Chapter 5 – The Door to Blue Lock
Darkness.
The lights in the massive hall suddenly cut out, throwing the crowd into confusion. Murmurs echoed in the dark.
Then—
Click.
A spotlight beamed down on a stage at the front.
A tall, thin man in black-framed glasses and a sleek suit stepped into the light. His head was cleanly shaved, shaped like a watermelon, and his posture was razor-straight.
"Ah… good evening."
His voice was calm, yet carried an arrogant sharpness that sliced through the silence.
"Congratulations, rough diamonds."
The hall quieted instantly.
Ego Jinpachi had arrived.
The man who once stood on the same team as the world's number one player—Noa. The man who had vowed to rebuild Japanese football from its core. The man who would become the ultimate sculptor of ego.
Seiichi licked his lips as he stared at the man on stage.
This is him… Ego Jinpachi.
"Everyone in this room was chosen by me. 300 strikers. All under the age of 18."
Ego spread his arms wide as if embracing the entire crowd.
"You are here… because you have the potential to become the world's best."
"Captain Sakata," Seiichi whispered, glancing sideways. "Aren't you a defender? Why'd they pick you?"
"Haha… before you came to Rikkai, I was a striker," Sakata replied, covering his mouth. "I've always had a striker's instincts."
"Well, then don't lose in the first round, old man," Seiichi grinned.
"Shut it," Zeya added, annoyed.
"The Japan Football Association has hired me for one mission—to help Japan win the World Cup."
The room erupted. Gasps. Doubts. Laughter.
"World Cup…?" someone muttered.
For Japan, even reaching the quarterfinals was a miracle. To win it?
Impossible.
But not to everyone.
Seiichi's eyes gleamed with madness.
Yes. The World Cup. If we're going to be the best, we must win it all.
Ego pushed his glasses up.
"Japan is only one step away from world domination. That step—"
"—is creating the world's best striker."
"Pfft. I just want to be the world's number one midfielder," Seiichi whispered to Zeya. "Should I leave now?"
"If you keep talking, I'll actually kill you," Zeya replied dryly.
Behind Ego, a massive screen lit up.
A glowing blue pentagonal fortress appeared.
"This… is Blue Lock."
Gasps swept through the hall again.
"Excuse me," Kira Ryōsuke stepped forward, raising his hand. "I can't agree with this."
Everyone turned to look.
"I can't abandon my team—especially not right before Nationals."
His words triggered a chain reaction.
"That's right! I trained for years for this!"
"This is my final tournament!"
"This is all too sudden!"
Zeya scoffed.
"Idiots. Nationals is just a playground. A toddler's cup. Real football exists outside your bubble."
Seiichi raised his hands in mock sympathy.
"If you're scared, leave. No one's stopping you. But don't pretend you're worthy of the world stage."
"What did you say?!"
"You think you're better than us just 'cause you're famous?!"
But Seiichi knew exactly what Ego was talking about. He'd seen this in his past life—the very need for Blue Lock.
Japan didn't lack talent.
It lacked a core—a player who could seize a game at will. A Ronaldo. A Messi. A Noa.
"But cores can come in pairs too," Seiichi thought, glancing at Zeya.
Like Iniesta and Xavi… or like us.
Ego raised his voice again.
"If you don't have the ego to become the world's number one striker… then get out."
His eyes locked with Kira's.
"Only the strongest egoist can reach the top."
Silence followed.
Seiichi grinned.
In my last life, I might have argued like Kira. But here… ego is survival.
Here, I'll devour everyone—even Zeya.
Suddenly, the massive doors behind Ego opened with a hiss.
"Those of you who understand… enter Blue Lock."
Tap… tap…
Isagi Yoichi stepped forward, eyes fierce with conviction.
I'm a forward. This is where I belong.
Then another player moved. And another.
In seconds, a wave of determined athletes surged into the open gate.
Ego smiled.
"Perfect."
Only four remained.
Ego looked over, slightly amused.
"Hmm? Four geniuses… any questions?"
"Nagi," Mikage Reo urged. "Let's go."
"I dunno, Reo… suddenly feels like too much work."
"You can't be serious."
Nagi yawned, stepping back. Reo's face fell in disbelief.
Ego ignored them and turned to the final two:
Yūshin Seiichi and Yūshin Zeya.
His eyes gleamed behind the glass.
These two… I've waited three years for them.
"You two. Any hesitation?"
Zeya glanced at Seiichi, sensing something was coming.
Seiichi took a deep breath.
"Mr. Ego… I have a request."
"Hm?" Ego arched a brow. "Go ahead."
"Separate me and Zeya into different blocks."
!!!
The crowd froze. Ego's fingers tensed.
Could he have figured out my system? No… Impossible.
Even Anri didn't know the full plan.
"Fine," Ego replied, intrigued. "I'll allow it."
"Thanks," Seiichi nodded. "Let's go, Zeya."
Zeya stared at him a moment longer, then followed.
I trust him. I always have.
Why split up?
Seiichi had his reasons.
He and Zeya were born with unmatched chemistry. Together, they were unstoppable.
But that wasn't enough.
He wanted to see what would happen when they evolved alone.
Could they dominate individually, not just as twins?
This isn't about winning. It's about ascending.
Seiichi paused at the gate, turning to Nagi with cold eyes.
"Genius… don't mistake talent for dominance. In my eyes, you're just a lamb waiting to be slaughtered."
"What did you say?!"
Reo stepped forward furiously.
"He's going to be the best in the world!"
"Then tell him not to disappoint me," Seiichi said without looking back.
And with that, the twins walked into Blue Lock—separated for the first time in their lives.