The Road to the Future Has Yet to Open

Kirihara had first shrunk back timidly, but after hearing Sanada's words, he realized Sanada wasn't about to scold him and froze in surprise.

Feeling the baseball cap atop his head, Kirihara felt as if a thousand pounds had settled on his shoulders.

He had been a little mischievous before, but now he seemed to have grown more mature. Sanada had placed a heavy burden called responsibility on him.

"Yes! I won't let you seniors down!"

Kirihara nodded, tears welling in his eyes, then loudly made his promise.

"We will!"

One of Rikkai Dai's younger players, a boy named Tamagawa Yoshio, stood up as well. His voice rang out beside Kirihara.

"Next year's Rikkai Dai won't just have Kirihara!"

Tamagawa Yoshio showed no fear, even as Sanada and the others turned their eyes on him. His white hair shimmered in the sunlight.

"Good! We're entrusting Rikkai Dai's future to you!"

Almost everyone in the stands had seen what happened in Rikkai Dai's rest area. They watched the new generation take something called a legacy from Sanada.

The other tennis club captains looked on with understanding.

Hyotei Academy had Hiyoshi Wakashi, Ohtori Choutarou, and Kabaji Takahiro.

Seigaku had Echizen Ryoma, Kaidou Kaoru, and Momoshiro Takeshi.

Shitenhoji had Aoi Kintaro and Zaizen Hikaru.

And Fudomine...

Muneyoshi had just come off the court. Watching what was happening with Rikkai Dai, he felt his own blood stirring.

He didn't wipe away his sweat. With his towel draped around his neck, he went straight to Kamio Akira, who was about to take the court.

"Kamio, do you remember what I told you?"

Muneyoshi fixed Kamio Akira with a sharp stare, and a tremendous pressure immediately weighed on him.

Looking toward Rikkai Dai, Kamio knew exactly what Muneyoshi meant. He straightened up and answered firmly, "Reporting