One way or another, the trophy presented annually to the winner of the J. League's first division was bound for Nissan Stadium after Saturday.
The big question was whether it would be transported under the careful supervision of league officials or paraded home by the victorious Yokohama F. Marinos.
Marinos did just about all they could in Saturday's 4-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale at Todoroki Stadium. But FC Tokyo's 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds meant the schale would remain in the J. League's care — for one more week.