I don't know how to reply directly since you merged the posts so I wil improvise, sorry
Q "You don't really believe Niou played as well as Byoudin as Byoudin would himself, do you? Likewise, I think it would be unrealistic to think a real Camus-Duke pairing with Howling would have been so easily solved by Germany, but that only makes sense if you agree Niou-Camus isn't as good as the real deal."
Not as well, around 70~90% maybe 80~90% since first: this is the last match that Niou copy others; second: a 50% Byo wouldn't take 1 set of 2 pros or you think he could ? (even being doubles, Duke was the support not the main "damage dealer"); third: unlike others moments, in this match was (aparently) never said anything about Niou not being as good as the original;
And yes orignal Camus-Duke wold lose here without a doubt.
Q "I believe all the world techniques Niou-Byoudin used were just the ones he saw back in the G10 match vs. Tokugawa"
Wrong, he used a new one, Wallace's giant bee (looks like its the biggest bee of the world).
Q "and the real Byoudin has obviously upgraded since then"
Tokugawa became 10 times stronger and you can't say I'm wrong since both of us don't have proof.
Serious answer: everyone upgraded since then (from all the world).
Q "Do you honestly think the real Byoudin won't make a WC appearance - or if he does, at what better stage than this one? On that note, who do you think plays Medanore if Tokugawa were to play Volk, since Medonore is likely as good if not better than Volk? If you really think Tokugawa is better than Byoudin, and that may be the case, having Tokugawa play the final match against Spain, not Germany, would make more sense."
Byo will probably face Medanore, and by the info at the beginning Medanore had the potencial to be better than Volk (with implies he isn't) but indeed he can be as good (maybe better who knows). And in my opinion Byodoin need to shoulder the responsability to win the WC since he was the cause they lost the last one, being the last player again. (but again, it could go as you said and Tokugawa finish it to prove you could conquer the world wth honor)
Q "Finally, even if we assume Niou-Byoudin was as good as the real one, this was a doubles match, which is completely different than singles. That point not only seriously questions whether Niou-Byoudin was really at a disadvantage due to his individual skill but also strikes against Volk's short appearance being in the pre-WC as being at all satisfactory story-wise. Konomi wouldn't leave one of his best hyped players in Volk as only appearing in an otherwise meaningless preliminary match, and a mere doubles appearance at that."
That kinda happened with Camus. And looking back Kintaro didn't play S1 with Ryoma so it's not impossible (we can see in the perspective of how the HSr seem to be more of teachers for the MSr than important players that we need to see in match). But don't get me wrong here I do want to see him play a real match, everyone does.
Q "If Tokugawa played against Volk and Byoudin played against Medanore, that still makes infinitely better sense (although I prefer the story-line I put out above) than wasting an opportunity for character arc closeout, and one in which he would overcome the hyped player on the most hyped team since pre-WC. Volk is playing, there is no doubt."
I wasn't talking about what I wanted but what should be realistic done:
The best line up to make Japan win without bs would be the same thing that happened to France, basically Volk not playing
I even said here
Personally I think it's more likely for Tokugawa vs Volk and Byodoin as captain to finish the tournament agaisnt Medanore.
With the actual line up I don't even know what I want, I wanted Volk/Tezuka in double showing howling that was hinted they have and Tokugawa x Bismarck in S1.
