Phoenix Nirvana

Struggling to his feet, Byōdōin picked up his racket and gently wiped the dust off his face.

He ignored the gaping wound on his back, the blood beginning to seep out, and the terrifying aura in his eyes grew even stronger.

Many players from the national teams on the sidelines also noticed something.

"That Japan commander is injured, and quite badly!"

Amadeus, one of the Switzerland Team, suddenly spoke up.

His words made the Switzerland Team's captain nod, and recalling Duke's words at the beginning of the game, it's not hard to guess that the injury was caused at that time.

"The Japan Team is really... a cruel twist of fate!"

Many of those present who noticed the discrepancy sighed. As for how much of their sighs were out of pity for the Japan Team, and how much were out of disappointment at missing France's embarrassment, that's a matter of opinion.

Bang!

"2-1."

Bang!

5-3.

After undergoing a transformation, Duke fought with increasing ferocity, and the powerful Destruction Demon God also left Byōdōin's Asura Path riddled with holes.

"Game, France Team wins, score 7-6."

Duke Watanabe's resurgence secured the second set, while Byōdōin's performance deteriorated further.

"Chief Instructor Mifune, should we give Byōdōin some emergency treatment?"

Seeing that Byōdōin's back was covered in blood that had turned black, Kurobe was both anxious and panicked. The current situation was not good for the Japan Team.

"Don't worry!"

Having stopped the Kurobe's move, Mifune Nyudo looked at Byōdōin, who was sitting alone on the sidelines panting, and his initial dissatisfaction turned into admiration.

With his astonishing insight and experience, he naturally understood Byōdōin's intentions.

He couldn't help but feel alarmed by such a thought.

"Now you've accumulated everything to the limit. Let them see if you, this phoenix, can rise from the ashes!"

He took a hearty gulp of sake, and among everyone present, probably only he, who had personally trained Byōdōin, knew what he was up to.

"You have everything: ambition, experience, foundation, and ability. It's time to begin..."

After a short break, the third set began.

In this set, the tide turned. Byōdōin, who had attacked first in the first two sets, went silent, and Duke launched a fierce attack.

Boom!

Duke, shirtless, exuded explosive power through his perfectly defined muscles.

The skin, which had turned blood red from the excessive burst of energy, made the muscle lumps look like pieces of red brick.

Even more captivating.

A ball was blasted out, and the tennis ball shot towards Byōdōin like a cannonball.

"France Team scores, 15-0."

Boom!

"Game, France Team, 3:2."

"Both sides change sides!"

"Byōdōin... your body..."

As their figures passed each other, Duke suddenly couldn't help but speak.

Byōdōin didn't even wait for him to finish speaking before rudely interrupting him, "Stop talking nonsense! The match isn't over yet!"

After saying that, she pushed Duke aside and walked step by step towards the other side.

The match isn't over yet; he hasn't lost, nor does he intend to concede. And if it drags on, the outcome is still uncertain!

Across the court, Duke remained silent for a moment.

Then, a dark light shone brightly in his eyes, his arm muscles bulged, and a terrifying Destruction Demon God materialized behind him once again.

Bump!

A deafening roar.

A massive demonic shadow loomed over Byōdōin.

An overwhelming, destructive power began to steadily erode Byōdōin's Asura Path.

Boom!

"Duck! The Duke's Homerun!"

"Game, France Team, 4-2."

Duke had tears in his eyes, but he didn't hold back and scored another point.

"Byōdōin! I will definitely repay your kindness!"

Duke roared inwardly and threw the ball again, his arm muscles twitching wildly.

The tennis ball flew towards Byōdōin with unstoppable momentum, like a cannonball.

"Ahem... Haha, well done!"

Byōdōin didn't flinch or dodge, continuing to face the tennis ball head-on.

His amazing eyesight instantly discerned the trajectory of the tennis ball, the swing, and the impact.

An incredibly terrifying force struck again.

Byōdōin's body was once again swept away like a withered leaf.

Moreover, the tennis ball, which had been slightly stopped, was no longer hindered by its force and slammed into his body again.

"Byōdōin- senpai, watch out!"

Muneyoshi was watching from the sidelines, exclaimed in surprise.

"Watch out..." The others also panicked.

"Byōdōin, get out of the way!"

Even Duke on the opposite side made a sound.

Hearing the shouts, Byōdōin tried to dodge, but as soon as he raised his head, a bright yellow tennis ball flew right in front of him.

Bang!

Byōdōin's body was slammed backward once more!

The tennis ball hit Byōdōin squarely in the stomach, causing excruciating abdominal pain, and he instantly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Byōdōin!"

"Boss!"

Just when everyone was worried about Byōdōin's injuries, something amazing happened: Byōdōin seemed to rise from the ashes like a phoenix.

He actually managed to stand up again, albeit shakily.

"Heh heh... ho ho..."

A series of excruciating pains shot through Byōdōin's abdomen, back, and muscles throughout his body, causing him to let out a chilling, eerie laugh.

Blood stained Byōdōin's entire body, and the golden hair on his forehead was dulled by dust, obscuring Byōdōin vision.

Click!

Splash...

Suddenly, in the eyes of all those with strong mental fortitude, the field transformed into a vast ocean!

A flash of lightning and a clap of thunder, amidst the surging waves.

Suddenly, a medieval wooden pirate ship appeared.

The ancient ship flies the skull and crossbones flag, the symbol of pirates. In this dangerous environment, the ship dances against the waves, cutting through the sea!

Through the flashes of lightning, a figure could be vaguely seen on the deck at the bow of the ship!

Can one person truly navigate the vast ocean of the world?

Pirates are only true pirates and rulers in the cabins of ships on the high seas!

This change sent a shockwave through everyone.

Saeki Muneyoshi even discovered that his mind was frozen when this strange phenomenon occurred.

If he were facing these pirates who seemed to have directly broken through space and descended before him, there would be no way to avoid them.

"They've broken through again... Is this Phoenix Nirvana?"

"The Stage Two, this is the materialized Different Dimension, it's not just a single entity..."

With a slight tilt of his head, Muneyoshi's short hair was blown about wildly by the oncoming air currents.

If Muneyoshi and the others were merely shocked by Byōdōin's transformation and rebirth...

The France were shocked and found it hard to accept.

"How is this possible!"

Ronard watched this unusual scene, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

Is it possible for someone to be brought back to life from the brink of death?

Moreover, Byōdōin's resurrection was not the only thing that happened; his terrifying aura had once again coalesced.

A terrifying aura, like that of hell, enveloped him once again.

The Different Dimension that was destroyed by Duke's Destruction Demon God has been resurrected once again!

Duke, as the opponent, felt it most keenly; his eyes were filled with seriousness.

The Byōdōin now felt even more dangerous to him than before.

Boom!

Duke's Destruction Demon God unleashed another ball, but with his movement, his figure instantly appeared on the ship drifting with the waves.

On the deck, the familiar Skull Pirate Captain once again drew his blade.

Clang!

A chilling aura swept past, Duke instinctively rolled backward, but the Destruction Demon God, unable to react in time, was struck directly.

Half of his body was almost chopped off.

"Game, Japan Team, 6-4."

"In the Singles 1 match between Japan Team and France Team, Japan Team won with a score of 6:4, 6:7, 6:4, achieving two wins and one loss."

"In the third round of the Group C knockout stage, Japan Team faced France Team. Japan Team won with a record of three wins and two losses, advancing to the quarterfinals!"

The moment his consciousness returned, Duke turned around in horror to look at the scoreboard, where the bright score indicated the end of the game.

A tennis ball lay quietly in the corner of his half of the court.

We actually lost!

Duke Watanabe looked at the disheveled yet still spirited figure and felt a momentary daze.

"Medical team, quick!"

The medical team, which had been waiting outside, immediately carried the stretcher into the arena.

"Byōdōin, slow down, hurry... hurry and go get the medical kit."

The group helped Byōdōin to sit down, while the Kurobe, anxious, sent men to find a first-aid kit.

On the other side, Duke was also lifted off the ground by the France personnel.

Ronard towards the Japan Team and saw everyone crowding around the Byōdōin. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.

France, ranked third in the world, surprisingly suffered a crushing defeat in the group stage, losing to Japan Team.

Although as the host of this U-17 World Cup, they have a chance to revive their fortunes.

However, the undefeated streak of the BIG4 before the semifinals has been broken, and the France Team is likely to become a laughing stock.

P. S.: "We've made it to the quarterfinals! Please vote with your monthly tickets!"