last detail, were perfect.

“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a midfielder, Isagi,” Chigiri looked at his
friend rival.

“Don’t get me wrong, Chigiri, there’s nothing wrong with midfielders, but there’s already the best
one in the world, and I’m not catching up to him anytime soon,” Isagi glanced at Sae, who felt his
heart warm, Isagi truly had a way of worming into peoples’ hearts whether they liked it or not.
“And it’s my dream to be the best striker, I’m not giving it up for the world, not even if hell froze
over and the heavens fell, I still wouldn’t give up on my dream!” People couldn’t help but be in
awe at Isagi’s declaration. It was so ambitious, so egoistic. So this is Blue Lock… a place where
strikers are made… the professional teams thought.

Isagi passed the ball around, elevated the axis of the attack, then passed the last pass to a free
player.

Hmm. Certainly, he’s outstandingly good but, it’s just that.

All revolutionary strikers are rare egoists. Taking pleasure in your own goals above all else
and living only for that moment. On the field, you are the leading actor. Everyone else
besides you are just there to support you. If you are not the world’s top egoist, you can never
be the best striker in the world! That’s what Ego thinks.

Ego’s own judgement and biases determine which 300 strikers are invited to Blue Lock, and
Anri is aware of this.

Isagi Yoichi…. This kid is out of the question….

Isagi’s heart soared. Ego had thought he was good enough. Not just anyone. Ego, who sought to
create the best striker in the world, saw his potential.

“Yeah, that’s good, Isagi Yoichi. Anri-chan, I’ve decided to invite him.” Ego glanced at Anri,
who stared in shock with her mouth agape.

No way.. he hasn’t actually invited anyone himself yet… he’s only ever agreed to my
selections… Isagi Yoichi, just what did he see in you?
“Of course…!” Anri, though confused, hurriedly checked the “Invite” box on Isagi Yoichi’s
name.

There was a silence in the hall. Then suddenly almost all the Blue Lockers were screaming.

“WHAAAAAT?!”

“Ego only picked Isagi?!”

“What the actual fuck?!?”

All sorts of yells came from different players, from Igarashi to Raichi to even Rin, they were all
surprised.

Isagi covered his ears. Too loud.. you’re all too loud… their shouts hurt. The noise resounded
within his ear drums, banging on them like how a drummer would.

Make them stop! I can’t breathe! They’re too loud!! Isagi curled up in a ball on his chair, shutting
his eyes as the noise grew louder, almost no one noticed his pain, even his brothers had been
caught up in the moment. But one person did.

“Enough!” The voice was calm and stoic, but by no means was it shy. Itoshi Sae’s very voice
demanded the attention of others, and they gave it.

“Lukewarm, all of you, you can’t even see that you were hurting him,” Sae crossed his arms,
looking at Isagi who sighed in relief that the noise was gone. Kuroko paled even more than he
already was. Yoichi-nii has always been sensitive, especially to his surroundings, I’m sorry,
Yoichi-nii…! Similarly, Kageyama had realised.
“But why is he so bothered though?” Bachira asked, his monster was growing excited at how Isagi
was sensitive to noise. His senses were sharp, very sharp.

The screen flashed.

Now playing: The Creature Known as a “Striker”, Episode Two: Crybaby Yocchan

Isagi froze at the title, and groaned. He was never going to live this down.

Bachira giggled at the title. “Isagi, you were a crybaby?” Chigiri asked with a teasing smile,
traitor! Isagi thought, burying his face in his hands. Here comes the suffering.

“Ababababa! Yocchan~ It’s Papa! I got you a new toy!” Baby Isagi grimaced as he shook the
light blue rattle.

“Guh, Uwaaa~” he cried.

“Huh…” his father looked disappointed that Isagi had cried over the top he had bought to
make him happy.

“Cute, cute” Kurona mumbled to himself, and Hiori, who was seated near him, and had his eyes
fixated on the baby Isagi on the screen, agreed wholeheartedly.

Noa looked at the baby with an impassive face, but even his cold heart could not go unaffected by
the adorable child that was Isagi Yoichi.
“Neh~ Isagi~ you were so cute~” Bachira squealed, hugging the boy from behind.

“Tetsuya end my misery right now, please,” Isagi groaned.

“No can do, Yoichi-nii, the room said we would be reacting to Tobio and I too, which means there
are high chances that this will happen to us, so if we have to suffer through this, so do you,” Isagi
felt an arrow shoot through his heart, Tetsuya was so blunt.

“That won’t do, dear. Yocchan is afraid of loud noises. Yocchan, it’s Mama~ here’s a teddy
bear~” his mother cooed. The four year old looked at the teddy bears, and cried even more.

“Help me, this is too embarrassing!” Isagi cried, face red in embarrassment.

No one helped, they were all amused by this turn of events, and those that knew him greedily took
in the innocent and pure baby Isagi, knowing that adorable little boy grew up to be an absolute
monster on the field made them cherish the video even more.

Sae looked at Rin who, despite seemingly despising Isagi, looked absolutely enamored with him.
Sae could see the sparkles in Rin’s eyes as he looked at younger Isagi. And he smiled softy. Rin
had found someone to play with. Someone that would always challenge him. Someone that wasn’t
him.

Loki would admit, it wasn’t often he got a break. Especially since he went pro, seeing as he was
always busy, never getting time to himself. This was new. Fun, even. Just watching how someone
improved made him happy. He wasn’t like the rest of the professionals here who were absolute
sadists, sure he always wanted to be better than everyone else, but he wasn’t as psychotic as the
rest of them, and Isagi Yoichi seemed like a happy, calm person. He would take this time to relax
and observe someone that could potentially be a new rival in the future, and take the time to see
where he could improve.
“Oh my…. He’s scared of teddy too.”

A gentle-mannered and easygoing father, Issei, and a calm and tender mother, Iyo, were the
adoptive parents of Yoichi, who had been their son for about two months, and he was still
rather shy around them.

According to the people at the orphanage, Yoichi was born “timid”. The sound of kettle
boiling, a dog on a walk, a cicada’s cast-off skin… he gets scared and starts crying at the
sound of everything. Whenever there was a stranger, he would immediately hide behind his
mother, which made it extra difficult for him to make friends or go to kindergarten. Yoichi
had two good friends in the orphanage he had to leave behind, so he was even more upset.
Issei and Iyo made up for separating them by always bringing him to visit, up until they were
adopted by other families in different cities. About a week after Issei and Iyo had adopted
him, an incident like this caused by him being timid occurred, and since then more have
happened.

“So you’ve always been shy? Where’d that shy crybaby go?” Raichi taunted, and Isagi politely told
him to fuck off.

Isagi had been playing in the living room when he suddenly saw an empty space and began to
cry.

“Scary~! Uwahhh!” He sobbed, covering his eyes.

Iyo hurried comforted the crying Isagi in her arms.

“What’s wrong, Yocchan? What are you scared of?”

Isagi cried out and desperately pointed to the empty space. Even if Iyo strained her eyes, she
couldn’t see anything. There was nothing but a white wall there.

“Creepy,” Nagi said, eyeing baby Isagi greedily. Ah~ I want to go in there and grab him~ he’s so
cute~ maybe I can get Reo to bribe whoever’s behind this for these videos. Nagi wondered how
would Isagi’s children look like, whether they would be as cute as their father. (He couldn’t help
but feel envious of the mother, but he didn’t know why)

“Yocchan, what is there…?”

Iyo shuddered when she heard what the baby said next.

“Can’t Mama see it?”

Similarly, a shiver spread throughout the room. What had Isagi seen? A ghost?

Kageyama and Kuroko who already knew how sensitive Isagi was felt amused at how everyone
was scared.

Isagi knew what was coming next and he wanted to die. It was so embarrassing!

A chill ran down Iyo’s spine as she hugged her child, who was crying even harder. This child
can see things that can’t be seen…?

Isagi started pointing to empty spaces and crying. In the corner of the kitchen, the bedroom
window, in the closet…. There is something in the house only Isagi could see.
Could it be a ghost?

Everyone was pale, afraid of what was next. What did Isagi see? Was it really a ghost?

“Please stop!” Isagi cried, he didn’t want people to see what was next, especially not his rivals.

While the couple was seriously discussing whether they should have an exorcism, Isagi
started crying again.

“He stopped crying at some point?” Reo asked, and Isagi shot him a glare. His crybaby days were
over, he swore on his life!

“Uwahhh! There it is! Scary~!”

It’s there….! What could it be!?

While hugging Isagi, Issei and Iyo also trembled. At that moment, close to Issei’s ear, he
heard a sound. The unpleasant sound peculiar to summer, and it passed the corner of his eye.
He looks up in surprise, for the first time, Issei could see what his son was seeing.

“I know now, dear…! Yocchan is scared of mosquitoes!”

There was silence for approximately two seconds before majority of the people burst out laughing.
“You were scared of mosquitoes!”

“Crybaby!”

“Bastards! Shut up!” Isagi’s face was red in embarrassment, how he hated this.

Isagi had spotted mosquitoes from a distance that no ordinary people could see. His parents,
who were far used to the presence of mosquitoes, hadn’t even realised that they were there
until Isagi had pointed it out.

The laughter faded away as people realised the implication of that. Isagi’s vision was superior to an
average adult’s when he was just a toddler, he saw things far better than anyone else ever could.
He wasn’t just a monster on the field, he was a monster off of it too. Isagi Yoichi wasn’t just
talented, he was a blessing sent from Heaven, an angel amongst men, give him time and even more
training, he would be the best football player in the world without anyone to stand in his way.

So, they sprayed mosquito repellant, and the psychic phenomena in the Isagi household had
been settled. Then, another incident occurred.

While playing in the park, Isagi would sometimes hold his head and start crying.

“Does your head hurt?” His parents would ask, concerned, but Isagi would only shake his
head and point at the sky. His parents would frantically look around the see if a nut had
fallen or someone had thrown a rock at them, but there was nothing.

This time, no one mocked Isagi.

Having no choice, they would pick up the frantically crying Isagi and go home, but when they
get home, it would always start raining. At first, Iyo had thought it was a coincidence, but it
continued for so long that she finally noticed.

“Yocchan… is scared of the rain!”

The smell of the air, the moisture in the wind, the scudding clouds, Isagi was sensitive to the
changes in the sky, sending that it was going to rain. Isagi was scared because he has a wide
field of vision, high spatial awareness, eyesight, kinetic vision, sense of smell, hearing and skin
sensitivity which are all far above average, in fact, they were abnormal. He could detect the
slightest changes at a level that normal people could not see or notice, and avoided the risk.
That was why he didn’t get bitten by mosquitoes or get caught in the rain.

No one in the room dared to speak. Everyone was too captured by the screen, save for the three
brothers, but even Kageyama and Kuroko were amazed at how special their brother was.

Bachira’s eyes gleamed, Isagi didn’t just have a monster, he was a monster. Isagi was exactly what
Bachira had been searching for all his life, someone who understood his plays, someone who
always challenged him, Isagi Yoichi was the missing piece to Bachira Meguru’s puzzle.

Sae looked excited for the first time in years. Isagi Yoichi was the very representation of the him
that had gone out into the world, naive about how cruel it was, yet that was the only way thy were
similar, aside from their high football IQ, Isagi Yoichi had the things Itoshi Sae longed to have, and
thus, Isagi Yoichi had become someone Itoshi Sae longed to play with, side by side, against the
world. Isagi Yoichi was the striker, the only striker he wanted to pass to, at this moment.

Rin could see how his brother looked positively enraptured by Isagi, but at that moment he
couldn’t bring himself to get angry, because he was the same. Isagi was many things, he was
everything Rin had wanted to be, and he was also what Rin had left behind. Isagi Yoichi was
someone who would leave you in the dust if you blinked, but Itoshi Rin was all too willing in that
moment to chase after the boy till the ends of the earth.

Nagi’s eyes gleamed with something like obsession, Isagi was just getting more and more
interesting, he only piqued his interest further, and Nagi Seishiro was a very curious person, and
this new interest of his, Isagi Yoichi, was a curiosity he wished to satisfy, no matter what.

This superior sense, in soccer, leads to the ability to foresee the situation through spatial
awareness, but neither his parents nor himself knew this at the time. Then, the turning point
for this crybaby Yocchan came when he was four years old.

Isagi’s eyes were shining, this was the moment he discovered the sport that changed his life, the
sport he was all too ready to lay his life down for in a heartbeat.

His father received J-League tickets from a friend and the family decided to go watch the
game. The venue was the Saitama Stadium. His parents had little interest in soccer, but since
it was a home game, the place was packed with enthusiastic local fans. Contrary to his
parents' expectation that he would be scared of the crowd and cry, Isagi did not cry.

That got people’s interest. Was this the moment an egoist was born?

“Whoa… Awesome……”

As the game began, Isagi felt a throb in his chest that he had never felt before. The bright
green grass and blue sky. Players chasing the ball. The crowd going wild. He doesn't know
the rules or anything, but he wants to be there. He wants to chase the ball, too. He wanted to
be in the center of it all, the lone striker that scored the goals and earned the praise and love
of everyone. The survivor of hardships and pain, he wanted to be that person.

“Wow..” Aiku breathed, “Most kids at that age would just be thinking about how fun kicking a ball
would be, but you… you wanted a life on the battlefield, a endless war…” he was amazed at how
egoistic the kid had been, even as a small child who understood nothing of the world.

I want to play soccer too, I’m going to be a striker, I’m going to be the center of it all! Isagi had
 a wide grin on his face on the way home, surprising his parents who were used to seeing him
more shy and less expressive.

“I want a soccer ball.” Issei and Iyo were surprised, it was the first time their quiet son had
shown interest in anything, and it was the first time he had ever asked (demanded) something
of them.

Seeing Isagi’s bright eyes as he kicked the soccer ball enthusiastically, the coupe couldn’t help
but feel happy that he had finally found something he liked.

It didn’t matter if he was a crybaby, as long as he grew up healthy. For the first time, their
timid, shy son showed them what he wanted to do with his own will. That alone was enough
to satisfy them.

Bachira cooed in his head, staring at the screen with obsessive eyes. Isagi was just too adorable! He
was even cuter now, but his younger self was cute too!

Kuroko eyed Bachira with curiosity, was this boy good enough for his brother? Then he froze. His
eyes… Seijuro… Ryota… Daiki… Shintarou… Atsushi… Why are his eyes like yours? Suddenly,
Kuroko was fearful. He remembered those dark, possessive, and obsessive eyes his former
teammates had had as they stared at him, and those same eyes were staring at his brother. It wasn't
just that bumblebee boy, quite a few people were looking at his brother that way. Oh Yoichi-nii…
What are you doing to these people?

He knew. Isagi Yoichi was many things, and being oblivious was not one of them. Sure, he was
nervous when it got to all sorts of romantic kinds of things, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of
what happened around him. Especially when it happened to be that majority of Blue Lock staring
at him with lustful, desire-filled eyes. He could tell that they wanted him. But he was going to use
that to his advantage. He was going to survive in Blue Lock, whatever it takes, and maybe their
feelings would give him the leverage he needed. Don’t get him wrong, he felt guilty for wanting to
use their own feelings against them, and turn them into pawns on a chess board, but it had to be
done. This was Blue Lock after all, where only those who could adapt the fastest, only the
strongest and smartest could survive.

Chapter End Notes

Chapter End Notes

I will be very honest, this work had been sitting in my google docs for like a month
before I published it, and I’m kinda proud of it, and this chapter was like 5k words I’m
dead
 chapter five
Chapter Summary

The third and fourth chapters of Isagi’s spin off

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Ego felt rather amused. His project, his dream of creating the world’s best striker had turned into
Isagi Yoichi’s insane love life. He wasn’t wrong when he had said these boys were egoists, and
were willing to do anything to get what they want, but it so happened that what they wanted was
Isagi Yoichi. And as true egoists, they would stop at nothing to attain him.

Ego glanced at Isagi, and noticed the calculative expression on his face, and he smirked. So Isagi
had noticed after all, he wondered how his unpolished gem planned to use this to his advantage.
Then he looked at his old rival, even Noa seemed intrigued by Isagi. You’ve even managed to catch
the attention of the current world’s no. 1 with those mediocre skills of yours, Isagi Yoichi, I truly
made the right choice after all..

The screen flashed again.

Now playing: The Creature Known As A “Striker”, Episode Three: Noel Noa

Chris glared at the man who didn’t even glance back at him. He should be the kid’s one true idol,
not Noa! He was better! He was!

Since the day Isagi Yoichi found soccer, he had been incredibly passionate about it. Even
more than that, he was obsessed with it, it became apparent when he turned six years old, the
same way he knew five year olds Tobio and Tetsuya were obsessed with volleyball and
basketball.
“So you’ve all played since you were toddlers?” Yukimiya asked them, rather impressed by their
dedication to their specific sport.

Kageyama and Kuroko nodded, they had loved their sport all their lives, and they would continue
to love it until they died.

He asked his parents to send him to soccer lessons, and whenever there was a live soccer
match on, he would sit and watch it on TV. He played soccer all the time during his lunch
break and after school. He made friends through soccer, and Isagi, who used to be a crybaby,
became more and more active. Even so, his timid and quiet personality did not change. He
never got into fights with his friends and never disobeyed his teachers.

“Hey, where’d that nice boy who wouldn’t insult his friends go?” Chigiri teased Isagi, who gave
him a smirk, “This is Blue Lock, Chigiri, I will always put my dreams before my friends, so forgive
me if I get too into the game~” Chigiri flushed red slightly at the teasing tone Isagi had directed
towards him. It was …. Attractive….

Kuroko couldn’t help but be reminded of Akashi’s changing attitude, someone who was so kind
one moment, and so cruel the next, that hadn’t been his friend, no, it had been a monster. And his
brother was starting to resemble the very people who had abandoned him. He hoped Isagi wouldn’t
leave him, he wouldn’t, he couldn’t.

He was athletic, but not very good in his studies, a simple boy who loves to play soccer. Isagi
has always been that mob character until one day, when he was 8 years old, something
astounding happened. Through the TV, he met a player.

Noa assumed that it was him, judging by the title of the chapter.

Isagi smiled fondly, it was that day he had truly realised how much he loved soccer.
It was a young Noel Noa, who scored goals without ever changing his expression.

“So cool…!” Isagi’s eyes shone in admiration as he watched Noel Noa overtake the enemy one
after another and score without fail. He couldn’t take his eyes off the otherworldly play. The
player was so cool even in his post-win interview.

Ego remembered that interview well, especially the words his old rival had spoken. He knew that
Isagi Yoichi had idolised Noel Noa since he was young, and that was why he had used those words
in his speech. He had wanted to reach the egoist buried in Isagi’s mind, the slumbering dragon in
the cave.

“You were fantastic again today! How do you feel looking back on the match? How did you
feel about that super goal?”

“……Nothing special. I just did my job as usual.”

He answered the excited interviewer indifferently.

“Don’t get me wrong. It doesn’t matter if it’s a super goal or not. Every goal is a point.
Soccer is a sport in which points are scored, and I am in a position where I am expected to
score goals. That’s what I’m living for, so I just did what I had to do.”

Isagi couldn’t help but disagree a bit. While all goals were the same regardless of how they were
scored, a superb goal is one that can change the tides of a match by boosting morale, it can turn
zero to one, and one to ten, and ten to a hundred. He lived to score goals, goals worthy of being
called the best in the world, a simple goal would not be enough for him, who sought to get better
each time.

Noel Noa doesn't flash a single smile, but the interviewer's voice grows louder and louder
with excitement.
“Ohh! Can I… take that as a declaration that you want to become the world’s best striker
and aim for the World Cup!?”

“......Winning isn’t the only thing in soccer. Of course I want to win the World Cup, but I
want to feel everything about soccer. Like for example……”

Isagi will never forget the line that follows until he dies.

Of course he wouldn’t, it was the very words that made him work ten times harder, that made him
aspire to be the absolute best in the world.

“Instead of assisting my teammates to win by 1-0, it feels better to pull off a hat trick and lose
3-4. You can’t sell that kind of emotion anywhere, can you?”

People realized Ego really had been aiming for Isagi this whole time. They very quotes he used to
inspire the forwards to join Blue Lock was the quote that Isagi Yoichi lived and breathed by, Ego
really had high hopes for Isagi.

Even Noa could see it. He could see that Isagi was exactly like Ego. Ambitious to a fault, insanely
smart and an absolute genius. No wonder Ego had picked him, he was basically the man when he
was younger.

Interesting, Jinpachi, just what are you planning to do with this boy?

How thrilling! An electric shock ran through Isagi’s body as he listened.

This person knows why I love soccer! While he had known for years that he longed for the
battlefield on the soccer field, finding people who had the same mindset as him was a rarity.
Japan was almost devoid of people who cared that much about soccer.

When he saw soccer for the first time. It wasn't just the feelings of "how cool" and "how
awesome" that deeply moved him. More than that, he found it "beautiful." Soccer is a team
game, 11 players against 11, and it is also an individual game. There are also the surrounding
spectators, the stadium, the show and the battle for life. He wants to be that striker, the one at
the center of it all. He wanted to crush his opponents beautifully.

The small smile that had made its way onto Sae’s face seemed to grow more. This boy understood.
He understood the art of “destroying beautifully”, he understood that soccer wasn’t just a sport, it
was a battlefield, where you evolved, or you died. At eight years old, Isagi Yoichi understood
soccer better than adults, better than almost all of Japan. He wondered whether Isagi was good
enough to receive his passes. The boy certainly had the mindset, but whether he was skilled enough
was up for debate.

Hiori looked at the passion and love in younger Isagi’s eyes and he sighed to himself. How he
wished he could love soccer that way… but he didn’t, he couldn’t, not after all he had suffered
because of his parents and the damn sport. Yet, seeing Isagi made him want to push himself
further, Isagi Yoichi was someone who brought vibrancy into his colorless soccer life, and he
hoped to cling to that splash of color that spilled onto the blank and dull canvas that he was.

I want to be a striker like Noel Noa……! Noel Noa was trying to reach the top of the soccer
world. Me too……! I’m going to be just like Noel Noa!

There was a gleam in his eyes as a fire ignited within them, and it was clear as day that Isagi
Yoichi was an egoist, willing to do whatever it took to get to the top.

It is said that the fastest way to improve not only in soccer but in other sports is to imitate the
pros. Although no one taught him, Isagi imitated Noel Noa’s every move. He watched his
videos, analyzed them, and recorded them in a notebook.
He spent every day practicing, filling his mind with Noel Noa’s soccer.

Many actually were impressed by the dedication an eight year old Isagi had had.

Reo felt amazed by the hard work Isagi put in everyday since he was young. He couldn’t fathom
ever having to work hard. Since young he was a prodigy at everything he did, working hard was an
incredibly foreign concept to him.

Nagi was in the same boat as Reo. He was a genius, no doubt about it, and he was lazy. Hard work
was something that he never needed, because it was too boring and an absolute pain in the ass to
work hard.

Bachira was grinning madly. Isagi was amazing. Isagi was perfect, perfect for him. He couldn’t
wait to play with him more, and see more of Isagi.

Barou saw glimpses of how Isagi dominated the field even as a child. He was a presence in the
field that one couldn’t ignore, and Barou was no exeception.

Chigiri was in awe. He remembered when he first discovered his speedy legs. He could safely say
he knew what Isagi felt, the feeling of being able to do something so well, and be known as a
prodigy for it.

Sae only seemed to grow more satisfied, seeing how much dedication the boy had had even as a
child. This boy… no wonder Blue Lock’s trainer was willing to invite him, he had the innate talent.
Isagi Yoichi was a monster that had been trapped in the cage that was Japan’s philosophy, and
now, that cage had been unlocked, and the monster was slowly growing to how it should’ve been.

One day, I will represent Japan and score a goal in the World Cup Finals!
Looking back, while Isagi still wanted to represent his country, he couldn’t help but wonder
whether he would be better suited for other countries’ teams.

Luna wondered whether this boy could make it at Real Madrid. Probably not. He would break if he
were to enter the professional world at this stage, but with more training, he could be one
formidable opponent…

When asked who he admired the most, he would happily reply, “Noel Noa!” He wrote on his
self-introduction card, “My dream is to be the best striker in the world,” and his request to
Santa was a “World Cup Championship trophy”.

Someone cooed, and Isagi had a feeling it was Bachira. This was waaaaaay too embarrassing. He
was getting exposed on how he had been like as a kid.

“Neh~ Isagi~ You were so adorable~!” Bachira hugged his friend, wrapping his arms around him
possessively, as if the boy would slip away if he let go of him. Kuroko only seemed to feel worse,
Bachira reminded him too much of Kise, too much, he was worried for his brother, at the same
time, he knew his brother could handle himself, Yoichi-nii was the strongest person he knew, if
anyone could, it was him.

Isagi became stronger and better. He was fearless in running into his opponents, as if he had
never been a crybaby. In elementary school, he scored a goal beating five opponents in a row.
In junior high school, he became known as the unbeatable striker in his hometown in
Saitama.

Not a word could be uttered as everyone watched in awe at how impressive Isagi had been, even
those on the professional stage were rather impressed. Japan was always bragging about strikers
who were mediocre at best, and horrendous at worst, but this boy, at the age of an elementary
school kid, he outclassed so-called professional Japanese football players.

I’m going to be a striker just like Noel Noa!

That dream greatly changed Isagi.

After graduating from junior high school, he entered a local soccer powerhouse, Ichinan
High School.

The mood in the room greatly soured. Everyone remembered clearly that it had been this school
that had killed Isagi’s brimming potential as a striker. Isagi winced. Now they would see how
pathetic he was, he hadn’t even fought back! They would see how useless he had been…

The screen flashed.

Now playing: The Creature Known As A “Striker”, Episode Four: One For All

That seemed to cement the idea that Isagi’s high school was useless. That stupid idea that
teamwork was all you needed. It killed talent before it could even be born.

I’ll be a striker like Noel Noa! First, I’ll go to Ichinan High School and play at Nationals! Then,
I’ll turn pro, get called up to the National team and score the final goal in the World Cup!

Kaiser smirked in amusement, “Big dreams for such a small and weak player, Yoichi ~” he
received glares from all over the room.

“I don’t want to hear that from the guy who calls himself ‘God’s Chosen Emperor’ and felt the
need to make someone his little guard dog just to validate his own success,” Isagi spat, and woah
Kaiser fell in love. Never once had he been so insulted by someone, and this feeling was new to
him. He wanted more, more! (Calm down you kinky bastard)
“Don’t talk to Michael that way!” Ness snapped at Isagi, who turned his ferocious glare onto him.
“Spoken like a true guard dog, tell me, do you bark when he asks you to?” Isagi didn’t even know
where the words were coming from, but he didn’t care at that point. Ness’s face flushed a violent
red, as he quietened down. He couldn’t believe that scrub had embarrassed both him and Kaiser
like that! He’d show him!

Kageyama snickered. This was too hilarious. It was like watching Oikawa and Iwaizumi bicker,
except they actually meant to harm each other. Yo-nii sure had an interesting life, far more
interesting than his.

That was the dream he had held in his heart since that day when he was eight years old. On
the first day of joining the soccer club at Ichinan High, he had been filled with anticipation
for the first step towards his dream.

Isagi scowled. First step his ass, it was ten steps backwards rather than one step forward.

When he stepped into the club room, there were already some students who seemed to be new
members. The club was strong and historic, with old certificates and cups adorning the
lockers and the club’s motto written in brush strokes on the largest wall. Looking at the
yellowed club motto, which he does not know how long it has been on the wall, a tiny sense of
discomfort sprouts in Isagi’s heart.

<One for all, all for one>

<One difficulty after another. There is no wall that we cannot overcome if we all work
together>

“Don’t listen to them, Isagi!” Bachira hugged his friend tightly, and Isagi laughed. It was over a
year ago, it had already happened, there was no changing it.
Kuroko felt conflicted. His very play style relied on that motto, but his brother’s play style was the
opposite, destroying your opponents and your teammates to get to the top, that was not Kuroko
Tetsuya’s way of playing. He supported his brother’s dreams, but he couldn’t stand seeing teams
not act like teams, to see them insulting and hurting each other to get what they wanted. It brought
too many bad memories.

Something’s wrong, isn’t it……?

“Yes!” Half the room shouted. Those words were chains that had held many talents prisoner,
shackled them down.

One for all, all for one. It means that each one should act for the sake of others, and the
others should act for the sake of each one. Sounds good, but isn’t the game far more from
that ideal? The soccer that made his heart light up was even more cruel. The striker who
single-handedly broke through the cruel world was beautiful.

Itoshi Sae only had eyes for Isagi Yoichi at that moment. Destroying beautifully, he understood.
Isagi understood his philosophy better than most, and he had never met him before. Sae knew he
was getting entranced by someone who’s skills he had only seen to be mediocre, but he had a
feeling the boy wouldn’t stay mediocre for long.

“You’re Isagi Yoichi-kun, right?”

Someone suddenly tapped his shoulder, and when he turned around, he saw a tall student
who also seemed to be a new club member.

People recognised the boy who had missed an easy shot.

“Huh? Yeah, but……”

“Woah, that’s awesome! I’m Tada Tomonari! I’m a forward too! I’ve seen you at a
competition before, Isagi! You were really good! I’m so lucky to be on the same team with
you!”

“He looks so uncomfortable, this Tada is getting on my nerves,” Chigiri muttered to Kunigami,
who nodded in agreement.

This Tada didn’t seem to wait for Isagi’s response or opinion, which automatically made them
dislike him.

“No, it’s nothing…… ha ha……” even a blind person could tell Isagi didn’t like how close the
boy was to his face, but it seemed Tada was blinder than your average person.

Whenever he met someone for the first time and they came up to him like that, he was always
rather startled and uneasy.

“Hey, everyone! It’s Isagi-kun!” Tada called out to everyone.

Isagi flinched slightly as the noise became even louder as everyone started to talk to him.

People were glaring at the screen.

“Hey Igaguri! This bastard’s worse than you! Both of you couldn’t tell for shit that someone was
uncomfortable with you!” Raichi yelled. While he wasn’t best friends with Isagi or anything, he
acknowledged the fact that Isagi had been one of the stronger players of Team Z, not stronger than
him though.
“Shut up you damn Pomeranian!” Igarashi snapped back,but he knew fighting was useless. He
really lived with monsters, he shivered.

“It’s really him! It’s Isagi Yoichi!”

“I’ve won a regional tournament once!”

That’s…. Not a big deal… compared to some people, like Itoshi Sae for example… at eight
years old, he was famous around the country already……

Sae was surprised he was once more mentioned by the boy. He hadn’t expected to be mentioned so
much. Then he smirked. Interesting , he could feel the glares directed at him, and it wasn’t like he
didn’t have an interest in Isagi, so it was a win-win situation for him, honestly.

The fellow first-year students gathered around, they all seemed to be cheerful and nice.
Thanks to Tada, the mood maker, the nervous first-year students quickly became
comfortable with each other.

“Isagi-kun’s play is completely unlike any junior high student, it was insane~” people
complimented, and Isagi blushed at the compliments.

“Aww~ Isagi gets flustered by compliments~” Chigiri teased.

“Shut up, Chigiri, please!” Isagi groaned. He couldn’t take all this teasing! Why did the room have
to show all this?! Bachira smiled happily. So all he had to do was to compliment Isagi? He could
do that!
“Well of course he’s better! At least better than those potatoes! Isagi is rather glam after all!” Aryu
spoke dramatically, and the Bastard Munchen players turned to look at Grim, who looked as if he
had found his other half in theatrics.

“Thank you, Aryu-san……” Isagi rubbed the back of his head shyly. Barou looked ticked off. This
damn bastard really was so different on and off field.

Tada talked to him with no hesitation, and Isagi started to relax. Tada was a forward too,
maybe he would understand. Timidly, he pointed at the club motto on the wall.

“Uhm, Tada-kun… don’t you think there’s something wrong with this?”

“Yes! There is plenty wrong with that!” Bachira nodded his head vigorously as if the question had
been directed at him rather than the boy on screen.

“Why?”

He looks at him in amazement.

“Well, in soccer, it feels good because you can beat your opponents and score goals by
yourself, right? That’s the joy of being a striker. It's not about joining forces, but about the
power of each individual striker… I guess.”

“Well you’re right, Isagi,” Gagamaru said in his usual monotone. Kuroko still looked on, a bit
afraid. His brother was really starting to look like his old friends.

He glances to see how Tada reacts.

“Huh? You can't play soccer by yourself.”

He said “What are you talking about?” then laughed.

“Soccer is a sport played by eleven people! My goal is a team play that represents the bond of
those eleven people! One for all, all for one!”

It’s mindless, authority-trusting people like this guy who spread all that bullshit about playing only
for a team and stuff like that, that kill the sport. Sae thought, looking at the screen. This was why
he had left, well, partly. Not only had he been given a good offer, he had seen what Japanese soccer
was like, he had seen how behind they were, that was why he had left.

Suddenly, they wrap an arm around each other’s shoulders.

“Let's all join forces and go to the Nationals!"

“Yeah!”

When Tada said this, their other teammates got excited.

Huh? Am I the only one who thinks that this is ridiculous?

“Nope!” About half the room replied.

Luna looked bored. He was being forced to watch this boy’s journey, and they couldn’t even show
the interesting parts?

Isagi couldn't say anything more.

Shortly after joining the club, Isagi was convinced. Ichinan High School’s soccer philosophy
is far from his ideal. The coach was friendly, compassionate, and nice. However, their
practice to build up the game by passing the ball around is honestly boring. The coach's
emphasis is not on power and speed, but on their combination with their fellow teammates. It
was about teamwork, keeping the ball in play with sharp passes while getting close to the
goal.

“Nice pass!!”

“Isagi, nice timing on your passes!!”

Isagi looked down in shame. He had let his dream be pushed down. He had almost given up on his
dream entirely.

He responded with a smile, but every time his fellow teammates compliment him, He
wonders, "Is this what I should be doing?” No matter how many good passes he made, he
never felt like he’s getting closer to his dream.

Am I… really sure this is what I want?

Being talented, Isagi who practices eagerly, received a uniform number even though he was
only a freshman, and began to participate in practice games. But even in the matches, he is
not asked to be a striker. They’re winning games, and he doesn't mean to complain, but
still…

Rin glared at the screen. No wonder Isagi had been horrible when they first played, well, more
horrible than he was now. If this was the kind of team he had been saddled with, it’s no wonder he
couldn’t get far. If it had been Rin in his place, he would’ve caused a huge fuss already. Complain,
you damn bastard.

One day at the end of a practice. Isagi had the courage of a lifetime. On a whim, he decided to
tell the coach what he thought. Looking at the back of the coach who was about to leave, he
said, "Uhm! Excuse me!"

“Hm? What’s wrong, Isagi?”

Seeing the quiet and obedient Isagi talk to the coach, his other teammates who were about to
leave also stopped.

“Uhm… I want to go for the next game, as a striker, I'd like to shoot more if possible.…”

This was all Isagi could muster.

“Hahaha! You want to show off?”

The atmosphere in the room was cold. Even the professional players were kind of mad. Here Isagi
was, trying to at least try, but this man only brushed off his effort? The professional players were
many things, but they knew all the effort that went into soccer was no joke, and this inexperienced
asshole was here making light of all the hard work? Despicable.
The coach laughed out loud, and his teammates laughed out loud as well.

“Up until now, You could have won matches with your individual skills, but high school isn’t
a piece of cake. First of all, thoroughly practice team play. We win together, and become
stronger together! If you do that, then you'll have double the joy! And half the sorrow!
That’s what Ichinan soccer is!”

The coach went on and on about the importance of the team and strongly hoped that Isagi
would contribute to it.

“Ichinan is a team that aims to participate in the Nationals with all eleven! Don't think soccer
can be won by one person alone!”

Turning red from embarrassment, He bows his head. Ichinan's soccer is to win through team
play. And that may be the Japanese way of playing soccer.

Barou growled. Don’t bow your head to him. I should be the only you’re bowing to. I’m the King.
Not him. Not anyone else.

“I'm sure you know what I mean. Isagi, I'm counting on you!”

With a slap on the back, the coach leaves. One for all, all for one.

I have to play for everyone……

“No you don’t!” Kageyama told his brother. “You can play however you want, no one can force
you to change. Only you can change yourself, if you’re only playing for others, then it’s not worth
playing!” He knew from experience. Playing for only yourself was lonely, but playing for only
others was just as bad. You had to find an in between, somewhere where you won’t be lonely, but
you won’t be wasting your talent or hard work either.

When he returned to the clubroom, Tada was waiting for him.

“Isagi, you’re late. Let’s go home, quick!”

Starting with Tada, all his teammates are good guys. They have a nice atmosphere, they have
won matches, and if they work hard, they can aim for the Nationals.

This is fine. Indeed, this is how a team works. Soccer is a sport played by eleven people. I'm sure
it's not right for me to disturb the harmony… by myself.

“Kick up a fuss, do whatever dammit!” Reo suddenly yelled. Isagi stared at him in shock. He never
expected Reo of all people to speak up. “Tch, you beat me, and here you are acting like a wimp!
I’ve seen you better than this Isagi Yoichi! You are better than this! So next time you’re ever told
by that asshat that you’re not allowed, you better fucking fight back!” Reo was tired of seeing Isagi
act so odd. Isagi was someone full of fire, passion, someone who didn’t bow down to others, but he
was so different in the past, and it pissed Reo off.

He looked up at the club motto and murmured.

“One for all, all for one…”

Without anyone hearing, he repeated those words again.

 There was silence. People witnessed the death of an egoist, and they were furious. He may have
been the rival of most of them, but that didn’t mean they didn’t acknowledge that he was
hardworking. All that effort since he was young had been diminished, and it reminded many of
their own experiences with people who only put them down, it made them furious. They wanted to
prove everyone who said they couldn’t wrong. Blue Lock was out for blood, and no one was going
to stand in their way, anyone that did, was going to be crushed under the weight of the egoistical
strikers of Blue Lock.

Chapter End Notes

Next chapter will finish off the spin off novel for Isagi and go back to the manga, and
I will skip two of the spin off novel chapters because they are basically the same thing
as the first manga chapter. It’s literally twelve am right now, and I’m going to sleep
 chapter six
Chapter Summary

Sorry for the late update! I was on holiday and I didn’t have much time to write

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The screen flashed again.

Now playing: The Creature Known As A “Striker”, Episode Five: Sealed Ego

Kunigami growled, making Isagi jump in his seat.

“Eh? Kunigami?” Isagi tilted his head, curious as to why Kunigami was so aggressive.

“Those bastards sealed your strength away, made you weak, why aren’t you angry about it you
idiot?!” Kunigami snapped, and Isagi was surprised. Kunigami had always been an easygoing guy,
to see him snap at him like that was enlightening.

“Don’t blame Yoichi-nii, it is just how his personality is like! I don’t expect you to know how he is
at all! Your every reaction to this Team Z shows you got kicked out, someone who lost shouldn’t
be talking about others!” Kuroko snapped back, but then he clammed up. He had shouted at
someone. He had shouted at someone like Aomine had. Hurt them. What had he done?

“Hey. Tetsuya, calm down, he deserved it,” Isagi said, glaring at Kunigami while he did so, and
Kunigami flinched. He cared about Isagi’s opinion more than he’d like to admit, and to see him so
furious at him, it hurt a lot. “You did nothing wrong, you were defending me, you didn’t do
anything wrong.” Isagi kept repeating those words like a broken record, while the rest of the hall
sat in silence. No one dared to say anything, well, maybe because Kageyama was glaring at anyone
who even opened their mouth.
“You should just sit back and let us win for you, Kurokochii!”

“Yeah, Tetsu, your play style is too weak , we’re much stronger, so just relax, you don’t have to do
anything.”

“Tetsuya, you don’t have to play.”

“Neh, Kurochin, you’re too small and fragile, just let us do it for you.”

“Aquarius is extra unlucky today, you should sit this one out!”

Stop it. Stop undermining me! I’m stronger than you think! I just don’t want to! I’m not weak!

Kuroko clutched the sides of his head, rocking back and forth in his seat while Isagi sat at his side,
soothing him with calming words. Why had he said that? These memories haunted him forever.
His friends… his family… they turned into monsters… he didn’t recognise them anymore…

“Are you feeling better enough to continue?” Isagi asked Kuroko after a while. Kuroko nodded,
still ashamed he had spoken like that. He walked over to Kunigami and bowed.

“My sincerest apologies, I hadn’t meant to snap at you like that, please forgive my insensitivity
towards you,” he said politely, and Kunigami was rather shocked.

“No, you were right, someone like me who lost shouldn’t talk about others,” Kunigami looked
down in shame. He couldn’t even handle himself, why was he worrying about Isagi. Isagi had
made it this far on his own, clearly he was fine.
That revelation made Chigiri and Isagi upset. Kunigami, their hero, had been eliminated.

“……should we continue, Yo-nii, or would you like a few more minutes?” Kageyama asked, while
glaring down at Shidou who looked like he wanted to mock Kunigami.

“Let’s continue, my apologies for causing us to stop,” Kuroko bowed, reverting to how he usually
was with Seirin.

From that day on, Isagi’s desire for the pleasant sensation of shooting…… his ego had been
sealed.

Since everyone has no doubts about it, I’ll just follow what the coach says.

“I shouldn’t have,” Isagi muttered bitterly under his breath.

Aiku was glaring at the coach who had appeared on the screen. This man… he was just like all the
adults in his life… those who had turned him down, forced him to kill his talent just so they could
be satisfied… then he smirked. Isagi Yoichi was an enigma, an average boy with not-so-average
talents. Aiku was almost certain that this boy would be the one to shake the foundations of the
JFU, and he couldn’t wait for the day it came.

Mild-mannered and earnest, it could be said that this choice is just typical of Isagi. He has an
unreasonably high cooperativeness and has a strong desire to take care of his teammates.
He's in his teens, so he doesn't want to be conspicuous in a bad way, and he has always been
timid, so he is afraid of being disliked for being assertive. Soccer changed Isagi, and soccer
changed him again. The confidence he had when he was an unbeatable junior high school
striker in his hometown in Saitama, as if he was the center of the world, rapidly disappeared.
The glare Bachira gave the screen when the coach showed up was terrifying enough to make even
a dragon back down. How dare this man who knew nothing try to control Isagi? Isagi was a force
to be reckoned with, an unrivaled power of nature that had been born with incredible gifts, he
should’ve been revered as a prodigy and been trained in his talents! But this man had shoved down
his efforts, and turned the festering monster that was Isagi Yoichi into a tame and domesticated
dog.

Niou looked at his ‘owner’ and received a nod. He grinned. He was going to Ichinan High to teach
some people a lesson. He didn’t know Isagi Yoichi, but he knew that there were many people like
him. And he couldn’t help but feel protective over the younger boy already, he was just too much
of a sunshine not to feel protective of.

He was supposed to have taken the first step with the grand dream of "becoming the world’s
best striker and winning the World Cup". It's not that he doesn't feel the passion. But as if to
stifle it, he puts out the fire.

“Nice pass, Isagi!”

“Isagi, nice timing on the pass!”

When he hears these words, he feels he has no choice but to continue to play this game of
soccer. His daily life could also only be described as typical of Isagi. Like, for example…….

Isagi looked so bored on the screen, like soccer was no longer fun or interesting. Kuroko looked at
his brother with sympathy. He understood. He understood how it felt like to feel worthless at
something you had devoted your life to. He understood how it felt like to want to give up, when all
hope was lost. But he hadn’t given up, and neither had his brother, it just wasn’t in their nature to
give up, and he hoped it would stay that way.

“Which girl is your type, Isagi?”

If Rin were a lesser man, he would’ve admitted that he had perked up slightly when he had heard
the question. But he was not a lesser man. He had not. He wasn’t interested in Isagi. Isagi was
nothing but a stepping stone in beating his brother. That’s all.

On the way home from club activities. Tada shows him a video of an idol group and asks him.

He said, "I knew it, it has to be this girl in the center! Right?"

“He didn’t even answer yet you oblivious idiot!” Chigiri snarled. Isagi was rather surprised that
Chigiri kept defending him. Bachira helping he could understand, but Chigiri? That was a bit of a
shock to him.

I honestly don’t care… Isagi thought. But he couldn’t say that. Besides, his type was someone
with a nice smile and laughs a lot. Tada’s idol of choice is the expressionless tsundere type, so
she was definitely off Isagi’s marks.

Rin may or may not have felt arrows pierce through his heart. He was that expressionless tsundere
type. Isagi didn’t like people like that in that way. Wait. Why did he care? He didn’t care about
Isagi. He shouldn’t care.

All his friends voiced their excitement, mentioning that they liked that idol too, and Isagi, not
wanting to be rude, would agree with them.

“Do you want to go to a show with me next time?”

“Uh…. Sure?”
“Nice! Let’s go with everyone!”

“Yeahhhh!”

His teammates were always in high spirits.

“Ye—yeah…?”

He always went with the flow. With things going like that, he discreetly canceled his
reservation for a song that clashed with Tada’s choice. When he was invited for ramen after
club activities, he would say “I already ate yesterday, but okay..” and they would go together.
And at the ramen shop he would fill everyone’s cups with water, and refill them too. Kind
and considerate, he was one of the most important members of the Ichinan Soccer Club.
Before he knew it, Isagi, who valued harmony, became one of them.

Suddenly Kageyama was in front of his brother again.

“Eh.. Tobio…?” Isagi looked confused.

“Yo-nii, if you ever feel uncomfortable with any choice I make, don’t hesitate to tell me. I don’t
want to force you to do anything you don’t want to.” Kageyama told him in a serious tone.

“Same here!” Bachira added.

“Yeah,” Chigiri and Kunigami said.

Around the room, Isagi’s friends voiced their agreement with Kageyama’s words.

“I-if you-you’re ever fe-feeling un-uncomfortable, p-please te-tell me!” Tokimitsu stuttered.

Isagi’s eyes were filled with a light that was rarely seen. Everyone…

“Everyone… thank you!” Isagi smiled brightly at everyone, and his bright smile blinded a few,
while others felt an arrow pierce their heart. Kageyama looked at everyone else’s reaction, amused.
He thought his older brother was adorable, but everyone else was just a simp.

The others in the room were flushing red at the sunshine child. He seemed so innocent in this
moment, to those who had played with him before, they were surprised how much of a duality he
had.

Isagi’s eyes narrowed slightly. So that many people were fond of him? Interesting. He had always
found the human mind was weaker to cute things. He wondered whether he should keep acting
sweet and nice, or whether he should drop the act. Don't get him wrong, he was a pretty nice guy,
just not as nice as he usually was. People tend to trust you more when you treat them kindly. And
in doing so he could learn more about them, about their lives, about their skills, and he could use
that against them. He felt guilty, definitely, but he wanted to survive. He wasn’t going to lose
because of his own moral compass. The fire of his desire burned bright in his heart, it would not be
put out by something as simple as being too afraid to use whatever you had at your disposal at the
expense of others. That was what being an egoist was. Using whatever you had, doing whatever it
took to get to the top.

They looked back at the screen.

Now playing:The Creature Known As A “Striker”, Episode Eight: Reasons For The
Summons

“Huh? Did we skip a few chapters?” Igarashi asked.

“No shit Igaguri!” Raichi replied, but he was also confused.

Due to Episode Six: The Final Stage, and Episode Seven: Being Defeated, having similar
content to previous parts, they will not be played.

The message flashed on the screen.

“Well that explains it.” People jumped again, at least those who forgot Kuroko was there. (I forgot
him too, for a moment TvT)

Today is cup noodles……

Many empty containers of cup noodles were left in the monitoring room. There was no end to
his love of junk. It's definitely because of his diet, that he always has dark circles under his
eyes and that he's skinny as a matchstick, isn’t it.....? thought Anri, but then she turned her
attention back to her work from those Cup Noodles. Ego and Anri were watching the video of
the final game of the Saitama prefectural tournament on the monitor.

“Seriously, you were watching him this whole time? Isn’t that kinda illegal?” Hiori asked.

“Not exactly, as long as he was getting the footage from a legal source, it wouldn’t be considered
illegal, it definitely creepy,” Loki explains. He too had spent hours pouring over footage of various
football stars in his childhood, though he had to admit, Ego watching Isagi took it to a whole new
level of crazy.

The highlight footage was of Kira Ryosuke, who scored a dazzling shot in that brilliant
counter. Ego decided to invite him on the spot, and Anri checked the "invite" box in Kira's
data. It was a striker's play that broke through Ichinan’s defense and scored a shot. For
Kira, it was an undisputed call.

“Well, now I don’t really think so,” Anri chuckled. How wrong she had been between the two
boys. She had been so sure that Kira would have survived while Isagi failed, but instead it turned
out to be the other way around.

......but still

Ego’s pick, Isagi Yoichi, lost in the turn of events as Anri expected. He recklessly handed the
chance he had drawn up to his teammate, and then self-destructed after being countered. It is
a play that embodies Japanese-style soccer with excellent organizational skills, and their
defeat showed the limits of that style.

“I am not going to deny that I was weak, but the fact that they keep pointing it out is getting on my
nerves,” Isagi muttered to his brothers, who nodded in agreement. They understood how it felt like,
to always have your past mistakes, your weaknesses consistently brought up in conversations, as if
you could never escape it. Kageyama with his title of ‘King’, and Kuroko being a mere phantom
on the court. They were both only thought of as a certain thing, their weaknesses, their mistakes
were the only thing that was ever truly known, not their strengths, not their good deeds. Just the
bad, never the good.

Anri wonders.

“Isagi Yoichi has been selected for the special player training program…Was it really OK to
send him the invite to Blue Lock? I still think it’s a mistake…”

“I’m really sorry, Isagi-kun…” Anri apologized again to Isagi, who waved off her apology. “I
already told you, Anri-san, you were right back then, there’s no need to apologize for speaking the
truth,” Isagi smiled softly.
Anri’s dream is for Japan to win the World Cup. Japanese soccer has grown over the past 25
years and has become a regular World Cup participant. However, they never make it past the
Best 16.

Noa’s eyes trailed to the Blue Lockers, and he felt maybe, since they had been trained under the
watchful eyes of Jinpachi Ego, they might be what could break Japanese soccer to the next level.

“If we play our own soccer, we will win.”

“Japan’s passing-style soccer is world class”

All soccer commentators say so.

That’s why we’ve never made it over to the Best 16!

“Preach, Anri-chan!” Someone called out.

Inside her mind, Anri snaps. When she thinks about the future of soccer, she becomes a little
bit foul-mouthed. If things continue as they are, Japanese soccer will never be able to win the
World Cup. That's why they need a savior who will destroy the current Japanese soccer and
lead this country to win the World Cup… The world’s best striker must be born.

The selection of the 300 strikers was left to Ego's personal judgment and biases. But, as
expected, he’s completely useless, isn’t he? Anri thought. And yet, while watching the image
of Isagi slumped over on the pitch, Ego has an eerie smile on his face.

People shivered. Ego really was creepy.

“Ah, This guy had the worst, isn’t he, Anri-chan?”

“Yes. In this match, his school lost to Matsukaze Kokuo High School, 0-2. Isagi Yoichi… it
ended with him unable to do anything.”

That's why I told you the other day that this kid is no good.

Anri opened her mouth to apologize again, but Isagi shot her a look that said to stop, and she
reluctantly closed her mouth. She had been watching his progress all this time, curious to see as to
why Ego had selected him, but now she knew. She had seen him improve at a rapid pace, overtake
people she thought were superior in strength and talent, yet he had not reached his full potential.

However, Ego lifts the corners of his mouth more and more.

“Is it even humanly possible to smile that wide?” Kaiser whispered to Ness, who was still miffed
about Isagi’s insult.

“I’m not sure, Micheal,” like the obedient dog he was, he answered dutifully to his master. This
was the life he had chosen. There were times he regretted it, but it was what he had chosen, and he
reaped what he sowed.

“...Isn’t that good... The best of the worst.... He has an overwhelming field of vision and
spatial awareness. He has an eye for accurately assessing his position in relation to the players
around him, and he has a high soccer IQ. A gem who has killed his potential as a striker by
using all of his talent for the team…”

Ego raised his glasses and nodded crudely.

“Japanese soccer killed him, and he will disappear without being found by anyone. It is the
Ego of humans like this that makes Blue Lock a treasure."

Noa nodded at that. He and his old rival may not agree on everything, but he knew that this was
one of the things they agreed on. The ego of humans is what made them transcend seemingly
impossible limits. The ambition to push themselves further is what makes them egoists. And it just
so happened Ego had found himself a jackpot full of egoists.

It turns out there were rooms for all of them. Well, it was to be expected, they couldn’t have
watched everything in one sitting.

They had been put into twos or threes to share rooms. They were grouped as such:

1. Isagi, Kageyama and Kuroko

2. Bachira, Chigiri and Kunigami
3. Nagi, Reo and Zantetsu
4. Barou, Igarashi (much to his dismay) and Gagamaru
5. Sae and Rin (he was really pissed)
6. Kaiser and Ness
7. Hiori, Nanase and Kurona
8. Shidou and Kiyora

Many more rooms, of people whose names I don’t know. Within the pro teams, they were grouped
according to who they got along with the best, while the masters were put in one big room with
Ego. Anri got her own room since she was the only lady.

“Yoichi-nii, you’ve noticed how your friends feel, haven’t you?” Kuroko asked his brother.
“Hahaha! Your observational skills never fail to impress me, Tetsuya!” Isagi laughed, “Yes, I have.
Only a fool wouldn’t notice their friends and rivals falling left and right for them.” Isagi’s voice
turned serious.

“You’re going to use them aren’t you?” Kuroko questioned, and Isagi could hear the fear in his
brother’s voice.

“Yes, but I’m not going to be completely heartless, they’re still my friends, I just…… want to
survive in Blue Lock,” Isagi assured his brother.

“Yo-nii, are you okay? I know seeing what you were like is hard for you,” Kageyama spoke rather
softly to his brother.

Isagi chuckled, “You’re too worried about me, Tobio, tell me, that spiked of yours, Hinata, was it?
What's he like? I heard he’s talented, but I’ve never been able to see for myself,” it was times like
this that Isagi loved. When he could just play the card of big brother, and not have to worry about
his own problems. It was the best way to ignore all your issues and worries, by talking to someone
else about theirs.

Kageyama’s cheeks turned red and Isagi gave him a knowing smirk, while Kuroko smiled softly.
At least one of them has a happy and healthy relationship? Kind of.

“He’s really … bright and happy… he’s like the sun, he brings light everywhere he goes …”
Kageyama seemed to turn redder the more he talked about Hinata. He obviously liked him.

“Soooooo, does that mean I’m getting a new younger brother?” Isagi teased, and Kageyama
spluttered, “Yo-nii! No- not like that! We’re not like that!”

Kuroko asked, “Tobio, do you love him?” The air around them turned serious.
 “Yes, I do … he brings me so much happiness, I’ve never been this happy playing volleyball, I
don’t feel alone anymore…” Kageyama smiled softly. At first, he had been annoyed with how
Hinata stuck with him like he had been glued onto him, but he had grown fond of him, and that
fondness turned into a small crush, and that small crush became love. Hinata made him happy, he
had always been alone. No one could catch his tosses. He had tried to change at first, but they still
couldn’t and he gave up trying to change his tosses. He was ostracized and treated like a social
pariah, people in middle school all saw him as a dictator who only cared for himself. No one was
willing to be his friend. Even at the start, Karasuno was also wary of him. But not Hinata. Hinata
ran into his life like lightning, and he never left.

“I’m glad… you’ve found someone who can play with you… someone who can challenge you…”
Isagi’s words were caught by Sae, who happened to wander outside their room at that moment, and
Sae paused. Isagi’s words were just so similar to his own thoughts, he really was an interesting
person. As he walked away, he couldn’t help but smirk slightly. This reacting was giving him a
new person to think about, a striker was born from the corpses of his teammates, and deep down,
Sae selfishly hoped that that striker would not be his brother, but Isagi. I want to play with you on
the world stage, Isagi Yoichi, don’t disappoint me just yet, egoist.

“Let’s go to bed, you’re both probably exhausted by now,” Isagi said, climbing into the bed that
had been provided for him. Kuroko and Kageyama nodded their heads, doing the same.

As the three drifted off to sleep, a lone figure appeared in their room. Looking at their sleeping
forms, the Creator giggled before vanishing, she just couldn’t wait to see more!

Chapter End Notes

We are now finished with the side stories, and have had some brotherly bonding time.
Who is the Creator and what is her aim? Next we’ll finally get back to the manga. And
yes, they get to sleep because there is no way they could react to like two months (in
the manga) worth of stuff in one sitting, hope y’all enjoyed!
 chapter seven
Chapter Summary

Finally, I’m back! Sorry for the delay in update. I’ve been sick lately and I have
projects and competitions, so the next update will probably be like this as well. But
hope you enjoy!

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The next day, everyone woke up and went to the reacting room, where they found a breakfast
buffet waiting for them. The Blue Lockers instantly rushed to the food, having missed eating their
favorite breakfasts for so long.

“Oh bacon, I’ve missed you so much!”

“Holy shit there’s beef tacos!”

“Ramen for breakfast? Better than whatever we’ve been having at least!”

Non-Blue Lockers were concerned for the teenagers.

Kuroko sipped a vanilla milkshake happily while Kageyama stuffed his face with food. Some
people were curious as to how all their favorite foods had appeared, but decided not to question a
good thing.

Eventually, they all settled down and went to their seats, waiting for the screen to start up once
more.
The screen turned on.

“We have estimated your potential based on my judgment and my peers’ calculations…
represented by your ranking. It is the number attached to your uniforms.”

Isagi glanced at his left arm in a panic as Ego continued to talk.

“With it, you can gauge your position among the 300 players in this facility.”

299th… damn, I’m too low! There was a small fire that lit in his eyes as he thought of how low
he was ranked.

Bachira grinned, Isagi wouldn’t fail him, he knew it. Kageyama eyed the boy nervously. He wasn’t
blind, he could see the boy had an obsession with his brother, an obsession that was spiraling out of
control, and he wasn’t the only one. All around the room, there were people who grew more
obsessed with his beloved older brother as this reaction went by, and he knew this reaction would
cause more people to fall into obsession. But there was one thing he knew. His brother was well
aware of the feelings of his ‘friends’. He didn’t really care if his brother used them, they held no
significance to him. But he didn’t want Kuroko to be upset. Oh well, he’ll just have to sit back and
watch, after all, that’s all he can do.

“Your ranking will change daily based on several factors. For example, going up or down
based on your training or the results of your games. And unconditionally, the top five
players… they will become selected strikers for Japan’s U-20 National Team at the World
Cup.”

The U-20 players were irked that their place on the team, that they worked so hard to earn, was
being put on auction for a bunch of teenagers.

There was a wave of surprise that spread over the room of boys. The U-20 National Team?!
“Also… those who are defeated at Blue Lock will be permanently barred from Japan’s
National Team.”

The background as Ego talked showed an image of a player, whose face was blurred falling
through the ground as he failed.

There was so much tension in the air that you could cut it with a knife. Everyone was hooked to
Ego’s every word.

A situation where the risks and rewards are high, the stakes are dangerous, and your whole
football career is on the line… It's the perfect way to bring out talent. As Yoichi-nii said, a true
striker will appear at the game’s most crucial moment, and what’s more crucial than a high-risk-
high-reward situation? Kuroko glanced at Ego, who looked right back at him. Ego noted that the
teal haired boy had made an observation about the situation, and he was rather pleased. Maybe
football was the one sport he needed to help, but perhaps this boy with his observational skills, and
the other boy with his physique and talent could help other sports be the top.

“Yoichi-nii, this situation isn’t favorable to someone like me, if I had been there…” Kuroko
muttered to Isagi. Isagi ruffled his brother’s hair. It was true. Kuroko’s very play style relied on his
teammates’ absolute trust and bond, something that Blue Lock discouraged. Their opinions on how
sports should be played is completely different, yet both boys were excited to see how the other
would improve on their own play style.

“Hey, screen! When will we see more about Isagi’s brothers? I’m curious about them!” Bachira
asked brightly. He wondered whether the two were monsters too.

The screen changed.

Later, during the break.

“Yes! I’ve been wanting to see how you two have been doing!” Isagi wrapped his arms around his
brothers, yanking them closer to him.

“Agh!? Yo-nii!” Kageyama yelped.

“I can’t wait for the break!” Isagi said.

“We are looking for one crucial component here: ‘Ego’. That is what we will measure as you
live here in this facility. There were looks of nervousness all around the room. It was to be
expected, the idea of egoism may have suited some of them better, but it was something that
had been discouraged.

Bachira thought back to when he was alone. He always loved the idea of being the star, being the
sole striker. But everyone told him that he had been wrong, that that wasn’t the way to play soccer.
He had known they were wrong. The monster told him so, and Isagi was just proof of that. He
wasn’t alone anymore, and he wouldn’t let Isagi leave him. He didn’t want to be alone ever again.

“Well now… it is time to play ‘Tag’.” Ego’s eyes shone with darkness, ironic as it sounded.
His eyes swirled with darkness.

Sae looked up at the mention of the game he had been forced to play when he joined Madrid.
While he hadn’t had the consequence of being kicked out, the loser of the game would be looked
down on until they proved themselves worthy. He had lost. Losing was something he never had to
experience until he went to Madrid. In Japan, his skills were unparalleled, yet in Madrid, he was
almost mediocre compared to others, for the first time in his life, he understood how his opponents
felt as he crushed them when he played against Leonardo Luna for the first time.

“The time limit is 136 seconds.” A ball dropped from the ceiling, and everyone gasped. “The
player with possession is ‘it’. Whoever is ‘it’ when the time runs out… can get the fuck out of
here.” The ball landed in front of Isagi.
Eh..? Isagi looked confused.

“And of course, no using your hands.” The screen flicked off, “Those are the rules.”

“So the way I see it, being ‘it’ is a double edged blade. You have the power to destroy someone’s
career completely, but you may also lose your own. You’re making them fight for their lives in
there,” Kageyama looked at Ego. This sure was interesting. He knew his brother had survived. His
brother was too good to fall in such a simple game.

Raichi recalled that that was what Ego had said after the game more or less, and he shivered. He
would never truly admit it to himself, and to Isagi even less, but he was scared of the other boy. He
just had those moments where he was so immersed in the game, and he controlled everything on
the field, it almost felt like he was a mere mortal compared to the god that was Isagi. The fact that
Isagi’s younger brother could come to such a conclusion almost instantly by just hearing the rules
was something that made him slightly scared.

Luna looked slightly impressed. The boy knew what he was talking about. It seemed Japan wasn’t
full of airheads at the very least.

The screen changed to show Igarashi’s face on the screen, depicting him as ‘it’.

“Wha…” Igarashi stared at the screen in shock.

“ ‘Tag’ is but one of the many exercises pro players warm up with. This ‘egoism test’ I have
devised will provide great insight into the selfishness behind these strikers…” Ego stared at
the screen, sitting in his chair calmly, his eyes on Isagi as the game began.
“Prepare, and attack. This isn’t your average game of ‘tag’.”

Those words were clearly a warning to Isagi, but at the time, no one had heard Ego, nor would they
have known who his words were directed towards.

Ego really put a lot of faith in Isagi, if he was silently cheering on (?) Isagi from behind the scenes.

The timer began.

“The hell..?! A test as soon as we move in?! It’s not even football…” a boy with sharp teeth
and spiky blond hair growled.

“Oh shit! The door’s not opening?!” Another boy with slightly more delicate features
attempted to open the door to no avail.

People were staring at either Ego or the screen.

“You actually locked them in?!” Some wondered, while others were captivated by the situation.

“It was necessary, because—” Ego didn’t get to finish his words.

“Because only in dire situations will a true striker show if he had given them a way to leave,
instead of fighting, they would have left, and only in this situation can he weed out who is worthy
of being called a ‘striker’.” Kuroko explained, his voice monotonous. His eyes flickered to Ego,
who gave him a nod of confirmation.
“He’s right, if I had given you any other option, the outcome of that game would have been very
different,” Ego added, impressed with the intellect of Isagi’s brothers.

Raichi shivered once again. Isagi and Kageyama were scary in terms of intimidation (Kageyama
seemed intimidating), but Kuroko, he was scary in terms that he seemed to pick up on the things no
one else notices. He randomly vanished from Raichi’s view, despite the fact he knew he was there.
It scared him. Those three were definitely not to be messed with. He knew others saw him as hot-
headed, but he wasn’t an idiot. Messing with those three would just get him into trouble.

“300th.. so the worst player is the first to be ‘it’…” Igarashi muttered as he glanced at his
arm. “I have to do this… so… whoever gets expelled, don’t hold it against me…” Igarashi
glanced around the room, trying to pick who to target.

“W-wait a sec… that thing about Japan’s U-20… do you really believe what that guy said?!
That must’ve been a bluff!” The boy who had checked the doors protested.

“I dunno for sure, but what if he was telling the truth?!” Igarashi argued. “I’ll do it… if I
lose, I’ll have to become a monk at the temple… if I lose, I’ll be a monk at the temple…” he
muttered to himself like a mantra.

“Those who are defeated at Blue Lock will be permanently barred from Japan’s National
Team”… what’s up with that?! And why am I 299th?! Do I have to beat these guys..?! Isagi’s
eyes darted around the room, taking in all the other guys in the room.

Kuroko’s analytical eyes glanced around the room, similarly to his brother in the projection, and he
took note that of the twelve boys that had been shown on screen in Z, only seven of them were
here, they had survived. How had the others lost?

“…A’ight.” Igarashi muttered.

No… I don’t have time to figure this out… I have to do it…! For a small moment, Isagi’s eyes
were filled with an aura of darkness, a desperation he had never felt before.

Bachira grinned crazily, his face heating up and his eyes narrowing in on Isagi. Ah, he loved Isagi
so much! Isagi was the best! He wanted to see more of him, and maybe his brothers! Maybe if he
knew them better, they would let him have Isagi, all to himself.

My football career… depends on ‘tag’!

Igarashi sprinted forward, giving a cry of determination as others ran out of his way.

“Wait, don’t all come here!”

“Gh..”

“We’re stacked in the corner! Spread out!!”

“Sorry Isagi, I’m coming for you, Mr. 299!” Igarashi grinned.

“Going after the second weakest person in the team? Boring~ !” Chris called out, and Igarashi’s
face turned red in embarrassment. Isagi would’ve felt pity if he didn’t know the boy, but
unfortunately, he did, and he knew Chris was right. Going after the second weakest was not how a
striker should be, though being called the second weakest really irked him. It’s not like you’re the
strongest either!

“What?!” Isagi shouted. Is he serious?!

“O’ Great Buddha!” Igarashi chanted as he shot the ball at Isagi, who dodged it by jumping
to the side.

“Ah!”

“Hah! Loser!” Reo mocked. He really didn’t like this bald guy.

“Shaddup!” Igarashi shouted, and Isagi couldn’t help but snicker.

Kuroko observed the screen, watching Igarashi’s movements carefully. He is experienced with
playing, but not on the level of competitiveness that Yoichi-nii plays on. His skills are barely honed,
just how has he survived so far?

Igarashi realized that it wouldn’t be so easy.

“Shit! This is way too hard! Fine, I’ll go for everyone! C’mon….!” People dodged left and
right as Igarashi shot wild balls, they went to places he hadn’t aimed for, and definitely left
people shocked.

“This has to be a joke… there’s no way pros actually train like this!” Kira stated.

“Untrue, we do indeed train like this occasionally, just to test our agility and shooting accuracy,”
Noa crossed his arms, stating bluntly.

Sae nodded. His team did this once in a while too, he had improved to the point it was either he or
Luna that took the final shot at one of their poor teammates who happened to earn their ire that day.
Isagi looked at Kira. “Kira-kun…”

“I’m only here so I can reject that guy’s rotten ideology…” he gazed at how everyone was
still busy dodging Igarashi’s unpredictable shots, “ Trying to stake our football careers on a
two-minute long game of ‘tag’ is completely screwed up…!!”

“I won’t let that guy destroy my future!” Kira’s gaze had a fire in his eyes.

Isagi was reminded that this was why Kira was called the Jewel of Japan. It wasn’t that he was a
weak player or anything like that, it was just he had failed to adapt in time. But skill wise, Kira
definitely was not half-bad.

Kira really has thought about this… but for now, since I’m 299th… my plan is mainly to run
away and not get hit… Isagi could feel sweat trickling down his face.

“Fuck, I can’t hit anyone!! Come back, ball!” Igarashi shouted, as the ball came to a stop
near the still sleeping Bachira.

“Haha! That’s the guy! Lucky me, he’s still sleeping!’ Igarashi cheered.

“If you were planning on sneaking up on him, maybe you shouldn’t have shouted so close, that
would have woken him up,” Kuroko said, and Igarashi’s face reddened.

“Shut up! You don’t play soccer, what do you know?!” Igarashi yelled.
Isagi opened his mouth to defend his brother, but Kuroko stood up, his face darkening as the
screen paused.

“I know plenty. Definitely more than you. I’ve been observing how you play through the screen,
your skills are barely honed, not a single one of them is good enough to ever be considered worthy
of professionals, much less in a world of professionals as brutal as soccer. Don’t try and act as if
you're some gift from Heaven, you’re barely better than a child, the only difference is that a child
whines because they are too young to understand, you whine because you are a worthless, shitty
asshole!” Kuroko glared at Igarashi, and he felt himself shrink in his seat.

“Perhaps it will be shown later during the break, but my specialty is specifically being sneaky, of
course I’d know how to be quiet, something you clearly don’t know how to be,” Kuroko added,
just obliterating Igarashi, and everyone was enjoying the show.

“I apologize again for causing a commotion, let’s continue,” Kuroko sat down like nothing just
happened.

But as Igarashi moved closer to get the ball to kick at the sleeping boy, the boy moved swiftly,
getting into a handstand position and kicking Igarashi in the face, hard.

“Pffffft! Hahahaha!” People started to laugh at Igarashi.

“Ngh?!” Igarashi grunted as he stumbled backwards, nearly falling over, as Isagi watched in
surprise.

“That hurts… Hey!! That’s a foul! A foul! In a match, that’d get you a red card!!” The boy
began to rise up slowly.

“You’re saying that like everyone here didn’t already know that,” Chigiri mocked. He usually
wasn’t this mean or petty, so to speak, but he really didn’t like the leech that was Igarashi.
Igarashi stopped trying to fight back. He could tell it was pointless. So he did have some awareness
after all.

“Nunya~” the boy rubbed his eyes, “Wasn’t the only rule not using hands?” The boy opened
one eye and looked at Isagi, “Mornin’.”

“You were awake?!” Reo asked.

“To be able to listen while asleep is truly enlightening!” Zantetsu said, and everyone stared at him
in confusion.

“You mean ‘astounding’, right?” Kageyama asked.

“Yes, that’s what I meant!” Zantetsu said.

“Stupid idiot,” Reo and Nagi said in unison, looking at their former teammate.

“That must’ve hurt.” Kuroko said, scaring a few people who had forgotten about him.

“Please, Suya, your punches are far more painful,” Kageyama reminded.

“And your serves,” Kuroko replied. Isagi chuckled, his two brothers’ had incredibly good arm
strength.
What’s with this guy?!

“Hehe~ Did I confuse you Isagi~?” Bachira asked playfully, poking Isagi’s cheeks by reaching
over Kuroko.

“Well you can’t blame me!” Isagi protested, his cheeks burning red. Bachira’s smile only widened
at the sight.

“Hey.” The tall, muscular guy grabbed the sleepy boy by the shoulders, “I hate that dirty
shit. Play fair and square.” He added.

“Well, ain’t you serious.” The sleepy boy deadpanned, before dodging quickly.

BAM! The ball hit the muscular guy’s face.

“Hah! Lund an opening! O’ Great Buddha!” Igarashi cheered.

Nagi peeked at the screen through half-lidded eyes. He wanted to play video games. It was such a
bore to watch these people, couldn’t they show more of Isagi or Reo? That would be more
interesting.

“Hey, weird monk guy. You’re so annoying, tell the other you to shut up.” He called out.

“Uh, Nagi, that's not how it works—” Reo stared at his friend.
“Huh? Really? Then can he shut up here to make up for it?” Nagi asked, and everyone seemed to
agree with that suggestion.

“Hey! Don’t I get a say in this?!” Igarashi shouted.

“No, in fact, you don’t get a say at all~” Shidou said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Igarashi scowled furiously.

The screen in the room where Igarashi’s portrait had been shown was replaced with the
muscular boy’s one, and his name Isagi now knew was Kunigami Rensuke, and he was
ranked 291.

Kunigami’s eyes flashed with fury.

“…cking bastard… yer goin down Igaguri..!” He growled, drawing back his leg and shooting
the ball with such immense power that it looked like a gunshot, and you could practically see
the fire emanating from the ball as it flew.

Igarashi panicked as he saw the ball heading for him, and he grabbed Isagi, using him as a
shield.

“Hey! What’re…?! Stop!” Isagi shouted, but it was too late. The ball hit Isagi straight in the
gut, and he flew backwards slightly, falling right onto his back.

“Oh. My bad… that wasn’t for you.” Kunigami said, looking rather regretful.
“Fucking bald headed asshole.”

“Holy shit!”

“Hypocrite. You were sprouting all about fouls just now, but isn’t that a foul too?”

All around the room, people insulted Igarashi and his cowardliness, and Isagi couldn’t help but feel
a bit bad for him. But that feeling was squashed out when he remembered what happened next. He
was filled with excitement. That was the moment his true self, his ego was reawakened. He
shouldn’t waste his time feeling pity for Igarashi, who had brought it on himself.

“O’ Great Buddha!” Igarashi chanted, backing away from Isagi.

“Isagi-kun?!” Kira yelled in worry, as the portrait on the screen changed to Isagi’s.

Shit…. He thought, panting heavily while clutching his gut area where he had been hit. I need
to hit someone or I’m finished!! My football career will be over!!

He glanced up at the clock, seeing he had less than a minute left.

Only one minute left…. His eyes were lit with fury, a black flame seemed to erupt, overtaking
his vision, I won’t let it end like this!!

Kuroko looked at the flames that had ignited within his brother, and he wondered whether it was
like how his old friends got into the Zone. They did seem to have similar requirements for entry,
and similar effects on the player.

Isagi ran forward, kicking the ball at anyone he could. But everyone dodged.

Shit! Of course guys chosen from all over the country are in top-notch condition! I can’t hit
them even with my best shots… and I can’t keep up with their dribbles! He glanced at Kira,
who shot him an apologetic look before dashing away. In fact, Kira doesn’t look tired at all!

In the end, I should also focus on the lowest rank here… it’s not what I should do, but I have no
choice… Igarashi!! He turned his gaze to Igarashi, who started to run like his life depended
on it.

Snuffy regarded the boy on the screen with watchful eyes. He was a businessman, and he always
considered the profits, right now, based on what he had seen, there were three boys he would gain
profit from if it had been him who had chosen and trained them. Bachira Meguru, Kunigami
Rensuke and Isagi Yoichi. They were easily the best. He couldn't wait to see how these boys would
improve.

“Alriiiiiiight! I gotta give it my all for the last minuteeeee! Time to run for my lifeeeeee!!”
Igarashi yelled.

“Oh my god your voice hurts my ears!”

“Damn annoyance…!!”

Damn it!! Isagi cursed. Only 50 seconds left! Is my career really being decided on this dumb
game?! What’re they even testing here?! What’s this got to do with ‘ego’? Shit… legs’re getting
tired…. Shit! Shit! There’s no time left! Isagi’s thought were running at a million miles per
hour.
Aiku couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer speed of Isagi’s thought process. It was insane how fast
he could think, and how quickly he swapped between wondering what was the purpose of the
game and his panic was impressive. It was …. Balanced.

Fuck…. I don’t wanna lose…! I don’t want it to end like this!! I still want… to keep playing
football…! His eyes zeroes in on Igarashi’s moving figure, with him catching up to the other
boy. I won’t let my dream end like this…!! His eyes were definitely dancing with fire now.

No matter what…. I want to win.

Suddenly he heard a call.

“Nyahaha~!” It was the sleepy boy.

“You… little bastard!” Isagi turned to see the sleepy boy had grabbed Kunigami.

“Get off me! Hey!!” Kunigami tried furiously to shake the boy off.

“Looking here, a chance~!” The boy called out to Isagi.

“Haha, thanks for trying Bachira….” Isagi chuckled softly. Bachira laughed. “No problem Isagi!
Anything for you!” He said.

Kuroko observed how their dynamic was almost scarily similar to his and Kise’s. He was scared,
for his brother, there was no doubt about that, but he knew his brother was way stronger than that.
He would surely get by, use everything to his advantage and survive. That was what his brother did
best, survive.

“Go there! Go there!” Igarashi called out in a panic, not wanting to get tagged.

“I told ya… fair and square….!!” Kunigami growled, grabbing the boy’s arm.

“So fucking play by it!!” He yelled, throwing him away from him.

“Whoa?!”

“Woah, Mr Do-Gooder isn’t so good after all~?” Shikoku asked, and Kunigami glared daggers at
him, only to receive an amused smirk in return.

The boy landed right on top of Igarashi, laughing.

“Ouchie ouchie…” he muttered, smiling widely, clearly not in pain.

“Get off already!!” Igarashi yelled.

“It’s not like you did, so why should he?” Kageyama asked.

“Hypocrite, hypocrite,” Kurona spat, adding on to Kageyama’s words. Isagi turned to look at the
boy, who was rather cute. Kurona noticed him watching and smiled slightly, before turning back to
the screen.
The sleepy boy got off, and Igarashi tried to stand up.

“Ah, shit… Wai…. Timeou….” He muttered, glancing at his foot.

There were some gasps around the room as he noticed his floor was injured.

“Go!! Isagi-kun!! Take the shot!! Do it now!!” Kira urged him.

Isagi glanced at the fallen Igarashi, who was crawling away from him, holding his hands out.

“H…hey… h-hold on… don’t come…. I said don’t!!” Igarash cried, true fear showing on his
face.

The timer kept ticking.

Such a tense moment… so boring… at least Isagi’s on the screen… Nagi thought.

“Look, I’m sorry for aiming at you earlier!! I don’t want it to end like this, so please!!”
Igarashi begged.

29 seconds.
Isagi still kept silent.

I can win… I can survive… if I… just tag him… but… that will end Igarashi’s football career.

“Stop… I beg you…” Igarashi muttered.

No… I have to do it. I have to shoot.

21 seconds.

Otherwise, I’m the one who’ll lose! Am I stupid…? What am I found now?! I can’t chicken out
at Blue Lock… Isagi stepped on the ball, holding it in place.

And then… I understood for the first time what it really meant. Isagi drew his foot back, ready
to shoot. That every time I win… There are others who lose. And for me to accomplish my
dreams… I have to… completely destroy the dreams of another.

Igarashi looked away, readying himself for the pain that was to come.

Kuroko was heavily reminded of how Aomine played. He didn’t just play to win. He played to
completely and utterly destroy his opponents. He glanced away, he didn’t want to look. Destroying
someone weaker than you, it was wrong. The whole point of sports was to defeat someone stronger
than you. He knew that he wasn’t a Miracle for no reason.

But the strike never came. Igarashi looked up to see Isagi had stopped.
“Huh?” Igarashi muttered.

“…That’s not it…”

15 seconds.

Isagi thought back to all his previous thoughts. ‘ If I pass, we’ll probably score that goal…’ , ‘
since I’m 29,th… my plan is to mainly run away and not get hit…’ , I wanted to win… if I do
this, nothing about me will have changed.

“I didn’t come to trample on others…”

Everyone stared in awe and shock as Isagi’s eyes seemed to glow with the same dark eyes they had
been seeing all this while. Kuroko stared at the screen, unbeknownst to everyone but him, his eyes
almost glowing the same way. Yoichi-nii, you truly are a monster like me, huh?

He never wanted to be a monster. He knew it was a part of him. The desire to destroy others, to
obliterate them into submission, he hated and loved the feeling, so he hid it. That was why he never
took shots, why he always pretended he couldn’t do it, why he only ever passed to others. Because
if he truly let the him that desired a battle out, there would be no mercy ever again.

“I came here… to become the best in the world!!” So I need to defeat those who are stronger
than me…!

Noa nodded in acknowledgment. This boy was right. Beating those stronger than you allowed you
to evolve into someone better, beating those weaker only served to stroke your ego, but it didn’t
help you improve.
Or else nothing will change!!

He turned around and ran.

“Well ain’t you nice.” The sleepy boy said, pointing at him, a lazy smirk on his face. Isagi
stared at him in confusion.

“That’s right~ if you wanna defeat everyone…”

“Huh?”

“You gotta go for the strongest guy~!!” The boy grabbed the ball from Isagi, his name finally
appearing on the screen. Bachira Meguru. Ranked 290th.

10 seconds.

There was alarm as he sped towards a specific area, his smile now sinister and dark.

9 seconds.

He chased after Kira.

8 seconds.
“He’s going after me?!” He yelled, running.

“Kira-kun!?” Isagi yelped.

Bachira grinned madly, kicking the ball which Kira dodged with ease. But Bachira didn’t
stop there, he kicked straight at Kira’s head, and Kira dodged that as well.

7 seconds.

Kira started to run again.

6 seconds.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats, even Nagi. To Nagi, their game of tag was more
interesting than his own, his was too easy to win.

The ball flew over Bachira’s head and he used his leg to tap the ball over Kira.

4 seconds.

“He missed?!” Kira let out a smile in relief. Great… I’m safe…
The ball flew towards Isagi.

Hiori looked at the screen and saw the same swirling eyes he had seen multiple times throughout
the second selection, and he knew an awakening was about to happen. He knew, Isagi Yoichi was
the winner of this game.

3 seconds.

Isagi stared at the ball, eyes wide. “Isagi-kun?”

“The strongest… among all…” Isagi muttered like a mantra, his eyes a whirlpool of
darkness, swirling with the desire for destruction.

2 seconds.

He kicked the ball on instinct, as Bachira called out excitedly, “Bon!”

The ball hit Kira straight in his face, and he flew onto the floor, nose bleeding. The screen
changed to show Kira’s portrait.

“Ah….” Isagi let out.

1 second.

At that moment, Kira gave up. The ball dropped to the ground. Kira fell with it.
 0 seconds.

There was a thick tension in the hall, as the screen went black.

No one dared to speak, as the screen came back on.

Chapter End Notes

Anyone ever be like me and write a fanfic, but halfway through get an idea for another
fanfic and want to write that one but you can’t decide which one to write? Also yes,
Kuroko is a monster, he just hides it a lot, but he is terrifying
 chapter eight
Chapter Summary

They finally wrap up the entrance exam, and the break for reacting to Isagi’s brothers
begin!

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

There was silence in the room. Everyone was on the edge of their seat, even those that would never
admit it. It was far too interesting.

“Isagi…kun? What are… you doing?” Kira asked, still in shock.

“Huh? What….? What the….?” He muttered, looking at Isagi in horror.

“I didn’t…. Sorry…. I mean…. I….” Isagi didn’t know what to say, he was sorry that he had
hurt Kira, yes, but he didn’t understand what to do now.

“The ball… came so fast… that I…” Isagi trailed off, seeing Kira’s angered look.

“Nyaha~ It’s cause Isagi’s a monster and you’re not~!” Bachira grinned.

Isagi sighed. Bachira sure was fun, but he definitely was very attached to him.

Kuroko smiled to himself. His brother was unlike any of the sports prodigies he had ever seen,
believe him, he had seen many, his brother was purely a natural, yet lacked the physical abilities.
His brother was not just a monster, he was a horde of them, all brimming with power and potential
to do damage.

“What….? What the fu—”

Kira’s words were cut off by the screen turning on.

“Good job, you unpolished gems,” slow clapping sounds could be heard as Ego spoke, “Let us
continue to the results.”

“The player we will get rid of is Kira Ryōsuke! You are expelled!!” Ego’s mood took a 180,
suddenly very erratic and crazy.

Kuroko winced at the reminder of his very mood heavy friend.

Kise was just too clingy, too possessive of him. Unless he was talking to another Miracle, he would
instantly get yanked away by Kise, who would be hugging him and crying that he had abandoned
them. It was why he was uncomfortable with Bachira’s clinginess to his brother. He and Kise were
far too alike, from their childishness, to their mood swings and even to their possessiveness.

“…what the fuck? Do you think you’ll win the World Cup with this dumb shit….?! With
these stupid games… why was I…?! How could you erase the future of a player as talented as
me?!” Kira started yelling, his face contorting into that of a monster, his true self in all its
glory.

“Wah wah, wittle baby can’t accept he lost?” Chris mocked.

“Shut up Chris, you’re acting like you weren’t upset when you lost to me too,” Noa stated bluntly,
and various people had to stiffen laughter when they saw Chris’s offended look.

“Aren’t I Japan’s ‘National Treasure’?! Huh?! So why the fuck don’t you expel Igaguri or
Isagi instead?! Huh?!” He pointed at Igarashi, who was still on the ground. “Say what?!”
Igarashi yelled.

“Kira…?” Isagi whispered.

“What’s even the point of this stupid game?! Tag ain’t fucking football!! So why’re we even
doing it?!” Kira continued to shout at Ego, who looked unfazed. Was it just Isagi, or did it
look like Ego had expected this outcome?

“Just you,” people from Team Z replied.

“Of course I had anticipated it, you all already know that I’ve observed your play styles and even
interviews, while Kira Ryōsuke might be an exceptional player in Japanese standards, his reliance
on his teammates and his lack of ruthlessness on the field proves he is not worthy of being the best
striker,” Ego crossed his arms, and everyone looked at Isagi, wondering how he had even kept up
with Ego’s thoughts, and could even tell what he was thinking.

“Eh? Was it not obvious? I could tell when he looked at Kira from the start, he was annoyed with
him, like he wanted him gone but couldn’t just kick him out..?” Kageyama asked.

“I agree,” Kuroko added, and everyone in the room simultaneously agreed that those three brothers
were far too observant and smart.

“At Blue Lock… everything you do is related to football. Have a good look at your
surroundings, you sham of a talent.”
“Huh?” Kira looked confused.

“The area of that room is… 16.5 x 40.32 meters…” Isagi was shocked that his prediction was
correct. It was the size of a penalty area!

“If you didn’t get that right, I would have said you were a body snatcher,” Kuroko stated.

“Tetsuya!” Isagi laughed.

“The exact same proportions as a penalty area. About 75% of all goals are scored from this
little area. You could say it’s the domain of a striker.” Kira’s eyes widened with realization at
where this was going. “In other words, in this small space, the positioning skills of a striker
mean everything. Therefore, those unable to survive under such conditions… can hardly
qualify to be talented strikers.” Kira’s eyes lit with a rage.

“So… so what?! Okay, sure the room’s width is exact or whatever! But Tag’s got nothing to
do with footbaaaaaaaall!!” Kira shouted, losing more and more of his composure each
second. It was like a beautiful artwork had each of its layers slowly ripped off, showing the
blank and unsightly mess it hid.

“He looks so stupid!” Reo cackled.

“Pfft, he looks like a titan from Attack on Titan!” Someone else shouted.

“Tch, he’s supposed to be the ‘best’? Someone who loses his composure so quickly surely cannot
make it far.” Snuffy stated confidently.
“The skill required by the fleeing side is tactical awareness. In other words, positioning. As
for the pursuer, what they need is not only accurate dribbling but the precision to make shots
that will hit their target. That’s what makes it optimal football training. Jeez…” Ego
sounded so bored already.

“That’s…. That’s…. How do you expect me to know all that shit in just two minutes?! A
game of football lasts more than 90!!” Kira’s face that had shone with a smile not too long
ago was only an echo of what it was, it was ugly, full of hatred and anger.

“The average time a player possesses the ball during a match is about 136 seconds. You were
given the exact opportunity you would have in a real game.” Isagi had to give it to Ego, Kira
was so persistent in insisting he shouldn’t be kicked out, yet Ego somehow managed to not
lose his shit at the boy yet.

“He must really be patient. I’m sick of this guy and I’ve never talked to him in my life,” Niko
admitted.

“Nah he’s not patient, he’s just trying to tell Kira that he’s a pathetic waste of space in the way that
makes him sound most stupid by explaining it so well that it sounds so obvious,” Kuroko replied,
and Isagi turned to look at his younger brother in shock, and for a moment, he could see the hazy
aura that covered everyone in Blue Lock almost at least once for just a moment, in bright
turquoise, around his brother, but it vanished as quickly as the look of excitement and wonder in
his brother’s eyes. Tetsuya..? Are you hiding something?

“Th-then, what’d you expect me to do in just 10 seconds….?” Kira asked, starting to really
accept his fate.

“Is that what you would say if this were a match?” Kira stuttered.

“Remember, you still had about one second left from the time the ball hit you until the clock
ran out. There was plenty of time to survive by shooting it at the injured Igaguri. And yet,
you wasted that chance. Imagine this, you are in the middle of a match, standing in the
penalty area…” Isagi’s mind conjured the image as Ego spoke.

“It’s the very last play of the game.. your teammate’s shot doesn’t reach the goal and instead
hits your body.” The players' faces were replaced with Kira and Bachira. “When this
happens, you have already given up inside. Which is why you didn’t notice that by sheer
luck, the ball had fallen right before you. And if you had just tapped that ball with your knee,
you could have been saved from your own mistake.”

Isagi started to understand.

“I think I understand too. The one who has the ball is the most powerful person. They alone decide
the outcome of the game, who wins and who loses, is that it?” Kageyama glanced at Ego, who
merely looked at the screen.

“The one who is ‘it’ in Tag… that is, the one who has the ball, decides who they want to ‘win’
but also gets to decide who they want to ‘lose’.” Ego said.

People at this point weren’t surprised that one of the three brothers realized the true meaning. At
that point, it was becoming more evident that the three were unnaturally smart, at least in sports.

“A striker carries all of the responsibility on his back. A striker is one who keeps on
attacking until the very last second. Isagi Yoichi, who, instead of aiming for the injured
Igaguri, chose to defeat those ranked higher than him, and Bachira Meguru, with the
initiative to aim for the strongest player… are perfect examples of people who, rather than
doing what was best for the team, and the tenacity and the courage to pursue their own will…
that is, exactly the ‘egoism’ that I am looking for.” Ego continued.

Kageyama grinned. His brother was amazing.

Sae looked at the screen, his teal eyes shining for the first time in a long while, Isagi was just
proving to him more and more that he deserved to play by his side, to be the striker that he would
pass to at the World Cup.

“And that is why… this is your loss, Kira Ryōsuke. Now fuck off.” Ego’s words were short,
yet so brutal, like shards of glass that pierced Kira’s heart.

“That’s… he… suddenly… Bachira… came so fast, it….” Kira began to stutter and
hyperventilate, his anger growing, while his perfect facade began to crack.

“That’s what she said!” Shidou yelled out, and a few people snickered. Rin glared at the boy in
disgust. How immoral to speak of such a topic, disgusting, antenna, bug-headed freak.

“Ki….ra…?” Isagi muttered, only for Kira to whirl around and fix him with a glare that
could only be described to be filled with utter hatred.

“This is wrong… this is… so wrong…” he muttered.

Why did I do that?! Why did I kick it?! Did I just end…. Kira’s football career…?!

“It’s not wrong at all, losing is one thing, but being unable to accept defeat and proceeding to place
the blame on others is another. If you lose, learn from your mistakes, clinging to the idea that
you’re the best or that you’re perfect will only ruin you. You’re only the strongest when you think
you’re the weakest,” Kuroko said, fixing Ego with a stare that told the older man that the younger
boy knew exactly what the ranking system was about.

Of course he figured it out, he’s too smart not to! Isagi looked at his brother, eyes brimming with
pride. Kageyama was smirking, he had realized it as well, partly because of his own experience.
He always felt like he was the best, and thus, he could never evolve because he didn’t think there
was anything to evolve in, until he met Shoyo, who quite literally proved to him that he was still
far weaker than he could be. He improved himself not just for the sake of playing, but for Shoyo,
so he could keep playing with Shoyo without Shoyo ever getting bored of his tosses.

Isagi watches as Kira leaves the room, still angrily muttering to himself.

So then, why am I….. this pumped…?! Images of the past five minutes flashed in his head, and
Isagi felt an adrenaline rush through his veins, something he hadn’t felt since his first year of
high school, when he stopped thinking for himself.

There was another aura of anger in the room. Everyone saw firsthand just how impressive Isagi is,
even Kaiser and Ness couldn’t help but admit to themselves that Isagi was just good, naturally
good. No one wanted to see the precious gem that was Isagi Yoichi’s talent be wasted.

No, wait…. It’s not my fault…. But his…. Isagi glanced at Bachira, who stuck his tongue out
at the door that Kira had just exited, as if mocking the other boy.

Bachira flinched slightly, so Isagi didn’t really like him back then?

“You… why… why the hell did you pass it to me?! If I didn’t take that shot…. You would’ve
been expelled, wouldn’t you?!” Isagi pointed at Bachira, and no one else spoke. The silence in
the room was so thick that you could cut it with a knife.

It’s instinct…. Kuroko knew what it was like. It was why he always knew where to pass and how
to who, it was his instincts, honed to sense where others were, honed to tell who had what
capabilities. He always knew. His instinct also drove him to be a monster, but he refused to follow
that. He couldn’t be like the other Miracles, who only ever hurt other people. He couldn’t. He
wouldn't .
“So? I thought you’d kick it. So I passed it to you. Looked like ya would.” Bachira gave a
cheeky smile.

“Huh…?” Isagi stared at him in astonishment. Did the boy not realize that Isagi had held his
future in his hands not five minutes ago?

“I mean, results are everything in this place, right?” Behind the screen, Ego grinned wildly.

“I believed in you, so I won~” Bachira winked at Isagi, a soft smile on his face. “Didn't I?”

This guy… is getting on my nerves… Isagi thought.

“Bachira! I don’t think that anymore! I was just in shock at that point!” Isagi looked at his best
friend, who brightened up immediately, hugging him.

“I forgive you, Isagi! I know you would never hate me!” Bachira laughed.

Rin glared at the affectionate display. How he hated that bright smile on Isagi’s face, he wanted to
either be the one that made him smile, or be the one that smashed that happiness to pieces, and
have Isagi on the ground, completely at his mercy. It was how it should’ve been anyway.

“That’s… just plain nonsense… from beginning to end…” Igarashi muttered, looking
terrified.

“Nonsense…?” Ego asked, and everyone turned back to the screen.

“It is nonsensical indeed. But then, so is this world. Either you win or you lose. While you
were getting excited over your mediocre successes, true strikers…. Tread a path of winning
or losing everything…. Every single day, in order to keep on surviving.”

There were many nods of approval around the room. Weird as Ego was, he was right. A striker
lived for the battle, and he either fought and won, or lost and died. That was the way it was.

“How was it? Since you were born, wasn’t this the first time you felt true danger?” There
were looks of unease around the room, but Isagi felt a flame of determination ignite within
him. He didn’t want to lose. That feeling in his chest… the feeling of completely destroying
someone else, it was something his body had longed for for a long time. He wanted more of it.

“Were you scared? Shocked? That was just a taste of Blue Lock’s essence. You understand
that much, right? The football you’ve played all your life is for weaklings! Didn’t you get
those shivers?” The screen shifted perspectives, showing various people staring at Ego with a
mix of disbelief, horror, and determination. Well, Bachira and Isagi were just determined.

“I wasn’t playing and I sure did get shivers,” Kageyama whispered to Kuroko.

“Don’t lie, Tobio, you definitely felt excited, after all, that is the feeling that you’ve longed for for
years~ ” Kuroko’s composure changed slightly, a cruel smirk appeared on his face for a moment,
before vanishing. Kageyama looked unfazed, and merely turned away, “You're one to talk.”

“ ‘Nice… I survived…!’ That is the feeling of ‘victory’! So shove it in those brains of yours!
Since each time you rejoice in that feeling, your ‘ego’ will steadily grow. And you’ll need it to
climb to the top and be the best striker in the world.” Ego’s creepy, wide smile was back.

“Congratulations. You have passed Blue Lock’s entrance test!”

“Welcome to hell, enjoy your stay, you’re never leaving anyway,” Chigiri called out jokingly.
“I don’t know, I can think of one person I wouldn’t mind leaving forever….” Kunigami’ eyes
found Igarashi unconsciously.

“Your room was designed for no more than 11 people, so from now on you’ll cohabitate
together. You fated eleven…”

“You may cooperate with each other…” faces of each player flashed by, along with their
name.

Raichi Jingo

Kuon Wataru

Iemon Okuhito

Imamura Yudai

“And also betray each other….”

Naruhaya Asahi

“You, and the rivals you’ll have to trample….”

Gagamaru Gin

Igarashi Gurimu

Chigiri Hyoma

“… are Blue Lock’s ‘Team Z’.”

Kunigami Rensuke

Bachira Meguru

Isagi Yoichi

“That was an amazing intro to Blue Lock,” Isagi admitted, smiling.

“You’re right, Isagi!” Bachira said.

“I guess it's break time now…” Isagi looked at the screen, which flashed the message.

“Soooooo, which of the brothers are we watching first?” Nagi asked.

Before he could reply however, another flash of light.

“Kurokochii!!!” Kuroko was tackled in a hug by Kise, who kept crying about how he missed him.

“You didn’t answer any of my calls or messages!” Kise cried.

“Oi, get off of Tetsu you idiot!” Aomine growled, grabbing Kise aggressively.

“Eh? Kuro-chin, where are we?” Murasakibara asked.

“Tch, I should’ve known something would go wrong today, Oha Asa is never wrong,” Midorima
muttered, clutching the lucky item of the day.

“Tetsuya, mind explaining?” Akashi stared intensely at Kuroko, who shrank slightly.

Isagi grabbed his brother by the shoulders, pulling him into a side hug.

“What? No greeting to your senpai, Seijuro ?” Isagi asked, glaring coldly at the captain of the
Miracles. The other Miracles froze, there was no way Akashi would let him off.

“…. My apologies, hello, Yoichi-senpai,” Akashi faltered, because even he did not dare to be
disrespectful to Isagi. The other Miracles’ mouths fell wide open. Their captain, the most absolute
man they’ve ever known, submitted so easily to this boy?!

The group were given a rundown of what was going on.

Another flash of light, and Karasuno’s team appeared, as well as Oikawa, Iwaizumi, Atsumu and
Osamu.

They were also given an explanation.

There was plenty of chatting (read: Kise trying and failing to get near Kuroko becasue of Isagi,
Akashi trying not to anger Isagi because Isagi is scary).

The Miracles gathered in one area.

“Akashichii! Who’s that boy with Kurokochii?” Kise asked, pouting because Isagi kept chasing
him away.

“Yoichi-senpai is Tetsuya’s older brother, though they aren’t biologically related,” Akashi
explained.

“Ehhh? Kuro-chin had brothers? Why did he never tell us?” Murasakibara pouted, a bit hurt that
Kuroko had never told them before.

Aomine was hurt as well. Hadn’t he and Tetsu been best friends? Why did Tetsu not tell him? Had
they not been friends at all?

“Wait, how do you know about him, then?” Midorima shot Akashi a question, which was returned
with a frosty look. “I met him because Tetsuya asked me to tutor his brother in English so that he
could pass in school.”
 There was a rapid back and forth question and answer segment there, then on the screen turned
back on.

“Wonder who was chosen…” someone muttered.

They watched as the words formed on the screen.

Chapter End Notes

Ooo, looks like the KnB and Hq characters finally join~! Who should I let them react
to first? Your comments will decide, personally I want to do KnB, but I will take your
opinions into consideration.

I updated today because it’s my birthday, and I hope this update brings you guy joy,
and celebrate my birthday with me!

Please drop by the archive and comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!