High Schoolers' Tragedy

"You saw those middle school students just now, do you think you can beat them?"

Do you know why they're here? Because there are too many high school students like you who aren't good enough, and they're here to replace you.

Your days of leisurely drifting through life are over. If you don't work hard, you'll be expelled from U-17. Get to training now!

Horio spoke like a machine gun, and the fear on the faces of the two high school students became increasingly apparent.

Finally, after Horio shouted his last words, the two of them fled the stadium without looking back.

"Two high school students are so afraid of a first-year junior high student; they're destined to be just there to make up the numbers."

Horio shook his head as he watched the two leave in a disheveled state.

The Seigaku team, having left the stadium, had arrived at the main stadium where the control room was located.

Looking around, there were Coach staff members on every court helping the high school students at the Training Base with their practice, while some high school students were standing on the sidelines idly.

"All the equipment is brand new; it seems this training camp is truly extraordinary."

"This U-17 selection tournament training camp is a place to cultivate world-class tennis elites."

I heard that the training is extremely demanding, and more than half of the participants are eliminated in less than a week.

Many promising tennis players have given up tennis because they experienced setbacks here.

Fuji somewhat surprised as he looked at the advanced equipment in each stadium.

Gan continued to flip through his notes, explaining the relevant knowledge about U-17 to others.

"Although we don't know their intentions in bringing us here, since we've joined, we must see it through to the end!"

At this moment, for some reason, Oishi, who should have been worried about everyone first, actually uttered such bold words.

"As expected of Oishi, he's becoming more and more like Captain."

"But there are still people who haven't arrived... Didn't Horio say he'd be there on time!? He's late again!"

Just as Kikumaru made a joke about Oishi, Momoshiro suddenly steered the conversation toward Horio.

"Although I was mentally prepared, this is a rare opportunity, and it would be such a pity to lose my chance because I was late."

"There's still time. He always shows up at the last minute; hopefully, it'll be the same this time."

Kawamura also knew the value of the U-17 training camp, so he hoped that Horio would show up on time.

However, the worry in their hearts could not be dispelled, and the atmosphere among them became somewhat gloomy.

"Those middle school students are really pitiful; they have to suffer at such a young age."

Is this the time for you to worry about others?

"Whispering is prohibited in Court No. 13. Todoroki and Murata are relegated to Court No. 14."

A high school student on a basketball court noticed the somber atmosphere among the crowd and assumed they were scared.

The other high school student was speechless at the high school student's sentiments.

I'm barely able to take care of myself here, yet I have time to worry about others.

The conversation between the two was witnessed by the Kurobe on the sidelines, resulting in an immediate warning followed by punishment.

"Yes..."

The two high school students were speechless in the face of the Kurobe's punishment and dared not resist at all.

Kurobe's voice also attracted the attention of the Seigaku members, and at that moment, Kurobe turned around to look at them.

"Nice to meet you. During the period when the Head Coach is away, you will be guided by the strategic Coach, Kurobe, who is myself."

Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, this training camp consists of 246 high school students and 50 selected junior high school students.

From now on, whether they are junior high school students or high school students, they should learn from each other and strive to improve the overall level of the U-17.

They heard Kurobe say there were fifty junior high school students, but only seven Seigaku students actually reached the Center Court.

Before the Seigaku members could react, Kurobe spoke again.

"But the Head Coach also said that nearly three hundred trainees is too many."

So we threw a total of 250 balls. Anyone who didn't retrieve a ball, please leave the Training Base immediately.

As Kurobe was speaking, an airplane suddenly appeared in the sky.

The plane flew overhead and then dropped 250 tennis balls.

"What!?"

"Really!?"

"Hurry! We need to get the ball!"

After Kurobe finished speaking, he ignored the surprised high school students.

When the high school students saw the ball fall, they immediately became flustered, ignoring everyone around them and focusing solely on grabbing the ball.

Upon seeing this, the Seigaku members immediately sprang into action, and at that moment, a group of familiar figures appeared.

People from Rikkai Dai, Shitenhoji, Hyotei, Higa Junior High School, Fudomine, Yamabuki, and a few other schools.

As soon as everyone entered the court, the tennis balls thrown from the sky were instantly snapped up, with some people even grabbing more than a dozen balls each.

"As expected, you've come too."

"Since you half-baked bastards have been summoned, how could I, as the king, not come?"

"You guys were so careless, you didn't even notice we were here."

Momoshiro was very happy to see these familiar faces; at least Seigaku wasn't fighting alone.

Atobe remained as arrogant as ever, and Sanada maintained his strict style.

"Some of the selected people are from Kansai too."

"Has Horio arrived? I haven't seen him."

At Shitenhoji, Shiraishi had barely finished speaking when Kintaro eagerly inquired about Horio's whereabouts.

"Horio said he'd be there on time, but he hasn't arrived yet, and we don't know where he is..."

The Seigaku members were also worried about Horio, Fuji even went so far as to steal an extra ball because of this.

"Tch, do you think you're the only ones who got chosen? Seigaku isn't the only strong team."

"Oh? It's Kite. You guys are back from rowing? You're really fast."

On the other side of the court, Kite holding a tennis ball turned to look at the Seigaku group.

However, when Kite heard Fuji's words, Kite, who was originally trying to show off, immediately lost her composure.

"Let me make this clear from the start: although we were all selected from junior high school students, that doesn't mean we're all on the same side."

The schools present had all lost to Seigaku, so they all had a desire for revenge against Seigaku.

Without Horio and Tezuka, Seigaku only has Fuji as a truly formidable player.

Oishi felt somewhat ashamed in the face of these schools.

Where's the ball!?

"Not a single one left!?"

"You must be kidding! No way!"

"There aren't any balls left!"

"Damn it! Those middle schoolers snatched them all!"

After the junior high students had divided up all the balls, none of the high school students on the court had gotten a ball.

"It seems the junior high students have all received the balls. Now, let's explain the camp arrangements."