Chapter 33

Mission 33 (: 33) is the thirty-third chapter of the SPY x FAMILY manga, written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo. It was released on September 21, 2020.

Summary
A floor tile sinks to the ground next to Loid Forger, but he jumps over it and returns the ball, scoring a point. Carrol Campbell then tries hitting the ball in another sunken tile and bouncing it back in his direction. Fiona intercepts the ball and slams it to the ground, scoring another point. Carrol decides to change plans: manipulating the net's height. He signals to the staff, and they comply. Loid and Fiona Frost notice the changes and opt to work around them. When the Campbells realize their tricks are not working, they try using more against the Foneys, from gusts of wind to coating the ball with stink spray. However, all their schemes only amounted to little more than slight annoyances to the Foneys, who win the set and tie the scores.

Loid praises Fiona and her abilities, which she likes. As the final set begins, Fiona thinks about how she wants the match to last forever. She wonders if she could do it by extending it with an indefinite series of tiebreakers but backs down, realizing she might lose Loid’s respect and that he has finally found his groove again. Loid sees how focused Fiona looks and is glad she is finally under control. Meanwhile, the Campbell siblings decide to “call in the big guns.” The game begins, and Loid sees no tricks used and wonders if the siblings have given up on them. As Fiona is about to make her return, Loid sees Carrol signaling with his tongue, then spots a glint at the ducts behind him. Inside, a sniper prepares to make his shot, aiming for Fiona. Loid moves quickly, grabbing Fiona as he takes the bullet and tumbles to the ground, surprising everyone, including Fiona.

As the commentators relay the events, Fiona asks if Loid is alright. Loid confirms this, then picks up the bullet and shows it to Fiona, telling her that it is rubber and the location of their sniper. Fiona apologizes for letting this happen, but Loid reveals he anticipated this, which is why he wore a bulletproof vest under his shirt, and Fiona is amazed. Carrol is also amazed after he sees Loid get up and walk off over getting shot. Fiona says this is going too far, even for Campbelldon, and suggests penalizing the staff for interference. Loid doubts this, pointing out that most of the tournament staff seem to be in Campbell’s pocket and how any disruption to their match could risk their chances of getting the painting. However, the bullets are low-velocity, and the agents can try throwing off the sniper’s aim by baiting shots as long as they can spot the signals. The line judge asks if Loid is alright, and Loid says he is suffering from a hangover. Carrol is shocked, saying it can not be true.

The game resumes, and Loid makes his serve. He sees Carrol make another signal and realizes they will target him mid-serve. Loid staggers to the side and finishes his serve, surprising everyone. The sniper radios to the “court interference squad” for assistance, telling them to do whatever it takes to ensure the siblings’ win. Their tricks do not work on the agents, who predict their moves and move around them. The sniper calls in the ball boys to make their move. As Team Foney prepares to return a serve, Loid spots one of the ball boys pointing their wrist in his direction. The ball boy shoots a hidden bullet at Loid, who parries the shot, and the commentator sees Loid swinging at nothing. Fiona notes that they now have two more things to worry about, but Loid says that, unlike the sniper, the ball boys are much easier to read and will not do much harm. Loid resolves to finish the match, and the crowd is shocked by the team's bizarre movements while they play.

A frustrated Cavi Campbell yells at his kids to get it together and beat their opponents, knowing he has a lot riding on this match. The ball and a bullet go to Loid, who returns them with a wide swing. The parried bullet hits Carrol in the stomach, staggering him. The line judge asks if Carrol is okay, and Carrol tells him that he had too much milk in the morning, resulting in stomach cramps. Seeing that both teams appear impaired in the final stretch, the commentator calls the match a battle of sheer will as the audience cheers. While they play, Carrol thinks about how he does not want to lose and be beaten by Loid, but sees that he is no match for him. Loid jumps up in front of Carrol, intimidating him with his aura as he slams the ball under the boy’s legs. With that, the Foneys win the championship match, and the men betting on them stand up and cheer while Cavi sinks into his seat.

Caroll approaches Loid, realizing that despite being aware of the tricks, the Foneys still won. Carrol tears up and confesses that this is the first time he is disappointed in himself. Loid encourages Carrol, who is young and talented, and by working hard to hone his skills, can become a great player one day. Carrol swears to Loid that he will train hard, and Loid cheers him on. Fiona thinks to herself that Loid does not only strive to complete his missions but also reform his enemies, which is why she loves him. Kim Campbell sees this and thinks about how lame this is and is done with tennis. Cavi tears up, saying that despite losing the tournament, he gained something after seeing how much his son has grown, while a member points out how much money he just lost. One of Cavi’s men interrupts him and whispers a message to him, which Loid notices.

After the game, the Foneys go through a catalogue filled with all the art from Cavi’s collection. Fiona picks Lady in the Sun, but Cavi appears to tell them he cannot give it to them. When Fiona asks why not, Cavi states it is due to circumstances beyond his control, but promises any other item and will even give them an extra item as an apology. Fiona and Loid whisper to each other, realizing that Cavi received a call from the SSS, who must have gotten the same intel and are probably on their way to pick it up as they speak. Cavi speaks up, asking if they will take his offer, and Fiona asks to see the collection in person. Granting her request, Fiona goes to a private room full of Cavi’s art. Cavi asks where Loid is, and Fiona says he left to sleep off his hangover and not to worry about him. She glances at Lady in the Sun and sees it in the room. Fiona then asks Cavi for a recommendation for her choice and if she can leave her bag on a nearby counter, which he allows.

Cavi's butler approaches Cavi about Lady in the Sun, and Cavi tells him that the SSS will arrive in 10 minutes and to prepare it for them in the lobby. As the butler prepares the painting at the counter, one of the men tells him to hurry it up. When the SSS arrives, they retrieve the painting and thank Cavi for cooperating before leaving. Cavi has his butler see Fiona out, who asks the butler if WISE will let them moonlight as tennis pros. The butler removes his face mask, revealing himself to be Loid and says he has had enough of tennis for a while. As they leave, Loud asks Fiona what she picked for their prize, and she shows him a weird pot Cavi recommended, along with some garish rings he threw in. The agents then agree to gift them to Handler as a souvenir.

On the drive home, Loid admits to panicking a little when Cavi refused to give them Lady in the Sun but reveals that they successfully obtained it. Having planned, Loid brought a forgery of the painting and swapped it with the original while disguised as the butler, sneaking the original inside Fiona's bag. With this, the SSS will have to scour the forgery for a secret code that does not exist. Seeing the secret code on the painting, Loid and Fiona decide to bring it to HQ for analysis and high-five each other over completing the mission.

Trivia

 * After high-fiving each other, Fiona stares intensely at her hand, causing the agents to get into a minor car accident afterwards.