Chapter 17: Yes, it's me! (Bonus Chapter!)

Whoa! We hit the 3rd Power Stones milestone (500 PS) yesterday! 

So let's start a new week with two chapters!

Let's fucking go!

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'My left hand can't control my strength properly. My right hand feels stiff...'

Tsuna fell into deep focus as he thought about his current situation and realized just how messed up it was. He figured if he tried to spike using his left hand, it would result in a similar outcome as his serve.

He clicked his tongue, muttering, "Fuck..."

That meant his aim would be bad.

"...!"

Both Yamaguchi and Tsukishima flinched, unsure of what was going through Tsuna's mind.

'Whatever...'

Tsukishima stepped to the back line and served the ball over the net with a normal serve after the whistle.

"Aight, leave it to me!"

Tanaka shouted as the ball flew toward him. He clasped his hands together and received it perfectly, sending it toward Kageyama.

'It's coming!'

Hinata's eyes sparkled as he saw the ball floating above. He was thrilled, knowing this would be his first match, even if it was just a test. More importantly, it would be his first-ever spike in the club. His legs moved on their own toward the net.

Kageyama's eyes followed the ball as he took his position. He could see Hinata running on the other side, expecting his pass.

He shouted, "Hinata!"

Hearing that, Hinata smiled. His small figure suddenly leaped toward the ball, which had been passed perfectly to him in the air. Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"...!"

Some of them had seen Hinata in action during middle school and knew he could jump. But seeing such a small figure jump so high in person, it almost looked like he was flying. It was still impressive.

Tsuna was also a bit surprised. Someone so small being able to jump that high caught his attention as he watched Hinata swing his arm with perfect timing and hit the ball with a thud.

He could see the excitement in Hinata's expression and mumbled, "So much expression..."

Plop!

The echo of the ball hitting something filled the gym.

Tsuna noticed Tsukishima already reaching up to block it.

The ball's direction, which was headed straight for their court, was forcibly changed as it sharply landed on the opposite side.

"...for nothing," Tsuna finished his sentence as he saw Hinata's expression shift to shock.

Tsuna shook his head and turned to Tsukishima, thinking, 'He's a pretty decent blocker.'

He had seen blockers from first-tier teams like Aoba Johsai in action and knew that while Tsukishima wasn't as good, he had potential.

"You sure can jump..."

Tsukishima said to Hinata, who was staring at the ball rolling on the floor in surprise. He seemed to find it amusing as he continued, "If only you were 30 centimeters taller, you'd be a superstar, don't you think?"

'I thought he was the quiet type,' Tsuna thought as he listened to Tsukishima trash-talking. 

They didn't have anyone who could block as well as him. More importantly, they didn't have a trash talker.

Trash talkers could mess with the opponent's state of mind and sometimes come in handy. Thinking that it was nice to have such type of player, Tsuna shook his head, 'Whatever, he's quite a nice addition to the team anyway...'

"Grr...!"

Meanwhile, Hinata clenched his fists at the provocation and hesitantly spoke, "O-One more!"

They didn't seem ready to give up yet. Tsuna could see that Kageyama also had a determined look on his face.

However...

Second try...

Third try...

'That bastard...'

Kageyama gritted his teeth, glancing at a particular person in annoyance. He knew Tsukishima was tall, but his technique wasn't bad either. '...he's better than I thought!'

That determination was repeatedly crushed by the high wall known as Tsukishima.

The opposing team was mostly scoring through their blocks, forcing Kageyama to pass the ball to Tanaka, who managed to get some points for them.

But Kageyama knew they needed to overcome Tsukishima to win this!

Tsukishima suddenly spoke up, "Yo, he keeps getting blocked, Your Majesty. Shouldn't you be using your King's toss?"

The mockery in his tone was clear enough.

Kageyama clenched his fists in annoyance. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he tried to hold back his irritation.

"The one that decimates your enemies!"

Tsukishima continued with a smirk, his tone light but still sharp regardless. Then he added enthusiastically, "And your teammates too!"

Kageyama muttered, "...You bastard!" 

"What the hell is wrong with you, dude?"

Hinata snapped, stepping forward defensively as he noticed Kageyama's expression darken further.

The tension in the air was thick.

It was clear Tsukishima's words had hit a nerve.

Hinata's fiery temper flared as he barked back, "Why have you been such a jerk since yesterday? King's toss? What the hell even is that?"

Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, looking down at Hinata with an almost amused expression.

"Huh? Did you seriously not know why he's called the King?"

Hinata's eyes narrowed, "Huh? Isn't that because he's so good that everyone started calling him the King?"

"...?"

For a moment, there was silence.

"Pfft-hahaha..."

Then Tsukishima burst into laughter, doubling over as if Hinata had just told the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

Hinata's forehead vein twitched visibly. He threw his hands into the air, exasperated, and shouted, "What is it then, huh!?"

"I guess there are some people who thought of it that way too, huh? The term 'King of the Court' didn't come from the fans. It was from his own teammates at Kitagawa Daiichi..."

"...Huh?"

Kageyama's expression darkened even further, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Tsukishima's words hit like a dagger, as if he'd poured salt on a wound Kageyama had tried to forget.

"I know y'all are agitated and all, but..."

On the side, Tanaka, who had been quietly listening, scratched his head and cut in before the conversation spiraled further.

He pointed a finger across the court and continued, "...we don't really have time for that right now. You see?"

"...?"

Hinata and Kageyama turned their heads, following Tanaka's outstretched finger.

Their bodies stiffened instantly.

"Shit..."

"It's his turn again?"

Sweat trickled down both Hinata's and Kageyama's temples as they exchanged uneasy glances. There, standing at the back line, was Tsuna with the ball resting in his palm.

That first serve might be off the mark, but if that would hit them now, it would be quite a disaster. Knowing this, Tanaka twitched his mouth nervously and swallowed hard, "See what I meant now?"

"Hmm," Tsukishima muttered, glancing back and noticing Tsuna preparing to serve. He turned toward Hinata and Kageyama, who both seemed unnaturally stiff.

A mocking smirk curled on his lips.

"Kageyama used to be the egocentric King," Tsukishima said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "A literal dictator. He got so oppressive that no one wanted to receive his tosses anymore."

"...!"

Kageyama's eye twitched, but he said nothing.

Whistle!

Tsuna tossed the ball high into the air. The atmosphere instantly shifted, tension rippling through the opposing team.

Their stances tightened in response.

Tsukishima snickered, finding their reactions amusing. "He even got benched because of that... Kekeke—"

BAM!

The sharp, gunshot-like crack of Tsuna's hand connecting with the ball cut him off.

A deafening impact echoed through the gym.

"Isn't that ironi—!!"

Tsukishima's words choked in his throat as a sharp pain shot through the back of his head. His glasses clattered to the floor as his body stiffened in shock.

His head turned robotically, confusion etched into his features. His gaze landed on the ball bouncing innocently on the court beside him with a tap... tap...

"Did that just... hit me...?"

His voice was quiet, almost dazed.

"..."

The entire gym fell into an eerie silence. No one moved. No one spoke.

All eyes turned to Tsuna, who stood calmly on the other side of the net.

Tsukishima swallowed hard, his movements slow and mechanical as he faced Tsuna. His voice wavered slightly, "Senpai... what... was that?"

The atmosphere grew cold, heavy, and suffocating.

"...Shit."

No one could tell who muttered it, but the tension crashed onto the court like a wave, leaving everyone paralyzed with nervousness.

Daichi and Suga exchanged uneasy glances, their lips twitching. Both silently begged Tsuna to defuse the situation. The awkwardness was suffocating.

However...

Tsuna tilted his head slightly and replied, "Just a serve."

The flat tone of his voice hit everyone like a truck.

Their thoughts screamed in unison, "It's not just a fucking serve, you crazy motherfucker!"

Tsukishima almost couldn't believe his ears as he tilted his head as he mechanically repeated, "Just... a serve...?"

The atmosphere grew colder and it started to choke them all. 

But...

Tsuna's answer was...

"Yes."

Several members visibly staggered, nearly passing out from sheer exasperation.

Their inner voices united once more, "Elaborate your answer, you fucker!"

Tsukishima blinked rapidly, trying to process what he was hearing. His voice rose slightly, tinged with incredulity. "So... that was intentional?"

Tsuna felt the weight of everyone's stares drilling into him, demanding he resolve the spiraling awkwardness.

He met Tsukishima's wide-eyed gaze head-on, his expression unchanging, "Yes, it was..."

"No, it's not, you idiot!"

Suga's inner scream practically radiated from his frozen expression. His eyes rolled back dramatically, and his knees buckled.

He looked like he was moments away from collapsing out of sheer frustration.

"Huh?"

Tsukishima's eye twitched.

He stared at Tsuna for a long moment, his mind whirling. A thought crossed his mind, 'Should I quit before it's too late?'

Whoever this senpai was, one thing was clear—he was one crazy bastard.

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Here to remind you how the bonus works:

3 bonus chapters are available for each weekly milestone achieved.

The weekly power stone milestones:

Tier 1: 100 power stones

Tier 2: 250 power stones

Tier 3: 500 power stones

So, if you want more chapters, please support this story with your power stones!

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