Chapter 197: The Exhibition Match Ends, the Crazy Internal Competition of the Idle Characters

"Match over, score 6-0!"

"Germany Team wins!"

"The World Cup exhibition match between Germany and Japan has ended; Germany wins with two victories and one defeat."

Following the announcement over the broadcast, the entire venue erupted.

Countless spectators held Germany flags in their hands, cheering and applauding for Borg; those excited voices merged into waves of sound, echoing continuously throughout the venue.

……

In stark contrast to this was the exit of the Japan Team; the expressions on the faces of all the members were extremely grave.

Coach Mifune said in a deep voice: "How miserable! To think it was two wins and one loss! And both of the two losses were shutouts by the opponent."

Then he laughed and encouraged them: "But this is fine too; it counts as a thorough warm-up before the tournament."

"Get to know the world, and then rely on our efforts to change the Japan Team's ranking in the world!"

These three exhibition matches were originally expected by Coach Mifune to be all losses.

Because these were only exhibition matches, they did not count toward the final results, so winning or losing didn't matter at all.

Mifune's goal was to let these middle school students understand the gap between themselves and other world powers.

Therefore, he did not let Byodoin play in the matches.

Originally, he thought the combination of Tanegashima and Takahashi could win one match, but in the end, it was Takahashi and Ochi who played.

This made Mifune give up his only hope, but he didn't expect Takahashi to give him a surprise.

Takahashi utilized Ochi's advantages, first resolving the opponent's middle school student, turning his least proficient doubles match into a singles match, then defeating Q. P with his own strength, and even absorbing three Light of Restraint, becoming an Ultimate Quality Q. P.

Whether it was the wisdom or the strength Takahashi displayed in this match, Mifune was very impressed.

Mifune recalled the last time he observed the match between Takahashi and Tanegashima, and combined with this match, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the speed of Takahashi's growth in strength was much faster than he had imagined.

Developing at this speed, in another year or two, Takahashi would be able to challenge Borg.

Even if the Japan Team didn't achieve a very good ranking this year, with Takahashi around, Mifune believed the future of the Japan Representative Team was very bright.

Because Takahashi is currently only in his first year of middle school!

Whether it is strength or physical fitness, he has huge room for growth.

Thinking of this, Mifune looked back at Takahashi, only to find his gaze fixed tightly on Borg.

Did Borg's final ball ignite Takahashi's fighting spirit?

Mifune slowed his pace, walked in front of Takahashi, and said: "Steady and solid, maintain your own rhythm, do not let the powerful world shake your steps."

"Borg is not your goal right now, but your goal for the future."

"Don't be anxious, in the future you will definitely defeat him."

Takahashi nodded and continued walking forward.

It is not that he is taking Borg as his goal now, but that Borg has viewed him as a target that must be suppressed.

Just now, Borg's gaze and actions greatly stimulated the Idle Character.

The Idle Character had finally occupied Takahashi's second dimension and was preparing to come out to show off its style and feel proud, but not long after, it was suppressed by Borg in terms of ball speed.

This was the greatest provocation to the dignity and strength of the Idle Character!

Now the characters are filled with resentment, the two characters accompanying each other in a crazy internal competition, grinding their tennis skills.

The original Idle Character didn't have such a strong competitive spirit, nor was it so human-like, but thanks to that line from Q. P, "I, want to become the God of Tennis," the Idle Character seems to have developed its own will.

It now absolutely does not allow anyone to display tennis skills higher than its own in front of it.

If there is such a person, it must work harder and more diligently than the other party to leave them far behind.

Takahashi thought to himself, at the rate these two characters are going, I'm afraid it won't wait until next year; Borg will have to be dealt with this year.

Otherwise, Takahashi won't be able to suppress the sky-high anger of the two of them.

……

Evening.

The coaches gathered all the high school and middle school students together.

Kurobe said: "Starting from tomorrow, the main tournament of the U17 World Cup will begin."

"First to start are the group stages."

Kirihara asked: "What is a group stage?"

Kurobe explained: "There are a total of 32 countries and regions participating in this world tournament, divided into 8 groups in total; each group has 4 teams, and these four teams must play 4 round-robin matches."

"Each match consists of three singles and two doubles, so 7 players are needed to participate in the match."

Saito added from the side: "And according to the rules of this tournament, among the 7 players sent out, three must be middle school students."

"In other words, just like the exhibition match we held during the day, it is a mixed match of middle and high school students."

Sanada nodded and asked: "Then who is our opponent tomorrow...?"

Oishi scratched his head very embarrassedly and said: "I drew lots today and drew the Switzerland Team."

"In our group, there is the Switzerland Team, the Greece Team, and the Australia Team."

Yanagi Renji opened his data notebook and said: "Germany, Switzerland, France, and Spain—these four countries are known as the 'Big 4' and have been the world's top four in recent years."

"The strength of other countries, compared to them, is not on the same level at all."

Niou said: "So, we are facing the world's second-ranked Switzerland in the group stage?"

"Following drawing the world number one in the exhibition match, we drew the world number two in the group stage."

"Oishi, your luck is as good as ever!"

Kimijima Ikuto said: "Look at the bright side; as long as we defeat the other two teams in the group, Greece and Australia."

"Even if we lose to Switzerland in the group final, we can still successfully advance to the semi-finals as the second-place team."

……

The next day.

The competition venue for the U17 World Cup.

"The match about to begin is the first match of Group B in the U17 World Cup group stage."

"It is Greece Team versus Japan Team!"

The broadcast voice rang out.

Coach Mifune announced loudly to the team members: "According to the rules of this tournament, each player can only play in 1 match out of the 3 group stage matches."

"Therefore, these three matches require 21 players to participate."

"I will now announce the 7 people playing against Greece, known as the Pine Team."

"Tanegashima Shuji, Yanagi Renji, Yuanyudujing, Tsukimitsu, Shiraishi Kuranosuke, Kirihara Akaya, and Oishi Shuichiro."

Upon hearing this, Sanada spoke up: "In this way, each of us can only play at most once in the three group stage matches."

Kite said with some dissatisfaction: "So why is Oishi's name on the roster for the match against Greece?"

"His strength is at the very bottom among all the middle school students."

"Didn't the Coach hold a meeting yesterday saying that today is a match we cannot lose?"

Shiraishi looked at the awkward Oishi and stepped in to smooth things over: "Kite, you can't say it like that. The Coach must have his own unique intentions for putting Oishi in this match."

Takahashi muttered in a low voice: "This was all decided by Coach Mifune drawing lots."

Last night, Mifune stopped Takahashi and asked him if he had any suggestions for the middle school student roster.

Just kidding, he decided the Rikkai roster by drawing lots, so how could he possibly think seriously about the Japan Team roster now?

Thus, he told Mifune about his good method of drawing lots.

Hearing Takahashi muttering to the side, Kirihara asked: "Master, what did you say?"

Takahashi said: "Nothing!"

"In any case, do your best! Oishi!"

Takahashi turned and said to Oishi.