The blue lock project

"Congratulations you unpolished gems." The lanky man with a bowl cut said. As soon as he started speaking, the room turned quiet and everyone paid attention to his words.

"All you under-18 strikers have been chosen solely based on my criteria and biases to be here today. All 300 of you. I am Shinpachi Ego. My job is to make Japan a team capable of winning the World Cup." He said as he put his hand on his chest in a dramatic manner.

Everyone started looking around in shock, they couldn't believe their ears, most of them believed that unknown man to just be a crazy fool, but the zombie-looking man didn't take into consideration any of their chitchat and simply continued his speech.

"I'll put it in simple terms. Japan only requires one thing to become the strongest powerhouse in football. And that is the creation of a revolutionary striker. From you 300 players gathered here today. I will forge the best striker in the world through a certain project." He said with absolute confidence while looking down at everyone through his glasses.

"For this purpose, we have built this facility.." He said as he turned around and pointed towards a screen showing the future facilities of the 300 players as well as the living conditions.

"You, the last player standing... Will have to become the best striker in the world." Ego then clotured his speech with those deliriously ambitious words.

Many people were taken aback by those words, most of them shared the same confused expression as they looked around to see other players' reactions. Izumi was no different, he looked to his left, only to be met by the same surprised and lost expression.

But when he looked to his right, for the first time in a while his body started shivering, he who expected to see yet another confused expression witnessed Jude grinning widely from side to side with an ecstatic expression on his face and a bewitched look on his face. He looked like a fanatic who had finally uncovered the truth about the world.

Though at the same moment, a white haired boy spoke up, "For most of us. Our team is our main priority... Particularly for those of us who'll participate at nationals, there's no way I can accept those kinds of terms. I will not throw away my own team." He said with a resolved expression.

His words made many other young players start to speak up about their worries considering this project and their team as well as their mistrust towards Ego.

But instead of showing any empathy and care about their concerns, the lanky man started berating all the people who spoke up, then went on to berate the whole mentality of Japan and their football team.

"Football is, at its core, a sport about scoring goals even at the expense of your teammates. The best player is the one that scores the most goals... If you want to play pretend football instead, then get lost already." He said while looking down directly towards the people who spoke up.

His words angered Kira who then went on to talk about how the Japanese national team is the country's pride and hero, only to be met with more berating from Ego who started explaining the difference between a second-rate striker and a true striker such as Noel Noa, Eric Cantona and Pele.

"Their extraordinary "Egoism"...Is the one thing Japan's football lacks. You will not become the greatest strikers in the world, unless you have the biggest egos for it, as well. My purpose here, is to create such a player in Japan... From the corpses of 299 players... One hero will rise in all his glory!!" His seemingly crazy and absurd words started slowly igniting the flame hidden in every single one of the 300 players.

He then went on to ask everyone to visualize themselves at the very final of the World Cup final, in front of a full stadium, in the very last play, getting a pass from a teammate.

"It's 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. There's a teammate six meters to your right. If you pass it to him. You'll probably score that goal... The hopes of all of Japan lie on your shoulders...You are at a turning point at the World Cup finals...without hesitation, you shoot!"

"If you desire that rebellious "Egoism", then step through the gate." He said as the wall behind him opened up and formed a huge Gate.

"I'll say it once more, loud and clear... Think of literally everyone else on the field as supporting you. Football is a sport to develop you all as strikers. Your greatest joy is scoring points, and nothing else. You live for the excitement of that very moment. Now that's... A "striker", don't you think?" His speech resonated with most of the players in the building and soon enough a short black-haired boy ran straight towards the gates and was followed by many other players.

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*Jude's pov*

"That's quite the fun sight." I said as I watched Izumi completely ignore me and run to the gate as fast as he could, It seems like most of the player's slumbering ego was awakened thanks to that speech.

Soon enough only 3 people were left in the building, I and two other high schoolers who were very easily recognizable, the rich genius Reo and the lazy genius Nagi. Both stood at the very back of the room.

"What's the matter? Were you bored by my explanation?" Ego asked while looking at Nagi who was turning away.

"Yeah... After all, It was easy for me to envision the winning goal of the World Cup." He said as a gloomy aura emanated from him, even Reo who always accompanied him was feeling pressured by such a sudden change. I tried to take a look at his stats but for the first time since meeting Itoshi Sae, I wasn't able to see someone's full stats.

"You wouldn't make it, you still don't understand your own "ego", There are many self-proclaimed genius like you in the world, people who never had to actually struggle in their life. I'm not interested in self-conscious, overgrown bastards who just want to live without getting hurt. Go live in comfort and rot away. Fuck off." Ego said with a disdainful look.

That was enough to trigger Reo who immediately argued that Nagi was different and that they would both make it to the top of the world. After saying that Reo took Nagi alongside him and they both entered the Gate leading to the blue lock project.

"What about you? I expected you to be the first player to enter yet here you are, the more I observe you the less I understand you. Did your previous Ego die down after seeing your competition?" Ego said with his usual apathetic face as he looked at me.

"If my Ego was so fragile I wouldn't have made it to where I am today." I said as I advanced towards the Gate. "The only reason why I stayed here is that I wanted to personally thank you, as well as apologize in advance." I said with a smile before entering the Gate which would lead me to the final of the World Cup.

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"It seems like every single one of the 300 players have decided to participate. So what did you think of Jude Sanchez, Mr. Ego? He's the last person I hand-picked for this project and I believe he aligns perfectly with your views, Sir." Anri said while holding all the player's personal files in her hands.

"It's still too early to tell, he's nowhere near his full potential. But if there comes a day where he reaches his full potential then he might become of the biggest obstacle of blue lock." Ego said with a wide smile on his face.

"Obstacle...?" His last words left Anri puzzled.