"Coming to Rikkai for a joint training camp before the Kanto Regional Tournament—it might be to gather intel, but that works both ways. It's also a good chance for us to collect information. It has pros and cons, so I don't object. Yukimura, Sanada, what do you two think?" Yanagi Renji shared his thoughts calmly.
"Since they already sent the invitation, there's no reason for us not to go. I want another match against Tezuka, anyway!" As expected, Sanada's mind was still fixated on Tezuka.
"If both Genichirō and Renji have no objections, then I don't either. It'll be good to catch up with Akashi-kun. But did the school approve it? After all, it's a full month," Yukimura was clearly leaning toward agreeing.
"Before I came, I asked Niō to check with the student council. According to the intel, both Hyōtei and Fudomine's top brass contacted our school directly about the camp. So there's a 90% chance the school will approve it," Yanagi responded calmly.
"I see. Then let's wait for Niō-kun to get back with news from the student council~" Yukimura said with a smile.
Speak of the devil—the door to the tennis club meeting room suddenly swung open. A silver-haired figure with a small braid stepped inside. It was none other than Niō Masaharu.
In the original timeline, Niō hadn't even joined the tennis club at this point. He wasn't planning to play tennis at all. But thanks to Akashi's intervention, the butterfly effect was beginning to show. Niō had already joined the Rikkai tennis club in his first year.
After Yukimura and Sanada lost to Akashi and Tezuka respectively at the Youth Tennis Open, their pride took a hit. Once they gained control of Rikkai's tennis team, they began paying more attention to talented peers—and that's how Niō was discovered. His talent was too unique to ignore, and he had a natural love for playing tricks.
"Puri~ Everyone's here, huh~" Niō said with a sly smile, looking every bit the mischievous fox.
Yukimura looked at him and recalled the first time they met. Yanagi had told him about a "special talent," and Yukimura went to observe for himself. At first glance, he sensed mental strength in Niō far beyond his age.
As someone with formidable mental power himself, Yukimura had been pleased. Among all playing styles, the mental game was the most unpredictable and troublesome. Over time, Yukimura also discovered that Niō had solid tennis talent. In just a few months, he had made it into Rikkai's regular lineup.
Though still one of the weaker regulars, he was impressive for a first-year. He also had a knack for doubles, which Rikkai badly needed.
"Thanks for the help, Niō-kun. What did the student council say?" Yukimura asked gently.
"They don't have a problem. Just said we shouldn't let it affect our studies. There'll be a test once we're back from the camp~" Niō said nonchalantly. Truthfully, he'd only gone to find Yagyū Hiroshi, but the guy wasn't there.
"Then there's no issue. If everyone's families agree, all the regulars will participate. Renji, anything else we need to know about the camp?" Yukimura nodded.
"The invitation explained everything. If we accept, we just need to bring tennis gear and changes of clothes. A chartered bus will pick us up from school on the camp day. All logistics are handled by the organizers. We won't need to worry about anything," Yanagi explained steadily.
"Oh? That thorough? Sounds like a big operation~" Yukimura said in surprise.
"From what I've gathered, the Akashi and Atobe conglomerates are backing this camp," Yanagi added.
"Akashi and Atobe, huh? No wonder! Genichirō, get everyone ready," Yukimura said, signaling the others to start preparing for the camp.
When Akashi received news that Rikkai had agreed, he smiled faintly. Now the camp could officially be called a Kanto Training Camp. Thinking of Yukimura, Akashi suddenly recalled his condition from the original timeline. If he remembered right, it was suspected to be Guillain-Barré syndrome.
That was a form of nerve inflammation. Akashi guessed it was likely caused by Yukimura's body failing to handle rapid growth in spiritual power. On top of that, his Five Senses Elimination technique didn't just require mental strength—it also involved projecting negative emotions onto the opponent, which may have worsened the symptoms.
If Akashi hadn't had his body enhanced by the system, with his intense mental energy, he might've ended up worse than Yukimura. Yukimura might look fine now, but there was no guarantee his body wasn't already compromised.
Thinking of this, Akashi immediately called his butler.
"Tanaka, mobilize the group's resources. I need you to find the top sports neurology expert in the world. Preferably one in Japan. I want them to bring a full medical team and be on-site during the camp."
"Young master! Are you unwell?" Tanaka asked, clearly worried.
"Relax. It's not for me. Just do as I say," Akashi replied briefly and hung up.
"Yukimura Seiichi… let me change your fate~" Akashi murmured to himself after ending the call.
Soon, the day of the training camp arrived. At the gates of all five participating schools, chartered buses were waiting. Members arrived at school carrying suitcases and one by one boarded their designated buses, heading for the training camp site.
Fudomine's bus rolled along slowly. Akashi wasn't on it—he had gone to the camp estate the day before to conduct the final inspection.
This estate had been specially purchased for Akashi by the Akashi family. It had gone through more than two years of complete renovation. Equipped with 15 main courts and numerous standard ones, it also had every kind of training equipment imaginable. Roads up and down the mountain were expanded to ease transportation. In nearly every way, it rivaled the U-17 training camp.
The first to arrive was the bus from Hyōtei Academy. After Sakaki Tarō and Atobe led the regulars off the bus and saw the place—which looked more like a training facility than an estate—even Atobe was surprised. Although his family owned multiple estates, each with tennis courts, none had been completely remodeled into a full-on tennis camp like Akashi's.
Still, he couldn't help but comment with his usual flair: "Didn't expect that guy Akashi to be this capable. But this place totally doesn't match my aesthetic!"
Though a bit surprised that Akashi had quietly built such a large training base, Sakaki didn't show it on his face. His voice was calm as he said, "That person up front should be staff here to receive us. Let's go. We'll be living here for a month."
Hyōtei's regulars were clearly curious and looked around constantly, but with Sakaki's order, they quickly followed. Not long after Hyōtei entered the estate, the buses from Seigaku and Yamabuki arrived one after another.
Banji and Ryūzaki-sensei led their regulars to the estate gate. Both were stunned by the scale of what they saw, but given their age and experience, they didn't say much and simply urged the team to hurry inside.
Among their members, there were always a few who stood out—Kikumaru and Sengoku, for instance, were somehow perfectly in sync as they jumped and climbed around until Banji and Ryūzaki-sensei dragged them off by the ears.
Fudomine's bus arrived afterward. Unlike the previous three schools, which only brought their regulars, most of Fudomine's tennis club members were participating in this camp. The moment they entered, the entire estate became lively.
Akashi had clearly anticipated this and arranged for a large team of staff to handle logistics, including assigning rooms and helping students settle their luggage first.
The dormitory had five floors. Akashi had assigned all schools' regulars to the first and second floors to make future communication easier. The rest of Fudomine's team would stay on the third floor and above.
Once everyone had unpacked, staff informed them they could rest in their rooms. A broadcast would notify them when everyone had arrived and it was time to gather.
While the students relaxed and messed around in their rooms, Akashi and Tezuka stood at the estate gate, waiting for Rikkai's arrival. Since Rikkai was in Kanagawa, and this estate was on the outskirts of Tokyo, it still took some time to get there.
Soon, Atobe and Fuji came out of the dorms as well, having learned from the staff that Akashi and Tezuka were here.
"Long time no see, Akashi-kun, Tezuka-kun!" Fuji greeted first.
"Long time no see, Fuji," Tezuka replied calmly.
Akashi smiled and nodded toward Fuji, then turned his eyes toward Atobe with a teasing look.
"Quit looking at me like that, Akashi! When I get back, I'll build a tennis court bigger than this place!" Atobe said with irritation.
"Heh~ By the time you finish building it, we'll already have graduated from middle school~" Akashi replied with a laugh.
"By the way, Fuji, how's Yamato-senpai's injury? I saw he came too. Want me to have the medical team keep an eye on him?" Akashi asked without waiting for Atobe to reply.
That annoyed Atobe even more, but since this was Akashi's turf, he didn't say anything. Fuji, momentarily surprised, chuckled at the two and replied warmly, "Thanks for the concern, Akashi-kun. Captain Yamato was discharged yesterday. He's fine, but he still needs rest."
"That's good to hear. Still, I'll have the medical team keep an eye on him just in case. Hm? They're here!" Akashi stopped mid-sentence, spotting a bus making its way slowly up the mountain road.
Soon, the bus parked, and Yukimura led the Rikkai group down. The moment he saw Akashi and the others, Yukimura smiled and stepped forward.
"Thank you so much for the invitation, Akashi-kun, Atobe-kun. I hope we'll all get along well this month~"
Akashi returned the smile and had staff begin room assignments for the Rikkai group. Just then, a stern voice rang out.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu! It's been a while. I wonder how much stronger you've gotten. This camp, I'll defeat you head-on!" Sanada Genichirō said gravely as he looked at Tezuka.
"I've been looking forward to playing you again, Sanada. Let's give it our all this time," Tezuka replied just as seriously.
Seeing the tense standoff, Marui was already whispering to Kuwahara, and Niō had narrowed his eyes, wearing a fox-like grin.
When Akashi noticed Niō, he was momentarily surprised. In his memory, Niō hadn't joined Rikkai's tennis club this early. Apparently, his own interference had caused a shift in events. That was fine—Niō's unique gifts were better nurtured sooner than later.
The only regret this time was not inviting Shiraishi and the others. But there was no helping it. They were in Kansai and had no prior ties to Shitenhōji. Randomly sending an invite wouldn't have been appropriate. That could wait until after Nationals.
Looking around at the estate now filled with the best middle school tennis talents from the Kanto region, Akashi couldn't help but feel a strong sense of achievement. Now it was time to see how far he could push their potential.