The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament Begins

The day after the district preliminaries ended, in a park somewhere in Tokyo...

"Horio, do you see anything we should improve about our swings?"

The Seigaku trio had agreed to practice together over the weekend and get better, and now they were keeping their promise. Katsuro and Katsuo had been practicing their swings nonstop until their arms felt like they were about to fall off.

"Mm, not bad. Katsuro, bend your arm a little more. Katsuo, straighten your legs a little more. You're taller, so you don't need to bend like Katsuro."

Horio sat off to the side, thinking about what kind of training he should do next. At this point, his physical abilities and tennis skills...

were already among the best in the world of Prince of Tennis. All he had to do now was refine the techniques he'd already mastered and develop new ones.

"Given where I am now, mastering the three great extremes of the State of Selflessness should let me sweep the National Tournament.

"The State of Selflessness is just about drawing out more of the strength within the body and unlocking its potential. I don't need to worry about that.

"Radiant Talent is useless to me now. My Eye of Shattering Delusions can counter it outright. Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired could be somewhat useful, but I'll have to figure out how to make up for the loss of speed.

"I definitely have to learn Heavenly Clothes Seamless. I might not need it, but it's the most unbeatable weapon there is."

With his plan set, Horio looked at Katsuro and Katsuo practicing their swings, as if he'd made up his mind about something.

"Katsuro, Katsuo, do you know anywhere far from the city, somewhere fairly secluded? Ideally, a place with plenty of nature."

At Horio's question, the two boys stopped swinging their rackets.

"Horio, why do you ask? I do know a place, but it's near the countryside and pretty remote."

"That's perfect. Do you know exactly where it is? Unless something unexpected happens, I'll be staying there until the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament."

"Huh? But aren't you going to train with the school team? Everyone's doing special training for the tournament. Won't something happen to you if you go off into the mountains alone?"

"It's fine. Don't worry about me. Training with the senpai won't help me improve much.

"I need something a little more unusual. When I get back, you'll see a whole new me."

"But even so, what about Coach and Captain Tezuka...?"

"It's fine. I'll handle Coach and Captain myself. If they know I'm going to train, they'll agree."

Since Horio had said all that, Katsuro and Katsuo didn't say anything more.

In the coach's office...

"Horio, are you sure you want to do this? You could still improve by training with everyone."

Coach Ryuzaki looked at Horio, who stood in front of her, and spoke with concern.

"Coach, I know I can improve by training with everyone, but I need to become even stronger.

"To make sure Seigaku wins the championship this year, I have to make preparations that give us a better guarantee. I promise I'll be back before the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament begins. I won't miss the competition."

"That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried that something might happen to you alone in the mountains. If you run into danger, there'll be no one to help you."

"I've already thought of that. There's a village near the place Katsuro mentioned. I plan to stay there, and I'll find villagers to train with."

"But..."

Coach Ryuzaki started to say something more, but Tezuka interrupted her.

"Coach, let him go. I trust my teammates. You do too, don't you?"

Then Tezuka turned to Horio.

"Be careful. More than winning the National Tournament, I care about the safety of Seigaku's players."

After making one more promise, Horio left the coach's office.

"Being close to nature really is nice. Even the air feels cleaner. The next ten days should be interesting."

Dressed in casual clothes and carrying several large bags, Horio headed toward the towering mountains in front of him and began his ten-day training journey.

Meanwhile, back at Seigaku Academy, Captain Tezuka led the team as they prepared for the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament with the special training plan Inui Sadaharu had put together.

After ten days of training day after day, the tournament finally began. The Seigaku team arrived at the venue early that morning.

"What time is it? Why hasn't Horio arrived yet? He's the only one missing, and registration is about to close."

Oishi, the vice-captain, grew anxious when Horio still hadn't shown up.

"That kid's usually right on time. Why is he late today? Is that brat messing with us on purpose?"

"Oishi, how much time do we have before registration closes?"

Horio still hadn't appeared, and even Tezuka, who had remained calm all this time, seemed a little anxious. He knew Horio would show up, but they had to sort out the registration first.

"Five minutes."

Hearing Oishi say they had only five minutes, Tezuka looked down at his watch.

"We have no choice. Katsuo, come here and put on the uniform. You can pretend to be Horio during registration for now..."

Tezuka hadn't finished explaining how Katsuo would impersonate Horio when Horio's voice rang out.

"Right on time—not early, not late. I'm back, everyone."

"Honestly, you only show up now? Horio, you had everyone worried."

"Sorry, Oishi-senpai. I came straight back as soon as my training ended."

"Good. Now that everyone's here, let's go register."

Tezuka looked at Horio, fresh from his training, as if trying to spot what had changed.

But aside from Horio looking stronger, there didn't seem to be anything different about him.

Yet the less obvious the changes, the more certain Tezuka became that Horio's mountain training had greatly improved his skills.

So he didn't waste time talking and led everyone to the tournament registration desk.

After registering, the Seigaku team headed to the courts.

Their first opponents were an unknown school, Renda Junior High. Since it was the first match, Seigaku had to play all five matches.

Leaving out Tezuka, who was still recovering from his arm injury, the remaining seven players all had their assignments.

Kawamura and Fuji were Second Doubles, Oishi and Kikumaru were First Doubles, Ryoma was Third Singles, Kaitou was Second Singles, and Horio was First Singles. That was Tezuka's decision.

Unless something special came up, Horio would take Tezuka's place.

To outsiders, it was hard to believe that a first-year would take the most important position, First Singles. But for the Seigaku team, even Ryoma, who never backed down, had no objections.

Because, in their eyes, Horio was on the same level as Tezuka.