"Come on, Oshitari. No matter how strong the Captain is, we still have to give it everything we've got!"
"That's right. Let's do this, Gakuto!"
With that, they walked over to face Chiba Yun Chuan, their expressions serious. Their opponent was simply too strong!
Even though there were two of them, giving them an advantage, they had already lost all confidence that they could win.
The people around the court gasped again when they saw Hyotei's doubles pair step onto the court.
"How is this possible? Is he going to take on a doubles team by himself?"
"This is the first time I've ever seen a match like this—one person against two, and they're both regulars from Hyotei!"
"Captain Chiba is so handsome! From today on, he's my idol!"
Chiba was wearing the Hyotei regulars' uniform. Only now did everyone notice that he hadn't even taken off his uniform jacket!
His eyes gleamed like a black hole, drawing people in without them even realizing it. With his side-swept bangs, sharp brows, and chiseled features, it was no wonder people were captivated by him.
Chiba Yun Chuan even took a moment to check the system. That last match had only earned him a little over five hundred Show-off Value!
And it was still ticking up bit by bit.
Looks like he'd have to act even more arrogant.
"Show me everything you've got. Otherwise, you're so weak you won't interest me at all!"
"Ding! Show-off Value +5
Show-off Value +10"
The words sounded casual coming from Chiba Yun Chuan, but they hit hard.
Sure enough, Oshitari Yuushi and Mukahi Gakuto couldn't hold back any longer!
"Bring it on, Captain. We'll show you what we can do. Doubles and singles are different kinds of matches. You can't just challenge a doubles team in singles because you're strong!
Doubles is all about chemistry. Serve, Oshitari."
"Captain, watch closely."
With that, they served!
A few hours later.
"The match is over. The score is six to zero!" By now, the umpire was numb to it.
Time flew by. As the final ball landed, the match came to an end. Nothing unexpected had happened: every match had ended six to zero!
Chiba Yun Chuan had proven with his skill that he was unquestionably worthy of being captain of Hyotei's tennis club!
"That's incredible. Every match was six to zero!"
"Captain Chiba, I love you!"
"I need to get this news back to the school right away. We need to keep a close eye on Hyotei this year!"
Chiba Yun Chuan walked over to his tennis bag, put away his racket, then headed for the school gates.
Hana looked at Ootori Choutarou and Shishido Ryo, who were sprawled on the ground, as well as the Hyotei regulars resting on the benches nearby.
All of Hyotei's regulars except Atobe were still lost in the shock of their defeat. They knew they might lose, but they hadn't expected to be left without even a glimmer of hope!
Seeing their dejected faces, Hana immediately called out,
"Fall in!"
They were exhausted, but at the sound of Hana's voice,
they quickly formed up.
Looking at the dispirited regulars standing before her, Hana decided to drop another bombshell!
"Today's practice matches went very well. I've gathered all your information.
You don't need to look so miserable. There's no shame in losing to that kid!
He's simply too strong. You may not know this, but that kid only started playing tennis a few months ago. He's the most talented middle schooler I've ever seen!
So don't take it to heart. He's a monster!
Can ordinary people really compare themselves to a monster?"
At Hana's words, all the regulars gasped in shock.
"What? How is that possible?" Even Atobe couldn't stay composed. He immediately turned to look at Chiba Yun Chuan.
But all he saw was Chiba's figure receding into the distance, a tennis bag slung over his back!
That figure made him seem invincible, the very embodiment of being unbeatable!
"Coach, is that true? Has Captain Chiba really only been playing tennis for a few months?" Akutagawa Jirou asked.
"That's unbelievable! Is the Captain even human?"
"The Coach just said he's a monster!"
"Ding! Show-off Value +5
Show-off Value +10"
As he walked away, Chiba Yun Chuan watched his Show-off Value keep climbing.
Today's practice match had gone great. He'd earned well over a thousand points of Show-off Value!
What a haul!
And so, Chiba Yun Chuan walked away.
Before the Hyotei regulars had much time to process the shock, Hana continued,
"So your job is to make sure you don't hold him back. His goal may only be to win the National Tournament,
but this isn't an individual competition; it's a team competition. We need every one of you!
Work hard and get stronger. Under his leadership, we'll win the National Tournament. Are you confident?"
"Yes!"
All the regulars shouted in unison.
"Good. That's enough for today. You're all tired, so go home and rest. Be here on time for practice tomorrow morning!" Hana finished and turned to leave.
"Coach, where did the Captain go?" Shishido Ryo asked. The other players all looked toward Hana as well.
By then, Chiba Yun Chuan had already gone far away. They could only see his back.
Hearing the question, Hana smiled faintly.
"He's gone to find the final piece of the championship puzzle!"
By then, Chiba Yun Chuan had left the school grounds and boarded a private car, heading for his family's private airfield!
After several hours, Chiba Yun Chuan arrived at the entrance to a school.
He looked up.
Yamabuki Middle School!
Chiba Yun Chuan had come here to find one person: Akutsu Jin!
Before coming, he had already looked over Akutsu's profile. It was much the same as in the anime.
Akutsu Jin had always been rebellious in his daily life, but no one knew that he was actually a kind person. Everything he did was just to attract attention!
He was a genius, and always had been. He learned everything quickly!
Including tennis.
But Akutsu hadn't joined Yamabuki Middle School's tennis club yet. He was still a second-year student there!
Just like in the original story, Akutsu had enrolled at Yamabuki Middle School, but he still hadn't joined its tennis club!
And Chiba Yun Chuan had come here to get him to transfer to Hyotei!
Chiba Yun Chuan slowly walked into Yamabuki Middle School. He was still wearing the Hyotei Academy regulars' uniform!
"Look, that guy's dressed like a tennis player."
"He's so handsome. I don't think he goes to our school, does he?"
"Looks like he's wearing the Hyotei tennis club's uniform!"
Wherever Chiba Yun Chuan went, his clothes and looks made him the center of attention. At first, he hadn't been used to it.
But now, he didn't care anymore.
In the anime, before Banta arrived, Yamabuki Middle School had been little more than a background team. But after Banta arrived, its strength improved by leaps and bounds!
Before you continue