Oarai's student council makes the announcement to the team about how Oarai will be facing Maginot tomorrow, with the only new piece of information being that it's on Maginot's territory, as an "away" game (an interesting use of the phrase, although most tournament matches are chosen by roulette, at arenas distant from both schools), with Anzu being strangely pleased about it.
Momo once again says she has high expectations for the team, and they're fired up, especially Duck and Rabbit. The former doesn't want to repeat what happened last time, the latter is excited, and Miho seems somewhat pleased. Momo tells them to leave the work to the auto club and go home.
The student council discusses the training, but Yuzu seems ill at ease. Anzu asks if it's about Miho being commander, but Yuzu says no. Momo points out that Miho lost, though, but Anzu seems confident that she'll succeed this time. Anzu, in a rare serious mode, wonders if there was something she could do, but recalls how Miho was able to defeat three of St. Gloriana's tanks with just her own tank. She then points out that no one at Oarai knows as much about tankery as Miho does and with her, they'll "become champions lickety-split," restoring her previous confidence. I was wondering whether Anzu or the others would give some hint about Oarai's existence being at stake, possibly the Foreshadowing from the early series, but it sees they're too well guarded, even in private.
Miho and the others do some practice, with Rabbit Team once again making a mistake by relying on their multiple guns. Momo gets annoyed, saying that the match is tomorrow, but the Auto Club reassures her that they will be able to get the tanks up to speed in time.
The ship arrives in port, and Saori notices that it's a wide field, which Yukari says is very "France-like"; it's somewhat amazing that all the battlefields take place in terrain that's somewhat like that of the hosting nation. Anzu says that there will be a "punishment game" (the "game" part is a bit of an odd turn of phrase, but I suspect it's some Japanese expression) for all members this time, with Momo adding that it's for everyone this time. Saori comments that Anzu is saying something lewd again, Yukari sweatdrops, and Aya asks why they're saying this now. As Momo thinks about it being their escond battle, Anzu gets her to relax.
Eclair shows up; Saori asks if she's commander, and Yukari says there are rumors that they changed commanders, which Saori says is "scary." Eclair introduces herself, as do Momo and Anzu. Momo thanks her for letting them use their training field, and Eclair, after saying that they're welcome, asks if Miho is there. Miho comes forward, slightly apprehensive, and Eclair looks surprised, prompting Saori to wonder what's up between the two. After a tense moment, Eclair says she's pleased to face someone of the Nishizumi style in battle, and, more at ease with each other, they shake hands.
As Eclair drives away, wishing Miho a nice day, Hana points out that the commander is "dignified," Yuzu notes that she's the same year as Miho, and Anzu believes she'll be a worthy opponent. Fondue asks Eclair what she thinks of Miho, and while Eclair believes that referring to her so reverently will affect morale, she decides to answer. Eclair ponders Miho, as well as the Nishizumi style. While Miho is not much like Shiho and Maho, Eclair still wants to defeat the Nishizumi style, and believes that Miho is a Worthy Opponent, while getting excited about the match. It's nice to see that Eclair, in spite of her admiration for the Nishizumis, doesn't expect Miho to be like her family.
Rabbit Team believes that Maginot doesn't seem as strong, while Caesar advises caution, and Yuuki elaborates that they didn't have "an aura." Momo thrusts the responsibility of explaining the strategy onto Miho, who's understandably caught off guard by being so suddenly and bluntly put on the spot. With the encouragement of her friends, she gets to doing it, and says that this time, unlike against St. Gloriana, Maginot has the home field advantage. Miho says that Maginot has (or better said, had) a defensive style, and while their tanks aren't as good as St. Gloriana's, they're equipped for defensive warfare. Miho then points out that the keys to victory are cooperation, secret communication, mobility and aiming for the enemy's weak spots. Miho names the operation "Net-Net", so that she can catch the enemy while encircling them in a net. Perhaps Miho is in the dark about Maginot's new strategy, but one has to wonder whether this would potentially work against it. Of course, she could still think on the fly. Momo tells the crews not to get careless after taking out a tank, which isn't a problem for her- with her level of accuracy, Turtle Team won't be making any kills.
Meanwhile, Maginot discusses how Oarai has more firepower than they do, especially the StuG. Eclair sets up a fortification with four tanks, with Gallette confused as to why she's going with a defensive fortification after all. Gallette points out that she's only using four out of five tanks for that.
Momo believes that the match will decide how Oarai fights from now on, while Rabbit Team is determined not to run this time. As the match begins, the two teams order their forces forward.
Next Installment: Once again, a group of newcomers cuts their teeth on a veteran school... but this time, it's Tatenashi against Saunders in Ribbon Warrior.
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