"Well, that's all for the current situation. We'll soon arrange new accommodations and training facilities for you — you'll still conduct your final closed training within Blue Lock, and the entire facility will be at your disposal. If you need anything, you can come to me." Jinpachi pushed up his glasses, "Any questions?"
"Um…" At that moment, Ryōsuke raised his head, "Will there be any changes to the food in the cafeteria?"
"…The cafeteria will continue to provide you with the highest quality meals." Jinpachi said slowly.
Ryōsuke was fine in every aspect, but when it came to food, he showed a dedication far beyond others. Before the Hero League began, he had repeatedly suggested that Jinpachi increase investment in the cafeteria.
Although Jinpachi didn't know the reason behind this, he recognized that excellent athletes are typically very strict about their diet. Ryōsuke must be doing it for the same reason.
"Also, I just spoke to those players who weren't selected. I gave them the choice to either leave directly or stay as training partners for the National Team. Those who chose to stay, I directed them to the next room."
As Jinpachi spoke, he took out a remote control and opened the door to the adjacent room.
Inside were all the domestic players from the Second Phase; not a single one had chosen to leave. Despite not being selected, they all stayed.
They remained partly to strive for that slim final possibility of being selected as substitutes for the National Team. But they also genuinely wanted to do their part for the team.
The U-20 World Cup championship had seemed like an unattainable dream for this country. Now, however, everything was possible.
With Ryōsuke joining, the National Team's strength was now formidable.
"It's not over yet, it's not over yet." Ranze said, still full of fighting spirit.
"You guys, let me take good care of you! If we don't win the U-20 World Cup, I'll kill you all!" Jingo shouted.
"Damn it… this means I won't get to see Hollywood actresses!" Shūto's eyes were filled with regret.
Although they weren't selected for the National Team, most of them had still attracted attention from world-class clubs and accepted their contracts.
Regardless of the outcome, after the U-20 World Cup, these players would step onto an even bigger stage!
Even those players who didn't get playing time or offers had decided to stay in Blue Lock, further honing their skills while serving as training partners for the National Team, seeking future opportunities.
"That's all for today. Everyone, get some good rest." Jinpachi said.
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Ryōsuke and the others quickly left the conference room and headed to their new rooms as instructed.
Following the Hero League, each National Team member received a private room with upgraded amenities. They also gained access to all facilities and equipment throughout Blue Lock.
Players could now use the BLUELOCK MAN shooting simulation room, the Second Phase physical fitness testing area, and holographic projection reaction training devices — all representing cutting-edge technology.
Each player could even claim a separate field for individual training.
After briefly organizing his room, Ryōsuke lay down to rest while contemplating the upcoming matches.
His Blue Lock experience was drawing to a close, with new challenges ahead — the U-20 World Cup and potentially the World Cup itself.
Even stronger opponents would be waiting for them there.
Yet what concerned Ryōsuke wasn't these external challengers, but rather the internal dynamics of the National Team.
Without a doubt, the twenty-three selected players were the best from the Neo Hero League. This was indisputable, and even Ashito had already demonstrated his unique advantages.
But the problem was that there were too many difficult personalities on the team.
Reo used to hold a grudge against Ryōsuke, but after several defeats, his personality had improved and become more normal, so there was no need to worry about him.
The problem was with the other players…
Ryūsei had a decent relationship with Ryōsuke — he wouldn't treat you badly if you were friendly to him. However, if your relationship with him was just average, he would become self-centered, easily create conflicts, and might even resort to physical fights.
During the 3v3 phase, he was sent off for fighting, and during the selection matches, he had also fought with Rin.
Although Ryūsei seemed to have improved after the match against PXG, Ryōsuke knew he was still an unstable time bomb.
Rin was similar — typically looking down on everyone. Though slightly better than Ryūsei, he wasn't much better, and his personality was quite strange.
Furthermore, this time he would be on the same team as his rival Ryōsuke and his brother Sae, with whom he had a complicated relationship. This combination could potentially create significant problems.
Sae's personality was equally problematic — arrogant to the extreme. While on the U-20 Team, he had mercilessly mocked the former National Team starters. Still, compared to his younger brother, he was somewhat more reasonable.
He would respect those whose abilities he acknowledged; he showed politeness to Ryōsuke, Tsubasa, and a few others — but earning his recognition was a rare achievement.
Shōei presented another challenge. Though Marc Snuffy's training might have improved his attitude, his character would inevitably create friction with teammates.
Then there was Tabito, who constantly called others "mediocre" and "idiot", and Kojiro with his own distinctive personality...
Together, these players couldn't form even one normal person's mindset.
Their individual abilities were exceptional, but their ability to develop chemistry with others remained questionable. In worst-case scenarios, this could seriously damage the team atmosphere.
Many top clubs with seemingly perfect rosters had suffered failed seasons for precisely these reasons.
While Blue Lock members had successfully integrated once before the U-20 Match, that match's importance paled in comparison to the upcoming U-20 World Cup.
Moreover, they had only played together for one match, whereas the U-20 World Cup involved a lengthy schedule with continental qualifiers before the main tournament.
The longer they spent together, the more likely hidden issues would surface.
As the newly appointed Captain of the National Team, Ryōsuke understood he needed to shoulder the responsibilities of leadership.
Football is not an individual sport.
He had several ideas in mind, but the details could wait until tomorrow. For today, he would focus on getting some practice in.
With that thought, he left his room and headed to the nearest field. Even before entering the grounds, he heard the distinctive sound of someone kicking a ball.
"Someone's already here?" Ryōsuke wondered as he walked onto the field.
Inside, he found Ashito drenched in sweat, practicing intensely — dribbling through obstacles, running acceleration drills, and taking shots at goal.
The sweat covering his body suggested he'd been training for quite some time, likely having come directly here without stopping at his room first.
Despite his obvious exertion, Ashito's eyes showed no fatigue — only unwavering determination and focus. He was so absorbed in his training that he hadn't even noticed Ryōsuke's arrival.
This was pure desire to become stronger!
"Good work, Ashito." Ryōsuke said with a smile, "Didn't Mr. Ego tell us to rest today?"
"I can't waste time. We already rested plenty during the days after our last match while waiting for the other teams' results." Ashito paused his training, wiped his sweat, and replied with a smile.
Though they hadn't played a match for over a week, neither Ryōsuke nor Ashito had actually relaxed during this period — both had maintained high-intensity training every day.
"You should still pay attention to balancing work and rest."
"I'm afraid if I relax even a little, others will leave me far behind... I know many players who weren't selected are better than me... if it weren't for your help, Kira-senpai, and the support from the club..."
"Don't underestimate yourself." Ryōsuke said with a smile, "Your selection for the National Team wasn't because of those factors. I didn't interfere with the final roster, and given Mr. Ego's personality, even Kaidō Corporation couldn't change his mind about selection. Plus, you've already been scouted and signed by a foreign club. Ashito, you're here because of your excellence."
He encouraged the young player, knowing encouragement was what he needed most.
Coming to Blue Lock had given Ashito opportunities he couldn't have obtained before, but it also meant facing much greater pressure. Carrying this enormous pressure, he had constantly grown and transformed himself — in a sense, his 'strength' surpassed others.
"But even though you've made the National Team, never forget to keep working hard. Being one of the twenty-three is just the first step — becoming one of the starting eleven should be your main goal now!" Ryōsuke patted his shoulder.
"Yeah..." Hearing this, Ashito nodded gratefully.
"Hey, you guys are already here!"
At that moment, the indoor stadium door opened again as Yoichi, Meguru, and Rensuke arrived.
They had all been Ryōsuke's teammates before and had been influenced by his intense training mindset.
Rest? This was the perfect time for training!
"Did you all arrange to train together?" Ryōsuke asked.
"No, we just happened to meet on the way here." Yoichi answered with a smile.
"I just saw Isagi on the way, and then we met Kunigami and the others. Looks like we all had the same idea." Meguru said with his hands behind his head, also smiling.
"I can't wait to participate in the matches." Rensuke said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Then let's not waste time — let's start today's training." Ryōsuke said with a smile.
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Meanwhile, in Thailand...
"Blue Lock's starting lineup has been confirmed."
"Ryōsuke is among them — he must be their absolute core starter!"
"From what we can see now, only a few of them pose any real threat."
On a volleyball court, three young, muscular men were taking turns kicking a fine rattan ball over a net.
This was sepak takraw, an ancient sport with a long history, though not particularly mainstream.
Despite being made of just woven rattan, each kick from these three men carried tremendous power!
After just a few kicks, obvious cracks had already appeared on the ball.
"It doesn't matter." One of the crew-cut men said with a confident smile, "We, the Khongsawat Brothers, can completely crush them! Besides, we also have our ace captain!"
{T/N: Falan, Sakun and Chana Khongsawat.}
Next to the three, a burly man was practicing kicks on a punching bag hanging from a tree.
The punching bag was riddled with holes, looking as if it had endured relentless punishment. Each kick the man delivered made the entire bag emit a dull thud, with dust shaking loose — as if trying to escape its tormentor as quickly as possible.
Singprasert Bunnag.
After a series of kicks came vicious Muay Thai strikes, gutting the punching bag. The bag split open, its contents slowly spilling onto the ground.
This was merely Singprasert's pre-match routine. With his brutal and aggressive playing style, countless opponents who faced him left the field with serious injuries.
A confident smile spread across his face.
"I will use my Muay Thai and fighting-style football techniques to completely lock down Ryōsuke."
Lock down? What Singprasert meant wasn't simply containing his opponent.
He intended to ensure Ryōsuke would never stand on a football field again.
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