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

At the end of July, Yamabuki Tennis Club.

As Kagura Yiren, carrying his tennis bag, stepped into the training ground, he immediately felt a resentful gaze upon him.

"Kagura! Where have you been these past few days?"

Jin Akutsu stood on the sidelines with one hand on his hip, looking displeased. His silver-gray hair was particularly dazzling in the sunlight.

"What happened to the competition? You haven't even come to training since school started summer vacation. Have you forgotten what you said after the Kanto Tournament?"

Akutsu Jin became more and more excited as he spoke, and his voice unconsciously rose a few decibels.

These days, all the regulars are training hard despite the sweltering heat, but Kagura Yiren, who is the captain, is nowhere to be seen. How can he not be furious?

Kagura Yiren had told everyone to hang in there, continue training hard, and strive for good results in the national competition, but then he just disappeared.

"I went for an interview for a coaching assistant position. I might be able to teach some kids tennis in the future."

Kagura Ichijin looked at Akutsu Jin, who was like a powder keg, smiled slightly, and explained in a relaxed tone.

He had put a lot of effort into finding this job; it not only allowed him to earn some pocket money but also gave him the opportunity to continue playing tennis—a win-win situation.

Everything is ready now, and I'm just waiting to take office after the national competition.

"Huh? Assistant coach? You're going to be a coach?"

Akutsu Jin was stunned. The anger that was about to erupt was instantly stuck in his throat, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

Coach? Are you kidding me!

Just look at Ban Tianqian, and you'll know. He's busy all day long, like a spinning top, and has to worry about all sorts of trivial matters.

Although Kagura Ichijin said he was teaching children, how old is Kagura Ichijin? How can parents feel at ease?

"Not a coach, but an assistant coach. To put it bluntly, you're someone who helps others, doing basic guidance and miscellaneous tasks."

Kagura Ichijin rolled his eyes and corrected him.

At his age, he's not qualified to be a coach; he'd be lucky to even be an assistant coach.

There were quite a few competitors, but fortunately he managed to break through and become one of the four teaching assistants.

"Tch, isn't that just a wage earner? Why make it sound like a teaching assistant? It's all so high and mighty."

Akutsu Jin pursed his lips, looking disgusted.

He thought Kagura Ichijin had really risen to the top and could manage a tennis club like Banta Mikiya, but it turned out he was just a high-level errand boy.

"That's not wrong."

Kagura Ichijin nodded with a wry smile. Although Akutsu Jin's words sounded harsh, they were essentially true.

However, he was already very satisfied with this. Not only did he have a good income, but the coach did not deduct his salary because of his young age, which was already very kind to him.

"Alright, I'm not interested in your part-time job, Kagura. Just give me a straight answer: when are we going to have a real match? The National Tournament is just around the corner."

Akutsu Jin's expression instantly turned serious, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

He's been training incredibly hard lately, all in order to defeat Kagura Ikjin fair and square before the national tournament.

He now feels that he is no weaker than Kagura Ichijin.

"Let's do it today, I happen to be free right now."

Kagura Ichijin looked at Akutsu Jin, who was full of fighting spirit, thought for a moment, and readily agreed. Then he turned around and walked towards an empty tennis court in the distance.

He was busy looking for a job and going to interviews recently, and he did not think things through. Now that everything is settled, it is time to fulfill his promise.

"Let's go! Everyone, go take a look! Akutsu might actually have a chance to beat Kagura today!"

Upon seeing this, Ishimaru Kanto immediately waved excitedly to the other regulars in training.

During this time, Akutsu Jin had consulted him a lot, and under his careful guidance, Akutsu Jin's skills improved by leaps and bounds. This time, Kagura Yi Jin might really make a mistake.

"Really? Has Akutsu's skill level reached the national level?"

Gu Jimusin wiped his sweat, his face full of astonishment.

Kagura Ijin's strength is evident to all; he has genuinely defeated several national-level players.

Although Akutsu Jin is exceptionally talented, even if he progresses very quickly, he shouldn't have grown to this level, right?

"That's right, I guarantee it!"

Ishimaru Kanto nodded firmly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

Two days ago, he had a private fight with Akutsu Jin. Although neither of them used their full strength, he could clearly feel that Akutsu Jin's strength was no weaker than his own.

Now, Akutsu Jin not only has excellent physical abilities, but has also made up for many of his technical shortcomings, making him a worthy opponent for Kagura Yijin.

"That's certainly something to see."

Gu Jimuxin's eyes lit up, and he unconsciously quickened his pace.

A duel between two national-level athletes is a rare sight indeed.

Since Akutsu Jin dared to take the initiative to issue the challenge, it means that Akutsu Jin really had the confidence.

When the Yamabuki group gathered around the tennis court, Kagura Ichijin and Akutsu Jin were already standing facing each other across the net.

"A decisive game, Akutsu serves."

"Kagura, you promised me, so don't hold back."

As he hit the tennis ball, Jin Akutsu spoke with a serious expression.

He craved a thrilling and exhilarating battle, not a merciful defeat at the hands of his opponent.

"Don't worry, I'll do my best."

Kagura Ichijin smiled slightly, then walked to the receiving area and assumed a defensive stance.

"Bang!"

Jin Akutsu tossed the ball high into the air, his arm muscles tensed instantly, and then he swung his racket fiercely!

The tennis ball, accompanied by a whistling sound, flew straight towards Kagura Ichijin's court.

"Bang!"

Kagura Ijin ran to the ball's landing point and swung his racket quickly.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

After more than twenty rounds, Kagura Ichijin scored directly with a baseline through ball.

"0-15!"

"Bang!"

After serving again, Jin Akutsu's expression became even more serious.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he noticed that Kagura Ichijin's movements when receiving the ball were more relaxed and effortless than before, completely different from the feeling during their last sparring match.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"15-30!"

……

"15-40!"

……

"30-40!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 0-1!"

Despite Jin Akutsu's best efforts to hold his serve, he ultimately fell short against Ijin Kagura's sharp attacks and was broken first.

"Bang!"

It's Kagura Ijin's turn to serve.

He walked to the service court, took a deep breath, tossed the ball high into the air, bent his knees, and then swung his racket forcefully.

The tennis ball instantly transformed into a streak of yellow light, slamming into Akutsu Jin's court before bouncing towards the wire fence behind him.

"15-0!"

"what?"

Looking at the tennis ball behind him, deeply embedded in the gaps of the barbed wire and still emitting white smoke, Akutsu Jin frowned, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.

That ball was definitely faster than 220 km/h! That's even faster than Kagura Ichijin's shot in the previous match!

"Bang!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 0-2!"

With his powerful serve, Kagura Ijin easily held serve.

Looking at Akutsu Jin's astonished expression, Kagura Ichijin shook his head speechlessly.

He originally thought that since Akutsu Jin dared to challenge him, he must have come prepared, at least having found a way to deal with his serve.

But now it seems that Akutsu Jin rushed in purely out of enthusiasm, without any preparation.

During the break in Akutsu Jin's serve, Kagura Ichijin silently recited the system's commands.

Jin Akutsu (First year of junior high school)

Speed: 3.5

Power: 3.5

Stamina: 3.5

Spirit: 2.5

Technology: 3

Total: 16

Kagura I-Jen (Grade 1, Junior High)

Speed: 3.5

Power: 3.5

Stamina: 3.5

Spirit: 10

Technology: 3

Total: 23.5

"You've definitely gotten stronger; no wonder you were so confident."

Upon seeing Akutsu Jin's five dimensions, Kagura Ichijin sighed inwardly.

Jin Akutsu is now qualified to compete with those national-level players, but unfortunately he has encountered someone like him now.

If his physical abilities cannot provide any advantage, Akutsu Jin poses little threat to him.

"Bang!"

It was Jin Akutsu's turn to serve again. He took a deep breath and hit a high-speed ball.

The pressure that Kagura Ichijin exerted on him today was just too intense.

Is this what Kagura Yijin looks like when he's playing seriously? He's definitely different from usual.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"15-0!"

……

"15-15!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"30-30!"

……

"40-30!"

……

"40-40!"

……

"AD-40!"

……

"40-40!"

……

"40—AD!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 0-3!"

"Damn it! So close!"

After Kagura Ichijin broke his serve again, Akutsu Jin swung his racket in frustration, his face showing bitterness.

He had a great chance to win this game, but he always missed the crucial moment and ultimately failed.

"Bang!"

When it was his turn to serve again, Kagura Ijin showed no mercy and continued with his powerful flat serve.

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 0-4!"