"Hmph, you really got thrashed, Oni."
In the Japan Team's player area, Byōdōin had just returned from warming up with Muneyoshi. Seeing Oni, exhausted and covered in minor injuries after his crushing defeat, he couldn't help mocking him.
"So this is the philosophy you believe in? Ha! The world doesn't care about benevolence and righteousness. I think you'd better tuck your tail between your legs and crawl back to Japan!"
Oni Jūjirō had expected Byōdōin's scornful tone.
He didn't respond. Instead, supported by Irie and Koganei, he sat down in his seat.
He was in poor shape.
Reinhardt's final shot had not only shattered the light of fusion that would have taken him to Stage Three, but had also destroyed his Different Dimension Realm.
The attack had also caused some damage to his mind.
Even managing to return that shot at the last moment had left his wrist sprained.
It wasn't as brutal as QP's attack in the original story, which had broken his hand outright, but overall, his condition wasn't much better.
"Tch, that guy..."
When Oni ignored his words, Byōdōin snorted and looked toward Saeki Muneyoshi, who was waiting to play.
Muneyoshi, with his keen senses, glanced back and met Byōdōin's eyes. Then he followed Byōdōin's gaze to Oni.
Feeling the intense chill in Byōdōin's eyes, Muneyoshi's lips curled slightly.
After spending so much time with Byōdōin and Oni Jūjirō, he had come to understand the bond between them.
It was obvious that although Byōdōin was merciless with his words, deep down, he was deeply bothered by Oni Jūjirō's defeat at Reinhardt's hands.
Especially since it had been so crushing.
If Byōdōin had the authority to interfere with the next match, he might well have stepped onto the court himself to even the score for Oni.
But even