Chapter Summaries

Plot Points & Events

• The story is nearing its end, with the World Tournament prelude starting after the National Tournament.
• The author plans to innovate the World Tournament arc, differing from the original anime.
• The author will write about professional qualifiers but gloss over specific training details to avoid repetition.
• The update volume may decrease due to the upcoming Lunar New Year and the author's personal commitments.

Character Developments

• No significant character developments are mentioned in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• Innovation and deviation from the original plot are central themes as the author plans the World Tournament arc.
• The author's personal life and commitments also emerge as themes, affecting the update schedule.

Character Interactions

• No significant character interactions are mentioned in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Junior High Students return to the U-17 training camp in Karuizawa.
• Muneyoshi and Tezuka are absent; they've gone to pursue professional tennis careers.
• The Junior High Students are shocked and inspired by Muneyoshi and Tezuka's decisions.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi: Recognized and sponsored to become a professional player.
• Tezuka: Decides to pursue a professional career in Germany.
• Fuji Yuta, Konjiki Koharu, and others: Feel envious but motivated by Muneyoshi and Tezuka's achievements.
• Sanada: Feels a burning desire to improve after hearing about Muneyoshi and Tezuka.
• Kite: Recognizes the difficulty and ambition of Muneyoshi and Tezuka's decisions.
• Kurobe and Saitō: Satisfied with the Junior High Students' reaction to Muneyoshi and Tezuka's news.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and determination in pursuing tennis careers.
• The impact of role models on others' motivation and growth.
• The mental and emotional challenges faced by young tennis players.

Character Interactions

• Fuji Yuta and Mizuki: Fuji encourages Mizuki not to be envious of others' progress.
• Sanada and Fuji: Sanada asks Fuji about Tezuka's whereabouts, revealing Tezuka's decision to go professional.
• Kite and others: Kite discusses the ambitious decisions of Muneyoshi and Tezuka with his teammates.
• Kurobe and Saitō: They discuss the Junior High Students' reaction and plan to step up their training.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi completes his system training and data recording, becoming eligible for professional qualifiers.
• He travels to Melbourne, Australia, for three professional qualifying matches, accompanied by his assistant and a Yonex-arranged team.
• Muneyoshi's first match is against Vladimir 'Court Chief' Zesensky from Little Russia.
• Zesensky, enraged by Muneyoshi's age and previous victories, attempts to injure him during the match.
• Muneyoshi, enraged in turn, unleashes a powerful attack, defeating Zesensky and embedding him in the court wall.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi demonstrates growth in his mental power and control over his Darkness Field, able to influence opponents' emotions and amplify his attacks.
• Zesensky reveals his jealousy and malice towards younger, more talented players, showing a weak mental state.

Significant Themes

• The path to professionalism and the challenges faced by young prodigies.
• The influence of mental power on gameplay and emotional control.
• The consequences of letting negative emotions cloud judgment.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Zesensky's interaction reveals their contrasting attitudes towards their opponents and the game.
• Muneyoshi's fans cheer for him, showing his growing popularity and recognition.
• Zesensky's fans, while numerous, are quickly silenced by Muneyoshi's overwhelming display of power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi severely injures Zesensky with a powerful serve, ending their match.
• Zesensky attempts revenge by targeting Muneyoshi's knee with a serve, but Muneyoshi counters with a devastating attack, "Shadow Sever - Ghost Dance," incapacitating Zesensky.
• Muneyoshi wins his first qualifying match and proceeds to win the next two, securing his status as a Quasi-professional player.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi demonstrates his immense strength and ruthlessness, showing no mercy to those who threaten him.
• Zesensky's overconfidence and desire for revenge lead to his downfall.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent and acting recklessly.
• The importance of self-control and restraint in competition.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Zesensky's intense rivalry leads to a brutal exchange, with Muneyoshi ultimately emerging victorious.
• The professional personnel from Yonex accompanying Muneyoshi gain confidence in his abilities after witnessing his strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Echizen Ryoga, a skilled American player, challenges Japan's expedition team in Macau.
• Kiriya, Japan's No. 5, faces off against Ryoga but is incapacitated with one shot.
• Ryoga leaves a mocking message for Japan, hinting at a future encounter at the World Cup.

Character Developments

• Echizen Ryoga: Shows immense skill and confidence, demonstrating Stage Two strength. He seeks revenge against Japan for his past defeat at the hands of Saeki Muneyoshi.
• Kiriya: Japan's No. 5, is easily defeated by Ryoga, revealing a significant skill gap between them.

Significant Themes

• Revenge: Ryoga's actions are driven by his desire to avenge his past defeat.
• Skill and Pride: The challenge highlights the skill gap between the American and Japanese teams, as well as the pride and confidence of the American players.

Character Interactions

• Echizen Ryoga vs Kiriya: Their match showcases Ryoga's overwhelming strength and Kiriya's inability to keep up.
• Byōdōin vs Echizen Ryoga: Although they don't face off, Byōdōin's reaction to Ryoga's challenge hints at a potential future confrontation between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Saeki Muneyoshi, on a flight to Japan, sees a news article about his victory over Ze-sheng, but is displeased with the lack of attention given to him.
• The Japan team, returning from Macau, discusses their plans for revenge against Echizen Ryoga and their expectations for the training camp.
• The Junior High Students are gathered by the coaching staff, who announce the formation of an intensive training squad of 20 players, all high school students.
• The Junior High Students, feeling underestimated, decide to challenge the high school students wearing their black jackets.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi remains confident and arrogant, looking forward to the World Cup.
• Byōdōin and his team discuss their plans for revenge, showing their determination to maintain their world rankings.
• The Junior High Students, particularly Sanada and Tachibana, show their resolve to challenge the high school students, with Kintaro immediately setting off.

Significant Themes

• Rivalry and competition, both within the Junior High Students and between them and the high school students.
• Underestimation and the desire to prove oneself, as seen in the Junior High Students' reaction to being left out of the intensive training squad.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi thinks about his teammates at the training camp, looking forward to facing them again.
• Byōdōin and his team discuss their plans for revenge, with Tōno Atsukyō leading the charge.
• The Junior High Students react to the announcement of the intensive training squad, with Sanada and Tachibana leading the charge to challenge the high school students.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Saeki Muneyoshi has entered the professional tennis world, surprising his former rival Tezuka Kunimitsu and the German team's captain, Jürgen Barisavich Polk.
• Muneyoshi returns to the Switzerland U-17 Training Camp, where the final hunt for the Junior High Students' championship is about to begin.
• Byōdōin and his seven strongest teammates challenge the Junior High Students, demanding a match with ten of them.
• Muneyoshi reveals his No. 3 badge, joining the Junior High Students and refusing to side with Byōdōin, stating he will start his own hunt.

Character Developments

• Tezuka Kunimitsu becomes aware of Muneyoshi's rapid progress and feels the gap between them has widened.
• Muneyoshi shows no fear or hesitation in challenging Byōdōin and his team, demonstrating his confidence and determination.
• Byōdōin remains calm and composed, showing interest in Muneyoshi's decision to oppose him.

Significant Themes

• Rivalry and competition among tennis players.
• The struggle for power and dominance within the Japanese tennis world.
• The consequences of rapid growth and success, as seen through Tezuka's reaction to Muneyoshi's achievements.

Character Interactions

• Tezuka and Polk discuss Muneyoshi's entry into the professional world, with Tezuka feeling the pressure of their rivalry.
• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin have a tense exchange, with Muneyoshi refusing to back down from Byōdōin's challenge.
• The Junior High Students rally behind Muneyoshi, finding strength and confidence in his return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi challenges Byōdōin and Oni Jūjirō to matches, seeking revenge and recognition.
• Muneyoshi, now a quasi-professional, demonstrates his power by knocking Oni's racket away with a single shot.
• Simultaneous matches between Byōdōin vs. Tokugawa and Oni vs. Muneyoshi take place.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi shows growth and confidence, embracing his competitive nature.
• Oni Jūjirō acknowledges Muneyoshi's strength and prepares to face him seriously.
• Byōdōin accepts Tokugawa's challenge, showing no fear despite Muneyoshi's growth.

Significant Themes

• Redemption and revenge: Muneyoshi seeks to overcome his past losses.
• Growth and recognition: Muneyoshi's new status as a quasi-professional challenges his former seniors.
• Competition and rivalry: The matches highlight the intense competition among the players.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Oni Jūjirō: Rivals who respect each other's strength, with Muneyoshi seeking revenge for a past loss.
• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin: Former teammates turned rivals, with Byōdōin initially underestimating Muneyoshi's growth.
• Tokugawa and Byōdōin: Rivals who finally get a chance to compete, with Tokugawa eager to prove himself.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Oni Jūjirō, enraged, activates the Asura Path, summoning an Oni God.
• Saeki Muneyoshi counters with his Light Darkness Combination—Ghostly Fluorescent Dance.
• Oni Jūjirō hits a powerful smash, which Muneyoshi returns with his Clear Radiance Night Condensation.
• Oni Jūjirō follows up with a Black Tomahawk, which Muneyoshi catches, leading to a back-and-forth exchange.

Character Developments

• Oni Jūjirō: Shows his true power and fighting spirit, ignited by Muneyoshi's strength.
• Saeki Muneyoshi: Reveals his full strength, confident and arrogant, seeking revenge against Oni.

Significant Themes

• Power and Strength: Both characters display immense power, pushing each other to their limits.
• Revenge: Muneyoshi's actions are driven by his desire to avenge his past defeat against Oni.

Character Interactions

• Oni Jūjirō vs. Saeki Muneyoshi: The two engage in a fierce tennis match, pushing each other's limits, with Muneyoshi's arrogance fueling Oni's desire to defeat him.
• High School Students and First String Members: Witnessing the match, they are impressed by Muneyoshi's strength and concerned about his potential threat to their leader, Byōdōin.

In this chapter, Saeki Muneyoshi and Oni Jūjirō's tennis match reaches a new level of intensity. Oni Jūjirō serves a powerful shot with his Asura Path aura, which Muneyoshi returns with his "Shadow Three Severing Slashes" technique. Oni Jūjirō counters with his "Black Tomahawk" move, creating a massive explosion on the court. Muneyoshi then uses his "Light Darkness Combination—Light Darkness Absolute Slash," which Oni Jūjirō blocks with his racket, causing the wall behind him to crack. Oni Jūjirō retaliates by expanding his Different Dimension Realm, engulfing the entire court in a hellish landscape with a blood-red moon. Muneyoshi's shadow figure merges with the bright moon, and a colossal version of Muneyoshi appears, clashing with a four-armed Oni God in Oni Jūjirō's realm. Meanwhile, Byōdōin Hōō, who is fighting Tokugawa Kazuya, pauses to watch the intense match between Muneyoshi and Oni Jūjirō.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi engages Oni Jūjirō in a fierce tennis match, using his katana-like racket and supernatural abilities.
• Muneyoshi's powerful shots create a swarm of tennis balls, while Oni Jūjirō deflects them and counterattacks with a massive tennis ball.
• Muneyoshi dodges the giant ball and slices off one of Oni Jūjirō's arms, causing him to merge completely with his Oni God form.
• Oni Jūjirō uses his ultimate move, "Great Folding Knife," but Muneyoshi counters with "Moonlight Condensation," defeating Oni Jūjirō and his Oni God.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi reveals his true strength and abilities, surpassing what he had shown previously.
• Oni Jūjirō demonstrates his power and desperation, merging with his Oni God form in his final attempt to defeat Muneyoshi.

Significant Themes

• The power of will and determination in the face of adversity (Muneyoshi's resolve to defeat Oni Jūjirō).
• The consequences of yearning for destruction and chaos (Oni Jūjirō's desire for hell).
• The hidden depths of one's abilities and the true nature of competition (Muneyoshi's concealed strength and the intense match).

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Oni Jūjirō's intense rivalry and mutual respect, pushing each other to their limits.
• Spectators (Yukimura, Sanada, Atobe, Akutsu, and Junior High Students) witnessing the match, realizing the vast gap between their skills and the protagonists'.
• Kintarō Tooyama's astonishment at Muneyoshi's abilities, struggling to keep track of his shots.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi defeats Oni Jūjirō using Oni's own move, Black Tomahawk, demonstrating his skill and strategic thinking.
• Muneyoshi's victory is witnessed by other players, causing them to reevaluate his strength.
• The Japan team's coaches acknowledge Muneyoshi's world-class potential and report it to the head coach.
• Tokugawa challenges Byōdōin, pushing him to the brink but ultimately losing and being saved by Muneyoshi.
• Muneyoshi declares he wants to challenge Byōdōin next, marking the start of his "hunt" for the top players.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi proves his strength and strategic prowess by defeating Oni Jūjirō and expressing his ambition to challenge Byōdōin.
• Oni Jūjirō reflects on his defeat and Muneyoshi's growth, showing a hint of acceptance and respect.
• Tokugawa shows improvement but ultimately falls short against Byōdōin, demonstrating his ambition but also his limits.
• Byōdōin maintains his dominance but is challenged by Muneyoshi, hinting at potential future developments.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and growth: Muneyoshi's ambition drives him to challenge stronger opponents, leading to his growth and recognition.
• The struggle for dominance: The top players in the Japan team vie for dominance, with Muneyoshi emerging as a new threat.
• The power of strategy and adaptability: Muneyoshi's use of Oni's move against him and his intervention in Tokugawa's match show the importance of strategic thinking and adaptability.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Oni Jūjirō: Their match highlights Muneyoshi's growth and Oni's recognition of his strength.
• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin: Muneyoshi's declaration of wanting to challenge Byōdōin sets up a potential future conflict between them.
• Tokugawa and Byōdōin: Their match showcases Tokugawa's ambition but also his limits against Byōdōin, with Muneyoshi ultimately saving Tokugawa.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin face off at the U17 Training Camp, both determined to win.
• Muneyoshi challenges Byōdōin, stating he wants to defeat him and become the world's top tennis player.
• Byōdōin accepts the challenge, acknowledging Muneyoshi as a worthy opponent.
• They clash with their auras, creating a dense atmosphere and pressure on the court.
• Byōdōin wins the coin toss and serves first, using his powerful Shining Shot - Destruction.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi shows increased confidence, ambition, and skill, aiming to defeat Byōdōin and become the world's best.
• Byōdōin recognizes Muneyoshi's growth and treats him as a serious opponent.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and determination to succeed.
• The clash of powerful individuals and their auras.
• The pressure and intensity of high-stakes matches.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin's intense and confident exchange before the match, highlighting their ambition and respect for each other as opponents.
• Irie Kanata asks Oni Jūjirō for his opinion on the match, showing the respect and interest of other characters in the two main players.

• Key Plot Points: The chapter is a brief author's note wishing readers a happy New Year, with no significant plot developments.
• Character Developments: None; this chapter focuses on the author's greetings and plans.
• Significant Themes: None; the chapter is primarily a seasonal greeting.
• Character Interactions: N/A; the chapter is written from the author's perspective and doesn't involve any character interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi uses his signature move, "Candlelight Illumination," creating a black Field with a golden border, and strikes a powerful shot.
• Byōdōin counters with his signature move, "Libyan Hailstorm," creating an illusion of hailstones.
• Muneyoshi breaks through Byōdōin's move with "Shadow Sever—Cherry Blossom Fall," but Byōdōin scores the first point.
• Byōdōin serves again, using "Spanish Bullfight," a powerful and fast shot.
• Muneyoshi uses "Falling Darkness" to neutralize the shot's aura, then returns it with "African Lion's Roar."

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi demonstrates his growth and confidence by vowing to break Byōdōin's signature moves.
• Byōdōin shows his prowess and experience, easily countering Muneyoshi's attempts.
• Oni Jūjirō feels left behind as his former subordinates surpass him.

Significant Themes

• Growth and progression of characters.
• The power of determination and will.
• The clash of different fighting styles and techniques.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin engage in a tense and powerful tennis match, each trying to outdo the other.
• Oni Jūjirō watches their match, feeling a mix of pride and envy at their growth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Muneyoshi faces Byōdōin's powerful "Mighty Lion" technique, which he counters with his "Darkness Field" and "Ghosts and Goblins."
• Byōdōin anticipates Muneyoshi's return shot and unleashes a powerful "King of the World Pirates" attack, winning the first game.
• The match progresses intensely, with both players testing their skills and ultimate techniques. It reaches a critical stage with the score tied at 5-5.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi: Shows exceptional caution against Byōdōin's powerful technique. He reveals that he has been strengthening his physical training since his wrist injury.
• Byōdōin: Demonstrates his world-class tennis skills and strategic thinking. He pushes Muneyoshi to his limit, hoping to provoke his hidden power.
• Tokugawa: Wakes up and watches the match, understanding Byōdōin's true strength and resolving to defeat him on his own terms.

Significant Themes

• Rivalry and mutual growth: Both Muneyoshi and Byōdōin push each other to their limits, testing their skills and ultimate techniques.
• The power of determination: Muneyoshi's resolve to make his move and Byōdōin's desire to seize the initiative drive the intense match.
• The consequences of one's actions: Tokugawa reflects on Byōdōin's methods and decides to walk his own path.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi vs. Byōdōin: Their intense match serves as a touchstone for both players, pushing them to test their limits and ultimate techniques.
• Tokugawa and Duke: Tokugawa seeks understanding from Duke about Byōdōin's true intentions, leading him to resolve to defeat Byōdōin on his own terms.
• Junior High Students and High School Students: They watch the match intently, with Niou paying particularly close attention to the duel between Muneyoshi and Byōdōin.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist returns from New Year holidays heavily intoxicated.
• He takes a leave of absence from work due to his inebriated state.
• Over the next few days, he continues to drink and eat excessively.
• He is called in for a second shift at work, and nighttime activities continue.

Character Developments

• The protagonist struggles with alcoholism, as evidenced by his excessive drinking and its impact on his work life.

Significant Themes

• Alcoholism and its Consequences: The chapter highlights the protagonist's struggle with alcohol, its effect on his work, and his inability to control his drinking.
• Lack of Self-Control: The protagonist's inability to stop drinking, even after realizing its impact on his life, suggests a lack of self-control.

Character Interactions

• There are no significant interactions with other characters in this chapter. The protagonist's actions and state are the primary focus.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Saeki Muneyoshi invades Byōdōin's Different Dimension, causing it to become imperfect and his influence to grow over time.
• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin engage in a fierce sword and gun fight, with Muneyoshi sustaining injuries from Byōdōin's flintlock pistol.
• The tennis match resumes, with Muneyoshi returning Byōdōin's powerful shots, causing Byōdōin to hesitate and sustain an injury.
• Mifune, a greasy young old man, arrives in a plane, stopping the intense match and ordering them to save their all-out efforts for the World Championships.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi demonstrates his understanding of the Different Dimension Realm, his combat skills, and his determination to use Byōdōin as a stepping stone for his advancement.
• Byōdōin reveals his dangerous nature and his ability to adapt and fight despite severe injuries, hinting at a hidden strength.
• Mifune appears, showing his authority and ability to control the situation, suggesting he is a respected figure.

Significant Themes

• The power struggle and competition between characters, reflecting their ambitions and desires.
• The consequences of pushing one's limits and the importance of self-control.
• The reveal of hidden strengths and the anticipation of future revelations.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi and Byōdōin engage in a tense and violent fight, showcasing their skills and determination.
• Mifune's arrival interrupts their fight, indicating his influence and authority over them.
• The First String team members show concern for Byōdōin's well-being, highlighting their team dynamics and camaraderie.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mifune Nyudo, the head coach, arrives and stops the fight between Muneyoshi and Byōdōin.
• Mifune announces that Junior High Students can participate in the World Cup, sparking excitement.
• Muneyoshi's First String ranking is revoked, and he's reassigned to the Junior High Student team.
• First String selection matches begin, with Atobe, Niou, Sanada, Akutsu, Tachibana, and Chitose securing spots.
• Mifune announces the final Junior High Student roster for the World Cup.

Character Developments

• Mifune Nyudo is revealed to be the head coach, displaying his authority and knowledge of the players.
• Muneyoshi's status changes from First String to Junior High Student team captain.
• Atobe, Niou, Sanada, Akutsu, Tachibana, and Chitose prove their worth and secure spots in the Junior High Student team.

Significant Themes

• Competition and selection for the World Cup.
• The importance of team spirit and potential, as highlighted by Mifune's decision-making process.

Character Interactions

• Mifune Nyudo interacts with Muneyoshi and Byōdōin, showing approval of their growth but maintaining a stern demeanor.
• Atobe and Niou team up in the First String selection matches, demonstrating their camaraderie.
• Tachibana Kippei and Chitose Senri work together to secure their spots in the Junior High Student team.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mifune Nyudo selects the Junior High Student representative team for the world tournament.
• The Japanese team, including both Junior High and High School Students, attends a training camp in Hawaii.
• An exhibition match draw is held for the upcoming U-17 World Cup, with Japan drawn against Germany.

Character Developments

• Muneyoshi maintains his confidence and composure, showing no signs of nervousness about the upcoming tournament.
• Tezuka has grown stronger and more mature during his time in Germany.

Significant Themes

• The importance of individual strength in team selection and competition.
• The Japanese team's strategy to hide their strength in the exhibition match.

Character Interactions

• Muneyoshi exchanges greetings with familiar faces from other countries, such as Mars, Reinhardt, and Camus.
• Muneyoshi and Tezuka acknowledge each other, with Muneyoshi expressing his eagerness for their upcoming match.
• Byōdōin and Polk (Germany's coach) have a tense exchange, hinting at their past encounter in Europe.