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

At six o'clock in the evening, the last trace of orange-red sunset remained on the horizon.

Kagura Ichijin and his group turned into a slightly deserted alley along the street and finally stopped in front of a shop with a lantern that read "Kawamura Sushi".

Akutsu Jin stood with one hand in his pocket, leaning against the telephone pole by the door, clearly having been waiting for some time.

"Kagura, we won the championship! Couldn't you have arranged something a little... more upscale?"

Looking at the excessively plain sushi restaurant in front of him, Ishimaru Kanto's excited face instantly fell, and his tone was full of resentment.

"This restaurant was recommended by my friend Akutsu. Apparently, the sushi here is very authentic, the owner is very honest, and you can also get special grilled meat, which tastes great."

Kagura Ichijin pointed to Akutsu Jin beside him, his expression calm.

After saying that, he stepped aside and respectfully said to Banta Mikiya behind him, "Master Banta, please."

Banta Kanya nodded with a smile and stepped into the store first.

He always appreciated Kagura Ichijin's respectful attitude towards his teacher.

The shop is small, but it is very clean, and the warm yellow lighting creates a cozy atmosphere.

In the very center is a sushi bar, with several tables set up around it, and the air is filled with the aroma of vinegared rice and roasted seaweed.

"Brother, let's have sushi, it's light and easy to digest."

Kagura Ichijin led Banta Mikiya to a table at the very back and sat him down, saying considerately.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Kagura."

Banta Mikiya looked at the boy in front of him with satisfaction.

With his strong abilities, meticulous mind, and steady approach to work, it's truly a blessing from heaven that he was able to encounter such a promising talent before retirement.

"It's all thanks to my best man's excellent teaching."

Kagura Ichijin handed over the menu and sat down opposite him with a smile.

"..."

Seeing the harmonious scene of the old man and the young man, who looked like a grandfather and grandson, the other members of the team looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Forget about them, let's eat barbecue!"

At Ishimaru Kanto's command, the group quickly occupied the two tables next to them, lit the grill, and prepared to feast.

"Kagura, the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament is next month, what are your plans?"

After ordering, Banta Kanya took a sip of hot tea and his expression became serious.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament is nothing like the regional qualifiers; it's a true battleground.

Elites from hundreds of middle schools gathered together, including many strong schools with national-level athletes.

"We'll strive to win the championship, or at the very least, reach the finals."

While pouring tea for his companion, Kagura Ichijin calmly stated his astonishing goal.

Last year, Yamabuki lost to Hyotei, led by Echi Tsukiko, and could only finish in the semifinals.

This year, we absolutely cannot be worse than last year, otherwise we won't even qualify to participate in the Kanto Conference.

"This is quite difficult."

Banta Mikiya sighed, his gaze somewhat complicated.

Hyotei, Hojo, Hoshino, Oizumi... there are many strong schools, and to defeat these schools, both strength and luck are indispensable.

Last year, Yamabuki had two national doubles teams, but even so, the matches were extremely difficult.

"Indeed, the challenge is great, but we've also become stronger, haven't we? As long as we arrange our troops properly and make Sengoku and Minami avoid the opponent's trump cards, our chances of winning are actually not low."

Kagura Ichijin glanced at the regulars at the next table who were scrambling for meat, and a confident smile curved his lips.

"That's good."

Banta Kanya nodded, picked up a piece of the freshly served tuna sushi, and put it in his mouth.

It melts in your mouth and is incredibly delicious.

Banta Mikiya's eyes lit up instantly.

"Mmm! The taste is really good! The skill is better than many big restaurants."

"..."

Kagura Ichijin ate with Banta Mikiya for a while, and seeing that Banta Mikiya was enjoying his meal, he made an excuse to get up and went to Akutsu Jin's table.

Akutsu Jin was staring intently at the few slices of pork belly on the grill, his gaze as focused as if he were facing an important match.

"Yes, the heat is just right."

Kagura Ijin unceremoniously plopped down next to Akutsu Jin, and seizing the opportunity, his chopsticks shot out like lightning, picking up a piece of sizzling pork belly and stuffing it directly into his mouth.

"No...that's mine! You bastard! I spent ages grilling it, and I haven't even had a bite yet!"

Akutsu Jin looked at the empty baking pan and was so angry that his hair almost stood on end.

"Consider this an advance payment for your sparring. Starting tomorrow, you'll be training with me in special training."

Kagura Ichijin chewed his meat slowly and deliberately, ignoring Akutsu's murderous gaze.

"Huh? What do you mean by that? You'd be so kind?"

Akutsu Jin froze, the clip in his hand hanging in mid-air.

"You've been too lax lately. At this rate, you'll never catch up with me, so I've decided to give you extra tutoring myself. Understand?"

Kagura Ichijin put away his joking expression and stared at Akutsu Jin with a serious look.

"real?"

The anger in Akutsu Jin's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an undisguised excitement.

Although he didn't say it, he knew very well that Kagura Ikjin's strength was unfathomable.

If Kagura Ichijin were to personally guide him, his progress would definitely take off.

"Of course, if Yamabuki wants to achieve better results, it needs a real ace, and you have that potential."

Kagura Ichijin nodded earnestly.

"Tch, as if nobody cares!"

Akutsu Jin turned his head away, but his hands quickly filled the grill with beef short ribs, pork belly, and chicken thigh meat.

Kagura Ichijin didn't stand on ceremony and joined the meat-grabbing frenzy with his chopsticks.

"Bang!"

Just then, the shop door was pushed open again, and the wind chimes made a crisp sound.

A group of boys wearing blue and white team uniforms walked in.

Kagura Ichijin looked up and raised an eyebrow slightly.

He had short brown hair, gold-rimmed glasses, and a serious expression.

"What a coincidence, Tezuka-kun."

Kagura Ichijin put down his chopsticks and looked at Tezuka Kunimitsu, Fuji Syusuke, Oishi Shuichiro, Kikumaru Eiji, Inui Sadaharu, and the young owner of the restaurant, Kawamura Takashi, who walked in with a half-smile.

This group of future Seigaku regulars were all wearing ordinary club uniforms at the moment, and their faces even showed a hint of loneliness.

"Kagura-kun."

Tezuka Kunimitsu was clearly surprised to run into Kagura Ichijin here. After a slight pause, he nodded politely.

"Congratulations on leading Yamabuki to victory in the regional qualifiers."

His tone was calm, but a complex emotion flickered deep in his eyes.

Both are first-year students and both possess considerable strength.

Yukimura Seiichi became famous in Rikkai, Atobe Keigo ascended the throne at Hyotei, and Kagura Ichijin took power in Yamabuki.

He alone, in Seigaku, a school full of "tradition," didn't even have a chance to play and could only quietly pick up balls in the corner.

"It's just a regional qualifier, nothing to worry about."

Kagura Ichijin said indifferently, as if the trophy was not worth mentioning at all.

"..."

Tezuka Kunimitsu remained silent.

Kagura Ichijin's seemingly humble words sounded rather harsh to him.

Winning the regional qualifiers may not seem like much, but for him right now, it's a stage that's just out of reach.

"Tezuka-kun, are you free right now? I'd like to spar with you."

Kagura Ichijin suddenly stood up, staring intently at Tezuka Kunimitsu.

Although Seigaku made it into the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, Tezuka Kunimitsu did not get a chance to play.

He had originally hoped to face Tezuka Kunimitsu in an official match, but given the current situation, that's practically impossible.

This is a rare opportunity, and it would be a real shame to miss it.

"Sorry, it's not convenient today."

Tezuka Kunimitsu frowned slightly and refused.

Kagura Ichijin had just finished eating and wasn't suited for strenuous exercise, and besides... he hadn't been in very good shape lately.

"It's not like it's a formal match. Can't I even play a couple of balls casually? Tezuka-kun, when you challenged Sanada and Yukimura, they didn't refuse. Why are you putting on airs now that it's my turn?"

Kagura Ichijin frowned, his tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"Let's go, there's a street tennis court nearby."

After a long silence, Tezuka Kunimitsu sighed, adjusted his glasses, and turned to walk out of the store.

"I'll be back in a bit, you guys take your time eating."

Kagura Ichijin's lips curled into a smug smile. He picked up his tennis bag and strode after him.