After the conclusion of the First Selection and 10 days of brutal training planned by Ego, the members of Team Z wake up in the middle of the night to the blaring sound of the facility's speaker system cutting through the darkness.

The cold morning air stings your cheeks as you sit up, muscles still sore from yesterday's drills. The fluorescent lights flicker on, revealing the other members of Team Z stirring from their beds, equally confused and tired.

*Speaker:* "The First Blue Lock Selection has finished in all blocks. All participants have passed, please put on their training clothes and go towards the center of the base of your block"

The announcement hangs in the air as you rub the sleep from your eyes. Through the window, you can see the faint glow of dawn breaking over the massive Blue Lock facility—its metallic structures gleaming like a fortress against the morning sky.

*Iemon:* "Uh...? It's over...?"

The goalkeeper's voice cracks with disbelief as he runs a hand through his messy hair. Your training uniform feels stiff against your skin as you pull it on, the fabric still carrying the faint smell of sweat and grass from previous matches.

*Raichi:* "About time! If I had to do one more drill, I would've lost my mind..."

As Team Z makes their way through the sterile corridors, the sound of other players echoes from adjacent blocks. The central gathering area buzzes with nervous energy and competitive tension as 125 players—25 from each original block—assemble under the watchful eyes of hidden cameras.

The digital screen mounted on the wall suddenly activates, displaying Ego's unmistakable silhouette against a dark background.

*Ego:* "Hey there, my unpolished gems! Good job surviving the First Selection. Now the real test begins—the Second Selection has five stages that will separate the true strikers from the rest. Only those who clear each stage advance further. Enter the gate one at a time when ready. Remember: only the most egoistic will remain."

A low murmur rises through the crowd as a massive metal gate at the far end of the room slides open, revealing an ominous darkness beyond. The sound of a soccer ball striking leather cuts through the chatter as a blue-haired player steps forward—his movements precise and confident.

Without warning, he kicks two balls simultaneously, sending them spinning through the air in a perfect arc before striking them both with a second kick that resonates like a gunshot.

*Rin:* "Open up. I'm done stretching."

He strides through the gate without a backward glance, leaving the room in stunned silence that quickly erupts into excited conversation.

Your heart pounds in your chest as you realize the moment of truth has arrived. The path to becoming the world's best striker now lies beyond that gate—and only one question remains: how will you face this next challenge?