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

One day later, at Ariake Tennis Forest Park.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament has officially begun.

The bus that Kagura Ichijin was on came to a smooth stop. As soon as he got off the bus, he saw a familiar figure under the shade of a tree at the entrance.

Akutsu Jin was leaning against a lamppost with his arms crossed, looking impatient.

"Kagura, you've finally arrived! Everyone's been waiting for you. If you, the team leader, hadn't come, we wouldn't have been able to even get into the stadium."

Upon seeing Kagura Ichijin, Akutsu Jin immediately straightened up and complained irritably.

"You're here so early? It's only nine o'clock. I told you to meet at ten, right?"

Kagura Ichijin glanced at the watch, somewhat surprised.

As a seeded team, Yamabuki received a bye in the first round, and their match will not start until at least 11:00 PM.

Arriving two hours early serves no purpose other than wasting energy under the scorching sun.

"That's right, but those guys, especially those few prospective regulars, were so excited they didn't sleep well all night, so they arrived extra early."

Akutsu Jin pursed his lips and pointed to the group of first-year students in the park who looked as excited as if they were going on a spring outing.

"..."

Kagura Ichijin sighed and shook his head helplessly.

Sure enough, newcomers who haven't experienced the trials of major competitions are still too impetuous.

"Let's go in and submit the list first."

He led his overly excited team members in a grand procession toward the stadium entrance.

After submitting the list of participants, Kagura Ichijin led everyone to a shady and spacious rest area to settle down.

"You're free to move around, but don't go too far and conserve your energy."

After the group disbanded, Kagura Ichijin sat on a bench and began to close his eyes to rest.

"Kagura, are you really planning to let those reserve starters play?"

Gu Jimin sat beside him, looking at Jin Zhiyi and the others who were swinging their rackets in the air not far away, his brows furrowed and his tone filled with worry.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament is different from the regional qualifiers; it's filled with top-tier competitors.

Only the teams that make it to the quarterfinals are eligible to participate in the revival round and compete for a ticket to the Kanto Tournament.

This is a single-plank bridge with no way back.

"That's right. In every match, there will be a reserve starter to play, while the other four positions will be filled by the starters. This way, we can train newcomers and ensure a high win rate."

Kagura Ichijin opened his eyes, his gaze resolute.

"Have you considered the consequences? If things go wrong, all the pressure will fall on you alone. You're only a first-year student; there's no need to take such a big risk."

Gu Jimin said in a deep voice.

"I know what I'm doing, senior. Now that I've become the club president, I have to be responsible for the future of Yamabuki. If I can't even take this much risk, Yamabuki will never become strong."

Kagura Ichijin smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a maturity beyond his years.

"..."

Gu Jimin stared at the boy before him, speechless for a long time.

Finally, he sighed and patted Kagura Ichijin on the shoulder.

……

Time flies, and with the end of the first round of the competition, Yamabuki faced his first opponent in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament: St. Rudolf Academy.

Kagura Ichijin picked up the list and walked towards the referee.

Since this was Yamabuki Junior High's first match, according to the rules, they had to play a full five matches.

The specific lineup of players.

Doubles Team 2: Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata.

Doubles Team 1: Guji Muxin and Ishimaru Kanto.

The third singles player is Nishikori Tsubasa.

The second single was played by Shintobe Inayoshi.

First singles match: Kagura Ijin.

"The first match begins. Please bring on the Yamabuki Doubles Team 2 and the St. Rudolf Doubles Team 2."

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata, carrying rackets, walked onto the court with serious expressions.

Their opponents were St. Rudolf's doubles pair, also a first-year team, Jun Kisarazu and Shinya Yanagisawa.

"A decisive game, Kisarazu/Yanagizawa serve."

"Oh, so you're the Yamabuki doubles team? You don't look very good. I heard Yamabuki sends two national-level doubles teams every year, why are you sending two greenhorns now? Don't you have any other options?"

Liu Zeshen also smirked, looking the two of them up and down with a frivolous expression.

"You talk too much nonsense."

Dongfang Yamei frowned and replied coldly.

It's really annoying to have an opponent who starts trash-talking before the fight even begins.

"What? Did you hit a nerve? It seems Yamabuki has really fallen from grace, to the point where they have to rely on first-year students to make up the numbers."

Not only did Liu Zeshen not restrain himself, but he intensified his behavior, raising his voice several decibels.

"You're asking for it!"

Anger surged in Dongfang Yamei's eyes, and she gripped her racket even tighter.

"Hehe, they've taken the bait."

Standing in the backstage area, Jun Kisarazu lowered the brim of his hat, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Liu Ze's taunting tactics successfully angered his opponent, and now it was time to reap the rewards.

"Bang!"

Kisarazu Jun's serve is characterized by its concealed yet swift movements.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

Dongfang Yamei was furious and eager to retaliate, so her steps were somewhat unsteady.

"Bang!"

Kisarazu Jun used a feint to shift Higashikata Masami's center of gravity, followed by a light, short ball.

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"40-15!"

……

"40-30!"

……

"Game, Kisarazu/Yagisawa, 1-0!"

"Dongfang, calm down! They're just trying to provoke you and throw you off balance. Take a deep breath and fight at our pace."

Kentaro Minami ran over, grabbed Aya Higashikata's shoulder, and said in a deep voice.

"Phew... Sorry, Minami."

Dongfang Yamei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the anger in her heart.

"..."

On the coach's bench, Kagura Ichijin looked at Dongfang Yamei, who had calmed down again, and nodded slightly.

"Bang!"

In the second game, Kentaro Minami serves.

He didn't rush to exert his strength, but instead played steadily, controlling the rhythm with precise placement, creating opportunities for Dongfang Yamei.

Once she regained her composure, Dongfang Yamei displayed her true strength, making several clean and decisive interceptions at the net.

"15-0!"

……

"15-15!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"40-15!"

……

"Game, Kisarazu/Yagisawa, 1-1!"

"Good, the adjustment was done very quickly."

After seeing that Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata had stabilized the situation, Ichijin Kagura silently recited the system's commands.

Jun Kisarazu (first year of junior high school)

Speed: 2

Power: 2

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 1.5

Technology: 2

Total: 9.5

Shinya Yanagisawa (First year of junior high school)

Speed: 2

Power: 2

Stamina: 1.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 9.5

Kentaro Minami (first year of junior high school)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 11

Dongfang Yamei (Grade 1, Junior High)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 11

"Overwhelming in terms of raw power."

Kagura Ichijin had a better understanding of the situation.

Although the St. Rudolph duo has some cleverness, they are completely inferior to the trained Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata in all five dimensions.

As long as Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata are not affected by their mentality, there is no suspense in this match.