"The Honeymoon Phase!"
The chaotic fusion of surveillance station and bachelor pad was in full display.
Anri sighed as she gingerly picked up Jinpachi Ego's discarded socks.
Balancing them like they were toxic waste.
"How long are you planning to live like this?"
She muttered.
Stuffing them into the overflowing laundry basket.
"It's been a while since the JFA press conference."
She said, glancing at Jinpachi.
Who was busy preparing instant ramen at his makeshift kitchenette.
"How's Blue Lock progressing so far?"
Jinpachi paused mid-seasoning.
His expression unreadable.
"Honeymoon phase."
He declared.
Dumping a packet of chili flakes into his bowl.
"Have patience, Anri. The fun is just beginning."
Anri grimaced.
As she encountered a pair of Jinpachi's underwear on the floor.
Using a pair of tongs.
She deposited it into the laundry pile and shot him a disapproving look.
"You live on ramen and yakisoba. How are you even functional?"
Jinpachi, now seated cross-legged on the floor.
Slurped his ramen with a nostalgic sigh.
"It's not about functionality. It takes me back to my student days. Back then, I wasn't allowed to indulge in these culinary masterpieces."
"Masterpieces, huh?"
Anri muttered.
Tying up another trash bag filled with discarded cups and wrappers.
"And that's your excuse for turning this place into a disaster zone?"
Jinpachi leaned back with a faint smirk.
"Anything unrelated to football isn't part of my job description."
Anri opened her mouth to retort but thought better of it.
Instead, she shifted gears.
"Fine. Then how's the football part going? The First Selection?"
Stirring his bowl with a contemplative air.
Jinpachi replied.
"It's moving... Just watch. We're about to hit the spicy part."
…
Team Z was in the heat of training.
Isagi darted past Kunigami with surgical precision.
Exploiting a small opening in his defense.
With a clean strike, the ball sailed past Imamura.
Who could only watch helplessly.
Kunigami shook his head, impressed.
"Man, you got me again. You're tough to stop, Isagi."
Imamura chimed in.
Throwing up his hands.
"Why am I the one stuck as goalkeeper? It's not fair!"
Laughing, Isagi shrugged.
"One more round, guys. Let's keep at it."
Suddenly, the massive monitor in the facility flickered to life.
Displaying Jinpachi Ego slurping down his ramen.
"I knew it."
Jinpachi muttered through a mouthful.
"This seasoning blend... hits the spot!"
The entire team froze.
Staring at the screen in disbelief.
Isagi furrowed his brow.
Finally, Jinpachi set his bowl aside and spoke.
"See the screen for the current rankings."
The monitor changed.
Blue Lock's Overall Rankings
221st - Yoichi Isagi
222nd - Seishiro Nagi
223rd - Reo Mikage
224th - Zantetsu Tsurugi
225th - ...
Gasps filled the room as Isagi's name sat at the top of the Fifth Stratum.
Kira, wide-eyed, was the first to speak.
"Isagi, you're ranked first! That's amazing!"
Imamura and Naruhaya pointed to the next three names.
"Wait, those guys are from Team V!"
Naruhaya exclaimed.
The mood shifted.
Unease spread across Team Z as they realized the caliber of the players just below Isagi.
Jinpachi's voice interrupted their thoughts.
"Until now, your performance and goals have determined your rank."
"The Strikers whose contributions were most valuable to their teams rose to the top."
He paused dramatically.
Letting his words sink in.
"Which is why Blue Lock's current top ranker is… Yoichi Isagi!"
All eyes turned to Isagi.
Their gazes alight with competitive fire.
Jinpachi continued.
Clasping his hands together.
"But remember this, unpolished gems are nothing but dirt until their talent is honed to crystal clarity."
"Seek your playstyle. Make it exceptional."
The monitor shut off abruptly.
Leaving the field in silence.
Isagi stood rooted in place.
Jinpachi's words echoing in his mind.
"Exceptional, huh…"
He muttered.
Rubbing his chin.
"But I'm already pretty good at everything else…"
…
Team Z trudged down the hallway after an intense training session.
Their spirits high despite the weight of the Blue Lock's new rankings.
The smell of food wafting from the cafeteria ahead provided much-needed motivation as hunger took over.
Kuon adjusted his towel draped around his neck and broke the silence.
"Our next—and final—opponent is Team V."
"They're the only undefeated squad left in the Fifth Stratum."
Raichi, striding ahead of the group.
Turned his head with a scoff.
"I don't give a damn about what they've done."
His voice was gruff with irritation.
"We'll just beat them. End of story."
Gagamaru chimed in.
"But based on Blue Lock's rankings, three of their players are exceptionally strong."
"They're not just good—they're monsters."
Naruhaya, walking alongside him, nodded.
"Yeah, there's no getting around it. Those guys are probably no joke."
Raichi spun around.
His frustration mounting.
"Huh?! So what! We haven't lost either, and I highly doubt they're as good as everyone says!"
He jabbed a thumb toward his chest.
"If they're monsters, then I'm a freakin' demon!"
Before the argument could escalate further.
Lemon raised a hand.
Silencing the group.
"Guys, shut up for a second."
He said.
His tone unusually serious.
He gestured toward the open door to their left.
"Look over there. Isn't that… Team V?"
The group crept closer.
Their curiosity piqued.
Poking their heads around the corner.
They caught sight of Team V's top three players seated at a remote table in the cafeteria.
The room was eerily quiet.
Save for the sound of their laughter and conversation.
Seishiro Nagi lounged in his chair.
Fiddling absentmindedly with a soccer ball he was balancing on his foot.
As though it was an extension of his body.
Reo Mikage was animatedly gesturing as he spoke.
His words causing Zantetsu Tsurugi to laugh in response.
Despite their relaxed demeanor.
The air around them seemed heavy.
As though their presence alone carried weight.
Raichi's eyes narrowed.
His lips curling into a wicked grin.
"Well, well, well. Look at those guys. Thinkin' they own the place."
Imamura grabbed his arm.
Already sensing trouble.
"Raichi, don't even think about it!"
Naruhaya whispered urgently.
"He's totally gonna do something stupid again."
Ignoring their protests.
Raichi marched into the cafeteria with a swagger.
His chest puffed out.
"Hey, Team V!"
He called out.
His voice booming across the room.
Team Z collectively facepalmed.
Groaning in unison.
At the table.
Nagi's ball came to a stop.
As he slowly turned his head toward the commotion.
Reo looked up.
Raising an eyebrow.
While Zantetsu squinted.
Seemingly more confused than anything else.
Raichi stopped a few steps away from their table.
Crossing his arms.
"So you're the so-called 'undefeated squad,' huh? Guess what? That ends when you face us!"
Reo leaned back in his chair.
A smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh? And who are you supposed to be?"
Raichi jabbed a thumb at himself.
"I'm Raichi Jingo, the guy who's gonna crush you!"
Nagi blinked lazily.
His expression bored.
"Crush us? Sounds like a pain."
Before Raichi could fire back.
Kunigami stormed into the room.
Grabbing Raichi by the back of his shirt.
"Cut it out!"
He hissed.
Dragging him away.
"We don't need to start anything before the match!"
Reo chuckled.
Resting his chin on his hand as he watched the scene unfold.
"Interesting team you've got there."
As Kunigami hauled Raichi back toward the door.
Isagi stepped forward.
He locked eyes with Nagi for a brief moment.
His gaze steady and unflinching.
"See you on the field."
Isagi said simply.
His tone calm but resolute.
Nagi tilted his head.
Studying him with mild curiosity.
"Yeah. Sure. Whatever."
As Team Z left the cafeteria.
Raichi grumbled under his breath.
And the group quickly resumed their walk.
"That was reckless."
Kuon said.
Shooting Raichi a disapproving look.
Raichi shrugged.
"Hey, someone had to let 'em know what's coming."
Isagi, however, remained silent.
His thoughts lingering on Nagi and the others.
"They're strong..."
He paused.
Then he smiled.
"But our team doesn't pale in comparison either."