Muneyoshi and Atobe's Singles Showdown

"What was that just now?!"

Originally, the increasingly better performance of Oshitari and Mukahi had given Atobe a glimmer of hope.

However, unexpectedly, Keith Fudomine made a sudden move when the two were in a very favorable situation.

The terrifying aura, the massive airflow, and the dazzling light made Atobe's expression turn somewhat unpleasant.

Even he had just felt a deadly threat.

"Atobe, Oshitari and the others have encountered such an opponent this time; we underestimated them. Fudomine's doubles strategy is truly well-hidden..."

Shishido Ryo was standing next to Atobe. He had just sensed immense danger, an opponent he couldn't possibly contend with.

"Ha... Fudomine, Saeki Muneyoshi, trying to intimidate me like this!"

Atobe sneered. He had already decided that after the Metropolitan Tournament, everyone on the Hyotei Academy would need to undergo further intensive training.

Keith's outburst, that deadly threat, seemed to remind Atobe of Saeki Muneyoshi a year ago.

It was also that feeling of extreme danger.

They truly are worthy of being on the same team!

Five minutes later, the referee's voice rang out again.

"Now we begin the Semifinals singles match of the Metropolitan Tournament: Hyotei Academy 'Atobe Keigo vs. Fudomine Saeki Muneyoshi. Please enter the arena, both players."

"What!"

Sakaki Tarou had been sitting calmly on the coach's bench, changed his expression again and turned to look at Hanamura Aoi next to him.

"Caught again. Has this guy really figured out my strategy?"

Sakaki Tarou's expression changed slightly before he regained his composure. In his calculations, Atobe's chances of winning against Muneyoshi were almost zero; Hyotei Academy had already lost this match.

However, researching Fudomine has become his most pressing task.

Moreover, compared to his previous research on players, he now had one more thing to consider: the young female coach of Fudomine was also someone he needed to pay attention to.

Compared to Sakaki Tarou's change in mindset, Atobe's was much more straightforward.

He originally volunteered to join the singles third match for the team's victory, but unexpectedly, he ran into Saeki Muneyoshi in the singles third match.

This delighted him greatly, as he had been holding onto the crushing defeat he suffered before the Metropolitan Tournament last year.

"Atobe, you know how strong your opponent is. Work hard, and I believe your potential and future achievements will be no weaker than theirs!"

Even knowing the outcome, Sakaki Tarou wouldn't say anything that would discourage the players, but instead gave Atobe his affirmation.

However, I believe their future potential and achievements will be no less than theirs...

The subtext of this statement is that since we are currently inferior to the opponent, it's impossible for us to win.

Atobe, of course, understood the subtext, but he didn't refute it; instead, he said in a deep voice:

"Yes, advisor, I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time!"

"Okay, go ahead!"

Meanwhile, at this moment, the Fudomine referee's bench...

"Muneyoshi, go and put on a great match for everyone. It's time your fame spread throughout the entire Japan school world of Japan."

Compared to Sakaki Tarou's caution, Hanamura Aoi had even more confidence in Muneyoshi, and she cared more about making Muneyoshi famous than Muneyoshi himself.

"Haha, Coach, Atobe Keigo on the other side is also very strong. We can't underestimate any opponent."

Muneyoshi looked very relaxed. He had been looking forward to playing against Atobe again, especially in a formal match.

Even if he knew his current strength, Atobe probably posed no threat to him.

But after the experience of the World Tournament, what he learned from Amadeus began to show in himself.

That's being serious!

Take every opponent and every match seriously.

"Okay, go ahead!"

Hanamura Aoi was well aware of Muneyoshi's strong opinions, and she greatly admired his opinionated and serious attitude.

"Oh, a match between Atobe and Muneyoshi? Looks like we've arrived just in time."

Just then, a bespectacled man with brown hair and an indifferent expression walked over from the stands with a delinquent teenager with gray hair.

"Tezuka, Akutsu, you guys are here!" Oishi glanced over and asked, "The match over there?"

"It's up to Fuji and Coach Ryuzaki now, let's watch the game!"

On the court, Muneyoshi and Atobe stood facing each other.

"Hahaha, I never expected... Fudomine's third singles player would be you, that annoying guy, Saeki Muneyoshi."

Atobe, a cold smile playing on his lips, stared at Saeki Muneyoshi with icy eyes and spoke arrogantly.

"Heh, Atobe, your arrogance hasn't changed at all. I just wonder if your tennis skills have become more dazzling after a year apart? Have you improved, and by how much?"

Upon hearing Atobe categorize him as one of the disliked individuals, Muneyoshi not only didn't get angry, but instead laughed even more heartily.

"Hmph... bring it on! I'll make sure you're captivated by my amazing skills!"

Upon hearing this, Atobe raised his head even higher, his proud face filled with fighting spirit.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

"You can't beat me, Atobe!"

Upon hearing Atobe's familiar words, Muneyoshi's smile widened even further.

"How will you know if you don't try? Don't underestimate me, my progress this year has been phenomenal!"

Atobe's eyes gleamed with fire, his fighting spirit burning fiercely.

"Is the singles match between the Hyotei Academy and Fudomine a duel between their captains?!"

"This is like Mars colliding with Earth!"

Upon seeing the match-up list and the two players taking the court, the audience whispered among themselves, calling out to their friends, and instantly a larger wave of people surged into the stadium from outside.

"Matsushita, you'd better pay close attention later, don't miss a single exciting moment."

Inoue Mamoru had arrived at the competition venue without anyone noticing, became excited and quickly instructed his assistant, who was setting up the camera, to give him further instructions.

This is probably the most exciting match in the Metropolitan Tournament so far, a duel between a prodigy who has already proven himself on the World Tournament and a domestic junior high school prodigy.

Such gimmicks also provide the perfect opportunity for these Tennis Monthly journalists to capture memorable moments.

As Atobe appeared, Hyotei Academy's cheerleading squad began to cheer.

"Hyotei Academy! Hyotei Academy!"

"Atobe! Atobe!"

"Hyotei Academy has won! Atobe has won!"

Such strong support displeased the first-year students at Fudomine, who also began to shout loudly.

"Fudomine! Fudomine!"

The members of both sides seemed to have started to compete, each putting in their best effort to cheer on their respective ministers.

Bing!

At this moment, Atobe raised his right hand high above his head.

However, the next second...

Muneyoshi was even faster, snapping his fingers before Atobe could react.

Instantly, Hyotei Academy's massive support team fell silent, and so did Fudomine and the other spectators.

This is the magic that Hyotei Academy Atobe Keigo possesses.

However, this time, it wasn't Atobe snapped his fingers, but Muneyoshi.

He raised his right hand, looking at Atobe, whose face had turned pale, with a half-smile, and said loudly:

"The winner will be Fudomine!"

Muneyoshi spoke first, which was originally Atobe's turn to say, causing the room to fall silent. A few seconds later, the Hyotei Academy members, realizing they had been tricked, booed loudly.

"Saeki Muneyoshi, you bastard..."

"Oh my, Atobe, you know what, trying out this feeling of being the king of the monkey mountain is actually quite nice."

"Hmph! Let's see who's truly capable in the match!"

Atobe snorted and retreated to the baseline, while Muneyoshi silently walked to the baseline to receive the serve.

"The singles match begins, with the Hyotei Academy Atobe Keigo serving!"

P. S.: Only two chapters today. I got back too late from the wedding yesterday. Please vote with your monthly tickets!

I've also set a fan value system for comments, 100 points. I hope you don't mind. However, most people who see this are able to comment. There have been too many messages before, and I can't keep up. There are also many messages that are just trying to mess with people's minds. We're about to be featured on the trend indicator, so there might be a new batch of readers. I'm just taking precautions in advance.

Also, I see that the monthly pass count is about to break 600, so I'll add an extra chapter then. There will also be extra recommendation votes; although it's not much, I'll add one chapter for every 5,000 recommendation votes, as I owe you. I'll make up for it then.