246-250

*Chapter 246: The Terrifying Elimination Rate*

Fail and walk home?

Most of the people present felt humiliated. However, confident in their own abilities and certain of their success, none of them chose to withdraw.

"Good!"

Seeing this, the staff member nodded in satisfaction. "The challenge begins now. Who wants to go first?"

"Me!"

Immediately, a young man in a light red jacket stepped forward.

"It's Yoshikawa from Eagle City Academy!"

"Eagle City's singles No. 2 last year. He's really strong. He’ll definitely score!"

"I heard their captain transferred, so he’s the strongest freshman at Eagle City this year!"

The crowd whispered among themselves.

The tall young man in red confidently walked into the pitch-black room.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As the door closed, a series of hitting sounds echoed from inside.

But as time passed, the sounds gradually weakened.

One minute later, the door opened again.

The red-clad young man emerged, drenched in sweat. His confident demeanor was gone, and he staggered, nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Yoshikawa Kenjiro from Eagle City Academy, 78 points. Failed."

The staff member announced.

Yoshikawa's face turned pale.

"H-how is this possible?" he muttered, utterly defeated.

"Tch."

The red-haired guy from Maizaka sneered. "Is this all Eagle City's singles No. 2 can do? Watch me, Kano-sama!"

With that, he puffed out his chest and entered the room.

Soon, rapid hitting sounds followed. A minute later, Kano stumbled out, looking no better than Yoshikawa.

"Kano Yota from Maizaka Middle School, 43 points. Failed."

Thud!

Kano collapsed to the ground, his strength completely drained.

"Hmm."

Seeing this, the expressions of the others finally turned serious.

"When faced with the unknown, the brain relies on past experiences to imagine the situation."

Outside the room, an infrared monitor relayed the participants' reactions in real-time to the U17 coaching staff's office.

At that moment, Kurobe, with his hands clasped on the table, watched the screen with interest. Beside him stood Saito and Takuzo.

The three U17 coaches observed the high schoolers like researchers studying lab mice in a unique environment.

"Is that kid Shirasawa Riku?" Takuzo's gaze fell on the black-haired boy in the footage. "He doesn’t seem particularly special, but for a first-year middle schooler, his height is impressive."

"And the other two are the aces from Rikkai and Shitenhoji, right?" Takuzo's eyes shifted to Mori and Genji. "Based on your assessment, they’re likely to become the Rookie Kings in this year’s fall tournament?"

"That was the initial assumption," Kurobe shook his head slightly. "But the appearance of this middle schooler might change things."

Last night, Kurobe had reviewed footage of Shirasawa’s matches. To his surprise, the boy’s performance was already on par with the top five players in U17’s second string, if not better.

"Barring any surprises, only these three will pass the high schoolers' test," Kurobe said, his eyes filled with curiosity. "I wonder which of them is the strongest!"

"Genji from Shitenhoji Middle School, 249 points. Pass."

In the parking area, Genji walked out of the testing room calmly.

"249 points?"

"The only one to pass so far."

"Is this the level of Shitenhoji, one of the top two schools in the Kansai region?"

The crowd looked at Genji with awe. The gap between top players and the rest was staggering.

"Next is me."

Mori stepped forward. He nodded at Genji and entered the room. Soon, powerful hitting sounds echoed, and the door opened again.

"Mori Suzuhiko from Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, 324 points. Pass!"

Over 300 points?

The crowd was stunned. Mori’s score was nearly double that of Yoshikawa’s, and even Genji paled in comparison.

"He scored over 320 points in that environment?" Genji looked at Mori with deep apprehension.

He remembered Mori transferring to Rikkai in his first year. When they met again during the national tournament in his third year, Mori, as Rikkai’s singles No. 3, had easily defeated their star player. But Genji never expected the gap between them to be this wide.

"Last one."

The staff member’s gaze turned to Shirasawa.

"Alright."

Shirasawa smiled and walked into the dimly lit room.

After passing through a corridor, he arrived at the testing area. The room was well-lit, with three ball machines positioned left, center, and right. Behind them stood ten target boards.

"The rules are simple," the staff member’s voice came through. "Within one minute, hit the balls from the machines and strike the targets. The center is 10 points, the second ring is 5, the third is 3, the fourth is 2, and the outermost ring is 1."

Shirasawa glanced at the targets. The center was tiny, about 2% of the total area. The 5-point ring was slightly larger at 10%, while the 2 and 3-point rings were similar in size. The 1-point ring took up over 50% of the target.

However, if that were the case, anyone with decent control should be able to pass easily.

Shirasawa narrowed his eyes. "Since this is a U17 test, it can’t be that simple."

"Test begins!"

As the staff member announced, the lights in the room went out, plunging it into complete darkness. In such conditions, even hitting the ball would be impressive, let alone the target.

In the coaches' room, Kurobe, Saito, and Takuzo focused on Shirasawa. They were eager to see how many points he would score.

"In the dark, humans revert to instinct and feel fear. In the first few seconds, most people will dodge. Only after reacting will they counter. So, hitting the ball immediately is already a pass," Kurobe thought to himself.

This test was improvised to gauge Shirasawa’s strength and see how he compared to the top high school freshmen.

To Kurobe’s disappointment, aside from Mori and Genji, none of the other high schoolers reacted quickly enough.

Of course, the test was harsh. It required not only vision, hearing, and control but also quick reflexes and mental resilience.

In Kurobe’s eyes, this middle schooler, whom Saito had praised so highly, should at least be on par with Shitenhoji’s Genji.

"Hmm?"

Takuzo suddenly exclaimed, "This kid closed his eyes?"

"Interesting," Kurobe chuckled.

At the very least, this middle schooler’s mental resilience wasn’t bad.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The three ball machines activated simultaneously, firing balls at over 150 km/h toward Shirasawa.

At the same time, the three coaches focused on Shirasawa, eager to see his performance.

Would he pass? How many points would he score? Could he surpass Rikkai’s Mori?

Swish!

Shirasawa moved.

With his eyes closed, he relied on his hearing to pinpoint the balls’ trajectories. He raised his racket and swung swiftly.

Bang!

A crisp hitting sound echoed, and a silver flash seemed to light up the dark room.

Boom!

Under the stunned gazes of the coaches, the first target on the left shattered.

Boom! Boom!

The second and third targets followed suit.

"Such power..." Takuzo’s eyes widened in shock. He had never seen such a fierce newcomer.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The ball machines fired again, and Shirasawa swung his racket once more.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Outside the testing room, thunderous explosions echoed shortly after Shirasawa entered.

"What’s going on in there?"

The crowd was puzzled.

"Is... something wrong?" Genji’s eyes showed concern.

The ball machines’ speed increased over time. If someone couldn’t react quickly, they might get hit. A ball traveling at over 150 km/h could cause serious injury.

Boom! Boom!

But just as everyone grew worried, the explosions suddenly stopped.

"Uh..."

The staff member was also confused. As he prepared to open the door, it swung open on its own, and Shirasawa walked out calmly.

"What... just happened?"

The high schoolers exchanged bewildered looks.

The staff member was equally clueless, but before he could ask Shirasawa, a voice came through his earpiece.

"Understood."

He nodded and announced, "Shirasawa Riku from Hyotei Academy has passed the test."

Passed?

The high schoolers were stunned.

Some protested, but the staff member ignored them.

"The test is over. The three who passed will enter the U17 training camp. The rest of you are allowed to take the bus home," he said coldly.

"Damn it!"

"What kind of joke is this?"

"The so-called best training camp in the country is a farce!"

"Whatever, at least we don’t have to walk back."

The group grumbled but, thinking about the alternative, quickly boarded the bus.

"Only three made it?" Mori sighed. The U17 test was stricter than he had imagined.

As for Genji, he couldn’t help but stare at Shirasawa, wondering how the boy had passed the test in less than 10 seconds.

"Let’s go, you two."

Shirasawa looked up at the camera and smiled. "This place seems pretty strict. If we don’t leave now, we might really have to walk back."

With that, he headed toward the gate.

In the coaches' room, Kurobe, Saito, and Takuzo looked uneasy.

"So... that’s how it ended?" Takuzo shook his head. "I have a feeling that kid knew we were watching him."

"He’s very sharp," Kurobe agreed. "But the more talented they are, the more they need to be tempered. At the very least, these three need to learn the rules of this camp."

"You mean..." Saito glanced at him. "Have them participate in the ranking matches?"

"Yes," Kurobe nodded. "Ordinary matches won’t be enough for them."

"True," Takuzo agreed. "In that case, let’s have them face the second string from Court 5 and above."

"Alright, it’s settled."

Kurobe finalized the decision.

But deep down, he had considered pitting these three newcomers against three others in a match, especially with the first string away in Southeast Asia.

After all, a sharp sword needs to be tempered.

The potential of these three, especially the middle schooler from Hyotei, had exceeded Kurobe’s expectations.

"Shirasawa Riku," Kurobe narrowed his eyes. "I hope you won’t disappoint me."

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 247: Entering U17, Matsudaira's Shock*

Passing through the gate and walking along a stone path through the forest, Ishikawa and the others suddenly found themselves in a wide-open space.

"Is this Japan's U17 training base?"

Mori and Sanada's eyes lit up with curiosity.

The stone path led to a broad asphalt road, flanked on both sides by tennis courts enclosed by wire fences.

Not far away, a staff member driving a small shuttle cart seemed to be patrolling the area.

Tap, tap!

Behind him, a group of young men in red-and-white jackets, all with impressive physiques, could be seen.

"Are they training?" Sanada asked, surprised. "From the looks of it, are they running laps around the entire base?"

The base was massive. From what he could see, it was easily larger than 50 of Rikkai's tennis courts combined.

"That’s normal," Mori said, his tone cautious. Due to his past encounters with U17 players like Echizen, he had a deep respect for the base. In his mind, as Japan’s top tennis training facility, the intensity here would far exceed what most people could imagine.

"Faster, faster!"

"Pick up the pace!"

"You idiots! If you don’t have exceptional skills or sharp minds, all you can do is train harder!"

"Do you want to stay stuck in the lower courts forever?"

The staff member on the shuttle cart raised a megaphone, constantly urging and mocking the runners.

The exhausted runners seemed to regain some energy, their eyes firming with determination as they picked up their pace.

Tap, tap, tap!

Moments later, the group passed by Ishikawa and the others.

They glanced over, their eyes filled with a mix of surprise, disdain, and indifference.

"Faster, faster!!!"

Another shuttle cart pulled up from behind, and the staff member shouted through the megaphone, "Tomorrow is the weekly shuffle match. You all know what happens if you lose, right?"

Whoosh!

Hearing this, the runners, who had started to slack off, immediately straightened up and increased their speed again.

"Shuffle match?"

Sanada, who had keenly picked up on the key term, frowned thoughtfully. "It doesn’t sound like a simple competition."

"Yeah," Mori nodded. "We’re new here, so we should figure out the rules first. I have a feeling this place is going to be stricter than we imagined."

Sanada nodded solemnly in agreement.

It was clear that the U17 training base operated under a closed, highly disciplined system. From the way the staff treated the trainees, it was obvious that newcomers like them wouldn’t be given much leeway.

Moreover, during their first year of middle school, they had faced many incredibly strong players. If those players had been selected for U17, they would undoubtedly be formidable opponents.

As a result, both Mori and Sanada kept a low profile. Meanwhile, Ishikawa observed the U17 environment, occasionally glancing at the ongoing matches on the courts.

However, to his disappointment, he didn’t spot any players who matched the descriptions of the characters he remembered from his past life.

"Could it be..."

A thought crossed his mind.

Soon, the three of them passed through the main entrance area and arrived at the central part of the base.

Standing on a wide platform, they looked down at a massive, neatly divided tennis court shaped like a square.

At the center of the square was the white building they had seen earlier.

The building had two levels, with a green roof and white walls.

An open iron gate led directly to the central viewing platform.

At that moment, on the courts below, dozens of players were either practicing their swings or engaged in matches, all in an orderly manner.

Whoosh!

Noticing the newcomers, many of the players looked up. Seeing unfamiliar faces, some of them showed meaningful expressions, but they quickly returned to their training.

Mori mused, "It seems like the courts here are divided into specific zones."

"Probably," Sanada agreed. "If you look closely, the players don’t cross into other courts. Even retrieving balls is handled by the staff."

"Yeah, those people in black uniforms," Mori said, glancing around. Each court had at least two staff members in black jackets.

Near the platform, a row of staff in black sat at laptops, inputting data.

At that moment, Mori had a strange thought.

The entire U17 training base felt like a highly structured, strictly hierarchical factory.

The high schoolers in red-and-white jackets were like cattle, herded and "raised" in this place. The cold, stern expressions of the staff in black added to the oppressive atmosphere.

Sanada, who came from a school known for its lighthearted approach, felt the tension even more acutely.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

This place was going to be even more intense than they had imagined.

"Welcome to the U17 training base," a voice called out.

From the far end of the platform, a middle-aged man in a white lab coat, with a long braid, approached them.

"Let me introduce myself. I’m Saitou Itaru, the mental conditioning coach here at Japan’s U17 training base," the man said with a smile. "I’ll be taking you to get settled into your accommodations."

"Thank you," the three replied.

But Mori and Sanada couldn’t help but notice that Saitou seemed to be paying more attention to Ishikawa.

"Does he know me?" Ishikawa thought to himself.

"Of course," he realized.

"Otherwise, they wouldn’t have invited just me."

"But what exactly do the coaches have in mind?"

From the initial test at the parking lot to Saitou personally escorting them, it was clear that the U17 coaches had been keeping an eye on him for a while.

However, for Ishikawa, his goal was simple. He planned to use U17’s advanced equipment and the coaches’ scientific training methods to accelerate his growth.

Soon, under Saitou’s guidance, the three arrived at the living quarters at the back of the base.

Unsurprisingly, they were assigned to the same room. After Saitou briefly explained the base’s rules, he left.

The three tidied up their dorm and then headed to the living area to buy some daily necessities and familiarize themselves with the surroundings.

After lunch, they decided to visit the courts. Even if they weren’t training yet, they could at least observe how things worked at U17.

Meanwhile, in the central court area, the high schoolers, having finished a training session, were enjoying a rare break. Naturally, the topic of conversation turned to the three newcomers.

"Strange, only three new recruits this year?"

"Maybe something happened. Three is definitely a small number."

At the U17 training base, after the third-year students graduated, they would gradually leave. The coaching staff would then select talented newcomers based on recommendations from various schools.

August marked the arrival of the first batch of new recruits.

The most important event was the Fall Newcomers Tournament in early September. Outstanding performers could earn a spot in the top 5 courts or even challenge the top-ranked players!

For newcomers, this was a crucial opportunity to gain the coaches’ attention and secure more training resources and match opportunities.

As a result, every year before the Fall Tournament, U17 would recruit at least 100 newcomers, using training and matches to weed out the weaker ones.

But this time, they had only seen three newcomers join.

"Could they be specially recruited elite players?" someone in Court 5 speculated. "Like that guy last year."

"Hmm."

The others’ expressions shifted.

Times had changed. After a year of training, that person had risen to a very high position within U17.

If these three were indeed elite recruits, it wouldn’t affect the lower-ranked players much. But for those in Court 5 and above, it could spell trouble.

"Don’t overthink it!"

Someone sneered. "Do you really think someone like Tokugawa comes along easily?"

Another nodded. "Exactly. If there’s one, it’s already impressive. Three at once? What does that make us?"

The others silently agreed.

That Tokugawa guy was in a league of his own. Not only was he incredibly strong, but he also received personal guidance from that person—something no one else in U17 could boast.

"Why worry about it?"

Another shook his head. "Whether they’re elites or not, we’ll find out in tomorrow’s shuffle match."

Whoosh!

At the mention of the shuffle match, the relaxed expressions on everyone’s faces instantly tightened.

Beep, beep, beep!

The staff in black blew their whistles, signaling the end of the break. The players immediately resumed their training.

"Mori, you were right," Sanada said grimly as they stood on the platform. "The training intensity and rules here are on a completely different level compared to high school tennis clubs."

"Yeah, the time constraints alone are strict," Mori agreed. "The training volume is insane. It’s going to be grueling."

Before the Kantō Tournament, Mori would have been deterred by such a rigorous environment.

But after that crushing defeat, his attitude toward training had changed. The U17 environment suited him perfectly.

"Ishikawa, what do you think?" Sanada turned to the boy beside him.

He had always been curious about Ishikawa. Not only had he passed the entrance test in 10 seconds, but his background was also a mystery.

As far as Sanada remembered, Hyotei hadn’t had a standout player named Ishikawa during last year’s middle school nationals.

This year, Hyotei’s high school team had a champion, but that person wasn’t named Ishikawa either.

"What do I think?" Ishikawa smiled. "I think we should join them."

With that, he ran off along the asphalt road.

"Huh?!"

Mori and Sanada were stunned.

At first, they thought he was joking. But as they watched Ishikawa’s retreating figure, their expressions turned to shock.

Was he serious?

They had just arrived, and he was already starting his training? This guy was a training maniac!

Mori’s eyes gleamed with understanding. Now he knew how Ishikawa, a middle schooler, had managed to reach a level comparable to Echizen.

Sanada, too, nodded to himself.

If Ishikawa wasn’t putting on an act, then his discipline was on par with his junior, who was now the captain of Rikkai’s middle school tennis team.

Meanwhile, in a sparsely populated court, the atmosphere was more relaxed.

There were few staff in black around, and even during training hours, the high schoolers were chatting freely.

"Hey, heard the news?"

A slim young man with a tuft of yellow hair on his otherwise bald head grinned. "The coaches are picking people to give the newcomers a ‘welcome’ tomorrow."

"Oh?"

A boy with a bandage on his nose looked surprised. "The new recruits are here already? I didn’t see them."

"Only three," a blue-haired boy said, shaking his head. "Maybe something went wrong on the way. Or maybe the coaches are up to something."

"Probably," a burly man with a buzz cut and sunglasses nodded. "That sounds like something those three would do."

"Only three... they must be elite recruits, right?"

A serious-looking black-haired boy frowned. "Like Tokugawa last year. Those coaches definitely have something planned."

"Heh."

The bald yellow-haired guy, Matsudaira, smirked. "I’m kind of interested. The staff said if we handle those three, we’ll get to join the next远征赛 (expedition match)."

"What?!"

The others’ eyes lit up.

"Matsudaira, are you serious?" The black-haired boy’s calm expression turned serious.

"Why would I lie?" Matsudaira shrugged. "Remember Akitsuki? He got a special spot after completing the coaches’ task."

Akitsuki!

Hearing the name, the others’ expressions changed again.

Akitsuki had been just another Court 3 player like them. But after that expedition match, his skills had skyrocketed.

Now, he was ranked 20th among the top players.

"If that’s the case..."

The others’ eyes gleamed with ambition.

"Heh, heh!" Matsudaira grinned. "I’ve already accepted the coaches’ assignment."

He looked smug, but as he casually glanced toward the asphalt road outside the court, his expression froze.

"Wait, is someone running out there... huh?!"

Whoosh!

Suddenly, as if he’d seen something, Matsudaira’s smug expression turned to one of sheer panic.

"H-how is he here?!"

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 248: The Ranking Matches Begin, the Trio Makes Their Debut*

"What’s wrong, Matsudaira?"

The young man with a bandage on his nose asked, puzzled.

"Huh?"

Matsudaira instinctively turned around and quickly shook his head. "I’m fine."

As if afraid others would notice his unease, he added, "I just figured something out from before, that’s all..."

Wait!

Suddenly, Matsudaira froze.

Could the three newcomers the coaches wanted them to face include that guy from earlier?

"Or maybe I was mistaken?"

Thinking this, he turned to look again, but the figure was gone.

"Hey, what’s going on with you?"

The buzz-cut guy wearing sunglasses frowned. "You’re acting all jumpy. Are you scheming something again?"

"No, no, I’m not..."

Matsudaira shook his head repeatedly.

He tried to suppress the rising fear in his heart, but the thought of possibly facing that person in the match made it impossible to calm down.

"Ugh... damn it, my stomach hurts."

Suddenly, he bent over, clutching his stomach, and hurriedly ran off the court. "I need to get checked out."

Before anyone could react, he was gone.

"What’s his deal?"

Suzuki, the bandaged-nose guy and a member of Court 3, frowned.

"Who knows?"

Mukai, the blue-haired guy from Kyushu’s Rikkai Middle School, shrugged. "Maybe his stomachache will give us a chance to play."

"Really?"

Suzuki frowned. "With how cunning he is, there’s no way he’d give up an opportunity like this."

"I think it’s possible," said a curly-haired, orange-haired guy with a small ponytail. "I have a feeling Matsudaira isn’t really sick. He probably saw something..."

"Whatever he saw," the black-haired guy, Tsunomori from Court 3, sneered. "Even if he doesn’t want to give up his spot in the ranking match, I’ll make him give it up!"

Boom!

With that, he slammed a powerful serve.

The ball hit the wall, spinning fiercely and emitting a trail of smoke.

"Hmm?"

The others looked at Tsunomori with wary eyes.

"His power... has improved again?"

Soon after, a staff member in a black jacket announced that Matsudaira had withdrawn due to gastritis, and the coaches were reopening the sign-ups.

Tsunomori immediately signed up.

Confident in his strength, which he believed was no weaker than the No. 20 player in the first string, Akiba Koyo, he was determined to earn a spot in the upcoming overseas expedition.

"Gastritis?"

The orange-haired guy’s eyes flickered with surprise. "So, Matsudaira was hiding something after all."

That evening, after finishing his run, yoga, and tennis drills, Riku returned to his dorm.

"Just as I thought, none of them are here."

During his run, he had checked every court, but none of the players from the first string, as depicted in the original story, were present.

Riku guessed they were likely overseas for an expedition and wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

"What a shame. I was hoping to gain some experience points from the first string players."

Unlike his time at Hyotei, the players in U17’s first string were at least at the national level, if not higher.

For Riku, coming here was like switching to a new game map.

The experience points from matches here would far exceed what he could gain before, accelerating his leveling speed and accumulating points for his secondary skills.

Having experienced the additional benefits of maxing out swordsmanship, chess, and ancient martial arts, Riku was even more excited about the potential of yoga.

"Still, the players from Court 3 and above are all top-tier national-level players. Playing ten matches a day with them should make leveling up fairly easy."

With this in mind, Riku changed his clothes, took a good soak in the public bath, and had dinner.

After returning to his room, he spent some time planning his training schedule.

Later, Mori and Genji returned, looking exhausted.

Clearly, they had also been training.

After a brief chat, Riku went to bed.

The next morning, after his morning workout, Riku headed to U17’s central court with Mori and Genji.

"Riku," Genji said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Your stamina is insane. I can’t believe you’re not even sweating after running for so long."

"Probably just my constitution," Riku replied. "Everyone’s different. My sweat glands might be below average, so I don’t sweat much."

"Is that so?"

Genji gave him a thoughtful look.

Mori, meanwhile, shook his head inwardly. Riku was as elusive with the truth as ever.

But he didn’t call him out. Instead, he looked forward to seeing Genji’s reaction when he witnessed Riku’s true strength.

"All players from Courts 16 to 1, report to the central court immediately. The weekly ranking matches are about to begin!"

A deep voice echoed across the courts.

"Ranking matches?"

Mori and Genji frowned.

"What’s that? Daily practice matches?"

"And... we’re not assigned to any court yet, right?"

"Huh? These guys..."

They noticed the players who had been chatting and joking around suddenly turn serious and rush to the center of the court.

"I looked into it and got some information," Riku explained. "The ranking matches are one of the internal rules of this training camp. The coaches assess each player’s performance and arrange matches between players of similar skill levels to determine their rankings."

"In other words," Riku glanced at the players in red and white jackets, "the winners move up, and the losers move down."

"Strength is everything, huh?"

Mori and Genji exchanged glances, their expressions serious.

As they had guessed, the intensity of training and the strictness of matches here were on a completely different level compared to middle and high school tennis clubs.

"Still," Mori mused, "since it’s a match between courts, we probably won’t be involved, right?"

"The first round begins now."

"Court 16’s Mori Suzuhiko vs. Court 3’s Mukai Ichacha."

"Court 13’s Gougoro vs. Court 12’s Murata Kenjiro."

"Court 16’s Genji vs. Court 3’s Suzuki Jun."

"Court 16?"

Mori and Genji were stunned, then exchanged surprised looks. "And our opponents are from Court 3?"

According to U17’s rules, the lower the court number, the stronger the players.

This meant they were facing some of the camp’s top players right off the bat.

However, after the initial shock, their faces lit up with determination. They were confident in their abilities and eager to see how strong the players from Court 3 really were.

As for Riku, his name wasn’t called.

But he walked to a corner of the platform and quietly observed their matches.

"Court 16 vs. Court 3?"

The high schoolers on the court were equally stunned.

"Are those two from the trio of newcomers yesterday?"

Someone immediately recalled the three who had appeared the day before and shook his head. "Those guys are really unlucky!"

"Totally unlucky," another agreed. "Suzuki and Mukai are a doubles pair, but their singles skills are no joke."

In terms of doubles, these two were easily in the top five in the camp.

But U17’s ranking system focused on singles. The fact that Mukai and Suzuki were in Court 3 spoke volumes about their individual strength.

"This is interesting."

Three figures appeared on the platform. One of them, a round-faced guy with curly brown hair and glasses, looked intrigued. "I didn’t expect the coaches to take the newcomers so seriously."

"Yeah," the other two nodded.

While others might not understand, they knew the U17 coaches didn’t make decisions lightly.

If they were pitting Court 3 players against newcomers, it could only mean one thing: these newcomers were exceptional.

"Let’s go take a look."

The curly-haired guy led the way to a corner of the platform, the best spot to watch the matches.

As they approached, Riku turned and saw the three walking toward him.

On the left was the curly-haired, bespectacled guy. On the right was a fierce-looking, red-haired giant.

In the middle was a cold-faced guy with an imposing aura.

Most people would have immediately stepped aside, but Riku simply smiled and nodded.

"Oh?"

The bespectacled guy looked surprised.

"A newcomer?"

Only a newcomer would react like that.

He smiled and said, "Hello, mind if we join you?"

"Feel free."

Riku nodded calmly.

This piqued the curiosity of the other two.

They realized they had never seen this face before. Despite his unremarkable appearance, there was something about him that felt extraordinary.

"You’re a newcomer, right?"

The curly-haired guy introduced himself. "I’m Inui Jyota from Court 3. This big guy is Oni Juujiro from Court 5, and this is Tokugawa Kazuya from Court 1."

"Riku Shirasawa," Riku nodded. "As for my court number, it’s probably 16."

As he spoke, he glanced at the three, his gaze lingering on Oni Juujiro from Court 5.

"Oh?"

Inui noticed Riku’s subtle reaction.

He clearly saw that Riku was more interested in Oni, the player from the lowest-numbered court among the three.

Inui didn’t think Riku was unaware of U17’s rules.

Nor did he believe Riku could sense that Oni was the strongest of the three.

Inui assumed Riku was simply intimidated by Oni’s imposing physique. After all, Oni’s strength was legendary—he could lift a one-ton boulder with ease!

Boom!

On the court, the serve sounded.

Mori and Genji’s matches had begun.

"Riku," Inui smiled. "Who do you think will win?"

"Who will win?"

Riku thought for a moment and smiled. "Although the two seniors from Court 3 are strong, I think Mori and Genji will come out on top."

"Confidence is good," Inui nodded. "But our Court 3 players are no pushovers."

He carefully observed Riku’s expression but saw nothing beyond calm composure.

On the court, Suzuki and Mukai quickly demonstrated their strength. Their fundamentals, honed at U17, were impeccable.

They scored points rapidly, while Mori and Genji seemed overwhelmed, failing to mount a defense.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As time passed, the Court 3 players extended their lead to 3-0.

Mori and Genji appeared to be at a severe disadvantage.

Inui glanced at Riku again, but to his surprise, Riku remained as calm as ever.

"This kid’s definitely not ordinary," Inui thought, shifting his focus to Mori and Genji. "I bet they’re holding back a significant portion of their strength."

Sure enough, in the fourth game, Mori and Genji launched a counterattack.

Having adapted to their opponents’ playstyles, they quickly turned the tables.

Mori’s technique and Genji’s power overwhelmed Suzuki and Mukai, leaving the spectators stunned.

Boom! Boom!

Almost simultaneously, their shots landed, and the referee announced, "Game over. Mori Suzuhiko (Genji) wins, 6-3!"

Following this, the announcement came:

"Court 3’s Suzuki Jun and Mukai Ichacha have been defeated and will be demoted to Court 16."

"Court 16’s Mori Suzuhiko and Genji have won and will be promoted to Court 3."

The high schoolers looked on with envy, but their earlier mockery had vanished.

They respected the newcomers’ hard-earned victory.

"Not bad," Saito said in the coaches’ room. "Their performances met expectations."

"Yeah," Kurobe nodded.

Mori and Genji’s skills were indeed impressive, but their victory was also aided by Suzuki and Mukai’s focus on doubles. Against other players, the outcome might have been different.

"Next match..."

Kurobe’s gaze shifted to the corner of the screen, where the black-haired boy stood.

"Let’s see how you perform in a real match."

There was a big difference between hearing about someone, watching recordings, and seeing them play live.

Kurobe was eager to see if this middle schooler could deliver the results he hoped for.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 249: Ishikawa Enters the Stage, Toying with Tsutomu*

“Interesting.”

Seeing both Mouri and Hara Tetsuya defeat their opponents, Irie smiled and said, “This year’s newcomers are quite impressive. Ishikawa-kun, your skills shouldn’t be far behind theirs, right?”

Swish!

At his words, both Oni and Tokugawa turned their gazes toward Ishikawa.

To be honest, it wasn’t unheard of for high school newcomers to join the U-17 and immediately defeat players from the top five courts. Both Oni and Tokugawa had done the same.

However, it was the first time two newcomers had defeated players from the 3rd court with such a clear advantage. Moreover, Oni and Tokugawa were no ordinary players. They could tell that the two newcomers on the court hadn’t even used their full strength!

This made them even more curious about the third newcomer. Just how strong was he?

“Me?”

Feeling the three pairs of eyes on him, Ishikawa shook his head lightly. “Our skills might be considered decent outside, but here, compared to the seniors, we’re still far behind!”

This wasn’t a lack of confidence on his part. To be precise, with his current strength, he could definitely rank within the U-17, possibly even in the top five. However, there were a few players here who were close to or had already reached professional-level strength. Against them, he wasn’t yet a match.

“The second round of the shuffle matches will now begin.”

At that moment, Kurobe’s voice echoed through the speakers again. “Court 16, Ishikawa Shin, versus Court 3, Tsutomu!”

“Court 14, Nakano Nobuta, versus Court 13, Murata Heisho!”

“Court 12…”

“My turn.”

Ishikawa smiled, picked up his racket, and walked toward the court below.

“What do you think?”

Watching his retreating figure, Irie turned to the other two with a smile.

“Not bad.”

Tokugawa nodded. “He doesn’t have the arrogance or impatience of a newcomer. He has a clear understanding of his own strength. He’s definitely a promising talent.”

“Hmm.”

Oni also nodded slightly.

His opinion was similar to Tokugawa’s. Based on the performances of Mouri and Hara Tetsuya, they could roughly estimate Ishikawa’s strength. He should be at the level of the top three courts. However, his upper limit probably wouldn’t exceed Court 1. But as a newcomer, his potential was significant. With some training, he might even be able to represent Japan in this year’s U-17 World Cup.

“I think this kid is more than meets the eye.”

Irie, however, had a glint of sharpness in his eyes. “I don’t have any evidence, but my intuition tells me that this guy is stronger than the other two.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Oni and Tokugawa couldn’t help but take another look at Ishikawa’s retreating figure.

They knew Irie had a keen sense of observation and a unique ability to analyze others’ emotions and psychological states. In the entire U-17, there were very few people who could catch his attention. With that in mind, the two of them became more alert, ready to see just how this newcomer would perform.

On the court, Ishikawa walked in with calm confidence.

Mouri and Hara Tetsuya stepped off the court to watch the match up close. Both were curious about how Ishikawa would perform. The difference was that Mouri already knew Ishikawa’s strength was on par with that of Munehiro Kazuya, while Hara Tetsuya knew nothing about him.

“Another one from Court 16?”

Not far away, the high schoolers watching the match frowned. “This guy’s also a new face. Is he the last of the three newcomers from yesterday?”

“Hmm… this year’s newcomers are definitely stronger than the ones from the past two years.”

“Mizuo and Suzuki both lost. Could Tsutomu lose this one too?”

“Lose? Don’t be ridiculous!”

“Exactly! Tsutomu is a proper singles player. His skills are stronger than both Suzuki and Mizuo.”

“This third guy is unlucky to be matched against Tsutomu. Well, this should be entertaining!”

The high schoolers chattered among themselves. Most of them were confident in Tsutomu’s abilities. After all, he was one of the top singles players in the second string.

“Entertaining?”

Not far away, Matsudaira, who was supposed to be hospitalized and unable to participate, sneered. “It’s definitely going to be entertaining, but Tsutomu’s the one who’s going to suffer!”

After all, he had faced Ishikawa head-on before. Not only had he been completely crushed, but he had also witnessed the shocking match between Ishikawa and Munehiro. Matsudaira was certain that this black-haired boy, who was technically still a middle schooler, had the skills of a top-tier player in the first string!

But looking at Tsutomu on the court, who was still brimming with confidence, Matsudaira couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

At the net, Tsutomu coldly eyed his opponent. “Kid, you’re unlucky to have run into me. But I’ll give you a chance. If you forfeit now, I’ll help you out with some tough situations in the future.”

Having said that, he waited for his opponent’s response.

From Tsutomu’s perspective, this was already an act of mercy. After all, not every newcomer would receive such leniency from him.

“Thank you for your kindness, senior.”

Ishikawa, however, smiled and shook his head. “But instead of forfeiting, I’d rather see just how high the level of tennis is in the U-17.”

“Hmph!”

Tsutomu snorted. “Just as I expected. But it’s normal. Newcomers like you always think you’re the chosen ones. Fine, I’ll let you experience the harshness of reality!”

Swish!

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a proud figure and a haughty voice. “I’ll let you have the serve. Go ahead and attack!”

“Idiot.”

Seeing Tsutomu’s actions, Matsudaira chuckled inwardly.

But the other high schoolers, upon seeing Tsutomu’s gesture, couldn’t help but cheer.

“He’s the same as always.”

In a corner of the platform, Irie shook his head. “Underestimating your opponent will only lead to trouble.”

“A little trouble isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

Oni, however, disagreed. “It’s better to be taught a lesson here than to suffer a real loss outside. At least here, the only thing you’ll lose is your pride.”

Tokugawa nodded in agreement.

To many, the U-17 environment seemed overly strict. Whether it was the rules or the coaches’ personalities, it felt like their dignity was being trampled on. But only those who had experienced the higher levels and understood the harshness of the outside world knew that, compared to what was out there, the U-17 was practically a safe haven.

However, Tokugawa’s gaze soon returned to Ishikawa. He was curious whether this newcomer’s serve could truly impress.

“If he’s only at the level of Mouri and Hara, then he’s still far from ready.”

“The match will now begin. Best of one set!”

On the high chair, the referee confirmed both players’ readiness and then turned to one side of the court. “Court 16, Ishikawa Shin to serve. Game start!”

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

As the referee’s voice fell, everyone’s attention turned to Ishikawa.

“Bring it on.”

On the other side, Tsutomu narrowed his eyes and assumed his receiving stance.

In truth, Tsutomu wasn’t just being arrogant. His earlier words and attitude were all part of his strategy to provoke and irritate Ishikawa. This was a tactic he often used. While it might not work on high schoolers who had been in the U-17 for a long time, it was usually effective against newcomers.

“Newcomers are always full of confidence. The more confident they are, the more unstable their emotions tend to be.”

Watching Ishikawa toss the ball into the air, Tsutomu’s eyes gleamed. “If I can ruthlessly return his serve, his mentality will definitely become more agitated!”

With that thought, Tsutomu prepared to give Ishikawa a harsh lesson.

Thud!

But in the next moment, a faint yellow light bloomed without warning just inside the service line in front of him.

Swish!

In an instant, Tsutomu’s pupils contracted uncontrollably.

It was too fast!

He instinctively wanted to swing his racket to intercept the ball, but to his horror, he found that his body… couldn’t move!

Tap tap tap…

The ball hit the wall and rolled gently behind Tsutomu.

“W-what just happened?!”

One of the high schoolers couldn’t help but mutter.

“Hmm.”

In the corner of the platform, the expressions of Irie and the other two changed slightly.

“Nice serve!”

Tokugawa commented.

The speed of that serve was already at a terrifying level. At the very least, for him, returning it on the first try would be quite challenging.

“What’s the speed reading?”

In the coaches’ room, Kurobe turned to the staff member beside him, who quickly pulled up the data from the serve. “220 km/h!”

“220?”

Saito raised an eyebrow. “At that speed, Tsutomu couldn’t even react?”

Although that serve speed was impressive, in the high school level, it was only considered good, not unbeatable. Yet, Tsutomu hadn’t even been able to react, which was surprising.

“He underestimated his opponent.”

Kurobe shook his head. “If your focus isn’t sharp enough, it’s hard to react. Plus, the angle of that serve was quite tricky.”

A top-tier serve isn’t just about speed; it’s also about spin and placement. Generally, mastering one of these aspects could make you a strong server. Mastering two would make you an elite. But mastering speed, spin, and placement to an extremely high level? That was something only a rare few could achieve.

However, speed, spin, and placement were often mutually exclusive. Increasing serve speed would inevitably lead to a loss of control over spin and placement. So, the fact that Ishikawa could balance both already showed he had exceptional serving talent.

“Damn it, I’ve been played!”

On the court, Tsutomu’s expression darkened as he regained his composure. By now, it was clear that his opponent was a top-tier server. His earlier strategy had completely backfired.

“Hmph!”

But then, Tsutomu assumed his receiving stance again. “That was just me being careless. This time, I’ll definitely return your serve!”

Whoosh!

At that moment, Ishikawa, who had switched serving positions, tossed the ball into the air once more.

Everyone’s eyes were on him.

He lightly rose on his toes, his body extending slightly as he swung his arm down, striking the ball with precision.

Thud!

With a crisp sound, the ball transformed into a streak of yellow light, zipping across the court in an instant.

The speed was overwhelming.

Many of the high schoolers could only catch a glimpse of its trajectory.

“I see it!”

Tsutomu, however, excitedly swung his racket, aiming to intercept the ball.

Swish!

But as the ball landed and bounced, his racket swung past it. The two barely missed each other, causing the surrounding high schoolers to sigh in disappointment.

“Ah, so close! Just a little more!”

Suzuki and Mizuo, who had been demoted to Court 16, shook their heads.

“Ugh!”

Tsutomu cursed under his breath.

If only his reaction had been a bit faster, he would’ve definitely returned the ball.

“Again!”

He immediately assumed his receiving stance once more.

Thud!

Ishikawa served again.

This time, Tsutomu swung his racket earlier, but to his frustration, the racket once again missed the ball by a hair’s breadth.

“40-0!”

“Faster! I need to be faster!”

Tsutomu took a deep breath, trying to adjust his state, making himself more alert.

In his mind, as long as his reactions were quick enough, he could break his opponent’s serve. And once he returned the ball, with his skills and power, he could definitely dominate the match. Then, he could pay back the humiliation he was suffering now tenfold!

Thud!

Soon, Ishikawa served again.

This time, Tsutomu was indeed more focused. With his heightened concentration, he swung his racket almost the moment the ball landed.

“I’ve got it!”

Tsutomu’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

His theory was correct. No matter how fast the serve was, it had a limit. As long as he could reach that limit, he would seize the key to this match!

“Huh?”

But the next moment, his excited expression froze.

Sizzle…

The ball, after landing, didn’t bounce up immediately. Instead, it skidded along the ground, spinning rapidly.

Tsutomu had already swung his racket, and it was too late to stop.

Whoosh!

Then, to the astonishment of the onlookers, the ball spun sideways and shot toward Tsutomu’s face at an alarming speed.

“No!!!”

Feeling the danger, Tsutomu’s pupils contracted sharply.

But at this moment, he was caught between the end of one motion and the start of another, unable to adjust. He could only watch as the ball grew larger in his vision.

Thwack!

With a dull thud, the serve hit Tsutomu square in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Thud!

His body stiffened and fell backward, collapsing onto the court.

“G-Game!”

“Court 16, Ishikawa, 1-0. Change sides…”

The referee hesitated at the end, unsure if Tsutomu could continue the match.

“Well played!”

In the corner of the platform, Irie looked at Ishikawa with deep admiration. “To freely control the speed and spin of the ball, his serving skills and understanding of his opponent’s psychology are both at an incredibly high level!”

To others, what had just happened might have seemed like a coincidence, a result of Tsutomu’s bad luck.

But Irie knew better.

This entire game had been under the black-haired boy’s control. Tsutomu had been completely outplayed and toyed with.

The two of them… were simply not on the same level.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 250: The Puppet on the Court

“How could this happen?”

Outside the court, the other high school students from Court 3 were visibly shocked. No one had expected that Tsunobu, known for his calm demeanor and meticulous thinking, would be “headshot” right at the start of the match! It was brutal, but it also made everyone even more wary of Ishikawa’s strength.

“His serve is already at a top-tier level,” murmured Genichiro Sanada, narrowing his eyes. He wasn’t familiar with Tsunobu’s playing style, so he could only judge based on the surface-level performance, not the psychological battle between the two players. “After taking that hit, I wonder if his opponent can even stand up again.”

“Cough, cough…”

At that moment, Tsunobu, who had fallen to the ground, struggled to his feet despite the pain in his head. He gripped his racket tightly with one hand while covering the injured area with the other. “Good, very good!” he said, his one exposed eye locking onto Ishikawa like a venomous snake. “Kid, you’re going to pay for this!”

After his menacing words, Tsunobu turned and retreated to the baseline. Ishikawa simply smiled faintly, unfazed.

“As expected of a U17 player,” said Mouri, watching Tsunobu’s back. “Even after taking a hit like that, he can still continue the match.”

“The main reason is that it didn’t hit a vital spot,” Genichiro shook his head. Although the speed of the tennis ball decreases after it bounces due to the ground absorbing some of its force, it’s still dangerous. If it had hit a vulnerable area, Tsunobu would likely have been carried off the court by now.

“But that’s fine,” Genichiro added, turning his gaze back to Ishikawa on the court, deep in thought. “It’s during the opponent’s serve that we’ll see his true tennis skills.” Compared to the serve, he was more interested in Ishikawa’s fundamental abilities.

“Second game, Tsunobu from Court 3 to serve, one game all!”

A moment later, the referee’s voice rang out. Without hesitation, Tsunobu raised his racket and sent the ball flying. A bullet-like serve shot straight toward Ishikawa’s backhand side.

Thud!

However, Ishikawa effortlessly returned the ball.

“The real match is just beginning,” Tsunobu’s eyes flashed coldly as he aimed his next shot at Ishikawa’s backhand again. When Ishikawa returned it, Tsunobu redirected the ball to the opposite side.

Thud!

The ball landed precisely on the sideline.

“Incredible control!” Genichiro’s expression shifted slightly. “Maintaining baseline shots with such precision, and the spin and speed are terrifying. Is this the true strength of Court 3?”

Compared to Washio and Suzuki, Tsunobu’s skills were clearly on a different level.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Despite Tsunobu’s aggressive attacks, Ishikawa remained composed, effortlessly countering every move. The intense back-and-forth left the high school students outside the court in stunned silence. Tsunobu’s attacks were fierce and precise, but Ishikawa’s defense was flawless, leaving no openings.

“This year’s newcomers are really strong,” remarked Yamato Yuudai, the former captain of Seigaku Middle School’s tennis team, with his signature orange curly hair. “This newcomer isn’t just good at serving; his rallies show no weaknesses either.”

“True,” nodded Nakagauchi, a stern-looking, buzz-cut player with sunglasses. “Tsunobu’s technique is well above average. For this newcomer to hold his own, he’s definitely something to be proud of.”

After all, Tsunobu was one of the top players among the third-year students, second only to the U17 representatives and a few elite court leaders. Yet, this newcomer named Ishikawa was going toe-to-toe with him. Even if Ishikawa lost this match, the coaching staff would surely allocate significant resources to train him.

Thud!

At that moment, Tsunobu launched another attack, the ball landing perfectly on the baseline. After bouncing, it suddenly accelerated.

Bang!

Ishikawa intercepted the ball with his racket. The impact caused the racket’s surface to dent inward, but the ball couldn’t break through. Ishikawa’s wrist and shoulders remained steady, showing no signs of strain.

“This kid’s got some strength,” Tsunobu thought, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. But his expression quickly turned cold again as he rallied himself for another attack.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The match turned into a grueling battle of endurance. Tsunobu grew more serious, forgetting the gap between himself and his opponent, treating this as a high-stakes match against an equal. At first, he felt exhilarated, but as time passed and his anger subsided, his rationality returned, and his expression darkened.

“How is this guy so tough?!” Tsunobu’s confidence began to waver. His focus and control were slipping, while his opponent seemed as calm as ever, as if this were just a warm-up.

“No! He’s just a newcomer. His stamina can’t possibly match mine!” Tsunobu quickly reassured himself. His physical abilities, except for speed, were all above average, especially his stamina, which was strong even among the U17 representatives. There was no way a newcomer could outlast him.

With that in mind, Tsunobu concluded that Ishikawa must be bluffing, trying to tough it out.

Bang!

Suddenly, Tsunobu unleashed another powerful shot. “Let’s see how long you can keep this up!”

Thud!

But once again, Ishikawa effortlessly blocked the ball.

“Damn it!” Tsunobu’s face darkened as he gritted his teeth and launched a series of fierce attacks.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three consecutive shots, each as precise as the last, all landing on the baseline.

“Whoa…” The Court 3 players couldn’t help but gasp. “Is Tsunobu really this strong?” They had no idea he had been holding back so much.

“This guy’s incredible,” Matsudaira muttered, his expression serious. Tsunobu had always been intimidating, but now, seeing him unleash his full power, even Matsudaira felt a chill down his spine. It was clear that Tsunobu had his sights set on joining the U17 representatives for their overseas matches.

Yamato couldn’t help but comment, “I always thought Tsunobu was just cold and calculating, but I never expected him to be this formidable!”

“Hmph!” On the court, Tsunobu noticed the change in the crowd’s reaction and couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. “You’re only realizing this now?” he thought as he aimed another shot at the corner of the court. “I’ve been holding back for a long time, just waiting for this moment!”

Thud!

The ball and racket collided with a loud crack.

“Wait… this power?!” But in the next moment, Tsunobu’s expression changed. The force behind the ball was far beyond what he had anticipated. He immediately realized something was wrong, but it was too late to do anything about it. He could only brace himself for the inevitable.

Thud!

However, when the ball landed, the high school students outside the court gasped in shock. “Whoa! That’s insane! It landed right on the baseline again!”

What?!

Tsunobu opened his eyes in disbelief, looking across the court. The ball had left a faint mark exactly on the baseline.

“Wait… that shot wasn’t a fluke?” Tsunobu felt a wave of confusion, but then he remembered something the coach had once said about reaching a higher level of tennis, where players could break through their limits and play with complete freedom.

“So… have I reached that elite level?” he wondered, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes. He glanced at Ishikawa with a hint of pity. “Sorry, but the game’s over.”

Tap tap!

With quick steps, Tsunobu chased after the ball and swung his racket without hesitation.

Thud!

The ball landed, once again hugging the baseline with pinpoint accuracy, leaving the spectators in awe.

“This level of control?” Inui and Tokugawa raised their eyebrows slightly. In some ways, Tsunobu’s skills were now on par with the lower-ranked U17 representatives. Even they might not be able to consistently land every shot on the baseline like this.

“No, something’s off,” they quickly realized.

Thud!

At that moment, Tsunobu swung his racket again. The ball flew along the same trajectory, landing in the exact same spot as before.

“Huh?” Tsunobu’s expression changed as he noticed something strange. He knew he was strong, but he wasn’t this precise. Something felt off, almost unnatural.

Thud!

Meanwhile, Ishikawa returned the ball with a swift shot. For Tsunobu, who was slightly slower to react, even a momentary lapse was fatal. But he didn’t give up, chasing after the ball and stretching to hit it at an extreme angle.

Whoosh!

However, when the ball flew back, both Tsunobu and the other high school students’ expressions turned odd. It wasn’t because the shot was bad—on the contrary, the trajectory was perfect. Even with such a difficult angle, the ball still landed on the baseline, in the exact same spot.

“This…” By now, even the slowest among them had realized something was wrong. No matter how strong Tsunobu was, this level of consistency was impossible.

Swish!

At that moment, everyone’s eyes turned to Ishikawa.

Thud!

With a casual swing, Ishikawa sent the ball flying. In Tsunobu’s distracted state, the ball bounced and headed straight for his racket.

Whoosh!

The ball, deflected by Tsunobu’s racket, followed the same trajectory and landed in the same spot once again.

“Whoa!”

The entire court erupted in gasps. The high school students looked at Ishikawa as if he were a monster. As for Tsunobu, he was completely lost. After all that, he realized his supposed breakthrough was just an illusion. The intense back-and-forth, the grueling match—it had all been orchestrated by Ishikawa. The confident, controlling player he thought he was had been reduced to a mere puppet.

And so, Tsunobu broke.

He wandered aimlessly on the court, his spirit crushed.

Thud!

Five minutes later, when Ishikawa’s final shot slipped between Tsunobu’s legs, the referee’s voice rang out. “Game over! Ishikawa Shintaro from Court 16 wins, 6-0!”

Thud!

Tsunobu collapsed to his knees, his eyes blank as he stared ahead. This match had completely shattered his fighting spirit, leaving him as the court’s biggest joke.

“Tsunobu’s done for,” Yamato said, shaking his head outside the court. “After a loss like this, it’ll take him at least a month or two to recover.”

“Yeah,” Nakagauchi agreed. “Anyone would be crushed in that situation. To have every move, every action, completely controlled by your opponent… That kind of tennis is terrifying.”

Washio and Suzuki nodded in agreement, feeling relieved they hadn’t been paired against the newcomer. Otherwise, they would have been the ones humiliated.

Upstairs, in the coaches’ room, Saito glanced at the monitor showing the calm, black-haired boy. “Well?” he asked.

“Surprisingly strong,” Kurobe nodded slightly, his right hand on the mouse and his left tapping the desk. “His serve is top-tier, and his speed, power, and technique show no obvious weaknesses. Based on the data we have, his strength could easily place him in the top 10 of the U17 representatives.”

Top 10?

Hearing this, Taketora’s pupils contracted. While it was rare for a newcomer to achieve such a high ranking, it wasn’t unheard of. What shocked him was that this newcomer wasn’t a first-year high school student—he was a first-year middle schooler! That meant he was three years younger! For a top-tier player, three years of growth could lead to unimaginable improvements.

“For now, set their training plans based on Court 3’s standards,” Kurobe said. “Also, after this morning’s matches, have them undergo a thorough physical assessment.”

He paused before adding, “There’s no need for immediate ranking matches. Focus on training for now. As for matches… we’ll wait until those guys return.”

Swish!

At those words, Saito and Taketora’s expressions changed.

‘Those guys’?!

They immediately picked up on the significance of Kurobe’s wording. Taketora frowned, thinking Kurobe was being too aggressive. But Saito, after a brief moment of surprise, couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement.

This guy… was actually looking forward to the future ranking matches! A first-year middle schooler in the U17 ranking matches? Just the thought of it was enough to get his blood pumping!

(End of Chapter)