Mifune Arrives, Preparing for the World Cup

"There he is!"

Kintaro suddenly shouted, and the crowd, which had been buzzing with discussion, immediately fell silent.

When they saw Byodoin appear behind Horio, the middle schoolers seemed to have found a target.

"You've gone too far!"

"Tokugawa-senpai was already injured, and you still attacked him without mercy! Is this how your national team does things?"

"That's right! Is putting your opponent to death what your tennis is all about?"

The middle schoolers unleashed a barrage of criticism at Byodoin. He merely glanced at them, then took off his jacket.

The middle schoolers found his actions strange.

But when he bared his entire upper body, their angry expressions froze.

A scar covered almost all of Byodoin's back. Judging by its shape, it had been caused by the impact of an enormous object.

"The benevolence and righteousness you talk about won't help you stand on the world stage. Out there, a moment's carelessness can cost you your life."

The middle schoolers fell silent at the sight of the massive scar on Byodoin's back.

Even Oni's expression changed when he saw the scar, while Horio, standing nearby, looked utterly speechless.

Although he agreed with what Byodoin had said, the scar he was showing everyone had nothing to do with tennis.

If Horio had to draw a connection, it was only a slight one.

Watching the middle schoolers and Oni be awed by the scar Byodoin had received while saving someone, Horio chose to remain silent.

Since Byodoin wanted to use it to teach the middle schoolers a lesson, Horio wouldn't stop him.

"One person's naivety can ruin an entire team. All I intend to do is lead our nation's tennis to the pinnacle of the world.

"To achieve that goal, I won't change my methods in the slightest."

After putting his