Akutsu: I Will Destroy Your Confidence

Mouri Jusaburou is currently a player for Shitenhoji. In the original timeline, he joined Rikkai Dai before the Kanto Tournament began.

It seems that after his mother passed away, his father brought the Mouri family to Kanagawa to settle down.

Therefore, to get Mouri Jusaburou to join Hyotei, not only would he need to convince Mouri Jusaburou himself, but also his family.

Of course, Kannagi Shinichi is very confident about inviting Mouri Jusaburou. Unlike people like Yukimura Seiichi and Tezuka Kunimitsu who would give up everything for their beliefs, Mouri Jusaburou's personality is to go with the flow and approach many things with a calm mindset.

He believes that as long as enough benefits are offered, Mouri Jusaburou can be persuaded to join Hyotei.

After all, the future Hyotei tennis club has Atobe Keigo, whose "money power" is incredibly strong.

As long as Atobe Keigo nods, and arranges a better job in Tokyo for Mouri Jusaburou's father, with Mouri Jusaburou's personality, he definitely won't object to joining the Hyotei tennis club.

That's why when Sakaki Taro said they should invite Mouri Jusaburou as soon as possible, Kannagi Shinichi suggested waiting until after school starts.

After all, inviting Mouri Jusaburou would inevitably require Atobe Keigo to unleash his "money power"!

Time passed day by day, with two days left until the start of the new school year.

So, Kannagi Shinichi gave the members of the Hyotei tennis club a break, telling them to return to the club when school starts.

At this time, Kannagi Shinichi was strolling alone through the streets of Tokyo, using the pocket money his mother gave him when he left home, preparing to taste the delicious food in Tokyo.

He arrived at a coffee and dessert shop and found a seat by the window.

Just then, a slightly mature but very beautiful waitress holding a menu walked up to Kannagi Shinichi. "Sir, what would you like to order?"

Although Kannagi Shinichi knew his appearance was deceptive, being called "sir" made his usually cold face twitch involuntarily.

He was just a twelve-year-old kid, okay?

"One chiffon cake and one milk tea with less sugar, please." Kannagi Shinichi didn't explain his age and ordered with a seemingly calm expression.

A short while later, the food was placed on the table. At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi was the only customer in the entire shop.

Looking at the food in front of him, Kannagi Shinichi began to eat alone.

He was enjoying his meal when suddenly, the door of the coffee and dessert shop was pushed open roughly. Kannagi Shinichi saw a boy with white hair, covered in dust and a defiant look on his face, enter the shop.

Seeing the beautiful waitress from before, he took out a small stack of Yen from his pocket and rudely said, "Old lady, this is for you."

The waitress not only didn't take the stack of Yen but started crying softly.

"Ani, did you get into a fight with someone outside again?"

"Stop nagging, take it..." The boy directly placed the money on the table.

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi, sitting nearby, recognized the boy at a glance.

The mushroom-shaped white-gray hair, the pale face that made him look ill, and those rebellious eyes – wasn't this Akutsu Jin, who hadn't even started junior high yet?

As if sensing someone staring at him, Akutsu Jin turned his head to look at Kannagi Shinichi, and their eyes met.

At this moment, their gazes were completely different. Kannagi Shinichi's eyes were calm, while Akutsu's gaze carried a sense of danger.

Akutsu Jin also recognized Kannagi Shinichi, especially the white hair that was very close to his own hair color, and the arrogant photo from Tennis Weekly – it was exactly the same.

Akutsu Jin glanced at Kannagi Shinichi, then placed the money on the table and walked out brazenly. Just as he was leaving, he gave Kannagi Shinichi a look that seemed extremely dangerous and smiled.

I didn't provoke this guy, did I? Kannagi Shinichi didn't overthink it. He didn't intend to recruit Akutsu into Hyotei. Although he had talent, his personality would only lead to isolation at Hyotei and affect the future atmosphere of the tennis club.

After quickly finishing his meal, Kannagi Shinichi saw the same waitress again when he paid the bill. Kannagi Shinichi now knew that this woman was likely Akutsu's mother, Akutsu Yuki.

After paying, Kannagi Shinichi didn't say much to Akutsu's mother and left the coffee and dessert shop directly. Kannagi Shinichi didn't want to get too involved with Akutsu.

However, even though Kannagi Shinichi didn't seek out Akutsu, Akutsu found him.

Not long after Kannagi Shinichi came out, Akutsu emerged from a dark alley and blocked his path. "You're Kannagi Shinichi, right?"

Looking at Akutsu, who was slightly shorter than him, Kannagi Shinichi simply nodded faintly.

"I heard your tennis is amazing, and you said you want to create your own era. Hey, aren't you a bit too arrogant?" Akutsu sneered and moved closer to Kannagi Shinichi, his dangerous eyes fixed on him.

Kannagi Shinichi calmly took a step back, not out of fear, but purely because he didn't want Akutsu too close.

"Everything I said is just the truth." Kannagi Shinichi didn't deny his own words.

"Hahahaha... Interesting, very interesting." Akutsu laughed wildly and continued, "Do you want to have a match with me? Let me destroy your confidence."

Hearing Akutsu's words, Kannagi Shinichi couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle inwardly. Big brother, it's not me who's confident, it's you, Akutsu, who's getting ahead of yourself.

Don't you even read Tennis Weekly? Didn't you see the hole I blasted in the court's low wall? And you're talking about destroying my confidence.

Who gave you the courage!

Although he could easily defeat Akutsu Jin, Kannagi Shinichi didn't intend to play against Akutsu. He didn't want to have too much interaction with him.

So, Kannagi Shinichi shook his head faintly. "I didn't bring my racket today, so I'm sorry."

"No racket? Just go snatch one. I know there's a court not far from here where a lot of kids who love playing tennis usually are. Just take one from them."

Kannagi Shinichi was speechless at Akutsu's words. You're one of those kids yourself, aren't you!

"Sorry, I still refuse. Could you please move aside?"

Kannagi Shinichi really wasn't in the mood to play tennis today. He'd finally gotten out to relax and had even changed into new clothes. He didn't want to go back covered in sweat, though he wouldn't sweat much playing against Akutsu.

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's words, a dangerous smile appeared on Akutsu's face. He loved destroying these arrogant guys who thought of themselves as geniuses. There was no way he could let Kannagi Shinichi leave.

So, Akutsu Jin sneered, "You don't dare? Or are you scared?"

"I am scared."

Kannagi Shinichi nodded lightly. Akutsu's face immediately fell. This guy didn't even dare to play a match against him.

However, what Kannagi Shinichi said next made Akutsu's face turn incredibly angry.

"I am scared that I won't be able to control myself later and will kill you with one shot."