A Failed Work of Art

"Saeki -kun, you are truly a perfect creation!"

During the scene change, Hanamura Aoi crossed her arms and said admiringly to Muneyoshi as he walked by.

Because of her emotional outburst, she pressed her already impressive cleavage even deeper.

"Your wide hitting range, combined with your amazing physical attributes and potential, creates an almost impenetrable defensive range in your half of the court. Add to that the absolute destructive power hidden beneath your strength, speed, and perfect ball control, and you have a masterpiece of art—a perfect blend of skill and talent."

Hanamura Aoi blushed and sighed softly.

"Coach Hanamura, to be honest, I personally don't like people referring to their players as 'works of art.' Although I know your current players don't care about this, I do."

Upon hearing this, Muneyoshi paused, then suddenly stopped and looked at Hanamura Aoi.

"Is that so? I'm so sorry, Saeki- kun!"

Hanamura Aoi didn't take it to heart. In fact, someone had told her this back during the prefectural tournament, by Yukimura Seiichi, the junior captain of Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School.

As Wakato Hiroshi was defeated, the cheers from the surrounding cheerleaders largely subsided.

In the match just now, whether it was Tanaka Kouhei or Tanaka Youhei, their match against Muneyoshi was not even a warm-up for Muneyoshi.

They were originally doubles players, and with continuous practice and age, they will eventually be able to perform like top pairs in the Kanto Tournament, but they have not yet reached their peak.

Even Wakato Hiroshi, who just entered the game, although his disguise tennis seemed to have some interesting ideas.

Unfortunately, it's just a facade. The reason why professional players around the world are so strong is because they have a solid foundation.

Rather than a few unique skills or techniques.

Even Muneyoshi himself, although he possesses the powerful weapon of the Darkness Shot, only uses it as a special technique.

His current physical condition is insufficient to support him hitting too many Darkness Shot.

Moreover, Wakato Hiroshi is a poor imitator who is far inferior in every aspect.

Wakato Hiroshi walked up to Hanamura Aoi and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry, Coach, I've let you down!"

Hanamura Aoi didn't say much, just waved her hand to indicate that he could leave.

After several matches, she had a general idea of Muneyoshi's strength; he was not at the same level as them, so she was almost not surprised by Wakato Hiroshi's defeat.

"Is this a player on the same level as those little monsters from Rikkai Dai?"

Thinking of this, Hanamura Aoi's gaze toward Muneyoshi grew even more fervent.

"Hateful!"

Hanamura Aoi's attitude, and Saeki Muneyoshi's indifferent attitude just now, made Wakato Hiroshi clench his fists tightly, but he was helpless.

The absolute difference in strength cannot be bridged by his so-called transformation combat technique.

A profound sense of powerlessness enveloped Wakato Hiroshi's heart.

Saeki Muneyoshi made no comment about defeating Wakato Hiroshi, as even at his peak, Wakato Hiroshi's strength was only at the level of an ordinary Kanto Tournament, far beyond his own capabilities.

It was so weak that he couldn't even muster any interest in it.

Although Hanamura Aoi looked at Muneyoshi with fervent eyes, her heart was not at peace, but rather filled with bitterness.

It's happening again.

Muneyoshi's match against her teammates reminded her of the Kanagawa Prefecture tournament.

Wakato Hiroshi, on whom she placed high hopes, faced Sanada Genichirou from Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School.

They were easily defeated 6-0.

This is no longer a problem that the coach can solve; it's a matter of the players' absolute superiority in talent and ability.

She hoped the next contestant would cause Saeki Muneyoshi a little trouble, otherwise what the kid had just said would really be...

The match continued, and it was Kamishiro Reiji who was ready to begin.

"Ryoji, please, let this guy see my best work right now."

Kamishiro Reiji remained silent for a moment, then looked intently into Hanamura Aoi's eyes.

After a couple of seconds, he lowered his gaze and nodded blankly. "I brought you victory, Coach Hanamura."

As a sycophant, he naturally had other things he wanted to say, but ultimately he didn't say them.

Teenage boys are always infatuated with beautiful and sexy older women, a fact that Hanamura Aoi, now a mature and sophisticated woman, is well aware of.

However, all of this was normal, and she didn't say anything to avoid adding to the awkwardness.

She paused, then changed the subject, continuing, "Although your opponent is strong, after several matches, you should have observed some of his tactics, and I believe you have a strategy to counter them."

At that moment, she demonstrated a boldness and judgment that were no less than those of other renowned coaches.

"Yes, Coach!"

Kamishiro Reiji solemnly replied.

"Okay, go ahead."

Hanamura Aoi's voice softened, yet conveyed a silent confidence.

With her ability to control her emotions, she perfectly demonstrated the advantages of being a female coach.

However, what she said and what Kamishiro Reiji saw were destined to be in vain. After the battle with Mitsuya, Muneyoshi had learned to hide his own data.

On the field, the game of predicting who will go first.

You choose first.

"You can have it; you serve."

Hearing Muneyoshi's nonchalant words, Kamishiro Reiji's expression didn't change much, but his narrow eyes never left Muneyoshi for a moment.

Seeing that Saeki Muneyoshi had given up the right to serve, Hanamura Aoi made no comment, only nodding to his teammates.

"The match begins, with Kamishiro Reiji of the Jōsei Shōnan team serving. The first set is over!"

Kamishiro Reiji returned to his backcourt. Although he desperately wanted to prove himself to Hanamura Aoi, Muneyoshi's formidable strength was not just for show; he wasn't stupid.

A player who is valued so highly by Hanamura Aoi, and who has defeated so many of their Regular, shows that Saeki Muneyoshi's strength is not so easy to deal with.

Bang!

As the tennis ball was hit, his light purple pupils were fixed on Saeki Muneyoshi, not missing a single detail.

"Average skill level."

Muneyoshi took a step forward, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. With just one shot, he had judged the approximate strength of his opponent.

This guy, who fought Echizen Ryoma to a standstill two years later and was eventually defeated, was still too inexperienced at this point.

While Kamishiro Reiji's skills seem decent compared to the others, if this is the "perfect creation" that Hanamura Aoi spoke of...

That would be too tragic!

Muneyoshi moved with light steps, easily catching up with his opponent's shot. With a twist of his ankle and a sudden step, he bent his arm, gripped the racket, and swung it forcefully at the powerfully bouncing tennis ball.

Bang!

A crisp cracking sound of a whip reverberated through the air.

The tennis ball was only compressed and vibrated on his racket face before Muneyoshi used his superior Sweet Spot Technique to hit it back. The returned tennis ball not only had great power, but also great speed.

For those who are not strong, Muneyoshi still prefers to use his basic skills to overwhelm them, while also absorbing their energy to promote the growth of his dark side.

This achieves multiple benefits at once.

The tennis ball landed in the corner of the sideline and bounced off the bottom of Kamishiro Reiji's racket. He couldn't save this ball, which was tricky to hit and combined power and speed.

"0 to 15!"

Bang!

0 to 30!

After a few points, despite scoring consecutive points and breaking serve, Muneyoshi frowned.

He had some understanding of Kamishiro Reiji's strength; although he was not as strong as he would be two years from now, he shouldn't be that weak.

He should now be at least in the upper echelons of the Kanto Tournament.

So what is the other party hiding?

P. S.: "I've been a bit busy with work. I worked overtime again last night, and I wrote two chapters without even eating dinner when I got home. I'll post both chapters together today. I don't have much free time after 10 PM, and I won't have time to write in the afternoon either."