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Chapter 162 Natsume Tsukiya VS Byodoin Phoenix
Chapter 162 Natsume Tsukiya VS Byodoin Phoenix
The air was thick with a lingering oppressive atmosphere, like a piece of cotton soaked in water, making it hard to breathe and leaving no room for any sense of refreshment or relaxation.
A heavy sense of impending doom hung over the entire U17 training camp.
Tokugawa Kazuya was being supported by his two companions. He was swaying, his face was as pale as paper, and his breath was so weak that it seemed he would die at any moment. There was still blood on the corner of his mouth. He didn't even have the strength to say a word. Only his eyes still held a faint light of resentment.
The middle school students on the sidelines had not yet recovered from the disappointment of Ryoma Echizen's resolute departure. Their faces were filled with melancholy, and soft sighs rose and fell.
The boy who always wore a baseball cap and said, "You still have a long way to go," left so resolutely, leaving behind this cold training camp.
The Seigaku members inexplicably lost some of their youthful rebelliousness, and also some of the bonds that made people care about them.
The high school students were stunned by the overwhelming aura of Byodoin Phoenix when she had just crushed Tokugawa Kazuya. No one dared to speak loudly, and they even subconsciously breathed softly, as if they were so overwhelmed by that arrogant and domineering aura that they could not lift their heads. Their hearts were filled with awe and fear.
In the somber atmosphere, mealtime quietly arrived.
The restaurant wasn't as noisy as I'd expected, but it wasn't quiet either. A cacophony of sounds mingled together, offering no semblance of dining comfort. Instead, it was like the whispers before a storm, each word revolving around the same topic:
What will happen in that game-changing showdown this afternoon?
"I never imagined Tokugawa would suffer such a crushing defeat—"
Someone lowered their voice, their tone full of sighs, and their gaze unconsciously drifted in the direction where Tokugawa Kazuya had left.
"That Byodoin Phoenix is too ruthless. He shows no mercy at all. Even though Tokugawa can't stand up anymore, he still won't stop."
One junior high school student couldn't help but complain, his tone tinged with indignation.
"But so what? He's the No. 1 player in the first team, the master of this stadium. The rules are always set by the strong."
.
Some people echoed this helplessly, their tone filled with powerlessness.
In the face of absolute power, all sympathy seems pale.
"Yes, he is the king here, and no one can shake his position."
Meanwhile, the middle school students' discussions still revolved around Echizen Ryoma, their tone full of incomprehension and regret: "Echizen is so heartless, just leaving us like that, without saying a word."
"This is not like him at all. Even if he lost badly before, he would not back down easily."
"Perhaps, he was really driven to desperation by Natsume Tsukiya, and only wanted to become stronger quickly and defeat that guy as soon as possible, which is why he chose to leave."
The conversation gradually shifted to the upcoming showdown, and the tone became more apprehensive and curious: "But, can Natsume Tsuki really defeat Byodoin Phoenix?"
"I don't know—Natsume Tsuki is strong, but Byodoin Phoenix isn't someone to be trifled with either. Perhaps he can win, or perhaps... he'll ultimately fall short?"
Discussions rose and fell, but no one could give a definite answer; only speculation spread through the oppressive atmosphere.
The atmosphere inside the monitoring room was even more somber than outside.
Sato frowned, his face full of hesitation, and his tone carried a hint of pleading: "Are these two really going to fight? Isn't there a way to have the best of both worlds?"
"No one can stop it."
Kurobe spoke first, his tone cold and devoid of any warmth: "Rules are rules. From the moment they are established, there are no exceptions. Some will benefit from them, and some will be hurt by them. That's inevitable."
Sato and Takumi Ryuji fell silent instantly, their fingertips tightening slightly.
They knew better than anyone that the conflict between Byodoin Phoenix and Natsume Tsukiya had long since reached a point of no return and was irreconcilable. Yet, both of them were the top talents in the U17 team and JP's hope against the world's strongest teams.
If they were to truly clash head-on, one of them would inevitably be seriously injured, resulting in the loss of a key player – the last thing the coaching staff wanted to see.
But as the Black Division said, if the rules are not strictly enforced, they will become mere decorations, and how will they gain the respect of the masses in the future?
Following the rules will result in losses, while not following them will lead to chaos.
When faced with two evils, choose the lesser one. Rules are made for everyone, so we can't make exceptions for these two people.
At this moment, the Kurobe has shed its former composure and gained a touch of ruthless coldness.
"if----"
Sato opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Kurobe's cold tone.
There are no "ifs".
Kurobe's gaze fell on the monitor screen, his tone firm: "U17 can only have one top-tier fighter. Defeat only proves that he is not strong enough and does not deserve to stand at the top."
The monitoring room fell silent again, with only the faint sounds of the instruments running, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.
In Tokugawa Kazuya's dormitory, Oni Jujiro stood by the window with his back to everyone, staring blankly at the empty sports field outside, his brows furrowed, seemingly deep in thought.
Kanata Irie sat at the table, twirling a pen between his fingers. On the white paper on the table, two names were repeatedly circled—Ichido-in Phoenix and Natsume Tsukiya. The ink marks, some deep and some shallow, conveyed a sense of solemnity.
"Cough cough————"
A faint cough broke the silence. Tokugawa Kazuya slowly opened his eyes, his face still pale and weak, but his eyes held a hint of urgency.
Oni Jujiro and Irie Kanata turned around at the same time and quickly walked to the bedside.
"You need to rest, don't overthink it."
Oni Jujiro's tone carried a rare gentleness as he reached out to press him down.
"Has the match started yet?"
Tokugawa Kazuya avoided his hand, his voice hoarse, and his first question was about Natsume Tsukiya's duel with Byodoin Phoenix.
"One more hour."
Kanade Irie glanced at the clock on the table, then looked back at the white paper with two names written on it, her tone complicated.
Do you think he will win?
Tokugawa Kazuya turned to look at Oni Jujiro and softly called out, "Mr. Oni?"
"..." Oni Jujiro remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head without saying a word.
A hint of doubt flashed in Tokugawa Kazuya's eyes, clearly not understanding his attitude. Oni Jujiro had been defeated by Natsume Tsukiya without a hit, so he should have a better understanding of Natsume Tsukiya's strength.
Kanata Irie adjusted his glasses and slowly said, "Based on my understanding of Natsume, his strength is unfathomable. He may seem gentle, but he actually possesses overwhelming power. Perhaps, he has a chance to win."
Tokugawa Kazuya then turned his gaze to Oni Jujiro, awaiting his answer.
"It's hard to say."
Oni Jujiro finally spoke, his words uncertain: "Although I was shut out by him, the feeling he gave me was very strange."
Unlike the Byodoin Phoenix, whose attacks carry an overwhelming sense of destruction, this one is more like a gentle breeze, subtle and penetrating, yet its depth remains unfathomable.
I am well aware of the terror of the Byodoin Phoenix, so I dare not make a hasty judgment.
"Um!"
Kazuya Tokugawa nodded vigorously, struggling to get up and reaching for the clothes beside him.
"Tokugawa, you are still very weak and need to rest!"
Kanata Irie quickly pressed his hand down, her tone urgent.
"I want to go take a look."
Tokugawa Kazuya frowned, his tone firm, his eyes filled with determination: "I will not be satisfied until I see him fall."
I lost so badly, I want to see if the person who can beat me can still hold onto the No. 1 position.
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Kanata Irie knew she couldn't persuade him, so she held his hand and slowly let go.
After Tokugawa Kazuya struggled to get dressed, Oni Jujiro and Irie Kanata supported him on either side as they slowly walked outside.
As soon as I stepped out of the dormitory, I saw a steady stream of people surging toward the main court. Even those students who usually had no interest in tennis followed the crowd with curiosity and anticipation.
"It seems that this match is on a larger scale than we imagined."
Kanata Irie looked at the crowd in front of her and said softly, her tone tinged with emotion.
Throughout the journey, the speculation never stopped, a chaotic mix of voices, tinged with tension and excitement: "Who will win? One is the perennial No.1, the other is the undefeated shutout tyrant, it's too hard to choose!"
""
"Someone actually dares to challenge the number one crest of the Byodoin Phoenix? This kid is incredibly audacious!"
"That's right. Those who challenged him before all ended up suffering a crushing defeat. This junior high school kid will probably not escape the same fate either."
"The Phoenix of Byodoin values its position above all else and would never allow anyone to challenge its authority. This kid is probably doomed."
As Oni Jujiro listened to these discussions, his brows furrowed more and more, and his aura grew colder.
Kanata Irie smiled, his tone tinged with anticipation: "This match might reshape the entire tennis world."
Is this a U17 format?
Tokugawa Kazuya spoke weakly, his voice still hoarse.
"No, the world."
Kijuro didn't turn his head, his tone cold and firm.
These two words struck like a thunderbolt, startling both Irie Kanata and Tokugawa Kazuya, their eyes filled with shock.
They never imagined that this duel would have such a profound impact.
The moment they stepped into the main stadium, they were utterly stunned by the sight before them:
The stands, which were usually empty, were now packed with people, with dense crowds crammed together, and even the aisles were full of people.
Pairs of eyes were fixed on the center of the field, filled with anxiety, anticipation, and curiosity, as if waiting for a fateful clash.
"Sigh~"
Kikumaru Eiji leaned on the railing, chin in hand, and sighed heavily, his voice full of disappointment: "There were so many people here today. It's a pity that the little guy withdrew from the training camp. If he were here, things would have been much more interesting, wouldn't they?!"
Shuichiro Oishi patted him on the shoulder and gently comforted him, "Eiji, don't be sad, there's nothing we can do about it. I believe we will definitely meet Echizen at the World Championship. All we can do now is work hard and count his share in the victory."
"That's all we can do."
Kikumaru Eiji shrugged, still looking listless, his eyes filled with melancholy.
Looking at the crowd in the stands, Kawamura Takashi exclaimed with admiration, "Everyone here for Byodoin Phoenix, right? As expected of JP No. 1, she truly lives up to her reputation!"
"Yes, he is indeed very strong."
Fuji Syusuke still smiled and spoke gently, but there was a hint of seriousness hidden in his eyes.
"Phoenix Byodoin, a student at Makinofuji High School, is currently ranked first in the U17 first team and holds the number one badge. It is said that every defeat makes him stronger."
Inui Sadaharu lowered his head and flipped through his notebook, calmly introducing the situation before changing the subject: "However, these people did not come for him."
"Senior Qian?"
Momoshiro Takeshi looked surprised and instinctively asked, "Could it be—that these people are here for Natsume Tsukiya?"
"A very accurate judgment."
Sadaharu Inui adjusted his glasses, his tone tinged with admiration: "Natsume Tsukiya possesses an innate allure, especially his title of 'Zero-Hit Tyrant,' which no one has been able to take even a fraction of from him so far."
Kawamura Takashi nodded, his tone tinged with helplessness: "That's right. Although I hate to admit it, Natsume Tsukiya's strength is indeed undeniable."
Inui Sadaharu continued, "Whether it's Mr. Oni, Irie-kun, or any other top-tier fighter, none of them can escape being shut out by Natsume Tsukiya, so—"
Inui Sadaharu raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, and pushed up his glasses: "What everyone really wants to see is whether Natsume Tsukiya can shut out Byodoin Phoenix and break this seemingly unshakeable myth."
"Huh? A-Qian, is this...is this real?"
Kikumaru Eiji's eyes widened instantly, and he was so surprised that he stammered, clearly not expecting that this was what everyone was looking forward to.
Inui Sadaharu turned to look at him, his eyes wise and sharp: "Kikumaru, don't you have that expectation too?"
"ah?!"
Eiji Kikumaru was taken aback, then scratched his head and said frankly, "It seems—there really is. I also want to see if Natsume Tsuki can maintain his shutout record against the nation's No. 1, Byodoin Phoenix!"
"Number one in the country—that can't be, right?"
Kawamura Takashi muttered to himself, his tone full of uncertainty. Byodoin Phoenix's strength was already deeply ingrained in people's minds, and no one dared to easily believe that anyone could shut him out.
Not only him, but most people present had the same question in their hearts. Zi Guang stared intently at the center of the court, anxiously waiting for the answer.
"What do you think, Shiraishi?"
Kintaro Toyama looked up, his face full of curiosity, and asked, "Can that Natsume-kun achieve a clean sweep against the national No. 1?"
"Probably not."
Kuranosuke Shiraishi slowly shook his head, secretly pondering to himself:
If he can really achieve a shutout, then Natsume Tsukiya's status in the tennis world will be completely unshakeable, making him a true legend.
"If that guy really does shut out the No. 1, wouldn't he complete a Grand Slam with a shutout?"
Kintaro Toyama's eyes lit up, and he said with a grin.
"A Grand Slam shutout?"
These four words startled Shiraishi Kuranosuke and everyone around him, and then they suddenly realized what they meant!
Yes, Natsume Tsukiya is still undefeated, and no one has ever been able to take a single point from him. If he were to shut out Byodoin Phoenix again, it would be a true Grand Slam shutout, a miracle in the tennis world.
Envy quietly spread among the crowd; such a record is the glory that every tennis player dreams of.
In short, whether it was the high school students filled with awe, the middle school students full of curiosity, or even the coaching staff with solemn expressions, everyone's eyes were focused on the same place, everyone had the same question in their hearts, and everyone held the same expectation.
They wanted to know if Natsume Tsuki could also shut out Byodoin Houou without a score;
I'm even more eager to witness whether this legendary young man can complete his journey of shutouts and create his own legend.
Byodoin Phoenix is universally recognized as the pinnacle of junior high school students, an insurmountable mountain.
Natsume Tsukiya is a rising star in the junior high school, a dark horse who has been unstoppable with a clean sweep of victories.
Everyone else was desperately trying to defeat Byodoin Phoenix in order to prove their strength.
But Natsume Tsuki is different. He doesn't need to prove himself to anyone. All he needs to do is maintain his shutout record and complete that unique shutout grand slam.
This uniqueness and absolute confidence fascinate and inspire everyone.
Just then, a clear and solemn pre-match announcement rang out over the loudspeaker, piercing through the noise of the entire stadium and instantly plunging the stadium into a deathly silence, leaving only the sound of everyone's rapid breathing: "Natsume Tsukiya vs. Byodoin Phoenix, the battle for the No. 1 spot in the first team is about to begin. Please prepare yourselves!"
The moment the announcement ended, the atmosphere at the scene instantly reached its peak.
Many people subconsciously clenched their fists, took deep breaths to calm their wildly beating hearts, and stared intently at the stadium entrance, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the two main characters.
"A shutout against everyone—just thinking about it is exhilarating!"
Someone lowered their voice and said with slight excitement.