Dream Eater (12)

Seeing the beaming Kamio of Kamio and Ishida, Saeki Muneyoshi put aside his worries, then silently stood up and said to Ibu Shinji beside him:

"Let's go, Shinji. I'll warm you up. Kamio has already won, so you need to be mentally prepared to give it your all."

"Yes, Minister!"

Ibu Shinji also silently stood up, grabbed his racket, and followed Muneyoshi off the court to warm up.

When the audience outside the arena saw that Saeki Muneyoshi was among the people warming up, they erupted in a huge roar once again.

After Saeki Muneyoshi left, an unspoken pressure descended upon Yukimura Seiichi Rikkai Dai.

Even Sanada and Yanagi Renji's expressions became serious.

"Yukimura..."

Yukimura ignored him, glanced in the direction Saeki Muneyoshi had left with his pale purple eyes, and then picked up his racket and walked off the court.

"Genichiro, come warm up with me!"

"Yes, Yukimura."

"Hey, look, Saeki Muneyoshi from Fudomine and Yukimura Seiichi from Rikkai Dai are warming up at the same time. Is this another scene from the Kanto Tournament, with the captains of both teams having a three-on-one singles match?"

"Very likely!"

"If that's the case, then that's fantastic!"

"Indeed, judging from their competitive performance today, they've come back from every deficit in the Kanto Tournament to win. Could it be that...?"

"Why guess? Let's just wait and see. Anyway, their match is going to be very exciting!"

"Indeed, this is what the National Tournament finals should look like!"

"The National Tournament finals are about to begin. The match between Kanagawa's Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School and Tokyo's Fudomine Junior High's No. 3 singles player is about to start."

"Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School Junior High Yukimura Seiichi will face Fudomine Junior High's Ibu Shinji. Both players, please prepare yourselves!"

After a short wait, the referee's voice came through the loudspeaker.

"Rikkai Dai did indeed send out Yukimura, but why would Fudomine send out Ibu Shinji to play in a singles match against three opponents?"

In the Shitenhoji area, Oshitari Kenya somewhat puzzled. Their impression of Shinji was still based on his first year, his lack of singles victories, and his difficulty in getting playing time in official matches.

In fact, this is also the impression most people have of Ibu Shinji, because compared to the other singles players from Fudomine, his strength and presence are really too low.

Meanwhile, Yukimura and the Rikkai Dai team, who were about to take the stage, also frowned.

At this point in the competition, the outcome is basically clear: Fudomine's two remaining singles matches are Saeki Muneyoshi and Keith.

Compared to the weaker Ibu Shinji, Yukimura actually preferred to meet the other two.

Eliminating at least one of them would make it possible for Yanagi Renji and Mori Juzaburo to win later.

"Ibu Shinji? Fudomine? Sending a first-year student to fight Yukimura Seiichi? Are they trying to forfeit this match?"

"Indeed, it seems like it would be better to have Saeki Muneyoshi or Keith play, wouldn't it?"

In the Fudomine rest area, Ibu Shinji ignored the gossip of the audience outside the venue. He was a man of few words, and was quiet and calm.

Moreover, facing the Child of God is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.

In front of the net.

"Nice to meet you, Ibu Shinji!"

When Yukimura Seiichi shook hands with Ibu Shinji, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

Although they failed to find the person they wanted, rendering their plans futile, Yukimura still took the match very seriously.

Of course, when faced with an opponent whose strength was clearly inferior to his own, Yukimura Seiichi reverted to his mild-mannered demeanor.

"Yukimura -senpai!"

Looking at Yukimura Seiichi in front of him, Ibu Shinji's heart tightened. He was not fooled by the other's appearance.

The other party was someone who could go toe-to-toe with the minister; with this thought in mind, Shinji's heart stirred.

"Senior Yukimura, if it's not too much trouble, could you please let me witness your ability to Annihilate Five Senses?"

As the handshake ended, Ibu Shinji spoke slowly to Yukimura Seiichi.

"Oh? Is this your request?" Yukimura Seiichi chuckled softly.

"You could think of it that way. After all, if I miss this opportunity, I don't know if I'll ever have another chance to fight you."

Shinji's expression was extremely serious; he truly believed it.

Although his own strength has been improving, he is not arrogant enough to think he can defeat Yukimura Seiichi, so Saeki Muneyoshi did not put any pressure on him before warming up and entering the arena.

But he wanted to see for himself another manifestation of the Mental Power Path.

If one can absorb the other's strengths, then being able to make progress based on their current level is the greatest blessing.

"Of course, I want to experience the ultimate techniques of the Child of God Yukimura Seiichi! I'm not just giving up now; I'll unleash my full power, so please don't let yourself be defeated by me!"

Having said that, Shinji abandoned his usual expressionless demeanor, his eyes burning with intense fighting spirit.

"Heh, as expected of a Regular of Fudomine. If you have the ability, then give it a try..."

Looking at Ibu Shinji's serious expression and the ever-increasing fighting spirit, Yukimura Seiichi nodded slightly.

Guess first, then choose a side.

"Ibu Shinji, huh? Looks like Kirihara will have a good rival in the future!"

Standing at the service line in the backcourt, Yukimura glanced at Shinji on the opposite side again and said in a low voice.

"The match begins! One set to decide the winner!"

"Serve by Yukimura Seiichi of Rikkai Dai High School Junior High School!"

At the same time, once both sides were ready, the referee blew his whistle.

This moment.

All eyes of the spectators outside the arena were focused on Yukimura Seiichi.

Tap tap tap!

Yukimura gently tapped the tennis ball twice with his racket, then caught it in one swift motion.

Toss the ball! Jump! Swing the racket!

The tennis ball hurtled out of Yukimura's racket.

A golden streak of light flashed across the court, and the tennis ball landed precisely on the inside corner of Fudomine's half of the court!

Tap tap!

The moment the tennis ball bounced off the ground, Ibu Shinji took two steps to the left, then stepped back half a step with his left foot, and his racket caught the shot with perfect precision.

Knowing the difference in strength, Ibu Shinji held nothing back.

As he swung the racket, guided by Saeki Muneyoshi, he released the mental energy he could already draw upon.

Although he is still very weak, the mystery of the Mental Power Path allows him to have other wonderful uses.

He doesn't have many clever uses; the only one he can use flexibly right now is the most basic one.

As the tennis ball was launched, specks of spiritual energy also dispersed along with it!

It transformed into a phantom, a nightmare outlined only by silver-white threads, and flew towards Yukimura Seiichi.

Because he had always been sparring with Muneyoshi, he didn't have much insight into Muneyoshi's Dark Shinji, nor did he show any particular fondness for the Path of Light.

However, he was quite interested in the way Muneyoshi used the Darkness Domain each time, the way it constantly mixed in and stirred up bad thoughts in his heart.

It is precisely because of this that, through Shinji's tireless efforts, he can now easily evoke the most unpleasant memories in the minds of ordinary opponents.

By immersing the opponent in past nightmares, making it difficult for them to extricate themselves, they are ultimately defeated by having their mental state broken.

Facing Yukimura Seiichi as his opponent, Ibu Shinji knew that the other party had strong mental strength and a very strong will, and it was definitely not something that could be triggered in a short time.

Therefore, he used all his strength from the very beginning.

"What's your nightmare? Is it the helplessness you felt when facing your captain during the Kanto Tournament...?"

Shinji has now returned to his original appearance, as if he were wearing a ceramic mask.

However, he harbored a sliver of hope. If it really was as he thought, then this match wasn't entirely hopeless!

P. S.: "Please vote with monthly tickets!"