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🕑 Added 2025-05-15 17:13:04 +0000 UTCChapter 266: The Cliff of the Heart, the Destination of the Defeated
"New title?"
Seeing the new title appear on his character panel, Ishikawa's eyes lit up with excitement.
With this title, he no longer needed to return to that street tennis court to gain a 150% training effect. This wasn’t just about leveling up his character—these experience points would translate into real knowledge and skills, permanently stored within him.
Moreover, this title also enhanced his techniques and secondary skills. Training here meant that even if he put in the same effort as others, the results would be nothing short of extraordinary.
And considering Ishikawa was already a training maniac, the added boost would be downright terrifying!
"Alright," he thought, standing up and heading toward the platform outside the court.
Under the stunned gazes of Mouri and Genjiroh, Ishikawa, still in tattered clothes, began to pick up speed and started running.
"No way..." Genjiroh muttered, staring at Ishikawa as if he were a monster. "He’s still training after all that? Is he even human?"
Mouri, on the other hand, felt a deeper realization. After witnessing Ishikawa’s match, he had consoled himself by thinking that Ishikawa’s talent was something unattainable for others. But now, watching Ishikawa’s retreating figure, Mouri’s eyes gleamed with understanding.
"If someone as strong as him isn’t slacking off, what excuse do we have to rest?" Mouri said, then started his own training.
Genjiroh, who had planned to take a break after today’s team match, felt a pang of guilt. His skills were already inferior to Mouri’s, and Ishikawa was on a completely different level. If he relaxed now, the gap between them would only widen.
Gritting his teeth, Genjiroh joined the training session.
The other players on Court 3, inspired by the scene, also pushed aside their fatigue and continued training. Even the players from Courts 2 and 1, witnessing the intense dedication, felt the pressure and abandoned their plans to rest, throwing themselves into rigorous practice.
And so, the entire U17 training base was swept up in a wave of relentless competition!
Not far from the U17 base, beyond a sheer 90-degree cliff, atop a mountain peak, a thin wisp of smoke rose from a small wooden hut on a wide platform.
Inside, a scruffy old man with a gray vest, unkempt beard, and a red nose sat leisurely in a chair, humming a tune. He held a gourd in his hand, taking occasional sips as he enjoyed himself.
"Not bad, not bad," the old man chuckled, clearly pleased.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Nearby, a young man with brown hair, wearing a white T-shirt and round glasses, was relentlessly hitting tennis balls against a stone wall. This was Inui Sadaharu, who had disappeared from the U17 base a week ago.
For the past week, Inui had been enduring what could only be described as hellish training.
A closer look revealed scars on his face and arms, and his racket made a heavy, dull sound with each swing. The strain on his face made it clear that the racket was no ordinary one.
"Is this the so-called 'hellish training' that Byoudouin and Tokugawa went through?" Inui muttered through gritted teeth, drenched in sweat. Every day here was a struggle, but his willpower had allowed him to adapt. Even wielding the lead-weighted racket had become easier.
But Inui suspected that this was just the beginning. The true hellish training had yet to begin.
Turning his gaze toward the hut, Inui glanced at the old man in the vest—Japan’s U17 head coach, Mifune Nyudo.
Outwardly, Mifune seemed like nothing more than a drunkard, crude and arrogant. But Inui knew better. This man had molded players like Byoudouin and Tokugawa, helping them achieve spiritual breakthroughs and master the secrets of the Asura Path.
Though Inui could mimic the Asura Path and the Photon Strike with his talent, he knew that imitation was no substitute for true mastery. After losing to Ishikawa, Inui had done some serious soul-searching and concluded that he needed to forge his own path.
That’s why he had come here, to this place known as the Cliff of the Heart—a place that was more like hell than a sanctuary.
Ring ring ring!
Suddenly, the phone beside Mifune rang.
"Hello?" Mifune answered in his gruff voice. "This is Mifune."
"Kurobe? What’s up?"
"Team shuffle match? You’re saying Oni played a match against that new kid?"
Spit!
Inui stared in shock as Mifune, who was usually stern and composed, spat out his drink.
"What?!" Mifune shot up from his chair, his eyes wide. "Oni lost?!"
Inui’s pupils contracted sharply.
"Oni lost? To who? Did Byoudouin return?"
"No, wait!" Inui suddenly remembered the keyword Mifune had mentioned earlier.
"A new kid?" Inui’s face turned pale. "Don’t tell me... Oni lost to him?!"
Inui couldn’t help but gasp. He knew exactly how strong Oni was—far beyond his own level. If even Oni had lost, just how terrifying was that newcomer’s strength?
"Alright, I got it," Mifune said, hanging up the phone and standing still for a long moment.
"Hey, kid," Mifune called out to Inui. "Go clean up the room. You’ll have a new companion tonight."
Inui’s spirits lifted.
"Understood," he replied, heading toward the hut with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
That evening, at the back gate of the U17 base.
Oni, now dressed in the Okayama High uniform, was about to head into the mountains.
"Hey, senpai," a familiar voice called out. "Where are you going? Mind if I tag along?"
Oni turned sharply, his eyes landing on a familiar face.
Chapter 267: Mifune's Test, Arrival at the Cliff of the Heart
As dusk fell, the setting sun cast dappled light through the forest. Two figures walked through the woods, their shadows stretching long on the ground.
It was none other than Oni and Ishikawa.
Like Oni, Ishikawa had changed into an Ice Emperor jacket, with a bag slung over his shoulder that held his tennis racket.
"Aren’t you curious where we’re going?" Oni suddenly broke the silence, his voice cutting through the quiet.
"Probably some training ground, right?" Ishikawa replied with a smile. "Before coming here, I heard that the most impressive part of U17 isn’t the base itself, but a place outside of it."
"Oh?" Oni looked surprised. "Seems like you’ve done your homework before coming here. That’s good."
He nodded, glancing ahead at the nearing end of the forest path. "But the place I’m taking you to isn’t exactly pleasant. You’d better prepare yourself mentally."
Oni had no doubts about Ishikawa’s abilities, but he wasn’t exaggerating. The place they were heading to wasn’t for the faint-hearted. The so-called "training" there was more like a struggle in hell, fighting for even the slightest chance of a breakthrough.
"No problem," Ishikawa said with a grin. "I think I can handle it. Besides, I’m curious about what kind of training you’d consider worthwhile."
Oni paused, then shook his head inwardly. He had almost forgotten that the guy beside him was U17’s infamous training maniac. Just today, Ishikawa had single-handedly stirred up the competitive atmosphere within the entire U17.
But before Oni could say more, the forest path came to an end. The two of them stepped into an open area, but what lay ahead wasn’t the usual path to the mountain’s peak. Instead, they were faced with a sheer cliff.
The cliff was almost vertical, incredibly steep.
Half of the setting sun had already dipped behind the mountain, casting a golden glow over the landscape. The towering cliff seemed to declare that this path was forbidden, that it led nowhere.
Yet, neither Oni nor Ishikawa hesitated.
They chose their climbing spots almost instinctively and began scaling the cliff. Oni, with his bulky frame, wasn’t as agile, but Ishikawa moved with ease. Still, he slowed his pace to match Oni’s, ensuring they could support each other if needed.
As evening deepened, the sun disappeared completely behind the mountain. From a distance, the two figures on the cliff looked like ants, steadily and determinedly making their way upward.
Meanwhile, outside the forest, Saito, dressed in a white lab coat, spoke into his phone. "Yes, Ishikawa followed Oni. He seems to have his own plans. And honestly, a player like him isn’t someone we can control anymore."
"Understood," Kurobe replied from the other end of the line. "I’ll inform the head coach. You can come back now."
"Alright."
After hanging up, Saito glanced toward the distant cliff, where the two figures were nearing the top. A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes. "This is going to be interesting. When those two return from that place, things are going to get lively."
He couldn’t help but smile, imagining the look on Byoudouin’s face during the next shuffle match.
About half an hour later, Ishikawa finally reached the top of the cliff.
To his surprise, the summit was a relatively flat platform. A winding path stretched out ahead, leading into a dense forest. In the distance, barely visible in the fading light, was another peak.
"That’s the Cliff of the Heart," Oni said, catching up behind Ishikawa. "That’s where we’re headed."
Ishikawa glanced at the time. "It’s around 6 PM. Let’s try to get there before midnight."
"Agreed," Oni said, and the two set off again.
After about an hour, as darkness began to envelop the landscape, they arrived at a deep canyon. A rickety wooden suspension bridge connected the two sides, with a stream flowing far below.
Unlike in the original story, Ishikawa and Oni crossed without incident.
But as they entered the forest on the other side, they exchanged uneasy glances. The woods were eerily quiet, and their heightened senses picked up something unusual.
After walking a few dozen meters without incident, most people would have relaxed. But Oni and Ishikawa only grew more alert.
Suddenly, a sharp howl pierced the air.
From the shadows, a gray wolf with glowing green eyes lunged at them, baring its fangs.
Thud!
But before the wolf could reach them, a tennis ball shot through the air, striking the beast and sending it crashing to the ground, unconscious.
Oni calmly lowered his racket.
However, another wolf emerged from the bushes, this one even more ferocious.
Whoosh!
A silver streak flashed through the air, and the second wolf collapsed.
"Strange," Oni muttered, frowning at the unconscious wolves. "This is the path all the defeated newcomers take to the mountain. The coaches would never allow something like this here."
"Maybe they migrated from somewhere else?" Ishikawa suggested, kneeling beside one of the wolves. "By the way, Oni, what do you know about wolves?"
"Wolves are pack animals... Oh, I see," Oni realized.
Ishikawa pulled out some spare racket string from his bag and began tying up the wolf’s limbs and muzzle.
Oni raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"Preparing a gift for our host," Ishikawa replied with a smirk.
"A gift?" Oni shook his head in disbelief.
After securing both wolves, Ishikawa was about to carry one when Oni stopped him. "Find a sturdy branch. I’ll carry them."
With the wolves slung over a branch, the two continued their journey toward the mountain peak.
Deep in the forest, two figures in black coats reported back to the U17 base. "The two wolves have been dealt with."
"Understood," Kurobe’s voice came through the phone. "Clean up the scene."
"But, sir," one of the men hesitated. "They’ve taken the wolves with them."
"What?" Kurobe rubbed his temples in frustration. "Alright, just come back for now."
After hanging up, Kurobe turned to Saito and Tokugawa. "As expected, they handled the situation easily. But they took the wolves with them."
"Took them?" Saito and Tokugawa exchanged puzzled looks.
"That doesn’t sound like Oni," Tokugawa said with a wry smile. "This has Ishikawa written all over it. They’re probably planning to give the head coach a little surprise."
"Exactly," Kurobe sighed. "Our head coach loves his little games. He’s always messing with the so-called geniuses. But this time, he might be the one getting a taste of his own medicine."
"Should we inform him?" Kurobe asked, reaching for the phone.
"Not yet," Saito stopped him. "I think it’s better to let this play out. Knowing the head coach, he’ll double down and give those two an even tougher time."
Kurobe nodded. "You’re right. If this is going to be a special training session, the more unconventional it is, the better the results."
From the perspective of the U17 coaches, they were eager to see Mifune mold Oni and Ishikawa into players of Big Four caliber. That would significantly boost their chances in the upcoming World Cup.
On the mountain path, Ishikawa and Oni pressed on under the pale moonlight. About an hour later, they reached the base of another cliff.
Compared to the earlier one, this climb was much easier. In less than twenty minutes, they reached the summit.
In the distance, a campfire burned. A burly figure lounged in a chair, occasionally taking a swig from a bottle. Beside him, another person practiced his swings.
It was Inui and the U17 head coach, Mifune.
"Not bad," Mifune said, tearing into a chicken leg. "Your strength has improved, but don’t let it compromise your agility."
Inui nodded solemnly. Over the past few days, he had come to appreciate the depth of Mifune’s training methods. Though the coach seemed rough around the edges, his insights were invaluable.
"By the way," Mifune said, turning to Inui, "you knew Oni was coming, right? Any idea why?"
Inui nodded. "From what I heard, he lost to someone."
"Tell me," Mifune continued, "what do you think of that new kid, Ishikawa?"
"He’s strong," Inui said, his expression serious. "His speed, power, technique—I couldn’t find any weaknesses. He’s a complete player, with a deep understanding of tennis."
"Elite level, huh?" Mifune raised an eyebrow. "Seems like he was holding back when he played you."
Inui agreed. He knew the gap between himself and Oni. If Ishikawa had defeated Oni, his true strength was far beyond what Inui had seen.
"Here’s a little secret," Mifune said, leaning closer. "Every country’s U17 has a few top players kept under wraps. Oni is one of ours. According to the coaches, he’s at a professional level."
Inui’s eyes widened. "Professional level?"
Those words carried immense weight. In the world of high school tennis, only the captains of Big Four teams were considered at that level.
"Wait," Inui said, a thought dawning on him. "If Oni’s at that level, then Byoudouin..."
"Exactly," Mifune confirmed. "After leading multiple overseas expeditions, Byoudouin has also reached professional level."
Inui’s heart sank. He and Oni had been planning to have Tokugawa challenge Byoudouin. Now, he realized how naive that plan had been. If Tokugawa had gone through with it, the outcome would have been disastrous.
Inui made a mental note to discuss this with Oni and reconsider their strategy.
"Perhaps," Inui thought, his mind turning to Ishikawa. If Ishikawa had defeated Oni, that meant he, too, was at a professional level. Maybe Ishikawa could be the one to stop Tokugawa—or even challenge Byoudouin.
The idea sparked a glimmer of hope in Inui’s eyes.
"Speaking of which," Mifune said, checking the time, "they should be here by now."
"They?" Inui caught the plural reference. Who else was coming? Oni and Tokugawa? Or... that guy?
"Maybe something happened on the way," Mifune mused. "But those two wolves were trained. They wouldn’t hurt anyone. Unless those kids got lost?"
Mifune chuckled at the thought, while Inui felt a chill run down his spine. He had experienced Mifune’s "welcoming gifts" firsthand. Whoever was coming was in for a rough time.
Just then, footsteps echoed in the distance.
"Finally," Mifune said, standing up and turning toward the sound.
But as he saw the figures approaching, his smirk froze.
Slung over their shoulders were the two wolves.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 268: Intense Training from Scratch
Thud!
The Oni (demon) threw the two "wild" wolves he had "hunted" in front of Mitsuru.
"Huh?"
Irie was stunned. "You actually ran into these guys on your way here?"
At that moment, he was utterly shocked. So much so that when he saw Ishikawa, he wasn’t as surprised anymore.
"Long time no see, Irie-senpai," Ishikawa stepped forward, greeting Irie with a smile. Then, he turned to the scruffy old man with a red nose beside him. "This must be the head coach of U17, Mitsuru Nyudo, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you. Here’s a small gift as a token of my respect."
"You know me?" Mitsuru didn’t acknowledge Ishikawa’s subtle challenge. Instead, he looked at him with interest. "Did those three tell you about me, or did you find out somewhere else?"
Since becoming the U17 coach, Mitsuru had kept a low profile. Aside from leading the team to the high school tennis world cup, he rarely left this place. Logically, not only would a young boy like Ishikawa not know him, but even those who had met him before might not recognize him now.
Ishikawa smiled. "I did some research before coming here."
"Quite cautious," Mitsuru nodded in approval.
He wasn’t angry that the two had easily seen through his little test and brought the "trophies" to him. On the contrary, he was even more impressed by their abilities.
The Oni, of course, was a given.
Two years ago, Mitsuru had already identified him as a core member of U17. Even though the Oni hadn’t participated in the overseas tournaments, in Mitsuru’s eyes, he still possessed top-tier high school-level strength.
What truly caught his attention was the black-haired boy in front of him.
After all, Mitsuru knew his real age.
That’s why, when he saw Ishikawa, even this seasoned U17 head coach, who had long mastered the art of staying calm, couldn’t help but feel his heart race.
A first-year middle schooler defeating a third-year high schooler like the Oni?
In the past, Mitsuru would never have believed it. But now, the reality was right in front of him.
For a moment, Mitsuru wasn’t even sure how to train someone like Ishikawa.
"Perhaps…" Suddenly, Mitsuru thought of a training method he had seen long ago when he was following his own mentor. An idea began to form in his mind.
"Have you eaten yet?" Mitsuru turned to the two.
Seeing Ishikawa and the Oni shake their heads, he took out two portions of grilled meat from the fridge.
"Eat up and get some rest. Training starts early tomorrow, so make sure you’re up on time."
With that, he yawned and headed back to the cabin.
"That’s just how the head coach is," Irie said, watching Mitsuru’s retreating figure. "He goes to bed on time every day. If it weren’t for your arrival, he’d probably be asleep by now."
"Yeah," the Oni nodded.
He knew Mitsuru’s personality well. While he appeared strict, he was deeply emotional. He gave special attention to players with talent. Although Mitsuru hadn’t said much, the Oni could tell that he held Ishikawa in high regard.
"How have you been these past few days?" the Oni asked Irie as he skewered the raw meat and placed it over the campfire to roast. "How does the training here compare to the base?"
"It’s very different," Irie shook his head, a smile appearing on his round face. "I won’t go into details. You’ll find out for yourselves when training starts tomorrow."
Hearing this, the Oni frowned slightly.
Ishikawa, however, chuckled. "I think I can guess. This place probably uses the mountainous terrain to strengthen the body, like climbing hills or trees to build muscle."
"Right," the Oni nodded. "But the head coach’s methods are definitely more than that. If you let your guard down, you’ll probably regret it."
After all, if Irie was speaking like this, Mitsuru’s training must have its unique aspects.
The three of them chatted for a while longer about their journey. Once the meat was cooked, they ate, washed up, and then settled down to sleep on the large shared bed next to Mitsuru’s room.
The next day, just as the sky began to lighten, Irie woke up.
Feeling the movement, Ishikawa and the Oni also got up. After exchanging a glance, they quickly changed and followed Irie outside.
Mitsuru was already standing at the door.
"The first task of today’s training is to fetch water," Mitsuru pointed to a large water vat not far away. "Fill that vat."
"Yes," the three replied.
They then took wooden buckets and, in the misty morning, made their way down the steep cliff to the stream below.
After about twenty trips, they finally filled the vat.
By then, the sun had fully risen.
The repeated trips had left the three drenched in sweat. Even the physically strong Oni felt the strain.
"Breakfast is ready," Mitsuru, lying on a chair, pointed to the eggs and milk on the table in the distance. "One portion each. If it’s not enough, figure it out yourselves. Also, let me remind you, if you don’t complete the day’s training, there’s no dinner."
This…
Neither the Oni nor Ishikawa had expected their training to feel like a survival challenge.
"Understood," they replied.
Since they had chosen to come here for training, they had to follow the rules. If they couldn’t accept it, they could leave. But clearly, neither of them had any intention of doing so.
After breakfast, the morning sun shone on Mitsuru’s spot. He whistled, and a dark shadow flew down from the sky.
"That’s…" Ishikawa and the Oni focused their gaze.
The shadow descended like lightning but slowed down as it approached Mitsuru, landing gently on his arm.
It was a fully grown bald eagle.
With a wingspan of over two meters, the eagle exuded an overwhelming presence.
"The training is simple," Mitsuru said, holding the eagle with one arm and looking at the three. "You’ll have to avoid the eagle’s pursuit within a set time. If the balloon tied to your back remains intact, you pass."
"Irie," Mitsuru turned to him, "you demonstrate."
"Sure," Irie nodded.
With plenty of experience, he walked to the cabin, tied a balloon to his back, and stood ready.
Whoosh!
The moment the eagle saw the balloon, it took off, diving straight for Irie.
But Irie reacted quickly, spinning around to dodge.
He then ran into the woods, using the trees as cover. With agile movements, he continuously evaded the eagle’s attacks.
Ten minutes later, Mitsuru whistled, and the eagle returned to his arm.
Irie, now panting heavily, emerged from the woods. He looked even more exhausted than after the repeated trips to fetch water.
"As you can see," Mitsuru turned to Ishikawa and the Oni, "this training is meant to enhance your reflexes."
"Right," Ishikawa and the Oni nodded.
The eagle’s speed was incredible, and the balloon tied to their backs made it hard to control their movements. To successfully dodge, they needed not only agility but also sharp observation and anticipation skills.
However, both Ishikawa and the Oni were confident in their speed and reflexes. They exchanged a glance, each seeing the determination in the other’s eyes.
"What, you think you’ll pass this easily?" Mitsuru chuckled at their expressions. "Don’t kid yourselves. Did you really think I’d let you take on this challenge in your current state?"
Thud!
As he spoke, Mitsuru grabbed a pile of items from behind and threw them in front of the two.
Ishikawa and the Oni looked down and saw weighted ankle straps, wristbands, and two long, belt-like strength binders.
"Put these on," Mitsuru’s cold voice rang out. "Here, even professional players start from zero."
He glanced at them sharply. "From now on, forget your past. I’m going to train you like beasts!"
"Hmm…"
Hearing this, both Ishikawa and the Oni felt a weight in their hearts.
Now, they truly understood the overwhelming pressure emanating from this scruffy old man who looked like a farmer or a mountain hunter.
But there was no turning back.
Since they had chosen to undergo this intense training, they wouldn’t give up halfway.
However, once they put on the equipment, their expressions turned serious.
It was too heavy.
Mitsuru’s weighted gear was clearly custom-made. Even the physically strong Oni felt like he was wearing a thick suit of armor.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At the same time, several eagles of different colors appeared in the sky, circling above. Their sharp eyes gleamed with intensity.
"Kids," Mitsuru laughed as he saw the expressions on Ishikawa and the Oni’s faces. "Don’t be nervous. The training has only just begun."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 269: Mifune's Special Training and News of the Autumn Tournament (Part 1)
Thud! Thud!
In the forest, two figures were sprinting desperately.
Screech!
Behind them, several shadows circled high in the sky, waiting for the right moment to strike, hindered only by the dense branches.
However, these were no ordinary hawks. Trained by Mifune from a young age, they were highly intelligent. Given enough space, they would swoop down on their prey.
Huff... Huff...
In the forest, Ishikawa and Oni leaned against a tree trunk, each holding a balloon string, trying their best to stay out of the hawks' line of sight.
Only five minutes had passed since the training began, but the two were already exhausted. In comparison, they were nowhere near as composed as Inui.
Of course, this wasn’t because Inui was stronger. It was because the two were weighed down by heavy gear. The extra load felt like wearing a suit of armor, making every movement slow and laborious. If not for their explosive strength, they would have been caught by Mifune’s hawks right at the start.
"This training from Coach Mifune is no joke," Ishikawa said, panting as he glanced at the hawks circling above. "We can’t keep hiding like this. If we want to see results, we need to face them head-on."
Oni shook his head. "Easier said than done. There are too many of them."
"Let’s split up," Ishikawa suggested. "I’ll draw some of them away, and you can make your move."
"Alright," Oni agreed.
As Ishikawa had said, hiding wouldn’t get them anywhere. They were here to get stronger, not play hide-and-seek with these birds of prey.
With that, the two sprang into action. Ishikawa lured a group of hawks away, while Oni headed in the opposite direction.
"Not bad," Mifune muttered with a smile from a small hill in the distance. "If you’d kept hiding, I would’ve been disappointed."
The hawks were there to train the players’ reflexes. Normally, Mifune would add an element of competition, pitting the players against each other. But Ishikawa and Oni were different. They knew exactly what they wanted and didn’t need external motivation to push themselves.
And so, the forest became a battleground. The two figures dodged and weaved under the relentless attacks of the hawks. The heavy weights they carried slowed them down, but their reflexes improved visibly as they outsmarted the birds.
"These two..." Inui, who had already passed the first test, narrowed his eyes. Due to their different physiques, the weights they carried varied. However, Mifune, with data from Kurobe and the others, had calculated the load precisely. Inui was certain that both Ishikawa and Oni had started from the same point as he had during his first training session.
But their improvement was far beyond what he had achieved.
"Is this the talent of top-tier geniuses?" Inui thought, feeling a mix of emotions.
Especially when he looked at Ishikawa, who didn’t seem particularly strong physically, yet was adapting at an astonishing rate. Oni, being a power-type player, made sense. But Ishikawa? That was just ridiculous!
"Surprised?" Mifune asked, noticing Inui’s expression. "You probably don’t know this, but Kurobe couldn’t measure Ishikawa’s five-dimensional stats."
"What?!" Inui turned sharply. "That’s impossible!"
In the entire U-17, only two people had ever received such an evaluation: Byoudouin and Oni.
But then he remembered how Ishikawa had defeated Oni in the group shuffle match yesterday and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
Of course! If Ishikawa could beat Oni, it made sense that his stats were immeasurable.
"Ishikawa Shin..." Inui turned his gaze back to the forest, where Ishikawa had disappeared again. "He’s using the pressure from the hawks to push himself to the limit."
Not only was Ishikawa strong, but he was also incredibly decisive. Even in situations where it wasn’t necessary, he pushed himself to the brink during training. Compared to him, even Tokugawa, who was training hard to defeat Byoudouin, seemed a step behind.
Inui seemed to have an epiphany. "Perhaps only someone like him could rise to such heights as a newcomer."
Thirty minutes later, Ishikawa and Oni, drenched in sweat, moved sluggishly, their faces showing clear signs of exhaustion. But their eyes were brighter than before. Both Mifune and Inui could sense that their mental fortitude had grown stronger.
"Good," Mifune nodded. "You did well in the warm-up."
"Warm-up?" Ishikawa and Oni exchanged glances, their pupils contracting.
"What, scared?" Mifune sneered. "If you’re afraid, you can leave now."
But such a cheap taunt had no effect on the two.
"Alright," Mifune waved his hand, bored. "Take a ten-minute break, then we’ll start the next training."
With that, he headed back to the cabin.
During the break, Mifune returned with two black rackets.
"Here you go, rookies," he said, tossing one of the rackets to Ishikawa from a few meters away.
Ishikawa caught it cautiously, immediately feeling the weight of what seemed like a block of iron.
"This is a pure lead racket," Mifune explained. "It’s coated with an alloy, so don’t worry about it."
"Got it," Ishikawa nodded.
Normally, skin contact with lead wasn’t harmful. But at their level, the vibrations from swinging the racket could cause the lead to break apart, potentially leading to poisoning if inhaled. However, that wasn’t the main concern. The real issue was the sheer weight of the racket. Lead was denser than iron, and most rackets were designed to be lightweight for optimal performance. But Mifune had given him a racket made entirely of lead. Just holding it was a challenge, let alone using it in a match.
"Oni, here’s yours," Mifune said, tossing the other racket to Oni.
Oni caught it, but his expression changed instantly. Unlike Ishikawa’s racket, his was incredibly light. With his 90kg grip strength, he could crush it easily. Fortunately, he held back, avoiding embarrassment.
"Your racket is made of a special material," Mifune explained with a smirk. "It’s very light but also extremely fragile. Be careful when practicing."
"Your tasks are simple," Mifune continued, pointing to two newly marked areas. "Ishikawa, your target is the tennis ball placed on a block of tofu. You need to hit the ball into the bucket without damaging the tofu."
Ishikawa’s eyes narrowed. He was confident in his skills, but with this racket, the difficulty was off the charts.
"Oni, your target is that rock," Mifune pointed to a boulder half the height of a person, weighing at least five or six tons. "You need to smash it with your racket."
"Each of you has one hour of practice time per day. Complete your task, and you pass this stage."
"Understood," Ishikawa and Oni nodded, though their expressions were grave.
"This won’t be easy," Inui muttered, his expression serious.
Mifune’s training might seem like a circus act, but it was designed to enhance Ishikawa’s strength and Oni’s control.
"Inui," Mifune turned to him. "Their hunting phase is over. Now it’s your turn."
With that, Mifune whistled sharply. A shadow swooped down from the sky, heading straight for Inui.
Inui’s face paled, and without hesitation, he turned and bolted into the forest.
"Alright, kids!" Mifune laughed, stroking another hawk perched on his arm. "Let’s get to work!"
Meanwhile, at the U-17 training camp, in Court 3, Marui and Hara were going through their usual drills. But unlike usual, the atmosphere was heavy and silent. Everyone knew why—Ishikawa was absent. This was highly unusual, but no one dared to ask.
"Why the long faces?" Suddenly, Saito, dressed in his white lab coat, appeared. "Where’s the energy from yesterday? Get moving!"
The players exchanged glances and reluctantly resumed their training.
"Marui, Hara," Saito called out. "In two days, the second and third batches of newcomers will arrive. The coaching staff has decided to hold the U-17 Autumn Newcomers Tournament. You two better prepare."
"Newcomers Tournament?" The others, including Oishi and Nakagauchi, turned their heads.
The U-17 Newcomers Tournament held special significance. The top two winners would earn the right to participate in the shuffle matches against the top players. For them, this was a golden opportunity.
"Mr. Saito," Marui asked, "do you know where Ishikawa is?"
Ishikawa hadn’t returned since yesterday. As his roommate and partner, Marui couldn’t help but worry, even though the U-17 camp was generally safe.
"Ishikawa?" Saito raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "Don’t worry about him. Instead, focus on the Autumn Tournament. If you perform well, you might get the chance to play alongside him."
Marui and Hara exchanged puzzled looks, while the others seemed to realize something, their eyes gleaming.
"So, he’s really gone to that place?"
"The Autumn Tournament shuffle matches..."
"If I remember correctly, those guys are coming back."
"This shuffle match is going to be exciting!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 270: Ishikawa's Astonishing Talent, Mifune's Hidden Skills?
Boom!
At the peak of Heart's Cliff, in the designated area in front of the wooden cabin, as Oni swung his racket, the tennis ball spiraled like a top, shooting toward a distant boulder.
Bang!
A loud explosion echoed as the powerful shot sent gravel flying, scattering and rolling down the cliff.
Sizzle...
At the point of impact, the tennis ball spun fiercely, with wisps of black smoke rising from it.
"Hmm."
Not far away, Oni's expression darkened as he observed the result of his shot.
While the shot seemed powerful, it had only managed to loosen a layer of the boulder, barely scratching the surface. At this rate, it would take three to five months to completely shatter the boulder.
However, this wasn't due to a lack of strength on Oni's part. On the contrary, with his mastery of the Super Gravity Dimension tennis technique, he could easily obliterate the boulder in a single shot.
The problem lay in the fragile racket he was using. It couldn't withstand the immense power required for such a shot. If he were to use brute force, the racket would break before the ball even left it.
Moreover, Mifune had made it clear that Oni had to achieve the goal without damaging the racket.
"I need to improve the spin further."
As the former strongest player in U-17 and the top-ranked middle schooler in the national tournament, Oni was far more than he appeared. He understood that Mifune's goal was to train his control—specifically, his spin.
"A calligraphy master can create a masterpiece even with a poor brush."
In the distance, Mifune stood with his arms crossed, quietly observing.
He had high expectations for Oni, but the latter's weakness lay in his lack of technical finesse. While this wasn't an issue against average players, it would become a致命 flaw when facing top-tier opponents.
On the other hand, if Oni could refine his technique, he would become a nearly flawless player, on par with平等院, and reach a professional level.
"Two professional-level players in one team... That's the kind of strength only a Big 4 team possesses."
"If Oni can overcome this, this year's World Cup..."
Swish!
At that thought, Mifune's gaze shifted to another area.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Ishikawa, holding a heavy racket, lightly tapped the tennis ball. Compared to earlier, his swings were no longer as strained.
"Not bad."
Mifune nodded slightly to himself. "His adaptability is truly remarkable."
Initially, he had been concerned that Ishikawa's young age and lack of strength would make it difficult for him to handle the heavy racket.
But now, it seemed he had greatly underestimated the boy's abilities.
"Based on the five-dimensional analysis, his strength has already reached at least 4 points."
Mifune estimated that once Ishikawa fully mastered the racket, his strength would likely reach 5 points. And a strength level of 5 was considered quite impressive, even among high schoolers.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Ishikawa tossed the ball into the air.
Then, with a powerful push from his feet, he raised the racket and swung it forcefully toward the descending ball.
Bang!
The deafening sound, like a gunshot, startled a few eagles that were chasing入江 in the distance.
Swish!
The ball shot out like a blazing cannonball, heading straight for the tofu block with a tennis ball placed on top.
"This kid..."
Mifune frowned slightly.
Ishikawa's serve was incredibly powerful, but the challenge was to send the ball flying without damaging the tofu. This shot seemed intent on destroying both the tofu and the ball!
Bang!
However, to Mifune's surprise, the ball didn't hit the tofu directly. Instead, it grazed just 2 centimeters above it.
Whoosh!
The resulting gust of wind lifted the ball from the tofu's surface, sending it flying toward a nearby wooden bucket.
Boom!
Meanwhile, the ball that had landed earlier exploded like a corner of the mouth, sending it flying and riddling the tofu with holes.
Plop.
The ball that had been carried by the wind missed the bucket, landing just beside it.
"Did I fail?"
Ishikawa shook his sore arm, replaying the shot in his mind to identify what went wrong.
"This kid!"
Not far away, Mifune's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He hadn't expected Ishikawa to solve the problem in such a way. The goal was to strengthen Ishikawa's power, but the boy had clearly focused on technique instead.
Yet, Mifune couldn't find fault with it. Ishikawa had nearly completed the challenge within the given rules.
Although Ishikawa's approach was somewhat clever, Mifune chose not to intervene. He knew that truly top-tier players excelled not just in physical ability or technique, but also in intelligence.
Players who rigidly followed the rules without any creativity were not the kind he admired.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After three unsuccessful attempts, Ishikawa began adjusting his strategy.
As he adapted to the racket, he started adding more spin to his serves.
Bang!
This time, he applied the principle of "effortless strength" from martial arts, merging spin and power as seamlessly as possible.
Bang!
The ball landed, and a gust of wind swept over the tofu, lifting the ball from its surface. The ball Ishikawa had hit spun fiercely upon impact, creating a侧旋 that sent碎石 flying at an angle.
Boom!
The tofu remained untouched, while the ball carried by the wind drifted toward the bucket.
Whoosh!
However, just as the ball was about to fall into the bucket, a gust of wind from the cliff blew it off course, causing it to land beside the bucket.
"Not bad."
Ishikawa smiled, satisfied with the result.
Meanwhile, Mifune's eyes gleamed with interest.
He wasn't bothered by Ishikawa's clever approach. Instead, he was impressed by how quickly the boy had adapted to the racket's weight and combined power and spin so effectively.
"Genius."
The word instinctively came to Mifune's mind.
For someone like him, the term "genius" wasn't thrown around lightly.
"Hmm?"
But the next moment, as Ishikawa tossed the ball again, Mifune's eyes widened in surprise.
Bang!
This time, the ball didn't graze the tofu. Instead, it landed directly on the ball placed on the tofu.
Thud.
The force of the impact crushed the tofu, while the ball flew into the distant bucket.
"This kid is interesting!"
Seeing this, Mifune couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Ishikawa.
The earlier clever moves had been Ishikawa's way of showing that he could easily complete the challenge using alternative methods.
But this shot demonstrated that, despite having the ability to take shortcuts, he chose to follow Mifune's training plan.
In just a few minutes, Mifune had come to understand that Ishikawa was calm, composed, and supremely confident top-tier genius.
"No wonder he defeated Oni."
Compared to Oni, who relied on sheer power, Ishikawa's all-around potential was far greater.
In this genius boy, Mifune vaguely saw the shadow of a familiar figure.
Thinking this, Mifune smiled. "Even compared to that guy, he's not far behind!"
As the head coach of U-17, Mifune, known for his strictness and high standards, felt a renewed sense of purpose.
With such a talented player in his hands, he knew he had to bring out his full capabilities to properly train him.
Thus, after Ishikawa and the others completed this phase of training, Mifune didn't send them to climb the waterfall as planned. Instead, he called them over.
"Head Coach."
The three, somewhat exhausted, nodded respectfully.
"Sit."
Mifune, sitting cross-legged on a rock, paid no mind to his disheveled appearance. The three followed suit and sat down.
"I know why the three of you are here."
Mifune's rugged face broke into a sly smile. "Now, I'll teach you the first step to entering the Path of Asura!"
Swish!
At these words, while Ishikawa and Oni remained calm,Irie, who rarely showed his true emotions, couldn't help but widen his eyes.
The Path of Asura?
Was Mifune really about to reveal his hidden techniques?!
(End of Chapter)
