Loser Group's Growth

After the tennis ball struck the boulder, the force released from the ball crushed the boulder's surface.

The light blades that followed continued to cut into the boulder, causing some of the hard rock to crack.

After the power of that ball dissipated, a similar dent remained on the boulder.

"At this rate, it should be finished before they come down the mountain."

Byodoin, I'm really looking forward to it.

Thinking about how the First String and second teams would soon be returning home after their overseas training, Horio couldn't help but smile.

After Horio informed Mifune about the situation of the winning junior high school students, Mifune devised a new training plan for them.

From that day on, junior high and high school students began their daily training.

About five days later, at dusk one day, when the junior high school students and the high school students were practicing catching the ball while climbing the mountain again, the outcome of the competition was finally decided.

After five days of practice, most high school and junior high school students have gradually gotten used to running on the hill.

When Mifune instructed the Eagles to drop the tennis ball, Sasabe and Matsudaira were the first two high school students to be put to the test during this training session.

Based on their speed, it's certain they can return the ball before it hits the ground.

"I won't let you get a shot! The winner will definitely be us junior high students!"

At that moment, Kintaro's excited and determined voice rang out, and his figure rushed out from behind Sasabe and Matsudaira.

He swerved left and right as he ran, and after overtaking the two, he suddenly sprinted forward.

Just as the ball was about to hit the ground, his racket caught it.

"Ah! Go back here!"

Kintaro let out an excited roar and swung the tennis ball he had received towards a spot behind him.

The tennis ball flew rapidly toward Horio, and just as it was about to hit Horio reached out and caught the ball.

"The winner takes all!"

Having reached the top of the mountain, Kintaro turned around and looked at the junior high school students below, excitedly raising his racket.

When the other middle school students saw Kintaro's success, they cheered.

Regardless of which school they came from before, at this moment they are a collective.

The high school students, however, wore expressions of utter resentment.

"Now that the middle school student has received the ball, the game is over. The middle school student can go back now, and the high school student stays behind."

While the junior high students were still cheering and the high school students were still feeling resentful, Mifune immediately stopped them.

The middle school students suppressed their joy and, without paying any attention to why Mifune had kept the high school students behind, returned to the camp.

"Is it time? It looks like the real revolution is about to begin."

Seeing that Mifune had left the failed high school students behind, Horio knew it was time for the middle school students to leave.

"As punishment for your failure, you will ambush me on the way down the mountain tonight."

Upon hearing Mifune mention the words "down the mountain," the high school students immediately sensed something was wrong.

"The junior high school students will appear on the way down the mountain today. Your task is to hinder their progress by serving along the way."

As long as they receive all your serves, let them continue.

Sure enough, the reward for winning this training exercise was the chance to be the first to descend the mountain.

"You little brats, you can't even beat those middle school students. Looks like you'll have to keep practicing here."

After the punishment is over, come back immediately for extra training. Now go back to camp and prepare dinner.

The high school students dared not object to Mifune's arrangements.

Upon hearing Mifune's order to disband, they all left with their heads down.

"There's a wooden hut at the foot of the mountain, where their Revolutionary Army uniforms are kept. That's their last line of defense; you'll be stationed there."

If they succeed, then you can bring them back to the training camp. The standard for success is that they can return eight balls at the same time.

"Actually, they should have met the criteria to descend the mountain long ago. The reason they were a few days late is probably because you didn't have a valid reason."

"Hmph, I don't need reasons for doing things. Just do as I say."

Seeing Mifune's stubbornness, Horio didn't press the issue further and prepared to turn and leave.

"Wait a minute, this is for you."

Just as Horio was about to leave, Mifune tossed something to Horio.

"This is... zero?"

Horio caught it and saw that the badge in his hand looked like a small shield, with an Arabic numeral zero engraved on it.

"Kid, the world is waiting for you. You are the Zero that I, Mifune Nyudo, have been searching for for many years."

Take this with you and show the world what's what.

Horio chuckled softly upon hearing Mifune's words.

He gripped the badge tightly in his hand, then turned and left.

"Everyone, line up in one single file, quick!"

In the middle of the night, as dawn was approaching, Mifune gathered all the junior high school students in an open space.

By this time, thick fog had enveloped the mountains, severely impairing visibility.

Upon hearing Mifune's words, the middle school students immediately sprang into action.

Kintaro thought he was going to line up to receive a reward, so he moved quickly and went to the front of the line.

"From now on, you must maintain a single-file formation and run as fast as you can on this road."

Just like regular training, we can't relax for a moment, and our steps can't stop at all.

As you run, balls will appear to hinder your progress, and the person in the lead must hit the ball back.

After the person in the front row hits the ball back, they move to the back of the line, and the second person in line becomes the leader again.

If any of you stop or miss the ball, then you have to go back here and start over.

"Coach... wait a minute, so this is our reward?"

"What? I thought there would be takoyaki."

"Stop rambling on and on! Just focus on finishing the run!"

The reward given by Mifune caused some junior high school students who were unaware of what was going on to complain, but Mifune never indulged them.

His temper flared up again, leaving the junior high students with no choice but to obey.

"Hey, wait a minute."

As the junior high school students walked forward to begin, Mifune called out to Sanada, who was at the very end of the line.

"If you can run the whole course in one go, then keep running forward and don't need to come back. There are people waiting for you up ahead."

"Don't come back, what does that mean?"

Alright! Let's go!

Before Sanada could get an answer, Mifune got everyone moving.

Seeing everyone else rushing into the thick fog, Sanada had no choice but to follow.

"Let me see your guts, you brats. Your leader is waiting for you at the finish line."

Watching the middle school students disappear into the thick fog, Mifune's eyes showed a look of affirmation for them for the first time.

"Seriously, what is that drunkard, Coach Rudao, thinking all day long?"

"By the way, how far is this road, exactly?"

"The fog is so thick now, it's impossible to make any judgments."

"Then we won't have to drive for dozens of kilometers straight, will we?"

"It might only be one kilometer or so."

"Based on past experience, the probability that an introductory Coach would set the distance to one kilometer is zero."

The middle school students immediately started complaining after they ran out.

Being shrouded in thick fog, the end of the road was completely invisible.

"The ball is here!"

After everyone had run a distance, the high school students finally had their serve.

Kintaro immediately swung his racket to return the attack, successfully resolving the first wave.

"Young man from Momoshiro, it's your turn!"

"No problem!"

After returning the ball, Kintaro immediately gave up his position to Momoshiro behind him.

"Don't make a mistake. If you slip up, we'll all have to start over."

"Hehe, keep that line for yourself."

After Momoshiro confidently answered Kintaro, Kaitou behind him also spoke up to remind him.

But Momoshiro, now a completely different player, was unlikely to make a mistake. Seeing the two balls flying towards him, he confidently swung his racket.

In this way, all the junior high school students successfully returned the incoming tennis balls.

Alright! Round two begins!

After Sanada returned all four balls, Kintaro was back in the lead.

This time, the number of tennis balls increased to five, which is within Kintaro's return range.

However, this time the five balls were much more powerful, and Kintaro felt it clearly, as did the other middle school students.

"The ball's power increased significantly starting in the second round."

"That's right, the ball I just received was also quite powerful."

They didn't know the ball was hit by a high school student; if they had, they wouldn't have been so surprised.

Because their training during this period has resulted in more than just progress.

"The ball is here again!"

"I saw it."

Upon hearing Kintaro's reminder, Sanada immediately realized what was going on.

As the thick fog dissipated slightly, seven balls flew in. Sanada unleashed his Swift as the Wind Storm and successfully returned them to their doom.

"We've reached the end! We're going to finish the race! Kintaro, the final blow is up to you!"

After Sanada finished playing and lined up at the back, the group saw a light not far away on the road.

Leave it to me!

Upon hearing Oishi's reminder, Kintaro immediately became excited.

But the next ball to fly out wasn't seven, it was eight.

"There are eight balls..."

"Oh no, Kintaro hasn't hit eight balls yet!"

"Kintaro! Believe in yourself!"

"Go, Xiao Jin!"

"Fight them all back!"

Knowing that Kintaro couldn't hit eight balls yet, the middle school students behind him cheered him on.

"Kintaro, I remember you were really happy when you played, even in that match against Oni, even though you weren't as good as him, you still enjoyed it."

"Believe in yourself... believe in yourself... I'm going to fight back!"

Hearing the cheers from his teammates behind him, and remembering what Horio had said earlier, Kintaro's eyes suddenly narrowed.

Facing the eight balls flying towards him, he swung his racket.