After everything Nagi went through recently, missing the final squad, heading back home, losing motivation, you’d think there might be a chance for him to return. But even in Blue Lock Chapter 303, when Japan Football Union’s chairman Buratsuta directly asks for Nagi to be added back, Ego does not even consider it. He says Nagi Seishiro is not needed anymore.
So why is Ego so against bringing Nagi back in Blue Lock? The answer is, he is just sticking to the system he created.
Nagi Already Peaked, Then Stopped
Ego explained this earlier in Blue Lock Chapter 299. After Nagi beat Isagi, that moment became his highest point. Instead of using that to grow more, Nagi got comfortable. His drive to improve was lost.
And in Blue Lock, Ego only wants players who want to keep getting stronger. Nagi did not do that. Once he felt satisfied, his growth stopped. This also shows in the rankings. Nagi was once ranked #2 during the Neo Egoist League. But by the end, he dropped to #24. The final U-20 squad only includes the top 23 players. Nagi missed the cut both mentally and statistically.
Ego Doesn’t Care About Popularity
Buratsuta’s reason for wanting Nagi back was based on how popular Nagi is. He mentioned how Nagi helped increase views on BLTV and brought attention to Blue Lock. But Ego said that his only goal is to win the U-20 World Cup. For that, he needs players who are still hungry to improve. Even with all the pressure from Buratsuta, Ego did not change his decision.
I have no intention of changing the 23 players I chose for that, Seishiro Nagi isn’t Needed. And I don’t choose Seishiro Nagi .
Ego
Ego’s System Doesn’t Allow Exceptions
Ego is setting up a system that runs on rules and performance. If he starts making exceptions for one player, especially because of outside pressure, the system won’t work anymore.
Letting Nagi back in after ranking 24th would go against everything Blue Lock stands for. Ego wants to remove the old way of choosing players based on connections or feelings. That is exactly what he is trying to fix in Japanese football. Even when Buratsuta warns that Ego could lose his job if Japan fails in the World Cup, Ego does not change his mind.
It’s Nagi’s Fault
Ego’s reason for rejecting Nagi is not personal. It is about how Blue Lock works. Nagi had the skills, but he stopped improving. He got stuck after one big moment and did not push forward after that.
Right now, Ego does not see Nagi as the kind of striker who can help Japan win the World Cup. That is just how it is. But even after getting locked off, the story is not done with Nagi yet. The manga is still showing what he is going through, and the focus is still on him a lot. So there is a chance he might come back later.
Blue Lock Chapter 304 is coming out on May 27. We will find out if anything changes, but knowing Ego, he won’t make space for someone who has already given up.
