Prince of Tennis: A new Hextech Crafting System is refreshed every week.

The following day, at the central hall of Ariake Forest Tennis Park.

The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals of this autumn rookie competition will all be decided here.

The quarterfinals will be held in the morning.

Based on the results of the lottery.

Kitahara Akira vs. Kiriyama Daichi (Joseph Shonan), Kirihara Akaya vs. Momoshiro Takeshi, Hiyoshi Wakaba vs. Amane Hikaru, and Kabaji Takahiro vs. Muromachi Juji.

The match started promptly at nine o'clock.

Kitahara Akira was scheduled for the first match.

His opponent, Daichi Kiriyama, is a tall man over 1.9 meters tall with a strong build. He is a wall at the net, and his outstretched arms can cover most of the net area.

At the same time, his movements are not sluggish, and he has a level of agility rarely seen in players of his size. His smash shot, known as "Cannonball," is quite powerful.

Off the field, Aoi Hanamura sat gracefully in the coach's chair.

Her curvaceous figure exudes mature feminine charm, and her beautiful face is adorned with a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth, accompanied by a confident smile.

Tongshan Land is an excellent work she has carefully crafted.

a year.

She compensated for Kiriyama Daichi's lack of flexibility and, based on his large size and long reach, transformed him into a war fortress that combined defense and offense.

It can be said.

Today's match is not only a moment for Kiriyama Daichi to prove his strength, but also a testing ground for Hanamura Aoi to examine his teaching philosophy.

Although Kitahara Akira had shown amazing strength in the previous match, Hanamura Aoi still had great confidence in Kiriyama Daichi and in herself.

Twenty minutes later.

"Cannonball!"

Kiriyama Daichi's massive body leaped high into the air, his arms outstretched in an exaggerated manner, before he suddenly slammed them down.

Bang!

A deep yellow beam of light rippled down from the sky and plunged into the ground, then bounced high into the air.

And the next second.

Kitahara Akira stomped heavily on the ground, his calf and thigh muscles tensing and then suddenly relaxing, as if he were springing up.

Bang!

The racket is aimed at the bouncing tennis ball and smashed hard, a smash against a smash.

The tennis ball shot past his side, and Kiriyama Daichi's rugged face was filled with panic and disbelief: "How is this possible? My cannonball is completely useless!?"

Across from the stadium.

Kitahara Akira fiddled with the slightly tangled strings, his expression unchanged. The power of a Thousand Stone Slam Dunk was far greater than this cannonball.

"Game, Yamabuki Middle School Kitahara Akira, 5-0!"

"The two players switch sides."

Tongshan Daichi's heart trembled slightly.

Not only did the opponent serve at an unusually fast speed, but their smashes were also incredibly fast, leaving me no time to react at the net. My net defenses didn't hold for long before being breached.

Even the most powerful cannon shells...!

Kiriyama Daichi's eyes dimmed. Although the match was not over yet, he had completely lost his will to fight.

Because next up is Kitahara Akira's serve.

Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!

Kitahara Akira unleashed a relentless four-hit combo, sending the tennis ball hurtling across the Kiriyama landscape at an imperceptible speed before slamming heavily against the wall behind the court.

"Game, Yamabuki Middle School Kitahara Akira, 6-0!"

"Advanced to the semifinals!"

"We've reached the semifinals!"

The Yamabuki team wore exceptionally excited expressions. It was another 6-0 victory. Kitahara Akira's matches were as reassuring as ever, with his fierce serves leaving his opponents breathless.

Listening to the cheers for Kitahara Akira from the audience, they felt like they were in a dream. When had Yamabuki ever been so glorious in singles?

Some people have already started to imagine what would happen if Muromachi could also win...?

"The next match will be between Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School's Akaya Kirihara and Seishun Academy's Takeshi Momoshiro!"

"Please welcome both players to the stage!"

Kitahara Akira shook hands and walked off the court.

Just then, Kirihara Akaya, with a white bandage on his face, walked out of the passageway. The two brushed past each other, and he glanced at Kitahara Akira. His intuition told him, "This guy is interesting."

......

As soon as Kitahara Akira returned to the stands, a huge crowd gathered around him, some praising his amazing serve, others complimenting his beautiful smash, all of them extremely excited.

He verbally agreed, but his gaze was fixed on Kirihara Akaya on the field.

The intelligence notebook that Momoi Satsuki gave him yesterday only contained information about one person's match: Kirihara Akaya.

The match started quickly.

Kirihara never hides his provocative nature when facing opponents, his gaze sweeping over Momoshiro Takeshi's blue and white team uniform, especially since the opponent is a member of Seigaku.

"Then let's finish the match within fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes?"

Upon hearing this arrogant and extremely confident pre-match declaration, Momoshiro Takeshi was taken aback at first, then laughed twice, his eyes turning serious and dangerous. "You're quite confident too! I'm not an easy nut to crack!"

"The match begins, a single game to decide the winner!"

"Momoshiro's serve!"

Both sides stood at the baseline.

Whoa!

Momoshiro tossed the tennis ball into the air, then leaped into the air, shouting, "Watch out, it's coming!"

Bang!

The racket slams down, and the tennis ball flies out like a bullet from a gun—this is Takeshi Momoshiro's signature serve, the bullet serve!

On the other side of the net.

Kirihara simply swept the ball, then stepped on it with his left foot, and his body bounced towards the landing point of the serve.

"Basic small steps on one leg".

Kitahara Akira recognized the familiar footsteps but was not surprised.

Momoi Satsuki clearly recorded this move in her notes, but she didn't know much about tennis and only described the basic single-leg stepping as "a short, quick step before receiving the ball."

It's a bit wordy, but the description is very accurate.

A loud bang echoed across the field.

Momoshiro Takeshi leaped high into the air, smashing the ball down with his racket, causing the hem of Seigaku's uniform to flutter backward.

Vertical smash!

Bang!

The tennis ball plummeted violently at an angle almost perpendicular to the ground.

It's fast, powerful, and comes at a tricky angle!

This powerful smash showcased the strength of a rookie quarterfinalist, and Kikumaru and Oishi were already preparing to celebrate the point.

Just before the tennis ball bounced off the ground, Kirihara swung his racket at lightning speed, catching the ball precisely as it bounced only slightly.

Bang!

A lightning-fast, extreme half-hit strike swiftly passed by Momoshiro Takeshi's feet, who had just landed.

Momoshiro's pupils dilated in shock: "What?!"

"Kirihara Akaya scores, 15-0!"

Seeing this, Kitahara Akira's expression also showed surprise and astonishment.

He recalled the notes that described him as having "extremely strong concentration, dynamic vision, and nerve reflexes," but he never expected that he would be so strong that he could use a half-volley technique to smash the ball.

Not only Kitahara Akira, but also the others from Yamabuki were startled.

"I can't believe my eyes... How did that guy catch it?!"

"A half-volley smash!?"

Sengoku also dropped his casual expression, and his eyes became serious.

As a spike expert, he believed that Momoshiro's spikes were very good, with no need to change the timing, power, or landing point. However, the more flawless Momoshiro's spikes were, the more terrifying Kirihara's ability became.

......

Bang!

"Game, Rikkai University Affiliated High School Kirihara Akaya, 1-0!"

......

Momoshiro Takeshi's gaze was anything but calm.

He had never even considered returning his vertical smash with a half-volley before today.

"As expected of the reigning champions, Rikkai University. I absolutely cannot let my guard down..."

His gaze was solemn as he focused all his attention on preparing for his opponent's next serve.

Kirihara Akaya turned his head and glanced at the time on the big screen.

The first game took four and a half minutes.

"Honestly, I didn't expect you to be so resilient."

Kirihara looked at Momoshiro Takeshi across from him, picked up a tennis ball with his left hand, but clamped it tightly between his five fingers, causing the surface to dent. He laughed, "But things won't be so easy from here on out!"

Swish!

With his arm raised, the five fingers that had been bent and squeezing the ball snapped open, sending the tennis ball soaring into the air with an irregular bounce, before the racket snapped down in an instant.

Bang!

The tennis ball flew over the net at an extremely high speed.

Tread!

Momoshiro Takeshi stomped his feet on the ground, his body springing forward, quickly reaching the landing point of the tennis ball, his racket already pulled back in preparation for the shot.

*Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!*

However, after the tennis ball rubbed violently against the ground, it shot up towards his cheek. Momoshiro Takeshi's pupils shrank, and he quickly dodged the fierce bounce.

"15-0!"

......

Bang!

The tennis ball was hit by Kirihara again.

Having learned from his previous experience, this time Takeshi Momoshiro deliberately shifted his position to the left, giving himself more space to hit the ball.

However, this time...

*Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!*

After a fierce collision, the tennis ball suddenly bounced to the right, catching Momoshiro Takeshi off guard.

"30-0!"

At the same time, a sneer came from the other side of the net: "Don't waste your energy. Nobody but me knows where this serve will go!"

Takeshi Momoshiro gripped his racket and walked back to the baseline.

He wouldn't just obediently wait to die because of a few words from the other party. He focused intently on Kirihara's movements, determined to see clearly this time.

"A meaningless struggle..."

Bang!

"30-0!"

......

Bang!

"Game, Rikkai University Affiliated High School Kirihara Akaya, 2-0!"

This game only lasted a little over a minute.

"This must be the unpredictable serve mentioned in the notes."

Kitahara Akira mentally compared the notes to Echizen's topspin serve and Ibu Shinji's sidespin serve, noting that Kitahara's move was more varied and unpredictable.

To some extent, Kirihara's serve can be considered an upgraded version of those two moves.

In the time that follows.

Momoshiro Takeshi was completely dominated by Kirihara, and the match became a one-sided affair.

However, he showed great resilience and was never defeated by Kirihara. He refused to give up and kept trying to organize a counterattack. In the end, the game was dragged out for more than twenty minutes.

Bang!

With a final, fierce strike, Kirihara Akaya successfully won the match.

"Game, Rikkai University Affiliated High School Kirihara Akaya, 6-0!"

"Very strong."

After watching the match, Kitahara Akira commented on Kirihara Akaya in this way.

He possesses masterful single-leg footwork, excellent dynamic vision, reflexes comparable to Sengoku's, terrifying concentration even surpassing Sengoku's, and an unpredictable serve...

Even someone as strong as Momoshiro Takeshi had little chance against his opponent.

Moreover, Kitahara Akira could see it.

Kirihara should still have some strength left; this match didn't truly showcase his abilities, and the information Momoi Satsuki gathered was just the tip of the iceberg.

......

The third match.

Hiyoshi Waka of Hyotei Academy versus Amane Hikaru of Rokkaku Middle School.

This match was incredibly intense.

The story of Amane Hikaru defeating a hundred members of Hyotei by himself is widely known. Naturally, Hiyoshi Waka, who is regarded as the next Hyotei captain, cannot tolerate such a thing.

The game has just begun.

He then unleashed his most proficient ancient martial arts style, assuming a martial arts stance and launching a fierce offensive.

However, Tengen Hikaru's strength should not be underestimated.

Defeating a hundred members of Hyotei is not a rumor, but a true testament to his immense strength. Wielding an extra-long wooden racket, he unleashes incredibly powerful tennis shots.

This match was extremely intense.

The two players battled for nearly an hour, remaining evenly matched with each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Hiyoshi realized that his physical strength was no match for Amane Hikaru, so he changed his tactics, shifting from direct confrontations at the baseline to a more intense net attack, launching a barrage of surprise attacks.

Tengen Hikaru was unable to adapt to the change in the pace of the game.

It revealed a flaw.

Hiyoshi Wakashi astutely seized the gaps in the opponent's defense and launched a more aggressive attack, ultimately securing a 7-5 victory after one hour and thirteen minutes.

The last match of the morning was approaching noon.

Muromachi faced off against Kabaji Takahiro of Hyotei Tenji.

The two players stood at the net, their physiques clearly different. Kabaji Takahiro's wooden face, coupled with his massive 1.9-meter frame, gave off an indescribable sense of oppression.

Muromachi Juji stared intently at the other person.

"If I beat this guy, I'll be in the semifinals!"

The two shook hands and guessed who shook first.

Game start.

Muromachi Juji's strategy was simple: take advantage of his agility, actively move to the net, and launch a frontal interception attack.

However, he found that his opponent played very steadily.

Despite its seemingly rough and unassuming appearance, tennis is not simply about brute force; it is also remarkably methodical.

For example, he makes a slightly strange sound every time he hits the ball.

"Yi" means to catch the ball, "he" means to hit a high lob, "ha" means to hit a through ball, and "hu" means to drop a short ball. These are actually the most suitable shouts for each of the basic ball skills.

In order to get points from his opponent, Muromachi Juji used almost every trick in the book.

"A great opportunity!"

Muromachi Juji first exposed a weakness in Kabaji's left half with a shot, and then immediately volleyed the ball into that opening to score.

"Game, Yamabuki Middle School Muromachi ten times, 1-2!"

"Change venues."

......

Although he was still at a disadvantage in the score, Muromachi Juji was filled with confidence after discovering that his playing style could score.

"That's it!"

As long as I keep moving him around and forcing him into defensive gaps, I can win.

Muromachi hit the ball ten times, pondering how to launch his next attack.

result.

Tread!

A series of slightly heavy footsteps suddenly rang out on the court. Muromachi Juji looked up and saw Kabaji Takahiro's massive body instantly appear at the net.

"Really!?"

Muromachi Juji was startled, and then a sharp ball flew over.

Without thinking too much, he rushed to the right corner and hit the tennis ball back. But the moment the racket touched the ball, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.

next second.

Bang!

A loud explosion.

Kabaji Takahiro smashed the racket down at the net, launching a fierce volley at Muromachi's left side of the court, where he had repeatedly shown weaknesses.

The people outside the venue had already noticed.

This is a complete replay of the previous game, except that the attacking and defending sides have been completely switched.

Bang!

"Game, Hyotei Academy, Kabaji Takahiro, 3-1!"

......

Bang!

"Game, Hyotei Academy, Kabaji Takahiro, 6-1!"

"Advanced to the semifinals!"

......

Muromachi was panting heavily. He hadn't expected this guy to be so good at net play. He really lost to him.

Although he felt a little disappointed at being eliminated in the quarterfinals, he was not resentful.

Compared to these four, he is indeed still quite lacking. The newcomer needs to train even harder after the competition.

He calmed down.

He walked to the net and shook hands with Takahiro Kabaji.

But as their hands clasped together, Muromachi Juji suddenly sensed that something was wrong.