The frustration wasn't limited to young Tezuka and the others.
At Hyotei...
"What kind of garbage is this? Are all middle schoolers in the country this weak?"
On the Hyotei school bus, Atobe Keigo was fuming.
Sitting at the front, Coach Mukahi remained calm. "The regional preliminaries are bound to be dull."
"Hmph. Then this king shall do something not dull!"
The next day.
Hyotei Tennis Club.
BAM—!
BAM—!
BAM—!
The sound of relentless ball strikes echoed across the courts.
The monotonous regional matches had left everyone restless.
So as soon as club activities began, the new generation of regulars channeled their frustration into intense training.
Coach Mukahi was pleased to see this.
However, he had little patience for the lackluster third-years. If not for the need to fill out the roster, he would've expelled them on the spot.
Unfortunately, this year's first-year prodigies were limited:
- Captain Atobe
- Oshitari Yuushi
- Akutagawa Jirou
- Shishido Ryou
- Mukahi Gakuto
Only five true talents—one short of a full lineup.
With two substitutes, they had no choice but to keep the slackers—Matsudaira Chikao, Sasabe Junichi, and Kishimoto Masaomi—on the team.
Had it been up to Mukahi's standards, they would've been kicked out long ago.
"You trash. Why aren't you training?"
A cold voice cut through the air.
Atobe, accompanied by Oshitari, stood before Sasabe and the others, his expression dripping with disdain.
The trio clenched their fists but quickly swallowed their anger, remembering Atobe's influence.
"W-We'll train now!"
Without another word, they stripped off their jackets and jogged to the track.
Despite the club's apparent vigor, Atobe's mood only darkened.
The past matches had been unbearably dull.
While the Metropolitan Tournament would likely pit them against Seigaku, the two-week wait grated on his nerves.
A decision solidified in his mind.
He approached Mukahi. "Coach, Oshitari and I are stepping out."
Mukahi studied him briefly before nodding. "Be careful."
Within Hyotei—no, the entire school—Mukahi's authority was absolute. He was the only one Atobe truly respected.
"Let's go, Oshitari."
"Yes."
As Hyotei's king, Atobe's departure didn't go unnoticed.
After finishing a drill, Mukahi Gakuto approached the coach. "Where'd Atobe go?"
"Seigaku."
"Hah?!"
Gakuto froze. Behind him, Shishido and the others gaped.
Their captain was storming the national champions' turf?!
Shishido blurted, "Did he say that himself?"
"A guess."
Mukahi remained unreadable.
"Return to training. Whatever questions you have—hold them. As Hyotei's king, he acts with purpose. Trust him."
That shut down further inquiries.
Compared to Atobe, their elegantly suited coach commanded even deeper awe. Rumors said Mukahi was a billionaire—a member of the school's board.
"One more thing."
Mukahi halted them, producing a folder. "Review this before resuming."
The group huddled around it, eyes widening at the cover:
[Seigaku Tennis Club Member Profiles]
Curiosity won. They flipped it open—and their complacency shattered.
1. Kawamura Takashi (1st Year)
- Role: Doubles (w/ Yamato Yuudai)
- Playstyle: Frontcourt brute strength. Regional wins via power shots. Undefeated this season.
2. Yamato Yuudai (3rd Year, Vice-Captain)
- Role: Doubles (w/ Kawamura).
- Playstyle: Unpredictable habitual techniques. Key to Seigaku's national title. Undefeated.
...
5. Fuji Syusuke (1st Year)
- Role: Singles.
- Playstyle: Genius-level creativity. "Seigaku's second-strongest rookie." Undefeated, zero points conceded.
6. Tezuka Kunimitsu (1st Year)
- Role: Singles.
- Playstyle: Captain Yoru's protégé. Crushed Seigaku's non-regulars in elementary school. As a middle schooler, defeated veteran Yamato 6-1. Undefeated, zero points conceded.
"This…"
Their minds reeled at the word "undefeated."
But Tezuka and Fuji—not a single point lost?!
Gakuto and the others were floored.
Even in their own flawless regional wins, minor errors had cost them a point or two. Only Atobe had achieved perfect shutouts.
"Keep reading," Mukahi said coolly.
As the wealthiest school in Kantō—with the wealthiest coach—Hyotei's intelligence network was unmatched.
Anticipating the team's post-frustration slump, Mukahi had prepared this dossier to reignite their drive.
QP (3rd Year, Seigaku Strategist)
- German exchange student. Hailed as "Germany's finest masterpiece" in elite clubs. Joined Seigaku under Yoru last year. Zero losses in official matches. "Perfect" playstyle.
Yoru (2nd Year, Captain)
- Playstyle: Stats with no weaknesses. Boasts superhuman perception, copy-enhanced techniques, and sensory manipulation. Rumored QP has never scored a point against him.
- Techniques: Zero-Shiki series, among others...
"This… this can't be real."
"They're middle schoolers?!"
"Tennis Monthly called Yoru 'the strongest middle schooler in history'—even surpassing Samurai Nanjirou. But this is insane!"
Just reading the profiles made their skin crawl.
"Wait—" Gakuto's voice shook. "Coach… who is Atobe challenging?"
"A king challenges only the strongest."
"He's… fighting Yoru?!"
A single thought flashed through their minds:
He's gonna die.
Mukahi, however, was eerily serene. "Even kings must face defeat to grow."
---
Meanwhile...
Hyotei wasn't far from Seigaku, but city traffic was a nightmare.
If only Seigaku had a helipad—Atobe would've taken a helicopter.
Nothing pissed off a king like a traffic jam.
---