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

On the second day of the Kanto Tournament, when the Yamabuki team once again stepped into Kanagawa Prefectural Miike Park, everyone was solemn and ready to face today's challenge.

However, when they saw the schedule, they were stunned. Their opponent was not the expected Midoriyama Junior High School, but Aihara Daiichi.

"Kagura, isn't Midoriya Junior High the champion of Saitama? How could they lose to an unknown ordinary junior high school in the first round?"

Sengoku Kiyosumi scratched his head, looking puzzled.

Generally speaking, non-champion teams rarely receive attention, since they are not considered favorites to win the championship.

The fact that the top team from Aihara could upset a champion team suggests there must be something fishy going on behind the scenes.

"I don't know. Is Green Mountain Middle School just all talk and no action?"

Kagura Ichijin was also somewhat confused.

Yesterday, Yamabuki finished their match very late, and they didn't go to watch other schools' matches, so they knew nothing about the specifics.

"I guess so. If Aihara is truly skilled, why didn't he even get second place in the Kanagawa Prefecture tournament?"

Sengoku Kiyosumi nodded, seemingly having found a reasonable explanation.

The competition is full of variables, and upsets are not uncommon.

However, Green Mountain Middle School, as the champion team, was eliminated in the first round, which is really bad luck.

"Let's be careful, lest we capsize unexpectedly."

Kagura Ichijin felt a vague unease in his heart.

He walked over to Banta Mikiya and whispered, "Banta-kun, when we're going to go on stage later, switch my appearance order with Akutsu's."

"it is good."

Banta Mikiya gave Kagura a deep look.

By making this last-minute change of formation, Kagura Ichijin clearly wanted to shoulder the greatest pressure himself.

As for whether Aihara's first place was due to good luck or because he was truly hiding his strength, we'll find out soon enough.

After an unknown amount of time, the broadcast sounded, announcing the start of the second round of the Kanto Tournament, with Yamabuki Junior High School facing their opponent, Aihara Daiichi.

Banta Mikiya handed the revised starting lineup to the referee and then returned to the coaching bench.

The specific lineup of players.

Doubles Team 2: Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata.

Doubles Team 1: Guji Muxin and Ishimaru Kanto.

The third singles match was against Sengoku Kiyosumi.

The second singles match is against Kagura Ichijin.

First singles player: Jin Akutsu.

"The first match begins. Please bring on the Yamabuki Doubles Team 2 and Aihara First Doubles Team 2."

"Dongfang, let's go."

Having already warmed up, Kentaro Minami picked up his racket, looked intently at Masami Higashikata, and then strode towards the court.

"Um."

Dongfang Yamei nodded and followed suit.

However, when the two reached the net, their expressions instantly turned grim.

This time, their opponents were none other than Aihara Daiichi's third-year doubles team.

"A decisive game, Shimada/Ogawa serve."

"We're really lucky. Looks like we'll win this game soon, don't you think, Shimada?"

Ogawa completely ignored Minami Kentaro and Higashikata Masami in front of him, turned to look at Shimada beside him, and spoke with a tone full of contempt.

"Isn't it obvious? If we can't even beat first-year students, we might as well not play tennis at all."

Shimada glanced disdainfully at Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata, then turned and walked toward the service area.

"Haha, Shimada, you're still so direct."

A mocking smile appeared on Ogawa's lips. He ignored Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata on the other side and turned to walk towards the finish line.

"Bang!"

Shimada tossed the ball high into the air, his arm muscles exploding instantly as he swung his racket rapidly!

"15-0!"

"So fast..."

Looking at the still-smoking ball mark behind him, Kentaro Minami's pupils contracted slightly, and his face became solemn.

The speed of that ball just now was at least 190 km/h!

"Bang!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Shimada/Ogawa, 1-0!"

"Our opponent is very strong, Dongfang, let's just use that move."

Kentaro Minami gave a subtle hand signal to Masami Higashikata before walking to the service area.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"0-15!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"15-30!"

……

"15-40!"

……

"30-40!"

……

"Game, Shimada/Ogawa, 2-0!"

"We're going to lose... Nan and Dongfang are no match for that third-year pair."

Sengoku Kiyosumi, watching from the sidelines, shook her head, her face filled with worry.

The outcome of the match was never in doubt from the start; the gap in strength between the two sides was simply too great, and Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata couldn't find any openings.

"Ugh!"

Kagura Ichijin sighed and silently recited the system's instructions to check Shimada and Ogawa's five dimensions.

Shimada (Third year of junior high school)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 3

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 3

Total: 13

Ogawa (Third year of junior high school)

Speed: 3

Power: 2.5

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 3

Total: 13

Whether in terms of five dimensions or competition experience, Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata are completely inferior to their opponents.

Even if they racked their brains to fight back, all tactics seemed pale and powerless in the face of absolute strength.

The rhythm of the game remained firmly in the hands of Shimada and Ogawa.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"40-15!"

……

"Game, Shimada/Ogawa, 3-0!"

……

"Game, Shimada/Ogawa, 4-0!"

……

"Game, Shimada/Ogawa, 5-0!"

……

"Game, Shimada/Ogawa, 6-0!"

……

"Match 1 ends, 6-0, Shimada/Ogawa win!"

"Lost again..."

Kentaro Minami looked at the racket in his hand, a deep sense of powerlessness flashing in his eyes.

Since the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, they have never won against upperclassmen.

This feeling of being crushed is truly despairing.

Moreover, based on the current trend, the opponents will become stronger as they progress, which means they will continue to lose until the day Yamabuki is eliminated.

"Let's go, Nan, this place no longer belongs to us."

Looking at the audience cheering and celebrating for Shimada and Ogawa, Dongfang Masami lowered her head, a trace of pain flashing in her eyes.

Losing a game is painful enough, but to have to face the opponent's ridicule and the audience's indifference is even more painful.

"Wipe your sweat, you'll win next time."

Seeing Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata walk back dejectedly, Ichijin Kagura handed them two towels in a gentle tone.

There are always winners and losers in a competition; the key is whether you learn something from it.

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata are only first-year students, so it's not shameful for them to lose to an older student.

"..."

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata didn't speak, but simply nodded silently, took the towels, and sat down on the bench, lost in thought.

Starting from the second round, the Kanto Tournament no longer requires playing all five matches; whoever wins three matches first advances.

Yamabuki has lost its initial advantage. If it loses another match, it will be truly pushed to the brink of defeat, with no way to retreat.