The Prophet
Chapter 11
(Ryoga and Aisoku continue to rally, Nanjiroh watching their every move)
Ryoga: "Ha!"
(Ryoga hits the ball, and Aisoku is shown to already be walking to where the ball will be)
Aisoku: "You pack quite a punch, Ryoga."
(Aisoku hits the ball and immediately starts walking)
Nanjiroh: [[ This guy is able to somehow predict Ryoga's next shot with such confidence that he doesn't even need to run?... ]]
Ryoga: "How dare you underestimate m-"
(Ryoga hits the ball, only to find Aisoku to already be there)
Aisoku: "Hmm?"
(Aisoku returns the shot with ease, and starts walking to the right)
Ryoga: "Hmph."
(While Ryoga is in full swing to hit it to the right, he turns and smashes to the left)
Aisoku: "You're too proud."
(Aisoku suddenly appears next to the ball)
Ryoga: "!!!"
(Aisoku smashes an absurdly precise cross court angle that lands right on the line of the service box towards the net and gets a point)
Ryoga: "..."
Nanjiroh: "Ryoga...you can't be messing around with an opponent like this."
Ryoga: "Dad, be quiet, I have everything under-"
Nanjiroh: "Ryoga! If you don't play serious against this man, you will most likely never play tennis again."
Ryoga: "??"
(The match is paused, as Nanjiroh turns to face Aisoku)
Nanjiroh: "Your plan is to crush his pride, isn't it? Someone like Ryoga, who has never been utterly defeated or outmatched would fall into despair if it happened. He probably wouldn't even have the motivation to pick up a racquet anymore. Is that your goal?"
Aisoku: "Are you a man of faith, Nanjiroh?"
Nanjiroh: "....I would say everyone has faith in something."
Aisoku: "The Japanese culture has always lived by this ridiculous mantra of pride. To the Japanese, pride is everything to them. You and I are both Japanese, however, my mantra does not come from traditions of men. Mine is that of God. It is written that it was pride that birthed Lucifer's damnation. Do not the proud always fall in the end?"
Ryoga: "They may fall, but I wont."
Nanjiroh: "Enough, Ryoga..."
(Nanjiroh stares at Aisoku)
Nanjiroh: "Tennis...it isn't just about having fun to you, is it? Instead, for you it is a way you worship God. Everything you do is very intentional, I can see that about you. Even though I may disagree with your methods, there's something about you I respect."
Aisoku: "The tennis legend certainly lives up to his name. Like me, you can read your opponents on not just a physical or mental level, but a spiritual level. That is the one thing most people lack. I can certainly see what makes you the best."
Nanjiroh: "So, what is it you want?..."
Aisoku: "Tezuka has already informed your camp of the challenge by now. Since this is the final match, it will be televised throughout the whole world. This match will decide the future of tennis, so you better choose your team carefully. Oh, and also, you guys get to pick a reserve just in case anything happens."
Ryoga: "What do you mean?"
Aisoku: "Y'know, just in case someone can no longer continue playing, I'm making it legal for you to switch your reserve in to continue the match or save him for a tiebreaker match."
Ryoga: "What spot are you playing in?"
Aisoku: "Singles 1."
Ryoga: "I'll finish what I started there, then."
Aisoku: "Very well...I'll see you all in three days. See you soon."
(Aisoku walks away into the forest)
Ryoga: "...Yeah...and train up, because you'll need it."
(Aisoku looks back and lets out a quiet laugh as he smiles graciously)
Aisoku: "Of course."
(He raises his hand up to wave)
Ryoga: "Hmmph...he's confident, that's for sure."
Nanjiroh: "Ryoga..."
(Ryoga turns to look, as Nanjiroh has a concerned face)
Nanjiroh: "If I hadn't stopped this match, you would have lost badly..."
Ryoga: "......We need to head back and train, and we also need to pick a roster."
Nanjiroh: "Yeah."
(Ryoga and Nanjiroh walk back, only to find the whole camp training intensely)
Ryoga: "Everyone is so fired up."
Nanjiroh: "Always nice to see."
(Ryoga takes the megaphone)
Ryoga: "Alright everyone, within the next day or so, the coaches will be observing practice to select the best players for the job. So, impress us if you want to be on the team. By the way, Singles 1 is reserved for me, so don't even think about it. Everything else is up for grabs. Alright, get started."
(All of a sudden, a news helicopter comes and hovers over the camp)
Everyone: "!!"
Reporter: "We're here live at the U-17 selection camp, where everyone seems to be training for the big event, a showdown with the mysterious band of rogues known as the "Black Lions. The event that could save or destroy the future of professional tennis! It's an event that you don't want to mis- Wait, is that-Samurai Nanjiroh?"
(Arial camera zooms in on Nanjiroh)
Reporter: "It is! It appears the rare legend that shook the tennis world has finally surfaced again for the occasion. This is an event that should be on in every home!"
Nanjiroh: "Geez...I always thought reporters were so annoying."
*Not too far away*
(The black lions are shown to be practicing, with spectators)
Girls: "You can do it, Saishi!!!"
(Inu Saishi hits the ball to his opponent, and doubles partner Raizan Koudai)
Saishi: "Please please, ladies. Your beauty is distracting me from my game, y'know."
Girls: "Hehehe!"
Raizan: "Haha, I can't believe girls always fall for your wordplay."
(Raizan returns it)
Saishi: "Psh, It isn't wordplay, I really mean it."
(Saishi lobs)
Raizan: "Right, forgive me. You just love every woman on the planet."
(Raizan smashes as they both say the same thing)
Raizan: Maybe you have a probl-."
Saishi: "Maybe I have a probl-."
Saishi: "You know what they say, great minds think alike."
Raizan: "Dumb ones do too."
Saishi: "As opposed to a brain that is able to talk?"
Raizan: "You're so lame, hah"
(Aisoku returns to the group, as everyone greets him)
Saishi: "Whats up?"
Hakai: "..."
Aisoku: "I was just talking to Nanjiroh and Ryoga."
Raizan: "How are they?"
Aisoku: "Doing well, I assume they understand the competition a bit better now. Ryoga challenged me to a match in singles 1."
Hakai: "So that means he'll get what he deserves for pretending to be one of us."
Tetsuma: "Seda..."
(Aisoku's eyes appear to be glowing red)
Tetsuma: "Your eyes are red...so what's the prophecy about this time?..."
Aisoku: "God showed me that I will be playing Echizen Ryoma."
Tetsuma: "..?"
Tezuka: "...!"
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Originally Posted by -Ken-
