Learning from Someone Stronger
The light in Shiraishi's eyes seemed to dim.
He was quite certain that he had never underestimated Saeki Muneyoshi's abilities.
And ever since Saeki Muneyoshi came to Shitenhoji to challenge him last year, he has always regarded him as his goal.
However, after the actual competition, Shiraishi truly felt the gap and difference between the two.
In terms of skill alone, Muneyoshi is definitely stronger than him. Just like the various variations of Muneyoshi just displayed, they are incomparable to Shiraishi's.
If that's the case, Shiraishi Kuranosuke probably wouldn't find it so difficult, since Saeki Muneyoshi's overall basic qualities are much higher and more balanced than his current basic qualities.
Strength, speed, footwork, skill, stamina, and mental strength are all frighteningly balanced, with absolutely no weaknesses.
Although it was somewhat unbelievable, through Shiraishi's experiment, he could clearly feel, by comparing it with his own body, that a closed-loop system, which was not yet perfectly balanced, had already formed within Saeki Muneyoshi's body.
"Is Muneyoshi showing me what I'll be like in tennis? This kind of boring approach isn't really appealing..."
Shiraishi felt a slight pang of sadness; he saw his own future reflected in the tennis displayed by Saeki Muneyoshi.
"Shiraishi, don't overthink it, believe in yourself..."
He patted his cheeks, picked up a Shiraishi to wipe away the sweat, and then placed it on his head.
Sitting on the chair, Shiraishi silently looked at his hands.
Do I really possess the talents the coach claims I have?
Is there any point in continuing my journey down the path of Basic Tennis that I've always pursued?
"Compared to the excitement of the previous matches between Tachibana Kippei and Chitose, Basic Tennis must be incredibly boring, right? Is the ceiling of such boring Basic Tennis really as low as some people say?"
"How did Saeki Muneyoshi persevere? No, I almost forgot, he's not just good at Basic Tennis, he has all sorts of other skills..."
A question that had never arisen before surfaced in Shiraishi's mind.
At this moment, his resolve began to waver!
After despair comes doubt about one's own path, which is perfectly normal.
Beep...
Sweat dripped down his slightly messy hair, landing on his left forearm, where the bandage had been wrapped, instantly creating a darker patch.
That's the color of gold...
Upon witnessing this scene, Shiraishi was momentarily dazed.
His past experiences, the coach's companions, his teammates' expectations, and the monotonous perseverance over the years struck him like a hammer blow.
Scenes from the past flashed through his mind, and calls of perseverance echoed in his ears.
From the very first time he came into contact with tennis, through countless self-explorations, his progress was incredibly slow, but the time when quantitative changes eventually led to qualitative changes constantly flashed in his eyes.
A light called perseverance dispelled the fog that shrouded his heart, making Shiraishi's spirit even more resilient at this moment.
Unbeknownst to him, the aura and spiritual ring that had not yet fully merged were now merging and coalescing within him.
"The opponent must be very strong!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Shiraishi.
"Um!"
Shiraishi took the drink that Watanabe Osamu handed him, opened it, took a small sip, then leaned back in his chair, quietly contemplating the difference in the moment.
"What, are you suddenly starting to doubt your tennis skills?"
Watanabe Osamu had a toothpick dangling from his lips. He had only just noticed that Shiraishi's heart was wavering, which was why he decided to come and check on him.
But as Shiraishi looked up, he noticed that Shiraishi's previously dimmed eyes now shone with an even brighter brilliance.
"Xiu, I was a little confused just now, but I've figured it out."
Shiraishi didn't know what to say. At this moment, he seemed to have a vague idea in his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
"Shiraishi!"
Seeing the fleeting confusion in his student's eyes, Watanabe Osamu adopted a rare serious tone.
"Your Bible Tennis has its own style, but it also bears the mark of Shitenhoji. Don't be influenced by Saeki Muneyoshi. You must believe in yourself; only then can you go further!"
"Believe in your own style? Shitenhoji..."
Shiraishi muttered to himself.
"I understand, Coach Ashu!"
Shiraishi's eyes gradually cleared, and with the coach's encouragement, Shiraishi previously anxious heart calmed down.
"Believe in yourself, strive for perfection through continuous training and victories—this is the path I believe in..."
After readjusting his mindset, Shiraishi regained his confident gaze.
Those sharp eyes also reflected a desire for self-improvement and a relentless pursuit of victory.
The Bible, in its original sense, was a book of wisdom that constantly seeks within oneself and explores one's own inner self.
Only by adhering to one's own path and consistently upholding one's principles can one blossom into the most beautiful flower.
The game continues.
Bang!
Bang!
The tennis ball bounced back and forth between Muneyoshi and Shiraishi, with various subtle techniques and maneuvers that kept the other spectators entertained.
"Have you guys noticed that Shiraishi's demeanor is different...?"
Hara Tetsuya sensed something was wrong and asked, rubbing his chin.
"Hmm... Shiraishi seems to have figured some things out. Coach Watanabe's advice just now was surprisingly effective..."
Oshitari Kenya's eyes lit up. At this moment, Shiraishi's condition was constantly improving, even better than at the beginning of the match.
"Huh? It actually evolved during the competition!"
As his rival Muneyoshi naturally noticed Shiraishi's difference; in fact, he was the first to discover it.
"I didn't do anything else this time, I just competed with him using the basics, and he actually managed to do it?!"
Muneyoshi was somewhat speechless, as it seemed that everyone he had fought so far had changed.
Call out!
Despite his disbelief, Muneyoshi didn't hold back. Although Shiraishi had shown some change in his style, this kind of tennis remained unchanged for Muneyoshi.
He lunged forward, reaching the landing point of the tennis ball, then bent over and swung his racket.
Bang!
A yellow beam of light shot out from Muneyoshi's hand, targeting the baseline area opposite to Shiraishi's.
Tap tap tap!
Shiraishi moved with incredible speed, his pace increasing to a whole new level. Several figures of Shiraishi even appeared in the distance as he ran.
"That's more like your style, Ken!"
Muneyoshi only felt that Shiraishi's speed had increased, but the people of Shitenhoji felt extremely familiar with such movements and speed. Hara Tetsuya patted Oshitari Kenya on the shoulder and said.
The tennis ball, hit back by Shiraishi, flew through the air in a beautiful arc towards Muneyoshi's sideline.
"Drink! Eclipse!"
Golden light shimmered on Muneyoshi's left hand.
Muneyoshi twisted his strong arm muscles, drawing out several sharp lines, and swung them forcefully at the bouncing tennis ball.
Bang!
With a loud bang, the tennis ball shot through the air at an extremely wide angle.
With the fusion of Muneyoshi's spiritual power and strands of light, the tennis ball continuously spread its eclipse halo outwards, shooting towards Shiraishi's half-court corner.
The powerful burst of energy, combined with the simple application of mental power, made this ball appear exceptionally imposing.
Shiraishi seemed oblivious to the mental pressure exerted when the ball was hit, gripping the racket with both hands and slamming his feet into the ground.
"Yaha!"
The beam of light, combining power and speed, was fiercely countered by Shiraishi in mid-air, and the tennis ball, swirling back and carrying a shockwave, rushed past Muneyoshi.
"Shiraishi scores, 15-0."
"Ah, that was absolutely exhilarating!"
Exhilarating!
Shiraishi Kuranosuke clenched his fists, tilted his head back slightly, and looked thoroughly enjoying himself!
P. S.: "Requesting monthly votes"