There's no direct train from Tokyo to Fukuoka. You need to take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Osaka and then transfer to the Sanyo Line to reach Fukuoka.
This transfer alone consumed most of the morning, which was why the group had to depart for Fukuoka a day in advance. If they traveled on the day of the competition, they would miss the Jade Dragon Flag entirely.
Inside the Shinkansen coach, the boys' enthusiasm remained undiminished as they continued their lively banter and chat. Some even produced snacks to share, reminiscent of elementary school students on a spring outing. When a group of adolescent boys gathers, their collective IQ tends to plummet to that of grade schoolers. This refers to typical boys, not high school delinquents.
