A pillow fight in the middle school dorm building had stirred up a huge commotion, even alarming the coaching staff. In the end, with the suppression of multiple staff members and three coaches, the middle schoolers finally quieted down.
Notably, Akashi had not participated in this pillow fight. He had just been discussing the next day's matters with the three coaches when he heard the ruckus in the dorms, leaving them all stunned for a fraction of a second.
'Why do these guys have to pull this stunt every training camp… Such a pity I wasn't there this time!' Akashi thought to himself.
The next day, along the wooded path near the gate of the U-17 training base, a group in Japan Team uniforms slowly approached from afar—it was Byoudouin and his group returning.
"Looks like nothing's changed here~" Toono Atsukyou said with a wicked grin as he eyed the camp gate.
"It's only been just over three months. What could've changed~" Oomagari Ryuuji replied lazily, yawning.
"Heh~~~ So this is the U-17 training camp? Not quite what I imagined!" The hooded boy tossing an orange spoke with playful interest.
"Hmph! Those useless coaches must already know we're back. They're probably waiting just behind the gate. Let's go in!" Byoudouin, walking in front, barked coldly.
As his words fell, the camp gate slowly opened to both sides. Sure enough, behind it stood a group led by Kurobe and the others.
"Thank you all for your hard work on this expedition. Welcome back! Though it seems a few people are missing," Kurobe Yukio said evenly to Byoudouin and the rest of the first-string members.
"Heh~ Drop the act, wasn't this all arranged by you?" Byoudouin sneered.
"Ma~ ma~ Just routine procedure, nothing more," Saitou Itaru replied with a smiling squint.
"You lot really haven't changed at all—still just as boring!" Byoudouin suddenly laughed aloud.
"Oh? There's someone here I don't recognize!" Saitou suddenly looked toward the hooded boy.
"Picked him up overseas. He's got decent skills, and apparently Japanese nationality, so I brought him back," Byoudouin introduced casually.
"First time meeting you. Please take care of me~" The hooded boy stopped tossing his orange, lifted his head, and greeted with a playful tone. Under the hood was none other than Echizen Ryōga's roguish face.
Meanwhile, on the central plaza's notice board, a long list had been posted, showing the leaders of each court—except for Courts No. 1 and No. 2. Every name on it belonged to a high schooler.
"Looks like the first-string members must be back. Is this the reserve member list? But why aren't there any middle schoolers?" a high schooler asked in confusion.
"Who knows~ Maybe the coaches think the middle schoolers still can't challenge the first string," another high schooler answered uncertainly.
"Yeah right~ With those little monsters, even the first string might have a hard time!" a third-year beside them clearly disagreed.
At that moment, Akashi led the middle schoolers into the central plaza. The high schoolers, seeing this, instinctively moved aside to open a path for them. Judging by how practiced they looked, it was probably already a habit.
Akashi stopped before the notice board, glanced at the list, and said nothing. This had already been planned with Mifune, but he did notice one familiar name— Irie Kanata.
"I wonder who Irie-senpai will challenge this time?" Shiraishi mused with curiosity.
"Probability of challenging No. 20 is 100%," Inui Sadaharu stated flatly.
"That's exactly the sort of thing Irie-senpai would do. All we have to do now is wait for the results," Oshitari said with an amused smile.
"Let's go. We'll wait for the final results from the viewing platform," Akashi said indifferently before turning to lead the middle schoolers toward the plaza's high platform.
On the other side, Byoudouin's group, led by staff, arrived outside the central plaza. Byoudouin only gave it a faint glance before turning straight toward the dormitory building.
"There are still so many useless people in this camp!" Byoudouin said with dissatisfaction, though he didn't seem to care much.
"I heard they already cleared out a batch, boss!" Watanabe replied with a smile as he followed behind.
"Heh~ So what if they did? Forget it! I wonder how that so-called elite Ghost has been training. I'm looking forward to him walking to his own destruction!" Byoudouin said with a cruel smile.
"Tokugawa Kazuya, huh?" Watanabe muttered softly.
On a spacious court, Suzuki Jun and Mube Itsuki stared at the twin brothers before them with unusually serious expressions. Mube spoke first.
"You should know why we're here, Mutsu!"
"Overestimating yourselves!" the Mutsu brothers answered in unison.
"Don't underestimate us! Our strength has improved a lot during this time! This time, no matter what, we're going to beat you!" Suzuki said firmly.
"Then let's start. Don't waste time," Mutsu Yuma said slowly, then walked to the backcourt with his younger brother, Mutsu Yuho.
On another court, Irie smiled warmly at Akiba Kōyō, as if greeting an old friend. Unfortunately, Akiba showed no interest, speaking coldly.
"My opponent is you, Irie? Against me, who's seen the world, you don't stand a chance!"
"Is that so? Maybe. But I still want to give it a try. What if I succeed?" Irie kept his smile, unfazed.
"Heh~ You'll regret staying in this camp!" Akiba sneered and walked to the backcourt to prepare for the match.
On a court in the east, Tokugawa wore a complicated expression. Across from him, Ibuya Tetsujin looked calm, speaking with some surprise.
"I didn't expect you to be the one challenging me, Tokugawa! Didn't you always set your sights on Byoudouin?"
"In the past, my vision was too narrow. I'll still challenge Byoudouin, but right now, all I need to do is beat you!" Tokugawa frowned slightly, then replied coldly.
"Is that so? Looks like something interesting happened while I was away. Fine then, let me see the strength of an overseas elite!" Ibuya said with a slight smile.
"Game! 6-0! Match over!"
"I thought you two might've improved, but you're still so pathetic!" Mutsu Yuho said with disdain, looking at Suzuki and Mube lying on the court.
"Da…damn it! We even entered Synchronization…" Suzuki struggled to prop himself up, unwilling to accept it.
"Even in Synchronization, there's a world of difference between levels! With your half-baked state, you're not qualified to challenge the world!" Mutsu Yuma shattered Suzuki's resolve without mercy.
"Maybe… that's true… but we've already found… some outstanding juniors! They'll definitely take our place…" Mube's words trailed off as he lost consciousness.
"Juniors? Could they mean…""Those newly recruited middle schoolers?" The Mutsu brothers exchanged a look, interest in their eyes.
"Game! 6-0! Match over!"
"Tch, really? This level dares to challenge us? Right, Rikiya?" Danji Date curled his lip in disappointment, glancing at Ban Rikiya.
"As expected. Don't mind it, Danji," Ban Rikiya replied cheerfully.
On the opposite side, Imai Sōta and Nakama Yūki lay unconscious on the court, eyes rolled back, both bearing various injuries.
"You haven't changed at all—your tennis! I think right, you run right. I think left, you run left! Your mind-reading trick is good, but to me now, it's just a farce!" Akiba said calmly to Irie.
"Looks like going overseas really boosted your strength, Akiba. Maybe you could tell me about it," Irie replied warmly.
"With your cheap dramatics, you think you can challenge the world? Don't make me laugh!" Akiba shot back coldly.
"Who are you to criticize my acting?!" A massive black hole shadow suddenly loomed behind Irie.
"Game! 6-4! Match over!"
Irie slung his tennis bag over his shoulder, smiling as he walked off the court. Behind him, Akiba lay face-down, eyes rolled back, his hat far away outside the court as if silently telling an unknown story.
"Game! 6-1! Match over!"
"Sheesh… looks like I've completely lost to you, Tokugawa," Ibuya said with a bitter smile.
"Your Mirror Eye is indeed impressive, but unfortunately, I've now seen an even stronger eye," Tokugawa replied calmly.