A different venue during the World Championship "Quarterfinals".

"It's incredible."

"Drink!!"

Looking at the young man who leaped high in front of him, Zeus couldn't help but show surprise.

"Bang!!"

The golden beam of light fell from the sky, also announcing the end of this last scene.

"It's over!"

"This set was won by the U.S. team!"

"Score."

“7-6！”

In the long tie-break, the U.S. team finally defeated the Greek team with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses and advanced to the semifinals.

"Lainhardt, you're really betting on this boy's future."

As the team left the field, Zeus walked up to Reinhardt and spoke in admiration.

From the very beginning, he thought the American team was a strange set-up.

As the main general, Reinhardt did not play the singles No. 1, but gave up to an unknown country for the rest of his life.

Doubles No. 2 Nash and Kempin.

Doubles No. 1 Xibo, Du Du.

Long Ya of singles number three.

Reinhardt in singles number two.

and the last singles number one.

Echizen Ryoma

That's where the U.S. team plays against them.

The U.S. team, which has won two consecutive doubles matches, can be said to be quite good.

But Long Ya, who played No. 3 in singles, and Reinhardt, who played No. 2 in singles, "lost".

As for why losing

That's because of these two.

Abstained.

That's right, after being able to end the game with three consecutive wins and advance to the world semifinals, Long Ya and Reinhardt voluntarily abstained halfway through the game.

As a result, a shocking singles No. 1 confrontation was created.

Echizen Ryoma VS Zeus.

At first, Zeus didn't understand their intentions at all, but with the fight with Echizen Ryoma, he also changed his impression.

This is a very potential and strong middle school student.

With such an appreciative attitude, Zeus naturally would not be polite to him.

With the power of omniscience and omnipotence, he once cornered Ryoma.

But with the opponent's unraveling of the power and evolution of another dimension, he finally lost this game in the tie-break in the third set.

Looking back now, Zeus also guessed the "risky approach" of the American team.

That was to deliberately put pressure on Ryoma Echizen, who was the No. 1 singles player, to force him to win this match.

In a 2-2 game with no way out, if they don't succeed, their American team will be out today.

It's a heavy bet, and it's easy to imagine how much infamy it will take if it fails.

It was hard for Zeus to imagine how much pressure Reinhardt would have been under to make such a choice.

Even if it was arranged by the coach, with Reinhardt's connections, he couldn't oppose it.

"I'm sorry, but I really want to fight you."

"But. . . For the sake of the future, this is a choice that has to be made, please forgive me. ”

He politely apologized, and Reinhardt didn't mean to look down on the Greek team.

Rather, he did come to such a conclusion after careful consideration and consultation with Minamijiro.

That is to let Ryoma play the singles number one against Zeus.

(He also needs to have experience against many powerful enemies.) ）

(Ryoma hasn't reached saturation yet.) ）

(This is a pretty good opportunity, of course, if you oppose it, I won't force it, it's up to you to choose.) ）

This arrangement was not decided directly and privately between him and the coach, but directly said it by opening the skylight in the team.

Except for Nash, who was initially slighted, everyone else eventually agreed.

"That boy has lived up to your expectations."

"It's incredible."

Turning his head and glancing at Ryoma wiping his sweat, Zeus was quite emotional, giving the choice to enter the world to a country for a lifetime, and the courage of the American team can be said to be inhuman.

"Huh."

Hearing this, Reinhardt laughed with satisfaction.

"It's all about fighting the Neon team, right?"

"You need the strength of that teenager."

"So I have fulfilled you too, and fought him with all my might, but unfortunately he really exceeded my expectations."

"The last one who surprised me like this was Kuranosuke Shiraishi of Team Neon."

Zeus roughly guessed the U.S. team's intentions and said.

"yes. If you fight the Neon team. ”

"Ryoma is essential."

"He proved it by beating you."

Nodding, Reinhardt didn't explain much, but took a long-term view.

"Then I wish you all good luck"

"In the final, we'll go to support."

"Thank you. We're still in the semi-finals."

"Haha, if you have such courage, you will definitely win the next game."

"Huh."

…………………

In the hallway, Ryoma was resting against the wall when a tall figure stood in front of him blocking his view.

"Echizen, well done."

Nash looked at the short man and suddenly spoke.

"Huh?"

"The seniors were not very resistant before the game"

The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and Ryoma wanted to mock two sentences, but he was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

"That's really blind, because I don't think you can do it, I can't give you the key position of the U.S. team to qualify."

"Reinhardt and Dudu want to believe you, but I can't."

"But maybe I should have come to my senses a long time ago, I was once defeated by the Neon Nation Middle School, and I don't have the qualifications to stop you."

"Reinhardt and the coach won, and your potential is indeed above mine."

As if remembering something, Nash's tone was no longer as proud as before, but full of silence.

"So."

"I'll leave it to you for the rest of the game."

"Our American team must succeed!"

For the sake of a common agreement with Reinhardt, this man known as the "Demon King" finally put aside his prejudices.

"I don't need to say anything from my predecessors, I'll do it too."

Looking at the departing back, Ryoma recalled the trusting gazes of his teammates before the game, and when he learned that he was qualified for the singles No. 1 role, except for Nash, everyone agreed without the slightest hesitation.

To be honest, Ryoma himself is confused.

(If it's small, it should be fine.) ）

(Hey, Ryoma, it's not a lot of pressure.) ）

(Come on, boy!) Our future depends on you. ）

(Don't be nervous, just just hit as you normally would.) ）

(You guys, Ryoma may have met the main general, so it's strange that there is no pressure)

The tone and enthusiastic atmosphere that everyone fully trusted him gave Ryoma the courage to face the Greek general.

When he took over the position of No. 1 in singles, he made up his mind that he must defeat his opponent and win the final victory.

Living up to expectations, he eventually triumphed over Zeus, who was "omniscient and omnipotent" in the face of adversity.

Although the process was difficult, it undoubtedly contributed to his progress.

"Stinky Daddy, I did it!"

His eyes flashed with a strange brilliance, and Ryoma remembered the agreement he had made with Minamijiro.

It was a declaration made by the strongest man in the world.

(Ryoma, as long as you win the main general, I will consider telling you what is the "secret of becoming stronger".) ）

(End of chapter)