Anthony sat on the edge of his dorm room bed, his laptop resting on the small desk in front of him. The screen displayed a live stream of the latest Sensha-Dō match—Ooarai Girls Academy vs. Kuromorimine Girls High School. It was a fierce battle, with Ooarai narrowly pulling off an incredible victory. Anthony smiled as the stream showed Miho and Maho Nishizumi embracing after the match, a rare moment of warmth between the two competitive sisters.

"Still the best," he muttered, shaking his head. He leaned back, stretching his tall frame, but his eyes flicked to the envelope lying next to him on the desk. The bold red letters PRIORITY screamed for his attention, but he'd been avoiding it all evening.

The envelope bore the insignia of the Japanese Tankery Federation, and Anthony knew it wasn't just for him. Tyrone and the other Overall Commanders and Vice-Commanders from schools worldwide had received similar letters. The weight of it felt heavier than paper should, and Anthony had a sinking feeling in his gut.

He sighed, finally reaching for the letter and breaking the seal. Unfolding the crisp paper inside, he began to read.

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The Letter's Contents:

To the Esteemed Overall Commanders and Vice-Commanders,

The Japanese Tankery Federation, in partnership with several international Tankery organizations, is pleased to announce the creation of a World Sensha-Dō League. This league will bring together the best Tankery schools from across the globe for a series of matches that will culminate in a championship to determine the ultimate Tankery team.

Your school has been selected to participate in this inaugural event. Preparations are already underway, and the first set of matches will begin in three months.

As leaders of your respective schools, your participation is not only expected but mandatory. This event will showcase the pinnacle of Tankery skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. It is a historic opportunity to elevate the sport to new heights.

Further details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,
Japanese Tankery Federation
International Division

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Anthony stared at the letter, his jaw tightening. "Mandatory," he muttered. The word lingered in his mind, carrying a weight that irritated him more than it should. It wasn't the idea of competing—L.P.U.A. could hold its own against anyone—but being told to participate without question rubbed him the wrong way.

He set the letter down and leaned back, his fingers steepled as he processed the news. A World Sensha-Dō League was ambitious, to say the least. It wasn't just a competition—it was a declaration. The Federation wanted to cement their control over Tankery on a global scale, and schools like L.P.U.A., which operated outside their jurisdiction, were being pulled into the fold.

Anthony's phone buzzed on the desk, the caller ID showing Tyrone's name. He picked it up, already expecting the same frustration he felt.

"Let me guess," Anthony said as he answered, "you got the letter too."

"Yup," Tyrone replied, his tone somewhere between annoyed and amused. "World Sensha-Dō League. Sounds like a big deal."

"Sounds like a trap," Anthony countered. "You know the Federation's been itching to bring us under their umbrella. This feels more like a power play than a celebration of Tankery."

"Probably," Tyrone admitted. "But let's be real—it's not like we're gonna say no. L.P.U.A. thrives on taking down the big dogs."

Anthony smirked faintly. "You're not wrong. Still, this isn't going to be a regular match. We're walking into their territory, playing by their rules."

Tyrone laughed. "So? Rules are meant to be bent. Besides, isn't that what we're good at?"

Anthony chuckled despite himself. "Fair point. But we're not going in blind. I want every detail about this league—who's competing, what the format is, everything."

"I'm on it," Tyrone said. "Guess we're about to make some international headlines."

"Guess so," Anthony replied, his smirk fading as he glanced back at the letter. "Let's just hope it's worth the hassle."

After the call ended, Anthony sat in silence for a while, staring at the screen as the match replayed highlights from Ooarai's victory. His thoughts drifted to Miho and Maho, their journey from rivalry to mutual respect. The Nishizumi sisters had their own battles to fight, but they always managed to rise above the challenges.

Anthony glanced back at the letter, his resolve hardening. If the Japanese Tankery Federation wanted to test L.P.U.A., they'd get their chance. But Anthony wasn't about to let anyone dictate how he led his team.

He stood, grabbing his hoodie and heading for the door. Harriet would want to see this, and knowing her, she'd have a lot to say about the Federation's bold move. As he left the room, the letter sat on the desk, a silent reminder of the storm that was about to unfold.