On Japan Team's side, Tokugawa was already waiting in the players' tunnel, ready to take the court.
His gaze was resolute. This was his chance to prove himself.
It was also his chance to fulfill the promise he had made to his friend.
Just as his friend had once persevered, he would conquer the world with the convictions in his heart.
"Tokugawa, you'd better be careful. Antonio may not be the same as he used to be."
Just as Tokugawa was about to step onto the court, Saeki Muneyoshi, feeling uneasy, spoke up once more.
Tokugawa paused, then turned to look at Muneyoshi.
"I know."
Tokugawa could tell how serious Muneyoshi was. He didn't believe Antonio would do anything to him, but now only he and Saeki Muneyoshi knew about Medrano's secret.
Muneyoshi's warning stirred a hint of wariness in Tokugawa.
"Muneyoshi, you seem pretty worried about Tokugawa."
After watching Tokugawa take the court, Byōdōin and Oni Jūjirō spoke from behind Muneyoshi.
As two of Japan Team's former captains, they naturally knew how much responsibility Saeki Muneyoshi was carrying now.
They should have been the ones bearing that responsibility, but they were both injured, so everything had fallen to Muneyoshi.
They figured Saeki Muneyoshi must be anxious, and they wanted to comfort him.
But how could Muneyoshi be anxious? He had become a professional player, and he had already made a name for himself in the U-17 World Tournament.
With sponsors backing him, he could continue his professional career as soon as the World Cup ended.
And he had more exposure than the others.
Besides, although Japan Team's lineup had changed for the final, the overall course of events had hardly changed.
As long as the match came down to him and he got to decide the outcome, Muneyoshi was