My Prince of Tennis has a high proficiency level.

"That's right, that's exactly it."

"Judging from the current roster, Seigaku will only be stronger next year. And with that person joining..."

As if she had thought of something, the corners of the woman's mouth involuntarily turned up slightly.

...

the other side.

Yamabuki Tennis Club.

After the practice match at the Seishundai Club, the Yamabuki regulars clearly felt a bit of pressure.

Especially Uesugi and Sengoku.

As the two strongest players on the team, they felt it most acutely. In conversations among the team members, it was clear that Shibukawa was being mentioned alongside them.

Especially considering that Tezuka stepped forward and defeated Uesugi and Sengoku while they remained silent, Shibukawa's prestige undoubtedly increased significantly.

Just like Seigaku.

As the second semester began, third-year team members gradually left the team. Within the club, discussions about who should be the club president increased.

Previously, many people were optimistic about Sengoku and Minami.

But after this incident, many people, though not explicitly saying so, had already secretly added Shibukawa's name to their shortlist.

but.

The ministerial nominee is nominated by the current minister, but the coach makes the final decision. In other words, the final decision still rests with Banta. But his thoughts and shrewdness are beyond the comprehension of a teenager.

Shechuan didn't take this to heart.

Although he began to have thoughts about that position as his strength increased, Shibukawa knew better than to indulge in idle speculation; improving his strength was the most fundamental thing.

After five or six days of training, Shechuan's basic skills have improved significantly. After all, skills like [serve] and [spiking] are at low levels, and each level increase grants a corresponding 0.1 to each of the five stats.

and.

Take push-ups as an example.

Although only the [Upper Limb Enhancement] characteristic was awakened, as Shibukawa's training intensified, his biceps, triceps, and even the muscles in his chest and shoulders were strengthened.

These changes subtly increased his five-dimensional power and physical strength.

Although Shibukawa doesn't look tall and strong these days, his body under his official jacket already shows clear muscle definition.

It's now mid-October, and there are still 6 months until the start of the original timeline. The Grand Tournament is a full 8 months away.

What he needs to do is to continuously solidify his foundation, strengthen himself through practice matches, accumulate prestige, and eventually sweep everyone away to become the true leader of Yamabuki.

just now.

He's getting closer and closer to that step.

Bang!

In the corner.

Shibukawa swung his racket forcefully, and the tennis ball happened to hit an irregular protrusion on the wall. Instantly, the expected trajectory changed.

Whoa!

But the next moment.

Shibukawa suddenly made a move, so fast that the racket became a blur. If anyone else were there, they would never have been able to see it clearly.

Bang!

Then.

A loud bang.

Shibukawa swung his racket, precisely placing the tennis ball into the sweet spot. Then, the ball shot out like a bullet, hitting the wall before being struck again by Shibukawa's racket.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Shechuan's swing speed is extremely fast.

If there were outsiders present, they would definitely be startled by the speed of the swing, which was so fast that it was almost a blur. This wasn't just one or two times, but a series of ten or even dozens of rapid hits.

Others would find it difficult to even keep up with the tennis ball's movements, but Shibukawa not only maintained accurate shots but also increased his swing speed, allowing him to fully immerse himself in training.

"Is this the effect of level 2 [Rapid Start]?"

Feeling the increase in his swing speed, Shibukawa was quite surprised. Now, if he used his full strength, the speed of his shot might not be inferior to Sanada's "Swift as the Wind," right?

Thinking of this.

Shechuan had a strange premonition that his third skill in ball games might be developed during this period.

finally.

He couldn't keep up with the movement until he had swung his racket 57 times in Shechuan.

"call......"

He exhaled a deep breath, his gaze hardened, and he began practicing again.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was evening.

Just before the group disbanded, Banta reappeared before everyone. Unsurprisingly, it was another practice match.

"Don't let your guard down."

With his hands behind his back, Banta said seriously, "Our opponent this time is no ordinary team. It's Sarujima Tennis School."

tennis?

School?

Everyone was very surprised.

"Yes."

Banta explained, "Sarujima Tennis Academy is a well-known professional tennis academy in Tokyo. It only recruits tennis prodigies, and none of those selected as regular members of the academy team are easy players."

"Sarushima Tennis School?"

Shechuan, standing in the crowd, subconsciously frowned.

For some reason, he felt like he'd heard the name somewhere before. But in the original story, the Pure Tennis Academy's team didn't seem to appear.

but.

He didn't dwell on it too much.

For him, weekend practice matches are one of the ways he can quickly improve his skills. The stronger the opponent, the faster he can gain experience through practice matches.

Given enough matches, he could even raise his swing level to level 8 or even level 9 before the national tournament.

That level is already considered professional-level.

Just thinking about it fills Shibukawa with enthusiasm.

soon.

After explaining, Banta announced the disbandment.

The group returned to the locker room in a sparse manner, and soon the tennis club became deserted.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

but.

The rhythmic sound of the ball being struck continues.

Shechuan continues to push himself to the limit without ever slacking off. He dares not relax for even a moment.

Sudden.

A figure slowly walked up behind him.

Snapped!

As if sensing something, Shibukawa reached out and grabbed the tennis ball, turning to look at the person who had come.

immediately.

Then, Sengoku, the top two in the tennis club, a true Yamabuki genius from the same year as Shibukawa, stood not far away with a complicated expression.

The two looked at each other.

Sengoku took a deep breath, shaking off the complex emotions in his heart, and looked over with a firm gaze:

"Shichuan...I want to fight you!"

Chapter 40 Sarujima Tennis School (4000 words)

"Okay."

Faced with Sengoku's sudden challenge, Shibukawa laughed without hesitation: "However, in my current state, I'm afraid I don't even have a 10% chance of winning against you."

"Of course not now."

Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that the other party had accepted the challenge, and then continued, "Tomorrow at three o'clock in the afternoon, at the street tennis court under the overpass outside the school, I'll be waiting for you there."

"no problem."

Shechuan nodded with a smile.

Yamabuki is going out for a practice match tomorrow morning, but the match will definitely be finished before 3 p.m.

As for why Sengoku challenged him, Shibukawa didn't know the reason, nor did he want to know. To him, this formidable fighter from the original story was a better candidate to test his own strength than Tezuka.

"Okay, it's settled then."

Sengoku nodded and turned to leave.

The other party's quick agreement was somewhat unexpected. After all, Sengoku himself had gone through a long internal struggle before making this decision.

"Tomorrow's match... Shibukawa... I will definitely win!"

Taking a deep breath, Sengoku clenched his fist.

If either Banta or Uesugi were present, they would certainly have noticed the unease in the other's heart. Anyone else would have assumed Sengoku was full of fighting spirit and confidence.

But those who truly know Sengoku know that his behavior actually indicates that he doesn't have enough confidence.

...

at the same time.

About 50 kilometers west of Yamabuki, at St. Rudolph Academy, which has consistently ranked first in the regional qualifiers, the tennis team's training has also ended.

but.

Inside the tennis club at that moment, two figures were still practicing sparring.

One of them was tall and dark-skinned. He moved like a cheetah in motion, his sharp eyes fixed on the tennis ball.

With a bang.

After catching up with the tennis ball, he violently smashed it back.

"really."

However, upon seeing this person hit the ball, another handsome young man with curly black hair not far away couldn't help but curl up a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Although Akazawa has been adjusting your playing style, habits accumulated over the years are not so easy to change."

The words fell.

The black-haired boy had already appeared in front of the tennis ball's landing point, and without even looking, he raised his hand and smashed it.

Bang!