Make Them Nervous

Hearing the familiar voice, everyone turned around and saw Muneyoshi standing behind them with a smile on his face.

"Minister!"

"Senior!"

"Muneyoshi!"

"You big liar!"

Upon seeing his return, the members of Fudomine were overjoyed, with Tachibana An almost clinging to Muneyoshi.

Muneyoshi's return was a shot in the arm for everyone at Fudomine. The tension and fatigue from training were instantly swept away.

"Muneyoshi, is everything finished on your end? How long did it take you to get back?"

Seeing that Muneyoshi had shaken off the encirclement of several first-year students, Hanamura Aoi, who was walking over with Tachibana Kippei, asked curiously.

"Coach, I just got back today. I rushed back as soon as I arrived in Tokyo. I found out the results of the first round of the National Tournament on the way. It seems everyone performed well."

I originally thought everyone would take a break tomorrow since a new round of matches starts, but it turns out everyone is still training.

Muneyoshi explained to Hanamura Aoi with a smile.

"These guys are really high on their confidence right now!"

"Welcome back, Muneyoshi!"

A rare ripple appeared on Tachibana Kippei's face, revealing that he was also somewhat excited.

"Thank you for your hard work these past few days, Orange!"

Muneyoshi smiled and looked at Tachibana Kippei, who was standing next to Hanamura Aoi.

"It's nothing. I'm also a member of the Tennis Club, and the vice president at that. It's just what I should do," Tachibana Kippei said calmly.

Tachibana Kippei was a natural leader; managing the Tennis Club and leading the team was a piece of cake for him.

"Hmph! You actually know how to come back? You promised to fight me after the Kanto Tournament, and you dodged it again!"

Keith had just finished his match, also came over, a towel over his head, looking at Muneyoshi with a displeased expression.

"Haha, Keith, if you want to be unable to get up tomorrow, I'm always ready to fight you!"

Upon hearing this, Muneyoshi laughed heartily, but his still-unreserved aura caused Zong Yan's eyes to widen slightly.

At this moment, he once again sensed in Saeki Muneyoshi the same unrestrained, domineering, and arrogant aura he had felt more than a year ago.

He thought that these traits had returned because Saeki Muneyoshi had become the captain of the Tennis Club, and because of his own growth and the fact that he had become more restrained and less unrestrained than people abroad.

"Has this guy gotten stronger again?"

"The Regular is complete!"

Training time flew by. Today, Hanamura Aoi didn't schedule much training for the Regular, as they all needed to conserve their energy for the National Tournament in the next two days.

While the reserve team members were still training, Muneyoshi gathered all the Regular outside Hanamura Aoi's office.

"Ju has already told me about everyone's growth over this period, as well as the situation in the first round of the competition. I also just asked Coach Hanamura about your growth over this period."

Muneyoshi gave everyone an approving look, but it only lasted a few seconds before he returned to his stern expression.

"Originally, Coach Hanamura and Tachibana both suggested that we adopt a conservative approach to the matches before the Semifinals, so that everyone could gradually adapt to the pace and intensity of the National Tournament."

"This is a good approach, and I believe everyone agrees..."

A glint of black light flickered in his brown pupils as Muneyoshi released his own unique mental pressure, stirring up waves of negative emotions.

His tone became more sarcastic.

"Because you'll think that since I, Tachibana, or Keith are there to cover for you in singles, you can play however you want without any pressure!"

"Ha, what kind of competition are we in now? It's the National Tournament, a competition that only happens once a year. How could we not feel pressure? That's why I rejected Coach Hanamura and Tachibana's offer!"

"Starting tomorrow, the competition will adopt an intra-team rotation elimination system. If any player loses a match, they will be replaced in the next match."

Then, based on the strength of the substitutes, those with stronger abilities will have priority in playing time.

As soon as Muneyoshi finished speaking, under his mental pressure, the entire court, including the substitutes practicing in the distance and other team members, fell silent.

Seeing their terrified expressions, Muneyoshi's tone softened slightly, and his cold, dark aura lessened a bit.

"Furthermore, this rule applies not only to first-year students, but to all Regular, including me!"

Seeing that no one dared to speak, Muneyoshi raised his eyebrows, his oppressive aura intensified, his voice rose slightly, and an extremely dangerous aura emanated from his body.

"Are you all mute? Buckle up! What's with you not answering? Do you still have questions about the plan I proposed?"

"Minister! No problem!"

Spurred by Muneyoshi's shout and the overwhelming sense of danger, the crowd below responded loudly this time.

"Very good. As for how to arrange things, don't think too much about it. Just know that your only responsibility on the field is to win the game. As long as you win, everything else is reasonable."

"No team can cross the Fudomine of our Black Legion!"

"Yes, Minister! No one will ever cross the Fudomine of our Black Legion!"

Muneyoshi's final words of encouragement lifted the spirits of everyone at Fudomine.

Yes, instead of worrying about when to play, it's better to work harder to improve your skills and win every time you're on the court.

"Alright, meeting adjourned. Everyone, go home!"

Seeing that morale had been restored, Muneyoshi waved his hand and adjourned the meeting.

"Muneyoshi, what you just did..."

"Muneyoshi, has something happened?"

While Tachibana Kippei was still wondering why Saeki Muneyoshi's demeanor had changed slightly upon his return, and why he had altered the previously set formation, Hanamura Aoi, however, quickly guessed some clues.

"Coach, Tachibana, we can't keep playing house with these ordinary schools. Besides, being too lenient will reduce the competition within the team. Haven't you noticed that the first-year students' improvement has slowed down?"

"Furthermore, the national border region is about to undergo a major change, and we must seize the opportunity!"

"Big changes?"

"It'll be soon, you'll find out then!"

"Fine, I'll take care of everything anyway!"

The next day.

Chiba.

The group from Fudomine set off from Tokyo early in the morning, taking the earliest train to Chiba.

Although both are located in the Kanto region and Chiba is not far away, it still takes more than an hour to get there by train.

Furthermore, in competitive sports, the athletes' rest and condition must also be taken into account. Therefore, apart from local schools, most out-of-town schools choose to stay at a hotel near Chiba Stadium.

Fudomine made it to the National Tournament for the first time in its history, so the school naturally gave the Tennis Club extra attention.

Unlike the original story, there were no coaches, so the school originally planned to send someone to take care of the children's food and lodging in Chiba, but Muneyoshi refused.

She was rejected by Hanamura Aoi again last time.

After all, Chiba is Muneyoshi's home, and compared to the hotel that Hanamura Aoi arranged for them to stay at last time, Muneyoshi's dojo is closer to the competition venue.

Moreover, the dojo is now only staffed with maintenance personnel and is generally quiet with few residents.

Therefore, Muneyoshi suggested staying at his family's dojo, and everyone agreed.

Although the school didn't send anyone, the funding provided to the Tennis Club was still ample, enough to cover their expenses for the National Tournament, ensuring they had comfortable accommodations and enjoyable meals.

However, with less housing expenses, the Fudomine group can enjoy their meals even more!

Because they set off very early, it was only eight o'clock when they arrived at the Muneyoshi family dojo.

After putting down their luggage and resting for a while, everyone walked towards the competition park while warming up.

P. S.: "Thanks to Nine Heavens Gate for the ten monthly tickets, to the Obsessed with Filling the Sea for the twelve monthly tickets, to Daoist Qingxu for the twelve monthly tickets, and to book friend 201707101213533 for the ten monthly tickets!"