034 Blue Lock: System Ten Years Early

"This is… you're kidding, right? My hand movements failed?" Karasu Tabito stared at his palms in disbelief. He was very clear that Shinichi absolutely hadn't done anything to dodge him just now—it was entirely his own mistake.

"That monster… he can even do something like this?" Otoya Eita, who had climbed back up, looked extremely irritated. Having twisted himself, he understood even more directly what had just happened.

"Because I was watching his movements, I involuntarily made a move that exceeded my own limits… damn it, isn't this just blatantly showing off that he's stronger than me? That bastard."

"Shinichi! How did you do it!" Hiori Yo cheered as he rushed over. "I thought you were going to mess up. In that situation, what on earth did you do?!"

"I just pushed my abilities to a greater limit and took their stuff, that's all." Shinichi lowered his head and looked at his own palms. This tangible power was now completely under his control.

"However, it's not unsolvable." Shinichi clenched his fist. "Because basketball makes greater use of post play and spins, in those values Haizaki Shogo is stronger than me, so he was able to steal my spin. But just now, I forced myself not to think about Haizaki Shogo's movements and focused on my own abilities, unlocking my spinning ability through muscle memory."

"In other words, as long as there's someone who can block the influence brought by my movements, they can ignore my plunder. If they're willing to completely destroy their current self and then reorganize according to the situation, they should also be able to break free from my influence."

"Haha, inhuman Noel Noa, and Isagi Yoichi who's always happy to change—my new ability naturally won't work on my two greatest opponents. It doesn't matter. I'll keep getting stronger. This is just the very first step."

"Hiori, let's go. End this farce!"

The match resumed, but with their weapons taken and their condition completely gone, Karasu Tabito and Otoya Eita could no longer pose any threat to Shinichi and the others. Only Aryu Jyubei continued to struggle, but with very little effect.

Final score 2:13

"Ha… what a complete defeat." When the final whistle blew, Karasu Tabito collapsed weakly onto the ground. In the last moments of stoppage time, he had gradually regained his feel, but it was already too late to turn things around.

"With a cheating skill like that, who could beat him? Right, Otoya?"

Otoya Eita said nothing as he walked out. Aryu Jyubei followed closely behind.

"This match was truly ugly. Magnificent me needs to further improve my sense of style."

"Karasu, you're not just going to admit defeat like this, are you?" Otoya Eita turned back unwillingly and shouted at Karasu Tabito lying on the ground.

"I refuse to end it like this. In the end, I'll definitely get payback."

"Tch… who would be willing to accept that, idiot." Karasu Tabito closed his eyes. A moment later, he sprang up from the ground.

"I'm so unwilling it makes me want to die. I never want to experience such a pathetic match a second time."

"Next time, we'll absolutely win!"

They didn't go declare war on Shinichi and the others or anything. Closing their mouths and leaving quietly was the ending that belonged to the losers. The glamorous stage was reserved exclusively for the victors.

But… the script that belonged to the avengers had only just begun!

"Building Five, all matches have ended. Now announcing the results of the first selection."

A loudspeaker in the corner of the field rang out, and a pleasant female voice began reading the results.

"A total of five teams participated in the group round-robin. The final results are—First place, Team X, 11 players."

"Second place, Team V, 11 players."

"Plus the three top scorers from the three eliminated teams. The above 25 people have passed the first round of selection in Blue Lock Building Five."

On the electronic screen lit up simple avatars representing the top scorers of the last three teams. Shinichi subconsciously glanced over. Nishioka Hajime was a sure thing. One was unfamiliar, and the other…

Shinichi looked up in thought. Wasn't this that cross-discipline prodigy who had cried about being targeted and beaten by him?

"Hey, Shinichi, let's go. Time for the celebration feast!" From afar, Hiori Yo shouted loudly. Shinichi turned his head and tossed the matter to the back of his mind. Whatever—it was just a passerby anyway.

"Coming."

...

"Hey, don't just throw things around."

"Whoa, is this the steak Shinichi exchanged with points? So much! One portion each?"

"Ah, the drinks are spilled. You guys really relaxed too much all at once, huh."

The locker room was noisy. Shinichi shouted helplessly at everyone,

"Hiori and I are going to get drinks. Before I get back, hurry up and clean this place. Blue Lock still has many more selection stages ahead. At least you've been under me—don't end up not seeing a single one of you later."

"Yes!" Hearing Shinichi's voice, everyone straightened up reflexively. As a result, without paying attention, they knocked over another bottle of drink. Shinichi shook his head helplessly. "Let's go, Hiori."

...

"Waaah… damn it, my dream… it's over just like that…"

"So unwilling… if I could've scored two more goals, the one staying would've been me…"

"Damn it! Damn it! Why did I come to this crappy Blue Lock! Waaah…"

On the way, Shinichi and Hiori ran into the crowd of people leaving after being eliminated. The two hid behind a wall and didn't go out. Shinichi's expression was indifferent, but there was a tremor in Hiori Yo's eyes.

"This is the fate of losers. In competitive sports, dreams are always just a kind of beautifying illusion," Shinichi said calmly. "The real reality is that out of tens of millions, only a tiny handful of the very top can stay and truly enter this field."

"Only those who win can keep moving forward. And in the end, the ones who climb to the top… are only the victors."

"Hiori, this is the true meaning of competition. Every one of your victories destroys another group of people. It's a game of the weak being prey to the strong. So become stronger—strong enough that you'll never lose."

"Shinichi…" Hiori looked up into Shinichi's eyes. He had never imagined that those eyes could be so indifferent.

"I'm serious, Hiori. As long as you fall behind, I'll abandon you without hesitation. On the road of pursuing victory, I will never be bound by ridiculous friendship."

"…You really dare to say that." After a brief silence, Hiori Yo smiled and lightly punched Shinichi's chest.

"I'm the same. I want to change the world with my own hands. So if you can't meet my standards, I won't pass the ball to you."

Looking at Hiori Yo's eyes growing firmer and filled with even greater fighting spirit, Shinichi nodded in satisfaction.

"That's right. This is good."

Once more turning his gaze to the flow of losers, Shinichi clenched his hands tightly and made a silent vow.

'I absolutely refuse to become one of them. The one who will ultimately climb to the top and become a legend—'

"Is me!"