0008 North Mo's Proactive Challenge! Disappointment is a word that won't be used on me!
“Tsk tsk tsk… Ryoga! Did you lose again?”
“Since you and North Mo made a pact six months ago to have a training match every five days, you haven't won once!”
“What was the score this time? Don't tell me it was another embarrassing defeat like last time?”
“Hahaha!”
As Ryoma Echizen performed push-ups with a sullen expression, Nanjiro Echizen, with his hands behind his back, strolled in front of him and made a snide remark.
“Damn it! Dad! He just… he was just careless!!”
Before Ryoma Echizen could say anything, Ryoma Echizen began to defend the other.
Nanjiro Echizen squatted down, pinching Ryoma Echizen’s cheek: “Stinky brat! It's all your fault for influencing Ryoga’s tennis!”
“I didn’t! Damn it!! That hurts!!”
Ryoma Echizen, while doing push-ups, couldn’t help but speak up: “Old man! Big brother is just stronger than me!”
“You’re learning the same things from me! But during the match, I just feel like I'm a little short!”
Nanjiro Echizen slapped the back of Ryoma Echizen’s head.
“Kid! You know you’re a little short, huh?”
“In terms of talent, although he has a slight advantage, you're a year older! Your physical condition is better! So essentially, you’re at the same starting line!”
“That also means the real factor that widens the gap is the level of effort!”
“Although I don't recommend that you train to your body's limit every day at your age, it doesn't mean that you can't quickly improve your strength by doing so!”
Ryoma Echizen sighed with a wry smile: “If I have to spend as much time on tennis as big brother does, I'd be suffocated to death!”
To this.
Nanjiro Echizen shook his head.
Besides silently lamenting that the difference between geniuses is indeed immeasurable, he didn't say anything else.
As he said, Ryoma Echizen's talent was truly amazing.
But at this stage, he couldn’t appreciate the joy of tennis, and simply regarded it as a boring routine.
In his eyes, North Mo was quite different.
He couldn’t tell if North Mo truly enjoyed playing tennis.
But he could sense that the other had a strong drive to continue his tennis journey.
This drive might stem from a competitive spirit, or perhaps from the desire to grasp the opportunities life presents and refuse to give up.
No matter the reason.
His tenacity at such a young age, his unwavering dedication to self-training even in harsh weather, even exceeding Ryoma Echizen who started at the same line, is the best evidence.
At this moment.
North Mo, who had finished distributing the Talent Essence, walked over to Nanjiro Echizen with his tennis racket in hand.
“Old man…”
“Do you have time? Let's play a couple of games?”
Nanjiro Echizen turned around, stroking his chin and sizing up North Mo who had taken the initiative to invite him.
North Mo remained expressionless, staring straight at the other.
“North Mo, it’s rare for you to ask me to play tennis. You’d rather practice yourself than play with me!”
“What's the matter? Changed your mind? Not afraid of losing?”
“….If you lose, it's embarrassing, right? I just want to know, after a year of training, what level have I reached? Your judgment is more objective.”
Nanjiro Echizen raised an eyebrow.
What level have you reached?
I know your strength, you little rascal.
I’ve seen your daily training and the results of your matches against Ryoga.
Unless
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.
“Interesting! Then let's go! One game, that's it! We can eat dinner after!”
“Don't cry if you lose, okay!”
He took the racket Ryoma Echizen had left behind and, with his hands behind his back, walked towards one end of the court.
North Mo also walked towards the other end.
He wasn’t exactly lying to the other.
Before distributing the Talent Essence, he had a certain understanding of his own strength.
Roughly speaking, he was a little short of the ordinary Kanto level threshold.
That is, the first tier of the National Tournament level!
Is this strength weak?
No!!
Considering that he had only been playing tennis for a year, this rate of progress far exceeded that of all the other Japanese tennis prodigies!
And don't forget!!
He is only 10 years old!!
He's still in elementary school!!
Even though they were geniuses, when they were in the first year of junior high school, people like Kuniyoshi Tezuka, Seiichi Yukimura, and Keigo Atobe, probably weren’t even at the Kanto level!
As for the national level… that was when they were in the second year of junior high school!
And now!!
With the effect of the nine Talent Essences, North Mo can't accurately tell what level his strength has reached!!
He’s definitely stronger than Ryoma Echizen and his former self!!
But what is his limit… only Nanjiro Echizen can give the most accurate answer!!
…
As North Mo and Nanjiro Echizen held their rackets, ready to start the match.
Ryoma Echizen couldn’t help but stop doing push-ups!
He pulled Ryoma Echizen, who was equally excited, to the middle of the court, sat down cross-legged.
“Big brother, go for it! Old man’s old, maybe he can’t beat you!”
“Dad, go for it!!”
Obviously, they were on different sides this time.
However.
Neither North Mo nor Nanjiro Echizen cared.
“Here! Don't say I'm bullying a kid! Serve is yours!”
“Don’t disappoint me!”
Looking at the tennis ball Nanjiro Echizen tossed to him, North Mo raised his hand and drew an arc in the air with his racket, steadily stopping the ball on the face of his racket.
The Crimson Dragon Blood Gourd didn’t make him lose his fine control over his strength.
On the contrary!
Some actions that previously put more strain on his arm and wrist joints, he now finds much easier to complete.
“Disappointment… you won’t have the chance to use that word on me!”
North Mo held the tennis ball resting on his racket in his hand, lifted his eyelids, and looked at Nanjiro Echizen again.
The confidence in his eyes made Nanjiro Echizen’s pupils contract slightly.
At this moment.
He seemed to see a year ago.
That little guy who said he would defeat him in the future…
Has appeared again!!
Confident!!
But also a bit arrogant!!
You little rascal…
Let's see if you can give me a new surprise today!!
…
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