Suddenly pinned under the intense gazes of the two high schoolers, even the usually fearless Kintarou shrank back slightly.
He swallowed hard, unnerved by their oni and phoenix masks. Something about them sent a primal chill down his spine.
"Hey, kid," Duke said, forcing a friendly tone. "You mentioned there's a middle schooler even stronger than you two?"
"Yeah!" Kintarou nodded eagerly. "Ishikawa from Hyotei—he's crazy strong! Even me and Echizen couldn't beat him. Oh, and he's their vice-captain!"
The two keywords clicked instantly in Byoudouin and Duke's minds.
Behind his phoenix mask, Byoudouin's expression darkened.
Losing to Ishikawa before hadn't shaken him—but now, realizing his opponent was a middle schooler?
A storm of emotions raged inside him.
"Huh?" Kintarou tilted his head. "Do you guys know Ishikawa?"
"Nah, no way!" Duke laughed it off. "We're just surprised there's someone stronger than you two. So… he didn't join the camp selections?"
"Nope," Kintarou sighed. "Hyotei said he had some urgent stuff. He'll come later."
Then, his eyes lit up.
"Oh! Oni-mask senpai! That move you used earlier—can you teach me?!"
"Uh…" Duke blinked before chuckling. "Sure, but you're not strong enough yet."
"I'll train like crazy!" Kintarou slammed his fists together, eyes blazing.
Byoudouin's cold voice cut in. "U-17 rules say missing the group eliminations means disqualification."
Kintarou's face paled.
Even Echizen stiffened.
Without another word, they grabbed their rackets and bolted. Kintarou shouted over his shoulder, "Oni-senpai! You promised!"
Duke waved as they vanished. "Those kids… something else." He grinned. "That redhead? Spitting image of Oni."
Byoudouin's mask hid his smirk, but his shoulders shook briefly before he schooled his expression.
"Boss," Duke turned serious. "What's the plan?"
He'd followed Byoudouin for his indomitable spirit. But after the loss to Ishikawa, something had dimmed in the former king.
Now, Duke searched his leader's eyes for that familiar fire.
"Hmph." Byoudouin removed his mask, voice low. "My goal was never just beating others. The only opponent that matters is myself."
Duke grinned. "That's the boss I know."
The unshakable heart was still there.
"Train harder." Byoudouin's gaze sharpened. "We leave for the expedition in a month. No time to waste."
He'd reclaim what he lost—stronger than ever.
"Got it." Duke ripped off his mask, eyes glinting crimson. "Guess I'll stop holding back too."
Meanwhile – U-17 Camp
Shiraishi, Tezuka, and the others stared as the two burst into the now-empty center court.
Only half the original 50 middle schoolers remained.
"Where is everyone?!" Kintarou gaped. "Choutarou-senpai! Koharu-senpai?!"
Fuji sighed. "They're gone."
The coaches had enforced the rules mercilessly—those who lost were sent home immediately.
"You two," a smooth voice interrupted. "Arriving late means automatic disqualification."
"NO WAY!" Kintarou flailed. "We had a good reason! Give us another chance!"
"Hmm?" Coach Aizou smirked. "Fine. But the loser gets expelled. Still want to play?"
Kintarou and Echizen froze.
The surrounding players tensed. A duel between these two would be explosive—but only one could stay.
"Wait—Echizen, your racket?!" Kikumaru gasped.
Everyone stared. Both their rackets were twisted beyond recognition.
What the hell had they been through?
"Coach," Echizen stepped forward, voice steady. "Start the match."
"Yeah!" Kintarou cracked his knuckles. "Let's do this!"
The air thickened with anticipation.
"Just kidding~" Aizou sang. "Rules are rules. Follow me."
He strolled off, leaving the two deflated.
The eliminated players stood before a sheer mountain face, confusion mounting—until Aizou reappeared with Kintarou and Echizen.
"Climb," he said simply. "If you want back in."
With that, he vanished.
"Hmph." Sanada was the first to move.
One by one, the others followed.
Aizou watched from the trees, satisfied. "Come back stronger."
The Japanese U-17 team arrived at their hotel, Ishikawa leading with calm authority.
"Matches start tomorrow," he said. "No unauthorized outings. Any objections?"
This was his first expedition as captain—failure wasn't an option.
"Report: Target missing."
A spy's voice crackled through the phone.
"No sign of Byoudouin."
Coach Park Dong-geon smirked. "Perfect."
Across from him, Korea's No. 1—Lee Seung-bu—frowned.
His chance to challenge the legendary king… gone?
"Rest well," Park patted his shoulder. "Victory is ours."
As Lee left, Park's grin widened.
No Byoudouin meant no threat.
Japan was already defeated.
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