Echizen Ryoga Challenges Him

As Muneyoshi spoke, the other junior high schoolers and two high schoolers came out of the rest area.

Saeki Muneyoshi and Oni Jūjirō nodded to each other, then waved to the other team members in the lounge.

Then, without hesitation, they pushed open the door and walked out.

In one corner of the lounge, Mifune Nyudo took a sip of liquor. Watching Muneyoshi and the others walk away, he thought about the lineup for today's match and grinned.

"Kid, since you're asking for it, let's see how far you can go."

By now, Mifune Nyudo had put Saeki Muneyoshi on the same level as Byōdōin.

He was increasingly convinced that agreeing to let Saeki Muneyoshi unleash his full strength in the exhibition match and pressure Polk had been absolutely the right decision.

Whether or not it changed anything for Germany, the changes to their Japan Team were undeniable.

After Saeki Muneyoshi broke through back then, Mifune had become even more optimistic about their chances in this World Tournament.

If Muneyoshi kept improving in the matches to come, then the final result would speak for itself.

They could even say that their earlier goal was now all but guaranteed.

Before Muneyoshi's breakthrough, the dark side had been more frightening than the light, but the half-step separating it from Stage Three had been like the difference between heaven and earth.

As Saeki Muneyoshi led the Plum Squad out, the lounge suddenly felt much emptier.

Seeing this, several players began to stir.

Noticing their restlessness, Mifune Nyudo called out, "If you want to watch the match, go ahead. Don't sit there squirming and staring at me."

"Yes, Head Coach!"

The players who'd gotten permission all smiled knowingly.

Soon, another four or five people left the lounge.

Saeki Muneyoshi led the entire Plum