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

July, Kanagawa, Tatekai University Affiliated High School.

In front of the magnificent school gate, Kagura Ichijin had just gotten off the bus when he saw a familiar figure.

"Senior Guji, you're here really early."

Kagura Ichijin waved and strode towards Tanijiki Shin.

Today, the draw ceremony for the Kanto Tournament will be held here, and representatives from all the schools that are qualified to participate in the Kanto Tournament will be here.

"Kagura, aren't you nervous? Today's lottery is going to determine how far we can go."

Gu Jimin looked at the nonchalant junior in front of him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Kagura Ichijin's attitude is just too good, isn't it? It's a stark contrast to those representatives who came to participate in the lottery for the first time, their faces full of seriousness and anxiety.

He had seen too many people who came here for the first time, each with a stern face, unable to even manage a smile, as if they were heading to their execution.

"I'm not nervous, it doesn't matter who I draw."

Kagura Ichijin smiled helplessly, his tone calm.

The schools that can come here are all strong. Moreover, for him, if he can't make it to the finals and get a ticket to the national competition, then whether he stops at the semi-finals, quarter-finals or the top sixteen, it doesn't really matter.

"That's true. As long as we don't draw Rikkai University, the other schools are about the same threat to us."

Guji Muxin turned his head and looked at the school sign that read Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School with a complicated expression.

In the history of the Kanto Tournament, Rikkai University has always been a towering mountain, making other schools feel suffocated.

For more than a decade, generations of young people have charged forward with dreams, only to be defeated at this hurdle, leaving behind countless regrets and resentments.

"Actually, it's better to draw it earlier, so we don't have to keep hiding it. Last time at the Tokyo tournament, we almost capsized in the gutter because we were trying to hide the doubles pair of Akutsu and Sengoku."

Kagura Ichijin's expression became somewhat subtle.

Yamabuki is currently facing a difficult choice.

Once their trump card is revealed, the threat to Rikkai will be greatly reduced.

However, if they don't use it, they might be eliminated early in the Kanto Tournament, where they face strong opponents.

"Kagura, unless you're extremely unlucky, you definitely won't get number two."

Gu Jimin smiled faintly and offered words of comfort.

The Kanto Tournament is divided into two brackets: number 1 to 8 are in the upper bracket, and number 9 to 16 are in the lower bracket.

As a seeded team, Rikkai automatically occupies the number one position.

As the champion of Tokyo, Yamabuki University had a high draw order, and the chance of being drawn as the second seed and directly facing Rikkai University was only one in fifteen.

"That's right, senior Taniyoshi, let's go in and take a look at Rikkai University's situation."

Kagura Ichijin nodded and took the lead in stepping into the school gate.

This year's Rikkai University team is truly outrageously strong.

Besides the experienced third-year regulars, there's also a transfer student, Mori Jusaburo, in the second year, along with first-year students Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichiro, and Yanagi Renji.

There are several players who have reached the national level, so it is fair to say that Rikkai University has dominated the Kanto region for so many years, and there is a reason for it.

……

The two walked through the campus and arrived at Rikkai University's tennis club.

This place truly lives up to its reputation as the stronghold of the Kanto region; both its size and facilities far surpass those of Yamabuki.

In the entire Kanto region, perhaps only the wealthy and powerful Hyotei can rival it.

"Kagura, do you know that first-year captain from Rikkai University? Is he really that good?"

After watching Rikkai's enthusiastic training for a while, Tani Yoshiki Shin suddenly turned his head and asked.

Kagura participated in the Jr. tournament, so she should have had some interaction with Yukimura Seiichi, who won the championship.

"I know him. He's incredibly skilled. Currently, among all first-year junior high school students in the Kanto region, no one can rival him."

Kagura Ikjin's expression turned serious.

He had fought against both Atobe Keigo and Fuji Syusuke, and knew their strength very well, but he was certain that neither of them was a match for Yukimura Seiichi.

As for Tezuka Kunimitsu, due to his arm injury, he has temporarily lost the qualification to compete with Yukimura.

"And what about you?"

Gu Jimushin's heart sank.

Rikkai University was already strong enough, and now they have produced such a monstrous first-year club president. Do other schools even have a chance?

"have no idea."

Kagura Ichijin shook his head.

He has never officially fought Yukimura, so the outcome is uncertain.

However, he knew very well that he could not yet achieve the same level of dominance as Yukimura Seiichi, who easily shut out Sanada Genichiro during his elementary school years.

Now that Yukimura Seiichi has become the captain of Rikkai University, his strength has definitely increased to a higher level.

"Sigh! Let's go, Kagura, we should head to the meeting room."

Gu Jimu sighed, patted Kagura Yiren on the shoulder, and turned to walk towards the drawing location.

"Um."

Kagura Ichijin responded and followed.

Soon the two arrived at the meeting room of Rikkai University's tennis club.

Pushing open the door, I found the room already packed with people.

Countless gazes were instantly cast upon them, filled with scrutiny, curiosity, and even hostility.

Ignoring the stares, Kagura Ichijin walked straight to the corner of the last row and sat down, quietly observing the representatives from various schools present.

Soon, representatives from all the schools arrived, and the organizers' staff and reporters carrying cameras and microphones also entered the venue one after another.

"The draw ceremony for the Kanto Tournament is now officially beginning. First, please invite the representative from Tokyo Yamabuki Junior High School to come up on stage to draw lots."

The staff member placed a sealed cardboard box on the table and announced in a loud voice.

Kagura Ichijin stood up and walked steadily onto the stage.

He reached into the box, randomly pulled out a folded piece of paper, and handed it to the staff member.

"Tokyo Yamabuki Junior High School, No. 10."

As the staff counted the votes, another staff member neatly wrote the six characters "Yamabuki Junior High School (Tokyo)" on the huge whiteboard in position number ten.

"Next, please have the representative from Chiba Rokkaku Junior High School come up to draw lots."

"Kagura, good draw, we're in the bottom half."

Seeing Kagura Ichijin walk back, Tani Yoshiki Shin lowered his voice and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Yamabuki successfully avoided the half of the bracket where Rikkai University is located, which means that as long as they can defeat their opponents in the lower half of the bracket, they have a great chance to advance to the finals.

Even if they lose to Rikkai in the end, they can still advance to the national tournament as runners-up.

"Chiba Rokkaku Junior High School, number 15."

"Next, please have the representative from Saitama Midoriyama Junior High School come up to draw lots."

The staff proceeded with the process in an orderly manner, with flashes of light occasionally going off to capture the moment.

"It doesn't seem like a good sign."

Upon hearing that Rokkaku Middle School was number 15, Kagura Ichijin frowned slightly.

Rokkaku Junior High School frequently reaches the top four in the Kanto Tournament, and their strength should not be underestimated.

If Rokkaku Junior High hadn't narrowly lost to Hyotei, led by Tsukiko Ochi, last year, they would have made it to the national tournament long ago.

"It's already very good. Last year, we faced Rikkai in the second round and didn't even make it to the semifinals."

Gu Jimu gave a forced smile.

Last year's crushing defeat is still fresh in everyone's mind. Apart from winning a doubles match with Ishimaru Kanto, he suffered a complete collapse in all other positions, especially in singles, where he was completely shut out.