Seigaku Academy
The situation was pretty much the same as at Hyotei.
After suffering through the disgustingly weak competition at the district prelims, even Tezuka and the others threw themselves into revenge training with a vengeance.
Yoru nodded approvingly. "Just as I expected. Exactly how I felt back then."
QP looked confused, while Yamato rolled his eyes.
QP was puzzled because—had Yoru ever trained seriously before he arrived at Seigaku?
Yamato, on the other hand, was speechless because Yoru never trained at all. Where was this "just like me" nonsense coming from?
"I'm heading out to train," Yamato muttered, walking off to Court 1 for another session.
Once he was gone, Yoru turned to QP.
"By the way, have you given any thought to what we discussed?"
QP fell silent.
After the Nationals, Yoru had told him about "the Gate" and how Nanjiroh had mentioned his "lack of foundation."
Yoru had suggested that QP try incorporating other elements into his playstyle to strengthen his base.
At the time, QP hadn't given a direct answer, only saying he'd think about it.
Months had passed since then.
Now that Yoru brought it up again, QP finally responded.
"Never mind."
He shook his head. "Most people spend their entire lives without even touching that door. I'm already satisfied with what I've achieved. If I recklessly change my path now, I might lose sight of my original style—and only drift further away."
Had Yoru not appeared, QP would've undoubtedly experimented with different playstyles, refining his "Perfect Tennis" in an attempt to break through.
Before meeting Yoru, QP had believed his evolution was limitless—that even if he reached the "Ultimate Quality," there would always be a higher peak.
But Yoru's existence showed him the limits of his talent.
Perhaps pushing open "the Gate" was the furthest he could go.
At first, he refused to accept it. But Yoru's overwhelming strength gradually wore down his pride, forcing him to lower his head.
In short—his ambition and drive had dulled.
He'd convinced himself that if even Yoru struggled with it, there was no way he could succeed.
QP didn't say this outright, of course.
If Yoru knew what QP was really thinking, he'd be completely baffled.
He never imagined that his own rapid growth had put so much pressure on those around him.
For now, QP's goal was simple: Push open the Gate first. Worry about the rest later.
---
Seigaku's Front Gate
A ridiculously long luxury car pulled up.
Atobe and Oshitari stepped out, both wearing Hyotei's uniforms, and strode straight into the school grounds.
The security guard hesitated but ultimately didn't stop them.
In Japan, the wealthy held far more influence than in other countries. Even the police avoided confronting them unless absolutely necessary.
A lowly security guard earning a meager salary? Not worth the trouble.
"So this is Seigaku..."
Atobe glanced around before calling out to a nearby student.
"You there! Where's the tennis club?"
"Uh—!" The student flinched under Atobe's commanding aura before pointing. "J-Just follow this path straight ahead!"
A short walk later, the tennis courts came into view.
"Tennis courts, huh? Let's go, Oshitari!"
"Captain, isn't this a bit... too bold?"
"We're just here to see the 'National Champions.' What's bold about that?"
"But you even made me bring this..." Oshitari muttered, trailing behind.
The moment they reached the courts' entrance, several Seigaku members spotted them.
Seeing the Hyotei uniforms, they immediately blocked the way.
"Halt!"
Atobe's eyes narrowed as he and Oshitari stopped at the gate.
"What's Hyotei doing here?"
The Seigaku members glared, completely unfazed by Atobe's presence.
"Tch. Annoying. Oshitari!"
Ignoring them, Atobe held out his hand.
Oshitari sighed and pulled out a megaphone from his bag.
Atobe snatched it and bellowed into the courts:
"I, Atobe Keigo—the King of Hyotei—have come to challenge Seigaku's captain, Yoru!"
The voice boomed across the entire facility, thanks to the megaphone's absurdly high quality.
Tezuka and the others paused mid-training, exchanging glances before rushing toward the entrance.
"Seigaku's got quite the crowd~"
Atobe smirked as more and more players gathered, his excitement only growing.
"Hyotei's captain?"
"No way. A first-year leading Hyotei? Seriously?"
"Doesn't matter. He's here to pick a fight."
Whispers spread as the Seigaku members eyed the intruders with hostility.
Yoru was Seigaku's undisputed king.
The upperclassmen revered him, and even the freshmen—though they hadn't yet witnessed his full strength—respected him deeply under Tezuka and the others' influence.
Since when did some outsider dare to challenge him?
Tezuka stepped forward. "If you wish to challenge our captain, you must first defeat me."
Atobe studied Tezuka's regular uniform with interest.
"Oh? A first-year regular at Seigaku too? Fascinating. But you're not my target today—I'm here for your captain!"
"Though if I have to crush all of you first, so be it! Let's see what the 'National Champions' are made of! Hahahaha—!"
His manic laughter echoed.
From a distance, Yoru twitched.
He knew Atobe was eccentric, but this was next-level audacity.
"Does he not know how strong I am? Is he always this brave?"
QP remained stoic. "Should we go over?"
"Nah. Let them come to us."
Yoru walked over to the PA system and spoke into the mic.
"Send him to Court 1."
Hearing the response, Atobe stopped laughing, shoved his hands in his pockets, and strutted forward.
With Yoru's permission, Tezuka and the others stepped aside.
"Is this guy really Hyotei's captain?" Fuji mused.
If true, it meant Atobe was strong—strong enough to lead as a first-year.
After all, Yoru had done the same last year.
"We'll find out soon enough." Inui adjusted his glasses, following the duo to Court 1.
---
Court 1
Yoru and QP had already stopped their practice match.
The moment Atobe and Oshitari stepped onto the court, their stats flashed before Yoru's eyes.
[Oshitari Yuushi]
- Rank: 5 Stars
- Talent: Decent (a weaker version of Fuji)
But Atobe's stats were the real surprise.
[Atobe Keigo]
- Age: 12
- Skills:
- Total Stats (Lv. 7)
- Tennis Fundamentals (Lv. 6)
- Insight (Lv. 6)
- Talent: "Supreme Monarch"
- Rank: 6 Stars
[Supreme Monarch]
(A ruler's presence that dominates the court. Enhances mental pressure on opponents and sharpens perception of weaknesses.)
Yoru smirked.
Well, well. The "King" himself has arrived.
---