On the Cliff of the Heart, Mifune was drinking when the sound of a phone rang from inside the cave. He frowned, clearly annoyed, put down his gourd, walked inside, grabbed the receiver, and shouted,
"What is it! Don't you know this is my drinking time?"
"Sorry~ Head Coach, the staff just reported that the first-string members have landed. They'll rest for the night at a hotel near the base and arrive at the camp early tomorrow morning. Everything you instructed earlier is more or less ready," Kurobe's voice came through the line.
"Oh? Byōdōin and the others are back this fast? A few days earlier than I expected, but no matter. That brat Akashi's side is fine, right?"
"Right now, aside from Oni-kun, Courts No. 1 and No. 2 are entirely occupied by middle schoolers. I think Akashi-kun already has a plan. He's probably just waiting for Byōdōin and the others to come back."
"Heh~ The show we've been waiting for is finally about to start. I'll come down the mountain tomorrow too—there's no way I'd miss such a spectacle. Of course, before the World Cup begins, the camp is still in your hands."
"Yes! Understood, Head Coach!"
Mifune hung up without hesitation, grabbed his gourd, and took a heavy swig. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes as he muttered to himself,
"Make as much noise as you want—the bigger, the better! Byōdōin brat, let's see if you can keep control this time~"
At the camp base, after Akashi and the others had taken over Court No. 1, the middle schoolers happily headed to the dining hall for a group meal. Tonight, they were going to celebrate—not only had their previously absent companions returned, but the camp was now almost entirely under middle schooler control.
After a lively feast, most had eaten their fill. Akashi clapped his hands to draw attention, his expression serious as he spoke.
"Even though almost all of us are now on Courts No. 1 and No. 2, I believe most of you know the truth—the truly strong players in this camp have been away on the overseas expedition. They should be returning in the next two days, so now is not the time to relax."
"Hmph! I haven't relaxed for a second! And it's about time I settled a certain score!" Sanada was the first to respond, his gaze showing rare ferocity.
"Heh~ Careful you don't end up like last time, beaten black and blue," Atobe said with amusement, eyeing Sanada.
"Atobe! I won't repeat my mistakes. I'm now without any blind spots!" Sanada's eyes sharpened, unleashing the aura of the Path of Asura.
"Hah? No blind spots? How about I freeze you solid again, Sanada!" Atobe shot back, his own mental pressure rising, on the verge of activating the Ice Emperor.
Just then, an immense wave of mental force swept through the dining hall, crushing both of their auras. Yukimura, smiling, his hair and jacket stirring without wind, was clearly the one responsible.
"Now isn't the time for infighting. I think we should let Akashi-kun finish," Yukimura said in a seemingly gentle tone.
Among the crowd, a few first- and second-years trembled at the clash between the top players. Captains, vice-captains—none of them were people they could afford to provoke. It was best to stay quiet and listen.
"According to the coaching staff, all the first-string members abroad will return tomorrow. As per tradition here, the second-string or strong high schoolers will be chosen to challenge for a spot in the first string. However, this time, we middle schoolers will not be on the challengers' list," Akashi continued once Sanada and Atobe had backed down.
"So, Akashi-kun, you must have something else planned for us~" Fuji said with a faint smile.
"Based on Akashi's prior behavior patterns and the current strength of the middle schoolers…" A glint flashed across Inui Sadaharu's glasses as he spoke.
"Once the first-string roster is confirmed, the probability of immediately launching a team challenge is 100%," Yanagi Renji finished for him.
"Tch~ I don't care about the rest, but Oni—that guy is mine to deal with!" Akutsu said, his expression turning savage.
"Finally, we can go all out in a match! Right, Chitose?" Tachibana Kippei laughed freely, turning his gaze to Chitose.
"Mm~ It's about time we saw just how strong our seniors have become after being tempered on the world stage!" Chitose replied with fighting spirit in his eyes.
"Heh~~~ sounds fun! Why not count me in too?" Ryōma suddenly jumped in.
"I'm in! I'm in!" Kintarō, seeing Ryōma speak up, immediately sprang forward and shouted loudly.
Akashi gave Ryōma a meaningful look, the overwhelming pressure of the Emperor Eye making him slightly uncomfortable. He adjusted his new cap to cover it up and said nothing more, while Kintarō also quieted down under Krauser's gaze.
"Inui and Yanagi guessed right! Once the first-string roster is confirmed, I'll request a team shuffle match between the middle schoolers and high schoolers. The Head Coach has already approved it, and the coaching staff should be ready as well. Now, I need every one of you to be at your best—let those high schoolers know that we are the rulers of this era!" As Akashi finished, the trait of one who witnesses everything burst forth in full.
"Ou!!!!!!" With Akashi's words, the crowd erupted in excited shouts.
That night, the middle schoolers, buzzing with energy, gathered in the dorms discussing and speculating over who would be chosen as representatives to compete. In the heated atmosphere, a few overexcited ones started stirring trouble.
"Who are you saying isn't qualified to represent us, you damn snake?!" Momoshiro shouted in annoyance, glaring at Kaidō in the hallway.
"I'm talking about you, muscle-for-brains!!" Kaidō shot back, staring him down without a hint of backing off.
"Hah?" "Hah?" The two pressed their foreheads together, about to brawl, when suddenly four or five pillows came flying from down the hall, striking both unprepared and knocking them over.
"Yeah~~~ direct hits! Nya~" Turning toward the corner of the hall, they saw Kikumaru making faces at them.
"Too bad, see you next week!" Kikumaru called out his catchphrase and slipped away.
"Kikumaru-senpai!!!" Momoshiro and Kaidō shouted in unison, then exchanged an awkward glance, each giving a cold snort before chasing in the direction Kikumaru had gone.
"Swift as fire!!!" Sanada, holding two pillows, spun twice and a half before hurling them hard.
"Heh~ Foolish! Be frozen solid! Atobe Kingdom!" Countless ice crystals shot from Atobe's eyes. After dodging Sanada's throw, he countered, leaving Sanada frozen stiff in place, taking a pillow square in the face.
"This… is… Tezuka Zone!!!" Ibu Shinji and Kamio Akira exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Uh… using Tezuka Zone here actually makes it easier to get hit, right…?" Fuji Yūta said uncertainly.
On the other side, a huge white vortex rose around Tezuka, pulling in all the pillows nearby… before he collapsed in spectacular fashion.
"Abare Dama! Ha!!" With Tachibana's roar, a storm of pillows rained down, instantly burying Sengoku and the Toudou brothers.
"I'm gonna dye you completely red! Hahahaha!!!" In his demon form, Kirihara manically hurled a flood of pillows forward.
"Ara~ That's not very polite, Kirihara!" A gentle voice sounded behind him. The next second, Kirihara's mind went completely clear, though his demon mode didn't fade—he had entered angel mode.
Yukimura, smiling as always, looked at him. Then the entire space began to crack apart, and soon shattered completely. Across from him lay a group of people sprawled on the floor, limbs flailing aimlessly.
"Looks like you've all had quite the terrible nightmares~" Yukimura said with the same gentle smile.
"Watch this! Super Ultra Great Delicious Mountain Storm!!!" Kintarō's excited yell echoed through the hall, followed by a deafening crash.
"You idiot!!! The dorm door's gonna fall off!!!" someone shouted in panic.