Akutsu Jin

Saeki Muneyoshi had come here so early in the morning for a reason. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, and he hadn't come just to get into a fight.

He'd arranged to meet Tezuka here today for more than just a match against Tezuka Kunimitsu.

The main reason was Akutsu Jin.

He was the best male lead in The Prince of Tennis fanfiction, the best enforcer, the best third singles player in a club, and the best foundation for a dynasty.

He could also be called the strangest prodigy among their generation.

A truly monstrous talent!

In the original story, he'd never systematically trained in tennis. He hadn't even touched a racket in his first or second year of middle school. He'd developed a passing interest in his third year, only to be taught a lesson by the protagonist as soon as he appeared.

That had killed him off in the story far too early, bringing him in as a villain too soon.

Even so, after only a year of playing tennis, once he entered U-17—

He'd gone from a rusty musket to a modern cannon, slaughtering everyone in his path.

His most glorious moment had come when he faced Sweden's captain.

He'd shown the world his most astonishing talent, and he was the person Uncle Phoenix "cherished" most.

Ever since Saeki Muneyoshi had learned that Akutsu attended Fudomine, he'd been racking his brains over it.

After weighing everything, Akutsu Jin was the only person worth recruiting.

As for how to recruit him, hadn't all the seniors already set a fine example?

The ancients had been right!

Surely those seniors hadn't just made things up!

When dealing with a delinquent villain like this, you had to beat him up first, then subdue him with tennis.

Saeki Muneyoshi was very pleased with the plan. He'd give himself an 82 out of 100. Everyone knew what the remaining points were for.

So, with a plan in mind, Saeki Muneyoshi didn't panic at all. He turned aside to dodge Akutsu's punch, then suddenly bent low and threw another punch at his stomach, moving like a leopard cat.

"Akutsu, you can't beat me in a fight. But you could try tennis..."

"Let's play tennis. The money's the wager!"

"If you lose, I keep the money. If I win, you play tennis with me."

Watching Akutsu Jin spring back to his feet in a single kip-up, Saeki Muneyoshi hurriedly offered what he thought was the most practical suggestion.

"???"

"Hahaha... You sure are one cocky little brat!"

"Who do you think you are, ordering me around?"

Akutsu Jin nearly laughed in disbelief at Saeki Muneyoshi's "brilliant suggestion." He spat out a mouthful of blood and moved in to continue the fight.

Seeing this, Saeki Muneyoshi quickly tried a second taunt.

"What, you afraid to play tennis?"

"Hah! What would Akutsu Jin be afraid of?"

With that, he looked toward the tennis court enclosed by a metal fence. He strode over and gave the fence a violent tug with both hands, ripping open a gap tall enough for a person to pass through.

The people on the court saw Akutsu and scattered like startled birds. Akutsu casually snatched someone's tennis bag, took out a racket, and tossed the bag aside.

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

Seeing this familiar scene, Saeki Muneyoshi froze for a second, then walked through the gap as well.

"How many games, Akutsu?"

Muneyoshi didn't know how long it would take Tezuka to arrive, so he wanted to keep an eye on the time. But Akutsu was already too furious to care about that.

"Quit wasting your breath, brat. Only one of us is walking out of here today!"

Seeing the indescribable aura radiating from Akutsu after he'd provoked him, Saeki Muneyoshi understood.

"If that's what you want, then you got it!"

"Heh. Just what I wanted!"

With a savage grin, Akutsu headed straight for the baseline.

Tap, tap, tap...

The tennis ball bounced lightly against the racket. Looking at Akutsu, who had taken up a hunter's stance on the other side, Muneyoshi quickly reined in the heat in his gaze.

Once this match is over, I should invite him right away. That ought to do it...

His thoughts gradually fell away. His mind emptied, and Saeki Muneyoshi stopped paying attention to anything beyond the tennis ball.

Whoosh!

He tossed the ball straight up. Then his whole body tensed, his graceful muscles faintly outlined beneath his clothes.

He bent his knees, turned his elbow, and once again took up a flawless serving stance.

Thwack!

A pale-yellow blur flashed by like a hazy flame.

Aerial High Volley!

The ball streaked off like a smash, leaving a straight line of yellow light before landing cleanly in the corner of Akutsu's service box.

On the court, Akutsu wasn't startled by the serve. His exceptional dynamic vision and athletic talent, combined with his naturally sharp instincts, let him read the ball's path in an instant.

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

"Brat, who do you think you're looking down on?"

Akutsu's face turned menacing. He curled his lips into a slight grin, tensed his long legs, and stepped back with his left foot. Like a leopard, he exploded into motion.

Whoosh...

The breeze swept past his ears and ruffled his hair. In that moment, Akutsu's physical gifts were on full display. In a few breaths, he reached the ball's landing point.

Thump!

His beautifully defined arm swung hard, sending the ball straight toward Muneyoshi's lower leg.

He'd aimed the shot at Muneyoshi's body.

Muneyoshi frowned. Akutsu's voice echoed in his ears. "I told you, only one of us is walking out of here!"

At the same time,

Akutsu didn't pause after hitting the ball. He dropped into a low crouch and raced toward the net again at astonishing speed.

He knew perfectly well that the point wouldn't end so easily.

"What an explosive sprint. His talent really is incredible!"

Watching Akutsu's movements, Saeki Muneyoshi's eyes lit up. That sequence of calculations and actions had flowed like water. No wonder he was called a once-in-decades prodigy.

"Want to meet me head-on?"

"Fine by me!"

Akutsu wasn't the sort of defensive player who waited for an opportunity. He was an attacking player who seized every chance to take control.

Muneyoshi made a simple forward lunge, both feet pushing off the ground at once.

Then, following the rhythm of his shifting weight, he drove off the toes of his right foot and swung with all his might. The ball became a slanting streak of light, flying toward Akutsu's feet as well.

But this time, Akutsu was faster. He shot forward like an arrow released from its bow, then leaped with all his strength, arms hanging down. Just as the ball reached him—

"Ha! Take that!"

Akutsu raised his right hand high and swung hard at the ball.

Thwack!

A tremendous crack rang out as his racket struck the rising ball. Akutsu poured all his strength into the racket and whipped it forward.

"Damn brat, you're only good at running your mouth! Hm?"

Whoosh!

Akutsu thought he'd won the point, but then a racket suddenly appeared to meet the ball. It sent it rocketing back over the net in a streak of light, scoring the point.

"Oh? What was that? I didn't catch it."

Muneyoshi lowered his racket and stood still. He glanced at Akutsu and spoke calmly.