Japan.

Tokyo.

U-17 Tennis Training Camp.

While the expedition team was away, the training at the base entered a new phase.

By now, the roster of Court 5 had changed multiple times. Yet, despite their efforts, players like Tezuka, Yukimura, and Atobe remained stuck there—none had managed to advance to the top four courts.

The reason?

Byakuya's decree.

Unless they earned his approval, no player from Court 5 could participate in the shuffle matches against the top four courts.

This rule took immense pressure off the high schoolers in the top courts. But for the middle schoolers in Court 5? The competition had reached brutal levels.

As for the high schoolers?

They'd been completely wiped out by the middle schoolers the day after Byakuya's return. Now, Courts 5, 6, and 7 had zero high schoolers left.

But this situation was like a pressure cooker—heat rising, pressure building. If the steam wasn't released soon, it would explode.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

At the center court, a shuffle match between Courts 5 and 6 was underway.

The players?

Seigaku's legendary duo—Tezuka and Fuji.

Thanks to the intense competition among the middle schoolers, even someone as skilled as Fuji had been pushed down to Court 6.

Of course, luck hadn't been on his side.

During the group draws, he kept getting matched against Tezuka, Atobe, Yukimura, and Akutsu. After days of losses against all four, he now found himself facing Tezuka again in the shuffle matches.

This time, Fuji was fully focused, his usual graceful play now sharpened with a newfound intensity.

"Not bad."

In the monitoring room on the second floor, Saito nodded as he watched the match.

"Fuji's improved significantly. Last time he played Tezuka, he only won two games."

"True," Tōzō agreed. "His physical conditioning has also gotten better. It's clear those losses affected him."

"Byakuya's strategy is working," Kurobe added from his computer. "Instead of pitting middle schoolers against high schoolers, forcing them to compete among themselves was the right call. Their talent is undeniable."

Saito and Tōzō chuckled.

They knew Byakuya would've never cared about middle schoolers before. But after losing to Ishikawa, even someone as proud and composed as him couldn't stay indifferent.

"Still," Saito frowned, "if we follow Byakuya's rules, these middle schoolers won't even get a chance at the shuffle matches unless he approves."

Byakuya's word carried weight—enough to make even the coaches hesitate.

"Doesn't matter," Kurobe shook his head. "The shuffle match qualifications aren't his call. Officially, they're supposed to come from the top four courts, but rules like that aren't set in stone. In the end, it's up to the head coach."

He glanced at the report in front of him—today's results from the expedition team's match against India—and smirked.

"Besides… times have changed."

Saito and Tōzō nodded.

Kurobe was right. The U-17's old rules no longer applied. Ishikawa's rise had shattered tradition, and no one could predict what would happen when the expedition team returned.

Bam!

On the court, the match neared its end.

Fuji's Phoenix Return—a high-speed slice—dipped sharply after clearing the net.

But before it could land, the ball curved unnaturally, drawn toward Tezuka's side.

"Tezuka Zone!"

The spectators—Thousand from Shitenhōji, Tachibana from Fudomine, and Jirō and Akutagawa from Hyōtei—all tensed.

"No," Atobe corrected, smirking. "That's the Perfect Zone."

Bam!

The ball, now under Tezuka's complete control, shot toward the far sideline—

"Out!"

"Game over!"

"Tezuka Kunimitsu of Court 5 wins, 6-3!"

Fuji stood panting, drenched in sweat.

Tezuka, on the other hand, remained as composed as ever.

"The gap's too big," Kikumaru muttered from the sidelines.

As much as he wanted to stay neutral, seeing Fuji so outmatched hurt. Before Ryoma joined Seigaku, Fuji's reputation had rivaled Tezuka's. Now? They weren't even in the same league.

"Tezuka's too strong," Jirō said grimly. "At this point, no other middle schooler in U-17 can challenge him. He doesn't even need to stay here anymore."

The others—Yagyū, Marui—exchanged uneasy glances.

A few days ago, a letter had arrived for Tezuka, but a high schooler with the same surname had accidentally signed for it. Upon opening it, he'd panicked—the contents mentioned a professional tennis offer.

When the mistake was realized, everyone was stunned that the offer was for a middle schooler.

Word spread quickly.

Soon, the entire camp knew—Tezuka had been scouted by a Japanese pro for a training program in Germany.

Most assumed he'd leave for Europe immediately.

But days passed, and Tezuka stayed.

"Tezuka," Fuji said after catching his breath. "Go to Germany."

Japan was too small. Germany was one of the world's tennis powerhouses. If Tezuka wanted to grow, that was where he needed to be.

"I'll consider it," Tezuka replied calmly—as if the opportunity meant nothing.

"This kid…"

Byakuya, watching from the sidelines with Duke, noticed the flicker of hesitation in Tezuka's eyes.

"He's conflicted?" Duke raised an eyebrow. "What could possibly matter more than a pro career?"

"That guy," Byakuya said flatly. "He's with the expedition team. Most of these kids still think he's just busy with something else."

Duke's lips twitched.

The image of Ishikawa—terrifying, unstoppable—clashed sharply with the middle schoolers' perception of him as harmless.

"Boss," Duke asked, "aren't you going to try keeping him here?"

Tezuka's talent was undeniable. Even at his age, Duke hadn't been that strong. If not for Ishikawa's overwhelming presence, Tezuka could've easily led the middle schoolers.

"…We'll see," Byakuya muttered.

He wanted Tezuka to stay. With him, Japan's team would be stronger—especially under the new World Cup rules requiring at least three middle schoolers per match.

But he also knew better than to stand in the way of a dream.

Later, near the mailroom, Tezuka received a call.

"Hello? Yes, this is Tezuka Kunimitsu… Sensei? What is it?"

His expression darkened as he listened.

"Today's the deadline?"

A pro career had been his goal since he first picked up a racket. But now, faced with the chance, he hesitated.

Not because he doubted his dream—but because leaving now felt wrong.

If he left without facing him, the regret would linger.

And deep down, Tezuka knew—if he couldn't even defeat Japan's best middle schooler, calling himself a pro was delusional.

Besides, the U-17's training had sharpened him like nothing else. Byakuya's ruthless critiques had exposed flaws he never noticed.

Would Germany really offer more?

"Sensei…" He took a deep breath. "Please apologize to the scout for me. I'm turning down the offer."

He hung up and walked away, resolve hardening.

Byakuya stepped out from the shadows, watching Tezuka's retreating figure.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Tezuka Kunimitsu, huh? Aside from that guy, there's actually someone like this among the middle schoolers."

He adjusted his racket and headed to the training courts.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

At Court 1, the high schoolers—the camp's official strongest—were locked in practice matches.

The middle schoolers' rise had lit a fire under them. None dared slack off now.

BANG!

The court doors slammed open.

The high schoolers turned, furious—until they saw who it was.

"B-Byakuya…?!"

"Hey, Shūji," Byakuya called out, ignoring them. "We need to talk."