Exhibition Match-Germany

As soon as Retru finished speaking, a wild, contemptuous laugh rang out in the lounge.

"Coach, the Japan Team is the team that person specially joined, right?"

"For a team like that, what does the king of Germany even need to prepare for?"

Sefried's eyes flashed with a cold glint, and his words were full of malice. "Why don't we drive the unknown variable out of our team before the match?"

"Since our opponent is Japan, who knows if he'll go easy on them during the match or reveal any information?"

Although Sefried didn't mention Tezuka by name, everyone present knew who he was talking about.

Tezuka's arrival had meant he took the place of—and defeated—the friend Sefried had trained and grown up with since childhood.

That had left Sefried with a deep grudge against Tezuka.

And, as it happened, their opponent in this exhibition match was Japan, so Sefried seized the opportunity to make an issue of it.

Retru knew exactly how Sefried felt, but the team still needed to maintain a little competition.

Especially among the junior high schoolers.

"Sefried, don't say things that undermine team unity!"

Retru didn't correct or change Sefried's attitude. He simply brushed the subject aside.

Meanwhile, back at the draw venue, Muneyoshi returned to his seat with a smile.

"Senior Byōdōin, I got lucky, didn't I? Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

Muneyoshi thought the same way as Byōdōin: it would be best to face the king of Germany before the main tournament.

They could get a feel for their opponents' abilities and help the others get into the mindset of the official matches ahead of time.

"Hmph! This draw really is excellent! If we want to reach the top, we can't avoid Germany. Going up against the strongest team is a great