Chapter 226: The Selection Assembly (6)
In reality, the offers that followed were no longer as intense as the earlier battles.
Most teams had already locked in their key players, and with salary caps nearly stretched to the limit, every large transaction required extreme caution.
On top of that, aside from a few national-team-level players, most remaining candidates were not worth a heavy bidding war.
One person worth highlighting was Snuffy.
Lorenzo ultimately returned to Italy's Ubers at a price of 230 million, and Snuffy somehow managed to finish the entire roster using only 10 million more, filling the remaining spots with low-valued players like Nanase Nijiro.
These players knew they wouldn't earn much regardless, so they prioritized playing time and exposure.
When Snuffy promised starting positions, they eagerly signed up.
....
Final Starting Lineup: Italy Ubers (Snuffy)
ST – Kaiser
CM – Sae Itoshi
DM – Snuffy
LM – Nanase Nijiro / Igarashi Gurimo
RM – Peron/Teppei
CB – Lorenzo / Ishikari Nobuo / Tanaka Shingen
GK – Fukaku Gen
This lineup not only re-employed a large number of former U-20 players but also revived the careers of Ishikari and Shingen — whose physical attributes Snuffy recognized as perfect for defensive systems.
Only at this stage did the other mentors realize Snuffy had found hidden gems among the low-priced players.
No one doubted Ubers' strength anymore.
Despite nearly falling into "financial crisis," Snuffy was a tactical mastermind — his ability to unify role-players into a cohesive system meant cheap but effective players fit his style perfectly.
Add Kaiser and Sae to that framework, and Snuffy became a terrifying rival for Stage Two.
....
Shinichi's Team — Blue Lock FC
After signing Hiori, Shinichi used his vast remaining budget efficiently:
80 million – Zantetsu Tsurugi
86 million – Kurona Ranse
78 million – Reo Mikage (after two rounds of bidding with Chris)
64 million – Aiku
40 million – Yukimiya
30 million – Otoya
55 million – Jyubei
~20 million – Tokimitsu (as goalkeeper, stolen from Loki)
Even after spending heavily on top Blue Lock talents, Shinichi still had plenty of funds left.
He attempted to bid on Lorenzo and Rin, and even Barou, but all of them rejected him sharply.
In the end, Shinichi spent 200 million on Ness — a player no one else wanted.
His actual value should've been much higher, but since every team already had their main midfielders (except Lavinho, who simply didn't want him), Shinichi was the only one willing to pay serious money.
....
Final Starting Lineup: Blue Lock FC (Shinichi)
ST – Shinichi
LW – Zantetsu Tsurugi
RW – Yukimiya
AM – Hiori / Ness
DM – Mikage Reo
CB – Aiku/Jyubei
LB – Otoya
RB – Hayate Haru
GK – Tokimitsu
A balanced team with no blind spots — exactly Shinichi's philosophy.
....
Noa's Team — Bastard München
Noa then signed Barou Shouei, believing Barou's latent aggression would synergize perfectly with Charles.
With only limited funds left, he could only afford inexpensive but very high-value players, such as:
Reiji Hiiragi
Raichi Jingo
Sendou Akuto
And the most surprising:
Noa signed Nishioka Hajime cheaply — despite Nishioka being injured.
Even Shinichi was shocked Noa had contacted him privately.
....
Final Starting Lineup: Bastard München (Noa)
ST – Noa
CM – Charles
LW – Nishioka Hajime
RW – Barou Shouei
AM – Sendou Akuto
DM – Raichi Jingo
CB – Raichi / Mensah
LB – Nioh Kazuma
RB – Tabito Karasu
GK – Canali
A surprisingly cohesive and structured formation despite the budget cuts.
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Loki's Team — England Manshine City
After losing Charles and Sae, Loki decided to use Agi as his primary midfielder.
Agi had already handled ball distribution in Manshine City during Stage One, so Loki trusted him.
He then drafted:
Adam Blake, specifically to counter Chris and Shinichi
Kunigami and Chigiri, forming a deadly speed-power combo
Bachira, who had been undecided and finally joined Loki
Kira Ryosuke, who was largely overlooked by others
And with plenty of budget left, Loki swept up almost every remaining quality player:
Erik Gesner
Benedict Grim
And more — giving Loki an enormous bench with six substitutes.
Loki's roster became the second most powerful on paper, right below Shinichi's.
....
Chris's Team — Paris X Gen
Chris had it the worst financially.
He had Isagi and Pablo, but then blew nearly 300 million fighting Lavinho for the FC Barcha forward:
Ignacio Lara
A rising star originally scouted by Lavinho — one of the few non–Blue Lock prospects who showed real potential in canon.
Chris was clearly going all-in on raw offensive power.
....
Lavinho's Team — FC Barcha
The richest of all mentors, with massive leftover funds.
After signing Leonardo Luna, he added:
Dada Silva (national striker)
And with Shidou already on the roster, Lavinho now had three national-team-level attackers, turning last stage's weakest team into a top-tier powerhouse overnight.
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