I Got Smaller, but Stronger

During their second year of middle school, after Rikkai defeated Hyotei in the Kanto final, its members suddenly turned into seven- and eight-year-old children in full view of everyone.

Onlookers were shocked, especially the members of Hyotei.

For Rikkai's members to turn back, they needed to fulfill a condition: win the Kanto title sixteen times in a row and the national title three times in a row.

The Rikkai members looked at one another. How were they supposed to manage that in their current state?

They didn't tell anyone else, though. After all, they had to win their matches fair and square!

At the thought of "fair and square," the Rikkai members sighed. They'd caught the Sanada bug!

Their physical abilities had fallen far below what they had been before. There was no way they could defeat every school like this.

So they would have to work even harder.

Rikkai had always trained with the attitude, "If it doesn't kill you, train until it does." Now they really would have to push their bodies to the limit.

And just after they had won their second consecutive national title, Yukimura collapsed on the court during the final and was hospitalized.

For the Rikkai members, this was a devastating blow both mentally and physically, whether they were the healthy regulars or Yukimura, who had fallen ill.

They would have to work even harder. Only then could they rise above everyone else!

Unrivaled! Rikkai has no weaknesses!

Theme: I want others to understand how hard the Rikkai team works. They will push themselves endlessly for Rikkai and give everything for victory. They truly work so hard for Rikkai, especially Yukimura, who returned to the court less than a month after surgery. And if they turned small, they would give their all in every match. They wouldn't play around or hold back anymore. The match between Sanada and Echizen has always been a thorn in my side. I really want to ask Sanada, what were you doing?! Anyway, I want everyone to see how wonderful and hardworking the Rikkai members are, and to admire and feel for them.