III.

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
~~~
"These aren't very good directions," I noted, studying Ryo's map of the JFA facility that was provided in his letter. Thrusting the paper back at him in frustration, I turned my gaze towards the tall building in front of us. "How are we supposed to figure out where to go with this?"
"I'm not sure-" Ryo started, but his attention was drawn to a figure approaching on our right. "Oi, aren't you Isagi? From Ichinan High?" My gaze fell upon a blue eyed boy with dark blue hair. "You are, aren't you!"
They boys' eyes widened with recognition. "Uh, yeah. And you're Ryosuke Kira, right?"
"You guys know each other?" I asked, coming up from behind Ryo to stand beside him. Something seemed to flash behind Isagi's eyes when he caught sight of me. Choosing to ignore the odd look, I turned my attention back to Ryo.
"Yeah, we versed Ichinan in our last match. Isagi was a great opponent!" Ryo flashed Isagi a bright smile. I nodded, understanding now that this was the boy Ryo had crushed in order to make it to nationals. "Hey Isagi, you don't happen to know how to get to the meeting, do you? I assume you're also here for Blue Lock?"
"I'm not sure. I tried calling, but-"
"But they're not picking up, right?" Ryo cut him off. "Yeah, we had the same problem."
"It's fine," I jumped in. "Let's just head inside and figure it out together. I'd really rather not be late." As we made our way into the large building, I turned to Isagi. "I'm Jin Saito by the way."
Isagi gave me a small, close eyed smile. "Nice to meet you, Saito."
"You too, Isagi."
~~~
"Looks like this is it," Ryo said as we approached a large door. A sheet of paper reading BLUE LOCK was taped to the metal. Opening the door, he led the way into the brightly lit room. 
All eyes turned to us as we entered. "Well, looks like we're not the first ones here," I muttered under my breath as my eyes swept over the many serious faces before us. As the sudden attention slowly departed from us, a quiet murmur overtook the crowd.
"Wait a second." Isagi's eyes widened as his gaze darted from one face to another. "I recognize some of these guys."
"I do too," Ryo began, confusion taking over his features. "Don't tell me everyone here is also a forward..."
"Hold on," I said, turning my attention to Ryo. "You didn't know?"
"Didn't know what, Jin?"
What the hell? "Didn't know everyone's a striker."
"No," Ryo said, eyeing me strangely. "I had no idea. How did you-"
"Congratulations, you unpolished gems." As the lights dimmed, all eyes fell upon a lanky figure on the stage at the front of the room. "All you under-18 strikers have been chosen solely based on my criteria and biases to be here today. All 300 of you." There was a pause. "I am Jinpachi Ego. My job is to make Japan a team capable of winning the World Cup."
As frantic whispers took over the room, my mind raced. So this is Ego, huh, I thought, eyes narrowing as the man upon the stage continued his speech. Do you mean to tell me that no one here but me was previously aware of this camp's circumstances? 
The room was in uproar over something Ego had just said. Ryo, fuming beside me, spoke up, his voice rising above the crowd. "There's no way I can accept those kinds of terms," he called out. "I will not throw away my own team."
"Yeah, some of us are playing at nationals!"
"Show us someone we know!"
"Fuck off then." Ego's eyes were bugging out of his head, but his voice was deadly calm. "If you'd rather be a high school champion over being the best striker in the world, then leave." There was silence and with an evil smile, Ego went on.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How much is he not telling them? "You dirty little bastard," I muttered darkly. 
As Ego finished, a wall behind him opened up, illuminating him in a light that shouldn't have seemed so sinister. "Your greatest joy is scoring points, and nothing else. You live for the excitement of that very moment," Ego spoke, maniacal eyes seeming to pierce through every soul in the room. "Now that's a 'striker', don't you think?"
For a moment after Ego finished speaking, no one breathed. Then movement from behind knocked me aside. It was Isagi, sprinting towards the opening, and as he passed, I caught sight of the dark fire that danced behind his eyes. 
It was as if Isagi's movement had shaken everyone out of a spell and they followed him, roaring like lions. 
"Isagi!" Ryo called out frantically, and he too, disappeared into the mob. 
By the time I'd made it to the stage, every last boy had already disappeared into the light beyond. I approached Ego slowly and with caution, my gaze hardening as it fell upon him. As I moved to pass, his voice stopped me.
"Jin Saito," he spoke quietly. My eyes had moved past him, staring into the unforgiving light that revealed no clues as to what lay beyond. "I don't want to hear you say a word to these boys about what you know. I can kick you out of here faster than you can say 'football'. Is that understood?"
I was quiet for a moment, aware of the shadow that his tall frame cast over me. "Yes, sir."
"Good," he said, and I stepped past him into the light, unaware of the malicious grin that had spread across his face as I went.