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

In early April, with the Tokyo regional qualifiers approaching, the Yamabuki Tennis Club's annual intra-school selection tournament officially kicked off.

This selection process will determine seven finalists who will represent the school in the regional preliminary rounds in May.

Moreover, unlike other schools, Yamabuki's selection process is neither about coaches directly appointing players nor about the rigid group elimination system like Seigaku's.

Yamabuki operates on a challenge system; as long as you have the skill, you can challenge for any position.

However, you can only challenge the same position once. If you fail, you can only try a different position.

The selection competition will be held over two days, with a time limit of three hours each day.

"Kagura-kun, I knew you'd come."

Outside the singles court, Sengoku Kiyosumi watched Kagura Ichijin walk towards her with his tennis bag, her expression even more serious than on the day she entered school.

Everyone understands that the singles and doubles first positions are absolutely crucial.

"Sengoku-kun, haven't you registered yet?"

Without saying much, Kagura Yiren walked straight to the referee's table and filled in his name in the challenger column.

He then placed his tennis bag on the lounge chair, took out his racket, and began warming up and stretching, completely ignoring the players who were still observing.

Ultimately, this challenge system is all about skill; even if someone wins by cheating, they will eventually be defeated by others.

"..."

Sengoku Kiyosumi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately took a half step back.

This selection competition is a precious opportunity; he only has one chance to challenge Kagura, and he must make his move when he is more confident.

"..."

The upperclassmen and freshmen watching around whispered among themselves, but no one dared to step up.

Kagura Ichijin's confident aura made many people want to back down.

"Kagura-kun, I'll be your opponent."

Just then, a determined-looking boy walked up to the referee, registered, and entered the court with his racket. It was Kentaro Minami.

"Just serve directly, no need to guess forehand or backhand."

Kagura Ichijin glanced at Minami Kentaro, then turned and walked towards the finish line.

Kentaro Minami, the future captain of Yamabuki, is one of the members of the "Potato Army" team and a national-level doubles player.

However, he was well aware that players who specialize in doubles teamwork and coded tactics do not have a high ceiling in singles.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Kentaro Minami took a deep breath. Although Kagura Ijin's record of shutting out Sengoku Kiyosumi had spread throughout the Yamabuki Tennis Club, he still wanted to experience Kagura Ijin's strength firsthand.

He walked to the service area, tossed the ball, and swung his racket.

"Bang!"

Kagura Ichijin moved his feet lightly, ran to the landing point, and with a flick of his wrist, easily hit the ball back.

"0-15!"

"So strong..."

Kentaro Minami broke out in a cold sweat as he watched the tennis ball rolling behind him.

He didn't even see the ball, let alone return the hit.

Is this the monster that Sengoku Kiyosumi is facing? This level of strength is far beyond the scope of a newcomer.

"Nan, let's stop testing each other and get serious."

Kagura Ikki's eyes were piercing, and his voice was cold.

This selection competition is crucial for securing a spot on the main team, and he will show no mercy.

"Bang!"

Kentaro Minami served again, and this time, after serving, he rushed from the baseline to the net without hesitation.

Since there's no chance of winning a baseline rally, let's use the doubles players' specialty—serve-and-volley—to achieve a surprising victory!

"Bang!"

Kagura Ichijin smirked and swung his racket heavily.

The tennis ball, spinning intensely, struck directly at the corner of Minami Kentaro's running path.

Kentaro Minami's intentions were too obvious and easily seen through.

"0-30!"

"..."

Faced with this style of play that completely denied him any chance to go online, Kentaro Minami could only manage a wry smile; this was simply not a contest between two equals.

"0-40!"

……

"Game, Kentaro Minami, 0-1!"

……

"Game, Kentaro Minami, 0-2!"

"..."

After scoring consecutive points with his serves, Kagura Ichijin silently recited the system's commands.

Kentaro Minami (first year of junior high school)

Speed: 2

Power: 2

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 10

"It's so low..."

Upon seeing that Minami Kentaro's total five dimensions were only 10, Kagura Ichijin frowned, a sense of disappointment welling up inside him.

Is this all Minami Kentaro is capable of? It seems Yamabuki has a long way to go if he wants to rise to prominence.

"Game, Kentaro Minami, 0-3!"

……

"Game, Kentaro Minami, 0-4!"

……

"Game, Kentaro Minami, 0-5!"

……

"Game, Kentaro Minami, 0-6!"

……

"Match ended, 6-0, Kagura Ikjin wins!"

After sweeping aside Kentaro Minami, Kagura Ichijin returned to his chair with a blank expression, his gaze sweeping across the entire arena indifferently.

This year's freshmen pose no threat to him, and as for the second-year students, most of them are marginal figures. Even after a year of honing their skills, their abilities are clearly visible.

The real obstacles are the third-year regulars. They have experienced the baptism of major competitions and are at the peak of their junior high school careers. Their skills, experience, and physical qualities have all matured.

"You're the new guy, right?"

Just as Kagura Ichijin was sitting on a rest chair, pondering when the third-year regulars would arrive at the singles court number one, a slightly unfamiliar figure entered his field of vision.

The newcomer was wearing a Yamabuki regular team uniform, and his eyes held a scrutinizing and disdainful look.

"You dared to snatch the top spot as soon as you arrived? You've got some nerve."

Ishimaru Kanto walked to the referee's table, signed his name in a flamboyant manner, and then looked coldly at Kagura Ichijin.

At Yamabuki Junior High School, the number one singles player is not just a position, but also a symbol.

If this throne, symbolizing the ace, is taken away by a freshman in his year, how can he face the seniors who have already graduated?

"The capable rise to the top. If you have any objections, you can talk to the assistant."

Kagura Ichijin slowly stood up from the lounge chair, straightened his towel, and spoke in a calm tone as if he were discussing the weather.

After saying that, he picked up his racket and walked steadily to the net.

"For or against?"

After tossing a coin and catching it, the referee looked at the two people in front of him.

Kanto Ishimaru, a third-year regular, was a national-level doubles player last year.

They once overwhelmingly defeated Hyotei Academy's doubles team in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament.

Later, they fought a fierce doubles match against Rikkai University in the Kanto Tournament and won.

Kagura Ichijin, this year's super rookie, won the Jr. Tournament semifinals last year, and his singles skills are extremely outstanding.

"just."

Ishimaru crossed his arms and spoke casually.

In his view, the freshman in front of him might have some talent, but in the face of absolute strength, he was nothing more than a paper tiger who had never seen the world.

"Then I'll choose the opposite."

Kagura Ichijin looked at the referee's slowly opening palm and, upon discovering the words on the coin, a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.