Future Leaders

"The Tokyo Metropolis Tournament Semifinals are about to begin, with the Hyotei Academy facing Fudomine Junior High's Singles 2 player. 🎀ൠ 🍭🐉"

"Hyotei Academy's Hiyoshi Wakashi will face Fudomine Junior High 'Ibu Shinji. Please bring your players to the stage."

Although schools in the Tokyo Metropolis metropolitan area don't have much overt interaction, they must know each other quite well behind the scenes.

Hyotei Academy's research on Fudomine, the estimation of each member's strength, and the compilation of data were all compiled into a small booklet.

Everyone at the Hyotei Academy knew Saeki Muneyoshi Ibu Shinji very well, especially after understanding how highly Ibu Shinji valued him, they all knew that he was the future leader of Fudomine.

At the Hyotei Academy, although it wasn't explicitly stated within the team, Atobe's most frequent training partner was Hiyoshi Wakashi.

He is also working hard to become a qualified Hyotei Academy citizen.

This match can almost be seen as a future contest between the two teams.

Sakaki Tarou was well aware of this, which is why he had far more demands on Hiyoshi Wakashi than on others.

"Hiyoshi, Ibu Shinji is your best opponent right now. I hope you can unleash your full potential, don't hold back, and take him down!"

"Yes, Coach!"

Upon hearing Shinji's name, Hiyoshi Wakashi's tense muscles visibly relaxed.

In fact, after learning that he would be playing singles second, he had been guessing who his opponent would be, and it was very likely to be Saeki Muneyoshi.

The more he understood Saeki Muneyoshi's strength, the more he could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from him.

My own emotions also shifted from initial excitement and agitation to fear and helplessness.

However, when the answer was finally revealed, Hiyoshi Wakashi's suppressed emotions began to rise.

Just as Sakaki Tarou said, Ibu Shinji, who is also a second-year student, is indeed a very good opponent.

The same words also came from Hanamura Aoi and Ibu Shinji.

Although Hiyoshi Wakashi and Ibu Shinji haven't had much interaction and haven't even exchanged a single word with each other, they do share some similarities in personality.

They didn't talk much, and they all had the idea of defeating the strongest person in their respective teams, which happened to be the future that Saeki Muneyoshi and Atobe Keigo chose.

The two exchanged a glance, stood at the net without much communication, and after deciding who would serve, returned to their respective baselines.

"Shinji seems pretty serious, doesn't he?"

Kamio Akira chuckled. Ever since Ibu Shinji stopped holding back in their exchanges within the team, the relationship between Kamio and Shinji had suddenly become more competitive.

Of course, their relationship remains good.

"Kamio, you should watch the matches carefully too. If nothing unexpected happens, Hiyoshi Wakashi of the Hyotei Academy will probably be your main opponent from now on. He's not easy to deal with..."

With his now greatly enhanced eyesight and senses, Saeki Muneyoshi keenly discerned more from the intensity of the clash between the two on the court.

Without a doubt, like Ibu Shinji and Kamio Akira, Hiyoshi Wakashi, who had also honed his skills at the Hyotei Academy for a year, had naturally joined the ranks of the strongest below the National Level.

From what Muneyoshi himself knew, Hiyoshi Wakashi's techniques included kicking, Half Volley, and moves he created by combining his own family's ancient martial arts style.

For Ibu Shinji now, they are all extremely difficult to deal with. 🎄💀 🐤🐯

"Atobe, does this second-year student meet your expectations for him?"

As Hiyoshi Wakashi stood in front of the net and shook hands with Ibu Shinji, Oshitari asked Atobe a question.

"Huh? What are you talking about? If he wants to satisfy me, he'll have to wait until he becomes Hyotei Academy's No. 1!"

"Only in this way will he be qualified to inherit my kingdom."

Atobe chuckled softly. Although it seemed that Hyotei Academy had lost out in this competition, Atobe had not given up. Only a crushing defeat could make one improve quickly.

"Hiyoshi, whether you win or lose, remember today's experience well, and use it as nourishment to move forward!"

As the designated next captain within the Hyotei Academy, Atobe harbored high expectations for Hiyoshi.

"The match begins, a single set to decide the winner, Hiyoshi Wakashi's serve from the Hyotei Academy!"

Tap... tap... smack!

→

Hiyoshi Wakashi bounce, his previously chaotic thoughts settled into a state of tranquility.

"Defeat the Superior!"

Hiyoshi Wakashi Ibu Shinji's eyes were sharp as he grabbed the tennis ball. If he could defeat Fudomine's Shinji Ibu, he would give Hyotei Academy a chance to turn the tide!

Martial Stance!

Hiyoshi Wakashi his right hand pulls a tennis ball backward—surprised many.

"It's not a standard playing style?"

What kind of pose is this?

"Can you really play ball with such an odd posture?"

At the Fudomine rest area, upon hearing the questions from Kamio Akira, Sakurai Masaya, and the others, Tachibana An immediately perked up. She coughed lightly twice and raised her head like a young girl about to receive praise.

"Hiyoshi Wakashi, a second-year player in the Hyotei Academy Tennis Club, is a baseline attacker. He has a calm and collected personality, a strong ambition, and has always coveted the Hyotei Academy throne. His favorite saying is 'Defeat the Superior!'"

Tachibana An finished speaking calmly, her tone brimming with undisguised arrogance.

"Wow, that's amazing! An, you found out so many details!"

Kamio Akira, who also had designs on Tachibana An, immediately revealed his sycophantic nature, showering Tachibana An with compliments.

Even Muneyoshi, who was standing to the side, was surprised. He hadn't expected that Tachibana An's ability to gather information and data had improved so much during this time apart.

Seeing the surprise in Muneyoshi's eyes, Tachibana An became even more smug. Seeing her adorable expression, Muneyoshi also praised her:

"An is now truly our Fudomine's strategist."

"I'd also like to add that Hiyoshi's family runs a traditional martial arts dojo. His unusual posture is a combination of traditional martial arts he received from a young age and tennis techniques that best suit him."

"I see!"

Muneyoshi's voice was loud enough for everyone in Fudomine to hear clearly, and a knowing glint flashed in Tachibana An's eyes.

Ancient Martial Arts Tennis!

This immediately reminded her of another team she had encountered last year, a team that was also skilled in Okinawan traditional martial arts tennis.

Higa Junior High!

The discussions among the Hyotei Academy in the rest area did not interfere with the game on the court.

With a slight flick of his Hiyoshi Wakashi -yellow ball slowly rose, a hint of determination flashing across his cold face.

"M Serve!"

Boom!

The body, poised to unleash its power, seemed to have flipped a floodgate, pouring everything into that one ball.

"It's here! It's Hiyoshi's M Serve!"

Mukahi Gakuto outside the arena exclaimed in surprise, "Hiyoshi looks incredibly motivated today!"

The serve, delivered with a short, sharp swing of the racket, is incredibly powerful.

The moment the sound of something cutting through the air rang out, many people realized the strength of the Hyotei Academy, a second-year student, and it also made Shinji truly take things seriously.

"It was a fast and quick serve, but unfortunately..."

Bang!

Soft, fragmented sounds escaped Shinji's lips, but his movements with his legs and hands showed no mercy.

The black racket in his hand swept across the side of the space, and the gray-white air currents instantly left a clear mark.

Whoosh!

Thump!

When the tennis ball, accompanied by a blast of air, swept past Hiyoshi Wakashi, he was completely unable to react until he heard the sound of the tennis ball hitting the ground behind him, which snapped him out of his daze.

"What!"

Hiyoshi Wakashi looked back at the tennis ball still rolling slightly behind him, and a few drops of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

Wow, so fast!

Thump!

A straight streak of light pierced through Hiyoshi Wakashi's feet once more, and a grayish-white shockwave stirred up the dust on the field.

"That guy from Fudomine, he actually..."

Hiyoshi Wakashi lowered his head in shock, looking at the mustard-yellow ball that had crashed into his feet. He was reluctant to admit that Ibu Shinji's strength had probably truly surpassed his own.

Bang!

"Fudomine Ibu Shinji scores, score 40-30."

Bang!

"Game, this round is won by Fudomine Ibu Shinji, score 1:0."