Before the Semifinals Begin

"Our opponents in the next round, and the semifinals draw, have both been decided. An, Tachibana, Keith—we should get going!"

The match between Hyotei Academy and Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School had ended, so there was no reason for Muneyoshi Saeki and the others to stay.

As for the matches between Seigaku and Yamabuki, and between Shitenhoji and Shishigaku Middle School—

By the time Atobe and Yukimura's match had reached its climax, Shitenhoji, led by Shiraishi Kuranosuke, and Seigaku, led by Tezuka, had already arrived.

"Shitenhoji?"

"Are they our next opponents?"

Watching Rikkai Dai and Hyotei line up on the court to thank the crowd, Echizen Ryoma turned his gaze away. He glanced toward Fudomine, then looked in the direction of Shitenhoji.

Just then, a red-haired kid came running over from far away.

"Shiraishi!!!"

"I finally found you!"

"Koganei, you're really late... But we're strong enough that the match wouldn't have been a problem even if you hadn't made it."

Koganei's return didn't cause much of a stir. Fudomine had already left the stadium, though they could still hear his loud voice from a distance.

They could make out something about "Echizen" and "poisonous hands" in his shouts...

Back with Fudomine, the situation was clear.

As expected, Rikkai Dai had advanced, meaning they were destined to face an extremely difficult opponent in the semifinals.

And unlike Seigaku, whose doubles lineup was a weakness, Rikkai Dai had plenty of strong doubles players.

Niou Masaharu in particular was a mystery. Even Muneyoshi didn't know what he was capable of now.

Any doubles team with Niou in it would be difficult for either Keith or Tachibana Kippei to handle.

As for the singles matches featuring Yukimura Seiichi and Sanada Genichirou, they didn't look like sure wins either—not for anyone but Muneyoshi himself.