The referee's three consecutive calls plunged the entire stadium into silence.
No one—not even the supporters of the Japan Team—had expected them to actually defeat Germany.
After a long moment, Mifune Nyudo finally rose from the coaches' bench and roared, "Beautifully done, Byōdōin!"
At the sound of his shout, the Japan Team finally snapped out of it.
They had won!
They had beaten the U-17 kings of Germany fair and square and advanced to the final.
And unlike their exhibition match, this victory would leave no room for doubt.
No one could call it luck. They had won through sheer strength.
"That's amazing! We're in the final!"
While everyone else cheered their victory, Byōdōin struggled to his feet once more on the court.
But he was too badly injured. His staggering legs could barely hold him, and he was about to collapse again.
"Captain!"
"Boss!"
Duke had been watching Byōdōin closely. He was just about to rush onto the court and catch him when—
Two figures darted past him.
Saeki Muneyoshi and Akutsu appeared on the court. As Byōdōin began to fall, they reached out and caught his unsteady body from behind.
By then, the rest of the Japan Team had also poured onto the court, gathering around Byōdōin.
Most of them had once held a grudge against him.
Though they had served under Byōdōin, many of them had surely resented him—whether because they feared his strength or for some other reason...
But with this match, Byōdōin had completely won over these proud middle schoolers.
"Are you all right, senpai?"
The scent of blood on Byōdōin and the dampness against Muneyoshi's palm made his throat tighten, even though he had been prepared for it.
"Hmph. Kid, I told you I'd beat Polk. He was stronger than me, but I was