A month has passed since the International Junior Youth Tournament in France, and Japan’s athletes are beginning to go their separate ways. Tsubasa is using the time he has left before graduation to practice with a new club team, impressing the coach who is convinced Tsubasa has achieved a level of soccer equal to pro. Meanwhile Wakabayashi in Germany receives an early offer to go pro from Hamburg. Back in Japan Hyuga and Wakashimazu are already practicing with high schoolers with the goal of becoming regulars for Toho Academy HS. Then there’s Misaki, who is finally back home in Japan from France…
Former Brazilian soccer player Roberto Hongo makes a visit to a soccer stadium in the outskirts of Paris where he speaks with Katagiri of the All Japan Soccer Association. Roberto makes himself clear; he does not want Tsubasa knowing he is merely miles away in the same city. As Tsubasa's former coach, Roberto still regrets breaking the promise he made to Tsubasa to take him to Brazil. He deeply admires Tsubasa and will never forget the days he spent as his coach.
The host country, France, has its first match against England, and the stadium is buzzing with excitement. Elle Sid Pierre, France’s captain, wows with his elegant dribbling. Meanwhile, Tsubasa and his friends take note and are impressed. But as host, Team France is feeling the pressure. Will France be able to come through?
It’s Japan versus Italy in the opening game of the tournament, and tensions are running high. Team Japan’s tempers are flared over Italy’s previous comments about how they weren’t worth their time back before the practice match that never was. Still, having been handed the position of captain from Matsuyama, Tsubasa rises to the occasion. Italy may have Tsubasa marked, but he responds with some characteristic fighting spirit.
It’s the opening ceremony of the International Junior Youth Tournament. As players from twelve participating countries gather, Misaki thinks back about his time in Japan and how far he’s really come. But the memories aren’t all happy. He remembers not only how his father’s career has had a major impact on his life and his soccer, but also how his father’s complicated life as an artist has pulled him into a situation where he is faced with a seemingly impossible dilemma.