[Host]: Yoru Echizen
[Age]: 12
[Techniques]:
- Personal Five Dimensions (Lv. 14)
- Tennis Fundamentals (Lv. 14)
- Three Great Realms (Lv. 14)
- Pinnacle of Hard Work (Lv. 12)
- Zero-Type Series (Lv. 12)
- "Void's End" (Lv. 14)
- "Annihilation" (Lv. 8)
- "Divine Path: Three Pure Heavens" (Lv. 14)
(11 other techniques folded)
[Combat Power]: 15 Stars
[Talents]:
- Ten Senses Control
- Perfect Copy
- Strength to Move Mountains
- Ultra-Perfect Quality (2/3 Radiance unlocked)
"15 Stars… I've completely broken through."
Yoru checked the details.
On top of Oni Juujirou's feedback (12.7 Stars in base stats), he'd gained:
- 10% from QP → +1 Star
- 5% from Ryoma → +0.3 Stars
Total: 14 Stars.
This surge had pushed most techniques to Lv. 12, except "Annihilation"—an "Otherworldly"-tier move that required active training to improve. Still, with higher base stats, grinding it would be easier.
15-Star combat power…
Yoru sighed.
Even with:
- Lv. 14 Asura Path
- Otherworldly "Void's End"
- Lv. 14 Base Stats
…reaching 15 Stars had been brutal.
The system had folded weaker techniques—ones that no longer boosted his power noticeably.
If 15 Stars was this hard…
What kind of monsters lurked at 20 Stars?
His gaze drifted to the stands where Nanjirou sat.
He barely held back the urge to shout: "I'm terrifyingly strong."
---
### The Birth Mother Arrives
After the awards ceremony, Oni and the kids left early (since Okayama was far).
The Seigaku team carried their championship banner toward the locker room, still buzzing with excitement.
"Captain, where're you taking us for dinner? We're national champs! It's gotta be—HOLY SHT?!"
Kirihara yanked the door open—then slammed it shut, face burning.
"Why's there a woman in there?!" Kaido croaked.
"She looked familiar…" Oishi scratched his head.
"We should knock," Kawamura said. "Our stuff's inside, and it's the men's—"
"No need." Yoru cut in. "She's here for me."
The team erupted in grins and elbow nudges.
"Damn, Captain," Kirihara whistled. "Even Euro women now? Save some for—"
"Shut it." Yoru rolled his eyes. "Wait here. QP, explain."
He'd recognized her instantly.
---
### Locker Room Confrontation
"Yoru."
Joanna Langman—current #1 in women's tennis—stood, voice trembling.
Yoru held up a hand.
Pulled out his phone.
Set a timer.
Sat across from her.
"Talk. But it's £2,000 per minute."
"Deal." No hesitation.
"…I said dollars."
"I agreed in pounds."
Yoru's eye twitched. "Speak."
---
Joanna spent 30 minutes explaining:
- Her regret.
- How her manager manipulated her.
- That the woman was now "a vegetable" as punishment.
Yoru stayed silent, mentally counting £6,000.
"Come to Switzerland with me," Joanna begged. "I'll retire. We'll—"
"No."
Yoru slid forward:
1. A bank card (for payment).
2. His paused timer.
"If you miss me, call."
He stood.
"That manager was scum, but you made the choice. Father would've supported your career—if you'd just talked."
Cold truth:
- "You didn't 'lose' us. You left."
- "You could've found us anytime."
- "This 'search'? Just guilt relief."
A pause.
"I hate you. But I'm pragmatic—pay me, and I'll tolerate you."
Final warning:
"Don't interfere in my life. Understood… Ms. Langman?"
---
(Outside, QP dropped the bomb: "That's his birth mother. Joanna Langman—women's tennis #1.")
(Cue shocked Pikachu faces from the team.)
---