Kōsanze: In'naraku truly was Emperor Kaido's ultimate move in the world of One Piece. Kannagi Shinichi had used it just once, yet it had nearly drained him of all his strength.
Though Kannagi Shinichi badly wanted to find somewhere to rest and recover, he knew he couldn't.
At that moment, he was panicking...
Atobe Keigo's racket had been broken by the sheer force of the ball's impact. After it hit the ground, the shockwave sent the racket flying, and it had snapped when it landed. Atobe hadn't returned the ball, so he hadn't been injured.
Atobe might look dejected and despairing now, but if he suddenly dug in his heels and insisted on continuing the match, Kannagi Shinichi—who had almost no strength left—would undoubtedly lose.
That would be a complete disaster. Not only would he lose his position as captain, but if he ever became famous in the world of tennis, this match would be a stain on his record.
Kannagi Shinichi would never allow that!
He let out a careful, quiet breath.
Kannagi Shinichi kept telling himself not to panic, that he could find a way out of this.
Suddenly, as he looked at Atobe Keigo, who was still emotionally shattered, Kannagi Shinichi came up with an idea.
Put on an act. Really sell it. Act utterly unconcerned, act as if the world were turning upside down.
So he kept his face as cold as before and slowly walked up to Atobe Keigo. "What's wrong? You found a ball you couldn't return, and now you're despairing? Giving up?"
At Kannagi Shinichi's words, Atobe Keigo slowly raised his head. The despair faded from his face, and a fighting spirit seemed to return to his eyes.
That's right. Just because I can't return one ball, should I give up on myself and the tennis I love? No. I, Atobe Keigo, will never give up so easily.
As Atobe Keigo's fighting spirit returned, Kannagi Shinichi screamed inwardly, No!
He'd only said that to build up to his next words. There was no way he could keep playing against Atobe.
So, while Atobe was still silent, Kannagi Shinichi put on a rueful look and sighed. "You may be weak right now, but your talent is second to none. Keep following the path you've chosen in tennis, and one day, you'll catch up to me."
"Hmph!" Atobe Keigo gave a quiet snort. He knew that with his current abilities, he was no match for Kannagi Shinichi, but being called weak still rubbed him the wrong way.
Fortunately, he'd also heard a note of concern in Kannagi Shinichi's words. Though the proud Atobe wouldn't say thank you, he'd already come to accept Kannagi Shinichi.
Atobe flicked the beads of sweat from his bangs and raised the corners of his mouth in a slight smile. "My progress is practically advancing by the day. One day, I won't just catch up to you—I'll surpass you completely."
Hearing Atobe Keigo's words, Kannagi Shinichi felt relieved. When Atobe said that, he was essentially admitting Kannagi was stronger than him.
But Kannagi couldn't let his guard down yet. He still had to keep changing the subject.
Kannagi Shinichi held out his hand. A faint smile softened his otherwise stern face, as though a spring breeze had passed over it. "Then, Atobe, before you surpass me, how about joining me in conquering the nation and creating an era of our own?"
At Kannagi Shinichi's words, Atobe Keigo's eyes lit up. He took a deep breath, calming the emotions surging within him.
The despair and dejection had vanished from his face. He was back to his usual self.
With a light smile, Atobe Keigo reached out and shook Kannagi's hand. "Of course. I joined the Hyotei tennis club to lead Hyotei to the top of the nation."
The two clasped hands tightly and smiled at each other.
Clap... clap... clap...
Outside the court, the spectators broke into applause at the sight.
The tennis club members shouted:
"The victor is Hyotei..."
"The victor is Hyotei..."
Almost everyone had forgotten that the match wasn't over.
Only Oshitari Yuushi, still sitting in the umpire's chair, remained stunned. Had the match really ended after just two points?
He hadn't even called the score yet!
Meanwhile, seeing the fighting spirit fade from Atobe Keigo's eyes, Kannagi Shinichi finally asked, "Are we continuing the match?"
"Let's call it for today." Atobe Keigo smiled and shook his head. If this hadn't just happened, he might have continued, but now...
He could only get his head straight, then turn to Kannagi Shinichi. "Next time, I'll beat you and take your captaincy."
"I'll be waiting."
Kannagi Shinichi smiled to himself and thought, Today was your only chance to beat me, but you let it slip away.
He'd made up his mind: from now on, he'd never use his special move so casually again.
With the match over, the students and teachers who'd gathered to watch gradually dispersed. Only the tennis club members and the reporter Inoue Mamoru remained at the court.
Kannagi Shinichi called over the senior club member in charge of recruitment and began asking about the new members.
He learned that, aside from Atobe Keigo and Oshitari Yuushi, who hadn't yet submitted their applications, 137 new students had joined the tennis club.
With the original 71 members, the club now had more than 200 members.
Kannagi Shinichi was quite pleased. Hyotei was beginning to resemble the club it would become in the future.
Kannagi Shinichi had everyone gather. Looking over the more than 200 tennis club members lined up before him, he spoke calmly. "First, let's welcome our new members. I'd also like the second- and third-year students to help them get acquainted with the tennis club and settle in as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
Hearing the second- and third-year club members respond, Kannagi Shinichi nodded in satisfaction.
"Second, next week, the tennis club will hold an open selection tournament to choose eight regulars for the regional tournament in May. This selection will be based purely on ability. If you're good enough, you can become a regular—even if you're a first-year."
When Kannagi Shinichi finished speaking, a stir went through the club members.
The first-years who considered themselves prodigies were eager to prove themselves, their ambition written all over their faces. The three elementary-school students from Hyotei were especially excited, their eyes shining as they tried to work out their chances of becoming regulars.
The second-years' eyes lit up as well. Those with some ability were convinced that, aside from the two monsters in the first year, none of the other first-years posed a threat.
The two remaining regulars among the third-years were the only ones whose expressions changed. Still, they had confidence in themselves. As long as they didn't run into the captain or Atobe, they thought they could hold on to their places as regulars.
Seeing that no one seemed to object, Kannagi Shinichi pointed to Atobe Keigo. "Third, starting today, Atobe Keigo will be the vice-captain of the Hyotei tennis club."
After making the announcement, Kannagi Shinichi turned to Atobe. "Well? Do you want to be vice-captain?"
"Hmph!" Atobe Keigo gave an arrogant snort. "Since I haven't beaten you yet, I'll deign to serve as vice-captain for now. Once I beat you, I'll take the captaincy back from you."
At that point, a third-year student spoke up. "Captain, Hyotei has never had a vice-captain. The advisor won't agree to it."
"I said that starting today, Atobe Keigo is the vice-captain. I'll speak with the advisor." Kannagi Shinichi looked around. "All you need to know is that from now on, Hyotei has a vice-captain—and he's Atobe Keigo."
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