BAM! BAM! BAM!
On one of the courts, two pairs of doubles players engaged in a fierce rally.
The explosive sound of their shots reverberated through the air, each strike carrying terrifying weight. This was a pure battle of raw power—a slugfest that thrilled every spectator.
"These two…"
Outside the court, Tonuma and Nakagauchi watched in shock.
They had stayed behind to witness this intense match. Initially, they assumed the two middle schoolers would be easily crushed by Date Danji and Ban Rikiya.
But reality proved otherwise.
Not only had the duo withstood the initial onslaught—they were holding their own.
"Rikiya."
After gauging their opponents' strength, Date Danji—the scarred, gray-haired high schooler—spoke in a low voice. "Let's give them a proper send-off."
"Yeah."
Ban Rikiya grunted in agreement.
The next moment, an overwhelming pressure erupted from the two high schoolers.
Clearly, they hadn't been serious until now.
"Tch."
Kawamura and Kabaji's expressions darkened.
Aside from Ishida Gin, these two were the strongest power players among the middle schoolers. Yet even they had struggled earlier.
Now, the sheer force bearing down on them was suffocating.
"Their raw strength isn't weak."
Nakagauchi, despite his intimidating appearance, was actually a technical player. "In a direct clash, they wouldn't lose so badly. The real issue is their technique."
"Right."
Tonuma nodded. "Date and Ban both have Technique ratings of 5. These middle schoolers' skills aren't even at the passing level."
According to Kurobe's five-dimensional scoring system:
3 points = Passing 4 points = Good 5 points = Elite
An average of 5 across all stats would total 25 points—easily placing them in the Top 10 of the U-17.
But most players, like these four, were specialists. That's why overall stats mattered.
For Kawamura and Kabaji, lacking technique while already outmatched in power?
This match was as good as lost.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Sure enough, every return from the middle schoolers came with gritted teeth and strained muscles.
"Is this all you've got?"
Date smirked, taunting them. "Pathetic."
"Grr—!"
Hot-blooded Kawamura took the bait. Summoning every ounce of strength, he unleashed his ultimate move—
"Explosive Hadoukyuu!!"
"Nice!"
Date's eyes lit up. He stepped forward and swung with devastating force.
"Otoko no Haru (A Man's Spring)!"
BOOM!
Kawamura was sent flying, crashing into the chain-link fence with a metallic clang.
"T-This power…!"
Blood trickled down his forehead as he struggled to peel himself off the fence. Yet despite his injuries, he staggered back onto the court.
"Hoh?"
Ban raised an eyebrow. "He can still move after taking Otoko no Haru head-on?"
"Hmm."
Date studied the brown-haired boy with newfound respect.
Technically, Kawamura was lacking. But his mental resilience was undeniable.
And Date's way of showing respect?
Hitting them harder.
"..."
Kabaji, ever the silent giant, clenched his racket. Words failed him, but his gaze sharpened like a blade.
BAM!
The high schoolers served again.
Kawamura barely managed a return before stumbling back. Kabaji swiftly moved to cover him.
"Bonds of friendship, huh?"
Date chuckled. "Let's see how far that loyalty takes you!"
With a fierce swing, he unleashed—
"Otoko no Haru!"
BOOM!
A beam of light, crackling with purple electricity, shot toward Kabaji—a strike rivaling Ishida's 80th Style Hadoukyuu.
Date wasn't the type to exploit weaknesses.
"HAAAH!"
Kabaji didn't flinch. He swung with all his might—
CRACK!
—and returned the shot.
"Wha—?!"
Tonuma and Nakagauchi's jaws dropped.
Even Ban's eyes widened. "He just… returned Otoko no Haru?!"
"That's…"
Date stared in disbelief. "My own technique?!"
The ball landed with a thunderous impact, cracking the court's surface.
"This kid…"
Ban muttered, "Is he really a middle schooler?"
At their age, neither he nor Date had been anywhere near this level.
"Rikiya."
After a pause, Date suddenly grinned. "Let's give them our badges."
"Huh?!"
Ban stiffened.
"I want to see if they can reach that realm."
That realm.
The words sent a chill down Ban's spine.
It was a domain they'd pursued for three years—one only Oni and Duke had achieved in Japan. Even globally, few high schoolers ever touched it.
Yet in these two boys…
Date saw potential.
FLICK!
Without hesitation, they tossed their badges to Kabaji and Kawamura before walking off.
"Those two…"
Tonuma sighed, shooting a resentful glance at their retreating figures before eyeing the middle schoolers enviously.
"They earned it."
Nakagauchi shrugged. "Even among the Top 5 court high schoolers, barely anyone can handle Date's Otoko no Haru."
"Yeah."
Tonuma nodded heavily.
He understood why Date and Ban had conceded.
Compared to fading stars like them, these two were the rising sun.
And if Tonuma ever met a junior he deemed worthy?
He'd step aside too.
But more importantly…
The atmosphere of this year's Shuffle Matches was different.
Even from afar, he could feel it—a suffocating, oppressive tension brewing.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
On another court, Yanagi and Mitsuya engaged in a battle of Data Tennis.
Their match seemed ordinary at first glance—just baseline rallies.
But beneath the surface?
A war of wits raged. Traps were set, countered, and dismantled in a relentless mental duel.
"Impressive, Renji."
After a grueling exchange, Mitsuya smiled. "You've reached this level already."
Data Tennis had two core aspects:
Input – Collecting and analyzing data. Output – Feeding opponents false data.
Mitsuya had tried slipping Yanagi fabricated intel, only for the younger boy to see through it effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Yanagi had bombarded him with five separate decoys.
"You flatter me."
Yanagi remained calm.
Mitsuya was his mentor—now the U-17's expedition team strategist. His experience dwarfed Yanagi's.
But Yanagi wasn't struggling.
Why?
Because he'd spent months simulating matches against Ishikawa's Data Tennis.
Those mental battles were grueling. Each session drained Yanagi's stamina, and he always lost—even when limiting Ishikawa to only data-based play.
Yet through those defeats, his mental endurance and predictive abilities had skyrocketed.
Now, even against masters like Mitsuya, he could hold his ground.
"You're too composed."
Mitsuya shook his head. "No taunts rattle you. But in Data Tennis, when skill is equal… strength decides the winner."
"Running away?"
Yanagi's eyes snapped open.
"Hah."
Mitsuya smirked. "Nice try. But I'm ending this with data."
WHOOSH!
He accelerated, his vision transforming.
Yanagi's form became a 3D wireframe, every limb tagged with stats. The court itself turned into a grid—temperature, wind, humidity—all quantified.
Mitsuya's mind was now a supercomputer, calculating every variable.
"Renji."
His lips curled. **"Data isn't just numbers. It's alive—it shapes reality."**
BAM!
He fired a shot toward Yanagi's "weak spot"—or so his data claimed.
"Got you."
Yanagi smoothly adjusted, his racket poised to strike.
He'd faked that weakness.
But then—
The ball veered toward his strongest return angle.
"Checkmate."
Mitsuya smiled, though a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.
SWISH!
Yet Yanagi switched hands mid-swing, blasting the ball past Mitsuya's guard.
"Wha—?!"
Mitsuya's pupils contracted.
"Akkuto-senpai."
Yanagi met his gaze. "You're right. Data is alive. But in the end… tennis is played by people."
"!"
Mitsuya froze.
"Human nature…?"
Then he laughed. "I underestimated you."
Yanagi had touched the third realm of Data Tennis—something even most pros couldn't grasp.
Understanding the human heart.
True mastery wasn't about cold calculations—it was manipulating psychology.
"You win."
Despite only losing one point, Mitsuya unclipped his badge and tossed it over.
"This rank isn't high, but if you join the expedition team… it'll take your Data Tennis further."
As he turned to leave—
"Senpai."
Yanagi called out. "One last question."
"Hm?"
"How strong are the Top 10? And just how powerful is the expedition leader?"
Yesterday, Oni and Inui had dodged this question. Their hesitation had stuck with Yanagi.
As the middle schoolers' strategist, he needed this intel.
"The Top 10… are monsters."
Mitsuya's voice turned grave. "Especially the Top 5. They defy data. As for the leader…"
An image of Ishikawa flashed in his mind.
"He's an enigma."
Mitsuya exhaled. **"And his strength? Professional level."**