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"Atobe's talent is truly enviable. As expected, he's one of the few middle schoolers entering U17 who has the highest Five Dimensions stats, second only to Tezuka."

"He's also the one who's improved the fastest."

A match, deliberately orchestrated, gave Muneyoshi a clearer understanding of Atobe's talent.

The Five Dimensions total stat graph in his mind, which went from 18.5 to 19, then jumped to 19.5-20, further illustrated Atobe's talent with an extremely clear fluctuation curve.

When they first clashed, Atobe's strength, among those who had played against Muneyoshi, was only slightly higher than Fuji and Kojiro's, and weaker than Sanada's.

Yet, in just a few games, the opponent's growth made even Muneyoshi feel shocked.

But it made sense when he thought about it. After all, if the story followed its original course, Atobe's strength would likely break through to the national level during this year's National Tournament.

The pressure and guidance he was giving the opponent now had only accelerated that timeline.

He knew that in two years, his Five Dimensions total would reach the same level of 23.5 that Tezuka tested at when entering U17.

It was just that at that time, he didn't have his own state like Tezuka and Yukimura.

Atobe inherently had the ability, so his early entry into the national level wasn't abrupt.

Moreover, Atobe's techniques still had a lot of room for improvement. He hadn't seen any of the dazzling, flashy shots from the original work today.

"Hmm, next I need to reflect. Playing against Atobe is truly the best way to facilitate my own growth and correction!"

Recalling today's match, Muneyoshi greatly admired Atobe's role, seeing him as a very useful tool.

"Well then, where should I go in a few days..."

Walking the streets of Tokyo Metropolis, bathed in the sunset glow, Muneyoshi planned his upcoming itinerary.

After all, he had already chosen Hyotei's tennis club, so he couldn't neglect the other tennis clubs in Tokyo Metropolis.

He had nothing to do for the next few months anyway, and he had plenty of time.

If he didn't find some matches to play, would he really become completely dormant during his middle school years like Oni Jūjirō and Echizen Nanjirō?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

This wasn't Muneyoshi's quiet, non-disruptive personality.

Furthermore, because of him, Atobe's strength had been elevated. This was equivalent to flapping a butterfly's wings. If it caused undesirable changes, it wouldn't be beautiful.

To maintain balance, he should also bring his dark, glorious attention to the other tennis clubs.

Only after they had been baptized by the storms of wind and rain could they be brought back to the same level.

Hyotei Tennis Club, Advisor's Office.

"Impressive methods."

"Powerful strength!"

"Excellent tennis IQ."

Watching the figure of Saeki Muneyoshi battling Atobe on the video, Sakaki Tarou's eyes flashed with approval.

Perhaps the methods were a bit crude and rough, lowering the sensory perception and making Muneyoshi seem slightly immature.

But the absolute confidence in his own strength and the catalyst for Atobe's evolution were not something ordinary people could achieve.

Various musical instruments were placed in the office, with a classical piano in the center particularly standing out.

Sakaki Tarou, a billionaire who became a music teacher at Hyotei out of interest and also served as the tennis club advisor.

He had lived in Europe for several years and naturally knew how to play tennis. He had even trained at professional clubs in Europe.

Although it was just a hobby, at their level, even their hobbies surpassed those of countless ordinary people. (Pointing to a certain person from Seigaku here)

He originally intended to resign from his tennis club position after the Ochi Gekko generation finished. However, upon seeing Atobe Keigo in the new semester, he decided to stay.

Looking at the tear-mole boy, who was somewhat dejected, Sakaki Tarou didn't offer comfort. Instead, he spoke from a superior position, "Atobe, after playing against him, how do you feel?"

"Advisor..."

Atobe's usual arrogance had vanished at this moment, and his tone was hesitant.

Seeing this, Sakaki Tarou took out a document and read:

"Saeki Muneyoshi, one of the regular players of Fudomine Academy's tennis club. Due to Fudomine's system and rules regarding seniors and juniors, he couldn't play as a substitute in the regional preliminaries. Later, he colluded with the school administration to disband the Fudomine tennis club, preparing to re-establish it next year. In the process, he severely injured all other regular players and the coach of the Fudomine tennis club, resulting in a temporary suspension from school..."

"You've witnessed his strength. This year, there's no danger to Hyotei, but next year, Fudomine will definitely be a potential rival."

"Atobe, your strength has already reached the national level, which is very rare in Japan. You will experience a period of rapid improvement. Don't lose next time you meet..."

"That is all!"

Sakaki Tarou put down the document and said to Atobe with a stern expression.

"Yes, advisor!"

"Go on!"

Walking out of the office, Atobe's expression was a little dazed, Sakaki Tarou's cold voice still echoing in his ears.

"Saeki Muneyoshi, Fudomine, huh..."

"I really lost miserably..."

Recalling the last two shots from Muneyoshi at the end of the match, how could he not know that the opponent had been toying with him all along.

Even Atobe found such a terrible personality unbearable.

But the opponent's strength...

That tennis, like being enveloped by darkness, accumulating countless negative and obscure emotions, had violently destroyed his newly born Ice World into pieces.

"Just you wait, I'll catch up soon!"

If Muneyoshi knew that Atobe was complaining about his terrible personality, he would probably feel wronged. After all, his personality wasn't originally like this.

It was all because of the instigation of Darkness that he became this way.

Yes, that's right, blame Darkness, blame the Fudomine from before!

Three days later, Seigaku.

"My, my, I didn't expect Jin, for you to actually come to Seigaku?"

As Muneyoshi walked into the Seigaku campus, he saw a familiar figure on the tennis club's court first, and he felt a little uneasy.

This was the hitter he had been looking forward to, but he didn't expect Tezuka, that poker-faced guy with thick eyebrows, to snatch him away.

Immediately, he was filled with anger.

And Akutsu, upon seeing Muneyoshi, also revealed a ferocious smile, exuding a dangerous aura.

"Damn bastard, let's have another match!"

Without another word, Akutsu grabbed Muneyoshi and headed towards a vacant court.

The other regular members of Seigaku, Kikumaru Eiji and Oishi Shuuichiro, immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

"It's Saeki-kun. I didn't expect it to be him."

Fuji's gentle words dispelled the unease in their hearts. At least it was someone they knew.

"Akutsu, that monster, is going to have a match. Let's go watch."

With their unease slightly eased, Eiji's lively personality took over, and they all walked towards the court together.

Everything on the court was soon relayed to Tezuka.

Hearing that a first-year from another school had been pulled by Akutsu to play a match, Tezuka couldn't help but think of Muneyoshi.

"Is it Muneyoshi..."

After a moment of thought, Tezuka Kunimitsu put down the district preliminary singles and doubles roster he was holding and walked towards the court.

The roster clearly showed:

"Singles 3, Akutsu Jin!"

ps: "Thank you Sakura Hunter and Gao Mouren 458 for your monthly ticket support. I wrote a little extra last night, and I'll give you an extra update today!!"