Chapter 160: Everyone Trains While Takahashi Lies Flat

Inside Court 16.

Looking around, the uniform, a uniform shade of yellow and white, was precisely the Rikkai uniform.

Atobe was speechless and said, "You Rikkai people are truly not flashy! To think everyone is hiding on Court 16!"

Yukimura responded immediately, "Atobe, don't be too arrogant with your words!"

"Tch!"

Atobe muttered under his breath.

Shiraishi came out to smooth things over, saying, "The Coaches only told us to challenge the high schoolers and obtain a suitable position; there is no rule stating we must defeat the high schoolers of any specific court."

"The members of Rikkai have indeed fulfilled the Coaches' requirements."

Atobe ignored Shiraishi's words, scanned the entire court, and said, "Where is your Captain Takahashi? Why don't I see him?"

Kirihara said, "I haven't seen Master since this morning!"

Kintaro said, "Is the boss of Rikkai late? Wouldn't that mean he has to be punished with laps just like Seigaku yesterday?"

At this moment, a voice came over the broadcast.

"Talking is prohibited on the court! Violators will be punished with 10 laps!"

……

4 hours later.

The middle schoolers were running around Court 16.

"So... tired..."

Kikumaru said, panting, completely out of breath.

Poor stamina was Kikumaru's greatest disadvantage, so this kind of high-intensity training was the thing that gave him the biggest headache.

"Kikumaru, just endure it; run 20 more laps and today's training will be over."

Fuji advised.

"Still... still... have 20... laps?"

"Can't... take... it anymore."

Kikumaru was incredulous.

"Eiji, why don't you go get a drink of water first to replenish your energy."

Oishi said worriedly.

At this moment, he was also drenched in sweat; he hadn't expected the U17 training volume to be this intense.

"Too slack! Stopping now to drink water will disrupt the rhythm of the run."

Sanada said very seriously.

"Sanada, the physical fitness of you Rikkai members is truly good."

Fuji sighed.

Regarding the 4-hour-long training, Fuji was also struggling a bit.

But he was surprised to find that although the Rikkai members were also drenched in sweat, they could still maintain rhythmic breathing, and even Marui, who had the weakest stamina, was able to adapt very well.

"That is a matter of course. Our Rikkai training is usually very strict and cruel; members who can persevere and be unremitting naturally have no problem facing the U17 training."

Sanada said.

"As expected of Wangzhe Rikai Da, which has won the national championship for three consecutive years; it seems your efforts are worthy of your rewards."

Shiraishi praised.

"Shiraishi, the training here is so interesting! There's Double Knee Jump, Open Squat..."

"It's much more fun than our training at Shitenhoji."

Kintaro said excitedly.

"Shiraishi, the stamina of the first-year in your team is also too good!"

Atobe also chimed in.

Hearing this, everyone shifted their gaze toward Kintaro.

They were surprised to find that not only was there no sign of fatigue on his face, but he was actually full of zest.

Hearing someone praise Kintaro, Shiraishi said proudly, "Kintaro possesses powerful athletic talent; not only is he incredibly strong, but his stamina is also astonishing."

"He once walked 100 kilometers in one night, setting a record for our Shitenhoji routine activity."

Chitose also followed up with praise: "Shiraishi is right; it is precisely because he has such a unique athletic talent that Kintaro has been able to become this strong after only half a year of contact with tennis."

Oishi was surprised: "Eh? Has Kintaro only been learning tennis for half a year?"

"Last time when our Seigaku and Shitenhoji had an exchange match, Kintaro and Echizen were evenly matched; I thought he had been learning tennis for a long time."

"Only half a year, it's truly astonishing!"

Atobe said: "Speaking of Echizen, it's a pity he didn't come to this Training Camp."

"With his talent, after going through the training here, his level would definitely rise to a higher floor."

Fuji replied: "Atobe, no need to feel sorry for Echizen. Yesterday, I spoke with Echizen on the phone; he seems to be preparing to join the USA U17."

Kikumaru said: "Eh? USA U17?"

Fuji said: "Yes. If we can successfully be selected for the Japan Representative Team and participate in the World Tournament, we might be able to run into Echizen."

Hiyoshi Wakashi sighed: "Echizen has truly chosen a brighter path!"

"So, who actually won the match between Echizen and Kintaro? The result of this match could determine who is the strongest first-year, right!"

Shiraishi, Fuji, and the others fell silent.

A few seconds later, Shiraishi said: "It was a draw!"

Seeing the friendly atmosphere suddenly disrupted by his own junior, Oshitari Yuushi spoke up to smooth things over.

"Echizen Ryoma can be called the strongest first-year in the Kanto Region, while Toyama Kintaro is the strongest first-year in the Kansai region."

As soon as these words were spoken, Kirihara was immediately displeased and said, "Then where do you put our Captain, our Rikkai Captain?"

"Our Captain is the undisputed strongest first-year in the Kanto Region, no, in the entire National Tournament."

Oshitari Yuushi:...

He had truly forgotten that Takahashi Yanichi was also a first-year.

"Takahashi always gives me the feeling that he is the same age as me."

Oshitari thought for a long time before speaking.

"Yes, not only is he tall, but his conduct is also very mature; he doesn't seem like a first-year at all."

"Kirihara, if you hadn't reminded me, I would have almost forgotten that Takahashi is also a first-year."

Shiraishi chimed in.

Thinking of the lineup for Rikkai's matches against Shitenhoji and Seigaku in the National Tournament, Shiraishi couldn't even imagine that it came from the hand of a first-year who had just entered middle school.

"Sanada, how on earth did you cultivate a monster like Takahashi?"

Atobe said sourly.

Originally, in Atobe's eyes, although Hyotei's third-years could not compare to Rikkai's third-years.

But among the second-years, Hiyoshi Wakashi could barely compare to Kirihara Akaya.

Once everyone in the third year graduates next year, it would be an unknown who would win when Hyotei faces Rikkai.

He didn't expect that a Takahashi would suddenly emerge from Rikkai this year, and a first-year Takahashi at that.

How is Hyotei supposed to compare to Rikkai in the future like this?

Sanada frowned upon hearing this and said, "Atobe, although I know you want to say that the Captain's strength is very powerful, the word 'monster' is not appropriate here. Too slack!"

Kintaro said, "Speaking of Takahashi, hasn't everyone noticed that he hasn't come yet?"

Momoshiro suddenly laughed and said, "He's 4 hours late, he's done for!"

"Yesterday, we were less than 10 minutes late and were punished with 50 laps of running, and then forced by the Coach to write an 800-word letter of apology at night."

"Takahashi has been absent from training all morning; with such outrageous behavior, how do you think the Coach will punish him?"

Sanada's expression suddenly became very serious.

"Look, is that person wearing the red and white team uniform Takahashi?"

Oshitari suddenly spoke up.

Following the direction of Oshitari's finger, everyone cast their gaze over.

Beside the tree-lined path, a tall, slender man was sitting on a bench by the road, and the golden sunlight shone through the overlapping leaves, casting dappled light onto him.

It was like a picture of peaceful, quiet time!

Everyone looked at their own sweat-drenched, exhausted selves, then looked at Takahashi's leisurely and relaxed posture, and all fell silent.

After a long while, Oshitari said, "Takahashi, is that a comic book in his hand?"

Inui Sadaharu said, "Oshitari, aren't you nearsighted?"

"Can you see that clearly?"