"I know you're all feeling great after two straight wins in the group stage, but don't you dare drop your guard! Tomorrow's opponent, the England Team, is currently ranked seventh in the world. They just beat Greece, so don't underestimate them!" Mifune barked coldly, pouring a bucket of ice water over the team's high spirits.
"Also, I'll be leading the team personally tomorrow. But as for who goes on court, you can decide that yourselves. Substitutions are allowed during the group stage anyway!" he continued after seeing everyone's expression turn serious.
"Don't think that two wins mean you can look down on the world, brats!" Byoudouin said flatly before turning and walking back to his room.
Meanwhile, Akashi was deep in thought, trying to recall who those familiar-looking England players were. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember where he had seen them before.
Just then, Atobe's figure passed in front of him. In that instant, a flash went off in Akashi's mind—like Conan uncovering a key clue. He seemed to have figured out who those people were.
"You've gotta be kidding me. Has this timeline really gone off the rails this much?" Akashi muttered under his breath.
At the same time, players from other teams had already received the results of the Greece vs. England match and were discussing the Japan Team's near-guaranteed qualification. Over in the German camp, Volk and Q.P. were locked in a fierce rally, seemingly testing out some special new technique.
"So you went to Japan, Tokugawa Kazuya... that's quite an interesting name," Medanore murmured to himself, gazing at the dossier in his hand inside Spain's castle-style hotel.
"Duke... I expected as much, but Japan's overall strength this year has exceeded my imagination. Looks like we might really get the chance for another showdown," Camus said softly in the French team's hotel, staring at Duke's file.
"Heh~~~ everyone's fired up, huh? Then let's settle it in the finals!" In the American team's hotel, Ryōma grinned, holding the Group B match chart in his hand. His eyes gleamed with fighting spirit.
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The next afternoon, the Japan Team set out for the group-stage arena under Coach Mifune's lead. The morning match between Greece and Australia had just ended with Greece's clean 3–0 victory. Even with Noah on their side, Australia had no chance—the cleverest cook can't make a meal without ingredients.
Australia had pinned their hopes on England and Japan, but after yesterday's crushing loss to Japan, their situation was dire. With only one win each among the remaining three teams, if Japan beat England today, the final ranking would have to be decided by game difference.
When the Japan Team arrived at the stadium, the atmosphere was lively, though far calmer than yesterday—there weren't many Australian locals watching this time.
Their supporters were finally allowed to enter the venue too, no longer forced to watch from the giant screens outside. Kawamura Takashi once again raised a huge banner in the stands. Though no Seigaku members were playing today, they were all part of the Japan Team now.
Of course, the Hyōtei group was also out in full force. Kabaji even joined Kawamura in holding the banner. To everyone's surprise, there were dozens of Hyōtei supporters gathered nearby—clearly Atobe's doing.
After arriving, Akashi and the others headed toward the players' lounge, while Byoudouin and his group followed Mifune to the court. The England players entered almost at the same time as Japan.
When Akashi saw the opposing lineup on the lounge screen, his suspicions were confirmed. He knew those three faces all too well.
'So it really is them... Peter, Keith, and Ling Xiu! But why are they here? If I remember right, the Clack Organization was an illegal group, wasn't it?' Akashi thought, eyes narrowing at the screen.
Indeed, the three men who caught Akashi's attention were none other than the Clack Organization's core members, who had occupied the Atobe family's English castle in the original story. Keith and Ling Xiu were even among the organization's founders.
But because of Akashi's interference, events from that timeline's movie arc had never happened here. After the national tournament, everyone was busy preparing for the U-17 World Cup, and the training camp had already summoned the junior players early. None of them had the time to attend the World Youth Tennis Exchange at Wimbledon.
As Akashi thought about it, his gaze shifted to Atobe on the screen. He couldn't help wondering how that castle owned by the Atobe family was doing now. Without Ryōma and the others wrecking it, maybe it was still perfectly intact? Probably…
On court, as Atobe was sorting through his bag in the players' seats, a familiar and excited voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"I knew I wasn't mistaken! It really is you, Atobe Keigo!"
"Hah? Ore-sama was wondering who it was… never thought you guys—Leon and the others—would actually join the England Team!" Atobe turned around and smiled at the two familiar figures, his tone still dripping with arrogance.
"You haven't changed one bit. Always showing that same confidence," said Eric with a chuckle beside Leon.
"Heh~ that's because ore-sama has the right to be confident. By the way, where's Charlie? You three are usually inseparable," Atobe replied with his usual narcissistic flair before asking.
"He's probably watching us from the players' lounge through the screen. Charlie played on the first day of the group stage, but... he lost completely," Leon said, sighing softly at the memory.
"Anyway, you'd better be careful of those three today. Their tennis style is totally different from ours! I also heard they made some kind of deal with the Tennis Association. In short—it's dangerous!" Eric warned seriously, giving Atobe a meaningful look. The three he mentioned were Keith, Ling Xiu, and Peter.
"Oh? Now that's interesting~" Atobe clearly didn't take Eric's warning seriously. Instead, his eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked over at Keith and the others.
Soon after, Leon and Eric said goodbye and returned to the England bench. Since their teams were facing each other today, it wasn't the time for chatting. Still, Leon and Atobe had already agreed to meet up again after the match.
"Looks like you know the other side pretty well. And it seems they're about to play too. How about you take the court for Doubles Two?" Byoudouin suggested, glancing at Atobe.
"Heh~ Ore-sama should be playing Singles, but… your proposal doesn't sound too bad," Atobe replied coolly, pretending not to care, though he clearly didn't mind the idea.
"In that case, why don't I be your partner, Atobe-chan~?" Tanegashima said cheerfully as he walked up beside him.
"Don't call ore-sama that! I'm not that guy Akashi!" Atobe snapped, clearly irritated by the nickname, though he didn't refuse the idea of pairing with Tanegashima.
"Yeah, yeah~ I got it, Atobe-chan~" Tanegashima replied casually, waving his hand with a grin before strolling toward the court with his racket in hand, leaving Atobe grinding his teeth behind him.
"The next match of the U-17 World Cup Group B—Doubles Two! For England: Leon Wakefield, 3rd Year Middle School; Eric Paddington, 3rd Year Middle School! For Japan: Tanegashima Shūji, 3rd Year High School; Atobe Keigo, 3rd Year Middle School! Players, please enter the court!"
Tanegashima, Leon, and Eric walked onto the court together, while Atobe stood behind the baseline. Suddenly, he raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. In an instant, a wave of deafening cheers swept through the entire stadium.
"Winner is Atobe!"
"Winner is Atobe!"
"Winner is Atobe!"
"That brat's actually using his mental energy for this?!" Byoudouin twitched at the sight, a cross mark forming faintly on his forehead.
Spectators from other countries were stunned. They hadn't even cheered, so why did it sound like the whole arena was shouting Atobe's name?
Amid the thunderous applause, Atobe stepped slowly onto the court, while Tanegashima and the others wore helpless smiles. But our Atobe-sama didn't care what anyone thought. He strode to the net, threw his coat high into the air, snapped his fingers again—and the entire arena fell silent.
"Let the whole world drown in ore-sama's magnificent beauty!" Atobe declared proudly, his voice dripping with supreme confidence.