Targeting Horio in a Challenge Match

However, Horio wouldn't tolerate this behavior. As Zero, he didn't need to be assigned to any team at all. It was Mifune who forced him to do so, ostensibly to help middle school students adapt more quickly.

Horio, who always hated trouble, was asked by Mifune to do things he didn't want to do; fulfilling his responsibilities was the biggest concession he could make.

Now, with Atobe still making sarcastic remarks, Horio couldn't suppress his displeasure any longer.

"I had already prepared a training plan for you, but congratulations, I've changed my mind."

His gaze swept over the thirteen team members, finally settling on Atobe.

"Tomorrow, any one of you thirteen can challenge me, and I will not refuse."

You decide the format, whether it's a single-game decider, best of three, or best of five.

"If you beat me, you can have the Captain's title, and I'll quit the junior high school team."

Seeing Horio's serious expression, the group of middle school students knew that their first-year junior was angry.

Atobe, in particular, didn't look too happy after realizing he'd gone too far.

"You have one more day to practice and develop tactics. The others can watch tomorrow, but you only have tomorrow morning."

Seeing that no one spoke, Horio took it as their tacit acceptance of the bet.

Knowing that there was a match at Byodoin the next day, Horio only gave them half a day to challenge.

After finishing his tasks, Horio left the stadium.

"It seems that even though the training camp is coming to an end, the situation hasn't improved. Tomorrow morning will be a tough battle."

"Since there's no punishment for losing, I'll just give it a try."

Fuji frowned as he watched Horio leave.

At this moment, Kite smiled, indicating his intention to participate in the battle.

"That guy is clearly targeting me, how can I back down?"

"Finally, I have a chance to get revenge. That brat, I'll teach him a lesson tomorrow."

"Great! I can finally have a proper match with Horio!"

"It's been a long time since I competed against him. I wonder how far I can push him now."

"Right now, between my mental strength and that of that boy, who is superior?"

"This is incredibly pleasurable! My left hand is trembling with excitement."

"We absolutely cannot let our guard down for tomorrow's match!"

After Kite reserved a spot, Atobe, Akutsu, Kintaro, Fuji, Yukimura, Shiraishi, and Sanada all added themselves to the roster for tomorrow's match.

It is worth noting that, apart from Shiraishi, all of these people had some connection with Horio.

Or rather, apart from Shiraishi, all of these people had lost to Horio and had never successfully avenged themselves.

Although they knew in their hearts that their chances of winning against Horio were slim, these competitive teenagers were unlikely to let go of that tiny probability.

The next day, all the junior high school students gathered together in the Center Court.

Staff from the training camp were also present to prepare for Horio's match against the other junior high school team members that morning.

"What's going on? Wasn't the junior high school students' match against Byodoin in the afternoon?"

"And the junior high school students have also shown up, so the Coach staff must have some plans for them."

"Oh? The Head Coach and the other three Coach are here too."

In the stands, the First String's players were also drawn to the spectacle at the Center Court, along with Mifune and others.

The venue was already packed with people even before the match started.

"It seems these middle school student representatives are quite a difficult bunch."

"Even knowing he's no match for Horio, he still wants to challenge authority?"

"Even if it were two against one, they couldn't beat Horio. That guy's physical strength is terrifying..."

"Let these brats suffer a bit. Horio knows what he's doing."

In the stands, the three Coach, Kurobe, Saito, and Takuetsu, all knew that the outcome of this match was predetermined.

However, the three acknowledged the fighting spirit of the junior high school student who dared to take on the challenge.

Mifune, standing at the head of the three, looked calmly at the junior high school students who were on high alert on the court.

"Is everyone here? Let's hurry up, whoever wants to be the first can come up."

Once everyone had arrived, Horio also came to the stadium.

Seeing the middle school students' serious expressions, Horio cut straight to the point.

"Then I won't hold back! Let's have a real match!"

Upon seeing Horio appear, Kintaro rushed onto the court first.

I bet you'll choose best of five.

"Exactly! It wouldn't be exciting enough if it were decided in just one round."

Seeing that Kintaro was the first to go on stage, Horio knew exactly what he was thinking without even thinking.

"Same as always, you serve first."

After giving the serve to Kintaro, Horio went to the backcourt.

"The match begins, best of five games, with Toyama serving."

"How lucky! I won't stand on ceremony!"

Reaching the baseline, Kintaro gripped the ball tightly.

"A super-million-ton fantastical volcanic eruption serve!"

Kintaro forcefully tossed the tennis ball into the air, then flipped his body and jumped into the air.

As he flipped his body and swung his racket, the tennis ball flew out with a bang.

It hurtled towards Horio with immense force, and Horio took a step back.

At the same time, the racket was swung towards Kintaro's serve, and the tennis ball collided with the racket.

Before the air blast could even form, the tennis ball was returned.

"As expected of Horio, he was able to easily return my serve."

The tennis ball was returned, and Kintaro, who had just landed, immediately moved to prepare for a counterattack.

Upon reaching the ball's landing point, Kintaro hit a short ball with a backhand.

Horio also came to the net and swung his racket to hit Lob Shot towards Kintaro's backcourt.

"Lob Shot, that's exactly what I wanted!"

The appearance of the Lob Shot brought a smile to Kintaro's face, and then he jumped up again.

"Super Thousand Jin Invincible Mount Tai Pressing Smash!"

Kintaro jumped to a height higher than a tennis ball, then spun several times at an angle, unleashing Aggressive as Fire Smash Shot one Sanada had hit earlier.

Bang!

"Yuyama scores, 15:0"

"Kintaro scored the first point!"

"Kintaro's really something. He didn't even use that Smash Shot in his match against Oni-san. Was he saving it for Horio?"

"That smash was really powerful. If it had been anyone else, their wrist would probably have been injured."

Kintaro scored the first point with Smash Shot, much to the surprise of the junior high school students watching from the sidelines.

"That was a very powerful smash."

Looking at the tennis ball mark left on the ground, Horio's lips curled into a playful smile.

"Let's try playing a few more balls."

"Of course! I'll use this trick to keep scoring points."

Kintaro didn't hold back when he heard Horio's words.

Bang!

"Yuyama scores, 30:0"

Kintaro smashed another Smash Shot, taking another point from Horio.

"Was that Smash Shot from Toyama that powerful? Even Horio couldn't handle it."

"It is indeed very strong, but not to that extent."

"That's right, there are only two goals so far. Letting that kid get cocky for a bit isn't a big deal."

Off the court, the high school team members were surprised by Kintaro's Super Thousand Jin Invincible Mount Tai Pressing Smash, but more than that, they were skeptical.

Oni and Irie knew that Horio was more than that, so they concluded that Horio was faking it.

Bang!

"Yuyama scores, 40:0"

"It seems you've made quite a bit of progress since you came back from the mountain."

Kintaro scored three consecutive points with spikes, Horio also felt the power behind it.

"Of course! I'm going to get stronger and stronger!"

Kintaro felt quite pleased to hear Horio praise him.

"However, if we want to keep scoring, we'll need to come up with something even more impressive."

Seeing Kintaro's smugness, Horio immediately poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Oh no, Horio's getting serious."

Those who knew Horio immediately thought of what Horio said.

On the court, facing Horio's Lob Shot, Kintaro seized the opportunity and jumped into the sky again.

"No need for anything more powerful, this one move is enough!"

Super Thousand Jin Invincible Mount Tai Pressing Smash!

If Kintaro can win just one more point, he will score a point, so this Smash Shot will be more powerful than the previous ones.

"Then you should stick with this to the end."

Facing the Smash Shot, Horio jumped up and then unleashed a Billy Shotgun Intercept.

Bang!

"Horio scores, 15:40"

"What a pity. If they had scored on that basket, they would have taken the lead."

Horio scores with a return shot; Kintaro is still in the air after the tennis ball lands.

Seeing that his hidden Smash Shot was broken by Horio in just three balls, Kintaro was shocked but also became even more excited.

"This is so exciting! I knew you wouldn't give up so easily, Horio!"

Kintaro was already very excited that his wish to have a proper match with Horio had come true.

Now, because Horio has broken through his Super Thousand Jin Invincible Mount Tai Pressing Smash, Kintaro's excitement has reached another level.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Horio scores, making the score 5-1.

The tennis ball landed in the corner behind Kintaro, Horio scored the sixth point.

After Kintaro scored the first point, Horio maintained the advantage.

"As expected, the difference in strength is still too obvious. Even if Kintaro tries his best, he can't gain any advantage."

"Is Horio even a middle school student? He's way too strong."

"Even Kintaro was suppressed like this by Horio, what are the other Senpai haven't even had a chance to play yet going to do?"

Kintaro's weakness caused the middle school students, who had initially thought Kintaro had a fighting chance, to immediately lose their confidence.

Seeing that even someone like Kintaro, who is among the top-tier middle school students, couldn't gain an advantage, Momoshiro began to worry about the players who would be next in the competition.

"Hey Momoshiro, you're quite the worrywart, aren't you? Why don't you warm up with us before we go on stage?"

Atobe found Momoshiro's words very offensive Atobe wanted to teach Momoshiro a lesson first.