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

Chapter 206 Final List

At noon that day, as several buses full of eliminated players slowly drove out of the U17 training camp, the four assistant coaches watching the monitor in the studio all breathed a sigh of relief.

After a week of grueling rotations, the final roster has finally been decided, and those high school students who didn't even make it to court number 16 have naturally been disqualified from staying in the U17 training camp.

"It's finally over. I'm exhausted after all this time."

Koizumi Shizuka slumped in her office chair, rubbing her neck, which was stiff and sore from looking up for so long, while reaching for the cup of coffee on the table and gulping it down.

He hadn't experienced such intense work in a long time, but fortunately it wasn't for long, otherwise he probably wouldn't have been able to keep going.

"Brother Koizumi, you should drink less coffee. You'll eventually collapse from relying on this stuff to get through the pain."

Looking at the exhausted face of Koizumi Seiichi, Kagura Ichijin's eyes flashed with worry.

During this period, all the teaching assistants got up early and went to bed late, and basically didn't get any proper rest. Fortunately, everyone withstood the pressure and successfully completed the tasks assigned by Takuji Ryuji.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Koizumi Shizuka waved her hand, then pushed the cup aside and looked down at the list on the table.

The freshmen who remain in the U17 training camp are all elites, and many of them have the potential to challenge the expedition team. The task of these assistant coaches is to improve the strength of these players as much as possible.

"Ugh!"

Kagura Ichijin sighed softly, then opened the drawer, took out his own list, and scanned it one by one.

Mitsuya Ajuto, first year of high school, field number three.

Gu Jimin, first year of high school, field number four.

Kanto Ishimaru, a first-year high school student, field number four.

Kazuki Sekine, first year of high school, field number four.

Yamato Yuta, a first-year high school student, field number five.

Junichi Sasabe, a first-year high school student, field number 13.

Matsudaira Chikao, first year of high school, field number fourteen.

Goro Todoro, a first-year high school student, field number 15.

Murata Heimasa, first year of high school, field number 15.

Tenjin Kosuke, first year of high school, field number sixteen.

Hirai Junpei, first year of high school, field number sixteen.

"Compared to before, the difference is indeed quite significant."

Looking at the list of first-year high school students, Kagura Ichijin gently tapped the table with his hand and shook his head slightly with some regret.

Although there are more first-year high school students staying in the U17 training camp this year than last year, the quality has dropped considerably.

Even someone like Mitsuya Akuto, who was among the top freshmen, ultimately failed to make it into Court 1.

As for the doubles pair of Shin Taniyoshi and Kanto Ishimaru who mastered "synchronization", although they defeated Shinobu Miyamoto and Chikahiko Matsudaira, the victory was too hard-fought. If they were to continue challenging the previous venues, they probably wouldn't even have a 50% chance of winning.

"Kagura, do you think any first-year high school students will join the expeditionary force this year?"

Koizumi Shizuka turned her head and looked at Kagura Ichijin with a serious expression.

The U17 World Cup is held only once every two years, which means that this year's freshmen only have one chance to participate in the U17 World Cup.

The chance of the World Cup.

If these first-year high school students fail to make it into the expedition team by next September, they will have no choice but to wait for graduation with regret, just like the current senior students.

"There should be some. Tokugawa Kazuya on your list has the best chance, but that is, he doesn't run into any of the top-ranked players in the expeditionary force."

Kagura Ichijin stroked his chin and gave a fairly objective guess.

Given the strength that Tokugawa Kazuya has demonstrated so far, making it into the top ten of the expeditionary force shouldn't be a problem.

As for the players ranked higher, it's hard to say; it depends on their form and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

"Really? How does that compare to you?"

Upon hearing this answer, Koizumi Shizuka immediately became interested. He closed the folder and asked with a face full of curiosity.

Having spent so much time with Kagura Ichijin, he knew better than anyone that Kagura Ichijin's strength was no less than that of those high school students.

"I will not lose."

Kagura Ichijin smiled slightly and replied with a confident expression.

Although Tokugawa Kazuya's strength is considerable and he doesn't have any obvious weaknesses, he is only "good" to him and not a difficult opponent.

It is no exaggeration to say that before the expeditionary force returned, there was probably no high school student in the U17 training camp who could rival him.

"It's a pity. If you were a few years older, you could have competed in the U17 World Cup alongside those high school students."

""

Koizumi Shizuka leaned back in her chair, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes.

The U17 World Cup is limited to high school students; otherwise, with Kagura Yiren's ability, securing a spot wouldn't have been difficult.

"Even without me, the expedition team could have made it out of the group stage of the U17 World Cup."

Kagura Ichijin picked up the cup on the table and took a big gulp.

Judging from Japan's overall strength at present, they are considered a mid-tier team in the U17 World Cup. As long as they don't encounter any strong countries, they have a high chance of winning the matches.

"Round of 16 is not our goal."

Koizumi Shizuka shook his head, a serious expression on his face.

The U17 World Cup is divided into group stage and knockout stage. Advancing from the group stage is just the beginning; the key lies in the knockout stage.

With such a large investment, Japan naturally hopes to achieve better results, rather than being eliminated after advancing from the group stage.

""

Kagura Ichijin put down his cup and remained silent for a long time.

The U17 World Cup is no longer open to junior high school students, which means that if the rules don't change, next year the national team will have to fight alone.

This kind of large-scale competition relies on both luck and overall strength, so there are too many variables. Nobody knows how far Japan can go.

"Forget it, why bother thinking about that? That's the coaching staff's business. Let's fill our stomachs first; that's what's important."

Koizumi Seiichi put the folder board into the drawer, then stood up from his chair, walked straight to Kagura Ichijin, and patted him on the shoulder.

Actually, compared to next year's U17 World Cup, he is more optimistic about three years from now, since Kagura Yijin will be a high school student then.

With Kagura Ichijin leading the team, even if the overall strength of that generation is not as good as it is now, the results will not be too bad.

Ultimately, the U17 World Cup is a stage for the strong; the side with the "professional players" has a greater chance of winning.

Given Kagura Ikjin's current strength, even if he doesn't become a "professional player" in three years, he won't fall too far behind. At that time, Japan will be able to compete with any country it faces.

"That's right, let's go."

Kagura Ichijin smiled, stood up decisively, and followed Koizumi Seiichi out of the studio.

In the afternoon, they also had to supervise the high school students' training programs, so they needed to make the most of their time to eat and rest.