The 4th Story Arc of the Blue Lock manga series, which centers on Sae Itoshi's introduction. Sae's a star Japanese football player who's been playing in Europe since he remains disinterested in playing for Japan's lackluster team. However, after witnessing Anri's JFA speech about pushing Japan's football further through the Blue Lock project, he becomes interested in sticking around to see the results of said project. Meanwhile, Ego explains the start of Blue Lock's First Selection where Teams V to Z will be taking part in a 5 team round-robin to see which 2 teams score the most points to move on to the Second Selection.
It makes up chapter 4 of the series.
Chapter 4: Now
At the JFA, an interviewer named Nihei holds an interview with Japan's genius high-school midfielder, Sae Itoshi, who's been playing overseas for Real Madrid in the Europe league. Nihei questions if Sae's return means that he's decided to play for Team Japan. However, Sae remains disinterested as the idea of playing for Team Japan disgusts him since he doesn't view Japan's players to be good enough to accept his passes. That he's only returned to Japan to renew his passport before heading back to Europe. Sae then leaves with his manager, Girolain Davidi.As Sae walks off alongside Davidi, who warns Sae that he will receive backlash for his comments towards Japan, Sae passes by another room where Anri and JFA President Buratsuta are being interviewed regarding the Blue Lock project. Sae taking interest in what's going on, which he listens in on the interview. The interviewers go about criticizing Anri and Buratsuta's decision to sacrifice the careers of up to 299 young Japanese strikers over an unknown project. Before Buratsuta could say anything, Anri assures them that Blue Lock is needed as it's designed to fix what's broken in Japan by giving the country a hero.
At that same time at Blue Lock, Ego goes about explaining to Team Z (as well as the other 24 teams) how the First Selection will work, which is a Round-Robin tournament amongst each of the 5 strata groups. Wins being worth 3 points, ties being worth 1 point, and losses being 0 points. Ego warns that only the top 2 teams from each strata will get to move on to the Second Selection; meaning that only 10 out of the 25 teams will get to move on. Isagi and company remain confused as to how their team will work since all 11 of them are forward strikers. However, Ego explains that the games will act as their new starting point where they will fall into roles depending on how they play at Blue Lock. One of which already happens with Iemon accepting the role of Team Z needing to have someone fill in as the goalie.
Meanwhile, Anri continues her speech to the interviewers explaining how Team Japan has indeed evolved as a team over the years. However, they've stalled out recently, which is why they need to do something drastic to take the next step. A step that will finally win them the World Cup. Back at Blue Lock, Ego continues to explain to Team Z that from here on out, they must throw teamwork out the door, and think about becoming a hero. The hero that can change the world for the country they play for. Ego and Anri then basically say at the same time that all 300 of their strikers are primed to go through with possibly sacrificing themselves at Blue Lock if it means that they can finally win the World Cup, which Sae can't believe what he's hearing.
The interviewers find the plan nuts and go about criticizing the whole project that will ruin the careers of many upcoming Japanese players. However, Sae's ego is seen kicking in. He makes the decision to stay in Japan for the time being as he's now interested in seeing the hero that will be created by Blue Lock. Meanwhile, Isagi gets hyped up to be the last one standing at Blue Lock.
