Proyect: Bland King - Ayanokouji Kiyotaka en Blue Lock

Dribbling through multiple yellow dummy stands and stopping on a dime, Ayanokouji smashed the ball, swerving it past the hands of Gagamaru and in the top right corner. 

Gagamaru: I was close.

Kiyotaka: Your reaction times are getting better. Focus more on your positioning. You have more than enough physical prowess to cover the penalty box. 

Gagamaru: Again. 

Ayanokouji continued to train with Gagamaru in regard to his shots, both as a way to better his starting goalkeeper, and also as a way to improve his own shooting. These training sessions have been rigorous, all for the purpose of conditioning and teamwork. 

While the given training periods concluded by seven every day, Ayanokouji didn't falter and his motivation to improve inspired the likes of Gagamaru who joined him, willing to learn as well. 

Isagi, Bachira, and Chigiri rested on the sidelines for a couple of minutes, conversating with one another as they saw Ayanokouji continue to practice right in front of them. 

Isagi: He hasn't been the same since Shido left. 

Bachira: I'd be worried if he was the same. Separating from Shido is like if you were kicked out of Blue Lock, Isagi. 

Chigiri: Kiyotaka knows better than to dwell on emotions. That's why he's working as hard as he is. We need his strength if we're going to win this match. 

Isagi: Amen to that. 

Chigiri, holding a tablet, was also looking at the type of defense the U-20 was going to potentially run. 

Chigiri: Alright, so look over here guys. 

Isagi and Bachira sluggishly looked down at Chigiri's tablet. 

Isagi: So these are the players that make up their defense. 

Chigiri: According to Ego's info... there's a huge 19-year-old defender who's already got an offer to play for a Serie-A team. The entire team actually seems to be centered around this guy, Aiku. Their focus is on a strong defense and quick counters. 

Isagi: A defensive team, huh? We're finally going up against world-class defenders. 

Bachira: Big deal, we just gotta break through them. 

Chigiri: Well, yeah. But still, they're an elite team made of the best under 20 players in all of Japan. And we're an offense-oriented team so by no means is this gonna be an easy matchup. 

 Kiyotaka completed a Cruyff spin and flicked the soccer ball in between the legs of Gagamaru. 

Gagamaru: Oof...

Kiyotaka: (The team we have now is decent enough to compete. Although, I don't know anything about the white room student that is going to play for the other side. He might be inexperienced, but he shouldn't be discredited. There's their defense, the Iron Quartet and finally, Shido and Sae. Worst comes to worst, that pair is my top priority. There's no telling what kind of chaos they can do against our defense.)

He finished his shooting reps and wrapped a towel around his neck, cleaning off the sweat he'd been accumulating. 

Physically, his body has never been this developed and conditioned, not even during his time in the white room. The constant training, need for improvement, and diet were responsible for this. 

As Kiyotaka was walking out, he overheard Isagi's conversation with Chigiri and Bachira. 

Isagi: What tactic can we use to get past their vaunted defense?

Bachira: It's simple: just gotta break through them. 

Isagi: Bachira dude... you're starting to sound like a broken record. 

Kiyotaka: But he's exactly right. 

The trio turned over to Kiyotaka who crouched down, meeting them all at eye level. 

Kiyotaka: That defense shouldn't be what we should be worrying about. It doesn't matter what scheme they can use, we have the personnel that can bypass them. They might be the best defense we've gone up against so far but we're going to be the best offense they've seen in their career. 

He glared intently at the trio. 

Kiyotaka: Their offense is what we need to worry about. They have Itoshi Sae and Ryussei Shido. If they happen to harbor a connection, we don't have the personnel to stop their chemical reaction. 

Isagi: You really think Shido can link with anyone but you?

Kiyotaka stood back up and sighed. 

Kiyotaka: As much as I hate to admit it, when I met him up close I could tell, the way he plays football is just like me. And if that's the case, then it's possible for Shido to have a chemical reaction that doesn't include me. 

He walked away from them as Chigiri looked surprised. 

Chigiri: What do you mean you saw him in person?!

He didn't respond as he entered the weightroom, still not finished with the extra training regimen he set for himself. 

And inside, much to his annoyance, was Itoshi Rin. 

Rin was working out his legs when he looked around and saw Kiyotaka. 

Rin: Tsk... you better not be here to ruin my workout with your cries for your precious lover. 

Kiyotaka: Just keep thinking about your prodigy brother whose already left you in the dust. I don't have the energy to deal with your little antics. 

He sat down at a machine side-by-side to Rin as he started exercising.

*SILENCE*

Not a single word was spoken between the two throughout the majority of the duration. Isagi peeked inside from the doorway only to see the two train with an eerie silence, like they were only focused on one goal: a similar goal. 

Isagi soon left them to their own devices, not wanting to bud into their feud. 

Eventually, however, the silence was broken when the pair finished their training together an hour later. 

Both Kiyotaka and Rin stood up at the same time.

Rin: Itoshi Sae is mine. All of this was merely a steppingstone to crush my brother. I don't need you to get in the way.

Kiyotaka: You can have his rotting body when I'm done with him. Not sooner. 

Rin: The matter is between brothers! Stay out of it. You have no busine-

Kiyotaka: He made it my business. I don't know what he did to you. I don't know how he offended you. I don't know why he did what he did. And I don't care.

He looked right into Rin's eyes. 

Kiyotaka: But what he did to me was personal, so I take great offense to it. In front of all his fans he probably disregards as mere spectators, I'll embarrass him.

Rin: Tsk, fuck off. You're being selfish for your own reasons, so I'll be selfish for mine. The one who'll kill him is me. 

The pair, not seeing eye to eye with anything, walked away from one another and to the showers for the night. 

...

...

...

The next day during their afternoon session of training, Ego called for everyone to meet in Blue Lock's meeting room to discuss something important. 

Kiyotaka sat down alongside Isagi and Bachira in the middle row of seats. The room darkened and a large turned on. Ego himself entered the room alone and stood calmly in front of his players. 

Ego: Did the daily training sessions get your engines running? Now, instead of your body, it's time I educate your brain too. Let's talk about the 'miracle equation', THE PHENOMINA CALLED FLOW. 

Kiyotaka: (So he's finally having this conversation with everyone. He couldn't have picked a better time. By this point in Blue Lock, a majority of us have been able to go past our limits and use everything at our disposal in a single, fleeting attack.)

Ego: That which is indispensable to becoming the best striker in the world... I'll teach you how to set your life ablaze and enter a state of total immersion.

He glared on sternly towards them. 

Ego: When a person focuses on something, they can get so absorbed in their work that they don't notice the passage of time. Taking enjoyment in the process, their brains enter a state of excitement. To put it simply, this is flow. This isn't just unique to Football. It's possible for a shogi player to experience it during a match and even possible for a lady working the register on her part-time job. Think back to the moment you all broke your shells. You must have experienced this: a moment in which you put your all into a play. 

Isagi: (He's right, I think the same phenomenon happened when I scored my first goal. I've seen other players experience this too. Shido and Kiyotaka-san were so entranced that I was able to sneak past the two's conflict for the rebound and secure the win. That kind of state... that's the next stage of my development)

Ego: So this begs the question: How does one enter a state of flow? There are several conditions but the one I must want to discuss is 'challenge-center focus'. 

Sitting in his seat and completely entranced in the words Ego was spewing, Kiyotaka understood his intention. 

Kiyotaka: (When I first entered flow, it was in my toughest completion, against the likes of Itoshi Rin. I didn't want to lose. I wanted to with Shido by my side. That challenge led to my flow.)

Ego: This involves attempting an objective at a suitable level of difficulty. Take a look at this figure. 

Ego: There exists a balance between 'challenge' and 'skill'. That is necessary to enter flow. Think of it like this: If someone challenges something at a lower level than their skill level, boredom soon follows. Then again, if someone challenges something too far above their level, they will fail and be unable to concentrate, hence becoming anxious. One cannot achieve happiness when in a 'bored' or 'anxious' state... which is why I am emphasizing 'challenge-centered focus.'

A light seemed to click on in Isagi's brain. Remembering his past altercations in the first selection, then in the case of Rin and finally against Kiyotaka, Isagi realized he's been improving this entire team through the process Ego was illustrating. 

Ego: It is in such moments that mankind takes new steps forward and push themselves up to even higher heights meaning... PLAYS THAT MAY SEEM LIKE 'MIRICLES' TO OTHERS... ARE IN FACT, BROUGHT ABOUT BY YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL FLOW. 

He pushed up his glasses, changing to a more serious tone. 

Ego: However, that is no easy feat. In our society, people cannot easily become immersed in something... too many distractions... too much stress... abundance of necessities or lack there of... all of these induce either anxiety or boredom. With these parameters, you cannot achieve flow. 

Ego: That exaltation of scoring a goal, that elation of obtaining a new weapon, that happiness which belongs only to you. You've all experienced it already, so you understand, don't you? THAT IS EGO. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS FLOW. YOU'VE ALL ALREADY PASSED THIS STEP. NOW YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH A GOAL, A CHALLENGE YOU CAN COMPLETE ONLY WHEN YOU'VE REACHED YOUR PEAK! YOUR DEFINING ACHIEVEMENT!

He placed his hands together and stared at his gems. 

Ego: You've accumulated your small victories, explored yourselves, experienced the world, and realized just how powerless you are. THE OBJECTIVE OF 'WINNING AGAINST THE JAPAN U-20 TEAM' DOES IT MAKE YOU BORED? DOES IT MAKE YOU ANXIOUS?

Kiyotaka: (No... I already know my goal. Being anxious or bored has no business being associated with me. WIN... that's all I can do. That's all I will do. I've already passed the point of no return. Nothing awaits me if I lose. Everything awaits me if I win. Simple as that. )

Ego: Now, it's time to get ready, Team Blue Lock, by the time this final training camp ends... BLUE LOCK WILL HAVE A TEAM THAT WILL DESDTROY JAPANESE FOOTBALL AND BECOME THE EGOISTS OF THE ERA. THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR GOALS!!!!

...

U-20 Training Camp

...

With the entire team sat inside the U-20 Training Camp, their Coach. Houichi Yasumori, started their meeting, ready to introduce the new players that will play for the team. 

Coach Yasumori: The match is in two weeks! You all are the members of the U-20 National Team.. the ones chosen for the sake of victory. And the long-awaited new addition to our team... Itoshi Sae!

The attacking midfielder of the New-Gen World's 11, Itoshi Sae, entered and stood next to the coach. 

Some U-20 players talked amongst one another. 

???: Holy crap, it's the real thing. 

???: So cool... we really get to play with him!

The U-20's ace, Sendo, responded. 

Sendo: You think? He just looks like a spoiled little prince to me. 

???: He can hear you...

Coach Yasumori: And we also have two additional players: the first is Itoshi Sae's selected add-on, Ryussei Shido!

Shido walked inside with a large bump on his forehead, sighing. 

Shido: It reeks of shit here. I miss Blue Lock. 

Sendo: Why you-

Coach Yasumori: And finally, our third additional player per recommendation of the Japanese Football Union as well as a member of premier sponsor Atsoumi Ayanokouji's specialized program, please welcome our new left wing, Takuya Yagami. 

A short, brown-haired person with green eyes peered into the room and smiled, bowing to everyone to be polite. 

Yagami: It's an honor to meet you all! I hope to be of use!

Shido: (Ayanokouji? I didn't know that shit. Is Atsoumi Ayanokouji related to my Kiyo? If that's the case, this Yagami fucker might know a bit more about Kiyo than even I! Ah... how mysterious. Even when they separated us, I can still know more about you, hehe.)

Shido and Yagami sat down while Sendo peered on in annoyance. 

Sendo: (So a rich kid gets his little chance and ya think we're just gonna make him a starter? We'll see if he can even dribble a ball.)

Coach Yasumori: So, now that introductions are finished, as you know, your opponent will be Team Blue Lock! You must maintain the dignity of the U-20! Defeat is entirely out of the question here! 

He turned over to Sae and smiled. 

Coach Yasumori: Sae-kun! Any fighting words for the team?

Itoshi Sae: Uh... Be thankful that you get to play football with me. 

Everyone: Eh?

Itoshi Sae: I don't have the slightest interest in any of you, and since you'll never have a chance like this again... DO YOUR BEST NOT TO PISS ME OFF. That's it. 

Coach Yasumori: Huh? Hey...

Yagami: Pretty cocky but he is Japan's best soccer player so it makes sense. 

Sendo, incredibly annoyed, stood up in protest. 

Sendo: Get off your damn high horse, genius. You might be a bit famous around the world, but you're just a second-division player in the end, aren't you? I'm a regular forward in the best team in Japan. So watch your damn mouth, because right now, I'm above you. 

Sae: What about it? As for you, you'll compete to be the top scorer in the nation, get in the national team, be compensated with an annual salary of 50 million yen. Then you'll marry a gravure idol and live a happy family life. That'd be the peak of your football life. 

Sendo: (Gravure idol... that sounds nice...)

Sae: My singular interest is in becoming the best in the world. There is a fundamentally different depth to our greed. Just now, you thought the things I listed didn't sound so bad, right?

Sendo: Um... no-

Sae: That's how you know that you'll never be the best in the world. Now piss off. 

Sendo: OF COURSE I CAN BECOME-

From the back corner of the room, Shido scoffed and started laughing uncontrollably, covering his mouth with his hand to muffle his loud laughter unsuccessfully. 

Shido: DREAM ON, SUCKER. BETTER LUCK IN YOU NEXT LIFE, HEHEHE!!! 

He jolted forward and pinned Sendo's face right onto the table.

Shido: Getting all hung up over some stupid titles is lame as hell! Striker my ass! 

The U-20 team started to go in a frenzy. 

???: The fuck is your problem?!

???: Sendo is our ace! What are you doing?!

Coach Yasumori: H-Hey, Stop it!

Shido smiled. 

Shido: Your ace? Fine, then come at me, all of you! How about I get to be a regular if I win?

Yagami attempted to calm the situation, keeping his real personality behind his humble mask.

Yagami: Come on, aren't you going a little overboard? We just got here. Use that energy to prove yourself as a better striker-

Shido: Shut up, fake. Ya think I would fall for that. Your eyes look fucking scary, hehehe.

Yagami continued to smile. 

Yagami: What are you talking about?

In the midst of all this chaos, a tall man walked forward from his seat as Shido aimed to land a kick clean on the unsuspecting Sendo. 

*BLOCK*

Shido looked surprised. This same tall man casually held him off the ground from his leg. 

???: Kay, that's enough. Man, you're really looking down on us. 

Shido: Eh-

In one, swift motion, he was pinned on the ground, his arm held in place and his head tightly grasped. 

???: I do like your spirit, squirt... but it's on the field where you need to show your stuff. 

Another tall defender with long hair walked close to Aiku alongside two other lean and unique personas. 

???: Need a hand? Aiku?

Aiku: I got it, it's chill. And uh, boy genius? 

Glaring at Sae with a smile, he addressed him. 

Aiku: That goes for you too, since you're both newcomers here. If you want our confidence, you won't get it by talking a big game, but by actually playing... BECAUSE US DEFENDERS WILL HAVE YOUR BACK. 

The four that emerged from the chaos and stopped Shido in his tracks, was none other than the U-20 defenders: The Iron Quartet. 

/Oliver Aiku, the Captain\

/Niou Kazuma, the Guardog\

/Darai Miroku, the Buddhist\

/Beru Teppei, the Speedster\

Shido: Ah... I get the gist so let me go prick-

Sae: What do you think you're doing Shido? Have you forgotten our deal?

Itoshi Sae, now crouching down near the pinned Shido, looked at him with a blank face. 

Yagami: Deal?

Shido, annoyed, recalled his failure prior to arriving at the U-20 Training Camp. 

...

Flashback

...

Shido woke up to Sae spraying cold water all across his face. 

Shido: Tsk, where the fuck am I? Where's Kiyo?

Sae: He's still in Blue Lock. You should really try to forget him. I've deemed you useful but not in your current state. You've gotten weaker. 

Shido: Huh? 

Sae: You dependence to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka domesticated you. You were never meant to be this way. That isn't your fate. Just like a wild beast has no genes for domestication, so do you. I brought you with me so I can revert you back to your original form. 

Shido started to laugh and stood up. 

Shido: No, you don't want a wild beast, little genius. Ya wanna trade the chains with Kiyo. I know that much.

Sae: What makes you say that?

Shido: It's cuz the two of you are the same. Ya got me because you could make me dependent on your passes. Kiyo doesn't need another person to make a play for him so pairing him up with you was obsolete. 

He got incredibly close to Sae, who didn't lose a sliver of his composure. 

Shido: I got ya all figured out. You didn't take me because ya wanted to see what I could do. You took me because you wanted to see what K-

Sae: That's enough. 

From a machine on the opposite side of the huge soccer pitch they were in, a soccer ball shot out and was controlled perfectly by Itoshi Sae. 

Sae: Let's make a little wager. If you can touch this soccer ball once, I'll bring you back to Blue Lock. If you can't even tap the ball, I'll own you for this match. You have 15 minutes. 

Shido: HAHAHA!! Just a touch?! Bring it on! I'll... fucking... crush... you-

*15 minutes later...*

Shido lied on the ground exhausted as Sae sweat slightly, the ball still at his feet. 

Sae: You have much to learn. Now, wild beast, I'm your new master for the following game. 

Shido looked on, pissed. 

Shido: Ah... fuck off... fine. A deal's a deal. 

...

End of Flashback

...

Shido: Fine, sorry genius. I won't step out of line again. 

Sae: Good. That's all you need to do.

...

...

...

Inside his office, Ego sat down nonchalantly, waiting for the individual he called up. The door in front of him opened and in came Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. 

Kiyotaka: Why did you call for me?

Ego: What, I can't have a talk with the first player in Blue Lock?

Kiyotaka: Everything you do is for a reason. So I was just curious. 

Ego: I called you in to discuss your role on the team. So sit down. 

Kiyotaka did just that and sat down on the seat laid out for him. 

Ego: Do you know why I didn't make you the striker of this team? 

Kiyotaka: Because putting Rin anywhere else diminishes his value. His ego is larger than mine. In terms of capability, putting him alongside Isagi and Nagi through the center was the better choice than if you were to pair me up with him. 

Ego: That's a good portion of it but you're still missing something: It's your playstyle. Being the fastest player in Blue Lock, alongside your unparalleled 1v1 ability and signature passing and shooting, Right Wing is the best position you can play right now. 

He sighed. 

Ego: Also, the level you are at right now, there isn't a single player in Blue Lock right now that can form a chemical reaction with you. Shido and you really were a perfect match. 

Kiyotaka: Pondering on useless thoughts like that isn't what we should be doing. In two weeks, the fate of Blue Lock is going to be determined-

Ego: ...by you. 

He pointed right at Kiyotaka. 

Ego: It's going to be determined by your play. This is why I called you in. It was to tell you of your role. You're going to be responsible for shutting down Sae and Shido. 

Kiyotaka: I see. 

Ego: Itoshi Rin's relationship with his older brother is toxic to say the least. Against the betterment of the team, he'll do what he wants. You, on the other hand, know better than anyone what's at stake. Not only will Blue Lock disband if we lose, but your father gets you back. Everyone else will continue on with their careers in Japanese soccer but you and I are done. We'll never see the light of day. This is why you're the perfect person suitable for this role. Through you and your flow alone, you'll pave the path for our victory. 

Kiyotaka: You're exactly right. I was going to shut down the pair without you mentioning a word. 

Ego: That's to be expected. Prove that me giving you a second chance at life wasn't for nothing. 

Kiyotaka stood up. Before he left, he wanted to ask something of Ego. 

Kiyotaka: I have a question if you'll let me. 

Ego: Go right ahead. 

Kiyotaka: Why didn't you mention anything about the other white room student that the U-20 received from my father. 

Ego scoffed and glared at Kiyotaka. 

Ego: You really need to ask me? You already know the reason. There was just no point. I don't know anything about the individual, not even their base specs. No abilities, and no indications of motivations: There's nothing to go on. All that is confirmed is that he must be a forward. Your father is trying to prove a point, making his own version of 'Blue Lock' and putting in one of his creations to embarrass us. I'm positive you don't even have a single inclination on who he might be either, considering your entire generation was eradicated bar you. 

Kiyotaka: It can't be an older generation because they all are obsolete. It has to be a new breed of students a year younger than me at the least. Informing the rest of Blue Lock in regard to such a mysterious person would just create paranoia. Adaptions to him will come during the match. 

Ego: That's a given. There's no turning back now. The time for the world to see you is now. Win and your father loses his hold on you. Lose and we both are finished. It all hinges on you. Good luck, bland king. You're dismissed. 

Kiyotaka left his office as Ego slouched in his seat. 

*CALL*

Ego: Hm? That was quick. I didn't think she'd actually get back to me in such a tidy fashion. 

Answering the phone, Ego sighed. 

Ego: Ya finally did what I asked for, errand girl?

Anri-chan: It's Anri! Just call me Anri!

Ego: So did you call me just to yell?

Anri-chan: Whatever! The school agreed. Being a match televised to the entire world and the premier sporting event in all of Japan, The Blue Lock vs U-20 game will have the country's most prestigious high-school in attendance. They are given VIP seats in the middle of the stadium and below the major booth. The Third-year students are not able to come due to their pending graduation but the 1st and second years got the green light. The Japanese Union signed off on the inclusion given an enormous lump sum donation by the Japanese Government. Having the country's greatest minds attend this match is great promotion for the sport itself or at least that's what they said.

Ego: With the staff included that's around 320 seats reserved. The amount of money that blubber fish must have pocketed from the government has to be immense. Nevertheless, did you check what stadium they reserved? 

Anri-chan: Japan's National Stadium is reserved for the event. Projections of attendance are close to 80,000. Tickets are selling like hotcakes once it was announced Itoshi Sae was going to play. 

Ego smiled. 

Ego: Let them come for Itoshi Sae. By the end of the match, they'll be singing a different tune. Such is the way for winners and losers. Thanks for the information, Errand-Girl. There's alot still to be done. 

Anri-chan: Hey! I told you not to-

*CALL ENDED*

...

1 DAY BEFORE THE MATCH 

...

On the final day of the U-20 training camp, Itoshi Sae left for the day, finished with his training. 

Before he could leave, however, Aiku stopped him at the end of the hallway. 

Aiku: Good work out there, boy genius. Let's have a little chat. 

Sae: What do you want? Make it quick. 

Aiku: Sure, sure. You see, our ace, Sendo, got into another fight with your violent tag-along. Looks like they just can't see eye to eye. 

Sae: Don't care. Just kick that trash ace out of the team, then. 

Aiku scratched his hair. 

Aiku: Golly, he might be trash to you, but to us, he's our ace, you know? So most of our members, you see, are saying they'll refuse to play if Sendo isn't in. 

Sae: Hm?

Aiku: This other youngster that came with the two of you, Yagami, seems to be well liked so there's no problems with him. He's already confirmed to be at the right wing. So what I'm trying to get at is our squad could end up boycotting the match altogether. Still gonna stick to your guns, boy genius?

Sae: What? You threatening me?

Aiku: Nah, man! Come on, nobody wants the match cancelled. Really, this is my way of being nice. I feel bad for you being treated like some kinda theme park attraction. 

Sae: What do you want? Just lay it out on the open. 

Aiku smiled. 

Aiku: Take us to victory without using Shido. Should be easy enough for you, right boy genius?

Sae: Are you speaking on behalf of the team? Or was it a suggestion from the adults of the JFU?

Aiku: Well... about 99% of that is... we can't control the little twerp Yagami since he's automatically required in the starting lineup per rules of the JFU. But Shido, on the other hand, is your addition to the team. 'What will Itoshi Sae bring about in our current team?' Call it a bit of a selfish indulgence of mine. And then the final one percent is me being a dutiful captain. Believe me, if I wanted to, I'd tell those money-grubbing fucks in the JFU to fuck off with their rules and input. 

Sae pondered the idea a bit but finally relented. 

Sae: For a captain, you sure do as you please. I'm intrigued. Fine then, I'll bite. I'll assess the match as it goes. 

The captain, holding out his hand, smiled even brighter. 

Aiku: Oh! Thanks! Guess you're not so bad after all!

Walking right past Aiku, ignoring his attempt at a handshake, Sae left him curt words. 

Sae: Don't misunderstand. The one testing you guys is me. The moment I confirm you can't keep up, I'll drop out of the match. Simple as that. 

Aiku: Sure, sure. As you wish, Boy Genius.

With the training camps coming to a close, the Deathmatch finally begins!