"Atobe's talent is truly enviable. No wonder that among the middle schoolers who entered U17 in the future, aside from Tezuka, he had the highest total across the five attributes."
"And he was also the fastest to improve."
That deliberately arranged match gave Muneyoshi a fairly clear understanding of Atobe's talent.
The chart in his mind, showing the total of Atobe's five attributes rising from 18.5 to 19, then leaping again to 19.5–20,
gave Atobe's talent an exceptionally clear growth curve.
When they had first crossed rackets, Atobe's strength had only been slightly higher than Fuji's and Kojiro's among those who had faced Muneyoshi, and he was even weaker than Sanada.
Yet after only a few games, Atobe's growth left even Muneyoshi startled.
Still, it was understandable when he thought about it. If things followed the original plot,
Atobe would likely break through to the national level during this year's National Tournament.
The pressure Muneyoshi had given him and the shots he had fed him merely brought that time forward.
After all, two years later, Atobe's total across the five attributes would reach 23.5—the same level Tezuka had tested at when he entered U17.
It was only that, at the time, Atobe did not possess a state of his own like Tezuka and Yukimura did.
Atobe had always possessed that potential, so reaching the national level early was not particularly surprising.
Moreover, Atobe's technique still had plenty of room to improve. Muneyoshi had not seen a single one of those dazzling, flamboyant shots from the original work today.
"Hmm, I need some time to consolidate things too. Playing Atobe really is the best way to promote my own growth and adjustment!"
Thinking back on today's match, Muneyoshi greatly appreciated Atobe's usefulness. He was an extremely handy tool.
"Then, which school should I visit in a few days..."
Walking through the streets of Tokyo Metropolis beneath the evening glow, Muneyoshi planned his next itinerary.
Since he had already picked Hyotei Academy's Tennis Club, he could not play favorites with the other tennis clubs in Tokyo Metropolis.
In any case, he had nothing to do over the next few months, and he had plenty of time.
If he did not find himself some matches, was he really going to lie completely dormant throughout middle school like Oni Jūjirō and Echizen Nanjirō?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
That was not Muneyoshi's personality—quietly staying out of trouble.
Besides, because of him, Atobe's strength had been elevated. It was like flapping a butterfly's wings; if it caused unfavorable changes, that would not be beautiful at all.
To maintain the balance, he should bring the other tennis clubs some darkly glorious care as well.
Only after they, too, had endured wave after wave like storms and rain could he pull them back to the same level again.
Hyotei Academy Tennis Club, advisor's office.
"Not bad tactics."
"Powerful strength!"
"Excellent tennis intelligence."
Watching the figure of Saeki Muneyoshi battling Atobe in the video, Sakaki Tarou's eyes flashed with approval.
His methods might have been somewhat crude and violent, which diminished the impression he gave and made Muneyoshi seem slightly immature.
But that absolute confidence in his own strength, as well as his ability to drive Atobe's evolution, was not something just anyone could achieve.
Quite a few instruments were arranged around the office, with a classical grand piano in the center standing out in particular.
Sakaki Tarou was a billionaire who had come to Hyotei Academy as a music teacher out of personal interest, while also serving as the Tennis Club's advisor.
He had lived in Europe for several years, so he naturally understood tennis. He had even trained at a professional club in Europe.
Though it had merely been an interest, at their level, even a hobby was enough to crush countless ordinary people. (A certain someone from Seigaku was being called out here.)
Originally, after Ochi Gekko's generation graduated, Sakaki would have resigned from the Tennis Club. But when he saw Atobe Keigo at the start of the new school year, he chose to remain.
Looking at the tear-marked boy before him, whose mood was somewhat low, Sakaki Tarou did not offer comfort. Instead, he looked down at him and said, "Atobe, how did you feel after playing him?"
"Advisor..."
Atobe's usual pride had vanished completely at that moment, and he sounded somewhat hesitant.
Seeing this, Sakaki Tarou took out a document and read from it.
"Saeki Muneyoshi, one of Fudomine Academy Tennis Club's Regulars. Because of the Fudomine Tennis Club's rules and seniority system, he was unable to take the court during the regional qualifiers as a substitute. He later worked with the school administration to disband the Fudomine Tennis Club and prepare to rebuild it next year. During the process, he severely injured all the other Fudomine Tennis Club Regulars and the coach, and was punished with a temporary suspension from school..."
"You have seen his strength for yourself. He poses no danger to Hyotei Academy this year, but next year, Fudomine will definitely be a potential opponent."
"Atobe, your strength has already entered the national level. Even in Japan, that is extremely rare. Next, you will experience a period of rapid improvement. Do not lose again the next time you meet him..."
"That is all!"
Sakaki Tarou set down the document in his hand and spoke sternly to Atobe.
"Yes, Advisor!"
"Go."
As Atobe left the office, his expression was somewhat dazed. Sakaki Tarou's cold voice still echoed in his ears.
"Saeki Muneyoshi... Fudomine, huh..."
"I really did lose miserably..."
Thinking back to Muneyoshi's final two shots at the end of the match, how could Atobe not know that his opponent had been toying with him the entire time?
Such a vile personality was difficult for even Atobe to tolerate.
But that strength...
That tennis, wrapped in darkness and filled with countless accumulated negative, murky emotions, had violently shattered the Ice World he had only just created into pieces.
"Just wait. I will catch up very soon!"
If Muneyoshi knew Atobe was criticizing his personality as vile, he would probably feel wronged. After all, he had not originally been like this.
It was all because of Dark's influence that he had become this way.
Mm, that was right. Blame Dark. Blame the previous Fudomine!
Three days later, Seigaku.
"Well, well, who would've thought that Jin, of all people, would come to Seigaku?"
As Muneyoshi entered Seigaku's campus, he spotted that familiar figure first on the Tennis Club courts, and his whole mood immediately soured.
This was the enforcer he had long been looking forward to, yet that poker-faced guy with thick eyebrows, Tezuka, had poached him first.
His anger immediately flared.
Akutsu, upon seeing Muneyoshi, also revealed a savage grin as a dangerous aura radiated from his body.
"That damn bastard, let's play another match!"
Without another word, Akutsu grabbed Muneyoshi and headed for an empty court nearby.
The other Seigaku Regulars, including Kikumaru Eiji and Oishi Shuichiro, immediately sensed that something was wrong.
"It's Saeki. I didn't expect him to be the one who came."
Fuji's gentle words dispelled the unease in their hearts. At least he was someone they knew.
"That monster Akutsu actually wants to play someone? Hurry, let's go watch."
With their unease slightly eased, Eiji's lively nature gained the upper hand, and the group headed toward the court as well.
Everything happening on the court quickly reached Tezuka's ears.
When he heard that a first-year from another school had arrived and been dragged into a match by Akutsu, Tezuka could not help thinking of Muneyoshi.
"Is it Muneyoshi..."
After considering it briefly, Tezuka Kunimitsu also set down the regional qualifier singles and doubles lineup sheet in his hands and headed toward the court.
The sheet clearly read:
"Singles Three, Akutsu Jin!"
PS: "Thanks to Sakura Hunter and Gao Mou Ren 458 for the monthly ticket support. I wrote a little extra last night, and I'll give you an extra update today!!"
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