Fudomine vs. Hyotei Academy

"Besides?"

At this point, Atobe was no longer calm. Saeki Muneyoshi and Tachibana Kippei weren't enough; was there someone else worth taking seriously?

However, with his amazing eyesight, he had already discovered Keith's formidable strength just from the video footage.

"These three singles players from Fudomine are all extremely strong. If you were to encounter them, aside from Atobe, most of the others would likely have little chance of winning..."

Sakaki Tarou's words, which showed no regard for the team members' feelings, caused some fluctuations on the faces of the Hyotei Academy's Regular and second team members.

Especially Oshitari Yushi.

His memory suddenly returned to the time of the Metropolitan Tournament last year, when Saeki Muneyoshi came to him and fought him before his match against Atobe.

He still vividly remembers that crushing feeling.

Despite his apparent indifference, his desire for revenge against Muneyoshi was no less than Atobe's.

Seeing that his fellow members showed great interest in Fudomine but not much fear, Sakaki Tarou's brow relaxed slightly, and he then tossed out a stack of documents for everyone to read.

He obtained this information through various means and then analyzed it.

Of course, while collecting this information, he inevitably learned about Muneyoshi's performance in last year's World Tournament. After watching the video, Sakaki Tarou sealed Muneyoshi's information away.

He doesn't intend to tell Atobe the truth for the time being, and when facing Fudomine, he also excludes Saeki Muneyoshi from his plan.

Having learned of Muneyoshi's true strength, he no longer believed that anyone in the current junior high school class could be a match for Saeki Muneyoshi.

Therefore, he forfeited the match against Saeki Muneyoshi and instead planned other matches.

Of course, only he himself should know all of this.

After all the members had finished reviewing the materials.

Sakaki Tarou scanned the expressions of his club members, nodded, and saw no fear in their expressions, which was exactly what he hoped for.

"Atobe, you'll be playing singles third in your next match!"

Sakaki Tarou looked at the boy surrounded by people like a star and gave him instructions.

To be honest, Sakaki Tarou originally didn't plan to arrange it this way.

However, after watching a few replays of Fudomine's matches...

He noticed that Fudomine's current formation was unpredictable; sometimes their strong singles players would also switch to doubles.

Therefore, if a doubles team has a strong player, then the singles third position serves as a way to stabilize the team's morale.

"Yes, advisor."

Atobe didn't ask Sakaki Tarou the reason for this arrangement, but simply agreed.

"Alright, so the lineup for this match against Fudomine is: Doubles No. 2 Ohtori Choutarou and Anahira Ryo;"

Doubles pairing: Oshitari Yushi and Mukahi Gakuto;

Singles No. 3 Atobe Keigo; Singles 2 Kabaji Munehiro; Singles 1: Akutagawa Jirou.

"Now, go and practice specifically against your potential opponents. You must leave no stone unturned in your pursuit of victory against the Hyotei Academy!"

Hearing the coach's arrangement, the members of the second team were somewhat puzzled. They were unaware of the challenge that Saeki Muneyoshi had faced last year, nor were they aware of Tachibana Kippei's strength.

So, my only feeling about the coach's arrangement is whether he's placing too much importance on the other person?

However, no one could challenge Sakaki Tarou's authority at the Hyotei Academy, so they all agreed.

Now in their second year, Hyotei Academy's strength has undergone a qualitative leap compared to their first year.

In particular, the addition of first-year students such as Kabaji Munehiro, Ohtori Choutarou, and Hiyoshi Wakashi has further enhanced Hyotei Academy's overall strength.

Those familiar with Kabaji Munehiro know that he is a passive version of Niou Masaharu, becoming stronger when facing stronger opponents, and can be considered Hyotei Academy's trump card in its rebirth.

A week's rest period is neither long nor short.

This is an excellent time for the athletes who have fought so hard to get here to rest and prepare.

Universities still have a lot to do, especially the four colleges participating in the loser's bracket revival tournament.

However, for Fudomine, their training preparations have never stopped.

After they made it to the semi-finals and qualified for the Kanto Tournament, the school paid more attention to them. However, Muneyoshi did not deal with these trivial matters, but instead pushed them all to Tachibana An.

As the manager of the Tennis Club, handling these matters is her responsibility.

Time passed in this monotonous training, and before they knew it, it was time for the Semifinals of the Metropolitan Tournament.

Early June, it's a Saturday again.

Nippori Tennis Park.

As this Semifinals of the Tokyo Metropolis Tournament, there were significantly more spectators, and the bustling crowds made the park somewhat noisy on the weekend.

This time, Hyotei Academy changed their previous arrogant habit of always being the last to arrive, and arrived at the competition venue early in the morning in several buses.

After a week of targeted training, the Hyotei Academy team was now full of confidence.

Coach Sakaki is also quite adept at guiding the team members' emotions and tapping into their strengths.

Moreover, with the arrival of Atobe...

His online fan club and cheerleading squad also surrounded the stadium.

By the time Muneyoshi led the Fudomine team into the stadium, it was already packed with people, making the entire venue seem like Hyotei Academy's home ground.

"Heh, as expected of Atobe from the Hyotei Academy, he's always surrounded by so many people wherever he goes."

Muneyoshi glanced around and saw that the vast majority of the spectators were wearing Hyotei Academy's training uniforms.

Such a powerful aura caused the first-year Kamio Akira, including Ibu Shinji, who were facing Hyotei Academy for the first time, to look solemn.

The sheer number of spectators and their shouts put them under pressure.

At this moment, several figures in gray and white uniforms walked out of the waiting area and, led by a noble-looking young man with a beauty mark under his eye, approached the group from Fudomine.

More than a year has passed, and Atobe's height has increased dramatically. Compared to his short stature in his first year, Atobe now finally looks like the arrogant young nobleman from the original work.

"Saeki Muneyoshi! It's been over a year since I last saw you, I've really been waiting for you!"

Atobe ignored everyone else and stared intently at Muneyoshi.

Seeing this, Muneyoshi smiled and walked past the crowd to the front.

"It has indeed been a long time. I wonder how your strength has improved? Has it become more impressive? Or is it still the same as before, Atobe?"

In terms of verbal prowess alone, Muneyoshi has never been afraid of anyone, especially those he has "beaten up."

The moment Muneyoshi uttered the words "You have no martial ethics," the smile that had been on Atobe's face vanished instantly.

Immediately, his voice turned cold. "Hmph, mere verbal sparring is nothing!"

"If your Fudomine isn't strong enough, and you can't even get to the other side of me, then you can't blame me."

"Besides, I haven't forgotten our past grudges. Just you wait and see!"

Atobe gave Muneyoshi a cold look, but his expression turned arrogant again in the end.

"Well, as long as you don't disappoint me, Atobe!"

Muneyoshi maintained a faint smile on his face, without any other expression. He was very familiar with Atobe's personality.

Atobe didn't take it to heart, and just before leaving, he suddenly glanced at the group from Fudomine.

Then, with a light laugh, he pointed one finger to the sky, and the cheerleaders in the stadium erupted in thunderous applause.

Hyotei Academy emerged victorious, while Fudomine was Fudomine!

Hyotei Academy emerged victorious, while Fudomine was Fudomine!

The members of Fudomine, who were seeing such a formation for the first time, were both nervous and surprised.

Sudden...

Atobe snapped his fingers, and the court instantly fell silent.

"Saeki, this time, the winner will definitely be... me!"

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