"Practice matches or official matches, it doesn't matter." Sanada's expression was stern, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone. "Fourteen consecutive Kanto Tournament victories! There's no room for any blind spots!"
"Next, I'll announce the roster for this practice match."
"First, myself, then Sanada Genichirou, Yanagi Renji, Miura Takuyou, Akiyama Yuuji, Ishihara Chu, Fushimi Kiyokazu, and Mori Juusaburo!"
As Yukimura finished the last name, everyone's eyes simultaneously locked onto Mori Juusaburo.
Miura and Akiyama were Rikkaidai's Doubles 2, with top-tier Kanto level skill, and their singles ability was also Kanto-level. As for Ishihara and Fushimi, they were Rikkaidai's Doubles 1, possessing national level skill, and their singles ability was also top Kanto-level. They were originally the core team that allowed Rikkaidai to dominate the Kanto Tournament. Every year, Rikkaidai cultivated excellent next-generation players to ensure they could win the Kanto Tournament and advance to the National Tournament.
It was just... Mori Juusaburo!
This guy originally wasn't from Rikkaidai Fuzoku; he had transferred from Shitenhoji in Kansai. Normally, when everyone was training, he would either take leave or slack off during practice, seeming a bit out of place with everyone. Rikkaidai's tennis club was always known for its strictness. The original training volume was already tough, but ever since Yanagi Renji became Rikkaidai's strategist, the training volume had practically doubled.
Everyone grew stronger through the hardship, except for Mori Juusaburo.
"Mori! Mori!"
A second-year teammate standing nearby nudged Mori with his elbow. This guy was actually sleeping in such a serious situation, even standing there asleep! He clearly hadn't paid any attention to what Yukimura and Sanada had just said.
"Oh, has today's practice ended? I'm so craving oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl)." Mori rubbed his eyes, yawned, looking like he had just woken up.
"That guy! He's just... he's too careless!"
Sanada, who had been maintaining a serious demeanor, clenched his fist upon seeing Mori looking like he had just woken up, utterly furious. He had wanted to teach this transfer student senior a lesson for a long time. However, Yukimura kept stopping him, saying that everyone had their own style, and they couldn't lower expectations for Mori because of his personality.
It was just... Mori had never completed the tasks Yanagi set for him. Every day, he'd arrive at the tennis club precisely on time, and leave precisely on time, just like someone working a job. He didn't act like a tennis club member at all.
"Mori-senpai, don't forget you're playing in this practice match." Yukimura gave Mori a casual glance, not taking Mori's lax state to heart. Although Mori usually had a laid-back attitude, Yukimura knew very well that this transfer student senior was not weak. To dominate the nation, he couldn't rely solely on himself, Sanada, and Yanagi; he also needed help from this senior who loved to slack off all day.
Part of the reason for inviting Hyotei for this practice match was that Yukimura had seen the boys who had won first and second place at the Junior Tournament, defeating himself and Sanada respectively.
He couldn't wait for the Kanto Tournament, which was why he had Sanada call and invite Hyotei for a practice match, and also to test Rikkaidai's current strength. To dominate the nation, they had to overcome Hyotei.
From the day Yukimura started playing tennis, he had never lost to anyone his age, until he met Kamikawa at the Junior Tournament.
Failure, for him and Sanada, didn't hit them too hard. Instead, it made them stronger. Sanada evolved, and he himself transformed.
"Kamikawa Muzuki! I hope you won't disappoint me." A hint of anticipation flickered in Yukimura's eyes. The gentle breeze ruffled his blue hair, swaying in the wind, and a slight smile played on his lips, that gentleness reflecting in the hearts of the tennis club members.
---
The Hyotei team stepped off the bus, their eyes falling on the "Rikkaidai Fuzoku Middle School" plaque. Soon, everyone walked towards the Rikkaidai tennis club.
"This is Rikkaidai Fuzoku's tennis club!" As expected of a tennis club with thirteen consecutive Kanto Tournament victories, it was quite impressive.
On the courts, every player had their own tasks and were all immersed in their training. Rikkaidai used to be led by a coach, but ever since Yukimura became captain, the coaching role was also handed over to Yukimura. With Sanada and Yanagi assisting, it didn't really matter whether Rikkaidai had a coach or not. As long as they produced results and silenced their critics, that was enough.
"Welcome!" Yukimura, as captain, extended his hand and shook Tezuka's, but his gaze remained fixed on Kamikawa. Perhaps in his eyes, Kamikawa was the opponent truly worth his full effort.
"Hmm!" Tezuka took a second look at Yukimura. At the Junior Tournament, Tezuka had sensed that the boy in front of him had a similar aura to his own, but now that aura was much fainter, replaced by a different kind of threat.
Sanada, as vice-captain, had his eyes fixed on Tezuka the entire time. It seemed that the shutout at the Junior Tournament had quite an impact on this "Little Emperor," holding a grudge until now.
Atobe, on the other hand, looked at Sanada with displeasure and said calmly, "You must be the Sanada Genichirou Kamikawa mentioned! Rikkaidai Fuzoku's vice-captain, you don't look like much!"
As expected of Atobe, he started provoking immediately upon meeting. The Hyotei side all had expressions of course. As for the Rikkaidai side, their faces darkened considerably, especially Yanagi Renji, Rikkaidai's strategist.
"You're Atobe Keigo?" Sanada then shifted his gaze to Atobe, sizing him up. A hint of disdain appeared on his lips as he said calmly, "In my opinion, you don't even have half of Tezuka's skill."
"Hyotei Academy, it seems, is a bit unworthy of its name."
The match hadn't even started, but the tension on the court was already thick.
"Hmm?" Atobe gave a long "hmm," looking at the resolute-faced guy in front of him. "You've got quite the nerve. For a guy who got eliminated 6-0 by Tezuka, I really don't know what kind of nerve you have to say something like that."
"Atobe!" Sanada was momentarily stunned, then quickly flared up in anger, sneering, "I hope you can say that again on the court later."
Originally, Sanada had planned to play against Tezuka. But since someone volunteered to step up, he wouldn't mind giving them a good lesson. He'd make him realize that there's always someone better out there!
"Oh my, oh my~ It seems our vice-captains both have quite the tempers, don't they?" Mori rubbed his hair, watching Sanada and Atobe. The two of them had already stirred up a lot of tension, making the already disharmonious two sides even more agitated.
"Indeed. Mori-senpai, it looks like we're in for some fun later." Kamikawa's gaze remained on Mori. At this stage, Mori's skill might even surpass Sanada's, depending, of course, on whether Sanada had perfected Fūrin Kazan (Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain). Mori, having reached national level in his first year, was unfortunately too lazy. He wasn't serious about tennis at all; his only thoughts were slacking off and having fun.
"Hmm?" Mori looked at Kamikawa with a bit of surprise, asking, "You know me?"
"I've looked into it a bit," Kamikawa nodded. This attitude caught Mori's attention, and he asked again, "How do you know me? I shouldn't have played in any matches before."
Kamikawa narrowed his eyes and said, "Shitenhoji's prodigy from last year, who suddenly transferred to Rikkaidai."
"Plus, Mori-senpai, the aura you're giving off."
"Anyone who's reached national level should be able to sense that special spiritual power."
"Interesting~" At this moment, Mori took another look at Kamikawa, also sensing the spiritual power emanating from him. The other party also had national-level skill. Hyotei, which had risen so suddenly in recent years, seemed to have found a suitable successor. However, this successor wasn't the captain of Hyotei's tennis club. That was certainly rare!
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