The High Schoolers Give In
"It took two people to barely get the ball back; that's really terrible!"
Horio was somewhat disappointed with the high school students' performance, so he decided not to waste any more time.
He concentrated purple energy in his left hand and injected it into the racket, then the purple energy suddenly expanded.
Horio chose to end the game using Universal Gravitation, not the kind that compresses air to accelerate the ball.
Rather, it's the kind of Universal Gravitation that Keith used to hit the ball into the sky, releasing pressure with the tennis ball.
A vortex was generated centered on the racket, which was enveloped in purple.
The dust on the ground was also blown up by the strong cyclone and flew towards the racket.
As the tennis ball approached the striking area, Horio swung his racket.
The tennis ball flew towards the high school students' half of the court, and after stopping over their heads, the pressure in the purple aura was suddenly released.
Unable to withstand the pressure, the high school students collapsed to the ground in an instant.
Then a counterforce of suction was generated, pulling the high school students back into the sky.
"What... what is this?!"
"It's terrifying... I can't even muster the will to resist..."
"That middle school student is indeed very strong... so strong that all of us combined couldn't defeat him in a single blow."
The Universal Gravitation only applies to the high school students on the field; the high school students off the field feel as if they are actually there when they see what is happening.
"Has this brat learned a new move? That's... Qi, right?"
Even Mifune, who had been observing from the sidelines, changed his expression after seeing the Universal Gravitation.
On the basketball court, when Universal Gravitation disappeared, the high school students collapsed to the ground.
"Damn it... I didn't even have a chance to fight back..."
Sasabe, lying on the ground, clenched his fists in despair, but his exhausted body could no longer allow him to stand up.
"With your level of skill, which isn't even half-baked, you think you can go back and seek revenge on middle schoolers? Stop dreaming."
It's not that you think I'm unfit to manage you, it's that I look down on you.
Seeing these unwilling yet powerless high school students, Horio delivered the final blow to their spirits.
"Wait a moment!"
Just as Horio finished speaking and turned to leave, Sasabe's voice came again.
"What nonsense do you have to say, you piece of trash? I don't have time to waste on you."
"Please be our Coach!"
Although Horio's words were still harsh, Sasabe had lost his initial arrogance.
"Why should I teach you now?"
Horio looked up at the high school students, his disdain piercing their hearts like a thorn.
"We'll give it our all! We'll never complain about anything the Coach asks us to do!"
"That's right!"
"Please be our Coach!"
Seeing the death-defying expressions on the high school students' faces, Horio finally turned around.
"Remember what you said. From now on, swing the racket 300 times with this special racket within two hours. If you don't finish, you'll go hungry tonight."
Without giving the high school students any rest time, Horio immediately arranged for them to practice swinging their rackets.
Upon hearing Horio's plan, the high school students, who had initially appeared resolute, changed their expressions.
But this time they didn't resist. After hesitating for a few seconds, they all picked up the special rackets and started practicing their swings.
"That's the result of your Wimbledon trip, isn't it?"
"Not bad, it might have a surprising effect if used during a match."
"You have other uses, don't you?"
Mifune received Horio's affirmative answer, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and asked a question with a hidden meaning.
Horio didn't reply after hearing this, he just smiled.
On the other side, the bus had already transported the middle school students from the Loser Group' bracket to an open area.
"What are they trying to do by leaving us here in a place like this?"
Where exactly is this place?
Seeing that there was nothing but trees around them, the junior high school students were very cautious.
"You've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you for so long!"
Just then, Saito's voice came from not far away, and the group followed the sound.
"Coach Saito, and Toyama, what are you doing here?"
Everyone was puzzled to see Saito and Kintaro.
The eliminated Shitenhoji and his friends also scolded Kintaro.
"Alright everyone, now it's time for my real work."
"What exactly is going on?"
Where exactly is this place?
Weren't we eliminated?
The junior high school students who lost the competition and were eliminated are now emotionally unstable, especially after seeing Saito, the instigator.
"You've indeed been eliminated, but if you don't want to fall too far behind the winners, how about we go hiking?"
Saito remained as gentle as ever towards the hot-tempered junior high students.
After saying that, he pointed to a small hill not far away.
"Climbing a mountain? Does climbing that mountain give you a chance to be resurrected?"
"Well... that depends on your own performance."
"What are you saying! Don't be so vague, just explain it clearly!"
Saito's lack of a definite answer angered the middle school students. At that moment, Kintaro, who was standing next to Saito, picked up his tennis bag and walked towards the hill.
"I'm leaving now, everyone. Bye-bye."
After Kintaro left, seeing that someone had taken the lead, the other junior high school students followed in Kintaro's footsteps.
What's on that mountain?
"Compared to those who emerged victorious and remained, you lost because you were too weak."
"We already know that, so it doesn't count as an answer at all."
After the Loser Group all headed towards the hill, only Sanada remained in place.
With his eyes fixed on Saito, Sanada knew there was more to this than met the eye.
Saito's answer remained vague, which made Sanada somewhat irritated.
"Those who stayed behind have already begun training according to a special procedure, and the gap between you will only widen from now on."
Whether you want to minimize this gap is up to you.
Saito had made his point very clear this time, so Sanada no longer hesitated and took a step in the direction the others had left.
Good luck to you.
Saito turned to look at the small hill in the distance, and his words were a mix of blessing and prayer.
It was dusk, and the middle school students were climbing a steep cliff under the glow of the setting sun.
The journey from the group to the hill was fraught with difficulties.
This journey is not only a test of their willpower, but also a test of their determination to seek revenge.
To ensure their safety, U-17 personnel monitored their condition closely as they embarked on their journey up the hill.
Meanwhile, on the hill, a group of high school students were on the verge of collapse.
With each swing of their rackets, their spirits were tempered.