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

"Well played."

Seeing Akutsu Jin walk back soaking wet, Kagura Ichijin handed him a towel and a bottle of water, his eyes full of admiration.

The Yamabuki region is currently in a very favorable position, all thanks to Akutsu Jin's victory in this crucial battle.

"Kagura, let's have a match sometime, a proper one."

Akutsu Jin wiped his sweat haphazardly with a towel, drank the water in the bottle in one gulp, and then looked at Kagura Ichijin with a serious expression.

"Alright, I won't hold back then."

Kagura Ichijin smiled slightly and readily agreed.

Jin Akutsu has already reached the threshold of becoming a national-level player. What he lacks now is only technique and experience, and high-level competitions are the best way to help him transform.

"That's good."

After getting the answer he wanted, Akutsu Jin plopped down on a bench and closed his eyes to rest.

He has done everything he was supposed to do; now it's up to Kagura Ichijin.

"The fourth match begins. Please bring on Yamabuki and Rokkaku for the second singles match."

Kagura Ichijin picked up his racket, nodded to Banta Mikiya on the coach's bench, and then walked towards the court with a relaxed expression.

He is now extremely relaxed. As long as he wins this match, Yamabuki will advance.

It feels so good to not have to carry so many burdens.

"A decisive game, Saeki serves."

"Kagura-kun, it's been a long time."

Saeki Kojiro looked at Kagura Ichijin across from him with a somewhat complicated expression.

After a year apart, Kagura Ichijin not only possessed unfathomable strength, but his height and demeanor had also undergone tremendous changes, making him feel somewhat unfamiliar.

"Hmm, it's been almost a year, Saeki-kun. Is your club president planning to make his appearance last?"

Kagura Ichijin glanced at the Rokkaku Minister watching from the sidelines, a smile playing on his lips.

Rokkaku really knows Yamabuki inside and out. If Yamabuki continues to appear in the same order as before, she might actually be eliminated this time.

The captain of Rokkaku is a genuine national-level player; if Akutsu Jin were to face him, his chances of winning would be slim.

"Yeah, I just didn't expect Matsuo-senpai to lose."

Saeki Kojiro gave a wry smile.

Hexagon's deployment was actually perfect, successfully avoiding Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto, and even guessing Kagura Ichijin's appearance order correctly.

But due to an unexpected event, the entire plan was disrupted.

No one expected that Jin Akutsu would actually defeat Matsuo.

Yamabuki really struck gold this year, having such an amazing first-year student.

"Placing your hopes on others, it seems your minister is somewhat afraid of me."

Kagura Ichijin spoke calmly.

Although he was unsure of Saeki Kojiro's current strength, Rokkaku's strategy clearly intended to use Saeki Kojiro as a pawn.

Compared to the first-year students, Rokkaku seems to value the upperclassmen more, but those upperclassmen seem to have failed to live up to that trust.

"Just to increase our chances of winning."

Saeki Kojiro shook his head.

The captain of the hexagon is actually no weaker than Kagura Ichijin, but avoiding direct confrontation is also a strategy for the team's victory.

However, it's pointless to talk about these things now. Hexagon has already lost two matches and is now only one step away from being eliminated.

Although he knew he was no match for Kagura Yiren, he could not give up for Rokkaku. Even if the hope was slim, he would fight with all his might until the very last moment.

"It's all about timing and fate, Saeki-kun. Let's begin."

Kagura Ichijin turned and walked towards the receiving area. He was not going to give Rokkaku-sama a chance to play; he was determined to win this game.

"Heavy artillery!"

Saeki Kojiro tossed the ball high into the air, then swung his racket quickly.

"Bang!"

"0-15!"

Kagura Ichijin casually tapped the ball, scoring a point, and then shook his head.

Back then at the Jr. tournament, he was no match for Saeki Kojiro, but now the situation has reversed, and Saeki Kojiro can no longer put any pressure on him.

"So strong..."

Saeki Kojiro gave a wry smile.

His serve just now was close to 190 km/h!

Even so, Kagura Ichijin easily defeated him.

In less than a year, Kagura Ikjin's strength has increased so much.

It is estimated that no one present knew that Kagura Ichijin was actually a beginner a year ago and had not been learning to play tennis since childhood.

"Heavy artillery!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"0-40!"

……

"Game, Torajiro Saeki, 0-1!"

"Saeki-kun, do you remember the serve I learned from you? I've completely mastered it now."

Kagura Ijin took a deep breath, then tossed the ball high into the air, bent his legs, and swung his racket with all his might.

"Bang!"

……

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Torajiro Saeki, 0-2!"

"Such a powerful serve... but is that still a cannon shot?"

Saeki Kojiro looked puzzled.

Although Kagura Ichijin serves in the same way as him, his movements have changed slightly.

His powerful serve only reaches a speed of 190 km/h! But Kagura Ichijin's serve speed exceeds 215 km/h!

Moreover, as far as he knew, Kagura Ichiren rarely used this serve unless he encountered a national-level player.

But now Kagura Ichijin is deliberately showing it to him. Is he doing this on purpose?

"Saeki-kun, it's your turn to serve."

Kagura Ichijin walked to the receiving area, assumed a defensive stance, and then silently recited the system's commands.

Saeki Kojiro (First year of junior high school)

Speed: 2

Power: 2

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 3

Technology: 3.5

Total: 12.5

Saeki Kojiro has become stronger than before, but unfortunately, because he has not undergone professional training, his progress is not significant.

Although Saeki Kojiro was already very strong among the first-year students, there were many players with similar abilities in the Kanto Tournament.

The current Saeki Kojiro probably can't even beat Sengoku Kiyosumi, let alone defeat him.

"Heavy artillery!"

……

"0-15!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"0-40!"

……

"Game, Torajiro Saeki, 0-3!"

……

"Game, Torajiro Saeki, 0-4!"

……

"Game, Torajiro Saeki, 0-5!"

……

"Game, Torajiro Saeki, 0-6!"

……

"Match 4 is over, 6-0, Kagura Ikjin wins!"

……

Congratulations to Yamabuki Junior High School for defeating Rokkaku Junior High School 3-1 and advancing to the finals!

As soon as the referee gave the order, the Yamabuki team rushed into the arena like a flood bursting its banks, surrounding Kagura Ijin with deafening cheers.

Yamabuki Junior High School has finally secured a spot in the national competition. They have accomplished something that many of their seniors have longed for, and this moment will surely be recorded in the school's history.