241-245

*Chapter 241: The Light That Devours Everything, Nanjiro's Shock*

Whoosh!

In an instant, a streak of white light tore across the court at an astonishing speed. Even those with exceptional dynamic vision, like Senri and Saeki, couldn’t follow it clearly.

“What kind of shot is that?”

On the Hyotei side, Atobe and Akutsu’s expressions changed. The speed of this shot completely surpassed their ability to track it. Especially Atobe, who had recently broken through to the level of “Kingdom” in his visual acuity. He had been confident that he could see through even Ishikawa’s techniques like Mind Shift and Awakening of Insects. But now, facing this sudden burst of white light, he couldn’t even catch a glimpse of its trajectory.

“The pinnacle of Perfect Harmony?”

At the baseline, Ishikawa raised an eyebrow slightly. He was surprised that his opponent had broken through that barrier so effortlessly. But then again, during the World Cup, Perfect Harmony had become as common as cabbage. Thinking about that, he quickly regained his composure.

Moreover, this time there was no amnesia subplot like with Echizen. Given the opponent’s talent, breaking through the final barrier was only natural.

Swish!

In that moment, Ishikawa’s mind focused. His racket rose swiftly, like an experienced fisherman’s net, accurately catching the tennis ball that darted like a fish.

“He blocked it?!”

Seeing the ball on Ishikawa’s racket, the Seigaku team’s expressions changed dramatically. They hadn’t expected that Echizen’s powerful attack, unleashed after his breakthrough, would be so easily countered by Ishikawa.

“Is he even human?!”

Kikumaru and Oishi stared wide-eyed, looking at Ishikawa as if he were a ghost. Was there really no technique in this world that he couldn’t return?

Whoosh!

The ball flew out, heading precisely toward the corner of the baseline. Surprisingly, Echizen, standing in the center, made no move to intercept it.

Thud!

The ball landed and bounced straight out.

“0-15!” the referee announced.

Everyone turned their gaze to where the white light had flashed.

“No way…?” Horio and the others exchanged glances, panic evident in their eyes. They had subconsciously assumed that Echizen’s earlier move was his strongest attack, unleashed after reaching his full potential.

“Hmm?”

But as the white light gradually faded, revealing the figure on the court surrounded by a faint aura of glowing particles, everyone’s eyes trembled.

“Echizen… Ryoma-kun…”

The Seigaku team widened their eyes in shock. At this moment, Echizen seemed as if he were enveloped by a divine halo. Compared to Yukimura’s title of “Child of God,” Echizen appeared more like a true divine being descended to earth. His dark green hair lifted slightly, his gaze calm, his expression serene, and a faint, confident smile played on his lips.

“The pinnacle of Perfect Harmony?”

From the Shitenhoji side, Chitose took a deep breath and said solemnly, “Echizen has truly opened the ultimate gate!”

Chitose, who had been obsessed with the mysteries of Muga no Kyouchi to the point of near madness, was now filled with excitement. The realm he had been searching for… it truly existed!

“Echizen Ryoma…”

Beside him, Shiraishi couldn’t help but murmur, “As the heir to the Samurai’s bloodline, he has once again unlocked this legendary state. Is this… fate?”

Once upon a time, the legendary Samurai had been a member of Seigaku. And now, the Samurai’s son, also a member of Seigaku, had inherited the power of Perfect Harmony. It was as if history had come full circle. For a moment, many seemed to see the figure of a handsome man with tied-back hair, wearing a black jacket. His image overlapped with Echizen’s.

“Perfect Harmony, huh?”

Inui sighed, while Saeki glanced at Nanjiro beside him. He had known Echizen was talented, but he hadn’t expected him to reach this level.

“Is this fate?”

Saeki thought to himself. Even he couldn’t help but feel a sense of trust in Nanjiro. With Echizen awakening to this state, the tide of the match was sure to turn.

“Ishikawa of Hyotei… what a pity.”

It wasn’t that Saeki didn’t believe in Ishikawa, but the name “Echizen Nanjiro” carried too much weight. Even the head coach of the U-17 team wouldn’t dare ignore its significance.

“The kid’s finally made some progress.”

Nanjiro nodded in satisfaction. Seeing through the surface and understanding the essence—this was a necessary ability for reaching higher levels in tennis.

“But…”

At that moment, Aoi frowned and said, “Didn’t Ishikawa just return that ball?”

What good was Perfect Harmony if it couldn’t score points? No matter how impressive the title, it meant nothing without results.

The Emperor of Rikkai, the Child of God, the Dual Heroes of Kyushu, Tezuka who was praised by professional players, the national dark horse and Ace Killer… weren’t all these players exceptional? Of course they were! Each of them was a top-tier player in the nation. Yet, without exception, they had all fallen to Ishikawa.

On the tennis court, strength always spoke loudest. And if we’re talking about nicknames, wasn’t Ishikawa, revered as the “Demon King” of tennis, the most terrifying of all?

“Let’s wait and see.”

Nanjiro, however, simply smiled. “Perfect Harmony… it’s not as simple as you think.”

Tap… tap… tap…

At the baseline, Echizen bent down and lightly tapped the ball. His aura was now transcendent, his presence more pronounced than ever. Every move he made drew the attention of the crowd.

“The real match is just beginning.”

Whoosh!

With that, Echizen tossed the ball into the air. The glow of Muga no Kyouchi radiated from him as he swung his racket with natural ease, striking the ball.

Crack!

A crisp sound echoed. Those closest to the court—Hyotei and Seigaku’s second-string players, as well as the representatives from across the nation in the stands—all felt a shiver run down their spines.

The ball had disappeared! Echizen’s serve seemed to have been plucked from existence, vanishing completely from sight. The speed was beyond comprehension. Even Yukimura, Atobe, and Tezuka couldn’t help but feel a chill.

Thud!

But the next moment, a clear sound came from the baseline. Everyone turned to see that the vanished serve had somehow landed on Ishikawa’s racket.

“He blocked it?!”

Momoshiro and Kaidoh’s eyelids twitched violently.

Boom!

At the same time, a powerful dust storm erupted in front of Ishikawa. The force of Echizen’s serve had finally been unleashed.

“Huh?”

Seeing Ishikawa’s figure obscured by the dust, Saeki’s expression changed. “The speed of that serve has reached such a level? And Ishikawa was able to track the ball’s trajectory under these conditions?”

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Ishikawa’s return shot flew out. The sharp spin tore through the dust, heading straight for Echizen.

Boom!

The ball landed, instantly kicking up another cloud of dust.

Sizzle…

However, Echizen managed to block it. Despite the intense spin, the ball couldn’t break through his racket.

“Yes!!!”

Seeing this, Inui couldn’t help but cheer.

Ishikawa had been too dominant. No matter what technique Echizen used, Ishikawa had countered it effortlessly. His terrifying insight and skill had left everyone in despair. But now, Echizen had finally managed to block one of Ishikawa’s deep shots.

Fuji took a light breath, his expression easing slightly. “So… Perfect Harmony really can counter Ishikawa’s advanced techniques.”

Whoosh!

The ball reversed direction, streaking back toward Ishikawa with a faint white glow. Those with sharp eyes, like Yukimura, Tezuka, and Atobe, noticed that as the white light flashed, Ishikawa’s aura seemed to weaken slightly.

Thud!

But in the next moment, as Ishikawa returned the shot, the dust cloud obscured his figure once more.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The two continued their fierce battle. The dust cloud made it impossible for anyone to see what was happening. Even the Hyotei and Seigaku players closest to the court were left in the dark.

“This Echizen… he’s so strong!”

On the Hyotei side, Mukahi and Hiyoshi were trembling. They had never seen anyone go toe-to-toe with Ishikawa in a direct confrontation. What was even more unbelievable was that this person… was also a first-year student!

“Perfect Harmony… hmm.”

Oshitari narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “In this state, it seems he can release the power of Muga no Kyouchi in a way that wastes none of its potential.”

“Yes.”

Atobe nodded beside him. “Indeed, his control over his power has improved significantly. With the boost from Muga, even his normal shots probably have the force of a Hadoukyuu.”

“Hiss…”

Hearing this, the Hyotei team couldn’t help but gasp. A normal shot with the power of a Hadoukyuu? Even Ishida from Shitenhoji couldn’t do that, could he?

Oshitari nodded. “According to Ishikawa’s theory of ‘Surface’ and ‘Depth,’ when technique reaches a high enough level, it can manifest as destructive power.”

In other words, a top-tier technical player, even if physically weak, could still deliver devastating shots. This meant that Echizen, in his Perfect Harmony state, had closed the gap between himself and Ishikawa.

“That light…”

On the bench, Coach Tachibana’s eyes showed a trace of concern. He could sense that the light emanating from Echizen wasn’t as calm as it appeared. Those seemingly peaceful particles of light seemed to explode with violent energy the moment Echizen struck the ball.

Whoosh!

The ball shot out. Its speed was so fast that it created a powerful whirlwind as it cut through the air. Unlike before, this time the wind arrived before the ball, blowing away the dust cloud that had obscured Ishikawa and revealing his figure.

“Hmm?”

The Hyotei team’s eyes trembled. Ishikawa no longer had the sharp, imposing aura he had earlier. It was as if time had worn him down, leaving him with a diminished presence. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary, unremarkable stone by the roadside.

“This…”

Atobe and Oshitari’s expressions changed. As top-tier players, they could see things on a higher level. The Ishikawa before them now resembled the Yukimura from three days ago—the Child of God who had been continuously suppressed and fallen from his divine throne.

Thud!

Ishikawa swung his racket, returning the shot. He had blocked Echizen’s attack again, but his movements were noticeably slower.

“Is it that light?”

Atobe narrowed his eyes, focusing on the white glow surrounding Echizen.

“W-what do you mean?”

Mukahi and Hiyoshi looked at him, confused.

“This is just my speculation…”

Atobe said gravely, “Once you’re engulfed by that light of Perfect Harmony, your own power begins to wither… to the point where you can’t even use your full strength.”

His words sent a shock through the Hyotei team.

“So Perfect Harmony is like an upgraded version of Yips?”

Hiyoshi exclaimed in disbelief. “Echizen is draining Ishikawa’s power?!”

Thud!

At that moment, Echizen’s shot finally broke through Ishikawa’s defense. With precise control, the ball landed squarely on the baseline.

“15-15!” the referee announced.

“Woohoo!!!”

As soon as Echizen scored, the Seigaku team erupted in cheers.

“He did it!”

Momoshiro and Kaidoh even jumped up in excitement. They were thrilled! This meant Echizen had a real chance of defeating Ishikawa and leading Seigaku to victory in the national championship!

“So the light of Muga can devour an opponent’s power?”

Inui was equally shocked. But seeing Ishikawa’s diminished aura, it seemed to be true.

With Echizen in Perfect Harmony, his side effects minimized, and Ishikawa’s power weakened and continuing to decline, Seigaku’s chances of winning this match had indeed surpassed 90%!

“But…”

Inui still had some doubts. According to his data, Ishikawa had also mastered a top-tier technique. Yet, he hadn’t used it so far. Was it being suppressed by Perfect Harmony? Or was Ishikawa still holding back? Inui leaned toward the former, but with Ishikawa, even a 1% chance of the latter couldn’t be ignored.

Thud!

“30-15!”

Thud!

“40-15!”

In the blink of an eye, Echizen scored consecutive points, reaching game point in his service game.

“Seigaku! Seigaku! Seigaku!”

Horio and the others chanted excitedly. Their enthusiasm spread to Arai and the other second-year players, who also began shouting Seigaku and Echizen’s name at the top of their lungs.

Even though it was just one game, for Seigaku, it felt as significant as winning the entire match!

“Ishikawa.”

At that moment, Echizen, holding the ball, looked up at his opponent. “At this point, I don’t think there’s any need for you to hold back anymore, is there?”

“Or…”

He paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Are you afraid that even if you use that power, you’ll still lose to me?”

“This guy!”

“He’s too arrogant!”

The Hyotei team was furious. But looking at Ishikawa, who still appeared calm yet noticeably weakened, Mukahi and the others couldn’t help but feel disheartened. They had been hoping Ishikawa was secretly holding back, ready to unleash a surprise. But it didn’t seem that way.

“Was I overthinking it?”

Echizen shook his head slightly. Even though he was only at game point, he carried himself with the confidence of someone at match point. He tossed the ball into the air with ease.

“If you’re not going to get serious, then I’ll just have to take this game.”

Thud!

He swung his racket, sending the ball flying.

Boom!

But in the next moment, before Echizen could even lower his racket, the ground beneath him shook. Less than ten centimeters to his left, a crack appeared in the court.

Rustle…

At the same time, a yellow-green tennis ball rolled slowly to his feet.

“What…?”

In the stands, Saeki and Inui were stunned. Aoi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What just happened?!”

“That kid…”

Beside them, Nanjiro, who had been calm and composed, now had his eyes locked on Ishikawa. Watching him slowly lower his racket, the legendary Samurai’s eyes flashed with a hint of shock.

“His tennis… has already reached this level?”

*(End of Chapter)*

*Chapter 242: Terrifying Sword Intent, Invincible Ishikawa (Part 1)*

"What... what just happened?!" Momoshiro stared at the tennis ball at Echizen's feet, completely stunned.

The others were no less shocked.

None of them had seen what happened after Echizen served the ball.

"Hmm..."

At that moment, Tezuka's eyes narrowed behind his oval glasses, as if he had noticed something.

"That is..."

Inui and Fuji also turned their gaze toward the court.

The usually calm duo now had a look of astonishment on their faces.

On the court, where Ishikawa had been standing, a silvery-white light enveloped him. Rays of light radiated outward like sharp needles, forcing everyone who looked at it to instinctively avert their eyes.

"This feeling..."

At the Rikkai bench, Sanada, who had been standing with his arms crossed, suddenly loosened his grip, his expression filled with doubt and unease.

"It's too sharp!"

Yanagi clenched his fist involuntarily.

The moment his gaze met the aura emanating from Ishikawa, an uncontrollable sense of fear surged within him.

"So... this is your true form, Ishikawa?!"

Yukimura's usual smile was gone, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

He was now certain that during their semifinal match, Ishikawa hadn't been fighting at his full strength.

The sharpness of his sword intent was overwhelming.

It wasn't just intimidating—it was soul-shaking.

Even without actually playing against him, just the aura alone was enough to make anyone lose their courage.

"Ishikawa Shin!"

At the baseline, Echizen, having regained his composure, locked eyes with Ishikawa. "So, you're finally showing your true power, huh?"

Instead of fear, Echizen's eyes burned with intense fighting spirit.

For him, relying on the brilliance of the "Perfect Harmony" to overwhelm others might have been enough to win the national championship. But personally, that kind of victory didn't feel satisfying.

But now, things were different.

This level of Ishikawa was exactly what he needed to truly test his limits!

Whoosh!

With that thought, Echizen tossed the ball into the air and swung his racket with a speed that was almost impossible to follow.

Thwack!

The crisp sound of the racket hitting the ball echoed across the court.

But no one could see the ball's trajectory—it was as if it had vanished.

Thwack!

Another sound followed.

Ishikawa had returned Echizen's serve.

"Hmm..."

Fuji, unable to see the ball's path, frowned and turned to Kikumaru.

Noticing Fuji's gaze, Kikumaru looked up and shook his head with a wry smile.

"Even Kikumaru can't keep up?"

Fuji's heart sank.

Meanwhile, Inui flipped open a thick notebook, which only had a few pages filled. Under the curious gazes of others, he quickly jotted down his observations of the match.

"This match has already surpassed our understanding. Both players' movements and actions have reached the level of 'Perfect Harmony.'"

"As their speed increases, the dust on the court grows thicker, making it even harder to see what's happening!"

Inui scribbled furiously.

At this point, he had given up on collecting data. Instead, he was more like a historian, documenting everything he saw, heard, and thought.

Thwack!

Echizen sent another ball flying.

The tennis ball, enveloped in a white light, streaked across the court at an astonishing speed, aiming for Ishikawa's backhand baseline.

Even at this level of play, Echizen's control remained incredibly precise.

Hum!

As the ball flew past, the brilliant white light transformed into a radiant halo, exuding an overwhelming pressure that seemed intent on devouring Ishikawa's power.

"This light is too strong..."

Yukimura, barely able to catch a glimpse of the ball's trajectory, looked on with deep concern.

Even from a distance, he could feel the brilliance of the "Perfect Harmony." It was like a star—so bright that it seemed to consume everything around it.

Hum!

But in the next moment, Yukimura saw a flash of silvery light.

Though it lasted only an instant, he witnessed the light of "Perfect Harmony" shatter.

The sharp sword intent, upon touching the ball, caused it to disintegrate, even breaking down the particles of light.

"That sharp sword intent... it completely severed the light of 'Perfect Harmony'!"

Atobe and Akutsu's eyes gleamed.

If Echizen's light was like a dazzling star, then Ishikawa's aura was like a terrifying black hole. No matter how powerful the force, it would twist and distort upon approaching him.

Swish!

In an instant, Ishikawa returned the ball.

The terrifying sword intent tore through the dust.

Everyone saw the dust surrounding him part abruptly, and without even seeing the ball's flight, a long, narrow gap was cut through the dust on Echizen's side.

"Is this... 'Gale'?!"

Tezuka's expression changed.

He instinctively sensed the terrifying aura emanating from this technique.

Tap tap!!

But Echizen, bathed in the particles of light, seemed completely unaware of the danger. He quickly moved toward the ball's landing point.

Swish!

Catching up to the ball, he swung his racket without hesitation. With a twist of his wrist, he absorbed the sharp and powerful "Gale" into his shot.

Hum!

A flash of white light.

As the power of "Muga no Kyouchi" erupted, Ishikawa's technique was tamed like a wild beast, becoming completely docile.

"Incredible skill!"

Shiraishi, Senri, and Tachibana watched in awe.

Before this season began, they could never have imagined that the national finals would feature two first-year players.

And even more unimaginable was that their match had reached a level that even they couldn't comprehend—a realm that felt almost forbidden.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Thwack!

The powerful sounds of ball meeting racket echoed repeatedly.

Each collision sent a slight tremor through the spectators.

They had no idea how far this match would go.

In the dust, Echizen's initially relaxed expression gradually turned serious.

"Is Ishikawa's power still increasing?"

Echizen was shocked.

Both of them were first-years, so their base strength shouldn't be that different. Even with the enhancement from his "Perfect Harmony," Ishikawa's power shouldn't be this overwhelming.

Could it be that even now, Ishikawa wasn't going all out?

"No, that's impossible!"

Echizen immediately dismissed the thought. "No matter how strong he is, his tennis skills can't be that far ahead of mine."

Swish!

With that in mind, Echizen raised his head, his spirits high. Following the sound of the ball cutting through the air, he locked onto the dust ahead and prepared to return the shot.

Whoosh!

But in the next moment, as the dust was pierced, what appeared before Echizen wasn't a normal tennis ball—it was a massive, mountain-sized ball!

"What... what is this?!"

Echizen was stunned.

As the giant ball appeared, blue-green lights flickered around it, casting an eerie glow on his horrified expression.

"No, this can't be real."

Echizen took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "As he said, a tennis ball can't just disappear, split into multiple balls, or suddenly become gigantic like this..."

Swish!

With that thought, Echizen decisively raised his racket and swung at the giant ball with unwavering determination.

Boom!

The next moment, under the stunned gazes of everyone, a figure—along with a white cap—was sent flying out of the dust like a broken kite.

Thud!

Echizen's body slammed into the wall.

Clatter...

His racket slid across the ground.

"Echizen!!!"

Momoshiro and Kikumaru shouted in alarm.

"Cough, cough..."

But just as they were about to rush onto the court, Echizen, who had hit the wall, stood up, coughing. "I... I'm fine."

Echizen gritted his teeth and stood up.

But as soon as he spoke, he felt a chill on his chest. Looking down, he saw a long, narrow cut in his shirt.

"This..."

Echizen seemed to realize something and quickly looked toward his racket. When he saw that a section of it had been cleanly sliced off, his pupils contracted sharply.

"Gasp!"

Seeing the state of the racket, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

"His sword intent... has reached such a terrifying level?"

Echizen's heart trembled.

Recalling the earlier illusion of the giant ball, his expression darkened, and he clenched his fists tightly.

"Even 'Perfect Harmony' is useless?"

In the stands, Inoue's voice trembled slightly.

"Of course."

Beside him, Nanjiroh, calm as ever, shook his head. "There's no such thing as an invincible technique in this world."

"That's right. What's truly strong is the person, not the technique!"

Saitou nodded in agreement. "Both have reached the deep realms of tennis, but Ishikawa's understanding clearly surpasses Echizen's."

As he spoke, a fiery glint appeared in Saitou's eyes.

Now, he finally understood why Ishikawa was considered the strongest middle schooler in the nation.

With this level of skill, he could easily rank among the top five—or even higher—in the U-17 representatives!

Hum!

But soon, Echizen, having changed his racket, unleashed the dazzling white light of "Perfect Harmony" once more.

With "Perfect Harmony" activated, Echizen launched a fierce offensive.

Gone was his earlier composure. Now, he was attacking with everything he had.

Thwack!

Thud!

Thwack!

Thud!

However, despite their intense exchanges, Echizen couldn't gain any advantage over Ishikawa.

On the contrary, he couldn't withstand the razor-sharp sword intent. Under the assault of the silvery light, Echizen's racket was torn apart as easily as tofu.

Thud!

Echizen crashed into the wall again.

Thwack!

"Game!"

"Ishikawa of Hyotei leads, 5-0!"

"Echizen's done his best."

Inui said solemnly, seeing Echizen's somewhat disheveled state. "In the semifinals, Ishikawa used this same sharp sword intent to defeat Rikkai's captain, Yukimura."

"Hmm..."

The mood grew heavy.

Hearing about it and seeing it in person were two completely different things.

Now, they no longer held onto the naive hope of turning the match around.

Seigaku had lost.

But as Inui said, Echizen had done his best. If their opponent hadn't been Hyotei, but the defending champions Rikkai, or the former national champion, Echizen might have had a chance.

Hum!

However, on the court, Echizen seemed unwilling to give up. He once again unleashed an astonishing aura.

And this time, the white light was even more intense than before.

"Is it just me, or does Echizen's aura feel stronger now?"

Inui adjusted his glasses, surprised.

"No, it's not just you."

Fuji shook his head firmly. He, too, could feel that Echizen's aura had grown stronger.

"That's right."

On the bench, Ryuzaki spoke with a serious expression. "As the son of the samurai Nanjiroh, your talent is far greater than this. The stronger your opponent, the stronger you must become!"

She had never doubted Echizen's potential.

From a young age, he had been trained by Nanjiroh, one of the world's greatest players. The knowledge and experience instilled in him had become second nature.

When faced with a powerful opponent, Echizen would naturally rise to the occasion.

This was what it meant to grow stronger with each challenge!

"Echizen!"

Tezuka, watching the boy bathed in white light, clenched his fist and called out, "Go! Become Seigaku's pillar!!"

"Got it!"

Echizen responded, his eyes sharpening.

Tap.

With that, he took a step forward and swung his racket, returning Ishikawa's shot.

Thwack!

Thud!

Thwack!

Thud!

On the court, two beams of white light clashed.

Their auras were like two terrifying tornadoes, pressing against each other. The sharpness at the center was overwhelming.

Even the slightest gust of wind generated by their clash could cut a gap in the wall.

The court had become a dangerous battlefield.

As a result, aside from the referee on the high chair, all other staff had left the court.

As for Echizen, despite being at a disadvantage in the intense exchange, his aura continued to grow stronger with each point lost.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Ishikawa's shot flashed past.

The sharp aura felt like it could cut through the spectators' vision.

"Bring it on!!!"

Facing the shot, Echizen, his fighting spirit at its peak, activated the light of "Perfect Harmony." Leaping into the air, he gripped his racket with both hands and smashed it toward the ball.

Boom!

A loud explosion echoed.

Ishikawa's dangerous shot was sent flying by Echizen's powerful strike. To everyone's astonishment, the ball hit the steel cable connecting the pole to the net.

Sizzle...

The high-speed spinning ball ground against the cable, creating sparks.

Pop!

In an instant, the ball was cut in half by the cable, splitting into two and flying toward Ishikawa at incredible speeds.

This was Echizen's ultimate technique, infused with his full power—the "Samurai Strike!"

"Can this kind of shot even be returned?"

Everyone watched in awe as the ball split into two.

A single ball was already beyond what most players could handle. Two balls at once was unimaginable.

"Can he win?"

"He... he has to win!"

"Please, he has to score this point!"

The Seigaku team watched nervously, their hopes pinned on the two flying balls.

"Ishikawa, I should thank you."

Echizen, having unleashed his ultimate move, smiled confidently. "If it weren't for the pressure you put on me, I wouldn't have been able to break through again."

Now, even on the path of "Perfect Harmony," in the deep realms of tennis, he had made significant progress.

In Echizen's eyes, the match was about to turn in his favor!

"Indeed."

But at that moment, Ishikawa slowly raised his head. He wasn't looking at the two balls flying toward him—he was looking directly at Echizen. "I didn't expect you to have come this far in the realm of 'Muga.' In that case... I won't hold back anymore."

Hum!

As soon as he finished speaking, under Echizen's wide-eyed gaze, the silvery light around Ishikawa surged to a terrifying level.

The entire court was engulfed in it.

At this moment, Ishikawa's third-level sword intent was fully unleashed!

*(End of Chapter)*

*Chapter 243: Hyotei Claims the Championship, a Perfect Finale (Part 1)*

The entire court was bathed in a blinding white light. Everyone’s vision was overwhelmed by the dazzling radiance, leaving nothing but a sea of silver in their sight.

“W-what just happened?!”

This thought flashed through countless minds.

However, their vision was completely obscured by the overwhelming light, making it impossible to see what was truly happening.

Only a few, like Yukimura and Tezuka, managed to catch a glimpse of Ishikawa moving in the instant the light flashed.

Boom!

Almost simultaneously with the light flooding the court, a loud explosion reached everyone’s ears.

“It’s coming!!!”

On the other side of the court, Echizen braced himself, fully alert. In his state of Perfect Harmony, his mind was razor-sharp. He caught a faint glimmer of light and immediately sprang into action.

“Ishikawa, you’re truly strong!”

Echizen stepped forward confidently, swinging his racket toward the glimmer of light, preparing to strike.

Boom!

But in the next moment, the ground beside him erupted without warning. Under Echizen’s shocked gaze, the ground seemed to collapse under some indescribable force, sinking abruptly.

Crash!

A terrifying crater appeared before him!

Thumb-sized cracks spread rapidly, sending chills down Echizen’s spine.

“Did I misjudge?”

Staring at the massive crater, doubt crept into Echizen’s mind.

Whoosh!

At the same time, the glimmer of light he had spotted earlier burst into full view.

In that moment, Echizen realized the truth.

The tennis ball had been split in two by Ishikawa’s shot.

What had landed was only half of the ball.

“But…”

“How is it so fast?”

“I didn’t even notice it?!”

Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.

Echizen quickly made a decision. His gaze sharpened, locking onto the ball as he raised his racket to strike.

He didn’t know how the referee would rule this.

At this point, he couldn’t possibly return both halves of the ball. But Echizen wasn’t about to give up.

Even if the referee ultimately called him out, Echizen was determined to return the other half of the ball.

Swish!

Immediately, he pushed his Muga no Kyouchi to its limits. The light of Perfect Harmony enveloped the ball as he swung his racket.

Crack… crack…

But in the next moment, Echizen’s eyes widened in shock as the light of Perfect Harmony began to fracture like a mirror.

“H-how is this possible?!”

Echizen’s heart raced.

But his instincts, honed by years of training akin to a professional player, kicked in. He tightened his grip on the racket, determined to return the ball.

Thud!

However, Ishikawa’s shot was too sharp.

The moment the ball made contact with the racket, Echizen’s spare racket—the one he had switched to multiple times—was sliced clean through.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Echizen caught a glimpse of a dangerous, sword-wielding shadow flickering behind Ishikawa.

“W-what is that?!”

Whoosh!

At that moment, the ball shot forward, carrying a fierce whirlwind. A faint breeze brushed past Echizen’s hair, causing a strand of his dark green locks to flutter to the ground.

Boom!!!

Before Echizen could react, a deafening explosion erupted behind him.

The solid concrete wall was blown apart by the other half of the ball, leaving a massive hole as rubble cascaded down.

The shockwave from the explosion sent dust and debris flying toward the stands, causing panic among the spectators.

“E-Echizen?!”

As the blinding light began to fade, Momoshiro and the others finally caught sight of the court. Their eyes darted anxiously toward Echizen.

What they saw was a face once full of confidence and vigor, now drenched in sweat and filled with shock and fear.

“What on earth happened…?!”

When the full scene on the court came into view, everyone gasped in disbelief.

“Gulp.”

On the referee’s chair, the young official swallowed hard, staring at the black-haired boy standing calmly at the baseline, racket in hand, as if he were some kind of monster.

“G-game over,” the referee announced, his voice trembling slightly. “Hyotei Academy’s Ishikawa Shin wins, 6-0!”

*[Ding!]*

Almost simultaneously, a notification sounded in Ishikawa’s mind.

*[Player has defeated Boss-level opponent Echizen Ryoma. 4000 experience points awarded.]*

*[Player has obtained Echizen Ryoma’s special ability: Perfect Harmony of the Three Realms (Light of Restraint · Radiance of Fortitude).]*

“Hyotei! Hyotei! Hyotei!”

In the next moment, the equally stunned Hyotei team erupted into cheers. “The winner is Hyotei! The victor is Ishikawa! The winner is Hyotei! The victor is Ishikawa!”

What started as a chant from two hundred people quickly grew as the crowd, equally awed by Ishikawa’s display of power, joined in, shouting his name.

“It’s over…”

On the Seigaku side, the team hung their heads.

Though they had known this outcome was likely, facing it head-on was still hard to accept.

“6-0…”

Inui and Fuji exchanged bitter smiles.

Even the power of Perfect Harmony hadn’t been enough to turn the tide.

“That guy is too strong!”

“His tennis has surpassed all other middle schoolers… maybe even reached a professional level!”

“Professional?”

“No way, right?”

Representatives from various schools murmured among themselves.

Opinions varied, but one thing was clear: everyone was in awe of Ishikawa’s overwhelming strength.

On the tennis court, strength reigns supreme, and the victor is king!

And Ishikawa, who led Hyotei to claim this year’s national championship, was undoubtedly the strongest middle schooler of them all!

“It’s over.”

On the Rikkai side, Yukimura adjusted the jacket draped over his shoulders and turned to leave with his team.

As he left, he glanced at Ishikawa, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and admiration.

The old era, centered around him, had ended. Now, a new era, centered around Ishikawa, was beginning.

Tezuka, Shiraishi, Chitose, and Tachibana all shared similar thoughts.

Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be part of this new era.

Whether that was a blessing or a curse, they couldn’t say.

“The match is over.”

“Hyotei Academy wins three matches to two, claiming the national championship.”

With that, the referee announced the final result.

The entire arena was once again filled with the cheers of Hyotei supporters.

The Hyotei regulars were ecstatic.

Even the usually composed captain, Atobe, and Coach Tachibana couldn’t help but smile.

They had won!

From this day forward, the title of national champion no longer belonged to Rikkai, who had achieved back-to-back victories. It belonged to Hyotei!

And everyone believed that under Ishikawa’s leadership, Hyotei would achieve an unprecedented three-peat!

“What an incredible match.”

Watching the two boys retreat to their respective teams, Inui couldn’t help but marvel. “As someone once said, the old era of Atobe and Tezuka has ended. The future belongs to Ishikawa and Echizen!”

He couldn’t wait to see how these two would clash in the years to come.

Hyotei, Seigaku, Rikkai, Shitenhoji, and the rising powerhouse Fudomine—the national tournaments over the next year or two promised to be thrilling.

Just thinking about it filled him with excitement.

“The old era has ended?”

Hearing Inui’s words, Saeki raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.

As a coach for the U-17 team, he knew better.

For these middle schoolers, the so-called “old era” wasn’t truly over. In fact, they hadn’t even touched the higher levels of tennis that represented the world stage.

But Saeki saw no need to explain this here.

Instead, he made a mental note to carefully study how to select middle schoolers for the U-17 team.

Players like Ishikawa, Echizen, and Tezuka wereabsolutely cannot be missed.

With that, he turned to the middle-aged man in the black robe beside him. “Mr. Nanjiro, it was a pleasure watching this match with you. And Mr. Inui, Ms. Aoi, goodbye!”

With that, he left.

His steps were quick and purposeful, as if he were in a hurry.

“Huh? What’s with him?”

Aoi watched him leave, puzzled.

Nanjiro chuckled. “I’d guess he has something important to attend to.”

“But…”

Aoi frowned. “If it was that important, why would he spend over two hours watching the match?”

“Who knows?”

Nanjiro shrugged. “Maybe it’s something related to tennis, right?”

With that, he smiled meaningfully, his gaze settling on Ishikawa, Akutsu, and the others on the court.

*(End of Chapter)*

*Chapter 244: The Mysterious Letter (Part 2)*

The national tournament had come to an end.

As he had hoped, Atobe received the championship flag, symbolizing the national victory, from the tournament officials during the closing ceremony.

Then, under the watchful eyes of countless spectators, Atobe solemnly handed the flag to Ishikawa.

"The next era belongs to you," Atobe said with a smile. "Rikkai couldn't achieve a three-peat, but I hope to see it happen under your leadership."

"Understood," Ishikawa nodded, accepting the flag with both hands.

Seeing this, Coach Sakaki smiled with satisfaction. He felt at ease now, knowing that for the next two years, he wouldn't have to worry much about the team's training. He was even considering where to go for a vacation.

With that, the national tournament concluded.

Representatives from various schools left Tokyo with mixed feelings. Meanwhile, the Hyotei team returned to their school and held a grand celebration.

At the banquet, Oshitari and Mukahi watched Ishikawa, Hiyoshi, Otori, and Kabaji with complex expressions.

After tonight, they would essentially be saying goodbye to their middle school tennis careers. Their roles as regulars would soon become a thing of the past.

"Oshitari," Mukahi, sitting at a table in the restaurant, glanced at Atobe, who was singing on the makeshift stage, and turned to his friend. "What are your plans?"

"Nothing for now," Oshitari replied calmly.

"I'm thinking of training some of the new recruits," Mukahi said with a grin. "Without my tennis, Hyotei will definitely be less interesting next year."

But Oshitari saw through his intentions. "You're just looking for a suitable partner for Otori, aren't you?"

"Well... yes," Mukahi admitted after a moment's hesitation. "Otori's individual skills are strong, but he's clearly better suited for doubles. Hyotei needs a national-level doubles team to stay competitive."

"That makes sense," Oshitari nodded slightly.

A three-peat for Hyotei couldn't rely solely on Ishikawa. In team competitions, overall strength was key.

Of course, with Ishikawa's training abilities, developing players of a high caliber wouldn't be a problem.

But as Mukahi had said, they were destined to leave Hyotei. Rather than fading away as passing figures, they wanted to pass on their skills and leave their mark on the team.

Moreover, as the starting point of Hyotei's three-peat, if their tennis could be carried on by others, their legacy would remain even after they were gone.

To Oshitari, that held greater meaning.

"As for Atobe..." Oshitari glanced at the self-absorbed singer on stage and thought to himself, "In a way, Ishikawa is his successor, isn't he?"

In fact, Ishikawa had surpassed Atobe in both skill and status.

"Hmm?"

But just as Oshitari was about to look for Ishikawa, he noticed the boy was nowhere to be seen.

"Again? Our vice-captain's dedication to training is truly terrifying..."

As expected, after dinner, Ishikawa had already started his post-meal training routine.

Outside the restaurant, on the tennis courts, Ishikawa was jogging around the field, just as Oshitari had guessed.

In the distance, a figure with spiky grayish-white hair and hands in his pockets watched him intently.

After a moment of contemplation, the figure walked onto the court and intercepted Ishikawa.

"Akutsu-senpai?" Ishikawa recognized the cold, intimidating boy before him.

"The national tournament is over," Akutsu said, his voice as sharp as his gaze. Despite the overwhelming pressure he exuded, Ishikawa remained calm and even smiled.

"Our agreement is fulfilled. Whether you stay at Hyotei or not is up to you now," Ishikawa said. "Or... do you want a rematch?"

At this, Akutsu's expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

If anyone else had dared to provoke him like that, Akutsu would have immediately taught them a lesson. But facing Ishikawa, who had defeated players like Kirihara, Sanada, Senri, and Fuji, Akutsu wasn't confident he could win.

He was here out of sheer frustration.

After witnessing Ishikawa's intense match against Echizen during the national tournament, Akutsu knew he stood no chance against the boy.

"Don't worry," Ishikawa said, as if reading Akutsu's thoughts. "I'm not leaving Hyotei. If you want to challenge me, you can do so anytime."

"Alright," Akutsu nodded slightly before turning to leave.

Ishikawa chuckled softly, watching Akutsu's retreating figure. He knew Akutsu wouldn't leave Hyotei until he had defeated him.

With that, Ishikawa turned his attention to his personal stats.

Though the national tournament had only lasted a week, the battles against so many strong opponents, especially the match where Yukimura had stripped him of his senses, had significantly boosted his abilities.

Moreover, the experience gained from defeating his opponents had allowed him to level up once more.

With a thought, a 3D hologram of his stats appeared before him.

---

*Name:* Ishikawa Shin

*Age:* 12

*Identity:* Hyotei Academy 1st Year, Regular Tennis Team Member, Training Advisor, Vice-Captain, Street Tennis Legend, Hyotei's Demon King

*Main Profession:* Tennis Lv55 (0/30000)

*Sub-Professions:* Kendo Lv9, Go Lv9, Ancient Martial Arts Lv9, Yoga Lv6

*Attributes:* Speed 4, Power 4, Stamina 5, Technique 6, Mental 6, Total: 25

*Basic Techniques:* Lv7 (All)

*Advanced Techniques:*

- Lv7 (Star Scar, Twist Serve, Gale, Awakening, Zero-Shiki Drop Shot, Bear Hunt, Mind Shift, Dawn, Super Volley)

- Lv6 (Dance of Destruction, Chaos Ball Barrage)

- Lv5 (Four Gods Formation: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, White Tiger)

*Special Abilities:* Sword Intent Lv3, Go Truth Lv2, Martial Arts Aura Lv2, Glow of Perseverance Lv1, Sense Deprivation Lv1, Eye of Truth

*Sub-Profession Points:* 0

*Skill Points:* 84

*Items:* Inui Juice Recipe

*Evaluation:* A top-tier high school player with unparalleled potential, steadfastly advancing on his chosen path.

---

The upgrade in Yoga had increased his Stamina by 1 point, and the enlightenment he gained after having his senses stripped had boosted his Mental attribute by 1.

Now, his total attribute points had reached 25.

Even among high schoolers, this placed him among the elite.

But despite this, Ishikawa felt he still wasn't strong enough. It was late August, and there were only two months left before the middle schoolers would be recruited for the U-17 training camp. The Tennis World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, was just over three months away.

During this time, he had to maintain, if not increase, his training intensity. After all, high school opponents were on a completely different level. Even national-level players were often relegated to supporting roles on the world stage.

The top teams, like the Big 4, had captains who were practically professional-level players.

Without sufficient strength, it was possible to be utterly outclassed.

Of course, with his array of techniques and ability to enter heightened states, Ishikawa could hold his own on the world stage. Among middle schoolers globally, he was undoubtedly a standout.

But his ambitions didn't stop there.

From nothing, he had climbed one peak after another. Now, as the undisputed king of middle school tennis, he aimed for more than just playing a supporting role behind the high schoolers.

"Let's keep going," Ishikawa muttered, his resolve firm as he resumed his evening training.

---

Meanwhile, at the Japanese U-17 training camp.

In the coaches' office, Saitou, who had just returned from the Ariake Coliseum, was rapidly reviewing data on middle school players.

"Ishikawa, Echizen, Tezuka..." Saitou frowned as he went through the files. "This isn't enough. The records here don't reflect their actual abilities!"

"What's wrong?" Kurobe, dressed in a suit, walked in.

But Saitou, as if not hearing him, continued to mark the files with question after question.

"What's going on?" Kurobe asked, turning to Tōzaki, who shrugged. "He's been like this since he got back. Won't say why."

"Are these middle schoolers' files?" Kurobe leaned in, surprised. "Seems like he found something interesting at today's middle school tournament."

"Saitou? Tōzaki?" Hearing the word "middle schoolers," Saitou suddenly looked up, startled. "When did you two get here?"

"I've been here the whole time," Tōzaki said, exasperated.

"Never mind that," Saitou waved his hand dismissively. He looked at Kurobe. "Your data is outdated. These middle schoolers are far stronger than you think."

"Oh?" Intrigued, Kurobe and Tōzaki leaned in.

"Tell us more."

"It's a long story... Oh, by the way, did you know I saw Echizen Nanjiro at the middle school nationals today?"

"Who?" Kurobe raised an eyebrow. "The legendary Samurai, Echizen Nanjiro?"

Tōzaki was equally shocked. "Why would he be at a middle school tournament?"

"Probably because of his son," Saitou said, his excitement growing. "You won't believe it, but his son has mastered the legendary 'Perfect Harmony'!"

"Seriously?" Tōzaki's eyes widened.

Perfect Harmony—a term that had only ever been used to describe one person in the professional tennis world: Echizen Nanjiro!

"His son... a middle schooler? Really?"

"Absolutely," Saitou said, his expression serious. "And the kid's only 12, a first-year in middle school!"

Tōzaki reached out and felt Saitou's forehead. "You sure you're not feverish?"

"Ugh," Saitou sighed, shaking his head. "I'm serious. And that Echizen kid lost. The one who beat him is also 12, a first-year middle schooler!"

"Ishikawa Shin?"

"Yes, Kurobe. You know him?" Saitou looked up, surprised, only to see Kurobe pointing at the name on the computer screen. "You listed him above Echizen Ryoma... Hmm, you said you saw Echizen Nanjiro at the tournament?"

"Yeah," Saitou nodded. "I got lucky. His son happens to be in middle school this year. Otherwise, it'd be nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of him."

Echizen Nanjiro—a legend in the professional tennis world.

His reputation and experience made him a highly sought-after coach, with countless individuals and clubs vying for his attention. Even the U-17 camp had once considered inviting him to coach.

But after retiring, Nanjiro had become a recluse, rarely seen in public.

"This is bad," Kurobe frowned.

"Bad? Why?" Saitou and Tōzaki looked at him, confused.

"Just got some internal news," Kurobe said gravely. "The Spanish team from the Big 4 has chosen their new coach."

"Spanish team? Coach?" Saitou and Tōzaki exchanged puzzled glances before realization dawned on them.

"Wait... you don't mean..."

"Yes," Kurobe nodded. "It's the legendary Samurai himself, Echizen Nanjiro!"

"Hold on," Saitou's expression changed. "If he was at the middle school nationals... he might be scouting talent. This is bad!"

Saitou's heart sank.

"We need to inform the head coach immediately," Saitou said urgently. "The Samurai is up to something!"

---

The next day, at Hyotei's tennis courts.

Despite the national tournament being over, Ishikawa arrived early as usual for his routine training.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Just as he finished his warm-up and was about to start his planned training, a knocking sound came from the entrance of the tennis courts.

"Excuse me, is this Hyotei's tennis club?"

"Who are you looking for?" Ishikawa walked over to find a young man dressed as a courier.

"I have a delivery for Ishikawa Shin," the courier said.

"That's me."

"Great," the courier handed over a yellow envelope. "Please sign here."

"Sure," Ishikawa signed his name and took the envelope.

After the courier left, he opened it to find an unsigned letter.

"Hmm?" As he read the contents, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "This place... but it seems like a private invitation?"

He raised an eyebrow, a thought forming in his mind.

*(End of Chapter)*

*Chapter 245: The U17 Trial (Part 3)*

Hyotei Tennis Club.

After the finals, Coach Tōru Mizuki announced a break, allowing the team to rest until the start of the fall semester.

However, influenced by Ishikawa, training had become a part of daily life for the Hyotei team members. Except for a few who couldn’t make it due to personal reasons, almost everyone showed up.

The spacious tennis club was alive with activity, with players training in every corner.

In the office, an old record player spun gently, filling the room with soothing, melodic music. Mizuki sat in his chair, eyes closed, lightly tapping the desk as he savored the relaxed, triumphant feeling after their championship win.

"Coach."

The door opened, and a tall figure with lavender-gray hair walked in—Atobe.

"Take a seat," Mizuki said with a nod. Once Atobe sat down, Mizuki smiled and asked, "I heard from the school board that your mother wants you to study abroad in England?"

"Word travels fast, huh?" Atobe frowned slightly.

The thought of his mother, who always made decisions for him and simply informed him afterward, made him uncomfortable.

"It’s true," Atobe admitted, looking up. "We’ve won the national championship, and with you and Ishikawa here, my presence isn’t as crucial anymore."

"England is a good choice," Mizuki acknowledged, but then he slid a piece of paper across the table to Atobe. "But unfortunately, if you’d come half an hour earlier, I might have agreed."

"Huh?" Atobe picked up the paper and glanced at it, his expression turning puzzled. "He’s taking a leave of absence? For a whole month?"

The paper was Ishikawa’s leave request. He mentioned having something important to attend to and asked Mizuki to handle the school paperwork. He also entrusted the team to Atobe and Mizuki.

"I don’t know the details," Mizuki said, shaking his head. He gazed out the window at the training players and added softly, "Even if you’re leaving, you should say goodbye properly, don’t you think? After all, you’re the 'King of Hyotei.'"

"Right," Atobe nodded.

Mizuki was correct. Even if he were to leave, there was no need to rush. This place had been his home for three years, filled with countless memories and efforts.

As for Ishikawa...

Atobe’s eyes gleamed at the thought of him.

Though he didn’t know where Ishikawa had gone, it was likely related to tennis.

"He’s already so strong... yet he still pushes himself like this," Atobe murmured, his competitive spirit reigniting. The thrill of winning the finals had begun to fade, but thinking of Ishikawa brought it back in full force.

"Fine," Atobe thought to himself. "I’ll wait for you for a month."

He made up his mind. Over the next month, he would train harder than ever. When the time came to leave, he wanted to face Ishikawa in one final match.

---

Somewhere on a Shinkansen train from Kamakura to Tokyo...

A young man with orange curly hair leaned against his seat, staring out the window in a daze.

"I can’t believe Seiichi and Sanada lost in the national tournament..."

The young man, Ryouma Mori from Rikkai Dai Fuzoku High School, sighed deeply.

When he heard the news yesterday, he was shocked. He knew how strong the middle school team was, with Seiichi, Sanada, and Yanagi leading a group of incredibly talented players.

That lineup should have been enough to dominate the nation.

Yet, they only made it to the semifinals, not even securing second place.

"I heard they lost to Hyotei..."

Thinking of Hyotei, Mori’s mind immediately conjured up the image of a towering figure. Instinctively, he rubbed his temples.

"Wait... wasn’t that guy from Hyotei?"

Then, he remembered a black-haired boy.

The memory of that terrifying match sent a shiver down his spine.

"If it’s him, then it’s no surprise."

After all, that boy had gone toe-to-toe with the national high school champion, Echizen Nanjiro, and held his own!

Witnessing that match had driven Mori to train relentlessly, pushing his limits every day.

Two months later, Mori’s skills had improved dramatically. He had even considered challenging that boy at Hyotei’s high school since he was a third-year and would graduate soon.

But before Mori could make the trip, a mysterious letter interrupted his plans.

"A world-class tennis training base?"

The letter mentioned a highly secretive training facility for high school players. Eager to grow stronger, Mori didn’t hesitate to set off.

"According to the letter, there are only two trains a day to that place."

After arriving in Tokyo, Mori followed the address in the letter and took a taxi to a remote parking lot.

The lot was filled with buses, and tour guides were bustling about, herding tourists. After some searching, Mori finally found the bus he needed and boarded just before it departed.

"Phew..."

Mori breathed a sigh of relief. The letter had emphasized that there were only two buses daily. Missing this one would have meant waiting until afternoon.

"Lucky guy," a teasing voice came from behind him.

Mori turned to see a red-haired boy smirking at him.

"A high schooler from Kyoto’s Maizuru West?"

Recognizing the school emblem on the boy’s uniform, Mori raised an eyebrow. Maizuru West was a regular at national tournaments but never ranked high—more like a team Rikkai could easily crush.

Mori, being laid-back and non-confrontational, chose to ignore the comment.

But then, something caught his eye, and he froze.

"Is that... him?"

Mori’s gaze locked onto a black-haired boy sitting in the corner of the bus.

"Ishikawa Shin!"

Instantly, Mori’s mind flashed back to the Kantō Tournament and that unofficial but utterly terrifying match.

One side was the national high school champion, Echizen Nanjiro.

The other was this boy from Hyotei, Ishikawa Shin, a middle schooler!

"Why is he here? Did he get the invitation too?"

Mori was stunned. As far as he knew, the training base only recruited high school players. But Ishikawa was just a first-year middle schooler!

"What’s with that look?"

The red-haired boy from Maizuru West was getting annoyed, thinking Mori was giving him attitude.

"Hey, Maizuru West," a lazy voice interrupted. "I’d advise you not to mess with him."

The red-haired boy turned, his expression shifting when he saw who it was.

"Genichirou Sanada from Rikkai?!"

As a member of last year’s Kansai regional semifinalist team, the red-haired boy knew better than to provoke Sanada.

"Looks like he’s here too," Sanada muttered, glancing at Mori.

He recognized Mori as Rikkai’s regular player. Last year’s national tournament had seen Mori defeat Rikkai’s star player, handing them a crushing defeat.

But this year, Mori had been absent from the national tournament. Sanada had assumed Mori had quit tennis after entering high school, but it seemed there was more to it.

"If he’s here, then this place might not be full of idiots like that Maizuru West guy," Sanada thought, a faint smile on his face.

But then, he noticed Mori’s gaze shifting.

Mori wasn’t reacting to the red-haired boy’s taunts or looking at Sanada. Instead, his eyes were fixed on the back of the bus.

"Is there another strong player here?" Sanada wondered.

But when he glanced back, he didn’t see anyone particularly noteworthy—just a black-haired boy who stood out a bit.

Sanada didn’t sense any pressure from him, though. The boy seemed ordinary, aside from being good-looking.

"Maybe I’m overthinking it," Sanada thought, frowning slightly.

The bus fell silent as it left the city and entered the mountains.

After about half an hour, they arrived at a secluded parking lot deep in the forest.

"Everyone, we’ve arrived," the driver announced. "Please disembark."

About 30 people got off the bus, which then turned around and drove away.

A group of staff members in black jackets and white caps approached.

"Welcome to Japan’s U17 training base," the leader said. "Here, you’ll receive the best tennis training in the world. You might even get the chance to represent your country on the national team."

The national team?!

The high schoolers, who had been feeling drowsy from the ride, suddenly perked up, their eyes filled with excitement.

"However," the leader continued sternly, "this base doesn’t tolerate slackers. To enter those gates, you must pass an initial test."

He gestured to a room covered by a black curtain.

"Inside, there are 10 ball machines. Each machine has a target. Your goal is to score 200 points in one minute."

"If you succeed, you’ll earn the right to enter the U17 base."

"If you fail, you’ll be deemed lacking in talent and must leave before sunset."

"Um... excuse me," one of the high schoolers whispered nervously. "The bus is gone. If we fail, how do we leave?"

The leader smiled faintly.

"Simple. You walk back."

The high schoolers’ faces paled.

Even Mori and Sanada felt a chill run down their spines.

Any illusions they had about this training base were shattered in an instant.

(End of Chapter)