The Attention in the Corner and the Captain's Responsibility

Let's turn back the clock by twenty minutes.

Everyone knows that Shitenhoji is located within Shitennoji Temple, but many people don't know that Shitennoji Temple is not entirely within the Shitenhoji area.

The Four Heavenly Kings Temple is very large.

Deep within the Shitennoji Temple, in a secluded retreat, an elderly woman in her seventies is quietly sipping tea, with an unfinished flower arrangement beside her.

Before her, respectfully drinking tea, was a disheveled middle-aged man in a gray-black Daoist robe; the two were talking about something.

Finally, it seemed the disheveled middle-aged man had received the answer he wanted. He bowed to the old man and then slowly withdrew from the secluded courtyard.

The disheveled middle-aged man had come specifically to visit the old man.

Now that he had received a positive response, and also because he had personally selected and trained several truly promising talents, he was in a very good mood.

As for the old man's identity, even within Shitennoji Temple, many people were unaware of it.

However, the middle-aged man was one of the few people who really knew her, because her name was Granny Sugi, and she was from the same generation as the Old Man from Rokkaku Middle School, a true living fossil of Japan.

In that era, she was a world-renowned Japan professional tennis prodigy.

The disheveled middle-aged man would visit the event every time World Tournament was approaching, seeking advice and guidance.

Many people have probably already guessed the identity of the disheveled middle-aged man.

He is none other than Mifune Nyudo, the head coach of Japan's U-17 team.

The biennial U-17 World Cup Junior Tennis Tournament is fast approaching its start date.

This year's U-17 World Cup is being held in Paris, France, and he is leading the Japan Team with considerable ambition.

Japan has been silent for too long; he doesn't just want to make a brief appearance.

After leaving Granny Sugi's residence, Mifune Nyudo reverted to his true nature.

"Belch!"

Holding a gourd of wine, he slowly took a few sips like a drunkard, then said to the receptionist waiting outside, "Ota, you've got some pretty good wine hidden away!"

"Coach, you're too kind! These were all specially prepared for you by the students!"

The man addressed as Ota respectfully said, "It is an honor for me, teacher, to have you come to Osaka. If the training camp were to be moved to Osaka as well, I would serve you the finest sake every day!"

Mifune chugged down several mouthfuls of wine, shook his head, and said, "I'd like to come, but the Tennis Association won't agree, and as you know, there are too many things to worry about over there."

"The teacher is right."

Ota bowed and echoed, acting like a proper student, showing no dissatisfaction whatsoever that Mifune Nyudo had rejected his suggestion.

However, Mifune Nyudo seemed quite happy this time, and he pulled Ota to talk about all sorts of random things.

In fact, anyone with even a slight understanding of future events should be quite clear about this.

The only thing that Mifune Nyudo truly longs for is Japan's U-17 team, and coincidentally, this year's training camp has attracted many promising talents.

Moreover, after his training, two of them reached a level of strength far exceeding that of others, and he no longer had to be upset because the training camp was full of useless nobodies.

Seeing that his long-held dream was finally within reach, Mifune Nyudo had been in a very good mood lately.

Since the date of the competition had already been set, I decided to make a trip to Osaka.

"I remember there's a school near Shitennoji Temple, called Shitenhoji School, right? How's their Tennis Club?"

In a good mood, Mifune Nyudo chatted with Ota for a long time, then, unusually, began to focus on the abilities of middle school students.

He was truly pleasantly surprised by the few people who had moved up from junior high school this year.

These new catfish all look completely different in shape from the group of miscellaneous fish in the base.

Especially those two guys Okayama Oku and Makino Fuji.

Mifune Nyudo changed the subject so quickly that Ota couldn't answer immediately, but Mifune Nyudo didn't seem to mind.

"Come on, take me to see those small fry, see if there are any good prospects, hiccup!"

Bang! Bang! Boom!

Bang! Boom!

As the group walked towards the Tennis Club, the sound of balls being hit on the court grew louder and louder.

"Hey, looks like these small fry are actually trained."

Hearing that familiar sound of the ball being hit, Mifune Nyudo smiled nonchalantly.

The group pushed open a large door on one side and saw that Muneyoshi and Ishida Gin's match was entering its final moments.

Ishida's Wave Shot and Muneyoshi's counterattack may have seemed like big moves, but for Mifune Nyudo, they were nothing special.

"The rudiments of Power Force?"

"Hmm? He actually mastered sweet spot hitting technique in junior high school? Interesting!"

"What's his name?"

Mifune Nyudo asked Ota, who was standing to the side.

Ota didn't recognize Muneyoshi, who was dressed in black and red, so he could only shake his head. Just as he was about to send someone to ask, Ishida hit the 72nd Wave Shot.

Muneyoshi, however, hit Darkness Shot!

Mifune Nyudo's previously indifferent gaze instantly sharpened, his eyes fixed intently on Saeki Muneyoshi in the arena. Upon seeing Ota, who had sent someone over, he quickly tried to stop him.

"Etc!"

"We'll just stay here and watch!"

"Interesting! Those training camp noobs should see that they've actually grasped the Dark... such talent!"

Mifune Nyudo's interest was completely captured by Muneyoshi; he was eager to know what Muneyoshi could still accomplish at this point.

On the court, the members of Shitenhoji helped Ishida Gin off the court, while Muneyoshi stood motionless in the middle of the court.

That attack was not only a reorganization of his own skills, but also a retraction of the Fluorescent Flame Seed implanted in Ishida's body.

He was currently meditating with his eyes closed, absorbing the other's nourishment. Although it wouldn't directly improve him, it could provide him with a catalyst for a breakthrough.

Once he fully absorbs what he has gained, the barriers that previously bound him in terms of power will disappear, and his breakthrough will no longer be a difficult task.

However, the challenge he faced at Shitenhoji was not yet over, so he suppressed his urge to immediately attempt a breakthrough and refrained from making any rash attempts.

"I'll take this match!"

Suddenly, a calm yet firm voice rang out, causing Muneyoshi to open his eyes.

Shiraishi pushed aside the court's fence, picked up his racket, and prepared to step onto the court.

Compared to Shiraishi Kuranosuke, whose strength will not reach its peak for another two years, although he was not weak in his first year, he had only spent too little time resuming basic training.

The fact that no qualitative change has yet occurred is not Muneyoshi's primary objective this time.

Then, he turned his gaze to Hirazeni.

"Shiraishi, let me handle this one. I'm the head of Shitenhoji now!"

"As the minister, how can I watch you charge into battle while I stand by and watch from the sidelines?"

Hirazeni swayed as he snatched the racket from Shiraishi's hand.

"Shiraishi, if you want to become a true pillar of Shitenhoji, just watch from the sidelines."

"Watch how I shoot through his heart!"

Hirazeni winked at everyone and said in an extremely exaggerated manner.

"Minister Hirazeni!"

A hint of worry crossed Shiraishi's face, though as the head of the prestigious comedy Shitenhoji, his mindset was remarkably good.

But the strength the opponent just displayed...

"Alright, Shiraishi, you just watch from the sidelines and see what true responsibility as a captain really means!"

Watanabe Osamu pulled Shiraishi aside, then warned Hirazeni, "Don't be careless. You just saw how strong they are."

"Don't worry, the comedic sniper is never careless!"

Hirazeni struck a sniper pose and smiled.

As he said, although Shitenhoji is Funny Tennis, he also appears to be carefree and easygoing on the surface.

But once he's on the field, he becomes incredibly focused.

P. S.: "The butterfly effect of Fate has begun, and a turning point in life's trajectory has arrived. I've thought a lot about how to integrate Mifune Nyudo's character arc, and I think this approach would be relatively reasonable, since he generally doesn't leave the back mountain. It's also the last day of the month, so I'm asking for your monthly tickets and recommendation votes today, tomorrow, and next month!!"