"Not bad."
Seeing Ishikawa completely take control of the situation, Coach Sakaki Taro and Captain Atobe silently nodded in approval.
As a captain, apart from possessing formidable tennis skills, one must also have the presence to command respect and authority over others.
At this moment, Ishikawa had achieved just that.
To an outsider, it might seem as though Hyotei's captain had already been replaced.
"Very well."
Noticing the reactions of everyone present, Ishikawa also nodded in satisfaction.
*Clatter!*
Then, he pushed forward a cardboard box beside him. As it moved, the crisp sound of metal clinking could be heard from inside.
"These are lead plates for training."
Ishikawa opened the box, revealing rows of pitch-black metal strips, each about the width of a finger and four to five centimeters long.
"Starting today, everyone will wear these lead plates as weights during training."
"First-years will wear one plate on each foot, second-years will wear two, and third-years will wear three."
"As for the regulars... each of you will wear five or more plates!"
*Gulp!*
Upon hearing Ishikawa's instructions, even the rebellious third-years forgot to argue, swallowing hard in disbelief.
"As for the training load, I'll use the first-years as the baseline."
Ishikawa continued without a change in expression, "Second-years will have 1.5 times the training load of first-years, and third-years will have 2.25 times the load."
"Senpais," Ishikawa's tone turned cold, his gaze sharp, "don't say I'm not giving you a chance to prove yourselves. As seniors, shouldn't you set an example for the underclassmen?"
Ishikawa also valued seniority.
However, his concept of seniority wasn't about using age to suppress or bully lowerclassmen. Instead, it was about distinguishing oneself through heavier weights and greater training intensity.
You want a sense of superiority? Fine!
Then prove it with real ability!
"Oh?"
Hearing Ishikawa's words, Coach Sakaki Taro's eyes flickered with surprise.
He hadn't expected Ishikawa to take such an approach.
While others might be focused on the training load and weights, as the coach, he saw something entirely different.
"He's changing the rules!"
"Through these new rules, he's shaping the core spirit of Hyotei?"
At this moment, it seemed Sakaki finally understood why Ishikawa had included Atobe in their previous conversation.
Because what Ishikawa was doing now was completely颠覆ing the current core spirit of Hyotei.
To some extent, the current 200-member team was built entirely on Atobe's personal charisma. If Atobe were to leave, the empire he had built would likely crumble instantly.
It might not happen in a year or two, but beyond three years, whether Hyotei could even make it to the national tournament would become a question, facing the same issue as other schools—a lack of talent!
But now, Ishikawa's proposed training regimen was establishing a new set of rules.
It directly addressed the core issue of talent selection within the team! By dividing the team into first-years, second-years, third-years, and regulars based on age and skill, Ishikawa was reshaping Hyotei into a team centered around *strength* and *honor*.
You want to build personal prestige?
You want to stand out in the tennis club?
You want to bask in the admiration and respect of others?
Then increase your training load and become stronger.
On the other hand, even if you're a third-year, if you slack off or fail to meet your goals, you'll be looked down upon by others. Eventually, you might even be forced to quit or be expelled, becoming a laughingstock within the team!
Of course, with such high standards, some would inevitably be filtered out. But those who remained would be the elite.
More importantly, once this system was in place, it would significantly diminish Atobe's personal influence. Instead, it would imprint Ishikawa's own mark on the team.
"Is he really just a first-year?"
At this moment, Sakaki Taro's view of Ishikawa had completely changed.
Despite repeatedly raising his expectations, it seemed he had still vastly underestimated this young man.
Sakaki might have been able to come up with a similar plan, but he could never have implemented it.
But Ishikawa was different.
He possessed an advantage that Sakaki could never match.
"W-what kind of joke is this...?"
Finally, a voice broke the silence within the crowd. It was Uesugi Ryosuke. As he spoke, he glanced around, only to find that no one else was saying anything. His heart instantly sank.
But since he had already spoken and become the center of attention, he had no choice but to press on. "Y-you've said all this, but have you even worn that thing yourself?"
"Are you talking about this, senpai?"
Immediately, Ishikawa bent down and rolled up his pant leg, revealing a black wristband wrapped around his ankle. All ten slots for lead plates were filled.
*Gasp!*
The crowd collectively inhaled.
Including Uesugi Ryosuke, any last hope they had was completely shattered. No one dared to question Ishikawa anymore.
And this was something Sakaki Taro could never replace Ishikawa in. Because Ishikawa could lead by example, leaving those who doubted him speechless.
More importantly, Ishikawa was only a first-year. If he dared to do this, how could any second or third-year dare to refuse without being ridiculed?
"Alright."
After a pause, Ishikawa looked at the group and said, "Everyone, take the lead plates according to your assigned standards."
As soon as he finished speaking, aside from the regulars, the rest of the team exchanged uneasy glances.
*Step!*
At that moment, a figure stepped forward from the crowd.
It was none other than Shohara Saburo, the first opponent Ishikawa had faced after arriving in this world.
"Senpai..."
Ishikawa was also surprised to see him.
"I have just one question," Shohara looked up at him and asked, "If I wear these things, will I really get stronger?"
"Of course."
"Good!"
With that, Shohara bent down, rummaged through the box, and took two weight bands and six lead plates before turning to leave.
"I'll take some too."
Seeing that even Shohara, who had been defeated by Ishikawa and become a laughingstock within the team, had stepped forward to take the weights, the others followed suit.
In no time, all the lead plates Ishikawa had prepared were taken.
Then, led by Ishikawa, the team began their pre-warmup training. From start to finish, Atobe, the "Emperor" of Hyotei, didn't say a word.
Everyone assumed this was Atobe's silent approval of Ishikawa taking over as captain.
But only Sakaki Taro and Ishikawa knew the truth.
The Emperor of Hyotei would never remain passive. If Ishikawa failed to live up to the role of training advisor, he would naturally be cast aside by everyone.
But if he succeeded...
A true battle for power between the two was inevitable.
This was something Sakaki, who knew Atobe's personality well, understood clearly. As Ishikawa's strength continued to grow, that day would draw closer and closer!
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**End of Chapter**