Prince of Tennis: The Emperor's Eye

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: First-String Shuffle Battle

The next day, most of the players gathered at the main court of the training camp, a court built especially for first-string shuffle battles. Its sturdiness far surpassed ordinary courts, but it still couldn’t withstand the destruction of a Glowing Shot.

All the first-year players who had won their challenges yesterday, including Akashi, arrived at the scene, and the nine members of the first-string top ten had also shown up early today. Tanegashima was there too, wearing the No.4 badge and standing among the first-string members.

When Itō heard yesterday that the entire second-string had been completely replaced by first-year players, his heart was burning with rage. Hearing that all the senior players in the lower half of the top twenty had been toppled drove him insane.

So now, as he looked at Tanegashima yawning, he grew even more irritated. But he knew full well that in this training camp, basically no one could beat Tanegashima, so trying to take his main selection spot was unrealistic.

At that moment, the three coaches appeared before everyone and explained the arrangements for today’s shuffle battles. Since Byoudouin was away, the No.1 spot wouldn’t be contested for now, and because the Mutsu brothers had voluntarily applied to withdraw from today’s shuffle battle yesterday, their rankings would remain unchanged.

The Mutsu brothers knew very well that although they had a strong advantage in doubles with their Synchronization, it would be tough to protect a top ten spot with that alone since their individual strength was only standard national level. They were satisfied with their current ranking and decided not to join the fray.

Afterward, the coaches announced the rules: a total of three doubles matches and three singles matches, played in best-of-three sets. The players for each match would be entirely arranged by the coaching staff.

Very soon, the first doubles shuffle battle was set to begin. From the first-year side, Irie Kanata and Omagari Ryūji stepped onto the court. Their opponents were No.9 Yoshioka Kunihiko and No.10 Kimura Yoshinori, both third-year players.

As the match started, although Omagari’s defense at the net was solid, Irie’s performance was somewhat underwhelming, and the score gap between the two sides began to widen. Yoshioka and Kimura quickly realized that Irie was the weak link and focused their attacks solely on him.

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 1-0!”

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 2-0!”

”GAME! Omagari, Irie pair! 2-1! Change court!”

At that moment, Irie was panting heavily, looking like he’d used up all his stamina. Seeing this, Yoshioka and Kimura sneered disdainfully. How could someone like this think they could challenge for a top ten spot?

”Damn it! How could this happen? Your strength is way beyond what I estimated!” Irie shouted at Yoshioka and Kimura in disbelief.

”So what if you’re a first-year? You really overestimated yourself,” Yoshioka said with scorn.

”Exactly! Just getting into the first-string is already a miracle for you. Challenging us? Don’t make me laugh,” Kimura mocked mercilessly.

”You two bastards! You’re just relying on two extra years of training. I don’t believe I’m that much worse than you!” Irie said stubbornly.

”Oh, spare me~ not this again~” Omagari sighed as he covered his face helplessly at the net.

Even Oni watching from the sidelines couldn’t help twitching at the corner of his eye. He simply couldn’t understand Irie’s style. What did tennis have to do with acting?

Akashi, on the other hand, was completely enjoying the show. He couldn’t wait to see the looks on Yoshioka and Kimura’s faces at the end. People said Atobe’s playing style was closest to Irie’s, but Akashi thought Irie was much more like Fuji.

The match continued quickly. Irie chased after the ball like a madman, even falling several times trying to reach it, but he still couldn’t score and kept losing points as the obvious weak link.

The two third-year players grew more and more smug, completely missing the strange expression on Omagari’s face at the net—definitely not the frustrated look of someone being crushed.

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 3-1!”

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 4-1!”

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 5-1! Change court!”

”Dammit! This can’t be happening. How could I become the weak point? No! This isn’t real!” Irie collapsed to his knees, pounding the ground with his fist, looking like he was on the verge of a breakdown.

”Heh~ what a foolish first-year. I suggest you give up now before you embarrass yourself further,” Yoshioka sneered.

Loud laughter erupted from many of the watching senior players. They had been frustrated for days, and now was finally their chance for payback. No surprise their core members were this strong.

”GAME! 6-1! First set, Yoshioka and Kimura pair wins!”

Akashi chuckled as he watched Irie and Omagari return to the sidelines to hydrate. Only Omagari’s stamina could keep up with Irie’s antics—if it were anyone with less endurance, they’d probably be cursing by now.

At that moment, No.2 Itō, watching from the sidelines, sharply sensed something was off. None of the first-year players looked the least bit worried, and that Irie kid’s movements felt oddly unnatural to him. He immediately called out to Yoshioka and Kimura to stay alert, warning them that the opponents might be hiding their true strength.

Hearing Itō’s shout while rehydrating, Irie glanced over at his fellow first-years’ faces, all watching with expressions of pure amusement. Countless alpacas seemed to stampede through his mind. ’Come on! Can’t you guys at least pretend to look a bit worried?’

Omagari glanced at the frustrated look on Irie’s face, then at the others, and almost burst out laughing. ’Seriously, the whole group decided to blow his cover, huh~’

The second set started quickly. Irie kept up his half-dead act, but soon noticed the opponents were sending fewer balls his way. A bad feeling welled up inside him—had his performance been seen through?

Thinking that, Irie started playing a bit more seriously. His movements became much smoother, and his returns were faster and stronger, actually going toe-to-toe with the other side.

”This brat really was hiding his strength! Good thing the boss warned us, or we would’ve fallen for it!” Kimura shouted angrily.

”Enough! Let’s finish this match with everything we’ve got. They’ve already lost one set!” Yoshioka said irritably.

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 1-0!”

”GAME! Omagari, Irie pair! 1-1!”

”GAME! Omagari, Irie pair! 2-1! Change court!”

As they switched sides, Irie complained in annoyance, ”I didn’t think you’d see through my strategy. Looks like we’ll just have to play this one seriously!”

”Hmph! You sneaky little brat, don’t think you’ve seen our full power yet!” Yoshioka snapped viciously.

Sure enough, Yoshioka and Kimura started playing all-out in the following games, clashing fiercely with Omagari and Irie as the score climbed back and forth.

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 2-2!”

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 3-2!”

”GAME! Omagari, Irie pair! 3-3! Change court!”

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 4-3!”

”GAME! Yoshioka, Kimura pair! 5-3!”

Before long, the match came to the decisive game. Irie now wore an expression of utter terror, more convincing than ever, even making the first-year spectators watching on the sidelines frown in sync.

”This can’t be! I’m giving it my all—why can’t I win? Is the gap between me and the first-string top ten really this huge?!” Irie shouted, dropping to his knees and even tossing his racket aside, looking completely shattered.

Omagari bowed his head beside him, shoulders shaking slightly in apparent despair. Only he knew how hard it was to keep himself from bursting out laughing.

”Players, please retrieve your rackets and resume the match,” the umpire urged, and the game resumed—but Irie and Omagari continued to look completely overwhelmed.

”15-0!”

”30-0!”

”40-0!”

As match point arrived, Yoshioka and Kimura wore smug, ecstatic smiles. Crushing their opponent’s confidence like this felt absolutely delightful.

”Hahahaha! Brat, sink into endless regret and fall!” Kimura cackled as he smashed the ball toward Irie’s backhand corner.

Just as Yoshioka and Kimura were waiting for the umpire to declare their victory, a yellow blur flashed before their eyes, followed by the umpire’s announcement.

”40-15!”

”Ara~ you two look awfully surprised~ Did my performance captivate you that much? I told you, this is perfect art!” Irie stood confidently at the baseline, racket slung over his shoulder, smiling brightly—completely different from his earlier near-breakdown.

”Sheesh! Spare me~ acting alongside you is exhausting!” Omagari said with a wry smile.

”You brat! Were you toying with us this whole time?!” Yoshioka roared furiously, face twisted in rage.

”No, no, no! You’ve got it all wrong~ this is a symbol of art! You should be thanking me for putting on a perfect show just for you!” Irie replied with an innocent-looking grin.

Just as Yoshioka was about to shout something, the umpire gestured for them to resume the match. With no choice, they had to swallow their rage. At that moment, Omagari waved to Kaji Kazena on the sidelines, and Kaji immediately understood, tossing his racket to Omagari.

Omagari grabbed both rackets and stood at the net, clearly done playing around. From then on, the match turned completely one-sided.

”GAME! 7-5! Second set, Omagari and Irie pair wins!”

The final set began quickly, and this time Irie stopped messing around, working with Omagari to leave Yoshioka and Kimura utterly helpless.

”GAME! 6-0! Match over! Total score 2-1! Omagari and Irie pair wins!”

Irie walked up to Kimura with a cheerful smile and took the No.10 badge from his collar, while Omagari took the No.9 badge from Yoshioka.

Watching them, Itō’s face darkened completely. He hadn’t expected the third-year players to lose right from the first match—and worst of all, they’d been toyed with by those first-year brats from start to finish!

In the second doubles match, the coaches had arranged for Tōno Atsukyou and Kimijima Ikuto to pair up. Although the two disliked each other, they knew when to cooperate and showed it on court.

”Execution Method No.2—Firing Squad!”

”Execution Method No.1—Seppuku!”

”Execution Method No.12—Electric Chair!”

”Execution Method No.8—Inquisition!”

The entire match echoed with Tōno’s maniacal laughter and their opponents’ screams. Although the two third-year players had heard of Tōno’s brutal playstyle, experiencing it firsthand was a completely different nightmare.

”GAME! 6-0! First set, Kimijima and Tōno pair wins!”

”GAME! 3-0! Match over! Total score 2-0! Kimijima and Tōno pair wins!”

In the second set, one third-year finally couldn’t withstand Tōno’s relentless assaults and collapsed in a pool of blood, while the other lost the ability to continue. The umpire immediately declared the match over.

Itō’s face twisted seeing the two carried off the court. He cursed them as useless under his breath, but there was nothing he could do—these first-year brats were far beyond what he’d imagined.

The third doubles match pitted Ochi Tsukimitsu and Kaji Kazena against No.5 and No.6, a third-year and a second-year duo.

But facing Ochi’s near-professional Mach serves, they couldn’t react at all. And while this was doubles, meaning Ochi’s service games were limited, Kaji’s lightning-quick, afterimage-like speed left them completely unable to keep up, giving up point after point.

No.5, Habu Itto, suffered the worst, falling victim to Ochi’s Mental Assassination and repeatedly committing clumsy errors, which infuriated his partner Mizutani Hayato. But Mizutani, only a second-year, didn’t dare yell at his senior.

In the end, they lost both sets miserably and dropped out of the top ten. Watching from the sidelines, Akashi was speechless. The six players who had just come up barely had old-level national strength—none had even reached the peak of national level. How did these guys get into the top ten? Even the original No.11 he crushed was stronger than them.

Still, Akashi was curious. All the doubles matches were done, and he still hadn’t been called up. It seemed the coaches had placed him in the singles rounds. He wondered who his opponent would be—only three of the top ten first-string remained.

The coaches soon announced the next match: No.19 Mitsuya Akuto versus No.4 Tanegashima Shuji. Everyone expected an easy win for Tanegashima; his strength was widely recognized in the training camp.

But to everyone’s shock, Mitsuya forfeited immediately, saying he was no match for Tanegashima and didn’t want to waste time, preferring to keep his No.19 ranking.

The coaches didn’t seem surprised by Mitsuya’s choice, as if they’d expected it all along, and Tanegashima just shrugged, clearly indifferent.

With the No.4 match skipped due to the forfeit, the coaches finally called Akashi’s name, announcing his opponent as No.3 Yamada Takayuki.

Before Akashi stepped onto the court, Oni Juujirou pulled him aside and warned him to be extra careful. This opponent wasn’t like the useless ones before; Yamada had surpassed the national level and reached the threshold of world-class—one of only two players in the camp who could barely match Oni and Byoudouin Houou.

”Don’t worry, Oni-senpai! No matter who my opponent is, there’s only one outcome—his defeat!” Akashi replied. As he finished speaking, his Dimensional Space aura flickered faintly, causing Oni’s pupils to contract sharply.