The Prince of Tennis: From Data-Driven Tennis to the Pinnacle of His Career

Chapter 104 The Score is Tied

Chapter 196 The Score is Tied

"The third match begins. Please have Yamabuki's second singles player and Rikkai's second singles player enter the game."

"Captain Kagura, I'm going."

After abruptly standing up from the lounge chair, Kita Kazuma picked up the racket next to him and walked straight to Kagura Ichijin.

Kagura Ichijin and Banta Yuya gave him a tremendous opportunity to play singles on the highly anticipated final stage.

Although he knew better than anyone that his chances of winning were extremely slim, he was still very happy, because being able to stand on the final stage was already an honor in itself.

"Don't be nervous, believe in yourself."

Kagura Ichijin reached out and patted Kita Kazuma on the shoulder, encouraging him with a smile.

The current situation is actually very favorable for Yamabuki. Having just won a doubles match, they no longer need to worry about being swept out of the game.

If we play steadily and methodically, there is a very high chance that we can drag the game into a fifth match.

"Um.

After nodding to Kagura Ichijin, Kita Kazuma took a deep breath and then strode toward the referee.

This time, his opponent is Genichiro Sanada, a second-year student at Rikkai University, who is known as the "Emperor".

"A decisive game, Sanada serves."

"He actually gave up two singles matches on his own initiative."

Upon seeing that the person appearing in the Yamabuki area was a freshman, Genichiro Sanada lowered the brim of his black hat, and his expression immediately became much more serious.

No one would have expected that Yamabuki would abandon its singles advantage and bet everything on doubles.

This desperate and extreme troop deployment really caught Rikkai University completely off guard.

Fortunately, with Yukimura Seiichi in charge of the one-on-one match, there's no chance of him losing. Otherwise, Rikkai might have actually been outmaneuvered by Yamabuki's extreme tactics.

"Swift as the wind!"

After reaching the service court, Genichiro Sanada took a deep breath, tossed the ball high into the air, instantly tightened the muscles in his right arm, and then swung his racket quickly.

"laugh!"

The tennis ball instantly transformed into an almost invisible yellow afterimage, leaping over the net at an incredibly high speed and heading straight for the opposite side of the court.

"15-0!"

"That's fast."

As the dull thud of a tennis ball hitting a wire mesh came from behind, Kita Kazuma, who was in a defensive stance, snapped out of his daze and stiffly turned his head to look behind him.

Looking at the tennis ball that was now deeply embedded in the wire mesh, his forehead instantly became covered in cold sweat, and his face was filled with horror and shock.

Is this Rikkai University's singles player? This is terrifying! No wonder so many traditionally strong schools are powerless against Rikkai.

Facing such a top-tier national player, perhaps only Kagura Ijin could rival him.

"Swift as the wind!"

Genichiro Sanada showed no intention of holding back, his swings were exceptionally clean and decisive.

"30-0!"

"40-0!"

"Game, Genichiro Sanada, 1-0!"

"Game, Genichiro Sanada, 2-0!"

"Game, Genichiro Sanada, 3-0!

"Game, Genichiro Sanada, 4-0!"

"Game, Genichiro Sanada, 5-0!"

"Game, Genichiro Sanada, 6-0!"

"Match 3 ends, 6-0, Genichiro Sanada wins!"

In less than ten minutes, Genichiro Sanada shut out Kazuma Kita, completely ending this match where the skill gap was huge.

"I'm sorry, Captain Kagura, I didn't get a single point."

Kita Kazuma walked back from the field with his head down, his voice filled with undisguised bitterness and disappointment.

The intensity of the singles final was simply too high; it was not something an ordinary player like him could participate in.

Although he knew that this singles match wouldn't have a big impact on Yamabuki, being shut out like this still made him feel a bit upset.

"It's okay, you've done very well."

Kagura Ichijin stepped forward, handed over a towel, shook his head slightly, and comforted him with a kind expression.

Currently, among Japanese junior high school students, there are definitely no more than three who can reliably defeat Genichiro Sanada.

It's perfectly normal that Kita Kazuma is no match for him. After all, even if Akutsu Jin were to face Sanada Genichiro, his chances of winning wouldn't exceed 50%.

"Ugh!"

After letting out a deep sigh, Kita Kazuma took the towel and went straight back to the lounge chair, where he sat down silently.

Now Yamabuki is down 1-2 in the series, and if they lose just one more game, their dream of defending their title will be shattered.

"The fourth match begins. Please bring on the Yamabuki Doubles Team 1 and Rikkai Doubles Team 1."

"Let's go, Akutsu, it's our turn."

After standing up from the bench, Kiyosumi Sengoku nodded to Jin Akutsu, then picked up his racket and walked straight toward the referee.

"It's finally our turn."

Akutsu Jin twitched the corners of his mouth into a smile, then picked up the racket next to him, casually slung it over his shoulder, and followed closely behind Sengoku Kiyosumi.

This time, their opponents were the Rikkai University second-year doubles pair, Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwazono.

"A decisive game, Marui/Jackal serve."

"Oh no, it really is them."

After chewing the bubble gum in his mouth vigorously, Marui Bunta said in a low voice with a serious expression.

Since losing to the doubles pair of Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata at the Kanto Tournament, he and Kuwabara the Jackal have been training hard.

Their strength has improved by leaps and bounds, and they are now stronger than most national-level doubles pairs.

Even if they were to encounter Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata again, they would have absolute confidence in defeating them.

Unfortunately, the intensity of this national tournament was too high, and many doubles pairs with exceptional strength emerged.

At this moment, standing opposite them were Kiyosumi Sengoku and Jin Akutsu, who were undoubtedly one of the couples.

"This is really troublesome."

The bald jackal, Kuwabara, scratched the back of his head and gave a helpless, bitter smile.

He and Marui Bunta were incredibly unlucky, as they ran headfirst into a strong contender for the title of the strongest doubles pair in this year's national tournament.

Their opponents are not only extremely strong singles players, but also know how to cooperate with each other. Compared with the combination of Kiyosumi Sengoku and Jin Akutsu, they have no advantage at all.

"We should give it a try, no matter what, just in case!"

Marui Bunta gripped his racket tightly, then grinned at the jackal Kuwabara.

Now that things have come to this, they have no choice but to fight; only in this way can they have a glimmer of hope.

"Um.

Jackal Kuwabara nodded solemnly, then walked straight to the service area.

"Bang!"

After taking a deep breath, Jackal Kuwabara tossed the ball high into the air and swung his racket forcefully.

"Bang!"

After running to the ball's landing point, Jin Akutsu decisively swung his racket to meet the attack.

"Bang!"

The moment the racket made contact with the ball, a powerful impact hit him, causing Marui Bunta's expression to change instantly. However, he still managed to flick his wrist with extreme dexterity, decisively using spin to reduce the force of the ball and barely managed to hit it back.

"A good opportunity."

Faced with the opponent's forced return of a high lob, Sengoku Kiyosumi's eyes narrowed, and he pushed off the ground with both legs, forcefully swinging his racket to smash!

"Bang!"

The tennis ball slammed into the opposite court and then flew out of bounds.

"15-0!"

"So they can pinpoint any opening they make? They're really tough to deal with."

Marui Bunta popped the bubble gum in his mouth, gave Sengoku Kiyosumi a deep, serious look, and then walked directly to the baseline and assumed a defensive stance.

"Bang!"

After serving again, Kuwabara the Jackal became even more focused.

"Bang!"

"Fire Rat Cannon Ball!"

After a few rounds, Kuwabara the Jackal's eyes narrowed, and he decisively swung his racket, applying more power and spin to the ball.

"Bang!"

After running to the ball's landing point, Jin Akutsu decisively swung his racket to meet the attack.

Despite the immense force of the oncoming ball, he managed a smile and forcefully swatted it back.

"You caught it so easily."

Upon seeing this, Jackal Kuwabara's face instantly turned extremely ugly.

Akutsu Jin's power was too great; his proud techniques were completely ineffective against his opponent.

"Bang!"

"Walking a tightrope!"

After a dozen or so rounds, Marui Bunta suddenly rushed to the net and hit a short ball.

The tennis ball traced an arc through the air and landed perfectly on the net.

The ball then rolled along the net in an extremely strange manner for a distance before gently falling onto the opposite side of the court.

15-15!

"That's amazing!"

Sengoku Kiyosumi glanced at Marui Bunta across from her with a look of surprise, and then sighed with great seriousness.

It's rare to see doubles players with such superb net play. Rikkai University truly lives up to its reputation as the strongest school overall; they are indeed formidable.

"Bang!"

"Time difference region!"

After a dozen or so rounds, Marui Bunta decisively rushed to the net. When he saw Akutsu Jin's figure rapidly approaching the net, he smiled slightly, quickly adjusted his hitting posture, and hit a volley.

"30-15!"

"Tactical deception? Interesting."

A slight smile appeared on Jin Akutsu's lips. He then turned around and walked to the receiving area, assuming a defensive stance.

Marui Bunta's net play is better than many national-level singles players, making him a formidable opponent.

"Bang!"

After a few rounds, Jin Akutsu suddenly rushed to the net and hit a short shot.

"30-30!"

"Such fast movement speed."

Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwabara exchanged bewildered glances. Their movement speed was already among the best in the doubles team, and Akutsu Jin was clearly even faster.

This time they've really run into big trouble. The other party is even more difficult to deal with than they expected, so it seems they need to be more cautious.

"Bang!

"Bang!"

"Iron pillar strikes!"

After a dozen or so rounds, Marui Bunta's eyes narrowed, and he decisively swung his racket.

The tennis ball grazed the net and flew over the net, but instead of landing directly, it struck the net post at an incredibly difficult angle.

With a crisp sound, the tennis ball, using the rebound force of the net post, changed its original trajectory and bounced back to the opposite side of the court at a faster speed.

"40-30!"

"I can't believe they can pull off such a flashy move."

Sengoku Kiyosumi gripped his racket tightly, a helpless, bitter smile on his face.

He finally understood why Rikkai had chosen Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwabara as their doubles pair; the opponent was indeed exceptional.

Generally speaking.

"Bang!"

"Bang!

"40-40!"

After more than ten rounds, Kiyosumi Sengoku scored directly with a baseline through ball.

"Bang!"

"Walking a tightrope!"

"AD—40!"

After more than ten rounds, Marui Bunta rushed to the net again and hit a short shot.

"Bang!"

"Iron pillar strikes!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 1-0!"

After successfully holding their serve, Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwabara breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a close call; they had almost fallen into a disadvantageous position.

But things are different now. The most difficult time is over, and now it depends on whether they can take the initiative.

The.

"Bang!"

After reaching the service court, Kiyosumi Sengoku took a deep breath, tossed the ball high into the air, and swung his racket forcefully.

"Bang!"

"Bang!

"15-0!"

"30-0!"

"30-15!"

"40-15!"

"40-30!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 1-1!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 2-1!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 2-2!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 3-2!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 3-3!"

"Sengoku and Akutsu haven't managed to pull away from the score, Kagura, do you know why?"

Kentaro Minami, watching from the sidelines, frowned deeply, his eyes filled with confusion.

Logically speaking, given the strength of Kiyosumi Sengoku and Jin Akutsu, they should be much stronger than their opponents.

Even if the game can't be ended, it shouldn't be like this, where they're completely outmatched.

"Those two idiots thought they could break each other's moves with skill."

Kagura Ichijin looked at Sengoku Kiyosumi and Akutsu Jin on the field, a bitter smile of utter helplessness appearing on his lips.

He could see very clearly that neither Sengoku Kiyosumi nor Akutsu Jin had used their full strength; otherwise, the opponent would not have had a chance to exert their full power.

This seemingly close doubles match was actually never in doubt from the start, as the gap in strength between the two sides was simply too great.

Currently, among the doubles teams in Japanese junior high schools, the only ones who can rival Kiyosumi Sengoku and Jin Akutsu are probably the Kyushu duo from Shishiraku and Genichiro Sanada and Renji Yanagi from Rikkai University.

Apart from these few, everyone else has absolutely no chance of winning against Kiyosumi Sengoku and Jin Akutsu.

"They're incredibly audacious! This is the final round!"

Kentaro Minami shook his head slightly in resignation, then looked back at the arena with extremely complicated feelings.

This doubles match will basically decide the champion, since Kagura Ichijin has no chance of losing in singles.

"Ugh!"

After letting out a deep sigh, Kagura Ichijin silently recited the system's commands to check the five dimensions of Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwabara.

Marui Bunta (Second year of junior high school)

Speed: 3.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 2.5

Technology: 4.5

Total: 14.5

Jackal Kuwabara (second year of junior high school)

Speed: 3.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 4.5

Spirit: 1

Technology: 2.5

Total: 13.5

"Bang!"

After reaching the service court, Marui Bunta chewed some bubble gum, tossed the ball high into the air, and swung his racket forcefully.

"Bang!"

After running to the ball's landing point, Kiyosumi Sengoku decisively swung his racket.

"Fire Rat Cannon Ball!"

"Bang!"

"Walking a tightrope!"

"Bang!"

Jin Akutsu dashed to the net, leaving a blur in his wake, and then quickly swung his racket, returning the tennis ball before it even hit the ground.

"0-15!"

"The movement speed is even faster now."

Marui Bunta gripped his racket tightly, his expression growing increasingly serious.

It seems that the opponent did not use their full strength in the previous back-and-forth battle, otherwise they would not have been able to catch his short ball so easily.

"Bang!"

"Iron pillar strikes!"

"Bang!"

Jin Akutsu, who had left a trail of afterimages, swung his racket to block the tennis ball in mid-air, and then hit the ball into the corner diagonally opposite.

"0-30!"

"Akuzu, I've found a way to crack it."

Sengoku Kiyosumi glanced at Akutsu Jin with annoyance and said in a deep voice.

After observing for so long, he had developed a strategy, but Akutsu Jin actually started fighting two against one, giving him no chance to make a move.

"I know, but let's finish the match quickly; we've already wasted too much time."

Akutsu Jin yawned and said nonchalantly.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and he didn't want to wait any longer. He just wanted to find a shady place to rest as soon as possible.

"All right."

Kiyosumi Sengoku sighed, then walked to the receiving area and assumed a defensive stance.

"Bang!"

"Fire Rat Cannon Ball!"

"Bang!"

"Time difference region!"

"Bang!"

"0-40!"

"Game, Marui/Jackal, 3-4!"