"Who is that?!"
The Black Jacket middle schoolers stiffened as their eyes locked onto the golden-haired figure at the court entrance.
More unnerving than his presence were Oni and Irie's reactions—especially Irie, whose usual playful smirk had vanished, replaced by uncharacteristic wariness.
Meanwhile, the "winners" (middle schoolers from the main camp) also noticed the newcomers. Oni, with his fiery red hair and intimidating glare, looked more like a yakuza boss than a high schooler. In fact, he appeared even older than Byōdōin. Some briefly wondered if he was a coach they hadn't met.
"Long time no see, Oni."
Byōdōin's voice cut through the tension.
The middle schoolers tensed. In all their time at U-17, they'd never seen Byōdōin greet anyone—not even the coaches—first.
"Byōdōin."
Oni gave a curt nod.
No further words were needed. The history between these two spoke volumes.
"These your handiwork?"
Byōdōin's gaze swept over Sanada, Yanagi, and Shishido before lingering on Echizen and Kintarō. "Not bad."
The Black Jackets radiated sharpened potential. With Oni's brutal training, a month was enough to forge them into entirely new players.
"Planning to throw them into the shuffle matches?" he added, smirking.
Whoosh.
The air grew heavier.
Echizen and Kintarō—who'd witnessed Byōdōin's power firsthand—held their breaths. To them, he was Oni's equal, if not stronger. Echizen suspected he ranked high in the elusive Elite 10.
"Aren't you doing the same?"
Oni's eyes flicked to Tezuka, Atobe, Yukimura, and Akaya. His instincts screamed that these were anything but ordinary.
"Suppressing their growth just to weaponize them for the shuffle matches… I never took you for the second 'Gatekeeper' type." A rare smirk tugged at Oni's lips.
"Boredom breeds strange choices." Byōdōin shrugged. "Besides, I wanted to see what my rival's been up to all this time."
His gaze sharpened, oppressive spiritual pressure rolling off him in waves.
Rivals?!
The middle schoolers exchanged glances.
"You want a rematch with me?" Oni shook his head. "Shouldn't your focus be on him? Even you can't stay calm after that loss."
"B-Byōdōin lost?!"
Kaidō's jaw dropped.
Tezuka, Atobe, and the others froze.
They knew Byōdōin's strength firsthand—even wildcards like Akaya obeyed him without protest. For someone to defeat him…
"So it's true," Shiraishi and Chitose murmured.
This camp hid monsters beyond their imagination.
"Duke wasn't joking," Atobe realized, recalling the Frenchman's offhand remark about Byōdōin's "recovery."
"Just how strong is the one who injured him?!"
"You're right." Byōdōin's voice was eerily calm. "A loss like that… no one walks away unscathed. You've been training for revenge too, haven't you?"
"W-Wait, Oni lost too?!"
Hyōge, Momoshiro, and the others paled.
Shishido's hands trembled. He'd challenged Oni at Heart's Peak—only to be crushed by a single Cross Shot. If even Oni had been defeated…
And by the sound of it, both had fallen to the same person.
"Who is this guy?!"
Tezuka and Yukimura's curiosity burned.
Every time they thought they'd grasped U-17's hierarchy, another layer revealed itself. First Byōdōin and Oni—now someone above them?
"Enough talk."
Byōdōin turned away. "Court 5—prepare. We're having guests soon."
Guests?
"The Elite 10…" Inui and Yanagi's eyes widened. "They're returning?"
"Correct." Irie nodded. "Within two days. The shuffle matches will begin. Be ready."
With that, he and Oni left.
Officially, they were Court 2 players. Unofficially? Their strength rendered court numbers meaningless. They'd join the shuffle matches when they pleased.
Silence fell as the middle schoolers processed this. Some wavered; others buzzed with excitement.
But one thought united them—
They'd finally meet the strongest players in the camp.
---
### Meanwhile: Macau Hotel
A last-minute friendly match delayed the Elite 10's return by a day.
That evening, as dusk painted the sky, Ishikawa led the overseas group to the airport.
"That guy…"
Mōri and the others eyed their newest "member"—a lanky figure in a black hoodie, idly tossing an orange. "The captain called it."
"To think he convinced Coach Inui…" Mitsuya adjusted his glasses. "As expected of someone Ishikawa warned us about."
The night before their departure, Coach Mikudō had called—Macau's team requested an extra match. And their "representative"?
Ryōma Echizen.
Well, Ryōga Echizen—his older brother, Ryōma Echizen.
Assigned to Singles 2, Ryōga had won effortlessly. Yet something felt… off. Whether holding back or simply disinterested, he'd given nothing away.
Now, as the team boarded the plane, Ryōga sat alone. Even the usually chaotic Hirakoba and Tetsuya kept their distance.
Unfazed, he slept through the flight.
---
### 2:00 AM – Narita Airport
After a brief stay at a Tokyo hotel, the group boarded a bus back to U-17 at dawn.
"Finally…" Jirō yawned. "Do we get a welcome party?"
"Oh, there'll be a 'welcome,'" Mōri chuckled darkly.
---
### 8:00 AM – U-17 Central Courts
Middle schoolers crowded around the notice board.
"What's everyone—?!" Kikumaru pushed forward, then gasped. "Byōdōin and Oni are listed for the shuffle matches?!"
The names Tezuka, Yukimura, Atobe, Akaya, Echizen, and Kintarō were also there—replacing original participants like Udon and Kishimoto.
"Only six middle schoolers?" Kikumaru wilted. He'd trained relentlessly to fix his stamina… for nothing?
"Look around," Inui said quietly. "Many are missing."
Kikumaru spun. "Oishi! Inui! Where's everyone—?"
"Opportunities aren't handed out," Sanada said behind Echizen. "Some chose to take theirs early."
"The Elite 10 aren't equals," Atobe declared, stepping forward with Tezuka, Yukimura, and Akaya. "We're only interested in the real challenges."
"Bold words."
Byōdōin's voice silenced them.
Dressed formally for once—even wearing his shoes properly—he radiated a new intensity.
Oni, Irie, Kirihara (Court 3's leader), and Tōjō (Court 1's "No.2") arrived next.
Then—
"So… they're back."
A chilling voice slithered through the crowd.
Middle schoolers turned to see a pale, purple-haired figure with a No.8 badge glinting at his collar.
Another Elite 10 member?!
"Just how many monsters are hiding here?!"
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