Chitose and Tachibana

"We still need to have training exchanges with Shitenhoji; we can't function without you!"

As Muneyoshi spoke, he led Tachibana Kippei toward Shitenhoji, with Hanamura Aoi and her team following two steps behind.

At this moment, a team of members dressed in yellow and green uniforms, led by a somewhat frivolous young man, came out from inside the temple to greet them.

"Welcome Coach Hanamura, welcome everyone from Fudomine to Osaka!"

We apologize for the intrusion!

Hanamura Aoi extended her hand and shook hands with Watanabe Osamu politely.

Although Watanabe Osamu's nonchalant expression changed upon seeing Hanamura Aoi and the Fudomine group.

His serious expression gave him the air of an elite coach.

However, his hastily adjusted demeanor was certainly not up to par in front of Hanamura Aoi, a woman with meticulous attention to detail.

However, Hanamura Aoi was not someone who only cared about appearances. She did not underestimate the abilities of the person in front of her. She had already learned a lot about Watanabe Osamu before coming here.

At the same age of twenty-something, the fact that they were able to lead the once-struggling Shitenhoji to its current state is something that cannot be underestimated.

At the same time.

The Fudomine team members also shook hands with the Shitenhoji team members.

Since this is an exchange competition, etiquette should still be emphasized, especially since they are visiting in person.

"Saeki! Long time no see!"

"Saeki -kun, welcome back to Shitenhoji!"

Shiraishi and Hara Tetsuya, the current heads of Shitenhoji, approached Muneyoshi at the same time.

Because they had had a friendly exchange before, everyone was quite familiar with each other.

"Shiraishi, it seems you've become the head of Shitenhoji too!"

Muneyoshi and Shiraishi clasped hands. Muneyoshi glanced at Shiraishi's left arm, which was wrapped in bandages and noticeably thicker, Hara Tetsuya beside him:

"It seems that Hirazeni and senior Hara Tetsuya have found a good successor for Shitenhoji!"

"Of course! Our Shiraishi isn't much less capable than you, a guy from Tokyo!"

Hara Tetsuya blew on a few strands of hair that were hanging down his forehead and made a funny face.

Muneyoshi scanned the group of Shitenhoji members. Excluding Hara Tetsuya, this lineup was basically Shitenhoji's top four for next year.

Of course, another perverted brat will be added to the mix.

Just as Muneyoshi was talking to the people from Shitenhoji, Ishida Tetsu stood with Ishida Gin.

As for Kamio Akira and Ibu Shinji, they were entangled by Konjiki Koharu and her group.

At this moment, Tachibana Kippei's gaze had completely disappeared from everyone else's sight, drawn entirely to a figure opposite him with an explosive, afro-like hairstyle.

"Chitose..."

Seeing his friend in the crowd, who hadn't given up playing tennis despite his injury, Tachibana Kippei felt tears welling up in his eyes.

Although he knew about Chitose's situation when he first officially met Muneyoshi in February.

But what you hear from others is never as real as what you see with your own eyes.

In the world depicted in the original work.

It's not uncommon for players to be hailed as geniuses by most people.

For example, Fuji Shusuke and Akutsu Jin from Seigaku, Akutsu Jin Oshitari Yushi Hyotei Academy, and Zaizen Hikaru Shitenhoji...

And the two future first-year students are both geniuses.

Of course, there is also the Chitose Senri of Kyushu.

He comprehended the State of Selflessness on his own in his first year of high school. Although he is not as good as Tezuka Kunimitsu, he still possesses strong strength at the "National Level".

Even with only partial vision remaining in his right eye, his strength was not significantly diminished.

He even went a step further, opening the second gate to the State of Selflessness, Talent Limit.

With such insight, Chitose Senri can be considered a true genius.

He is one of the junior high school students who, like Tezuka Kunimitsu, developed a deep understanding of the concept of selflessness at a very young age.

Compared to Sanada and Yukimura, who abandoned selflessness in order to find their own path, Chitose is clearly more talented on this path.

"Chitose!"

"Kippei, you rascal! I was so worried when I heard you gave up tennis, but I never expected you to start playing tennis again at Fudomine!"

Chitose Senri opened her arms wide and gave Tachibana Kippei a big hug.

"You haven't written to me since you went to Tokyo. I thought you'd forgotten about me!"

"How could this be...?"

Seeing that his friend seemed completely unaffected, Tachibana Kippei responded somewhat awkwardly to Chitose Senri.

"By the way, Chitose, how are your eyes?"

"Well, after the surgery, my eyes have almost fully recovered!"

Chitose Senri seemed unwilling to mention these things, glossing over them lightly, and then playfully punched Tachibana Kippei.

"It's been so long since that happened, why are you still holding onto it? It's a competition, unexpected things can happen..."

"Chitose..."

Seeing that Chitose did not give a direct and clear answer, how could Tachibana Kippei, who had grown up with her since childhood, not understand the implied meaning in Chitose's words? The look of guilt on his face grew heavier and heavier.

The conversation between Chitose Senri and Tachibana Kippei surprised the members of Fudomine and Shitenhoji.

"So the usually dignified vice minister actually has a girlish side! / So the usually quiet Chitose can speak quite eloquently!"

The members of both teams had different thoughts in their minds.

However, this scene did not last long, and Watanabe Osamu welcomed them all inside.

Before even stepping into the Tennis Club, Muneyoshi and the others could already hear the training sounds coming from the Shitenhoji Tennis Club.

On the neatly arranged tennis balls.

The Tennis Club members, dressed in Shitenhoji team uniforms, are training enthusiastically.

"Compared to teams with a strong history like Fudomine, Shitenhoji still lags behind in terms of personnel..."

Looking at the scene before them, Hanamura Aoi and Muneyoshi exchanged a glance and couldn't help but sigh.

Although the facilities for the Tennis Club have been improved, Fudomine has now been upgraded.

In terms of the sheer number of members in the Tennis Club alone, Shitenhoji far surpasses Fudomine.

Meanwhile, on the other side, as people gathered at the tennis court, first-year Zaizen Hikaru suddenly approached Shiraishi's side.

"Shiraishi- senpai, who is that guy? Why is Chitose- senpai being so enthusiastic?"

Seeing that Chitose Senri had suddenly changed from his usual silent demeanor and was now being very enthusiastic towards a stranger, Zaizen Hikaru said with some displeasure.

"He is Tachibana Kippei, the vice-minister of Fudomine!"

"At this time last year, he was still playing alongside Chitose in Kyushu Shishigaku, known as Kyushu Twin Heroes,' a very strong player!"

Upon hearing Zaizen Hikaru's question, Shiraishi Kuranosuke did not hide anything and explained to Zaizen Hikaru.

"And who's on the other side with Hara Tetsuya and the coach?"

"He's the one who challenged us at Shitenhoji last year and defeated all of us, including the previous department head, Saeki Muneyoshi!"

A hint of fighting spirit flashed in Shiraishi's eyes. He didn't notice Zaizen's gaze and continued, "He's the captain of Fudomine, a very strong player!"

"The Kyushu Twin Heroes! Tachibana Kippei is a powerful player just like Chitose -Chitose!"

"Saeki Muneyoshi has defeated all his seniors!"

Upon hearing Shiraishi Kuranosuke's words, Zaizen Hikaru did not show the same fear as the others; instead, an excited expression appeared on his face.

I really want to have a match with him!

"Hey! You guys..."

Without hesitation, Zaizen Hikaru ran straight towards Tachibana Kippei and Muneyoshi.

"Zaizen, what do you want to do?"

Upon seeing Zaizen Hikaru's actions, Shiraishi Kuranosuke was too late to stop him.

"You're the one who challenged us, Saeki Muneyoshi?"

"You're the Lion King Tachibana Kippei, who's on par with the Chitose?"

Zaizen Hikaru excitedly shouted to Muneyoshi and Tachibana Kippei, "Let's have a manly battle!"