Meanwhile, at Team Germany's hotel, Ken was sitting with Volk and QP, discussing the player lineup for tomorrow's match. However, the three had fallen into a fierce disagreement—each insisting on their own opinion, their debate growing increasingly heated.
"In yesterday's quarterfinal between Team Japan and Team Switzerland, Oni Juujirou's strength was terrifying. There's a high chance he'll appear again in tomorrow's semifinal, so I suggest we counter him by assigning our Singles 2 to stop him," QP said seriously, his expression sharp.
"No, QP. Your obsession with the Radiance of Strong Heart has clouded your judgment. Oni Juujirou most likely won't appear tomorrow. Instead, Byoudouin Houou and Akashi Seijurō are the ones we should expect at Singles 2 and Singles 1," Ken replied flatly, clearly unconvinced by QP's prediction.
"This year, Team Japan is even more dangerous than Spain or the USA! We can't afford to hold back. Our best bet is to crush them in the first three matches. That way, whether it's Byoudouin or Akashi, neither will even get the chance to play," Volk stated firmly, his tone full of confidence.
The rest of the German players watched the argument in silence, each with a different expression. Bismarck stood off to the side, looking bored but with a faintly amused smirk. Bertie's eyes darted as he calculated quietly, analyzing each viewpoint to find the optimal approach.
Schneider, completely unconcerned, was licking an ice cream he'd somehow acquired, clearly uninterested in the escalating tension. Siegfried and Frankensteiner didn't even dare to interrupt, and Giles wouldn't have been taken seriously even if he did.
The heated discussion dragged on for quite some time. Eventually, even Bertie joined in. It wasn't until night had fully fallen that they finally reached a consensus: they would follow Volk's plan—to finish Team Japan within the first three matches.
———
Elsewhere, outside the Spanish team's hotel, Ryōma stood glaring furiously at Ryōga. Hearing his brother personally confirm that he had joined Team Spain made Ryōma's anger boil over completely. He couldn't understand what on earth his brother was thinking.
"You really are despicable~ Both in your choices and in tennis! Tomorrow, I'll beat you with my own hands, Echizen Ryōga!" Ryōma's tone was cold, his voice filled with rage and resolve.
"Hahaha~ You've grown up all of a sudden, huh, little one? But if you insist on fighting me, you might just lose your tennis," Ryōga laughed, completely unfazed by Ryōma's hostility, his words teasing yet dangerous.
"That's fine by me! This time, we'll finally have a real match!" Ryōma's eyes blazed with determination, refusing to back down.
"Forget it~ You're still too weak, little one," Ryōga said as he reached out and pressed down on Ryōma's cap, shaking it playfully.
"Let go!!! You coward, are you just running away?!" Ryōma shouted angrily, trying to swat his brother's hand away.
"Sorry to interrupt your brotherly reunion," Antonio da Medanoré said calmly from the side, "but Goethe once said, 'The young crave excitement more than instruction.' Since he's already asked for it, Ryōga, you'll face him tomorrow."
"After all, it'll be Team USA's final match this year." Antonio's tone suddenly shifted, dripping with scorn toward Team USA. No one noticed that yesterday, he had been wearing a black shirt—but today, it was white.
———
On the day of the semifinal, every member of Team Japan rose early. Today, they would face the world's current No.1 team—Germany. Even before the tournament began, almost everyone believed Germany would claim the championship once again.
When the players arrived at the stadium with Mifune, they were stunned by what they saw. The stands were filled with familiar faces from other national teams. Leading the French contingent was Camus; from Greece came Zeus and his team; Switzerland's Amadeus and his squad were there as well.
Akashi even spotted the Gorgia brothers and the British team's Keith among the crowd. Except for the USA, nearly every team that had crossed paths with Japan had come to watch.
"Looks like you managed to save Keith and his buddies, huh," Akashi said quietly, glancing sideways at Atobe.
"Hmph~ That's the generosity of ore-sama. Unlike you, I'm not so cold-blooded," Atobe replied reflexively, his trademark smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Akashi didn't react to Atobe's retort—he was already used to it. Instead, his gaze drifted toward the opposite side of the court, only to find that Team Germany had yet to appear. He wasn't sure if this counted as arrogance or just dramatics.
"The U-17 World Cup Semifinal is about to begin! Team Germany vs Team Japan!"
As the referee's voice echoed through the stadium, Akashi suddenly realized the area around him had filled with people. Every member of Team Japan had stepped onto the court, arms over each other's shoulders, forming a tight circle. Akashi's face instantly darkened—he already knew what they were planning. Unfortunately, it was far too late to stop them now.
"The time has come to face the absolute king—Team Germany! Today, we'll drag them down from their throne as the world's number one!" Byoudouin Houou shouted powerfully from beside Akashi.
"OOOOOOHHHHHH!!!" everyone roared in unison—except Akashi. Even Tezuka joined in, his eyes blazing with resolve.
"But if any of you still carry the same mindset as before, you'll never defeat Germany! The exhibition match meant nothing! Yes, they have three professional players, but tell me—how many professionals have we already defeated on our way here?"
"So whether you're a challenger or a supporter, we fight as one! Today, we'll bring down Germany! With everything you have—fight with the will to stake your lives for your pride! Now, together with me—CHARGE!!"
"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!" This time, even Akashi was swept up in Byoudouin's fiery passion, letting out a fierce yell alongside the rest.
"What an intense aura… Team Japan's really fired up," Zeus murmured from the stands, watching the circle of players.
"The moment for revolution has finally arrived. Let the world witness the shock of Japan's new generation," Camus said solemnly, unusually serious.
"Show me how far you can go, Byoudouin…" Amadeus whispered quietly, his eyes fixed on the Japanese captain.
Just then, the host's voice boomed over the broadcast system. Upon hearing it, Team Japan's players frowned—something about it felt different from any match before.
"Now, let us welcome the reigning champions of the last World Cup—Team Germany!"
"The current world's strongest professional player—Volk! This year's No.1 doubles pair—Dankmar and Bertie! Turning professional after this tournament—Bismarck! The elite genius trained by Germany's Talent Division—QP! And the two promising middle school players who stunned in the exhibition match—Siegfried and Frankensteiner!"
As each name was announced, the German team members strode confidently out of the tunnel. The stadium erupted in an ear-splitting roar—waves of cheers so loud it felt like the roof itself might blow off.
"Heh~ So this is what the champion's welcome looks like?" Atobe muttered, his face twisted with disdain.
"That's right. This is the privilege of the victor. In this world, only victory matters. The winner is praised for everything; the loser is denied everything," Akashi replied evenly, his expression calm yet resolute.
"Well, look at that. Didn't expect us to actually agree for once, Akashi-kun," Byoudouin said with a grin, eyes glinting with rare approval.
Soon, both teams took their seats on the benches. But before Japan could settle in, Bertie suddenly stepped away from his teammates and approached their side, his gaze locked firmly on Akashi.
"I have to admit, you got me good last time. But now, every single one of your stats has been input into my system. Pray that you don't face me in doubles, Akashi Seijurō!" Bertie declared confidently.
"Whether or not I play doubles doesn't matter. What matters is that your little provocation just put you on my bad side. I wonder—did you already predict this outcome?" Akashi said softly, stepping forward until he stood right in front of Bertie.
Before anyone could react, Akashi pressed his right hand onto Bertie's shoulder.
Bertie's world spun violently, his legs buckled, and in an instant, he was forced down to one knee. He blinked up in confusion, meeting the piercing crimson-gold eyes staring down at him—eyes that seemed to see through his very soul.
"You're far too arrogant," Akashi said coldly, his voice calm but cutting like a blade.
"Did something happen between you two? The match is about to begin—please return to your teams immediately!" the referee called out, noticing the tension.
Bertie clenched his jaw and stalked back to Germany's bench, his face pale with fury. He was certain—Akashi hadn't used brute force to push him down. It had felt like his own body had willingly obeyed. The realization sent a shiver down his spine.
"The first match of the day is about to begin! Singles 3—Team Germany's Quark Puppe (Second Year High School) versus Team Japan's Tezuka Kunimitsu (Third Year Middle School)! Players, please enter the court!"
"They're sending out their No.2 player right from the start, huh? Looks like Germany wants to finish this quickly," Nanjirō commented from the stands, wearing sunglasses and a mask, his tone amused.