Blue lock: Reborn Egoist

In the Blue Lock facility, a state-of-the-art complex designed to forge the world's greatest striker, 300 young footballers were divided into teams based on their rankings. Team Z, designated as the lowest-ranked group, comprised the eleven players with the highest numbers. Among them was Eito, bearing the number 289—the highest in Team Z.

Eito stood amidst his new teammates, each displaying a mix of anxiety and determination. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Suddenly, the large screen in their dormitory flickered to life, revealing the sharp features of Jinpachi Ego, the architect of the Blue Lock project—and Eito's father.

"Welcome, 'talented rough stones,'" Ego began, his tone as cutting as ever. "From this moment, the individuals in this room are both your teammates and your rivals. I've ranked you based on my own arbitrary assessments; the numbers on your jerseys reflect this. The larger the number, the lower your rank. These rankings will change based on your performance in training and matches. Remember, only the top five will have the opportunity to represent Japan in the U-20 World Cup. And for those who are eliminated, a future with the national team will be forever out of reach."

The weight of Ego's words settled heavily over the room. Eito clenched his fists, a storm of emotions brewing within him. He was acutely aware of the facade his father presented; these rankings were a tool, a psychological gambit designed to ignite their competitive spirits.

"Now, let's begin our first test to measure your 'ego' as striker," Ego continued, his gaze piercing through the screen. "We'll play a game of tag. The rules are simple: you'll have 136 seconds. Whoever has possession of the ball is 'it.' When the time is up, the player who is 'it' will be eliminated from Blue Lock. Remember, no handballs allowed."

A football descended from the ceiling, landing with a soft thud in the center of the room. The players exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation dawning upon them. Wataru Kuon, bearing the number 295, stepped forward hesitantly, recognizing his position as one of the higher numbers. However, before he could reach the ball, Eito intercepted it, scooping it up with a confident smirk.

"I'll take it from here," Eito declared, beginning to juggle the ball with practiced ease.

The room fell silent, a mix of surprise and irritation evident on the faces of his teammates. Eito's audacity was palpable, but so was his undeniable skill.

"What's he thinking?" murmured Meguru Bachira, his curiosity piqued.

Eito continued to juggle, his eyes scanning the room, assessing each player. He noted the tension in their stances, the uncertainty in their eyes. Time was slipping away, and the pressure was mounting.

With only 10 seconds remaining, Eito made his move. He dribbled swiftly toward Wataru Kuon, who was caught off guard by the sudden aggression. With a sharp feint, Eito maneuvered past him and, with precision, kicked the ball, striking Kuon squarely.

The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. On the screen, Kuon's number flashed, indicating his elimination.

"Why me?" Wataru Kuon protested, frustration evident in his voice. "There were others you could have targeted!"

Eito approached him calmly, his expression unreadable. "In this game, hesitation is defeat. I chose you because you underestimated the situation. To survive here, you need to be decisive and assertive. Remember that."

As Wataru Kuon was escorted out, the remaining players couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and apprehension. Eito had set the tone: in Blue Lock, only the bold would thrive.

Watching his teammate depart, Eito's thoughts turned inward. "These rankings are just a tool to manipulate us," he mused. "Father's methods are ruthless, but I understand his intent. To become the best, we must transcend these numbers and forge our own paths."

The room remained silent, each player lost in their own reflections. Eito's actions not only demonstrated his skill but also challenged them to reconsider their approach to the competition.