A Full Turnout

Outside the training camp gates, a group of junior high school students had already arrived.

"Is everyone sure the information is all correct? We're just middle school students... and we've been called to a place like this!"

Upon arriving at the gate, Seigaku's Inui Sadaharu glanced at the contestants from other schools around him, hesitated for a moment, and then voiced his confusion and worries.

Based on the information we gathered during our hike, they're here to compete against high school students?

With such completely different physical conditions, are these people really alright?

"Sadaharu, you're right to worry. Our chances are infinitely close to zero!"

Among the Rikkai Dai students, Yanagi Renji -closed, then took out his notebook.

Ever since he learned that he was coming to this U-17 training camp, he had begun to collect information about the camp and all information about the Japan U-17 team.

"From the beginning of this training camp until last year, the only example that was truly publicized was recruiting junior high school students, and that was Saeki Muneyoshi of Fudomine!"

Even if it's Akito, I suspect he's probably like Mouri- senpai...

When Mitsuya Akito was mentioned, Yanagi Renji's narrowed eyes opened slightly. He had been overjoyed when he gathered this information.

After all, so much time had passed since Mitsuya Akito left, and he finally knew where he had gone.

In the direction of Seigaku, Inui Sadaharu's glasses gleamed with a faint white light. He had also gathered this information, and the other members of Seigaku naturally knew about it as well.

"So, the probability that U-17's invitation to us this time has a hidden agenda is 100%!"

After exchanging information, the Inui Sadaharu their notebooks.

Of course, not all teams have dedicated personnel to handle their information, so some players don't understand what they're saying, which can be quite ambiguous.

For example Higa Junior High.

"Hey, why do you people from Kanto always speak so formally?"

Hirakoba Rin tossed her platinum blonde hair and stood before the crowd with Kite, smiling as she said:

"Why worry about so much? Since this is where Saeki Muneyoshi trained, let's just go in!"

Only two people from Higa Junior High Hirakoba School came: Kite and Heiwa Koba, but they didn't feel uncomfortable at all being surrounded by schools from the Kanto region.

"Look, since there are surveillance cameras here, it means we've been under someone's surveillance for a while. Instead of thinking about this, let's just ask them to open the door and go in to take a look!"

Everyone looked up and was taken aback, only then noticing the surveillance camera mounted high up.

"So, it turns out I've been under someone's surveillance all along? This underhanded tactic is so unglamorous!"

"Heh... Atobe, this isn't your kingdom. Don't try to pull your act in front of us!"

Seeing Atobe arrogantly walk past the crowd, Yukimura from Rikkai Dai also stepped forward. His eyes swept over the middle school students present, and he was secretly alarmed.

Although there weren't many people, they were all top fighters in the junior high school world; apart from Fudomine, almost everyone was here.

"It seems the person who invited us knows us very well!"

"Where 'Fudomine? I haven't seen a single person from Fudomine."

"It's impossible that none of them were invited, hahaha!"

"Are you an idiot? Even if I didn't invite you, I'd probably have invited those other guys!"

Upon hearing someone say that, Akutsu glared and retorted sarcastically.

"Jin, don't bother with him. Fudomine will definitely come. Since we haven't found them, could it be that they've already gone in?"

Fuji Shusuke said with a smile, and his voice seemed to stir a gentle breeze throughout the mountains.

"That can't be right. We haven't encountered them at all along the way. Surely they don't have to climb the mountain? You know, that place is isolated; there's only one path—climbing the mountain!"

With his yellow-green uniform fluttering, Hara Tetsuya of Shitenhoji said with some uncertainty.

"Senior, why worry about so much? Let's think about how to get in!" Shiraishi and Chitose stood together next to Hara Tetsuya, looking at the surveillance camera.

"Shiraishi Shi is right. Since we're already here, let's just get started!"

Yukimura smiled, shook his head, and walked to the surveillance camera, waving his hand.

Now that he knew there was surveillance, he quickly deduced that someone was watching their every move behind the monitors.

Since that's the case, we might as well take the initiative.

At that very moment, Saito Itaru and Takuetsue Ryuji were discussing their arrangements.

The closed gates opened again, and these top athletes from the middle school level showed no fear, calmly walking through the open gates.

However, the direction they traveled was exactly the opposite of the one that Fudomine took.

Of course, the Earth is round, so they could still meet even if they were going in opposite directions.

The sudden influx of junior high school students into the training camp seemed to cause no ripples, like a drop of water.

However, whether it's a drop of water or some other dye depends on the final color.

Just like when the Tachibana Kippei students came in, the junior high school students who came in after them were also shocked by the environment and space.

"Professor, if I'm not mistaken, these are all the latest models of equipment, right?"

Inui Sadaharu looked around in surprise. Since they came in, the two of them, one from Seigaku and the Rikkai Dai, seemed to be even closer than their respective teammates.

"The so-called U-17 training camp aims to cultivate elite players for the Japan national team who are qualified to compete on the world stage! It's not surprising that they have such professional and cutting-edge equipment."

"My only worry right now is whether we can keep going. From what I've heard, the training here is extremely rigorous, and many high school students can't even last a week."

Yanagi Renji and Inui Sadaharu did not keep their conversation private; the Rikkai Dai students and Seigaku who were nearby could hear it clearly.

"Hmph, now that we're here, Rikkai Dai will definitely hold out until the very end!"

Sanada pulled his hat brim down and said in a low voice.

Just then...

"Hey, you guys come here right now! Look what we've seen! Fudomine, they're actually having a match, and they're all here!"

"What?"

Hirakoba Rin's words drew everyone's attention. Turning past the area enclosed by bushes, a huge training ground came into view.

On the court, a group of upperclassmen wearing uniforms that were predominantly white with black and red accents were playing against people wearing black uniforms.

With a uniform of that color, who Fudomine?

The player on the court at this moment was none other than Lin Xiu, the Unmoving Peak.

"Heh, I didn't expect Fudomine to it. They even got to challenge me first in this kind of situation! Oshitari, let's go check it out!"

Atobe took the lead and stepped into the huge training ground.

P. S.: "It's not just filler; there needs to be a transitional chapter, and it also needs to foreshadow the later characters' development and fates."

I'll write a few transitional chapters, and then think about the characters and plot of the exchange match, especially Echizen Ryoga, since the protagonist will definitely fight him.

After I finish writing about the four-nation tournament, I probably won't write about the European invitational tournament anymore; I'll just mention it briefly.

Also, now that we've written the storyline about junior high students joining U17, we won't write about the third grade anymore. Don't worry, it won't be repeated, and there will be some character developments in the transitional storylines.

For example, Keith and Lin Xiu definitely won't join Japan U17, Mifune Nyudo won't choose them. This needs to be connected to other plot points, so any subsequent choices would be reasonable.