Akutsu Jin

Saeki Muneyoshi didn't come here so early on a whim, nor was it to fight this battle.

Today, he had invited Tezuka here, not just to have a match with Tezuka Kunimitsu.

The more important reason was Akutsu Jin.

This individual was the best supporting male character in various Prince of Tennis fanfictions, the best fighter, the best club singles 3, and the best cornerstone of a dynasty.

He could also be called the most talented eccentric among their peers.

A true talent monster!

In the original work, he never systematically practiced tennis. He didn't even touch the sport in his first or second year. He only got a little interested in his third year, only to be taught a lesson by the protagonist prince as soon as he appeared.

This led to his "plot death" happening too early, and his appearance as an antagonist too soon.

But even so, after only a year of contact with tennis, once he entered U-17.

It was like a complete overhaul, and he went on a rampage against everyone.

His most glorious moment was his match against the Swedish captain.

He showed the world his most astonishing talent, and he was also the person "most cherished" by Uncle Huang.

Ever since Saeki Muneyoshi learned that Akutsu Jin was from Fudomine during middle school, he had been racking his brain.

After much thought, the person most worth recruiting was none other than Akutsu Jin.

As for the method of recruitment, hadn't the vast majority of his predecessors already set the example?

As the saying goes, the ancients did not deceive me!

His predecessors wouldn't just make things up, would they!

For such a villainous delinquent, of course, the approach was to first whip him severely, and then subdue him with tennis.

Saeki Muneyoshi was very satisfied with this plan, giving it an 82-point rating, and the rest of the points were for everyone to understand.

Therefore, with a clear plan in mind, Saeki Muneyoshi wasn't flustered at all. He sidestepped Akutsu's punch and then bent down sharply, like a leopard cat, throwing another punch at his abdomen.

"Akutsu, you can't beat me in a fight, but you can try using tennis..."

"Let's play tennis, the bet is all this money!"

"If you lose, the money is mine. If I win, you'll play tennis with me."

Watching Akutsu Jin flip himself up with a shrimp flip, Saeki Muneyoshi quickly proposed what he thought was the best feasible suggestion.

"???"

"Hahaha... You're really arrogant, brat!!!"

"Who do you think you are? You dare to order me around?"

Akutsu Jin almost burst out laughing upon hearing Saeki Muneyoshi's "best suggestion." He spat out a bloody phlegm and was about to rush forward to grapple again.

Seeing this, Saeki Muneyoshi quickly employed his second tactic: provocation.

"What, you don't dare to use tennis?"

"Hmph, what is there that I, Akutsu Jin, wouldn't dare to do!"

With that, he looked towards the tennis court surrounded by iron fences, walked over, and with a fierce tug of both hands, tore open a gap tall enough for a person in the fence.

Seeing Akutsu arrive, the people in the court scattered like birds and beasts. Akutsu casually snatched someone's tennis bag, took out a racket, and threw the bag aside.

"Get in here, brat, I'm sending you to hell."

Seeing this familiar scene, Saeki Muneyoshi was stunned for a second before also walking through the gap.

"How many games, Akutsu?"

Muneyoshi wasn't sure when Tezuka would arrive, so he wanted to control the time, but Akutsu, who was already blinded by rage, didn't care about that.

"What's with all the talk, brat? Only one person can walk out of here today!"

Seeing the indescribable aura emanating from Akutsu's body after being provoked, Saeki Muneyoshi understood:

"Since that's the case, then as you wish!"

"Heh heh, just as I wanted!"

With a sinister grin, Akutsu walked directly towards the backcourt.

Dada da...

The tennis ball lightly tapped on the racket. Looking at Akutsu in his hunting stance opposite him, Muneyoshi's intense gaze quickly subsided.

"As long as this match is over, I can immediately invite him, right..."

His thoughts were gradually suppressed, and everything in his mind went blank. Saeki Muneyoshi no longer paid attention to anything outside of tennis.

Swish!

He tossed the tennis ball vertically upwards, and his entire body tensed, his beautiful muscle lines faintly visible beneath his clothes.

He bent his knees, rotated his elbows, and the perfect serving posture reappeared.

BANG!

A pale yellow light, like a hazy flame, flashed and disappeared.

Aerial High Volley!

The tennis ball, like a smash shot, shot out a straight yellow line and landed steadily in the corner of Akutsu's receiving area.

On the court, Akutsu was not intimidated by this shot. His exceptional dynamic vision, athletic talent, and innate keen senses allowed him to instantly discern the ball's trajectory.

Akutsu coldly watched the powerful serve. As his gaze swept over, he saw the faint smile on Muneyoshi's face.

"Brat, who do you think you're underestimating!"

Akutsu's face turned grim, a slight grin tugging at his lips. He tensed his long legs, stepped back with his left foot, and exploded with speed like a leopard.

WHOOSH...

The breeze brushing past his ears ruffled his hair. Akutsu's physical talent was fully displayed at this moment, and he reached the ball's landing spot in a single breath.

THWACK!

With a powerful swing of his aesthetically sculpted arm, the tennis ball flew directly towards Muneyoshi's shins.

This shot was aimed directly at his body.

Seeing this, Muneyoshi frowned slightly. At this moment, Akutsu's voice echoed in his ears: "I told you, only one person can walk out of here!"

At the same time.

Having completed his shot, Akutsu didn't stop. He half-crouched abruptly and sprinted towards the net with astonishing speed.

He knew very well that the previous shot couldn't have ended so easily.

"Such fast sprinting speed, his talent is truly astonishing!"

Seeing Akutsu's movement, Saeki Muneyoshi's eyes lit up. The series of calculations and actions just now were fluid and seamless, truly befitting a prodigy rarely seen in decades.

"You want to go head-to-head?"

"I'll grant your wish!"

Akutsu was definitely not a defensive player who waited for opportunities; he was an offensive player who seized every chance to gain the initiative.

Muneyoshi simply adopted a forward-leaning stance, his feet pressing down simultaneously.

Then, with the rhythm of his body's center of gravity shifting, he forcefully swung his right foot, sending the ball in a diagonal trajectory towards Akutsu's feet.

However, this time, Akutsu was faster. He shot out like an arrow from a bow, leaped forward with all his might, arms hanging down, and as the ball flew towards him.

"Hya! Go back!"

Akutsu raised his right hand high and swung it forcefully at the tennis ball.

BANG!

A loud hitting sound echoed as the racket met the bouncing ball. Akutsu poured all his strength into the racket and swung with force.

"Damn brat, you're only good at talking tough! Huh?"

SWISH!

Akutsu, who thought he had scored, saw the ball suddenly caught by an appearing racket, then shot back with explosive force, crossing the net and scoring a point like a streak of light.

"Oh, what did you say? I didn't quite hear you?"

He retracted his racket, stood firm, glanced at Akutsu, and Muneyoshi said calmly.