Prince of Tennis: The Emperor's Eye

"You two… who exactly are you? Coming all the way from Tokyo to Kyūshū, it can't just be to play a friendly match with us, right?"

Tachibana stared seriously at Akashi and Krauser as he asked.

"Since you sincerely…"

Akashi paused mid-sentence. That was close! He almost blurted out Team Rocket's signature line. He composed himself and continued,

"Anyway, let me reintroduce myself. I'm a standing board member at Fudomine Middle School in Tokyo. I'll also be the captain of the Fudomine tennis team. Krauser will soon join as a team member. We came to Kyūshū this time to find strong partners. Together, we'll build a brand-new tennis team and dominate the nation!"

"Fudomine Middle School? Board member? Are you kidding me? There's no way someone your age could be a board member!"

Tachibana clearly didn't believe Akashi.

"You forgot one thing. I think you've probably heard of one of Japan's two biggest zaibatsu—the Akashi Group, haven't you? Akashi Seijurō is the only son of the current head of the Akashi Group."

Krauser stepped in coldly. He'd heard Tachibana's skeptical tone and noticed Chitose, though silent while resting, wore the same doubtful expression.

"What?! You mean that Akashi Group—the one that controls nearly half of Japan's economy?"

Tachibana shouted in shock. Even though he'd just graduated from elementary school, reports on the Akashi Group were all over TV and magazines.

"Unless you think there's a second Akashi Group?"

Krauser's voice was indifferent.

Tachibana and Chitose exchanged glances. They both saw the surprise in each other's eyes. They'd never imagined that a wealthy heir would appear before them. And with tennis strength so overwhelming it made them feel hopeless. It felt more like a dream than reality.

Chitose gave a subtle nod to Tachibana. He instantly understood. He looked seriously at Akashi and asked,

"So, Akashi-kun, when you said earlier you wanted to play a friendly match with us, was it to scout us for your tennis team?"

"Of course. Only the strong have the right to walk beside me. Our one and only goal is to crush every other school without question and win the national championship three years in a row!"

"National three-peat?! That's bold talk. You've got some big ambitions. But as far as I know, no school has ever done it. Even the reigning champion Makinofuji has only won two consecutive titles. If you want that goal, then this year you'll have to beat Makinofuji first."

Tachibana's blood was fired up by Akashi's words, but he still thought it was a bit far-fetched.

"Makinofuji, huh? Heh~ Most of their third-years already graduated. But even if Byōdōin Hōō and the others were still there, we wouldn't lose. I don't allow the word 'defeat' in my life!"

Akashi declared with absolute confidence.

"Even if you're right, why should we go all the way to Tokyo to enroll just because you're stronger than us?"

Tachibana didn't deny Akashi's power, but he wasn't convinced that was enough to make them follow him.

At that moment, Krauser glanced at Akashi. Seeing Akashi's silent nod, he spoke up:

"Actually, before I came to Japan, my tennis level was much lower than yours. I had elite tennis training in Germany, but it didn't really elevate my skills. Only after receiving Akashi's guidance did I reach my current level."

"What? You mean… your current strength came from Akashi-kun's coaching?"

Tachibana and Chitose were both stunned as they looked at Krauser.

"That's right. Akashi was born with perception far beyond ordinary people. During training, he sees every flaw and uses detailed plans to patch each one precisely."

Krauser said calmly.

"That's enough, Krauser. Your talent and hard work brought you this far. I just pointed you in the right direction,"

Akashi replied casually, then turned back to Tachibana and Chitose, continuing:

"Now, I officially invite you both to join Fudomine's tennis team. You don't need to worry about tuition or training costs—everything will be fully covered by the Akashi Group. If your families are concerned, we can bring them to Tokyo as well. Housing will be arranged, so you won't have to worry about anything. What do you think?"

Tachibana and Chitose looked at each other, falling into deep thought. Finally, Chitose, who had mostly recovered his breath, spoke up:

"Akashi-kun, both I and Tachibana can feel your sincerity. But there's something I don't understand. Why are you so intent on recruiting us into your tennis team? From your perspective, our strength must seem insignificant, right?"

"Don't sell yourselves short, Chitose. Your tennis talent ranks among the top in all of elementary and middle school. If we want to win the national championship three times in a row, your strength is essential."

Akashi fully acknowledged the talent of the Kyūshū duo.

"But we both just got crushed by you two, didn't we?"

Chitose gave a bitter smile.

"That's only because your training methods aren't efficient. Without proper guidance, you've been figuring it out yourselves. The fact that you've gotten this far already proves your natural ability. Once you have the right training direction, you'll catch up in no time."

Akashi was supremely confident. Whether it was the Emperor Eye or the system's analysis, they were his edge.

"Chitose, I've made up my mind. I'm going to Fudomine. With the gap between us now, no matter how hard we train on our own, we probably still won't surpass them. I don't want to spend the next three years living in their shadow. Besides, 'national three-peat'—just hearing it gets me fired up. What do you think, Chitose?"

Tachibana had already come around.

"Hmm… you're right, Tachibana. Since you've already decided to go to Fudomine, of course I'm not going to fall behind. I won't let you surpass me that easily."

Chitose pretended to be reluctant, but in truth, he'd already been moved.

"Excellent! Welcome to the team. I'll have someone contact you soon. Whatever concerns you have, bring them up. I'll take care of everything. All you two need to do is focus on one thing—improving yourselves. A national three-peat is just a small goal. What we're creating is a generation of miracles that'll make the whole country tremble!"

Akashi was thrilled now that they both agreed. With this, his tennis team was nearly complete. Just one last piece left, and it would be perfect.

Hearing Akashi's bold declaration, Tachibana was pumped and said boldly,

"A national three-peat is just a small goal? That makes me even more sure I made the right choice! I'll work hard to get stronger. One day, I'll challenge and beat you!"

"Tachibana's fired up. Looks like I can't fall behind either. Let's win that three-peat together!"

Chitose was also fired up now.

But then something seemed to occur to him. He looked at Akashi and asked,

"By the way, Akashi-kun, what's the current state of the tennis club? How are the senpai doing?"

"Oh? I knew you'd ask that, Chitose. But don't worry. The tennis team is being rebuilt from scratch. All the useless upperclassmen have been kicked out. Once the school term starts, the team will only consist of us and the new first-years. I'm not keeping a single one of those seniority-clinging slackers."

Akashi's eyes turned cold.

He paused, then continued,

"Also, there are already two others who've agreed to join the team. One of them is on par with Krauser. The other… you'll see when you meet them. They'll completely overturn what you think is possible."

"Is that so? Now I'm really looking forward to it!"

Tachibana and Chitose exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

After making the arrangements with Tachibana and Chitose, Akashi contacted the Kyūshū branch of the group and had them fast-track the school enrollment procedures. Then he and Krauser got in the car to return to the villa.

In the car, Akashi was in a good mood. He smiled and asked,

"So, what do you think of the two of them?"

"They both have great talent. No doubt they're tennis geniuses. So, what's next? Should we rest here in Kumamoto for a couple more days, or return to Tokyo tomorrow?"

Krauser also seemed to recognize their value.

"Let's rest a few days. There's still one more place to go. That's where we'll find the final piece of the puzzle."

Akashi said slowly.

"Oh? Where?"

Krauser asked curiously.

"Ryūkyū Islands."