### **Opening Scene – "Death by Vending Machine"**
Kazuki Saito, 22-year-old NEET, dies in the most embarrassing way possible—**crushed by a toppled vending machine** after shaking it for a free drink. His last thought?
*"At least no one will remember me."*
**WRONG.**
He wakes up in a **sterile white void**, facing a floating screen:
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
*"Congratulations! You have been selected for the* ***Elite Sports Universe: Hyper Evolution*** *program! Your new life begins now!"*
Kazuki blinks. **"What."**
Before he can protest, the world **shifts**, and suddenly—
---
### **Welcome to the Anime Sports Apocalypse**
Kazuki finds himself in **Japan… but not his Japan.**
- **Football is a religion.** Stadiums tower over cities like colosseums.
- **Players have literal superpowers.** He witnesses a middle-schooler kick a ball so hard it **shatters concrete.**
- **Blue Lock exists.** But so do elements from *Captain Tsubasa*, *Kuroko's Basketball*, and *Ao Ashi*.
A robotic voice echoes in his mind:
**[PROFICIENCY SYSTEM ACTIVATED]**
*"Hybrid Skill Fusion unlocked. Merge abilities from different sports to evolve."*
Kazuki's immediate thought? **"I just wanna nap."**
---
### **The Plan: Fail Spectacularly**
To avoid the hellish grind of becoming the "best," Kazuki hatches a genius plan:
1. **Join the worst football school in Japan** → **Fujisawa Bumblers High**, a team with a **0-50 record** last season.
2. **Play just well enough to not get cut** → No scouts, no fame, no problems.
3. **Never, EVER stand out.**
But the system has other ideas.
---
### **The System's Cruel Joke – Forced Level-Ups**
Every time Kazuki **unintentionally does something impressive**, the system **rewards him.**
#### **[FIRST MATCH – FUJISAWA vs. RANDOM SCHOOL]**
Kazuki, playing as a **defensive midfielder (to avoid scoring)**, accidentally intercepts a pass.
**[NOTICE]**
*"Perfect Tackle executed! +50 EXP"*
**Skill Unlocked:**
- **[Rugby's Brutal Tackle + Soccer Slide] → "Bone Crusher Steal"**
Result? He **annihilates the opposing striker**, sending him flying. The crowd gasps.
Kazuki: *"Shit."*
---
### **The "Phantom Benchwarmer" is Born**
Despite his efforts, Kazuki keeps **accidentally doing cool stuff:**
- **Tries to pass weakly** → System upgrades it into a **"Phantom Thread Pass" (Kuroko's Misdirection + No-Look Pass).**
- **Attempts a lazy shot** → Activates **"Tiger Drive Shot" (Captain Tsubasa)**, nearly breaking the net.
- **Runs away from reporters** → Gains **"Ninja Vanish (Max Level)"**, making him untraceable post-game.
Soon, rumors spread:
*"There's a guy at Fujisawa… who plays like a god but acts like a ghost."*
---
### **Enter the Rivals – "We Will Hunt You"**
Kazuki's attempts at anonymity backfire **spectacularly.**
1. **Young Jinpachi Ego** (pre-Blue Lock) spots him and **grins like a mad scientist.**
- *"A player who refuses to awaken… PERFECT."*
2. **Rin Itoshi (Age 12)** witnesses his "lazy genius" and **vows to destroy him.**
- *"I'll drag you onto the field myself."*
3. **A mysterious striker from a rival school** (future Blue Lock rival) starts **stalking him.**
Kazuki: *"WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE IGNORE ME?!"*
---
### **The Unwanted Power-Up – "Why Am I Leveling Up?!"**
At the end of the chapter, Kazuki checks his **status panel** (against his will):
**[PLAYER: KAZUKI SAITO]**
- **Level:** 15 (How?!)
- **Reputation:** "Phantom of Fujisawa" (NOOOOO)
- **Skills:**
- **"Bone Crusher Steal" (Lv. 3)**
- **"Phantom Thread Pass" (Lv. 2)**
- **"Ninja Vanish" (Lv. MAX)**
**[SYSTEM MESSAGE]**
*"Congratulations! You have unlocked* ***"Reluctant Prodigy"*** *trait!*
*Effect: The more you try to hide your skills, the stronger you become!"*
Kazuki: *"THIS IS BULLSHIT."*
---
### **Cliffhanger – The First Real Challenge**
As Kazuki sulks in the locker room, the door **SLAMS OPEN.**
A **shadowy figure** (later revealed to be a young **Shidou Ryusei**) grins wildly.
*"Oi, 'Phantom.' Let's play a game… if you can keep up."*
Kazuki's soul leaves his body.
**TO BE CONTINUED.**