Akutsu's Growth

Since we've chosen the distance, we'll travel through wind and rain; since we've chosen to stand on the court, we'll have no regrets about the outcome. Google Search to read

Countless energetic youths are swinging their rackets, running endlessly on the verdant courts.

They dream of wearing that gray and white glory belonging to Hyotei.

Time slowly passes with the matches. The morning is over, and the Hyotei members participating in the round-robin have each played at least three matches.

On the court, besides Kannagi Shinichi, Atobe, and Akutsu, whose complexions don't yet show fatigue, everyone else standing on the court is utterly exhausted. Even Oshitari Yuushi feels the strain on his body.

Fortunately, the student cafeteria prepared lunch that was sufficient to replenish their energy. After eating, the tennis club members participating in the round-robin finally regained some of their stamina.

In the cafeteria, Kannagi Shinichi also spotted Inoue Mamoru, a reporter from Tennis Weekly, devouring his meal in a corner.

Remember the first release website domain: t w k a n . c o m

Kannagi Shinichi didn't approach him. After finishing his own meal, he went to the side of the tennis court, picked up the match statistics sheet, and glanced at everyone's results.

A total of five people won all three of their matches in the morning. Besides Kannagi Shinichi, they were Atobe, Oshitari, Akutsu, and Akutagawa Jirou.

Shishido Ryo, who had shown remarkable performance in previous matches, lost to Atobe Keigo in the first match this morning, marking an opening defeat. Fortunately, he won his remaining two matches against his tennis club seniors.

As for Mukahi Gakuto, he lost in the third match due to exhaustion. Despite leading 5:1, he was reversed 7:5 by another former regular, Tsukishiro Douzan. His path to becoming a regular will face considerable challenges.

By the end of the morning's three matches, the Hyotei regular spots were becoming somewhat clearer.

In Group A, besides Kannagi Shinichi, the most promising candidate for a regular spot is the third-year former regular, Yamazaki Uye.

In Group B, as expected, the regular spots will likely go to Atobe Keigo and Shishido Ryo.

Group C's regulars should be Akutsu and Akutagawa Jirou.

Group D is the most complex. Besides Oshitari Yuushi, who is almost guaranteed a regular spot, three others have a chance. They each lost one match, and it was a round-robin loss: you beat me, I beat him, he beat you. Mukahi Gakuto is among these three.

Time moves to the afternoon. The participants in the round-robin are gradually entering the courts. The first match of the afternoon in Group C is a highly anticipated showdown between Akutsu and Akutagawa Jirou, both of whom have won all three of their matches.

Therefore, Kannagi Shinichi quickly finished his own match and went to the sidelines of their court.

Since the match would start a bit later, Atobe Keigo had already arrived to watch and immediately made space for Kannagi Shinichi when he saw him approach. "Kannagi, who do you think will win this match?"

He looked up at the scoreboard. The score was currently tied 1:1. Akutagawa Jirou had just held his serve, and the two seemed evenly matched.

Although in the original work, Akutsu was exceptionally talented, becoming one of Japan's top tennis players after only one year of playing, even being selected for Japan's U-17 team, he has only been playing tennis for a few days now. His fundamentals are still too weak, and he relies purely on his physical abilities.

Akutagawa Jirou, on the other hand, has excellent tennis fundamentals and his wrist agility far surpasses that of ordinary people. More importantly, he is one of the individuals closest to "perfectly seamless" in Japanese junior tennis, as described by Konomi Takeshi.

(Don't ask me who Konomi Takeshi is; he's just a manga artist. What does he know about tennis?)

Because of this, Kannagi Shinichi found it difficult to predict the outcome. He spoke unhurriedly, "Akutsu's advantage lies in his outstanding physical condition, highly developed athletic ability, and incredible flexibility, allowing him to return shots in any posture.

Akutagawa Jirou's strengths are his solid tennis fundamentals and superb net-play skills. The outcome of their match will depend on whether Akutsu's beast-like play or Akutagawa Jirou's conventional tennis technique proves superior."

Atobe Keigo nodded in agreement after listening, then turned his gaze back to the match.

On the court, it was Akutsu's serve. With a roar, he bent his knees, jumped, and swung his racket powerfully. A thunderous serve shot out.

Whoosh...

The ball was fast, but for Akutagawa Jirou, this speed was entirely manageable.

He sprinted with his legs, catching up to the ball. The moment it bounced, he struck it back forcefully. The ball arced through the air, flying towards Akutsu's backcourt on the other side.

"A beautiful return."

Even Atobe Keigo couldn't help but praise the shot.

"But Akutsu is already chasing it down. His physical talent is too exceptional."

As soon as Kannagi Shinichi finished speaking, Akutsu's figure moved like a leopard. He leaped backward in mid-air, instantly appearing in front of the ball.

Witnessing Akutsu's exaggerated movement, the tennis club members watching from the sidelines were stunned for a moment before erupting in cheers.

"Is this guy Akutsu even human...?"

"Monster, he's a monster..."

Even Atobe Keigo felt a slight unease after seeing that shot. "This guy really can't be underestimated."

On the court, Akutsu, with his defiant expression, intensely observed Akutagawa Jirou's open space.

He then unleashed a powerful drive. After returning the ball, Akutsu quickly moved to the net to approach. His entire movement was fluid and full of aggression.

Bang...

The ball landed and shot rapidly towards the sideline. Akutagawa Jirou had no choice but to sprint and leap to save it.

However, the shot was a lob.

Akutsu tilted his head slightly, watching the ball. Once it crossed the net, he leaped high into the air and executed a smash...

Boom...

"15:0, Akutsu Jin scores."

Watching this point, Inoue Mamoru picked up his camera again, capturing this moment of Akutsu Jin.

Meanwhile, Kannagi Shinichi looked at Akutsu, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "It seems Akutsu has really improved."

The match continued. This service game was extremely advantageous for Akutsu.

Bang...

"30:0, Akutsu Jin scores."

Bang...

"40:0, Akutsu Jin scores."

Bang...

"Game, score 2:1, Akutsu Jin leads."

"Hahaha..."

After winning the game, Akutsu held his racket and let out a hearty laugh.

However, this smile, paired with his pale face, sent a chill down the spines of those watching.

"This... Akutsu's laughter is so scary..."

"His tennis is terrifying, but his smile is even more so. It really scared me..."

Even Kannagi Shinichi, usually known for his cool demeanor, felt a shiver at Akutsu's smile. "Should I consider adding a rule to the tennis club, prohibiting Akutsu from smiling during matches from now on..."