Ryu: DAMN THAT GUY!!!

Team Z was doing doing intense stamina and strength training, as even though they had finished the first selection, Ego still made them train while the other buildings kept going as well.

However what truly enraged Ryu was the fact that they weren't even allowed the touch a soccer ball.

Ryu: THIS SUCKS, I'VE NEVER WANTED TO PRACTICE SO BAD IN MY LIFE!!!

He sprinted up and down the field, looking like he was ready to kill someone.

Chigiri: I KNOW, THAT EGO BASTARD IS GOING WAY TO DAMN FAR!!!!

He fire formed around Ryu as he ran.

Ryu: GRRRRR!! THOSE HIGHER RANKED FUCKS ARE GONNA SEE WHAT A REAL MONSTER IS LIKE WHEN THIS IS OVER WITH!!!!

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu: -_- I hate this man so fucking much. I'm actually not sure if I've ever despised anyone more actually.

Once arriving at the second stage, the players the max it past found out that building 5 actually was the only building that existed at Blue Lock, as only teams V through Z existed, in order to shatter the premature confidence the players had, and make them fight even harder.

Ego: You've learned what a Striker is, and turning 0 into 1, but from here on out, you'll be in a battle to multiply that 1 into 100, on a cutting edge training field. The 2nd Selection consist of 5 stages. To move on to the next, a player must clear the previous challenge. Oh yes, and those who pass the 2nd Selection, will participate in a training camp with the worlds top players that so personally hand picked.

Ryu: 'World's top he says?'

Azure: 'Will he be there too?'

A goal and soccer balls appeared.

Ego: That's all for now. When you are ready, go through the gate one at a time.

Isagi: By ourselves?

Bachira: You mean we're not going through together?

Ryu: Makes sense. If you just coasted on the back of your teammates, you just will be crushed.

They all looked at Ryu.

Ryu: Personally, I think it's smart.

Ryu stretched, before looking at the members of Team Z with a smile.

Ryu: You guys rock. I better see all of you on the other side alright?

He began to walk forward, without looking back, with everyone watching him.

Ryu: Open up, I'm not down to get a low rank this time.

The door opened, as Ryu's name opened up on the screen. As it closed, Ry thought to himself walking through the hall.

Ryu: 'Let's see how the rest of Team Z can do without their Monster Ace. I've got a good feeling who's making it though.'

He rose his hand, clenching his fist.

Ryu: 'But, I've gotta thank them too. Because of them, I wanna be a Striker more than ever. The best at that.'

Ryu entered, as he was simply in a small room.

Ryu: 'So what's this?'

A ball was shot at him, as then a virtual blue man with a chained collar appeared.

Ryu: O_O

A goal zone appeared behind with, as name for the robot was given. Blue Lock Man. A red circle also closed in on Ryu.

Ryu: 'So they want me to make a goal huh? Sure, I need the practice.'

He kicked hard, as the goalie nearly blocked the ball, but it got through.

Time: 90 Minutes

Goal: 99

Ryu: '100 in 90 minutes? Too easy.'

Another ball was shot, as the goal changed.

Ryu: 'It changes huh? You need a great weapon and fantastic awareness for this game. I'm liking hit.'

Ryu ran fast to the ball, and kicked once again, scoring.

Ryu: 'Soon enough I'll probably need to practice with Dragon Strike, so this is good!!'

And practice he did, as within a short time span, he got to 30 Goals. Soon enough, the level changed to 2, with defenders popping up, and moving around. He seemed to welcome the challenge, as once moving, he kicked the ball hard, as finally the goalie managed to block the shot.

Ryu: 'There we go!! This is what I need to improve!!

Ryu began to dribble to get to spots he was fine with, and once again used Dragon Strike to score goals in rapid succession.

Ryu: Give me a challenge Ego!! If I'm right, you're gonna make the next level REALLY hard for me!!!

As he hit the 40 goal mark at 75 minutes, the level changed to "Max". The dummies began to move faster, with some even going towards Ryu, while the ball was shot at him fast.

Ryu: 'DAMN!!'

Ryu barely got to the ball in time, however his trap was sloppy, which gave the dummy time to press him. Having to dribble faster than he usually, did he messed up once again, before kicking the ball, with a dummy hitting it, and Blue Lock man catching the ball with one hand.

Ryu: WOW, I'm glad it's difficult but you guys have gotta be out of cash!!!

In another room, Ego and a woman watched.

ANRI "FAN SERVICE" TEIREI!!

Anri: -_- He's so right.

Ego: A player like himself is worth it though.

Ryu: 'Alright, I've gotta slow down. I can kick my dribbling up to the next level, but that ball is a problem. It'll go wherever it wants at a high speed. I must've played players that'll help me through this situation somehow!'

The ball shot, as Ryu began to think.

Ryu: 'With Spacial Awareness, I can see where it'll head.'

As defenders went towards him, he realized something else, as he moved around fast.

Ryu: 'And with my speed combined with my off the ball movements, I can get to it as well! And last but not least-!!'

Once he got to the ball, he completely controlled it, reminiscent to a fully while haired male.

Ryu: 'I might not be on Nagi's level with it, but I've got great trapping abilities too!!'

With the ball in full control, Ryu dribbled the ball, and with a Dragon Strike, he scored.

Anri: Kaizen's growing at such an unbelievable rate!! To think he was a Midfielder!!

Ego: I made the right choice in taking him. True he only played one game as the position, but Ryu Kaizen is indeed a player that can thrive as a Striker.

After anther 39, Ryu cleared the room, with 61 minutes and 42 seconds to spare.

Ryu: OH YEAH!!!

Ego: I think he's my ideal player.

As Ryu walked through the hall once again, he found that the room was almost completely empty.

Ryu: Hm?

He saw two other people.

Ryu: AZURE?!!

Azure: YOOOO.

Ryu: Argh, you got here before me?!

Azure: To be fair, I literally JUST got here 1 minute ago.

???: So that was you.

Ryu turned to the other player, recognizing him, with his eyes going wide.

Ryu: Woah. Rin Itoshi?

RIN "BOOTLEG SASUKE" ITOSHI!!

Rin: I'm surprised the let a lazy Midfielder like you in here.

Ryu: -_- Oh can it brother issues. You weren't able to get more than 1 of my passes.

Azure: OKAY instead of going for each others throats after just ONE bad experience with each other, how about the first three players to get here actually joint forces to become a literal unstoppable force?

Ryu&Rin: ... Fine.

Azure: See? Ryu and I get to play together, and you get great players Rin! Everyone's happy!

Ryu: Let's just go.

They went through the next door, before waiting for their opponents.

Ryu yawned, before laying down.

Ryu: Even though you're pretty annoying, I'm not gonna sit here and lie about not enjoying playing with you.

Rin: Hmph.

Azure: Don't play modest man, you know that you're not gonna get dragged down.

Rin: -_- Why can't you be more serious like in the game?

Ryu: I've asked that a lot, you might as well accept it.

Azure: OH LIKE YOU CAN TALK!!!

Rin: 'Though I'm not gonna discredit either of them. Azure is something special. He can do everything on any side of the ball, and has the stamina to maintain it. I don't know about Ryu, but I'm sure. He's a completely different player.'

After waiting for a bit longer, a team came in. Ryu was the most surprised, as he saw Isagi and Bachira with Nagi.

Ryu: Wow, that's a shocker.

Isagi: Ryu?

Nagi: Azure.

Azure: Huh, how about that. You ditched Reo for the second most interesting player on Team Z. I respect it.

Ego came up on the screen.

Ego: Hello again my little diamonds in the rough. Welcome to the third stage of the second selection. Three on three team battles. This match will be set up in a unique mini game format. Both teams will have Blue Lock man as a goalie. The first team to score 5 goals wins the game. They'll advance, but there an additional prize. Winners get to steal a player from the losers. Moving forward they'll have a four man team. You'll want to chose wisely.

Ryu: Ooooh, I think I know who I want.

Ego: In order to pass the second selection, you'll have to get to the fifth stage with a force of five. It's as simple as that.

Bachira: And what happens to the losing team?

Ego: They keep going with their remaining members, but if you lose a game of two on two and don't get picked by the winners, you're disqualified. Tragic really.

Azure: Makes sense.

Ego: Dominate and steal your enemies. In Rivalry Battle. The only way to advance in Blue Lock. You're also free to choose which team you play against first, but both of the teams must agree to the matchup, got it?

Ryu: Meh, I don't really think we'll have that much of a problem here.

Ryu looked at Isagi with a smirk.

Ryu: Will it?

Isagi: '-_- We can really wait to play against another team. Especially if our only option is playing against a trio from hell.'

Nagi: If we can steal a player after we win, we should probably chose opponents based on the opponent we want to take.

Ego: That's exactly right. Who you choose to battle will be the key to clearing this stage. To inform your choice, I will now announce the latest Blue Lock rankings.

And just like that, new rankings were given out.

Ego: Naturally, there no fake numbers this time around. These rank are in the order in which you passed the first stage.

Rank 3: Ryu Kaizen

Ryu: OH COME ON, THREE?!!

Rank 2: Rin Itoshi

Rin: And I'm number 2, which means the top spot belongs to...

Azure: :P

Rank 1: Azure Kaito

Azure: I feel like this is a little inaccurate, but the top three is about right.

After one last minor speech, Ego left the screen.

Ryu: Well since THAT'S settled with, come on guys. Why don't you try taking a risk?

Azure: He's right.

He pointed at Rin.

Azure: The little brother of the Genius Midfielder of Japan, Sae Itoshi.

He pointed to Ryu next.

Azure: His skills might be unknown to the world, but he's definitely a high level Striker. Ryu Kaizen.

He finally pointed to himself.

Azure: And let's not forget this place's number one. Usually I don't brag, but a talented young prodigy that even the U-20 Japanese team desires. Me. You're basically looking at lottery tickets here.

Isagi: ... Right then. Sorry guys.

Isagi walked forward.

Isagi: 'I know this has to be my dumbest move yet.' You want to play?

Isagi looked up with a green aura surrounding him, and even shining through his eyes.

Isagi: Play us! 'I wanna fight them all!'

Bachira simply smirked.

Bachira: That's the spirit!

Nagi: I like this. Smart move.

Azure: Or the dumbest, but definitely the most fun.

Rin: Sure. I'll beat you.

Ryu grinned while running his hand through his hair.

Ryu: There's the Egoist I know. I'm gonna have fun devouring you, Yoichi Isagi.

CHAPTER END!!