146-150

Chapter 146: Supreme Domination – Defeating Tanegashima  

(Author’s Note: Wait, where did you all get the idea that Tezuka’s Phantom Spin is a 6x rotation boost? The anime clearly states it’s 60% stronger. I’ve seen so many people claim it’s 6x…)  

The spin intensity of the Supreme Zone is more than double that of the Reverse Zone.  

And since the Reverse Zone’s spin is already 60% stronger than the standard Tezuka Zone, you can imagine just how absurd the rotation of the Supreme Zone is.  

The moment it appeared, Tanegashima was completely overwhelmed.  

Deconstructing spin of this magnitude was already near-impossible—but compound spin? He could only neutralize one layer at best.  

Worse, he couldn’t even tell which spin he was neutralizing. It was like rolling dice.  

If he happened to cancel the reverse spin, the ball would return to Yoru, giving him a slim chance.  

But if he canceled the forward spin? The ball would rocket out of bounds—point lost.  

At his current level, Tanegashima stood no chance of dismantling the Supreme Zone.  

Maybe in the future…  

In the original series, Tanegashima claimed he could counter Volk’s *"Baptism of the Vortex"*—an otherworldly-level technique. By then, even the Supreme Zone might not escape "Muga no Kyouchi" (Realm of Annihilation).  

But for now?  

He’s at the mercy of absolute control.  

THWACK—!  

Yoru scores! 2-0!  

...  

THWACK—!  

Yoru scores! 3-0!  

...  

THWACK—!  

Yoru scores! 5-0!  

...  

Thirty minutes into the match…  

The tornado symbolizing the Supreme Zone dissipated.  

Yoru looked calmly at Tanegashima, who was now kneeling on one knee—exhausted.  

"You couldn’t do it, huh?"  

"......"  

Tanegashima forced a bitter smile.  

From the second game onward, he had tried everything—even holding the ball longer on his racket. But no matter what, he could only neutralize one layer of spin.  

And as time passed, the Supreme Zone’s rotation grew even stronger. Some shots now slipped through completely—untouched by "Muga no Kyouchi."  

But it wasn’t just Tanegashima struggling.  

Yoru himself was feeling the side effects.  

He had underestimated them.  

Even with a Level 10 physique, his shoulder ached with every swing. If not for his jacket, everyone would see his arm flushed with blood.  

"Overplayed my hand…"  

Yoru kept his expression icy, but internally, he was groaning.  

*Could’ve just won with Glowing Experience Mode… but no, I had to flex with the Supreme Zone.*  

"Tezuka in the World Cup must’ve had Level 15+ stats to spam this without consequences…"  

"Wait—no, even he had limits. He only used it for a few games."  

After Volk’s brutal training, Tezuka’s body could handle the strain.  

By the system’s standards, Level 15-16 is professional-athlete tier.  

Given that Tezuka was nearly in high school, his physique was likely in that range.  

*"Guess I shouldn’t use the Supreme Zone for extended periods until I hit Level 13…"*  

His gaze returned to Tanegashima.  

"Tanegashima, if you can’t touch the ball, ‘Muga no Kyouchi’ is useless, right?"  

A slow nod.  

No point hiding it—this was common knowledge.  

Their voices were low, but the players in the benches heard everything.  

Inui frowned.  

"True, but with Tanegashima’s Enhanced Senses, there shouldn’t be a shot he can’t reach—"  

FLOKITOTO  

WHOOSH—!  

Before he could finish, reality slapped him in the face.  

Yoru’s body erupted in an eerie glow, and the court’s temperature plummeted.  

Tanegashima’s eyes widened.  

"You can also—?!"  

The aura around Yoru was denser, more oppressive.  

Power Level: +1.5  

Now at 12.5 stars, the match was no longer balanced.  

GULP.  

Tanegashima served.  

The ball barely bounced before—BLUR.  

Gone.  

All that remained was Yoru walking back to the baseline.  

BOOM—!  

A deafening crash. The ground shook.  

Tanegashima turned to see a charred mark on the court—and an identical one on the back wall.  

The ball’s speed had been invisible.  

"15-0, Yoru!"  

GASPS.  

The crowd was stunned.  

Even on TV, the playback lagged—missing Yoru’s movement entirely.  

Back at the baseline, Yoru locked onto Tanegashima.  

"Serve."  

In this state, his mind was laser-focused—only tennis existed. Saying even two words was a struggle.  

"Damn it!"  

Tanegashima served again, but this time, the speed exceeded his senses.  

"It’s over."  

QP shook his head.  

Yoru’s "Glowing Experience Mode" was a monstrous evolution of his own. With Tanegashima’s senses overwhelmed, defeat was inevitable.  

...  

But it wasn’t just the "Super-Perfect Quality" boost.  

Runes were at play.  

Yoru enjoyed:  

• 10% return quality (Counter Rune)  

• 15% swing speed (Swift Strike Rune)  

• 8% movement speed (Gale Rune) 

Normally, he suppressed these effects to hide his full power.  

But in this state? No holding back.  

His performance skyrocketed—practically 13-star level!  

"30-0, Yoru!"  

...  

"40-0, Yoru!"  

...  

"Game, set, match—Yoru! 6-0!"  

Match over.  

Total domination.  

...  

"To lose this badly…"  

Tanegashima stared at the brutal scoreline. Even his naturally tanned skin looked pale—whether from exhaustion or shock, no one could tell.  

"Snap out of it."  

Yoru stood at the net, waiting.  

Finally, Tanegashima approached, forcing a smile.  

"You’re strong. Far stronger than the magazines say. I lost fair and square."  

Yoru nodded silently before walking off.  

Not out of rudeness—his arm was throbbing.  

"Do all Seigaku captains get cursed with arm pain? What kind of twisted tradition is this?!"  

Luckily, the system confirmed it was temporary. Rest would fix it.  

Meanwhile…  

Tokyo Airport.  

Two figures stepped out.  

One—a woman—wore a hat, sunglasses, and mask, hiding her face completely.  

"Seigaku… huh?" 

Chapter 147: Endurance Rune; Advancing to the Finals  

[Congratulations, Master! You have led Seigaku to victory over Maizono Academy and received a reward: Random Rune*1!]  

[Will you claim it?]  

"Another lucky drop, huh?"  

A grin spread across Yoru’s face.  

"Claim it!"  

[Congratulations, Master! You have obtained the ‘Endurance Rune’!]  

Endurance Rune Effect:  

• Increases the stamina of all team members by +1 (does not count toward the Five Dimensions rating).  

• Reduces the side effects of techniques by:  

• 10% for regular teammates.  

• 20% for regulars.  

• 30% for the Master (Yoru). 

"This is too convenient… System, are you doing this on purpose?"  

Yoru was skeptical.  

Sure, it was called a "random rune," but what were the odds? Right after suffering backlash from the Supreme Realm, he just happens to draw a rune that mitigates its side effects?  

[System: I’m just an employee. The higher-ups hand out the runes—I don’t have that kind of authority.]  

Yoru decided not to press further.  

He equipped the rune immediately.  

The +1 stamina boost took effect instantly, restoring some of his depleted energy.  

More importantly, the reduction in technique backlash made the pain in his arm vanish.  

Combined with the recovery effects of his Training Rune, he estimated he’d be fully healed by tomorrow—back to being a dashing young man!  

"It’s finally over… Captain, that match was incredible!"  

Oishi couldn’t help but voice his admiration.  

And he wasn’t the only one.  

Aside from QP, none of them had expected that beyond the Inverted Realm, there existed an even more overpowered technique—the Supreme Realm.  

Putting themselves in Tanegashima’s shoes… the situation would’ve been far worse for them.  

Even Tanegashima, the wielder of the Nirvana of Truth (已滅無), couldn’t break free from the Supreme Realm’s control.  

What hope did they have?  

That technique was a forced dilemma:  

1. Return the ball against the spin? → It gets pulled back to Yoru, leading to an endless stamina drain—slow, agonizing defeat.  

1. Return the ball with the spin? → The ball gets launched out of bounds—instant loss. 

Tanegashima had even tried not using Nirvana of Truth, but the result was the same—the ball flew out of play.  

Drop shots, lobs, drives—nothing worked. In the end, he was still forced to choose between two losing options.  

But what really left Oishi in awe was how far Seigaku had come.  

They were now in the national finals—one step away from the championship.  

He had never imagined Yoru could lead them this far.  

If they did win the national title… it would be Seigaku’s first in history, etching their names into legend.  

Just the thought of it sent shivers down his spine.  

"You’re thinking the same thing, right, Oishi?"  

"How could I not?"  

Kawasaki and Kaidoh’s eyes were red with emotion.  

Yoru, QP, and Kirihara might not feel it as deeply, but for the upperclassmen who had carried Seigaku’s hopes for years…  

This was a dream they never dared believe could come true.  

Next week, the national finals would begin.  

That glory—once so distant it felt like a fantasy—was now within reach.  

"Game over! Final score: 5-0! Congratulations to Seigaku for advancing to the national finals!"  

The referee’s whistle marked the end of the match.  

The crowd erupted in cheers as Seigaku’s team rushed onto the court, hugging and celebrating their victory.  

Ryuzaki Sumire watched from the sidelines, her gaze lingering on Yoru’s youthful yet determined face.  

She knew Seigaku’s success wasn’t just due to the players’ efforts—it was his leadership that had brought them here.  

Maizono Academy’s Side 

After the loss, Inui and the others were visibly downcast.  

But they understood—against an opponent this strong, there was little they could’ve done.  

The gap in doubles was insurmountable. Against Seigaku’s lineup, they never stood a chance.  

Still, the last two matches had been thrilling.  

They may have lost, but they fought with honor.  

The crowd’s applause was proof—they acknowledged the incredible battle both teams had delivered.  

Tanegashima stepped off the court with a wry smile.  

"Sorry, everyone… I got wrecked out there."  

"Don’t say that. If it were me, I’d have lost even faster."  

Inui shook his head.  

Recalling Yoru’s performance, he knew he wouldn’t have lasted as long as Tanegashima did.  

At least Tanegashima had his superhuman reflexes to keep up.  

Inui? He couldn’t even match Yoru’s base speed.  

As time passed, the once-rowdy stadium gradually emptied, leaving only scattered spectators behind.  

Tanegashima led his team toward the exit, each step heavier than the last.  

At the gate, he paused.  

Turned back.  

Stared at the now-silent court.  

His expression was a mix of nostalgia and reluctance.  

Once they left, they’d never step onto that stage again—not as players, at least.  

"Take a good look…"  

Kaji Fengdu’s voice was quiet, almost solemn.  

Tanegashima nodded.  

For half a minute, he stood there, memorizing every detail.  

Then, with a deep breath, he turned away.  

Maizono Academy walked off, their silhouettes fading into the distance.  

Amid the celebrations, Yoru remained seated, soaking in the moment.  

QP spoke up beside him.  

"Your arm hurts, doesn’t it?"  

Others might not have noticed, but QP—ever the perfectionist—had seen the subtle shift in Yoru’s playstyle in the sixth game.  

He’d started using two-handed returns more often.  

While two-handed strikes increased power and speed, Yoru didn’t need the extra force—his shots were already overwhelming.  

And single-handed swings allowed better control.  

The only explanation?  

Discomfort.  

Yoru smirked.  

"It’s fine. A little rest, and I’ll be back to normal. I just pushed too hard testing that technique."  

QP relaxed slightly.  

In this world, there weren’t many people he truly cared about.  

Before coming to Japan, Retru had been the only one.  

Now, that list had grown.  

Yoru. The Echizen family. Seigaku’s team.  

And—  

Oni Juujirou. The kids at the Warm Sun Orphanage.  

Having grown up in the cutthroat world of elite tennis, QP had known only suffocating pressure—his sole focus was becoming stronger.  

But after meeting Yoru…  

He finally understood what it meant to have comrades.  

That warmth was like sunlight piercing through the darkness.  

Meanwhile, at the Echizen Residence… 

Two unexpected guests had arrived. 

Chapter 148: The Pain Buried Deep Within  

Echizen Residence  

During the day, the temple gates remained open, allowing anyone to enter and pay their respects without strict formalities.  

However, few visitors ever came.  

After all, the sign at the entrance bore the Echizen family name, leading most to assume it was private property and hesitate to intrude.  

Yet today, two unfamiliar figures—a man and a woman—stepped inside.  

Most of the temple’s rooms were locked.  

Guided by a weathered sign, the pair made their way to the inner courtyard.  

Before long, they spotted a man lounging under the eaves beside the large temple bell, lazily flipping through a magazine.  

"The Buddha’s that way. Pay your respects and leave—no loitering," the man said without looking up.  

Disdain flickered across the woman’s face, but she quickly suppressed it. Hesitantly, she called out, "Echizen Nanjiro?"  

The man reading the magazine was indeed Nanjiro.  

Hearing his name, he lowered the magazine and studied the newcomers. His expression shifted briefly before settling into cold indifference.  

"The U.S. Open’s coming up, isn’t it?" he sneered. "Shouldn’t you be in the States preparing? What brings you here—and who’s this wild man you’ve dragged along?"  

The woman bristled. "He’s my personal assistant!"  

"Oh? A male personal assistant? Well, congrats on the happy box you two’ll be sharing!"  

"You—!"  

She clenched her fists but swallowed her anger. Remembering her purpose, she forced herself to stay calm. "I want to see Yoru."  

Nanjiro’s smirk vanished. Propping his chin on his hand, he replied mockingly, "Why? To tell him you’ve got a new toy and found him a stepdad?"  

"That’s too far!"  

The woman was *Joanna —or rather, Nalan.  

Yoru’s biological mother.  

Nanjiro wasn’t surprised by her appearance. He’d anticipated this when Yoru left for England.  

What he hadn’t expected was for her to seek them out so soon, especially without Yoru making contact first.  

Nalan’s face darkened. "Yoru’s father was—and always will be—my only husband. Tell me where Yoru is... and where Dai is. Why are you hiding from me?"  

"Where Dai is?"  

Those three words sent a visible tremor through Nanjiro. Veins bulged at his temples, his eyes bloodshot, hatred etching itself into his features.  

"You mean... you truly don’t know where Dai is?!" he roared, his voice shaking with barely restrained fury.  

In an instant, the entire temple seemed to suffocate under an oppressive weight.  

The "assistant," fearing Nanjiro might lash out, moved to shield Nalan—only to freeze mid-step.  

His vision blurred. Behind Nanjiro, the shadow of a sword-wielding samurai loomed, growing larger, more terrifying—  

A strangled scream escaped him before he collapsed, unconscious.  

Nalan, however, remained unaffected. Ignoring the fallen man, she focused solely on Nanjiro’s reaction. His earlier mention of "getting tickets for his son" now took on a horrifying new meaning.  

Her voice trembled. "Where... is Dai?"  

Nanjiro inhaled sharply, forcing himself to steady. But the pain in his eyes was unmistakable.  

"Dai... is dead."  

The words came out like a blade. "You forgot about his illness, didn’t you? A few years after you abandoned him... it took him."  

Nalan’s face cycled through shock, denial, and finally, agony.  

Staggering back, she gripped a pillar for support.  

"No... that’s impossible. The surgery fixed him—"  

"It treated him," Nanjiro spat. "Not cured. He relapsed. Seven years ago."  

Nalan’s knees buckled. A dam inside her shattered.  

Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head, as if denial could undo the truth. But deep down, she knew.  

Why else would Nanjiro call Yoru his son?  

The ultimate trust between brothers—entrusting one’s child to the other.  

"It was osteosarcoma," Nanjiro said hollowly. "The ‘king of cancers.’ Do you have any idea what it did to him?"  

His voice cracked. "The pain... it ate him from the inside. Every second was torture. And you weren’t there."  

Nalan’s breath hitched. Seven years ago—  

She began rambling, explaining her absence, her dreams, her attempts to reach Dai... all unanswered.  

She’d assumed he’d hated her for leaving. That he’d chosen to cut her off.  

Nanjiro’s laugh was bitter. "Liar. Dai tried to contact you. You never replied."  

"That’s not—"  

Then it struck her.  

During her comeback, her manager, Marianne, had controlled all communications.  

The woman would have hidden Dai’s messages.  

Nanjiro didn’t care for her realization. "Leave. You’re not welcome here. Not by me, not by Rinko... and certainly not by Yoru."  

Nalan said nothing.  

What mother could be forgiven after this?  

(What she didn’t know—Yoru’s hatred wasn’t just for Dai’s death. It was the rage of two lifetimes of abandonment.)  

Silently, she hauled her unconscious assistant up.  

"I’ll return after handling things in the States," she said, voice steel. "And you don’t decide Yoru’s future. I’m his mother."  

Before Nanjiro could retort, she turned and left.  

———  

Meanwhile, Yoru remained oblivious to his mother’s visit.  

His mind was preoccupied—with a flood of [System Notifications] lighting up his thoughts.  

[Ding—!] 

Chapter 149: Ryoma’s Breakthrough; Mastering the "Killer" Technique  

After the semifinals concluded, there was still a week left before the finals.  

Yoru and the others needed to return to school first, then head back to Kansai the day before the championship match.  

On the bus ride home, the team chatted excitedly, daydreaming about what it would feel like to lift the championship trophy.  

Only Yoru seemed drowsy, lulled by the white noise of the bus—until a sudden system alert jolted him awake.  

[Ding! Detected that ‘Echizen Ryoma’ has mastered Sweet Spot Technique (Lv. 1). Feedback multiplier activated: You have mastered Sweet Spot Technique (Lv. 3)!]  

[Due to your Five Dimensions stats, Sweet Spot Technique has been upgraded to Lv. 8!]  

[Reminder: You now meet the conditions to develop the "Lightning Strike" shot. It is recommended that you attempt it yourself. Ryoma’s Five Dimensions are insufficient to raise Sweet Spot Technique to Lv. 5 before the main storyline begins.]  

["Lightning Strike" requires at least Lv. 5 Sweet Spot Technique to attempt development.]  

"Damn, that’s huge!"  

Yoru’s sleepiness vanished, replaced by excitement.  

He hadn’t expected Ryoma to already grasp the basics of Sweet Spot Technique at this age.  

Even if Ryoma couldn’t push it to Lv. 5 yet, it still unlocked a new skill path for Yoru.  

Turning to QP, he said, "After we get back to Seishun Gakuen, let’s train at the court under the railway bridge. There’s a technique I want to try."  

"Understood."  

QP nodded. When it came to tennis, he rarely refused.  

After a long and bumpy ride, the bus finally pulled up at Seigaku’s gates.  

Yoru stood and clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.  

"Rest up today. Recover your energy—training resumes tomorrow as usual."  

"One last week. Push through!"  

His voice echoed through the bus, but before the words even settled—  

"No need to rush. There’s still time!"  

Kaidoh suddenly stood up. "I can squeeze in extra practice. I’ll head home after 8 PM."  

"Huh?"  

Yoru blinked. Already skipping rest?  

Are the Kaidoh family genetically engineered to be training maniacs or something?  

In the original series, Kaidoh Kaoru was infamous for his brutal, almost self-torturous training regimen.  

Inspired by Kaidoh, Kawamura and the others also voiced their eagerness to keep training.  

With only a week left, they were desperate to improve however they could.  

Seeing their determination, Yoru realized—  

The old, lazy Seigaku was long gone.  

With their dream so close, no one wanted to waste what might be their only shot at glory.  

He didn’t argue.  

Back at the tennis club, the team dove into intense drills.  

Sprinting, jumping, striking—sweat soaked through their shirts as they pushed their limits.  

Time flew, and before they knew it, 8 PM arrived.  

Exhausted but mentally invigorated, the players finally dispersed.  

Only then did Yoru and QP make their way to the railway bridge court.  

The damage from Yoru’s earlier match with Ralph had been completely repaired—the court looked brand new.  

"Who the hell maintains this place?" Yoru muttered.  

He’d chosen this spot for a reason: the court quality was on par with national tournament standards—practically professional-grade.  

Shaking off the thought, the two stepped onto the court.  

"The technique I’m trying is dangerous," Yoru warned. "Don’t force yourself to return it."  

"Understood." QP nodded, inwardly wary.  

It was rare for Yoru to be this cautious.  

Yoru closed his eyes, visualizing the principles of Sweet Spot Technique and Lightning Strike:  

• Sweet Spot: The optimal contact point on the racket that minimizes arm strain while maximizing power.  

• Lightning Strike: A shot struck perfectly within the Sweet Spot, generating overwhelming force.  

• Super Sweet Spot (SSS): A near-mythical zone within the Sweet Spot that amplifies power exponentially. The "Destroy" shot is born from this point. 

In theory, no one can consistently hit the SSS—only approach it.  

Mastering Sweet Spot Technique is a lifelong pursuit. Even minor refinements lead to drastic power spikes.  

But that was a problem for future Yoru.  

Right now, he just needed to land a Lightning Strike.  

According to the system, once he grasped it, his Five Dimensions would instantly elevate its level.  

Lightning Strike was near-Otherworldly tier, with almost no drawbacks—a perfect addition to his arsenal.  

Yoru tossed the ball, his focus sharpening. A faint glow flickered at his fingertips as he swung—  

BOOM!  

A radiant sphere rocketed toward QP’s side, though the shockwave was milder than expected.  

"Lightning Strike? You’re developing this?" QP raised an eyebrow.  

The technique wasn’t a secret internationally—many trained Sweet Spot Technique, but few specialized in Lightning Strike.  

Not because it was weak, but because it lacked versatility.  

Most used Sweet Spot to enhance existing techniques (like Oni’s Black Axe → Golden Axe).  

Others, like Ryoma and Tokugawa, modified Lightning Strike itself (e.g., Hope Shot, Twist Spin Strike).  

QP had assumed Yoru would take the first path—infusing Sweet Spot into his moves.  

Instead, he was going all-in on Lightning Strike variations.  

"Not ‘developing’ yet. Just laying the groundwork."  

[Ding! Congratulations, Master! You have mastered Lightning Strike (Lv. 1)!]  

[Due to your Five Dimensions and Sweet Spot Technique, Lightning Strike has been upgraded to Lv. 8!]  

With Lv. 8 Sweet Spot Technique, mastering Lightning Strike was effortless.  

Yoru gripped another ball—lightning crackled around it as a dazzling glow erupted.  

"QP… brace yourself." 

Chapter 150: Talking About Feelings? Money Hurts More~  

By the time the two left, the tennis court was utterly destroyed.  

While the playing surface itself was intact, the surrounding walls and wire fencing were completely wrecked.  

About an hour later...  

Two elderly men arrived at the court, grinning from ear to ear.  

"Hah! Finally sneaked out. Time for a proper match!"  

"Remember—loser buys the drinks. No running away!"  

"Tch, who do you take me for? Unlike you, I don’t resort to underhanded tricks!"  

"Hm? ...This doesn’t look like our court."  

"Of course not. Ours isn’t this run-down!"  

"No, this is our court!"  

The two old men gaped at the devastation before them.  

Had Tezuka and Sanada been present, they’d have recognized them immediately—their grandfathers.  

Due to their age and declining health, their families had strictly forbidden them from playing tennis or drinking.  

So, they’d secretly built this private court to settle their rivalry in peace.  

The winner earned a feast of fine food and alcohol, and life was good.  

Money wasn’t an issue for either of them, so they’d used only the highest-quality materials.  

The last time someone vandalized the court’s fencing, the two had nearly popped a vein.  

Now, history had repeated itself—and their blood pressure was soaring.  

Meanwhile, the culprits—Yoru and QP—were happily munching on street food as they strolled home.  

With Rinko and Nanako still traveling, and Nanjiro’s questionable cooking skills, eating out had become their default.  

Back at the temple...  

QP headed straight for the shower.  

The man was a machine of discipline—every minute of his day was meticulously scheduled: bathing, reading, sleeping.  

Sometimes, Yoru wondered if QP was actually a robot.  

Too damn disciplined.  

"You’re back, brat?"  

A calm voice called out.  

Yoru turned to see Nanjiro sitting in the main hall, sipping tea and gesturing for him to join.  

Yoru frowned.  

Nanjiro was never this... normal. Something was off.  

He sat cross-legged. "Old man, why the sage mode? Did you just ‘reward’ yourself?"  

"Pfft—!"  

Tea sprayed everywhere.  

Nanjiro coughed. "Damn kid, you’ll be the death of me."  

"You’re acting weird. Spit it out." Yoru shrugged. "But no asking for money."  

To curb Nanjiro’s weekly magazine addiction, Rinko had given Yoru control of most household funds—leaving Nanjiro with just enough to survive.  

Nanjiro sighed. "...What do you think about your birth mother?"  

Yoru froze—then smirked. "So she came to see you?"  

"Huh?!" Nanjiro blinked. "How’d you know?"  

"Was it that hard to guess?"  

Nanjiro’s face had looked like he’d swallowed a fly the moment Yoru walked in. Coupled with the sudden mother question?  

Please. Yoru had consumed enough novels and dramas in his past life to see this coming.  

"I don’t care about her," he said flatly. "As long as she doesn’t disrupt my life, fine. But if she pays me, I’ll meet her."  

Following tropes, she’d show up eventually anyway. Might as well get paid for it.  

He wasn’t poor, but who’d say no to extra cash?  

In a happy adopted family, a birth parent’s role was simple: money and resources.  

Never talk feelings. That’s bad for business.  

Nanjiro stared.  

His son’s mindset had always been... unique. All his prepared speeches evaporated.  

"Do you... want to hear what she told me?" he ventured.  

"Nope!" Yoru cut him off. "Just answer two questions: Did she abandon me and my dad for her dreams?"  

"...Yes."  

"And did she ever lift a finger to raise me?"  

"...Not really, but—"  

"Then we’re done." Yoru waved dismissively. "Don’t feed me excuses. A world-class tennis queen has more power than most. If she wanted to do something, she could’ve—just like how she found us now."  

He’d seen all the tropes. Those two reasons were enough.  

"If she comes again, tell her my terms. Now..."  

Yoru pulled out his racket and a ball.  

Nanjiro grabbed his wooden racket and followed.  

Thirty seconds later—  

BOOM!  

A blinding light erupted across the court, followed by a deafening impact.  

The temple’s clay court suffered under the force, though Nanjiro returned the shot effortlessly.  

"I figured you’d learned it after giving Ryoma that cross-string racket," Nanjiro mused. "But you’ve mastered it fast."  

"Old man, I need your advice..."  

Yoru had a new goal: his own version of the Glowing Shot.  

Training with QP had exposed a harsh truth—Ryoma’s future "Hope Glow" was years away, and the basic Glow might not cut it in this Diamond Generation era.  

But creating a new Glow wasn’t simple.  

Most of his skills came from Ryoma, QP, or copied techniques. Forcing them into a Glow felt... off.  

Few knew this, but Nanjiro was the first in the series to perform a Glow—during Ryoma’s training, he’d used a wooden stick to smash a rock with Glow-level force.  

His expertise was unmatched.  

After hearing Yoru out, Nanjiro chuckled. "Kid, you’re overcomplicating it. You need to change how you see it..."  

What followed was a masterclass—one that shattered Yoru’s understanding and revealed just how terrifying Nanjiro’s tennis IQ truly was.  

Meanwhile...  

Mizonokuchi Junior High (Kansai Region)  

Even after defeating Rikkai, Byoudouin still wasn’t satisfied.  

The real battle awaited in the finals.  

His gaze drifted toward a desolate mountain, as if weighing a decision...