Chapter 122: The Good Times at U17

Mifune said: "Just as Saito said, that move of Takahashi's should be a mental-type ultimate move related to time."

"This move is on a much higher level than Metsu Gokan. Time refers to the continuity and sequence manifested in the constant movement and change of objects; it is a very mysterious and complex concept."

"Being able to cause Tanegashima's perception of time to go wrong, this move is likely, just like the Taotie that Takahashi displayed before, part of the Other-dimensional Domain."

"I really didn't expect that after opening the Asura Divine Path, Takahashi could actually go this far!"

While speaking, Mifune was lost in thought.

He had clearly just seen the seriousness and determination in Takahashi's eyes; with such wholehearted devotion to the sport of tennis, how could he have failed to open the Selfless State?

Originally, Mifune had wanted to stay at the Training Camp to personally conduct "scientific and effective" training for Takahashi to help him open the three gates of the Selfless State.

This was treatment that not even Byodoin Houou and Tokugawa Kazuya had received in the beginning.

The two of them had both trained at Mifune's base—the cliff at the Back Mountain—unlike Takahashi, for whom Mifune had personally come to the Training Camp to help him train.

But seeing this ultimate move that Takahashi unleashed at the end, Mifune hesitated.

He knew that even if the Selfless State were opened, the extent of the improvement to Takahashi's strength would likely not be as great as the extent to which this move improved Takahashi's overall strength.

Takahashi, it seems, has truly found a tennis path that belongs uniquely to him.

Although it is different from others, the future of this path seems even broader and brighter!

As an old man, he should also let go and let the young people walk their own paths.

Thinking of this, Mifune picked up the wine flask in his hand, and while taking a large gulp of wine, said: "Takahashi Yanichi defeated Tanegashima Shuji and passed our assessment; from now on, let him be in charge of his own training! Our coaching staff will no longer interfere with his training methods."

Kurobe's eyes widened instantly: "Ah!"

"Takahashi's personality of liking to slack off—is this really okay?"

Originally, Kurobe had never thought that Tanegashima would lose to Takahashi, but the strength Takahashi displayed during his match with Tanegashima today deeply shocked Kurobe.

Kurobe had already secretly made up his mind that the object of the Training Camp's key cultivation from now on would be Takahashi Yanichi, and all resources and all the energy of the coaches should be tilted toward him.

Because Takahashi is the future of Japan U17.

As a result, now hearing the Head Coach say that Takahashi should be in charge of his own training from now on, Kurobe felt very bewildered.

Such an excellent, promising talent cannot afford even the slightest bit of delay.

Mifune laughed heartily: "He passed our assessment, and for the truly gifted, free-range training might not be a bad method!"

Accompanied by the hearty voice, Mifune's back gradually moved into the distance...

On the court.

Takahashi and Tanegashima shook hands.

"Your mental ultimate move—Time Distortion—is truly terrifying; even my Mu could not neutralize it."

Tanegashima said, and listening carefully to his voice, one could still sense a trace of fear.

"Because it was never a negative state to begin with."

Takahashi smiled slightly.

"What?"

Tanegashima asked in confusion.

"Nothing, I am looking forward to the days in the U17 in the future."

The corners of Takahashi's mouth curled into a deep arc.

It was another sunny day with spring warmth and blooming flowers.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

The sound of the tennis ball being hit by the racket reached Takahashi's ears from time to time.

Takahashi was sitting on a tree-lined path, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the high school students who were sweating profusely from training.

The U17 Training Camp is located in the suburbs of Tokyo, different from the high-rise buildings made of reinforced concrete in the city. Here, looking out from a height, nature presents itself to Takahashi's eyes in its most innocent form.

The golden sunlight spills onto the tender green lawn, and the distant mountain peaks and the nearby trees and flowers form a beautiful painting.

Warm and cozy!

The years are peaceful!

In the restaurant not far away.

Kurobe heavily closed the laptop in front of him.

The original screen of the laptop was exactly Takahashi sitting on the side enjoying life, captured by the surveillance camera.

Kurobe was so angry that he drank the coffee at his side in large gulps.

"Coach Kurobe, your mood is very bad today!"

A gentle voice came.

The person who arrived was Irie Kanata, holding a bottle of drink.

"At this time, shouldn't you be training?"

Kurobe said.

"This, I was tired from training, so I came out to buy a bottle of water to drink."

While Irie spoke, a brilliant smile spread across his face.

Kurobe looked at Irie, who had a bright smile in front of him, and the fire in his heart grew even larger.

Irie Kanata, gentle on the surface but black-hearted on the inside, possesses the strength of Court 1, yet he happens to like acting; he never exerts his true strength in any match, and is currently a representative of Court 3.

He also doesn't train properly and often slacks off.

Then there is Tanegashima Shuji, who, because he dislikes flying, did not follow the First String on their overseas expedition and stayed at the Training Camp, riding a hoverboard around aimlessly every day.

Oni Jujiro, as the No. 5 of the First String, stayed at the Training Camp specifically to train Tokugawa, and instead of staying on Court 1, he became the gatekeeper of Court 5.

Each one of them has decent strength and a peculiar personality.

Now, add to that Takahashi Yanichi, a first-year middle school student who defeated Tanegashima Shuji, yet insists on staying on Court 16, refusing to move forward.

He obtained autonomy over his training from the Coach, spends every day watching the scenery from the sidelines, and I have never once seen him train; he loves to slack off!

Just thinking about these eccentric guys makes Kurobe furious.

To maintain his composure, Kurobe picked up the laptop on the table and left straight away.

"It feels like with the arrival of Takahashi, there is one more person giving the coaches a headache!"

A brilliant smile appeared on Irie's face.

……

A month passed quickly, and on this day, Kurobe saw Takahashi off as he left the Training Camp.

Good times are always fleeting, making one sigh with regret: "It passes like this, never ceasing day or night."

Listening to the ancient language of the Dragon Kingdom recited by Takahashi, Kurobe tried his best to keep his eyebrows from twitching.

I am afraid that apart from Takahashi, no one else would have this feeling when leaving this Training Camp.

Good times?

How is that possible?

The high-intensity daily training and the occasional ranking matches alone make the elite high school students tremble with fear and immense pressure.

Aside from Takahashi, Kurobe has yet to see a second person capable of enjoying life at the U17.

Because apart from the first few days after he arrived, when Takahashi played matches against people every day, for the nearly one month that followed, no one else initiated a challenge against Takahashi, and Takahashi was content to stay on Court 16 without moving.

This resulted in Takahashi only playing three matches since arriving at the U17.

Moreover, Takahashi obtained autonomy over his training from the coaches; except for the first few days, Kurobe never saw Takahashi train, and he didn't even pick up a racket!

This is slacking off way too much!

To think that when Takahashi left, he actually went on and on in front of Kurobe about the wonderful times of this past month, causing Kurobe's face to successfully turn black.