The Boy Who Loved Oranges

"America's opponents, it seems you're all talk and no action. Scoring against you is far too easy!"

After the match ended, the two sides did not shake hands. After making a provocative remark, Tachibana Kippei and Chitose left the stadium directly.

"I'm sorry, Chief... we failed to achieve victory..."

C. Liddell and S. Truman walked back to the players' rest area with dejected expressions, and respectfully confessed to Reinhardt.

"Alright, go down now. Think carefully about what areas you can improve in this match!"

After saying that, Reinhardt waved his hand, telling the two to go and rest, without showing any dissatisfaction whatsoever.

This pleased the two men somewhat, but Hopkins, who knew Reinhardt well, looked at them with a hint of pity.

If Reinhardt is unwilling to waste any more breath on them, it means he has completely given up.

"Hopkins, look at how thriving the Japan Team is. We have too few rising stars in our country. Send an invitation to our target team after the game!"

Furthermore, domestic championships need to attract more talented players; you can arrange that.

After a moment's thought, Reinhardt stopped tapping his fingers and gave an order to another tall boy beside him.

After several days of exchange matches, the surge in tennis talent in Japan seems to be unstoppable.

Currently, Byōdōin is still ahead of them; once they retire, Saeki Muneyoshi and his generation will take their place.

They marvel at Japan's development, yet they do nothing about it—that's not America's style.

America as a beacon of "inclusivity" and "freedom" in attracting talent from other countries and regions.

Any price is worth paying if it brings glory to America.

Meanwhile, on the other side, in the Japan Team's rest area.

Chitose and Tachibana's clean and decisive victory truly put the junior high school students at ease.

They have secured two consecutive victories against America and hold match point, so this match is almost a certainty of their win.

Therefore, both high school and junior high school students were very happy, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.

Kurobe Yukio, the team's coach, was also very happy at this moment. Although the exchange match was just a small competition, it was still good to win.

His gaze swept over Muneyoshi, Sanada, and Tanegashima.

According to the original plan, they would send out Saeki Muneyoshi for the singles match, in order to deal with any strong opponents that might appear.

It seems they're likely to win the next match outright, so should we let Sanada get some experience?

Kurobe glanced at the other side and ultimately decided to give up and stick to the original lineup.

Let Muneyoshi take the victory directly, that's not bad either...

Meanwhile, Reinhardt was also struggling to find a replacement for the singles number two, as the original choice was Mark Swail.

That's the guy who had the argument with Echizen Ryoma.

However, it now seems that they have reached the edge of a cliff and must make changes. If their next opponent remains the same, they may very well be eliminated.

"Mark, you won't be playing in the next game. I'm planning to substitute you!"

After making up his mind, Reinhardt looked at his teammates with a hint of apology in his eyes. This last-minute substitution was a big blow to Mark.

Mark also knew the importance of the next game, and he had no complaints about the trust placed in Reinhardt.

"Yes, Chief!"

Upon hearing this, Reinhardt smiled and patted Mark on the shoulder.

"The singles match between Japan Team and America Team is about to begin."

"Japan Team: Saeki Muneyoshi (Junior High 2) vs. America Team: Mark Swail (Senior High 2)!"

"Please, both parties..."

In the Japan Team's player area, Muneyoshi saw the match schedule and was surprised to find that it wasn't Echizen Ryoga. His eyes were filled with regret.

As the team's captain, he can come out early, but he cannot refuse to play just because the opponent isn't the one he's waiting for; that goes against the spirit of competitive sports.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up the court and headed towards the players' tunnel.

"Muneyoshi, good luck!"

"If we win the game, we've won!"

Hearing the encouragement from everyone, Muneyoshi adjusted his mindset and became full of confidence.

If his opponent were Echizen Ryoga, he wouldn't dare to boast, but since his opponent was just a minor character, he said calmly:

"Don't worry, I'll definitely win for our Japan Team!"

Nodding to the crowd, Muneyoshi then ignored them.

He will naturally give it his all in the competition.

When Saeki Muneyoshi stood up, the America Team naturally saw it too.

Reinhardt glanced at the high school students below, not intending to use his full strength since it was just an exchange match.

Of the team members, only Kiko Valentin and Dudu Obando were capable enough to put his mind at ease.

However, Chiko actually lost, and his opponent in the second singles match was Saeki Muneyoshi.

Saeki Muneyoshi's strength goes without saying; most of those who haven't yet played are no match for him.

Of the remaining Kiko Valentin has already played, and Dudu Obando's strength lies more in doubles.

If they had won at least one game earlier, things wouldn't have turned out this way, with them in a difficult predicament.

America Team can't afford to lose now.

Reinhardt pondered for a moment, then focused his gaze on the only player among his teammates whom he couldn't quite understand.

He still doesn't quite know the skill level of the guy the head coach personally contacted and recommended.

However, the subtle sense of crisis he felt during their first encounter left a deep impression on him.

There's no other way, we have to take a gamble!

Reinhardt chose to trust his instincts.

"Echizen Ryoga! You'll be replacing Mark in this match!"

Reinhardt's words stunned everyone present. How could it be this new East Asian?

"Boss, you're not kidding, are you?"

"That's right, this is a critical moment for the survival of our America Team, and he's just an East Asian!"

"Letting him play is not as good as letting Senior Dudu play!"

Loki Meredith was the first to jump out and object, and with him leading the way, the other Regular and substitutes all chimed in with their own opinions.

"Huh? My decision needs your approval? Shut up, all of you!"

Instead of having thoughts of excluding others, you should think about how to improve your own abilities!

Reinhardt's eyes flashed coldly, and his murderous gaze immediately silenced everyone.

Echizen Ryoga had been casually tossing oranges in his hand, stopped. He gripped the oranges tightly in his hand and took off his hood.

"Echizen Ryoga, I only have one question for you: can you win?"

Reinhardt silenced the others who wanted to speak with a glance, then looked up at Echizen Ryoga and asked calmly.

"If the captain demands that I win, then I have no problem with it!"

Echizen Ryoga stood up with a smile, glanced at the several indignant extras around him, and took a bite of an orange peel.

"Okay, Hopkins, go and give the staff the temporary replacement list!"

Reinhardt nodded, and Hopkins handed the temporary replacement list to a staff member standing nearby.

Just then, Muneyoshi, who had just stepped out of the players' tunnel, noticed that the place where his opponent's name used to be had suddenly changed.

"In the singles second match, America Team has temporarily changed its player roster. According to the rules, this is permitted!"

"This match is between Saeki Muneyoshi of the Japan Team and Ryoga Echizen Ryoga of the America Team!"

"Please bring your players to the stage!"

The notification of the last-minute replacement of the contestant was instantly relayed throughout the venue.

The junior high students were surprised, while the senior high students sensed a subtle sense of unease.

The fact that the opposing team decided to replace him despite knowing Saeki Muneyoshi abilities shows that they are very confident in him.

However, when they heard the name, they racked their brains and had no idea where this Echizen Ryoga had come from.

Only a very small number of people's pupils contracted when they heard the name "Echizen".

Could this "Echizen" be related to that person?

However, Saeki Muneyoshi was very happy at the moment, and his own aura was also constantly building up.

I thought I had missed out.

Unexpectedly, the situation took a dramatic turn at the last moment, with Reinhardt replacing Echizen Ryoga in singles number two.

Thinking of this, Muneyoshi's fighting spirit soared, and as he got closer to the court, his aura became increasingly dangerous.

"Echizen Ryoga... let me learn from you!"

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