The Other Side Of The Net
Chapter 13
(Tetsuma approaches Aisoku, looking concerned)
Tetsuma: "You have been praying for weeks and still God has not sent someone to fill the last spot, Seda."
Aisoku: "Have faith, Tetsuma. God will send the right man for the job."
Hakai: "How do we know that? You do remember that if we don't get someone, we can't officially play against them."
Aisoku: "I'm well aware of that. It's all the more reason to believe."
Saishi: "Aisoku has never been wrong before, guys. Why would he be wrong now?"
Raizan: "He's right. We need to just trust him."
(All of a sudden, a man among the spectators opens the gate and enters the court, approaching the black lions, as Aisoku looks over and smiles)
Tetsuma: "Can I help you?"
Man: "You guys are the Black Lions, right?"
Hakai: "Yeah."
(The man hands a folder to Tetsuma)
Man: "Here's a file with all my official information in it. I heard about you guys from the news, and I wanted to join the team."
Saishi: "What's your name?"
Man: "Nobunaga Makoto"
(Tetsuma walks over and talks to Aisoku)
Tetsuma: "You knew this was the guy, didn't you..."
Aisoku: "Yes."
Tetsuma: "According to his file, he is a great all-around player. He is great in both singles and doubles, and he actually prefers doubles. His stat sheet is impressive, and it says here that he is a brilliant tactician."
Aisoku: "Tell him he can join."
Tetsuma: "Alright."
(Tetsuma walks back over to Makoto)
Tetsuma: "Our leader said you're in."
Makoto: "Yes!"
Raizan: "Welcome aboard."
*U-17*
(Ryoga is shown to be meeting privately with all the most intelligent players in the camp)
Ryoga: "Have you guys found any information about him yet?"
Renji: "Actually, yes."
Chitose: "Some of it is unreal."
Inui: "According to the data we've gathered, it appears that Aisoku Seda has never played a match for more than seven minutes."
Ryoga: "Seven minutes?"
Inui: "Yes. It appears the opponent can no longer continue."
Ryoga: "I see."
Mizuki: "Or...it means Aisoku can no longer continue..."
Inui: "What do you mean?"
Renji: "He means their leader has a weakness."
Chitose: "I see... Perhaps Aisoku can only play for a certain amount of time before his stamina runs out. To counter this, he quickly defeats his opponent so the match doesn't last very long."
Inui: "Ah! This would make sense!"
Ryoga: "So all I need to do is remain in the game until his stamina timer runs out?"
Mizuki: "It appears that way."
Ryoga: "This should be easy."
Inui: "I wouldn't be so sure. This guy has never lost."
Ryoga: "Yeah, and neither have I. There's a first time for everything."
*Game Day*
(The day has come, as the National stadium begins to fill up with people from everywhere. The nostalgic open dome stadium has all the middle schoolers remembering the National tournament)
Momoshiro: "Hey, Echizen..."
Echizen: "Hm?"
Momoshiro: "You're the reason we won against Rikkaidai back then...even if you're a reserve, you have to win this one too..."
Echizen: "..."
Reporter: "We're here live at the National stadium in Japan, where the battle between the Black Lions and Team Japan will begin shortly. Look! it appears the players are lining up at the net!"
(Both teams begin to walk to the center, as the crowd goes wild and cheers)
Girls: "Go Saishi!!!"
(Saishi laughs and points at them)
Saishi: "Haha, I'll win this for you girls!"
Raizan: "Oh brother.."
(The girls see Aisoku Seda and fall in love)
Girls: "Oh my!...he's hot! Go hot leader guy!!!"
Raizan: "Hahaha, looks like Seda took your girls, Saishi."
Saishi: "Pfft."
(Aisoku ignores them and remains focused as the team lines up, as Ryoga and Ryoma are directly across from him)
Team Japan:
Ryoma, Ryoga, Yukimura, Sanada, Irie, Niou, Fuji, Atobe
Black Lions:
Aisoku, Tetsuma, Hakai, Saishi, Raizan, Tezuka, Makoto
Ryoga: "I'm looking forward to finishing our m-"
(Aisoku cuts him off as he begins to focus on Echizen)
Aisoku: "You must be Ryoma."
Ryoga: "..."
Echizen: "...Yes?"
(Aisoku lets out a warm smile)
Aisoku: "I look forward to playing you."
Echizen: "??"
Ryoga: "You're playing me, buddy."
(Aisoku smirks at Ryoga)
Tetsuma: "May the best man win."
(Tetsuma shakes Yukimura's hand)
Yukimura: "Yes."
Hakai: "I'm sorry."
Sanada: "..?"
Hakai: "I figured I might as well say it now."
Sanada: "..."
Saishi: "Yo momma so fat that when she walked passed my T.V, I missed three commercials."
Niou: "Yo momma so fat I took a picture of her last Christmas and it's still printing."
Saishi: "Haha, Raizan-chan! this guy is hilarious!"
Raizan: "I apologize for my partner."
Irie: "Haha, same."
Fuji: "Tezuka..."
Atobe: "Ahn...Tezuka. I'm going to enjoy this."
Tezuka: "Me too."
Makoto: "Nice to meet you both. I'm Mak-
Atobe: "I don't care."
(Makoto's eyes change to a more serious look)
Makoto: "...I see."
(Nanjiroh walks out with a microphone, going to give the announcement)
"Is that..?"
"Samurai Nanjiroh?!"
"Hey guys, look! It's him!"
"Oh Wow!"
Nanjiroh: "Attention everyone. We will now begin the matches."