Chapter 4: Newcomer Orientation Mission  

**Unbelievable!** 

No one could have expected that this newcomer would deliver such an astonishing serve. 

Soon after, everyone's gaze shifted to Shinohara. Their eyes carried a hint of mockery, as if they were all eagerly waiting to see how things would unfold. 

**"Damn it!"** 

Shinohara finally snapped back to reality, his face flushing red with embarrassment and anger as he felt the weight of everyone's judgmental stares. 

He looked up, his eyes locked onto Ishikawa on the other side of the court, burning with fury. 

*This guy…* 

It was because of him that Shinohara had been humiliated in front of so many people. He couldn't let this slide. If he did, how could he ever maintain his reputation at Hyotei? 

**"You brat, you've got some nerve!"** 

Shinohara's voice was icy as he tightened his grip on his racket and strode toward Ishikawa. 

**"I'm going to make sure you learn what happens when you mess with your seniors!"** 

Hearing this, the other newcomers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces filled with fear as they looked at Shinohara. 

This was a third-year at Hyotei. 

Dominant. 

Overbearing. 

Not someone a newcomer could afford to cross. 

As for the newcomer who had dared to stand up to him? Well, he was just unlucky. Sure, he had a decent serve, but provoking a senior like this meant he was bound to be taught a harsh lesson. 

The older members, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. Many of them even looked at Ishikawa with a hint of amusement. 

*So what if he's got some skills?* 

This was Hyotei. 

A top-tier team that had made it to the national championships for over six consecutive years and had won the Tokyo Metropolitan Championship multiple times. 

With over 200 members, Hyotei's tennis club was unrivaled in scale nationwide. 

But a large team also meant fierce competition. 

Many of them didn't even have the chance to participate in practice matches. Naturally, they felt a sense of hostility toward newcomers like Ishikawa, who showed promise and might even make it to the second string or become a regular. 

So, when they saw Shinohara about to teach Ishikawa a lesson, they were more than happy to watch. 

Many of them stared intently at Ishikawa, expecting to see him cower in fear under Shinohara's pressure. 

But… 

They were disappointed. 

Facing Shinohara's aggressive approach, Ishikawa remained calm. It wasn't until Shinohara was right in front of him that he finally spoke. 

**"So, this is what the so-called top-tier Hyotei is like? Not impressed."** 

**"What do you mean?"** 

Shinohara paused, his brow furrowing. 

**"Sigh."** 

Ishikawa let out a light sigh. **"I thought Hyotei was a place where skill mattered. But it seems like it's just the same old hierarchy where seniors bully newcomers."** 

He shook his head in disappointment. 

Shinohara immediately caught the underlying message in Ishikawa's words and asked sternly, **"What are you trying to say, brat?"** 

**"Heh."** 

Ishikawa smiled faintly, his tone calm and unhurried. **"If I'm not mistaken, this is a tennis club, right? Shouldn't tennis problems be settled on the court?"** 

Then, with a playful smirk, he added, **"Or are you, Senior, afraid you might lose to me?"** 

**"You—!"** 

Shinohara's expression darkened. Ishikawa's words instantly brought back the memory of that whirlwind-like serve, and he felt a pang of reluctance. 

But just as he was about to bypass the match and confront Ishikawa directly, he suddenly felt a chilling aura emanating from the crowd. 

*Whoosh!* 

Shinohara instinctively turned his head and saw a boy with blue-black hair, wearing glasses and an expressionless face. 

Instantly, his pupils contracted. 

**"M-Mitsui…"** 

A cold sweat dripped down Shinohara's forehead. 

A regular had arrived! 

And not just any regular—Mitsui was one of the top three singles players on the team. Known for his strict adherence to the club's rules, Mitsui was not someone who would tolerate any form of misconduct. 

If Mitsui found out that Shinohara was trying to pick a fight with a newcomer over something as trivial as not picking up balls, Shinohara had no doubt that Mitsui wouldn't side with him. 

At the same time, the strange looks from the people around him made it clear that he had no choice but to accept this challenge. 

If he refused, he'd be ridiculed by everyone. 

If he accepted and lost, he'd become a laughingstock. 

The only way to minimize the damage was to win and put an end to this mess. 

**"Fine!"** 

Shinohara glared at Ishikawa and sneered, **"Since you're so confident, I'll play a match with you. I'll show you the difference between a newcomer and a senior!"** 

**[Ding!]** 

**[Player has triggered a mission: First Challenge]** 

**[Mission: Defeat Shinohara Saburo, a third-year member of Hyotei's tennis club, and prove your strength.]** 

**[Reward: 80 EXP]** 

**[Accept: Yes/No]** 

Without hesitation, Ishikawa accepted. 

He looked up at Shinohara and said with a smile, **"Please go easy on me, Senior."** 

Though his words sounded respectful, the annoying smirk on his face told Shinohara otherwise. 

**"Hmph!"** 

Shinohara snorted and turned away, retreating to his side of the court. 

The others couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that Shinohara was too proud to fight for the serve. After all, as a senior, it would be embarrassing to compete with a newcomer for the serve. 

Then, they turned their attention to Ishikawa. 

**"This kid's way too arrogant."** 

**"Yeah, he just joined the club and he's already picking fights with third-years. He's way too full of himself."** 

**"If he thinks a good serve is enough to beat a third-year, he's in for a rude awakening."** 

**"Tennis isn't just about serving!"** 

**"Oh?"** 

Hearing the chatter, Mitsui glanced at Ishikawa with interest. 

**"A good serve, huh?"** 

He had arrived a bit late and missed Ishikawa's serve, but judging from the reactions of the second and third-years, it must have been impressive. 

After all, earning their acknowledgment wasn't an easy feat. 

Meanwhile, as Ishikawa walked toward the baseline, he couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the comments around him. 

*An egg trying to break a stone?* 

*Overestimating himself?* 

Wasn't this all part of the **Newcomer Orientation Mission**? 

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*(End of Chapter)*