The earth-shattering battle between Saitama and Chido's projections was destined to drag on for a long time.
But the outside world continued to function as usual.
In the blink of an eye, it was eight in the evening on June 30.
On the elementary school campus of War Military Academy in Area 1551, next to the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces,
the grounds had long since fallen quiet with the end of classes.
The last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the gathering clouds.
The sky grew dim,
as though a summer night rainstorm was brewing.
Luffy, who had just entered Class A of the first grade this year, walked down the tree-lined path toward the school gate with Page One, a classmate he had only recently met and who had also joined the tennis club. He carried a bulging tennis bag on his back.
But Luffy wore a sour expression and looked rather unhappy.
"Why do I only get to pick up balls and swing my racket? It's been days already!"
Little Luffy complained unhappily, kicking pebbles along the road.
"Ace, I want to play against people on the court too!"
Ace, walking ahead with a bag on his back and a black Army cap on his head, turned around when he heard that.
Though he was only in third grade, he had already taken over as president of the elementary tennis club from Yamato, who had moved up to middle school.
"Because you're a first-year and haven't even mastered the basics yet. Practice your fundamentals properly."
Eight-year-old Ace already carried himself like a club president.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from his bronze skin in the stifling heat.
"But I already know how to serve!"
Luffy raised both hands in loud protest.
"It's okay, I'll