"V-Vice Captain?!"
On the court, Hiyoshi and Ōtori gaped at the black-haired boy leading the group.
They never expected their missing vice captain—absent for a full month—to reappear as a top-ranked U-17 representative.
And worse…
He seemed to be the leader of the entire elite squad.
This was insane.
"…"
Tezuka, Yukimura, and the others stared in silent shock at Ishikawa, who walked ahead of the group, a tennis bag slung over his shoulder.
For a moment, they tried to rationalize it—maybe he just happened to arrive with the U-17 team?
But then they saw it.
The black-and-red jacket.
The gleaming No. 1 badge pinned to his collar.
Reality crashed down.
"This guy…"
Among the crowd, Akutsu's jaw clenched as he glared at Ishikawa. He'd assumed Ishikawa, like him, had received a separate invitation.
But no.
Ishikawa hadn't just arrived—he'd conquered the place.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
The mysterious player who'd defeated Byōdōin and Oni?
It was Ishikawa all along.
He'd stormed the U-17, dominated, then led the overseas expedition.
The middle schoolers' expressions turned dazed.
The U-17—a place they'd thought was an impenetrable fortress—had already been cleared by one of their own.
Byōdōin. Oni.
The monsters they'd idolized?
Just stepping stones for him.
A strange distance settled between them and Ishikawa.
Physically, he was mere meters away.
Yet now, he felt untouchable.
"…So this is the height you've reached." Atobe's voice was quiet, his gaze unreadable.
---
### Upper Platform
"Long time no see."
Ishikawa smiled down at them, standing even ahead of the three coaches.
Stranger still?
The usually strict coaches didn't bat an eye.
"V-Vice Captain," Hiyoshi stammered. "Are you… really you? Not an older brother or something?"
This was too absurd. Maybe it was a lookalike?
"Congratulations, Hiyoshi-senpai," Ishikawa replied, ignoring the question. "On earning a top-player badge."
"Huh?"
Behind him, the U-17 elites stiffened.
No. 19 badge?!
"Gōki lost… to a middle schooler?" Mōrai's eye twitched.
"That's not the issue!" Inui cut in, voice sharp. "Did you hear how the captain addressed him?!"
A beat of silence.
Then—
"N-No way…"
Mōrai's face paled.
Even the usually unflappable Duke and Ōchi looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"Y-You're joking, right, Captain?" Mōrai's voice cracked.
Only Yūushi and Mōri remained calm—they'd known all along.
Nearby, Tōno—now healed—clenched his fists so hard his knuckles whitened.
Losing to a new high schooler was one thing.
But a middle schooler?
Who'd one-shot him?!
His pride, freshly stitched back together, threatened to shatter again.
"Relax."
A hand clapped his shoulder. Shirato smirked. "You're not the only one. Look."
He nodded toward Courts 5 and 2—where Byōdōin and Oni stood, utterly unfazed.
"…Tch."
Tōno exhaled.
Right.
If even those two had fallen, his loss was nothing.
But the revelation still sent shockwaves through the high schoolers.
A middle schooler—barely twelve—had crushed the U-17's best?!
It defied all logic.
Even Tokugawa and Inui, usually unshakable, felt their minds reel.
---
### Court No. 2
"Welcome back."
Oni and Inui nodded at Ishikawa. They'd trained together at the Cliff of Resolution—their bond ran deeper.
"Not bad."
Byōdōin's voice was calm. "But now that everyone's here… it's time for the main event."
A ripple of tension.
The Shuffle Matches.
"Not today."
Ishikawa glanced at the battered middle schoolers. "Rest up. We start tomorrow at 8 AM."
Relief flashed across Yūshi and Hiyoshi's faces—followed by wariness.
According to Mitsuya, the Shuffle began the moment the elites returned.
They were vulnerable now.
Yet…
No one protested.
Not even Byōdōin or Oni.
The high schoolers hesitated—then yielded.
Yūshi and Yanagi exchanged stunned glances.
Ishikawa's authority was absolute.
---
### Courtside – Later
"This is insane!"
Mukahi nearly vibrated with excitement as Ishikawa approached. "Since when are you the boss here?!"
"Since my last leave from Hyōtei."
Ishikawa set his bag down. "It was a personal invitation, so I came alone."
"A month ago…"
Ōshitari's eyes widened.
While they had struggled to adapt, Ishikawa had rewritten the U-17's hierarchy.
Nearby, Atobe sighed—then smiled.
If this was Hyōtei's future captain?
Good.
But Akutsu's expression darkened.
He'd pushed himself to the limit… yet still couldn't even see Ishikawa's back.
The frustration burned.
"Ishikawa… Satoru."
Minami's gaze sharpened.
He'd never expected their reunion like this.
The man who'd spoken of the "world stage" now stood as Japan's No. 1.
Staying here… I'll never catch up.
The resolve solidified.
Tezuka, Yukimura, and Shiraishi watched silently.
With Ishikawa's return, the U-17 finally felt complete.
Tomorrow's Shuffle?
They couldn't wait.
---
### Noon – Dormitory Area
"…He's that strong already?"
Ryōma kicked a pebble, mind racing.
Ishikawa—his same age—had toppled Byōdōin and Oni.
The gap was staggering.
Swish!
Something whistled toward him.
Instinct took over—his racket snapped up, intercepting the object with a thud.
Not a tennis ball.
A tangerine.
"What the—?"
He looked up—just as a figure vanished around the corner.
Frowning, he followed.
---
### Secluded Court
Bam!
Bam!
Bam!
Ten balls ricocheted off the wall simultaneously, each met with flawless precision.
The player—hooded—moved like a ghost, never once touched by the rebounds.
"Hey."
Ryōma stepped forward. "You wanted something?"
The figure turned—
—and removed his hood.
"Long time no see, shrimpy."
Ryōma froze.
The grinning face before him—older, but unmistakable—triggered a flood of memories.
"…Nii-chan?!"
"Nah." Ryōga chuckled. "Just passing through. Heard you were here."
"Oh."
Disappointment flickered. So he doesn't know Ishikawa…
"This 'Ishikawa'…" Ryōga's eyes gleamed. "Tell me about him."
"He's first-year, like me. Vice captain of Hyōtei—"
"Wait."
Ryōga's smile vanished.
"Did you say… first-year?"
The orange in his hand crushed unnoticed.