Yakitate!! Japan, Vol. 9

England. France. Germany. What common thread binds these three nations together? Answer: each is famous for producing unique, distinctive, delicious bread. But what about Japan, home to rice and delicacies of the sea? Is there not a doughy, gastronomic delight they can claim as their own? The answer is no...until now! Kazuma Azuma, a 16-year-old-boy blessed with otherworldly baking powers, has taken it upon himself to create Ja-pan, the national bread of the land of the rising sun!

Speed is of the essence during the first round of the Monaco Cup's final selections--the participants must bake a loaf of bread as fast as humanly possible. Kazuma is raring to go with his patented Ja-pan 3, but a misunderstanding with one of the judges could lead to Pantasia's utter ruination. Later, the ruthless owner of St. Pierre--Pantasia's arch-nemesis--schemes to have the venue for the second round switched to a deserted island! Will Team Pantasia be able to survive--let alone bake bread--in this harsh and brutal new environment?