The Draw
After understanding the harshness of the rules for this World Tournament, everyone nodded in agreement when they heard Mifune Nyudo's words.
The U-17 World Cup finals are naturally incomparable to other types of competitions.
"Alright!"
"Don't think about anything else. Go back and rest to recharge. Remember, don't go out unless you have to!"
"This is especially important, remember this! This is the world! Not the place where you used to play house!"
Mifune Nyudo's fierce voice rang in everyone's ears.
Some players who had experienced expeditions, such as Oni and Irie, understood Mifune's meaning very well.
Using underhanded tactics outside of competition is a common practice around the world.
The cruelty of the world is not just a simple matter of words!
"Also, Byōdōin Hōō and Saeki Muneyoshi, you two go to the group draw! Get out of here!"
This World Cup doesn't have the warm-up exhibition matches like the one two years later, so it starts directly with the group stage knockout rounds.
The competition opens the day after tomorrow, so we must determine our opponents in each group today.
As the commander of the Byōdōin, it was only natural that Japan was arranged by Mifune to participate in the lottery.
As for why Muneyoshi was also invited to participate, it was because his potential was truly valued, and he was regarded as the successor to the next generation, as well as the future leader and pillar.
Byōdōin wasn't the only one with this idea; Mifune Nyudo, Kurobe, and the other instructors all thought so.
Therefore, having Byōdōin mentor Muneyoshi was a way to help him adapt in advance, which is the practice in most countries around the world.
Japan has been dormant for a long time, and it finally showed the potential to rise again with the Byōdōin. In the future, people like Saeki Muneyoshi will emerge. How could they not cherish it?
Therefore, Kurobe had already prepared a black suit for him before he even came to Paris.
Muneyoshi's handsome face in a suit goes without saying, and Byōdōin Hōō...
At this time, Uncle Huang was neither greasy nor weathered; he was at the peak of his good looks.
That's something that can also elicit screams.
Wearing a black suit and sporting striking blond hair, he removed the headband he always wore on his forehead, and the healed scars added to his mature masculine charm.
When Muneyoshi arrived at the lottery hall, it was already packed with people.
Contestants from various countries gathered together, and the exchange of different languages made the whole hall noisy.
"Hi, Saeki! Long time no see!"
Just as Muneyoshi was about to find a seat with Byōdōin, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.
Her voice was very soft and clear, comparable to the sweetest mature female voice.
Muneyoshi turned his head and the first thing he saw was a figure with long, smooth, light golden hair, wearing a women's dress, and with a "beautiful" appearance.
And another very tall European youth.
The Spain Team Mars de Colón and Frio Roman.
As they spoke, Mars gently leaned on Muneyoshi's shoulder, wrapping his arms around his neck. Muneyoshi sniffed, catching a whiff of a wonderfully fragrant perfume.
Having already been teased and embarrassed once before, Muneyoshi is no longer a novice, and he won't blush as easily as he did at the beginning when faced with Mars's behavior.
"Long time no see, Mars, you're still as charming as ever."
However, he used a little force to remove Mars's hand from around him, and said with a smile.
"Saeki finally doesn't blush anymore!"
Mars, who was pushed away, didn't seem to mind at all, and even joked about it in a serious manner.
"Haha, don't blame me for that. Anyone who sees you for the first time would probably be captivated by your beauty, Mars."
"I didn't expect you to be the representative of the Japan Team."
"I didn't expect this either, it's all a coincidence..." Muneyoshi habitually touched his ear, then leaned closer to Mars and asked in a low voice.
Is Antonio alright?
Upon hearing Muneyoshi's question, Mars gave a somewhat forced smile, shook his head, and was about to say something when...
Frio Roman urged them on, and it was Spain's turn to draw their group opponents.
Mars didn't want to linger, so the two nodded to Muneyoshi and Byōdōin in farewell before leaving.
Watching the two figures leave, Muneyoshi seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that Medrano's body had not yet recovered, and he really couldn't make it to this competition.
As for why Muneyoshi knew the two of them, it was simply because he bumped into Antonio when he visited him after Antonio's injury.
After a few encounters, I became familiar with Mars.
"Muneyoshi, are you very familiar with the Spain?"
After finding a seat, Byōdōin glanced at the backs of Mars and Frio Roman and said indifferently.
Although Byōdōin's tone was calm, Muneyoshi could still feel his muscles tense for a moment.
Muneyoshi smiled maliciously, placed his hands on the table, and looked at Byōdōin with a half-smile.
"I went to Spain once during a school trip, and that's where I met Mars. I got along fairly well with him, but as for Frio Roman, we weren't even acquaintances."
Hearing Muneyoshi say that, Byōdōin's tense muscles relaxed slightly, but Muneyoshi's next words made his gaze turn unfriendly.
"However, during the time we spent together, they even invited me to join the Spain Team!"
Upon hearing this, Byōdōin's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and he glanced subtly at the location of Mars and his companion.
"Oh, I see!"
Byōdōin's tone remained completely unchanged, however.
"Hmph! Trying to poach my talent! Spain, huh? Hopefully, I won't run into them!"
The Byōdōin had already marked Spain as a culprit.
Sensing the chill emanating from Byōdōin's body, Muneyoshi smiled inwardly and remained silent.
As everyone arrived, leaders from the World Tennis Association and the French Tennis Association also took their seats.
"The draw for the group stage of the U-17 World Cup will now begin!"
As the host finished speaking, a match schedule appeared on the big screen.
Most of the squares are blank, with only the flags of the world's top four countries— Germany, France, Switzerland, and Spain— appearing.
As the BIG4, they were naturally assigned to different groups that were furthest apart.
As a seeded team, they don't need to go through a draw; they're just here to see who their opponents will be.
The group stage consists of eight groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H.
Groups A, C, E, and G were each assigned to one of the BIG4 teams. This ensured that they wouldn't have internal conflicts and that they wouldn't meet before the semifinals.
The benefits are truly top-notch.
"Please welcome the representative from America Team to the stage!"
The draw began quickly, with America being the first team to be drawn, a strong team ranked high in the world.
Ralph, a first-grader, walked confidently onto the drawing table with a gentle smile on his face.
"The next Japan team!"
As the draw proceeded slowly, the name of the Japan team came over the loudspeaker.
"Muneyoshi, I'll draw the lots this time, but next time it's your turn!"
Byōdōin stood up and spoke to Muneyoshi.
"Yes, senior, remember to draw a good lot."
Muneyoshi nodded. He wasn't surprised by this arrangement, and he was well aware of the coaches' thoughts and expectations.
Byōdōin stepped onto the lottery table with composed steps.
"Hey, is this the captain of the Japan Team?"
"They look quite formidable!"
Teams from many countries whispered and discussed among themselves, but they only talked and didn't take Japan seriously.
After all, the current Japan Team can be considered one of the worst-ranked teams, practically giving away points.
At the signal of a beautiful blonde, blue-eyed host wearing a gold, lace-trimmed bodycon dress, Byōdōin pressed the button next to him.
As the machine rolled, a ball with the letter C on it rolled out.
"Group C!"
Muneyoshi felt a chill run down his spine; it seemed that the gears of Fate were ultimately unshakeable.
The Japan Team finally faced off against the France national team!
"The Japan Team drew the France Team!"
"Great! Another chance to encounter the BIG4 is gone!"
Byōdōin's expression remained unchanged, without the slightest alteration. In fact, a faint smile appeared on his lips as he walked back to Muneyoshi's side.
"Byōdōin- senpai!"
Muneyoshi glanced at Byōdōin and sensed his strong confidence, immediately understanding what he was thinking.
"Muneyoshi, this is a golden opportunity! Japan has been dormant for too long. Only by facing the strongest BIG4 can we make Japan Team name known at the World Tournament!"
Byōdōin opened his dark eyes, revealing a hint of barely suppressed excitement.
This confidence also infected Muneyoshi, who smiled confidently upon hearing this, "Yes, Muneyoshi -Byōdōin, this is indeed a good opportunity!"
P. S.: "Requesting monthly votes"