Personnel Assignments
After arriving at the hotel, Muneyoshi watched as Mitsuya received his room number from the front desk and quickly assigned rooms to guests.
"It's already late, and everyone must be exhausted after such a long flight. You can take a break tomorrow morning. We'll discuss the rest of the arrangements this afternoon."
"Byōdōin, we agreed beforehand that I would be in charge of everything during this expedition!"
Seeing that Byōdōin seemed about to object, Saeki Muneyoshi interrupted him, then went straight into his room and disappeared from Byōdōin and the others' sight.
"Boss, get some rest. Your injuries haven't fully healed yet!"
Seeing that Byōdōin seemed hesitant to speak, Duke simply took him away.
After Byōdōin left, the other members of the First String immediately relaxed.
Compared to Byōdōin's militaristic style, Muneyoshi gave them ample time.
In the afternoon, Saeki Muneyoshi gathered everyone together.
"I'm not sure what your previous expedition itinerary was like, but now two members of our team are injured and unable to participate in the match."
To avoid unnecessary losses, it's best not to overdo it with today's training; just maintain your usual level of exercise.
After speaking to everyone, Saeki Muneyoshi looked at Mitsuya and said...
"You may proceed, but please stay behind, Mitsuya!"
"Yes!"
Watching everyone leave to train, Muneyoshi then said to Mitsuya, who remained behind, "Senpai, let's go discuss the roster with Byōdōin!"
When Muneyoshi returned to the training ground, several members of the Japan Team had already completed most of their training. ♨😂 😺ൠ
Having thoroughly learned about the team members' strength from Byōdōin and the strength of their opponents on the Mitsuya side, Muneyoshi had a clear idea of who would represent him in this qualifying tournament.
Seeing Duke Watanabe training alone with a ball machine, Muneyoshi walked over.
"Duke -senpai, let's move around a bit too," Saeki Muneyoshi invited Duke.
"Alright, Muneyoshi, I've always wanted to compete with you!"
Duke nodded.
Muneyoshi's training session with Duke piqued the interest of several members of the Japan Team, but they discovered that the two were really just training afterward.
Others also began their usual multi-ball practice on a nearby court.
However, while this simple training session failed to attract the attention of the Japan Team members, it did draw the attention of many passersby.
Tennis is much more popular in Europe than in Asia, with many people being tennis enthusiasts.
But precisely because they were all enthusiasts, many of them were filled with shock.
The ten-ball practice session between Saeki Muneyoshi and Duke Watanabe was truly astonishing.
"That's... the Demon King from Japan!!"
At that moment, a spectator recognized the news published in the newspaper a few days earlier about the England U17 captain's defeat.
The news report heavily criticized Saeki Muneyoshi, describing him as a follower of Satan, an executioner, and a Japan Demon King preparing to sweep across Europe.
"Demon King?"
However, European audiences have always held a subjective arrogance towards news featuring non-white people. Although some were recognized, others were unaware of the speaker's identity, looking at them with a hint of confusion.
"This is Saeki Muneyoshi, the captain who recently led the Japan team to victory against England, Japan's most powerful talent in recent years, and one of the strongest talents in the world of tennis."
Some people who knew Saeki Muneyoshi were introducing him to those around them.
"Oh! I know him, he's that middle school student from the last U-17 World Cup. He should still be in middle school now, right?"
"That's right, he's still a middle school student. I heard he's even considered one of the strongest middle school students, along with our Zeus!"
"However, Zeus is now a high school student!"
"Are these Japan people here for a competition? If so, I'd love to go check it out!"
The people around were very familiar with their own country's teams, so when they saw the Japan Team, they easily guessed why they were there.
At this moment, the person who had initially recognized Muneyoshi's identity still expressed some concern:
"I heard from the newspapers that Saeki Muneyoshi's playing style is extremely ruthless and domineering. Even if someone wants to beg for mercy, he won't give them any chance. That's why he's called the Demon King."
"If they play against Greece's U17 team, will they resort to heavy-handed tactics again?"
Hearing this person's concerns, the Greece audience members also became somewhat nervous. After a brief silence, an idea finally arose in their minds.
"What's there to be afraid of? We'll go cheer for the Greece Team!"
"That's right!"
The discussions among passersby and onlookers, of course, did not attract Muneyoshi's attention at all; he was completely absorbed in his sparring with Duke.
After a long while, Muneyoshi and Duke walked into the hotel together after training.
"Ochi- senpai, could you please notify everyone to come to my room for a meeting later? Duke -senpai and I will go wash up first."
Muneyoshi had just come upstairs, saw Ochi Gekko playing a game and immediately said something.
After hearing Muneyoshi's words, Ochi Gekko nodded, then threw away the game controller in his hand and walked out.
After Muneyoshi finished washing up, everyone had already gathered in his room.
Muneyoshi didn't delay everyone's rest time and immediately began to arrange the personnel list for the match against the Greece Team.
"Double pair number two Mutsu Yūma and Mutsu Yūho, you two brothers need to do your best!"
Based on the information he received from Byōdōin and Mitsuya, Muneyoshi estimated that their opponents might be difficult to deal with, but he still offered words of encouragement.
"Yes!"
"Double team number one, Ochi- senpai and Mouri- senpai, it'll be you two. I think you two would be a good match. I'll have to see what you're made of this time."
"Okay, don't worry, Muneyoshi."
Ochi Gekko and Mori Juzaburo nodded.
"The third position in singles is very important, so I'll take it!"
Since it was a match against the Greece Team, Muneyoshi knew that Zeus had a high probability of appearing in the singles three, so he took the lead without hesitation. Then he looked at the other two.
"As for singles number two, Fuwara- senpai, Kimijima- senpai, Duke- senpai, which of you three wants to Singles 2?"
"Muneyoshi, I lost the match against England. Let's have either Fuwa the Iron Man or Duke go for the Singles 2," Kimijima Ikuto said, seemingly indifferent to the outcome.
"Alright, Kimijima- senpai's method aligns well with our expedition's goal of enhancing everyone's strength. For now, let Duke- senpai take over the Singles 1 position."
"Personnel can be replaced as needed."
Saeki Muneyoshi nodded, and after confirming, he wrote the names of the participants on the roster.
"Although Greece Team is ranked tenth, their strength is not much different from England Team's. We must win this match."
After completing the list, Saeki Muneyoshi addressed the group with a very serious expression.
Everyone could feel his determination.
"Clear!"
Three days later.
Panathinaikos Stadium in Athens.
As a country with a long history in Europe, Athens' historic clay tennis courts welcomed the challenge from the Japan today.
Although it was just a small U-17 World Cup points round-robin challenge.
However, the enthusiastic and sports-loving people of Athens still flocked to the stadium, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
As the host city and birthplace of the first Olympic Games, the atmosphere for sports competition here is excellent, and there is no booing like in England.
Therefore, both the arrival of the Greece Team and the appearance of the Japan Team were welcomed by the audience.
However, due to the reputation of the Japan Team for causing a stir in Europe.
Especially given what happened in England not long ago, the audience today includes not only ordinary spectators, but also athletes from other countries.