Muneyoshi's Path and Fudomine's Internal Showdown

"The match is about to begin. Representatives from both teams, please enter the court."

Saeki Muneyoshi led the Japan Team players toward the America Team, their steps firm and resolute.

"Hello, Saeki. We meet again."

Reinhardt smiled warmly and held out his hand to Muneyoshi.

Although he saw Echizen Ryoga as someone he had to defeat, Reinhardt was different.

Regardless of the connection between them, even if they were ordinary opponents, you didn't refuse a handshake from someone who greeted you with a smile.

Muneyoshi returned the gesture courteously. "We certainly do. I hope we can have a great match this time."

"I'm sure we will."

Reinhardt sounded just as confident.

After they shook hands, he glanced over the players on the Japan Team.

Then Aoi Kintaro couldn't hold back. "Echizen! Big Brother Saeki put me in Singles 3. Come play against me!"

"Boring!"

Across from him, Echizen Ryoma tugged his cap down and muttered in response.

But the corner of his mouth curled upward, betraying how pleased he was to face the Japan Team.

Kintaro had broken the ice. After exchanging a look with Keith, Tachibana Kippei started talking with him, and both men could see the fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

If Fudomine could have an internal showdown on the world stage, even the younger Fudomine players watching from the sidelines would be thrilled.

The pre-match ceremony at the net ended quickly.

Both teams returned to their respective player areas and waited for the referee to announce the start of the match.

Ten minutes later, the announcer's voice rang across the court, and the players on both teams stirred.

For World Tournament matches, the lineups were submitted only moments before the match began.

So, apart from Kintaro, who had been pestering Muneyoshi to let him play