#8Chapter 8: Atobe arrives, the fateful showdown between the two heroes
"Listen up, all of you! Hyotei will always be a place where the strong prevail and the weak fall. Here, it's survival of the fittest! Only the strong will have the right to stand on the court and perform!"
As soon as he finished speaking, laughter erupted.
A familiar figure slowly appeared before everyone.
Everyone turned to look at the newcomer.
Hmm? Isn't that the guy who spoke on behalf of the new students? What was his name again?
Oh, right, Atobe Keigo!
What is he doing here?
Everyone remembered Atobe's speech on stage and realized with a start, 'This guy isn't here to seize power in the Tennis Club, is he?'
On the training court, everyone had different thoughts.
The senior members:
"Someone fearless has arrived. Now there's a good show to watch. After all, it wouldn't be fair if only we, the seniors, were 'educated' by the juniors, would it?"
The new members:
"Why are we all first-year new students, yet one comes in with great power, and another arrives with a powerful aura to seize power? It seems like we first-years won't have a chance to stand out."
"Exactly, exactly! But comparatively, who will come out on top?"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi didn't care, turning to say:
"Atobe Keigo, right? I've been waiting for you for a long time. Are you here to seize power?"
Straight to the point, never procrastinating.
Atobe slowly walked to stand opposite Shiratsu Tomohoshi:
"Smart. You're a straightforward person too. Ore-sama is here to take the position of Hyotei Tennis Club Captain. You yourself said the strong rise and the weak fall, survival of the fittest. Ore-sama completely agrees with your view, so let's play. Let me see what you're capable of."
At the same time, Atobe turned to Coach Sakaki and said:
"Coach Sakaki, if I defeat this guy in front of me, will I be Hyotei's Captain?"
"No, no, no," Coach Sakaki interrupted, "I've handed all matters of the Tennis Club over to this guy. If there's an issue, you resolve it yourselves. However, I agree that the winner takes all."
With that, without waiting for anyone to speak, Coach Sakaki walked off on his own.
Coach Sakaki was used to such scenes. He had originally wanted to give the Captain position to Shiratsu Tomohoshi, but this guy refused to accept it, insisting that Tezuka be the Vice Captain, and even saying that Atobe was more suitable to be Hyotei's Captain.
So, he decided to let the young people sort things out themselves; he only needed the result.
"Atobe, I haven't taken the position of Hyotei's Captain. I already have someone in mind for this position." Shiratsu Tomohoshi responded with a faint smile, "However, Tezuka is currently Hyotei's Vice Captain. If you can defeat him, then from now on, you will be Hyotei's Captain."
"If you lose, you'll have to accept my arrangements and become Hyotei's Captain. Either way, you can't escape, Atobe, my worker bee." Shiratsu Tomohoshi's inner self said this viciously.
"Hahahaha, good! Tezuka, let Ore-sama show you his splendid tennis!"
At this moment, Atobe was a bit overconfident, not taking the bespectacled first-year opposite him seriously, only thinking of ending the match quickly and then sitting on the king's throne.
"Tezuka, don't be careless. This guy's strength might not be as good as yours, but his talent and evolution speed are undeniable. If nothing unexpected happens, besides you and me, he will be our third Captain of Hyotei in the future!"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi would not be careless. Although he knew Tezuka would not lose, there was no need to lose points due to carelessness.
Atobe naturally heard these words. To be honest, he felt that this guy named Shiratsu Tomohoshi was even more arrogant. Didn't these words mean that Shiratsu Tomohoshi's strength was unshakeable, that this guy named Tezuka was second, and he himself could only be third?
And that guy named Tezuka didn't refute it either, showing no backbone at all, just listening to that guy lecture.
Although this guy affirmed Ore-sama's strength, that doesn't mean Ore-sama isn't angry, huh?!
The start of the match instantly heightened the excitement, and everyone was discussing the outcome of the game.
The senior members, having had the experience of being "educated," unanimously favored Tezuka. As for the new members, they hadn't really gotten to know either of them, but everyone thought Atobe was cooler, so more people supported him, even though Atobe was very arrogant.
On the court:
"The match between Tezuka Kunimitsu and Atobe Keigo now begins."
Shiratsu Tomohoshi continued his referee duties. He was now considering whether he could take on a part-time job in the future.
"Heads or tails?"
"Heads."
The racket spun, landed, and was heads up.
"One game for the win. Match starts, Atobe serves."
"Tezuka, Ore-sama is coming!"
"Go all out with full concentration."
Back in position, the match began.
Cheers and encouragement constantly echoed, and with a larger club membership than ever before, the atmosphere on the court was once again elevated, as if it were a match in a professional sports arena.
This fervent atmosphere, clearly, Atobe enjoyed immensely.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu! Defeat you, and I will be the new Captain!"
Bang!
A powerful and heavy serve was quickly hit by Atobe. He didn't use his full strength, only about seventy percent, wanting to test the waters.
However, the man in front of him was Tezuka Kunimitsu!
In an instant, Tezuka arrived at the net, turned sideways, and returned the ball with a left-handed backhand, increasing both speed and power.
The ball whistled as it flew back into Atobe's half of the court.
After the ball landed, Atobe didn't have time to react and return it.
"0:15!"
A true expert reveals his skill with a single move.
Atobe shed his arrogance. He had initially thought that the small Hyotei wouldn't have any masters, and that there were no significant figures in the entire Japan middle school tennis scene. Yet, he hadn't expected to encounter such an interesting opponent in his first match after returning to Japan.
No more probing or hiding; he would defeat this guy in front of him with full power!
He served again. This time, there was a clear change from before; both speed and power had significantly increased.
The spectators watching the match from the sidelines couldn't help but gasp in amazement at such a powerful serve. Its force was already comparable to Tezuka's previous return.
But even so, Tezuka returned the ball with ease, along the same trajectory.
Atobe had anticipated this. The moment he served, he ran to the net, swung his forehand, and returned the ball.
The two began a rally.
After about three or five shots, Tezuka swung his backhand, striking quickly.
"0:30!"
Next came the baseline rallies between the two. It seemed like a back-and-forth, evenly matched situation, yet Atobe hadn't scored a single point.
"Tezuka wins this game, 1:0!"
Amazing, truly amazing!
This was the consensus of everyone else watching the match.
Are there really such formidable individuals in middle school tennis?
The seniors seemed to have lost hope; it was likely there would be no place for them in this final year.
Atobe was now like Tezuka before, with one foot already in the national level, but he needed a stimulus, an inspiration during a match, to help him break into the national level.
Tezuka was undoubtedly the best opponent!
Moreover, Tezuka had already stabilized at the national level. His current match against Atobe was about gaining experience by playing against different opponents.
However, for Atobe, this match had no suspense; he was bound to lose!
"Play continues, Tezuka serves."
"15:0!"
An Ace!
It was an Ace!
The club members watching the match dared not blink, afraid of missing any important part.
Watching the ball fly past, unable to return it, Atobe didn't react for a moment.
"Bang!" Another ball.
"30:0!"
Another Ace!
In the current middle school tennis world, very few players could achieve such a level of serving.
Atobe glanced at the ball's landing spot, compared it to the previous shot, and then remained silent, tightly focusing on Tezuka's next move.
For Atobe, his observational skills were his best asset, or one could say, his innate talent.
It was thanks to this ability that Atobe was able to return to Japan safely while in England.
Tezuka, on the opposite side, felt a change in Atobe's eyes, a sensation of being seen through by the opponent.
He immediately shook his head, cast aside distracting thoughts, and continued with his previous serve.
And this time: "Tezuka, I've seen through this shot of yours!"
Bang!
Atobe returned it!
Tezuka was slightly surprised but not unexpected. After all, Shiratsu Tomohoshi had repeatedly warned him not to underestimate Atobe, so returning this ball was within reason.
Only two shots, and he was seen through. Well done, Atobe!
He moved his feet quickly, then retreated.
"40:0!"
Although he hadn't scored, Atobe still smiled faintly. He knew that Tezuka's move was no longer effective against him. It was as if the opponent had one less technique.
Tezuka paid no mind and continued to serve.
This time, Atobe completely figured out the ball's trajectory and quickly returned it. Because the ball was heading for a dead corner at the baseline, Tezuka hit a lob to return it.
Atobe leaped up and slammed it down!
Tezuka quickly rushed over, then turned and crouched slightly:
"Brown Bear Drop."
Shiratsu Tomohoshi smiled.
When Tezuka saw Fuji use this move, he gained insight into the Selfless State, so he was already proficient with this technique. In the time that followed, under Shiratsu Tomohoshi's guidance, he even learned Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami!