The Prince of Tennis: My tennis skills come from Naruto

Chapter 167 is still a long way off.

"I understand, Dad." Saeki Kojiro nodded, deeply agreeing with his father. He really didn't need to make things difficult for himself, nor did he need to feel too much pressure because of his position as club captain. After all, Rokkaku was different from other schools. Their tennis club's principle was to enjoy the game and enjoy tennis. (Well, although they didn't care too much about winning or losing, the tennis club actually did quite well.)

Yes, this also leads to a particularly good internal atmosphere in their club. This is also why, even though his individual strength is not as good as some of the third-year seniors, he still became the club president. Under the influence of the atmosphere in their tennis club, those seniors are not interested in fame or fortune.

(Here, Tomoaki Murayama and others stated: The main problem is that being a minister is too troublesome. Even if a vice minister were appointed, they would feel embarrassed to delegate all the work to the vice minister. In short, being a minister is really annoying. It would be best if someone took over the job, and a reliable junior was willing to take over.)

On one side, Saeki Kojiro mentally persuaded himself to shed his heavy burden, while on the other side, the referees had all taken their positions on the field.

Then the coaches of both teams entered the field.

Hyotei's coach, Taro, walked slowly into the court in a well-tailored and elegant suit, while Rokkaku Middle School's coach, Hiyama, was carried into the court by two third-year regulars from Rokkaku Middle School.

"Hey, hey, slow down, slow down! My old bones can't take this kind of jolting."

"Okay, Dad. Sorry, Dad." Sasaki Takayuki and Horie Ichiro immediately slowed down and gently placed their father on the coach's bench.

Taro, on the other hand, nodded to Rokkaku's father as a greeting after Rokkaku knelt there in a remarkably peaceful manner before sitting down.

Yes, he still has great respect for Coach Hiyama, who has been a coach until his old age and advocates joyful education.

Soon, the referee's voice rang out, "The Kanto Tournament semifinals are about to begin, upper bracket: Hyotei Academy vs. Rokkaku Middle School."

"The first match will be the second doubles match, between Hyotei Academy's Yuushi Oshitari & Shu Saito vs. Rokkaku Middle School's Tomoaki Murayama &..."

Masakazu Aragaki. "

The four people whose names were called set off from their respective areas.

Yuushi Oshitari of Hyotei had a sharp smile mixed with a calm demeanor, while Shu Saito looked every bit the composed and collected older brother.

On the Rokkaku side, Tomoaki Murayama grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, looking relaxed yet full of fighting spirit.

Masakazu Aragaki habitually shook the unusual-looking racket in his hand.

"Good luck, senior!" Saeki Kojiro immediately offered encouragement.

"Good luck, senior!" Kisarazu Ryo straightened his hat and said.

"Hehe, just watch us." Masakazu Aragaki thumped his chest with his left hand and laughed.

Soon, "The match begins! Yuushi Oshitari from Hyotei Academy serves first."

Oshitari, positioned in the backcourt service box, patted the tennis ball a few times before suddenly tossing it upwards.

"Whoosh."

The fluorescent yellow tennis ball soared into the sky, and Yuushi Oshitari quickly followed in its wake.

Swing the racket!

"Bang!"

The tennis ball created a strong gust of air, like a spinning bullet, as it hurtled through the sky.

Seeing this, Murayama Tomoaki, who was near the baseline, grinned, his eyes showing no fear, and inwardly praised...

"What an amazing serve! As expected of Hyotei!"

"Tap tap!"

Murayama Tomoaki took two large steps to the right, using his wider racket to easily catch the bouncing tennis ball and utilize its spin.

"Bang!"

The tennis ball flew back with stronger spin, and its speed was only slightly slower than Oshitari's serve.

However, Saito Hide, who was in the front half of the court, started moving his body the instant the ball crossed the net.

With a swift and decisive step forward, he intercepted the shot—"Bang!"

The tennis ball was quickly returned. Masakazu Aragaki was a little too far away from the ball and shouldn't have been able to reach it in time. However, Masakazu Aragaki didn't panic at all. He shouted, "I'll take it!" and then quickly ran to the left. He stretched out his racket and caught the ball perfectly.

Meanwhile, Saito Hide and Oshitari Yuushi, who were on the opposite side of the court, both glanced at his racket.

Oh, I see. His racket is 5 centimeters longer than the standard size.

Yuushi Oshitari also glanced at Tomoaki Murayama's racket, which was about 2.5 centimeters wider. Oshitari adjusted his glasses and thought to himself:

Well, as expected of a racket specially customized by Coach Rokkaku based on a player's playing style and physical characteristics, the wide racket face increases the effective hitting area and sweet spot, making it easier to receive serves and handle spin balls. The long racket also increases the coverage area and receiving radius, making it easier to defend and save shots. It is indeed a bit more difficult to deal with than the average player. And as expected of the Kanto Tournament, Rokkaku's level is much higher than Yamabuki's, although it's not really that useful. While thinking this, Yuushi Oshitari had already taken action in reality. He instantly rushed into the path of the tennis ball's trajectory, perfectly combining the power of his whole body with the momentum of his sprint, and then, swung the racket!

"Bang!"

This was a perfect flat passing shot. The tennis ball shot like a laser beam towards the opponent's baseline after being hit by the racket, instantly leaving a white, spherical mark on the baseline.

"What?! So fast?!"

The two hexagonal figures only managed to move slightly this time, and were still a long way from actually making contact. Thus, "Yuushi Oshitari & Shu Saito score, 15-0!"

The moment the referee announced the score, a tsunami of cheers erupted from Hyotei's contingent: "Hyotei! Hyotei! Hyotei!!"

"Hyotei will win—!!"

Not far from the field, Coach Rokkaku slightly raised his eyelids and looked at Yuushi Oshitari's figure from the coach's bench.

Sharp insight, solid footwork fundamentals, a calm and composed mindset capable of quick responses, and powerful explosiveness —

As expected of Hyotei, they are already this amazing even though they are only first-year students.

Moreover, there are two national-level first-year students ahead of him. Well, all I can say is that these younger students at Hyotei are a bit too formidable.

Then, Coach Hiyama couldn't help but think of the rumors that Rikkai University also had two national-level first-year students. These emerging tennis stars, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, gave Coach Hiyama a strong feeling: Japan has finally ushered in another great tennis era!

On the other side, Yuushi Oshitari smiled and pushed up his glasses with his left hand. Since the hexagonal one was stronger than he had imagined, he would not hold back.