Blue Lock: Limitless

As the tension in the room mounted.

The murmurs of dissent grew louder.

The choice laid before the players was daunting, impossible even.

Isagi's thoughts swirled in confusion and uncertainty.

Jinpachi's words had planted a seed of doubt.

And the decision was too monumental to make lightly.

Just as the room's unrest was reaching its peak.

A sharp, mechanical sound cut through the noise.

Ding!

The screen appeared without warning.

[Choose Your Path.]

Option 1: Leave Blue Lock. Return to your life as it was, playing for your high school team to compete for the Nationals.

Option 2: Stay in Blue Lock. Embrace the challenge. Discard your old life and fight for greatness. Become the best striker in the world."

Isagi felt a weight settle in his chest as he read the words.

Both paths are great in their own way.

Could he really walk away from everything—the team and his friends?

Or was he willing to risk it all for a chance at something greater?

But then, something changed.

Ding!

The screen blinked again.

And this time, a new line of text appeared beneath the mission prompt.

[Blue Lock Competition]

Mission:

-Choose to stay in Blue Lock and fully commit to this challenge.

Reward:

-1000 Points.

Isagi's eyes widened in disbelief.

1000 Points?

The points echoed in his mind, tempting him to reconsider.

To walk away seemed easier, the path of least resistance.

But to stay and fight—while knowing he could gain so much points…

It was a powerful pull.

The reward was irresistible.

His points would skyrocket, providing him more funds.

In purchasing or devouring high-level talents.

His gaze shifted.

Looking around the room at the other players who, like him, were torn between these two options.

Was it worth it to give up everything for a chance at becoming something greater?

Will there be ever be another opportunity like this?

Jinpachi's voice cut through their thoughts, sharp and cold.

"Football, at its core, is a sport about scoring goals—even at the expense of your teammates."

He let the words hang in the air for a moment, the tension palpable.

"The best player is the one who scores the most goals. If you want to play pretend football instead, then get lost already."

A brief, deafening silence followed.

Every player in the room was struck by his words.

Then, as if the tension had finally reached its boiling point.

Kira spoke out.

"…How insulting."

His voice was filled with bitterness.

Fists clenched at his sides.

He glared at Jinpachi, the resentment evident in his eyes.

"Take those words back..." Kira continued.

His tone dripping with defiance.

"The greatest players in history were never like that. Players like Honda, Kagawa, and all those who helped shape Japan's national team. They played with heart, with respect for their teammates—that's what made them great."

Isagi's gaze flicked from Kira to Jinpachi.

He could feel the intensity rising in the room.

Jinpachi stood unfazed, his eyes cold.

"You really think those players are what made Japan great?" he scoffed.

"They never won a single World Cup, did they?"

He let the words sink in before continuing.

"But you know who did? Legends like Noel Noa, Eric Cantona, Pele. Those are the names that resonate worldwide. Why? Because they have something your precious 'team-first' mentality lacks—ego."

A murmur of disbelief ran through the room.

But Jinpachi's words were relentless.

"They have an ego that says they are the best of the best. They play with absolute certainty that no one can touch them. And that's what makes them revolutionary strikers. They didn't wait for anyone. They didn't share their glory with anyone. They went after it, and they took it. That's why they won World Cups."

Jinpachi's voice grew louder.

"You will not become the greatest strikers in the world unless you have the ego to match. You will not—cannot—be the best if you're constantly worried about others. You must only care about your own success, your own glory."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over the gathered players.

"My purpose here is simple: to create that kind of player in Japan. I'm here to build a striker who will lead this nation to the World Cup, someone who will stop at nothing to be the best."

Jinpachi's lips curled into a grin.

"From the corpses of 299 players... one hero will rise in all his glory!"

At that moment.

The large doors behind Jinpachi began to open, revealing a blinding light.

It was so bright that nothing beyond it could be seen.

Just an overwhelming glow that seemed to beckon them forward.

"Step through the gate," Jinpachi commanded.

"Throw away your common sense."

Isagi's heart raced as he absorbed Jinpachi's words.

"When you're on the field," Jinpachi continued.

"You are the star… Your greatest joy is scoring goals and nothing else."

"You live for the excitement of that very moment. And if you can't embrace that, then leave."

"Because in this place, there is only one rule—your own glory."

Isagi's chest tightened, and in that instant, something clicked in his mind.

A realization.

A certainty.

His doubts faded away as his focus sharpened.

He understood now.

His goal wasn't just about becoming a better player.

It was about becoming someone who could change the game.

Someone who could rise above all the rest.

He made up his mind.

The decision was clear.

Jinpachi finished his speech with a final, piercing question.

"Now that's... a 'Striker', don't you think?"

And just like that, a notification sounded in Isagi's mind.

The two options appeared before him once again.

The screen flickered, displaying the choices clearly.

As if everything was leading to this moment.

Isagi didn't need to think twice anymore.

He had already made his choice.

His feet moved before he even realized it.

And with a burst of energy, he sprinted toward the gate.

There was no turning back now.

No hesitation.

The others watched in stunned silence.

A few players looking conflicted, others still unsure.

But one by one, they began to follow him.

Each player pushing forward with their own resolve.

Kira stood frozen for a moment longer.

His gaze intense and full of conflicting emotions.

He watched Isagi for a second longer.

His jaw clenched, before a deep breath escaped him.

Gritting his teeth, Kira finally made up his mind.

He ran after Isagi.

Determination replacing the confusion in his eyes.

More players followed.

And soon the whole room was filled with a rush of bodies charging toward the door.

The gate loomed ahead, shining bright.

Waiting for them to take that first step into their new future.

Isagi's heart pounded in his chest, but with every stride he took.

He felt more alive than he had ever felt before.

This was his chance to become something bigger.

Something greater than he could have ever imagined.

The future was now.

This will become…

Football's most critical moment.