Chapter 43

**Three-Man Teams** (３人 (にん) １組 (くみ) , *Sannin Ichikumi*?) is the 43rd chapter of Blue Lock manga series.

## Summary

Isagi looks around the room filled with unfamiliar faces. He notices the instruction on the screen ("move forward in teams of three") and wonders what they will do in the next stage. While looking around the room, Isagi sees Nagi and Reo's faces. Isagi deduced that Nagi and Reo may have stayed in the waiting room since they were waiting for Zantetsu. Soon after, a voice calls out Isagi's name. Apparently, Bachira had just finished the first stage of the second selection. Like Isagi, he also notices the message on the screen. Bachira then asks Isagi who will take the last spot in their three-man team. Isagi gets confused, asking Bachira what he meant. Bachira explained, saying that there's him and Isagi. Now, they only have one more slot.  In his mind, Isagi is shocked that Bachira automatically grouped themselves together. However, Isagi does not mind. After that, Isagi suggests to Bachira that Kunigami or Chigiri can be the third person in their team. Bachira agrees; however, he also asked who among the two they will pick. Isagi replies, saying that they will choose whoever finishes the first stage first. The two players come into agreement.

Afterward, another voice calls out Isagi's name. Nagi, along with Reo, comes up in front of Isagi and invites him to team up. Isagi, Bachira, and Reo are shocked by Nagi's invitation. Reo shows his dismay and asks Nagi if he is sure that Isagi is the right guy for their team. Nagi stands firm with his resolve, stating that Isagi was the most impressive in their previous match (Team Z vs Team V). Nagi adds that he also wants to play soccer alongside Isagi. On the other hand, Isagi refused Nagi's order, remarking that he and Bachira are a team. Nagi understood Isagi's reason to reject his invitation. Surprisingly, Nagi offered a solution to that concern. Nagi unexpectedly states that he will be joining Isagi and Bachira's team, leaving Reo and behind. The other three players are shocked. Reo asks Nagi what he was planning on doing. Nagi explains to Reo that they were not the strongest in their match against Team Z. After losing, Nagi felt such frustration. Knowing this, he wants to further understand this frustration by playing alongside their former opponents. For the first time in his life, Nagi declares that he wants to try and put some effort into soccer. Reo frustratingly tells Nagi to do whatever he wants.  Meanwhile, Bachira asks Isagi what they must do. Although Isagi believes in Kunigami and Chigiri's talents and skills, he can't deny that he, too, wants to play alongside Nagi. Isagi invites Nagi over to their team. Bachira agrees with Isagi's decision. Soon after, Isagi, Bachira, and Nagi walk towards the gate to the third stage. Before leaving the waiting room, Nagi bids Reo farewell, telling Reo that he will be waiting for him.

Now, the three players have exited the waiting room. In the corridor, Bachira fist bumps Nagi, remarking that he is counting on him. Nagi tells him likewise. Bachira then notes that Nagi is a bit cold-hearted since he left Reo. Nagi then says that he also feels lonely and sad after leaving Reo behind. However, he believes that following his ego is the key to surviving Blue Lock. Also, Nagi notes that Bachira's team seems more interesting. The three continue walking until they reach the waiting room for the third stage.

In this new waiting room, only three players can be seen besides Isagi, Bachira, and Nagi. Isagi then notices Rin Itoshi, the player who displayed an impressive skill before entering the first stage of the second selection. Rin was also the first player who partook in the first stage. Suddenly, the screen flashes Ego's face. Ego informs the players in the waiting room that the third stage will be a 3 vs 3  team battle. In his mind, Isagi is concerned about playing against Rin right off the bat.

## Chapter Notes

* Reo and Nagi are also in the waiting room and may have been waiting for Zantetsu.
* Bachira has cleared the first stage of the second selection.
* For the next stage, Bachira and Isagi chose Kunigami or Chigiri to become the third person in their team.
* Nagi invites Isagi to join his team; however, Isagi rejects his offer since he has already teamed up with Bachira.
* Nagi then tells Isagi that he will join him and Bachira's team, leaving Reo behind.
* At the waiting room of the third stage, there are only 3 players present.
* Isagi notices Rin's face in the waiting room.
* Ego informs the players that they third stage will be 3 vs 3 team battle.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Yoichi Isagi
2. Seishiro Nagi
3. Reo Mikage
4. Meguru Bachira
5. Rensuke Kunigami (mentioned)
6. Hyoma Chigiri (mentioned)
7. Jinpachi Ego
8. Rin Itoshi