Akashi's Sword of Rupture was, at its core, a devastating mental shock. Anyone struck by it would lose access to all techniques tied to mental force, including Alternate Dimension, Divine Path of the Asura, and Ten'i Muhō no Kiwami.
Moreover, if the gap in mental strength between Akashi and his opponent was too great, the victim would even lose consciousness for a short time. Though Byoudouin's mental strength wasn't far behind Akashi's, he had just awakened his Third Stage Alternate Dimension, which had consumed massive amounts of spirit. That was why he collapsed under Akashi's Sword of Rupture.
But even Akashi couldn't unleash this move lightly. Not only did it demand an enormous reserve of mental energy, but the technique's raw power was overwhelming, forcing Akashi to draw out every ounce of strength within him. This surge even exceeded the amplification of the Zone.
When he had first awakened his Alternate Dimension with the system's aid, Akashi had been incapable of using this sword. His body hadn't been ready—forcing it would not only render the technique useless but also cause permanent damage.
So he sealed the Sword of Rupture away until his second year, when his template fusion hit 100% and he unlocked the deeper gates of the Zone. With new powers awakened, the sword could finally be wielded.
Even then, Akashi had needed more than half a year to refine the technique. The first time he used it was in his training match against Oni. At that time, Oni had awakened Radiance of Strong Heart and the embryonic form of Second Stage Alternate Dimension—but after taking Akashi's strike, Oni was completely crushed, unable to resist at all.
Of course, the effect of the Sword of Rupture wasn't permanent. Its duration depended on the difference in mental strength. Still, with Akashi's current level, even Byoudouin wouldn't be able to use any spirit-based techniques again for the rest of the day.
On the court, Akashi walked up to Byoudouin, who lay on the ground, and reached to take the No.1 badge from his collar. But just as Akashi pulled back his hand, Byoudouin's eyes snapped open and his hand clutched Akashi's wrist.
"This match is yours… so you must lead the Japan Team to the world's summit!" There was no bitterness in Byoudouin's voice, only a strange sense of release, as if the burden he had carried for so long had finally lifted.
"In the coming World Cup, only the Japan Team will win! Because I am absolute! Victory can only be claimed by me!" Akashi's face stayed calm, but his tone carried an unshakable certainty.
"Then I hope you live up to those words. The No.1 badge is yours now, arrogant brat!" Byoudouin released his grip and rolled onto his back, staring at the quiet sky above.
The medics rushed in and carried him out on a stretcher. Though his condition looked dire, Akashi had not struck to kill. His external injuries would heal in two or three days, and his mental wounds in about a week.
Fortunately, the Australia World Cup was still some time away, giving Byoudouin enough time to recover. Once he was carried off, Mifune stepped onto the court and loudly declared the shuffle matches officially over.
Around the stadium, players and spectators alike let out breaths of relief. Though the First String's top ten had won several matches, overall, it was the middle schoolers who had come out victorious.
With Akashi now holding the No.1 spot, every player in the camp was under his authority. He could even participate in selecting the roster for the World Cup.
That evening, both middle schoolers and high schoolers gathered in the training camp's largest dining hall. The coaches outlined plans for the World Cup and the upcoming schedule within the camp.
After dinner, Akashi went alone to the camp gates, where a lone figure stood waiting—Echizen Ryōga, who had been expelled earlier that day.
"So you really haven't left. What exactly are you planning, Echizen Ryōga?" Akashi's eyes were cold, his tone indifferent.
"Well~ after talking with the little one this morning, I remembered where we've met before. It must have been two years ago, during the France World Cup, right?" Ryōga tossed an orange casually as he answered with the same calmness.
"So you stayed to settle that score with me?" Red lightning flickered in Akashi's eyes as his aura began to rise.
"How should I put it… back then, I wasn't trying to stop you on purpose. But those people were my friends, so… anyway, that doesn't matter now. Maybe you and I were destined to settle this on the court." Ryōga sighed lightly, his tone turning serious.
"You just finished with Byoudouin, so I won't take advantage. How about a single tiebreak set?" Before Akashi could reply, Ryōga quickly added.
"Suit yourself. Your defeat is already certain." Akashi showed no objection. Though he had recovered most of his stamina, he was not yet at full strength.
The two quickly moved to a secluded court to begin their match. The scene at the gate had already been observed by the coaches through the monitors, but following Mifune's instructions, they did not interfere.
"Before we start, I want to ask—do you have any plans for the little one… Ryōma?" Ryōga asked from the baseline.
"You came to Japan's U-17 training camp this time just to take Ryōma away, didn't you?" Akashi didn't bother with subtlety, cutting straight to the point.
"Yare yare~ so I've been found out? Well, this was Father's intention too. After all, Ryōma wasn't raised in Japan!" Ryōga admitted without hesitation.
Hearing this, Akashi remembered that Ryōma held only American citizenship and not Japanese. If he were to represent Japan in the World Cup, he would need to undergo special paperwork as a foreign player.
"That depends on Ryōma himself. Neither you, nor I, nor even Nanjirō has the right to decide for him, don't you think?" Akashi replied calmly.
"Of course! I'd never force the little one to do anything. Since we agree on that, then let's settle this match properly!" A dangerous gleam flashed in Ryōga's eyes.
"I'll let you serve first. I don't have the habit of opening with serve anyway." Akashi bent down slightly, coat draped over him, preparing to receive.
"Then I won't be polite! Since it's just a tiebreak, no need for testing shots!" Ryōga pulled a ball from his pocket, his body suddenly blazing with bright blue light.
"Ten'i Muhō no Kiwami!"
Across from him, Akashi's eyes erupted with red lightning as Gilgamesh and Enkidu's phantoms appeared behind him. Clearly, he had no intention of holding back either.
"Zone!"
The court instantly thundered with rapid strikes and explosive impacts. Akashi and Ryōga clashed fiercely, their exchanges so fast that ordinary eyes couldn't follow.
As the match went on, Akashi sensed a strange aura from Ryōga. Black currents flowed through the ball into Akashi's body.
Soon, the red lightning in Akashi's eyes faded, while green lightning sparked in Ryōga's. His movements and power surged even further.
'So this is the truth behind your ability to steal another's tennis? You can even strip away the power of Zone… truly dangerous tennis.' Akashi thought to himself.
"Enuma Elish!"
"Impermanence of All Things!"
Their voices rang out, and a mushroom cloud of dust shot into the sky. A tennis ball dropped slowly into Ryōga's half.
"So this is what it feels like to have tennis stolen… I never thought I'd experience it myself. Looks like coming to Japan was the right choice!" Ryōga knelt on the court, blood at the corners of his mouth, staring at his trembling hands with an almost excited tone.
"This match is your loss. The matter from the France World Cup is finished here! But in the coming World Cup, you'd better pray you don't face our Japan Team!" Akashi's eyes blazed with dazzling orange-red light. The golden halo of his Emperor Eye had split into several, orbiting endlessly around his pupils.
Watching Ryōga's departing figure, Akashi's expression turned strange. He hadn't expected this match to awaken an extraordinary new power within himself. The force buried deep in his soul had begun to stir.
'Fate is unpredictable… who would have thought I'd see this…' Akashi's quiet murmur echoed in the night air.
With the shuffle matches concluded, the training camp gradually returned to its usual rhythm. However, the coaches' workload increased, as preparations for the World Cup logistics had to begin immediately.
During this time, Ryōma requested leave from the coaches, saying he needed to consult Nanjirō about something. The three coaches had no objections and approved it directly. When Akashi heard, he could already guess Ryōma's purpose.
Yet even up to one week before the World Cup, Ryōma had not returned to camp. It was clear he had made his decision. Akashi felt no dissatisfaction—just as he had said, it was Ryōma's choice to make.
The official roster for the World Cup was soon finalized. Since only 14 middle schoolers could be registered, but too many were strong enough, Mifune played with the wording.
Akashi and Akutsu would participate as Japan's captains and thus not take middle schooler slots. Byoudouin and Oni would fill the remaining two captain spots. Each nation was allowed 4 captains.
The final roster was as follows:
High School Group: Tanegashima, Duke, Tokugawa, Omagari, Toono, Kimijima, Irie, Mōri, Ochi, Mitsuya.
Middle School Group: Tezuka, Yukimura, Atobe, Fuji, Sanada, Shiraishi, Niō, Tachibana Kippei, Chitose, Kite, Krauser, Ishida Gin, Kirihara, Kintarō.
Captains: Akashi Seijurō, Byoudouin Houou, Akutsu Jin, Oni Juujirō.
Medical and Logistics: Mutsu Yuho, Mutsu Yuma, Danji Date, Hakamada Izō, Kaji Kazena, Inui Sadaharu, Yanagi Renji, Oshitari Yūshi, Kabaji Munehiro, Sengoku Kiyosumi, Oishi Shūichirō, Kikumaru Eiji, Mukahi Gakuto, Akutagawa Jirō.