With Tezuka's victory over Yukimura Seiichi, the tournament score stood deadlocked at 2-2. The championship would be decided by the final singles match—a clash between each school's second-strongest player that felt like a battle between generals determining the fate of kingdoms.
Under normal circumstances, Genichirō Sanada would have dominated Fuji without question. The Rikkaidai vice-captain's aggressive power game and signature techniques had made him nearly invincible among his generation. But these weren't normal circumstances.
The Bamboo Staff training had fundamentally transformed Fuji's approach to competition. No longer content to rely purely on natural talent and defensive counters, he had developed the killer instinct necessary to seize victory rather than simply react to opponents. His climactic battle with Tezuka before leaving the ship had awakened something primal and competitive within his usually serene demeanor.
Sanada remained formidable, but without his ultimate technique "Still as the Forest" fully developed, he lacked the complete arsenal needed to overcome Fuji's evolved capabilities.
The match proved to be a grueling war of endurance, with both players pushing their limits through extended rallies and tactical complexity. In the end, Fuji's superior conditioning and mental fortitude allowed him to claim victory 7-5, ending Rikkaidai's unprecedented dominance.
Yamabuki had defeated the undisputed kings of Kanto tennis, finally breaking their streak at fourteen consecutive championships.
"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!" The Yamabuki players gathered in a spontaneous circle, their voices echoing throughout the arena as pure joy overwhelmed their usual composure.
"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!" Even the normally serious Tezuka joined the celebration, his rare smile worth more than any trophy.
For the 22,000 spectators, witnessing this historic moment felt like a privilege regardless of their allegiances. They had seen either the birth of a fifteenth consecutive championship or the crowning of new kings—both outcomes carried tremendous significance for Japanese tennis.
As confetti fell and cameras flashed during the medal ceremony, the reign of the new champions had officially begun.
After the formal presentations concluded, Tezuka approached the Bamboo Staff group as they prepared to depart.
"Everyone, please wait a moment!"
"What is it?" Gustave asked, noting the unusual excitement in their captain's typically controlled demeanor.
"We'd like to invite all of you to join our victory celebration tonight," Tezuka explained. "Kawamura's family operates a sushi restaurant, and we thought it would be fitting to celebrate there."
"Hmm? I thought you'd want to celebrate at the Bamboo Staff like usual," Gustave replied with curiosity.
"We've always celebrated with your cooking," Tezuka said with what might have been the ghost of a smile. "This time, we'd like to reverse roles—let us cook while you enjoy the meal."
The idea had originated with Kawamura immediately after their championship victory. After discussion, the entire team had embraced the concept of showing appreciation for their Otherworldly friends by demonstrating their own culinary skills.
"What do you think?" Gustave turned to consult his companions.
Tom nodded enthusiastically before anyone else could speak. While Gustave handled most cooking duties, Tom inevitably found himself pressed into kitchen service whenever large groups visited. The prospect of eating without any preparation responsibilities held obvious appeal.
"Chan'er wants to try everyone's cooking!" the young girl declared with bright excitement, raising her hand like an eager student.
"Sounds wonderful to me," Po agreed with his characteristic gentle smile.
One by one, the rest of the Otherworldly group voiced their approval for the evening's plans.
Instead of returning directly to the Bamboo Staff, they found a quiet park to rest while Tezuka's team returned to their accommodations for showers and fresh clothes. The celebration would begin once everyone had properly prepared for the occasion.
Kawamura's family establishment had operated for decades as a neighborhood institution, passed down from his grandfather's generation. The modest sushi restaurant might not have been large, but its reputation for quality had created a loyal customer base throughout the local community.
Though Kawamura hadn't played in today's final, his father had still closed the restaurant early to attend the tournament and support the team. Upon learning of their championship victory, the elder Kawamura had immediately suggested hosting the celebration at their establishment—an offer that the team had accepted with gratitude after brief discussion.
When the combined groups arrived that evening, the restaurant's interior transported them back in time. Traditional wooden fixtures, faded photographs of regular customers, and the weathered patina of countless shared meals created an atmosphere of comfortable nostalgia.
"Oh my, I didn't expect so many guests tonight," Kawamura's father said with concern as he surveyed the crowd. "The ingredients I prepared yesterday won't be sufficient for a group this size."
"Takashi, please entertain our friends while I drive to the market for additional supplies," he instructed his son, already reaching for his car keys.
"Mr. Kawamura, wait!" Gustave called out quickly. "If you're short on ingredients, let me borrow your car. I have access to some exceptional fresh products that would be perfect for tonight."
When it came to ingredient quality, Gustave couldn't guarantee superiority in all categories, but for seafood specifically, nothing could match the pristine waters of the One Piece world.
"Absolutely not—I can't allow guests to cover our expenses," the older man protested with the fierce pride of a traditional shopkeeper.
"Mr. Kawamura, please don't argue about this," Gustave insisted gently. "It's already decided."
"Shanks, you should see the quality of Mr. Gustave's seafood," Takashi added supportively. "It's genuinely extraordinary."
"You ridiculous boy!" Kawamura's father moved toward his son with obvious intent to deliver disciplinary action for suggesting guests pay for ingredients.
"Mr. Kawamura, please!" Multiple voices intervened to protect the hapless Takashi from his father's righteous indignation.
After considerable persuasion, the elder Kawamura grudgingly accepted Gustave's offer and handed over the car keys with obvious reluctance.
Gustave drove to a secluded area where he could safely access the Gate of All Worlds without observation. A quick trip to the Bamboo Staff allowed him to collect the finest specimens from their refrigeration units—massive swimming crabs, premium black tiger prawns, fresh-caught fish of various species, and an assortment of complementary vegetables.
Upon returning to the restaurant, Kawamura's father's eyes immediately lit up as he examined the provisions.
"Mr. Gustave, this seafood quality is absolutely extraordinary!" he exclaimed with professional appreciation. "I haven't seen swimming crabs this magnificent in years!"
"And these black tiger prawns—look at that size and color!" His expertise allowed him to recognize truly premium ingredients at first glance.
"I'm confident I can create something memorable with these tonight," he declared with the satisfaction of a craftsman presented with perfect raw materials.
"I'm glad they meet your standards," Gustave replied modestly.
Despite Gustave's offers to help, Kawamura's father firmly relegated him to guest status while enlisting his son for the heavy lifting. Together, they transported the multiple boxes of seafood and vegetables into their professional kitchen.
Watching the father-son team disappear behind the kitchen doors, Gustave felt an unusual sensation of restlessness. Being served rather than serving created an unfamiliar dynamic that left him slightly off-balance.
The last time he'd simply waited while others cooked had been during their visit to Lin Jiu's world, he realized. Speaking of which, Zhang Zhiwei hadn't returned to the Bamboo Staff since establishing his residence in that dimension. Perhaps tomorrow would be a good day to check on the old Heavenly Master's situation.
The kitchen remained active for several hours as complex preparations continued behind closed doors. By the time dinner was finally announced, full darkness had settled over the city.
As befitted a sushi restaurant, the evening's centerpiece consisted of an elaborate sushi selection crafted by the master himself. But the meal extended far beyond raw fish—tempura with perfectly crispy batters, precise sashimi cuts that showcased decades of knife training, rich sukiyaki featuring the premium ingredients, fresh vegetable salads, and an array of grilled seafood preparations filled every available inch of table space.
Gustave began with a piece of traditional nigiri, immediately recognizing the expertise behind its creation. The decades of experience showed in every aspect—the temperature and seasoning of the rice, the precise thickness of the fish, and the balanced proportions that created harmony rather than competition between elements.
Next, he sampled the sashimi, marveling at the translucent quality achieved through master-level knife work. Each slice demonstrated the kind of technical precision that could only be developed through years of dedicated practice.
The sukiyaki, seafood preparations, and salads all maintained the same high standard, creating a feast that thoroughly impressed even Gustave's professional palate. Tonight marked a rare opportunity to experience someone else's culinary artistry without any responsibility for its creation.
As conversation and laughter filled the traditional restaurant, surrounded by the warmth of both old friendships and new bonds, Gustave reflected on how satisfying it felt to occasionally step back from his usual role as provider and simply enjoy the fruits of others' labor.
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