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

"Akuzu, it's very difficult to spot this kind of ball with just your eyes. You have to trust your intuition."

Kagura Ichijin offered his suggestion with a smile.

Jin Akutsu's physical abilities are indeed formidable, but his reaction time is still a beat slower when facing ultra-fast balls.

At this point, it is necessary to rely on prediction or intuition to place the object in advance.

"intuition?"

Akutsu Jin was stunned, staring at Kagura Ichijin in disbelief.

Playing tennis based on intuition? Isn't that nonsense? Is Kagura Yijin trying to fool him?

"That's right, you can try clearing your mind and letting your body move on its own."

Kagura Ichijin nodded, then returned to the service area and tossed the ball again.

"30-0!"

……

"Out!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Akutsu, 1-1!"

"It's definitely not that easy to master."

Looking at Akutsu Jin, who was always a step behind and hadn't even touched the ball, Kagura Ichijin sighed and then silently recited the system's commands.

Jin Akutsu (First year of junior high school)

Speed: 3.5

Power: 3.5

Stamina: 3.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2.5

Total: 15

Everything except spirit increased by 0.5!

Akutsu Jin has improved significantly after special training, much faster than Kagura Yijin expected.

"Bang!"

When it was Jin Akutsu's turn to serve, he hit another high-speed ball.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"15-0!"

……

"15-15!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"30-30!"

……

"40-30!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 2-1!"

After holding his serve again, Jin Akutsu did not show much joy; instead, he frowned.

Although he won two games, Kagura Yijin was just going back and forth with him from beginning to end.

Even so, his victory was not easy.

"Kagura, are you holding back? I remember last time you played against that Hyotei captain, you quickly pulled ahead in the score."

Akutsu Jin stared at Kagura Ichijin, his tone serious.

Although the current sparring is intense, in his opinion, Kagura Ichijin's performance, while steady, is far less terrifying than he had imagined.

"More or less."

Kagura Ichijin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Akuzu, if you can return my serve, I can show you what I'm capable of."

Although Akutsu Jin has become stronger, he lacks a decisive move.

This might not be a big deal under normal circumstances, but in crucial moments like a tiebreaker, it's easy to lose the game because you don't have a way to finish it off.

"Okay! It's a deal!"

Akutsu Jin's eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he stared intently at Kagura Ichijin.

"Bang!"

Kagura Ijin served again, and this time, he saw that Akutsu Jin moved almost the instant he swung his racket; it was an almost instinctive reaction.

Unfortunately, we were still a step too late.

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"Out!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Out!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 2-2!"

"It still doesn't work... Do I really have to wait until Kagura's stamina drops before I can catch her?"

Looking at Kagura Ichijin across from him, who was rubbing his wrists and whose forehead was covered in sweat, Akutsu Jin gave a wry smile.

Having just finished his training program, Kagura Ichijin certainly wouldn't be able to maintain this high-intensity flat serve for an extended period.

"Akuzu, what are you standing there for? It's your turn to serve."

Kagura Ichijin wiped his sweat, adjusted his breathing, and readjusted his defensive stance.

"it is good."

As Jin Akutsu walked to the service area and was about to toss the ball, a shout from Tanijiki Shin suddenly came from afar.

"Kagura! Come here right now! Your master is looking for you!"

Gu Jimin was standing on the sidelines, waving and making a phone call gesture.

"understood."

Kagura Ijin gestured for a timeout to Akutsu Jin, then turned and walked towards the sidelines.

Banta Mikiya rarely disturbs the regular players' training, so his sudden call today must mean something important.

"Ugh!"

Watching Kagura Ichijin's departing figure, Akutsu Jin sighed. Although he was somewhat reluctant to leave, he could only put away his racket and follow him.

"Senior Guji, did Ban-ye say anything?"

Kagura Ichijin took the phone and asked.

"He didn't say, he just wanted you to go there as soon as possible. I guess it's about the Kanto Tournament."

Gu Jimushin shook his head.

Since Kagura became captain, the tennis club has been running smoothly. Apart from the upcoming Kanto Tournament, he couldn't think of anything else that could bother Mikiya Banta.

"The Kanto Tournament? It's about time."

Kagura Ichijin nodded, his expression turning serious.

The Kanto Tournament is the only way to the National Tournament. In the past, Yamabuki always failed here, which became a regret in the hearts of countless senior students.

After letting Yoshiki Tani and Jin Akutsu return to the training ground first, Yoshihito Kagura quickly walked towards the tennis club's meeting room.

Pushing open the door, I saw Banta Kanya sitting at the table drinking tea, with a document on the table.

"Kagura, this is the procedure for the Kanto Tournament. Come and take a look."

"it is good."

Kagura Ichijin picked up the document and began to carefully read through it.

The opening ceremony of this year's Kanto Tournament was once again held at Rikkai University, and the competition format remained the same: a draw to group the teams for elimination.

However, when his gaze fell on the rewards section, he was completely stunned.

Only the champion and runner-up of the Kanto Tournament are eligible to participate in the National Tournament!

"How are you, Kagura? Do you have faith?"

Banta Mikiya put down his teacup and looked at Kagura Ichijin with a serious expression.

Although Yamabuki has just won the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament and is riding high on morale, the real test has only just begun.

"The chances of making it to the semifinals are very high, but going any further... is hard to say."

Kagura Ichijin closed the file, his brow furrowed.

He was initially unsure, but after witnessing Akutsu's astonishing growth rate, he gained some confidence.

"But Master, with so many schools participating in the national competition every year, why are there only two spots for the Kanto region?"

Kagura Ichijin asked, puzzled.

The Kanto region is full of top-tier schools, and sixteen schools are vying for just two spots—that's incredibly competitive.

Moreover, Rikkai University, as a perennial winner, has almost secured one spot, leaving the remaining fifteen schools to compete for that one exclusive admission ticket.

"Because schools in the Kanto region have consistently performed poorly in national competitions, and they are not the host region, the number of places they can get is naturally limited."

Banta Mikiya gave a helpless, bitter smile.

Rikkai University, which is a perennial champion in the Kanto region, couldn't even make it to the top four in the national tournament, let alone other schools in the Kanto region.

"..."

Kagura Ichijin remained silent.

This means that if Yamabuki doesn't make it to the finals, their season is over.

"Kagura, just do your best. Winning the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament this year is already a remarkable achievement."

Seeing Kagura Ichijin's solemn expression, Banta Mikiya gently comforted him.

He knew the boy was ambitious, but Yamabuki's resources were ultimately limited, and some things couldn't be forced.

"Master, may I take this document with me and show it to them?"

Kagura Ichijin took a deep breath, raised his head again, and looked determined.

"It's just a copy, take it."

Banta Mikiya nodded.

"..."

Kagura Ichijin picked up the document, turned around and walked out of the conference room, heading towards the main training ground.

Although the road ahead is difficult, he will never give up easily.