Chapter 14: A True Genius
"Damn geniuses! Why is this world so unfair?!"
That furious roar made Naruhaya Asahi's body freeze mid-stride.
He slowly turned his head, staring straight at the person who shouted.
Those amber-brown eyes reflected the younger Wanima brother's face—twisting bit by bit from fear.
Wanima Keisuke was already collapsed on the ground, his legs nearly useless after the match.
He could only watch as Naruhaya Asahi approached him like a raging bull elephant.
Seeing that "elephant" saying nothing, even though Keisuke had never interacted with this genius before, his instincts alone told him—
This guy was furious.
They were screwed…
"Mm—mm—mm—!!"
Wanima Junichi's lips pulled downward as he clamped his mouth shut, forcing sound through his teeth.
He was trying desperately to draw the "elephant's" attention to himself.
He had only one thought in mind:
No matter what, he couldn't let this violent monster turn his anger toward his little brother!
As former bullies on their own team, the Wanima brothers were very familiar with what a short-tempered strong player would do to powerless losers.
But despite Junichi's frantic grunting, the "elephant" merely cast him a lazy, dismissive glance—
As if he were nothing more than a buzzing fly.
Immediately afterward, the "elephant's" gaze locked back onto Wanima Keisuke, pupils flashing with terrifying hostility.
Seeing his attempt fail, Junichi, desperate to protect his brother, tried to speak—
But Keisuke, who had been watching his brother carefully, didn't want his big brother getting beaten up for his sake.
Before Junichi could speak, Keisuke quickly shouted:
"Big bro, don't move!
Hey! You shorty from Team Z—
I don't know why a brat like you is mad at your seniors, but if you're angry, then take it out on me!"
Though Keisuke's mouth curled upward in a forced grin, his sweating forehead and trembling body betrayed just how scared he was.
"I really didn't expect this… you two bullies who picked on teammates (Chigiri) actually have brotherly affection."
Naruhaya Asahi grabbed Keisuke by the collar, lifting him so he wasn't lying on the floor anymore.
But this only made things worse.
Because now, face-to-face, Keisuke could clearly see the throbbing veins on the short tyrant's forehead.
There was no escaping this beating.
From the side, Kunigami Rensuke pushed with all his strength to lift himself up, wanting to stop the one-sided beating—
But his exhausted body failed him.
The most he could do was prop himself halfway up.
Fortunately, the feared violence never came.
Naruhaya Asahi simply lifted the 182cm Keisuke off the ground, holding back his rage, and unleashed only his beliefs—
In other words, pure one-sided psychological torment.
"Hey. Who did you just call a genius?"
Keisuke swallowed hard and answered, "Obviously you."
"Heh~ Hahahahahahahaha!!!!"
The stadium, silent from the short tyrant's anger, was suddenly filled with laughter.
This was the first time Team Z ever heard Naruhaya Asahi laugh—
But the laugh only terrified them more.
Because it was the kind of laugh someone gives when an idiot has pissed them off so badly that they can't help but laugh.
Right here, right now, at this very moment—
Naruhaya Asahi had never more strongly wanted to leave Blue Lock.
He thought that staying here meant he would eventually meet players who could challenge him, grow alongside him, and even cooperate with him.
But before meeting any of those players, he had been utterly disgusted by these "football trash."
Seeing Keisuke still looking confused, Naruhaya Asahi decided this idiot needed his brain washed.
"Team W's ace striker, let me ask you something.
In this year's World Cup, Japan was eliminated in the Round of 16, right?"
"Yeah."
"So does that mean Japan is ranked 16th in the world?"
"Uh… yeah?"
Sigh…
Naruhaya Asahi sighed as he stared into those innocent wide eyes, like he was looking at a crocodile raised in a tiny pond—clueless about the world.
Talking to someone like this completely extinguished his anger.
He let go, placing the "crocodile" back into its pond.
Kunigami and Junichi both exhaled with relief.
Thank god no violence occured.
Naruhaya looked around at the confused players and shouted:
"If you don't agree with this idiot, raise your hand!"
His voice echoed across the entire field.
But no one raised a hand.
To them, World Cup ranking = world strength ranking.
Naruhaya saw all this and finally understood Ego Jinpachi's statement that Building 5 was full of football trash.
He felt exhausted, yet forced himself to educate these fools—
Because if they ever embarrassed themselves publicly, and dragged him into that embarrassment…
He'd lose all face in front of Arthas.
"You football trash listen carefully— I'm only saying this ONCE!"
"First: World Cup rankings DO NOT equal a country's football ranking.
World Cup ranking is based only on that single tournament's results.
PIFA rankings reflect long-term global performance."
"In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Argentina took the championship, ranking first in that tournament.
But according to PIFA rankings that year, Germany held the world No. 1 spot."
"Japan reaching the Round of 16 does NOT mean Japan is 16th in the world.
In fact, Japan might be ranked below 24."
That statement shattered everyone's fantasies about Japan being a top-tier football nation.
Igarashi Gurimu stared in disbelief.
'What did you say?'
In the monitoring room, Ego and Anri remained silent.
They knew Japan's football flaws better than anyone.
"Second: Japan is a football weakling nation.
No one still playing football here is a REAL genius.
Remember that!"
The first statement already shocked everyone.
The second one made all eyes lock onto him.
"Bold words, Naruhaya~"
Bachira Meguru stared intensely at the short tyrant.
His inner monster agreed: Naruhaya was right.
To grow, he needed to follow him.
Isagi, on the other hand, was stunned, his mind a chaotic mess.
Chigiri quietly stared at him.
If Naruhaya claimed to be a genius, those 18 players he crushed earlier would surely agree—
Because losers naturally protect their pride by praising the one who defeated them.
But reality was the opposite.
Naruhaya rejected the idea that he was a genius, declaring that any true genius would never remain in Japan.
This statement enraged all nearby Japanese players.
Keisuke, face twisted in fury, shouted:
"Are you insane?!
How dare you say something like that?!"
"I dare. Why wouldn't I?
Isn't the whole reason Blue Lock exists because Japan has never produced a real striker?"
Naruhaya stared down at Keisuke.
Keisuke sneered.
"Stop spouting crap.
Kira Ryosuke—Japan's jewel—is a real genius!"
"I eliminated Kira."
"…huh?"
Keisuke's grin froze.
"I personally eliminated him in the tag game.
He's good. But not a real genius."
"After the match, I used my points to get my phone back.
I immediately checked Kira's search volume across social media.
Within Japan, yes—he's very popular."
Keisuke jumped in:
"Then how is he NOT a genius?!"
"Idiot. I said: within Japan."
He stressed the word Japan.
Everyone suddenly felt a chill.
Kuon muttered something to himself, then, as if suddenly realizing something, he loudly asked Naruhaya Asahi, "Then what's his search volume in other countries?!"
"Less than 100,000."
Upon hearing this, the monk on the edge of the field immediately breathed a sigh of relief and lay down on the ground: "Well… that's not terrible, right?"
Naruhaya continued calmly:
"Arthas has over one BILLION searches."
Igarashi screamed,
"WHAT?! A BILLION?!"
Naruhaya wasn't the type to lie.
So everyone was completely shaken.
Their "genius" Kira was less known worldwide than a man who abandoned Japanese football entirely.
The gap crushed them.
Keisuke lowered his head.
He finally understood why Naruhaya had been furious—and why he laughed.
He glanced at his brother.
"Big bro…"
"Yeah."
Junichi patted him stiffly.
Naruhaya stepped between them, heading toward midfield, and declared:
"I've explained the first two points.
The rest should be easy to understand.
Team W can listen if they want.
But Team Z—listen up!"
Team W exchanged glances, then all sat down.
Why not?
They were about to be eliminated anyway.
In the center of the field, Naruhaya inhaled deeply—
Remembering every sickening match at Blue Lock—
And glared at Team Z.
Time for the scolding.
Everyone felt like they were back at school being yelled at by a coach.
"You football trash LISTEN!"
"Japan's football needs change—
But first, YOU strikers must change your mindset!"
"How many of you were called geniuses as kids?
How many were told you had talent?"
"Well, forget ALL of that."
"What is a genius?"
"Long legs?
Strong shots?
High football IQ?
Sure—those are weapons.
And players like Loki, Arthas, and Noel Noah are called geniuses for using those weapons to win international matches."
"But you?
You were called geniuses by who?
People who can't even explain the offside rule?!
Their praise means NOTHING!"
"Look at Brazil—
Kids in rags play football all day in the streets, hoping to be discovered and escape poverty.
THAT environment produces real geniuses."
"Japan's so-called geniuses?
You're only praised because the country barely has football talent!"
"If you played ONE AWAY MATCH against same-age world-class kids—
You'd learn instantly that you're NOT strong.
Not even as good as ordinary pros!"
Naruhaya shivered, thinking of Arthas.
He wasn't even close to that level yet.
"World-class players are too far from us, so I won't compare.
But YOU football trash are still under my nose—
So I'll say this clearly."
"I came to Blue Lock to one day stand on the same field as Arthas.
To improve, I let Team W join you to steal my ball.
Because I look down on you.
I need 18 strikers swarming me to sharpen my skills."
"But what about you?
Wasting your weapons, held back by your weaknesses…
Half the time I felt like I was playing with kindergarteners!"
"I'm here to PLAY FOOTBALL—
Not babysit you losers!"
"Chigiri—your speed is great.
But your stamina? Trash.
You are tired out faster than anyone!"
"Isagi—your extra flourishes before shooting make me think I'm stealing the ball from a child."
"Kunigami— you…"
One by one, he roasted every member of Team Z.
But when he reached Raichi Jingo, he stopped.
Raichi felt his skin crawl.
If not for fear of getting punched, he would've grabbed Naruhaya by the collar asking for a quick death.
But unexpectedly—
Naruhaya didn't look disgusted.
Instead, he clapped.
"Raichi, you're fine.
You're one of the rare decent ones in Team Z.
Good stamina. Keep it up."
Naruhaya had realized that Raichi, though foul-mouthed, was consistent and durable.
He and Naruhaya were the only ones with high stamina.
Surprisingly, the delinquent-faced Raichi was one of the few he approved.
Having said everything he wanted, Naruhaya turned and walked off the field.
Leaving behind Teams Z and W in stunned silence.
Except…
There was one person who hadn't been yelled at.
Everyone slowly turned to look at Raichi.
Raichi felt their gazes and smirked:
"Heh~ That guy's got good taste.
Knows the brilliance of the great Raichi.
Next time, I'll show him my sexy football so he can learn a thing or two."
Everyone: …