Unexpectedly Unexpected

However, compared to Muneyoshi's gradual weakening, Tezuka's expression was equally suppressed.

This was the first time since he returned from Germany.

The first time he felt a sense of crisis from someone his own age.

It was a crisis where if he wasn't careful, he'd be caught up and crushed.

However, as the match continued, the threat emanating from Muneyoshi grew weaker.

Tezuka knew that this was the after-effect of the opponent's previous powerful burst.

But he still didn't underestimate him, because of the firm will emanating from Saeki Muneyoshi.

He felt it!

"Is this your resolve... Saeki-kun!"

With his eyelids lowered, Tezuka's hawk-like gaze trembled slightly, and the hand holding the tennis ball clenched tightly.

Fifteen minutes later.

"Saeki-kun, this is the end!"

A clear voice rang out by his ears. Muneyoshi's already heavy legs could no longer move. Looking up, he only saw Tezuka's figure seeming to merge with the swirling water.

A terrifying water arrow shot out from where Saeki Muneyoshi stood, splashing droplets of water.

"Is it over just like this..."

Letting the tips of his hair blow in the wind, Muneyoshi's eyes were fixed on this arrow of splashing water.

His mind raced, as if trying to exhaust everything, to find even a sliver of possibility to counterattack.

However...

His feet felt rooted to the spot, unable to take a step, and the possibility of pursuit was gone...

There were limits to what one could achieve.

The faint yellow path of the tennis ball disappeared from Muneyoshi's pupils, and he suddenly felt a sense of loss.

"Game, Tezuka Kunimitsu, 6-4!"

"Saeki-kun, it was a good match. I hope I can play you again on a real court next time."

Shouldering his tennis bag and walking silently towards the station, Muneyoshi's ears still seemed to echo with Tezuka's words.

So confident and powerful!

"A formal match..."

Muneyoshi silently looked at the Five Dimensions comparison with Tezuka that had already appeared in his mind, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes:

"It will happen. If you truly want to change as you said, then I won't keep you waiting too long!"

Tezuka Kunimitsu. Speed 4 (+0.5) Power 3.5 (+0.5) Stamina 3.5 Technique 5 (+0.5) Mental Strength 4.5 (+0.5) Total 20.5. With the State of Selflessness activated, speed increases by 0.5, power by 0.5, technique by 0.5, and mental strength by 0.5. Actual True Five Dimensions: 22.5!

Saeki Muneyoshi. Speed 3 Power 4 (-0.5) Stamina 4 (-0.5) Technique 4 (-0.5) Mental Strength 5 (-0.5) Total 20 (-2).

Looking at the drastically different Five Dimensions graph compared to Tezuka's, Saeki Muneyoshi shook his head with a hint of helplessness.

Tezuka now was like a max-level character who had reached the peak of their middle school generation right from the start.

What was currently limiting him was likely only his age and his still-growing body.

Once his body's development stabilizes, his various stats will become completely balanced.

As he ages, the boosts he can currently only achieve by entering the State of Selflessness will become his baseline.

After all, in another year or two, his stamina, strength, and speed will naturally improve.

And then there's the development of subsequent techniques, like the Tezuka Phantom, Zero Style Serve, Zero Style Lob, Talent Limit, and so on…

By the time his regular state reaches 22.5 without any boosts.

Or even 23.5, the data measured when he first entered the Japan U17 Training Camp in the original work. Combined with the boost from the State of Selflessness, how terrifying will that be?

And by then, he will have likely entered Cloudbreak and the Different Dimension Realm.

This will provide an even greater boost to him.

Later, he even developed the Supreme Domain, merging multiple Cloudbreak lights…

This is Tezuka Kunimitsu, a powerful man!

His tennis system and path are clearly laid out, following the path of Germany's most elite tennis.

He is Japan's QP.

"The future! It's truly something to look forward to!"

Muneyoshi smiled slightly. Tezuka's stats didn't shock him, as this was the achievement Tezuka was destined for.

And even if Tezuka improves, he won't stop.

Whether it's Tezuka Kunimitsu or Yukimura Seiichi, they are both opponents Muneyoshi needs to defeat.

And not just them. While this year's Japanese middle school scene isn't as strong as Echizen's generation, there are still quite a few true masters.

As far as Muneyoshi knows, among the middle schoolers of this generation, those who can truly reach the national level solely through their own abilities, without the tempering of the U17 Training Camp.

Including Aoi Kintaro and Echizen Ryoma in the future, there are ten such individuals.

Tezuka Kunimitsu, Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichirou, Atobe Keigo, Kite Eishiro, Akutsu Jin, Shiraishi Kuranosuke, Tachibana Kippei.

They are the geniuses among this generation of Japanese middle schoolers, true national-level masters.

And now, he, Saeki Muneyoshi, must be added to that list!

Leveraging Tezuka's powerful strength and the unparalleled pressure from their match.

Muneyoshi unleashed Scorching Sun Tinder and Treading Fire Chasing Sun, and with the aid of his golden finger, he temporarily boosted his technique and mental strength by 0.5.

He finally broke through the bottleneck of the Five Dimensions' total sum reaching twenty.

Although he is now incredibly weak, and the sacrificed and temporarily added stats have disappeared, he has broken through.

As long as he overcomes this period of weakness and regains the lost stats, he will be a genuine national-level master.

And as his strength breaks through, the bottleneck that previously confined him will no longer exist.

From national level to above national level will be incredibly smooth for him.

Unless a qualitative change occurs, touching upon another illusory dimension within Japan's system, the path of the Different Dimension Realm, he will face no bottlenecks before then.

He has very systematic methods to maintain his evolution.

These evolutionary methods were summarized by Coach Mifune from his original world over decades. While crude, they are also excellent training methods.

Thinking of this, Muneyoshi's heart burned with excitement, wishing he could start training immediately.

With this thought, Muneyoshi's mood brightened, and he walked home cheerfully.

He needs to properly plan the rest of his holiday.

There is less than a month until school starts.

"But, it seems I've forgotten something…"

"Never mind, it's not important. I need to get through this weak period and improve my strength as quickly as possible."

Meanwhile, not far from Yamabuki Middle School, by the river, Akutsu Jin stood on a bridge, watching the river surface stained crimson by the setting sun.

His tightly clenched fists and the constantly creaking railing spoke volumes about his inner turmoil.

Thinking of Saeki Muneyoshi's arrogant attitude and mocking tone earlier, Akutsu couldn't contain his anger.

"Damn guy, who do you think you are, trying to teach me tennis?"

"I'll definitely defeat you, I'll tear you to shreds…"

Just then, Akutsu's expression shifted. He saw a familiar figure walking towards the train station in the distance and, after a moment's thought, walked up to him.

"Hey, Cold-Faced Guy, which middle school are you planning to attend?"

Tezuka looked at the delinquent with a fierce aura before him and said expressionlessly, "Seigaku."

"Seigaku?" Akutsu Jin mused, "You're Tezuka, right? Can you play a few matches with me?"

Receiving a satisfactory answer, Akutsu Jin walked home along with the setting sun...

Meanwhile, Saeki Muneyoshi, who had returned home and was still envisioning and planning his training schedule, suddenly shivered.

A tiny flap of a butterfly's wings seemed to have created a formidable enemy for him.

His original intention was to win over Akutsu Jin, as countless seniors had personally "tested this theory."

They all said that defeating Akutsu Jin was the simplest way to win him over.

But why was it that when it came to him, everything changed?

This was something he had never expected.