Chapter 244: The Mysterious Letter (Part 2) 

The national tournament had come to an end. 

As he had hoped, Atobe received the championship flag, symbolizing the national victory, from the tournament officials during the closing ceremony. 

Then, under the watchful eyes of countless spectators, Atobe solemnly handed the flag to Ishikawa. 

"The next era belongs to you," Atobe said with a smile. "Rikkai couldn't achieve a three-peat, but I hope to see it happen under your leadership." 

"Understood," Ishikawa nodded, accepting the flag with both hands. 

Seeing this, Coach Sakaki smiled with satisfaction. He felt at ease now, knowing that for the next two years, he wouldn't have to worry much about the team's training. He was even considering where to go for a vacation. 

With that, the national tournament concluded. 

Representatives from various schools left Tokyo with mixed feelings. Meanwhile, the Hyotei team returned to their school and held a grand celebration. 

At the banquet, Oshitari and Mukahi watched Ishikawa, Hiyoshi, Otori, and Kabaji with complex expressions. 

After tonight, they would essentially be saying goodbye to their middle school tennis careers. Their roles as regulars would soon become a thing of the past. 

"Oshitari," Mukahi, sitting at a table in the restaurant, glanced at Atobe, who was singing on the makeshift stage, and turned to his friend. "What are your plans?" 

"Nothing for now," Oshitari replied calmly. 

"I'm thinking of training some of the new recruits," Mukahi said with a grin. "Without my tennis, Hyotei will definitely be less interesting next year." 

But Oshitari saw through his intentions. "You're just looking for a suitable partner for Otori, aren't you?" 

"Well... yes," Mukahi admitted after a moment's hesitation. "Otori's individual skills are strong, but he's clearly better suited for doubles. Hyotei needs a national-level doubles team to stay competitive." 

"That makes sense," Oshitari nodded slightly. 

A three-peat for Hyotei couldn't rely solely on Ishikawa. In team competitions, overall strength was key. 

Of course, with Ishikawa's training abilities, developing players of a high caliber wouldn't be a problem. 

But as Mukahi had said, they were destined to leave Hyotei. Rather than fading away as passing figures, they wanted to pass on their skills and leave their mark on the team. 

Moreover, as the starting point of Hyotei's three-peat, if their tennis could be carried on by others, their legacy would remain even after they were gone. 

To Oshitari, that held greater meaning. 

"As for Atobe..." Oshitari glanced at the self-absorbed singer on stage and thought to himself, "In a way, Ishikawa is his successor, isn't he?" 

In fact, Ishikawa had surpassed Atobe in both skill and status. 

"Hmm?" 

But just as Oshitari was about to look for Ishikawa, he noticed the boy was nowhere to be seen. 

"Again? Our vice-captain's dedication to training is truly terrifying..." 

As expected, after dinner, Ishikawa had already started his post-meal training routine. 

Outside the restaurant, on the tennis courts, Ishikawa was jogging around the field, just as Oshitari had guessed. 

In the distance, a figure with spiky grayish-white hair and hands in his pockets watched him intently. 

After a moment of contemplation, the figure walked onto the court and intercepted Ishikawa. 

"Akutsu-senpai?" Ishikawa recognized the cold, intimidating boy before him. 

"The national tournament is over," Akutsu said, his voice as sharp as his gaze. Despite the overwhelming pressure he exuded, Ishikawa remained calm and even smiled. 

"Our agreement is fulfilled. Whether you stay at Hyotei or not is up to you now," Ishikawa said. "Or... do you want a rematch?" 

At this, Akutsu's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. 

If anyone else had dared to provoke him like that, Akutsu would have immediately taught them a lesson. But facing Ishikawa, who had defeated players like Kirihara, Sanada, Senri, and Fuji, Akutsu wasn't confident he could win. 

He was here out of sheer frustration. 

After witnessing Ishikawa's intense match against Echizen during the national tournament, Akutsu knew he stood no chance against the boy. 

"Don't worry," Ishikawa said, as if reading Akutsu's thoughts. "I'm not leaving Hyotei. If you want to challenge me, you can do so anytime." 

"Alright," Akutsu nodded slightly before turning to leave. 

Ishikawa chuckled softly, watching Akutsu's retreating figure. He knew Akutsu wouldn't leave Hyotei until he had defeated him. 

With that, Ishikawa turned his attention to his personal stats. 

Though the national tournament had only lasted a week, the battles against so many strong opponents, especially the match where Yukimura had stripped him of his senses, had significantly boosted his abilities. 

Moreover, the experience gained from defeating his opponents had allowed him to level up once more. 

With a thought, a 3D hologram of his stats appeared before him. 

Name: Ishikawa Shin 

Age: 12 

Identity: Hyotei Academy 1st Year, Regular Tennis Team Member, Training Advisor, Vice-Captain, Street Tennis Legend, Hyotei's Demon King 

Main Profession: Tennis Lv55 (0/30000) 

Sub-Professions: Kendo Lv9, Go Lv9, Ancient Martial Arts Lv9, Yoga Lv6 

Attributes: Speed 4, Power 4, Stamina 5, Technique 6, Mental 6, Total: 25 

Basic Techniques: Lv7 (All) 

Advanced Techniques: 

Lv7 (Star Scar, Twist Serve, Gale, Awakening, Zero-Shiki Drop Shot, Bear Hunt, Mind Shift, Dawn, Super Volley) Lv6 (Dance of Destruction, Chaos Ball Barrage) Lv5 (Four Gods Formation: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, White Tiger) 

Special Abilities: Sword Intent Lv3, Go Truth Lv2, Martial Arts Aura Lv2, Glow of Perseverance Lv1, Sense Deprivation Lv1, Eye of Truth 

Sub-Profession Points: 0 

Skill Points: 84 

Items: Inui Juice Recipe 

Evaluation: A top-tier high school player with unparalleled potential, steadfastly advancing on his chosen path. 

The upgrade in Yoga had increased his Stamina by 1 point, and the enlightenment he gained after having his senses stripped had boosted his Mental attribute by 1. 

Now, his total attribute points had reached 25. 

Even among high schoolers, this placed him among the elite. 

But despite this, Ishikawa felt he still wasn't strong enough. It was late August, and there were only two months left before the middle schoolers would be recruited for the U-17 training camp. The Tennis World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, was just over three months away. 

During this time, he had to maintain, if not increase, his training intensity. After all, high school opponents were on a completely different level. Even national-level players were often relegated to supporting roles on the world stage. 

The top teams, like the Big 4, had captains who were practically professional-level players. 

Without sufficient strength, it was possible to be utterly outclassed. 

Of course, with his array of techniques and ability to enter heightened states, Ishikawa could hold his own on the world stage. Among middle schoolers globally, he was undoubtedly a standout. 

But his ambitions didn't stop there. 

From nothing, he had climbed one peak after another. Now, as the undisputed king of middle school tennis, he aimed for more than just playing a supporting role behind the high schoolers. 

"Let's keep going," Ishikawa muttered, his resolve firm as he resumed his evening training. 

Meanwhile, at the Japanese U-17 training camp. 

In the coaches' office, Saitou, who had just returned from the Ariake Coliseum, was rapidly reviewing data on middle school players. 

"Ishikawa, Echizen, Tezuka..." Saitou frowned as he went through the files. "This isn't enough. The records here don't reflect their actual abilities!" 

"What's wrong?" Kurobe, dressed in a suit, walked in. 

But Saitou, as if not hearing him, continued to mark the files with question after question. 

"What's going on?" Kurobe asked, turning to Tōzaki, who shrugged. "He's been like this since he got back. Won't say why." 

"Are these middle schoolers' files?" Kurobe leaned in, surprised. "Seems like he found something interesting at today's middle school tournament." 

"Saitou? Tōzaki?" Hearing the word "middle schoolers," Saitou suddenly looked up, startled. "When did you two get here?" 

"I've been here the whole time," Tōzaki said, exasperated. 

"Never mind that," Saitou waved his hand dismissively. He looked at Kurobe. "Your data is outdated. These middle schoolers are far stronger than you think." 

"Oh?" Intrigued, Kurobe and Tōzaki leaned in. 

"Tell us more." 

"It's a long story... Oh, by the way, did you know I saw Echizen Nanjiro at the middle school nationals today?" 

"Who?" Kurobe raised an eyebrow. "The legendary Samurai, Echizen Nanjiro?" 

Tōzaki was equally shocked. "Why would he be at a middle school tournament?" 

"Probably because of his son," Saitou said, his excitement growing. "You won't believe it, but his son has mastered the legendary 'Perfect Harmony'!" 

"Seriously?" Tōzaki's eyes widened. 

Perfect Harmony—a term that had only ever been used to describe one person in the professional tennis world: Echizen Nanjiro! 

"His son... a middle schooler? Really?" 

"Absolutely," Saitou said, his expression serious. "And the kid's only 12, a first-year in middle school!" 

Tōzaki reached out and felt Saitou's forehead. "You sure you're not feverish?" 

"Ugh," Saitou sighed, shaking his head. "I'm serious. And that Echizen kid lost. The one who beat him is also 12, a first-year middle schooler!" 

"Ishikawa Shin?" 

"Yes, Kurobe. You know him?" Saitou looked up, surprised, only to see Kurobe pointing at the name on the computer screen. "You listed him above Echizen Ryoma... Hmm, you said you saw Echizen Nanjiro at the tournament?" 

"Yeah," Saitou nodded. "I got lucky. His son happens to be in middle school this year. Otherwise, it'd be nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of him." 

Echizen Nanjiro—a legend in the professional tennis world. 

His reputation and experience made him a highly sought-after coach, with countless individuals and clubs vying for his attention. Even the U-17 camp had once considered inviting him to coach. 

But after retiring, Nanjiro had become a recluse, rarely seen in public. 

"This is bad," Kurobe frowned. 

"Bad? Why?" Saitou and Tōzaki looked at him, confused. 

"Just got some internal news," Kurobe said gravely. "The Spanish team from the Big 4 has chosen their new coach." 

"Spanish team? Coach?" Saitou and Tōzaki exchanged puzzled glances before realization dawned on them. 

"Wait... you don't mean..." 

"Yes," Kurobe nodded. "It's the legendary Samurai himself, Echizen Nanjiro!" 

"Hold on," Saitou's expression changed. "If he was at the middle school nationals... he might be scouting talent. This is bad!" 

Saitou's heart sank. 

"We need to inform the head coach immediately," Saitou said urgently. "The Samurai is up to something!" 

The next day, at Hyotei's tennis courts. 

Despite the national tournament being over, Ishikawa arrived early as usual for his routine training. 

Thud! Thud! Thud! 

Just as he finished his warm-up and was about to start his planned training, a knocking sound came from the entrance of the tennis courts. 

"Excuse me, is this Hyotei's tennis club?" 

"Who are you looking for?" Ishikawa walked over to find a young man dressed as a courier. 

"I have a delivery for Ishikawa Shin," the courier said. 

"That's me." 

"Great," the courier handed over a yellow envelope. "Please sign here." 

"Sure," Ishikawa signed his name and took the envelope. 

After the courier left, he opened it to find an unsigned letter. 

"Hmm?" As he read the contents, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "This place... but it seems like a private invitation?" 

He raised an eyebrow, a thought forming in his mind.