As the towering figure stepped out of the modest doorway onto the expansive stage, he commanded attention. With a steady hand gripping the microphone, he began, "Congratulations, you unpolished lumps of gem. According to my judgment, the three hundred of you are the best strikers under eighteen." His voice resonated through the room, projecting authority and ambition. "My name is Jenpachi Ego, and I was hired to ensure Japan achieves a World Cup victory."
The atmosphere in the room shifted as the 300 young players exchanged bewildered glances, a buzz of curiosity rippling through the crowd. Whispers fluttered like moths around a flame, questioning the identity of this imposing man. Marz, however, dismissed their murmurs, his heart racing in anticipation. He found himself wholly aligned with Ego's mission; after all, he yearned for a grand challenge that would test his limits.
Ego continued, his eyes gleaming with intense determination, "I'll say this as plainly as possible: the only thing necessary for Japanese football to ascend to greatness is the birth of a revolutionary striker. With the 300 of you, I will conduct an experiment to create the world's best striker." Confusion washed over many faces as they processed his words. Unfazed, Ego intensified his fervor. "This facility is designed for that very purpose: Blue Lock. Starting today, you will live together while undergoing the specialized training I've meticulously devised. You cannot return home, and this marks the end of your previous soccer careers. Yet, I promise this: whoever survives Blue Lock and outlasts the other two hundred and ninety-nine will claim the title of the best STRIKER IN THE WORLD." His proclamation hung in the air, electrifying the atmosphere with a mix of anxiety and excitement. "That will conclude my explanation. Thank you."
A heavy silence fell as the reality of his words sunk in, and the players shared astonished glances. Meanwhile, Marz felt a rush of exhilaration, roused by the prospect of an exhilarating challenge ahead. Perhaps this journey would rival the thrill he experienced in Spain. Just as he lost himself in thought, a voice cut through the tension.
"Excuse me," Kira interjected, his tone laced with disbelief. "I can't agree with your explanation. Each of us has our own precious teams and nationals to think about. Running off to this place makes no sense. Why would we abandon our teams to participate in this?"
Nods of agreement echoed around the facility, spirits wavering as indignation rose among the players. Ego's laughter pierced through the dissenting murmur. "If that's your mindset, then piss off! You think your teams are more important than becoming the world's best? You'd rather play for some backwater high school, huh? This mentality is exactly why Japan keeps falling short in the World Cup." His voice rose, igniting a fire within the room. "Do you think the world's best players, like Noel Noa, think like this? No! The reason he and others like him reached the pinnacle is due to one thing: ego. If strikers like them didn't have the audacity to score, they'd never have arrived at the top. At the end of the day, a football match is about goals and points. If you can't grasp that, then feel free to leave!"
Kira opened his mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of complaints, but Ego cut him off with a finality that silenced any protests. "If you all want to be the best, if you're willing to gamble your nation's hopes, then go ahead." As he spoke, a door swung open behind him, revealing the stark threshold to Blue Lock.
Without wasting a moment, Marz surged toward the door, propelled by adrenaline and ambition. He wasn't alone. With a wild intensity glinting in his eyes, the blue-haired boy beside Kira dashed in, driven by a fierce desire to seize the opportunity. One by one, the rest of the players rushed forward, their hearts pounding as they prepared to wager their futures on the unpredictable journey of the Blue Lock project.