Tezuka, you're finally here. Forget about Seigaku; come with me to Hyotei. You'll be one of my future three Captains!
Shiratsu Tomohoshi thought, since he was going to Hyotei, he might as well recruit more people for Coach Sakaki to bring over, which would save him effort and worry. Besides, Tezuka was truly miserable, sigh, let's not talk about it; those who know, know.
In Shiratsu Tomohoshi's mind, Atobe would definitely go to Hyotei, so bringing Tezuka along, plus himself, made three people, three Captains. As for Seigaku, what was so good about that place? Players were beaten and severely injured, but the club didn't say anything, and afterward, Tezuka was stuck there for three full years, delaying treatment and affecting his strength.
That useless Old Woman wasn't very strong either; she only taught Nanjirō (who was self-taught anyway) and constantly boasted, resulting in many talented first-years just picking up balls. Tsk tsk tsk, Tezuka, this time I'll take you away and let you experience the world early!
"Hello, classmate, may I ask if you are the champion of this year's elementary school tennis tournament?" Tezuka was still Tezuka, asking very politely.
"Yes, classmate, my name is Shiratsu Tomohoshi. Is there something I can help you with?" Quick, quick, challenge me. If you lose, come to Hyotei.
"My name is Tezuka Kunimitsu, and I was also one of the players in this tournament, but I arrived late and missed the matches. I wonder if I could ask for a match with you?" These words were sincere and heartfelt; how could Shiratsu Tomohoshi bear to refuse? Heh heh heh.
"It's like this, Tezuka, may I ask if you have a school in mind already?"
"Naturally, Seigaku," Tezuka replied without hesitation. "What about you?"
"Hyotei, of course, Hyotei. So, Tezuka, are you interested in coming to Hyotei with me?"
"But Seigaku after all..."
"You mean Seigaku produced a Samurai, right? But don't forget, it was because of the Samurai that Seigaku gained its reputation. Mr. Nanjirō made that name himself; it has nothing to do with Seigaku. Moreover, Seigaku can't give you systematic training; you'll only be picking up balls. In comparison, Hyotei, where the strong reign supreme, is your pinnacle."
"But..."
"How about this, let's make a bet, you want to play a match with me, right? I just finished a match, and my stamina has dropped a lot. Playing with you now wouldn't be an advantage for me. If I win, then you come with me to Hyotei. If I don't win, then I won't bring up taking you away again. How about it?" Shiratsu Tomohoshi revealed his fangs. Tezuka proposed a match, and he proposed a bet. Excellent, I've got this great general recruited!
"This..." Tezuka hesitated. Although he felt he wouldn't lose, he was already planning to go to Seigaku, and switching to Hyotei would be troublesome.
"Tezuka, if you don't even have the courage to accept this small bet, then what is your proud tennis? Do you really believe you can't beat me?" Shiratsu Tomohoshi continued to provoke Tezuka.
Perhaps provoked, Tezuka gritted his teeth: "Alright, it's a deal. Let's start now."
Nice, Tezuka agreed. Stay calm; a 6:0 win will finish the job!
"Heads or tails?"
"Heads!"
"My serve!"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi was ready for a quick finish.
Four Zero-Shiki serves immediately secured a game, simple and brutal.
Tezuka was astonished; he himself rarely hit such shots. This person... It was Tezuka's turn to serve. Shiratsu Tomohoshi directly used Extinction of Five Senses... Damn, that was fast!
About seven or eight minutes later, Shiratsu Tomohoshi lifted the restriction, and Tezuka regained his composure:
"I lost."
"Yes, you lost. According to our agreement, come to Hyotei. Our goal is three consecutive national championships!"
"Three consecutive championships?!"
"Yes, with you, my chances are even greater. When school starts, you'll see me bring many people." Shiratsu Tomohoshi was ready to continue his recruitment efforts.
"Also, if anything is inconvenient at Hyotei, come to me in advance, and I'll handle it." Shiratsu Tomohoshi left his number, indicating that Tezuka should call him if needed.
Before leaving, Shiratsu Tomohoshi also asked Tezuka if he knew Fuji Syusuke. Unexpectedly, their relationship was very good. Shiratsu Tomohoshi suggested that Tezuka bring Fuji along tomorrow to meet, and if Fuji could directly enter Hyotei, it would save him a lot of talk.
Tomorrow, he would take Tezuka and Fuji to Hyotei to talk with Coach Sakaki, as special individuals naturally received special consideration.
As for now, the task of poaching Tezuka was complete. He would go home, have a meal, and get a good night's sleep. Training? Not happening. He wasn't the original body; his passion for tennis was real, but he wasn't a machine that only knew how to train.
Next, the poaching would begin; this was just the first year.
Back home, a luxurious dinner was already laid out on the table:
"Young Master, please enjoy your meal!" The butler bowed and said to Shiratsu Tomohoshi.
Shiratsu Tomohoshi first took a shower, then returned to eat. The meal was quick, and then he went back to his room to sleep.
A peaceful night, filled with good dreams.
In the morning, Shiratsu Tomohoshi groggily opened his eyes and immediately picked up his phone, seeing a message from Tezuka:
"At 10 AM, I will bring my parents to Hyotei to discuss enrollment. I'll also bring Fuji; he said he wants to see it first before deciding whether to enroll. Are you coming?"
The message showed it was sent half an hour ago. It was now 8:30 AM; still good.
He got up, tidied himself, washed up, ate, and then Shiratsu Tomohoshi went directly to Hyotei.
Since Alexander had already completed all the procedures, today was just about accompanying Tezuka, and, securing Fuji!
At Hyotei, in a regular office, several people were seated: Coach Sakaki, Tezuka and his family, Fuji who came to watch the excitement, and Shiratsu Tomohoshi who came to secure Fuji.
The negotiation process was very smooth, mainly focusing on what conditions Hyotei could offer.
There were no excessive demands, as earning money would be very easy if they became professional players.
Finally, it was decided to waive all of Tezuka's school fees, with the school also covering the costs of holiday study trips, and a substantial scholarship was promised to Tezuka. Hmm, it was pretty much what Shiratsu Tomohoshi had expected.
Soon, Coach Sakaki and Tezuka's family reached an agreement; he officially joined Hyotei. The adults conversed for a while and then left.
Shiratsu Tomohoshi signaled Coach Sakaki to leave first, preparing to recruit Fuji. Once successful, Coach Sakaki would then approach Fuji's parents to discuss enrollment. Coach Sakaki left very happily; he was already delighted to have Tezuka and Shiratsu Tomohoshi. This year, Hyotei's performance would at least not be bad.
He hadn't had a good look at Fuji yet, having been busy watching the negotiations. He was just as he'd seen before: a height not considered tall for a first-year, a slender physique, brown hair, eyes that didn't open when he wasn't watching the excitement, and a perpetually harmless smile—all his hallmarks.
Getting straight to the point, Fuji spoke: "Shiratsu, Tezuka told me you defeated him, and you also want to poach me for Hyotei, right?"
"Yes, my current goal is Hyotei's three consecutive national championships, and you will be one of my pieces of the puzzle," Shiratsu Tomohoshi replied directly.
"Three consecutive championships?" Fuji was slightly surprised but didn't pay too much attention. "Then, Shiratsu, could you play a match with me? I want to see your tennis."
"See you on the court," a simple and direct reply.
The three of them first went to the tennis club's coach's office on the way, greeting Coach Sakaki and indicating they were going to play. But they didn't expect to first see a large, high-end display cabinet.
Shiratsu Tomohoshi went to look at it. Well, there were no Kanto Tournament championships. How long had Rikkaidai monopolized them? The original body really couldn't remember, but they were very strong, that's for sure.
No matter, I'll poach your players until you have no one left!
Tezuka and Fuji naturally also saw this scene. Coach Sakaki was a little embarrassed. Shiratsu Tomohoshi broke the silence: "Don't worry, Coach, we'll bring back all the championship titles for the next three years to Hyotei for you!"
Tezuka naturally believed him; yesterday's match had fully demonstrated his strength. If Shiratsu Tomohoshi defeated Fuji today, Hyotei's lineup would be epic.
Fuji heard this for the third time; the first was a retelling from Tezuka, the second was just now in the classroom, and this was the third time. Did this person really have such great confidence?
Coach Sakaki, on the other hand, was hearing it for the first time. He had thought Shiratsu Tomohoshi was just exceptionally talented with a family background, but he hadn't expected him to have such great ambition.
"Good, I'll be waiting for you to bring back all the championship titles for the next three years!"
Coach Sakaki also responded enthusiastically.
Without further delay, Tezuka, Fuji, and Shiratsu Tomohoshi went to the tennis court.
Shiratsu Tomohoshi didn't want to waste time and prepared to defeat Fuji as quickly as possible.
"You serve," Shiratsu Tomohoshi conceded the serve.
"Okay," Fuji didn't dally.
A vanishing serve?
"For me, this technique isn't very clever."
Shiratsu Tomohoshi spoke, and then, a return ace.
"0:15!" Tezuka's voice sounded.
Fuji was not resigned, serving the same way.
"0:30!"
"0:40!"
"Game to Shiratsu Tomohoshi, score 1:0."
"Fuji, I'm not playing around anymore."
Should I try that move? The one from my dream!
Star Burst!
"10... 15:0!" Tezuka was a little surprised. This shot?
Star Burst, similar to a hallucinatory effect. To them, the ball looked like a star in the sky, exploding in an instant.
"Game to Shiratsu Tomohoshi, score 2:0!"
"Game to Shiratsu Tomohoshi, score 3:0!"
..."Game to Shiratsu Tomohoshi, score 5:0!"
"Fuji, it's over!"
"Match over, Shiratsu Tomohoshi wins, score 6:0!"
Simple and brutal, he won the match. Fuji wasn't disheartened and still came over smiling:
"I will become stronger, and then I'll challenge you again. I'm joining Hyotei!"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi smiled; Fuji was also recruited, excellent. Afterward, Fuji went home to discuss his enrollment at Hyotei with his parents tomorrow. Tezuka went home with his parents. Shiratsu Tomohoshi indicated that Tezuka should go ahead, as he still had some things to do.
"Ding, Host has successfully rewritten Fuji Syusuke's destiny, gaining one attribute point, which can be randomly allocated.
Ding, congratulations Host for changing Tezuka Kunimitsu's destiny; his injury plot will be erased from the world.
Gained one attribute point, which can be randomly allocated.
Gained item: One exclusive black racket (never breaks).
Gained data sharing (when Host imparts knowledge to others, they grasp it instantly).
Gained growth beverage (use before age 17, can improve physical fitness, aid growth, greatly beneficial to the body, no side effects, unlimited supply).
Gained one plot modification opportunity (you can choose a player who doesn't originally belong here, and the system will modify the story for you to allow them to join the team in the most reasonable way).
Current information:
Host: Shiratsu Tomohoshi
Age: 12
Strength: 4
Speed: 4
Stamina: 4
Technique: 5
Mental Power: 7
Overall: 24
Skills: Copy, Star Burst
Strength: Newly World-Class"
Whoa, Tezuka's plot modification has such rich rewards?
"System, allocate one point to Strength, one point to Stamina."
"Attribute points allocated:
Current information:
Host: Shiratsu Tomohoshi
Age: 12
Strength: 5
Speed: 4
Stamina: 5
Technique: 5
Mental Power: 7
Overall: 26
Skills: Copy, Star Burst
Strength: World-Class"
An unbreakable racket? Black? My style!
Instant knowledge transfer? At least, it can help them during their plateaus.
Growth beverage? No need for Inui's concoctions; I'll just get a few dozen cases of this and throw them at the school for the regular team members to drink. That's right, only the regular team members. Those nameless background characters without strength can just be cheerleaders.
As for plot modification, heh heh heh, I have an idea. It just so happens I can poach someone difficult to get, saving me the trouble of thinking about how to approach them.
"System, modify the plot to..."