Stronger Fundamentals

Let's move the clock forward slightly by two balls.

While Muneyoshi and Shiraishi were locked in a fierce battle, everyone in the Shitenhoji area exclaimed in amazement at Shiraishi's tennis skills.

"No matter how many times I watch it, Shiraishi's tennis is still so perfect. Even with just the basics, he unleashes power far beyond imagination."

Oshitari Kenya watched Shiraishi's tennis style, which, though not flashy, was still pleasing to the eye, and couldn't help but admire it.

"Yes, among us, Shiraishi is the one who trains the hardest and hones his skills the most thoroughly."

Chitose Senri picked up where Oshitari Kenya off, saying that even after being teammates for so long, Chitose was still amazed every time he saw Shiraishi's tennis.

"Shiraishi 'Shiraishi current tennis foundation is due to his perfectionist personality and the extensive practice he has maintained since childhood."

Hara Tetsuya didn't express any shock at this moment, showing his appreciation for his junior as a senior.

"When Hirazeni left, he said that our Shitenhoji would definitely shine brightly under Shiraishi's leadership, and I believe that day is not far off!"

Watanabe Osamu listened to the discussions on the judges' stand, a slight smile appeared on his lips. He was, of course, very proud; Shiraishi Kuranosuke was probably his most satisfying student to date.

"It seems that Brother Muneyoshi's basic skills have been honed quite well..."

"Indeed, he actually managed to fight Shiraishi to this extent using only the basics, and Shiraishi was even being subtly suppressed!"

"A good opportunity; Shiraishi has taken the initiative."

"What!!!"

"What happened with that last hit? Shiraishi's racket was knocked away!"

Seeing Saeki Muneyoshi suddenly exert force, directly knocking away Shiraishi's racket which was ready to return the shot and scoring a point, the members of Shitenhoji were somewhat shocked.

They looked at Muneyoshi as if he were a monster.

Even Ishida Gin, who had been watching the court intently, unconsciously twitched his wrist.

He is a pure power-type athlete, and has even personally experienced how terrifying Saeki Muneyoshi's strength is. His coaching match in his first year was unforgettable for him.

"Saeki Muneyoshi's casual strike just now was almost as powerful as my Wave Shot Tenth Style..."

What they saw in Oshitari Kenya, and Chitose was simply a difference in technique and speed.

In Muneyoshi's attack, Ishida Gin saw a more profound way of unleashing power.

At that moment, he felt a surge of inspiration. He had been pondering how to take the Wave Shot to the next level after reaching 108 forms.

Seeing Muneyoshi exert his power, the prototype of another, purer move was already forming in his mind.

Upon hearing Ishida Gin's words, Chitose became very interested, and his active mind began to work, putting himself in Shiraishi's shoes.

"Saeki Muneyoshi!"

A moment later, Chitose's tone was very excited.

He hadn't gained any advantage in the simulation; Muneyoshi's explosive power, built on a strong foundation, left him feeling helpless.

On the court, Shiraishi clenched and unclenched his fist several times before picking up his racket from the ground.

Muneyoshi's sudden outburst had left his wrist slightly numb.

However, he was not surprised, after all, he had already witnessed Saeki Muneyoshi's strength last year.

Bang!

The tennis ball flew through the air again.

Shiraishi's expression remained unchanged, but his sharp eyes were filled with a solemn expression.

With his already perfect foundation, no matter how his opponent retaliates, he can quickly find the hidden inconsistencies in his opponent's performance.

However, he found nothing about Muneyoshi.

The skills and playing style that Muneyoshi just displayed are even better than he is now.

Moreover, compared to Shiraishi, who is still constantly exploring and moving forward, Muneyoshi has much to teach him in every aspect.

"In the end, tennis returns are nothing more than combinations of various movements like hitting, slicing, and flicking. But in combining these movements with your own strength, speed, technique, and mental fortitude, Kuranosuke, you still have a long way to go!"

Watching Muneyoshi easily return his tennis ball once again, Shiraishi, through the constant back-and-forth, gained a deeper understanding of his own path.

"Shiraishi, I got that ball!"

Bang!

Muneyoshi paused, then powerfully stomped his foot backward, his racket flashing precisely across the tennis ball.

Thud... Pfft!

The tennis ball, like a yellow arrow, pierced the entire court once again, bouncing off the baseline before Shiraishi could catch up.

"Saeki Muneyoshi scores, score 1-0."

"What's wrong, Shiraishi? Your steps have become unsteady."

Seeing Shiraishi struggling to catch up with his return shot once again, Muneyoshi's footwork became more varied, and his speed increased again, leaving afterimages in Muneyoshi wake.

The moment the tennis ball bounced off the ground, it was once again smashed back by Muneyoshi, who had caught up.

The crystalline light flashed once more, and with the added strength and speed of Muneyoshi, the tennis ball flew to Shiraishi Kuranosuke in the blink of an eye, slamming heavily onto the sideline.

Shiraishi's footwork became increasingly erratic, but he still managed to block the tennis ball, the increasing force making it difficult for him to return it with one hand.

Forced to switch to a two-handed grip, he was finally able to retaliate.

However, with such a complete change in posture, this return became a lob.

"Oh no!"

Shiraishi felt a chill run down his spine, sensing something was wrong. However, Muneyoshi had already quickly reached the net.

Saeki Muneyoshi leaped high into the air, fixed his gaze on Shiraishi before he could change position, and then delivered a powerful smash.

Bang!

A fleeting glimpse of light.

With a perfect smash, Muneyoshi scores again.

"Game, Saeki Muneyoshi, 3-0."

"Shiraishi was suppressed so badly!"

Oshitari Kenya and Chitose glanced at the situation on the field and felt a chill run down their spines. This was the first time they had ever seen Shiraishi being suppressed like this by the basic coaching staff.

"This shows that Saeki Muneyoshi possesses a foundation even more terrifying than Shiraishi's!" Hara Tetsuya sighed helplessly, rubbing his forehead.

"Truly admirable skill and strength, but, Shiraishi, facing such a formidable opponent as Saeki Muneyoshi, you should have done even more..."

Watanabe Osamu narrowed his eyes. If Shiraishi could improve further under this pressure, he would have achieved the main purpose of arranging the two-on-one match with Hanamura Aoi.

Bang!

"Saeki Muneyoshi,15-0."

Bang!

"Saeki Muneyoshi, 40-0."

It appears to be a back-and-forth exchange, with each counterattack requiring several rounds of back-and-forth before it ends.

However, whether it was through the performance of the game or the scores, it was clear that Shiraishi Kuranosuke Saeki Muneyoshi was completely outmatched by Munehiko Saeki in terms of tennis fundamentals.

"Shiraishi..."

An ominous thought arose in the minds of the people at Shitenhoji.

Although they didn't know why Muneyoshi kept challenging Shiraishi to a contest on fundamentals, if this continued, Shiraishi might really lose completely in the fundamentals.

Thump!

Even though his movements were no longer perfect, when he retaliated with all his might, Shiraishi Kuranosuke's arm still created a gust of wind in the air, and a somewhat sharp slapping sound rang out.

Bang!

A deafening roar!

With a burst of all his strength, the tennis ball whistled off Shiraishi's racket and flew towards Muneyoshi's half of the court.

"That was a very powerful shot, Shiraishi!"

Seeing this, Muneyoshi slipped and appeared directly at the landing point of the tennis ball. He turned his racket, which was originally angled, and suddenly pulled it up the moment the ball hit the ground.

A faint light flashed and landed on the bottom line of the Shiraishi like a gazelle leaping over a cliff.

"Game, Saeki Muneyoshi, the score is 5-0!"

"Nice shot!"

Muneyoshi's last-minute change of tactics was simply ingenious, and everyone at Fudomine cheered and applauded for Muneyoshi.

Shiraishi continued running, his body suddenly halting as he leaped forward.

Saeki Muneyoshi's powerful suppressive force, along with his superior attributes in all aspects, enveloped him like a large net!

The net tightened more and more, almost suffocating him.

"Is this my limit, Shiraishi Kuranosuke...?"

Back in the rest area, Shiraishi sat down in a chair and felt a wave of despair.

This feeling of being slightly better in every aspect, but constantly trying to catch up and never being able to, is incredibly frustrating.

P. S.: I'm so tired and sleepy, I can't stay awake any longer. I was planning to write three chapters, but I'm cold and sleepy, so I'm going to sleep now.

There's no proofreading yet. If there are any typos, please point them out. I'll add an extra chapter tomorrow and see if that's okay.

It was 1 a. m. when I finished writing, and there was no time for proofreading. Please forgive any typos, and feel free to point them out. There will be more time later, so this won't happen again. Today, I genuinely didn't have enough time.