Chapter 6 – The Ghost Game: A Flame Awakens
After entering Blue Lock, Yūshin Seiichi received his uniform from the staff and gave it a casual glance.
"Team Z… No. 289," he read aloud, smirking.
"Hahaha—interesting. Very interesting."
Exactly as he expected.
That number should put me near Isagi Yoichi… perfect.
With the training suit slung over his shoulder, Seiichi strolled through the narrow steel halls. The Blue Lock interior resembled a bunker—cold, metallic, and bare.
I wonder which block Zeya ended up in.
Team Z Dormitory
Sliding the door open, Seiichi stepped into a small, iron-walled room. Four people were already inside—and another was asleep on the ground.
Meguru Bachira? Of course he'd be passed out at a time like this.
The others turned toward the newcomer.
Wide-eyed. Shocked.
It's Yūshin Seiichi! On our team?!
"Seiichi! Hello!" Igarashi Gurimu leapt up and ran over. "I'm Igarashi Gurimu! I didn't think I'd be lucky enough to be your teammate!"
The others quickly followed, nodding and offering greetings.
"Hello. Let's all do our best," Seiichi replied smoothly.
He already knew Igarashi from the original timeline. Average talent, but his resilience was real.
That kind of persistence might just carry him further than expected.
"Hey, Seiichi—where's Zeya? You two are my favorite combo!" Igarashi asked, rubbing his shaved head.
"Who knows? He's better than me. Probably ranked top ten."
Seiichi raised his wrist, showing the bold number 289 on the sleeve.
"WHAT?! This number shows our ranking?!"
Igarashi looked down and saw 300 on his.
"W-Wait! I'm dead last?!"
Seiichi leaned in with a teasing smirk.
"Yep. That means 299 people are better than you… and 288 are better than me."
"THAT MAKES IT WORSE!!" Igarashi clutched his head.
"Relax. It could be worse. You could be talented like me and still ranked 289," Seiichi added.
"Ughhh!"
The other players broke into nervous laughter.
So this is Yūshin Seiichi. Skilled, but scary—even when he's joking.
One by one, the remaining players entered.
Kira Ryōsuke walked in and locked eyes with Seiichi across the room.
No greeting this time.
The tension was clear.
Our philosophies are different now, Seiichi thought. You're still clinging to ideals. I'm aiming to devour the world.
Kunigami Rensuke, Hyoma Chigiri, Gagamaru Gin, and others arrived. Eleven in total.
Only one left…
The door hissed open again.
Isagi Yoichi.
Seiichi smiled slightly in relief.
You made it. This is where everything begins.
Big Screen Activation
Suddenly, the wall screen lit up.
Ego Jinpachi appeared.
"Have you all changed into your uniforms, oh rough-cut diamonds?"
The room stilled.
"Let me explain. The number on your uniform is your rank among all 300 players."
Isagi looked down.
299.
He froze.
No way… I'm second to last?
He scanned the room and stopped on Seiichi.
289.
How… how can Yūshin Seiichi only be ten ranks above me?!
Igarashi burst out, "That can't be right! These rankings are messed up!"
"Yūshin Seiichi," Ego said, "do you object?"
Seiichi smiled, eyes narrowed.
"Not at all."
The room quieted.
A genius not protesting a low rank?
Igarashi paused, confused and impressed.
"Rankings will change," Ego continued, "based on performance in training and matches."
"The top 5 will automatically be selected for Japan's U-20 World Cup roster in six months."
Seiichi's expression darkened.
The U-20 tournament… That's just one checkpoint. What I want… is the world.
"Also—anyone eliminated from Blue Lock will be permanently banned from the national team."
The room erupted.
Shouts. Shock. Disbelief.
"What?!"
"This is insane!"
To most of them, representing Japan was the dream.
And now, it's a one-shot gamble.
The First Trial – Tag
"It's time for your first test."
Ego's voice hardened.
"The rules are simple—tag with a ball."
"Whoever has the ball is 'it.' If your timer runs out while you're still it… you're eliminated."
"No handballs. 136 seconds total. First ghost: No. 300 – Igarashi Gurimu."
A standard No. 5 soccer ball dropped from above.
Thud.
Everyone looked at Igarashi.
"…So I'm starting as the ghost…"
He walked slowly to the ball, sweat already pouring down his face.
"If I lose, I'll never play for Japan. Never wear the national colors."
Igarashi's eyes hardened.
"Let's go! No grudges, okay?!" he shouted and took off running.
Chaos exploded.
Players dodged, scattered, panicked.
"Sorry, Isagi!"
"Wait—don't come near me!"
Bang! The ball narrowly missed Isagi's head.
"Close one!" Kira shouted. "You okay?"
Isagi nodded, eyes locked on Igarashi.
I'm not just another victim.
Igarashi kept chasing. Desperate.
Bang!
Bang!
Miss after miss.
"Damn it, why can't I hit anyone?!"
Then he spotted it—
Bachira, still lying down with one arm draped over his face.
"Perfect target…"
He charged.
Just as he prepared to shoot, Bachira flipped over and heel-kicked him in the face with a grin.
"You move too loud, bald guy."
Thud.
Igarashi stumbled back—and the ball slipped from his foot.
It rolled toward another player, who kicked it without thinking—
Bang!
It slammed straight into Isagi Yoichi.
Ghost transferred.
"No… I'm it now?!"
Isagi froze, dread creeping in.
Only a minute left in my football career…
Isagi launched into motion.
Bang! Bang! He fired at everyone in reach.
Everyone dodged.
No… No! I don't want to lose!
I don't want to end here!
Then he saw it—
Igarashi, limping, off-balance from earlier.
A weak target.
"Isagi! Shoot him!" Kira shouted.
But Isagi didn't move.
He stared at Igarashi…
Then turned away.
No. I'm not here to play safe. I'm here to change myself.
I'm here to become the best in the world.
I want to challenge the strongest…
His eyes lit up, crackling with blue flame.
"Yūshin Seiichi."
Seiichi, who had been leaning against the wall, immediately stood straight.
"Oh?" he murmured.
Good. You've finally awakened.
Isagi stepped forward, gaze locked on the strongest in the room.
Seiichi smiled, serious now.
His leg muscles tensed.
"Come on, Isagi Yoichi."
50 seconds remaining.