The Crucifixion Punishment (Bonus Chapter for 600 Monthly Tickets; Please Vote)

As Kamio Akira and Mikhailov went all out, unleashing their full speed,

the match had already reached a fever pitch.

"Mikhailov's actually being outpaced!"

Watching the situation on the court, the Nagoya Seidoku players' expressions had lost all their earlier contempt for Japan. They had grown grave instead.

Back at the Central Japan Tournament, and even in the round before the National Tournament, Mikhailov had easily defeated every opponent whenever he unleashed his full speed.

But now, facing Kamio Akira, Mikhailov was visibly on the back foot. The Nagoya Seidoku players simply couldn't accept it.

"Quiet! Everyone, stay calm!"

The Nagoya Seidoku coach called out to quell the players' panic and chatter, then said in a low voice,

"Mikhailov is one of Nagoya Seidoku's aces. We have to believe in him. He won't lose!"

"Exactly!"

"Mikhailov is our ace. How could he lose?"

"If he loses, he'll have to answer to us afterward!"

After hearing the coach's words, the Nagoya Seidoku players quickly regained their composure.

But the situation on the court was becoming more and more dire, and they couldn't help cheering Mikhailov on.

Seeing that his players hadn't been intimidated by Fudomine at the outset, the Nagoya Seidoku coach finally let out a genuine sigh of relief.

But when he shifted his gaze from the court to Fudomine's rest area and saw the calm figures there, the pressure in his heart didn't ease at all. If anything, his unease grew stronger.

He had confidence in Mikhailov, but it was clear now that Fudomine deserved their title as last year's National Tournament champions.

There was nothing shameful about losing to the champions.

The only thing he couldn't accept—or was unhappy about—was that Kamio Akira wasn't Fudomine's strongest player.

In fact, he was near the bottom of the team.

Yet