Training Camp Ends

"There's also the issue of Kaitou's stamina. He was already quite fit, and now he's improved even further."

Kawamura's strength has increased by about 10% compared to before, and the problem of uneven strength between his left and right hands has also been somewhat improved.

Fuji and Ryoma are both all-around players. Although Fuji leans a bit more towards defense, their overall strength has improved.

Honestly, Horio is very satisfied with the significant progress he's made after five days of training.

"And what about you, Senpai?"

He felt like something was missing, and after thinking about it, Horio realized that Mikawa hadn't mentioned himself.

"I can't possibly give you my information; it's something only I know."

As he spoke, he adjusted his glasses again. Seeing how secretive he was being, Horio didn't ask any further questions.

"By the way, Senior Senpai, we probably won't be holding any more intra-school ranking competitions until the National Tournament, right?"

"Judging from the schedule of the National Tournament, it's probably not going to happen. Even if we wanted to, there wouldn't be time."

"Really? If Captain Tezuka comes back then, won't he be unable to rejoin the team, or will someone be forcibly removed?"

Tezuka suddenly remembered that Horio was about to return to the team, and he wasn't very clear about the specific format of the National Tournament.

"It seems to depend on the Coach's decision, when the National Tournament begins."

The Coach will select players from the regular starters. If there are strong players outside the regular starters, they may also be selected to play, since the tournament committee only accepts the submitted roster.

Hearing what Miki said, Horio felt much more at ease.

"Great, it's finally all over! Let's go pack our things!"

Just then, Kikumaru's voice came; it turned out that all the tests were finished.

The thought of picnicking and camping in the mountains immediately roused Kikumaru's spirits, making him eager for some fun.

I originally wanted to talk to Kane some more, but Kikumaru just grabbed Horio and took him away.

Half an hour later, a group of people dressed in casual clothes set off up the mountain with tents, barbecue grills, seasonings, bowls, plates, and other supplies.

"Phew... the tent's all set up! Oishi, let's share this tent."

Seeing the tent in front of him, big enough to hold three people, Kikumaru immediately pulled Oishi to his side.

The eleven people brought a total of five tents, Kaitou were eventually divided equally among Oishi and Kikumaru, Tezuka and Fuji, Kawamura and Fuji, Inui and Ryoma, Katsuo Horio and Katsuro.

After the tents were set up, everyone began to divide the work and finally completed all the preparations before sunset.

The sun sets and night falls especially quickly.

In front of the barbecue grill, Kawamura was grilling all sorts of meat, while the others gathered around the fire.

"That's great! This is the feeling we should have when we're out having fun!"

"Eiji, we're not out here to have fun this time."

"Oh, I know, Oishi, but after this special training, I really feel like I've improved a lot."

During the test this morning, Oishi and I felt like we were one person; it was such a wonderful feeling.

Hearing Kikumaru's words, Horio became serious.

"Kikumaru- Senpai, do you remember that level I mentioned back then? You guys should be able to reach that level soon."

"It seems to be called... Synchronization, right? What exactly is it like? It sounds really powerful."

"That's a level of skill that can only be cultivated when doubles players are at their wits' end. On the court, you not only have to completely trust your partner, but you also have to be able to clearly perceive your partner's thoughts and actions."

That level of skill is very difficult to achieve even with deliberate practice. As a professional doubles player once said, "Only Synchronization doubles can conquer the world."

Everyone else was shocked when they heard Horio say that.

I never imagined that the so-called Synchronization would be so powerful. If the Golden Pair could learn Synchronization, wouldn't Seigaku's doubles team be invincible?

"Now that you mention it, I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder how powerful we'll be once we start Synchronization?"

"Oh, Oishi, if we activate Synchronization, we'll definitely be the number one doubles team in the country! That way, we won't lose in doubles."

With Tezuka and Horio the team, we're guaranteed to win both singles matches. This year's national championship will definitely belong to Seigaku."

It has to be said that Kikumaru is a true optimist, and it was precisely his words that fueled the fighting spirit of the others.

"Look! A shooting star! Quick, make a wish!!"

Suddenly, Kikumaru's voice pulled everyone's thoughts back from the joy of winning the championship, and they looked up to see that several shooting stars were indeed flying across the sky.

"I hope we can win the national championship this year!"

"No, Kikumaru, if you say your wish out loud when you make a wish on a shooting star, it won't come true."

"Oishi, didn't you also wish for us to win the national championship? Mine didn't come true, but yours will definitely."

Kikumaru's words left Oishi speechless, while the others watched the shooting star streak across the sky, their eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

Although no one spoke, at this moment, everyone had only one wish in their hearts: to win the championship.

"Alright everyone, go pack your things. Come back here in half an hour, the bus will be here soon."

After a night of picnic and camping, everyone immediately went back to their rooms to pack their luggage.

This is the morning of the eighth day since arriving at the manor, and the week-long special training has officially ended.

Next up for everyone is the National Tournament they've all been waiting for.

On the way back, the group was not as behaving as they had on the way there.

Everyone was looking out the window, at the place where they had spent seven days.

Looking at this place that caused me seven days of pain, yet which I somehow don't want to leave.

As the scenery outside the window gradually changed from forests to skyscrapers, the Seigaku members were getting further and further away from the manor.

"We've arrived at school. Everyone, you can all go home now. The training these past few days has been tough, both of you first-year students have had it, so everyone should go back and get some rest."

"Yes."

The bus stopped at the school gate, and everyone got off without going into the school and dispersed.

"What!? Coach Ryuzaki is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow!?"

"That's great, Coach Ryuzaki has finally recovered."

"Should we pick her up tomorrow, or wait for her at the club?"

The members of the Seigaku tennis club, who had just finished their morning training, were very excited when they heard Tezuka say that Coach Ryuzaki was going to be discharged from the hospital.

"We'll just wait for her to come back at the club, and we'll check on the results of her special training when she gets back tomorrow."

Therefore, all the starting players must participate in an intra-team practice match tomorrow to ensure Coach Ryuzaki is satisfied.

Tezuka's words startled the regulars, as if they were about to be randomly selected by a teacher to check their homework.

No matter how much progress they make, they will get nervous if they are randomly selected for a test by the teacher, let alone these junior high school students.