Oshitari's Tennis Direction

In the original work, Oshitari Yuushi and Fuji Syusuke had identical five-dimensional stats. Even after entering U-17, the two remained indistinguishable.

However, their paths in tennis were like night and day.

Fuji Syusuke joined the U-17 representative team and headed for the world stage, while Oshitari Yuushi gradually faded into obscurity.

Perhaps it was the protagonist's halo at play, but Oshitari Yuushi himself was also partly to blame.

As Kannagi Shinichi and Sakaki Taro had said before, Oshitari's tennis techniques were broad but not specialized.

Fuji Syusuke, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He took the essence of his techniques and discarded the dross, mastering his skills to perfection.

Because of this, two people with identical potential ended up on completely different paths.

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's reminder, Oshitari began to watch Fuji Syusuke's match on the court with renewed focus.

Although Fuji was still a first-year student and appeared extremely frail, his zero-point victory that morning was still vivid in his mind.

Furthermore, the two doubles matches just concluded had fully demonstrated that the players from Yamabuki Middle School, even the first-years, were not to be underestimated.

Therefore, as Fuji Syusuke's opponent, Ryo Riverkawa from Satou Riko Academy was already on high alert.

On the court, Fuji Syusuke served first. He tossed the ball high into the air, then swung his racket powerfully with his right hand, his movements elegant and precise.

Bang...

With a thwack from the racket, an extremely fast serve flew towards the opponent's half of the court.

The ball landed and then, to everyone's astonishment, bounced away with incredible speed.

"15:0, Fuji Syusuke scores."

As the referee's words fell, Fuji Syusuke, who had been squinting, opened his eyes slightly and looked towards the Hyotei members in the stands with a smile.

"Hiss..."

Outside the court, the spectators were stunned by this shot.

"Is that a challenge? It seems Yamabuki is determined to take on Hyotei this year."

Kannagi Shinichi met Fuji Syusuke's gaze without flinching. Instead, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he met Fuji's stare.

The regular players from Hyotei also grew serious upon seeing this shot. They now understood that this young man named Fuji Syusuke was very strong.

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi looked at Oshitari beside him. "Yuushi, did you see that shot?"

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's question, Oshitari Yuushi pushed up his glasses, narrowed his eyes slightly, and replied solemnly, "His technique is very skillful. That serve was perfectly placed right on the line."

While he had some doubts about Kannagi Shinichi's words earlier, seeing Fuji Syusuke's serve now, Oshitari began to re-evaluate Fuji Syusuke on the court.

Bang...

Fuji served again, just like before. Fuji scored directly with his serve once more.

"30:0, Fuji Syusuke scores."

Bang...

"40:0, Fuji Syusuke scores."

"Game, score 1:0, Fuji Syusuke leads."

In just two minutes, Fuji Syusuke had held his serve with only four shots.

This also became a microcosm of the match. The subsequent scores on the court were heading towards a shutout.

Whoosh...

"Brown Bear Drop Shot..."

"Game, score 4:0, Fuji Syusuke leads."

"Hey, what was that just now? How did he return that smash so easily..."

"I saw Fuji Syusuke use this move this morning. Seeing it again now, it's still as brilliant..."

Outside the court, spectators who had seen Fuji Syusuke's match that morning were excitedly explaining his signature move to those who had just arrived.

At this moment, the Hyotei regulars looked at Oshitari Yuushi with strange expressions, as he had used the same move during the regular player selection matches.

Only advisor Sakaki Taro, Kannagi Shinichi, and Atobe Keigo noticed a subtle difference in their Brown Bear Drop Shots.

Of course, as the one who performed it, Oshitari also realized the issue with the shot.

"What do you think of Fuji Syusuke's Brown Bear Drop Shot?" Kannagi Shinichi asked Oshitari again at this point.

When the Hyotei regulars heard this, they all turned their gazes toward Oshitari Yuushi.

"Interesting. I didn't expect him to be the same type of player as me." Oshitari tilted his head back and smiled, then let out a sigh. "His Brown Bear Drop Shot is more skillful than mine, as if he can use it naturally. Every step seems to be within his calculations. This Fuji Syusuke, his tennis is terrifying."

Hearing Oshitari Yuushi voice the problem he had identified, Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe both smiled.

Sakaki Taro glanced at Oshitari Yuushi and nodded slightly. Recognizing one's shortcomings is the first step to knowing how to improve them, and it's also the way to progress in strength.

Besides the Hyotei members focusing on Yamabuki's match, there was also someone by the court paying attention to Yamabuki.

This person was Tennis Weekly reporter Inoue Mamoru.

"Yamabuki's genius?"

Inoue Mamoru raised his camera, his eyes fixed on Fuji Syusuke on the court.

Indeed, Fuji's performance in this match fully showcased his strength and was quite spectacular, especially with the tall third-year player, Rigenkawa, on the opposing side to highlight Fuji's play.

Perhaps before, seeing a player like Fuji Syusuke, he might have been amazed.

However, after seeing Hyotei's Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe Keigo compete, Inoue Mamoru's standards had changed. Despite Fuji Syusuke's outstanding performance, his perspective was no longer the same.

At this moment, the match on the court had ended. Fuji Syusuke had once again swept his opponent 6-0.

Outside the court, the spectators were already cheering. But amidst the cheers, Inoue Mamoru shook his head.

"I won't rule out the possibility that Fuji Syusuke is hiding his strength, but compared to Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe Keigo, challenging Hyotei at his current level is impossible."

Then, Inoue Mamoru thought of Yamabuki's new 部長, the young genius Tezuka Kunimitsu, and murmured, "If Tezuka Kunimitsu can return to Yamabuki for the prefectural tournament, then challenging Hyotei might not be impossible."

Outside the court, watching the match conclude, the Hyotei regulars, despite their solemn expressions, remained confident in winning the prefectural tournament championship this time.

Although Yamabuki's current strength was excellent, overall, Hyotei's strength was still superior.

At this moment, the Hyotei regulars were preparing to leave the court, with Kannagi Shinichi and Oshitari Yuushi walking behind.

"Yuushi, find an opportunity to play a match against Atobe. Perhaps you can find your own path in tennis through him."

Oshitari listened to Kannagi Shinichi's words, nodded, and then looked towards Atobe, who was walking at the front.

Meanwhile, Atobe Keigo felt something was amiss, as if he were being schemed against.

"Hmph, whatever. No one would dare to scheme against ore-sama!"