Three days later, after a much-needed recovery, the time had finally arrived for the Metropolitan Tournament finals.
Given it was the grand finale of the Metropolitan Tournament, the match was held at the venue typically reserved for the Kanto Tournament each year. The court was far more splendid than those used in the regular Metropolitan Tournament. Not just anyone had the privilege of stepping onto the Kanto Tournament stage.
On this very day, the consolation matches were also set to take place. Seigaku had already advanced through one round of the consolation bracket and was preparing for their final match, which would determine who earned the last spot in the Kanto Tournament.
The final match venue was the bustling Aobatori Tennis Center in Tokyo's most vibrant district. Even before the matches began, the area outside the courts was teeming with spectators, many of whom were tennis club members sporting their school uniforms. They were all there to witness the birth of the Metropolitan Tournament champion.
Meanwhile, the Kanagawa Prefecture finals were also underway. Rikkai Dai Junior High, the dominant force in Kanagawa, had stormed into the finals with an impeccable record, not dropping a single game in any of their matches. Every single contest ended with a crushing 3-0, 6-0 victory. Rikkai Dai's strength seemed to surpass even what they had shown in previous years.
Inoue, who had come to observe, held his camera, focusing on the Rikkai Dai team. As a team that had consistently reigned supreme in the Kanto Tournament and made countless appearances in the National Tournament, Rikkai Dai Junior High was never short of exceptionally talented players. Even Hyotei, who had emerged as a dark horse last year under the leadership of Tsukimitsu Ochi, had been defeated by Rikkai Dai Junior High in the finals. Even with a top-tier national-level player like Ochi winning a match, it couldn't change the fate of the entire team.
"This year's Rikkai Dai is even stronger than what we've seen before," Inoue muttered.
"The Emperor of Rikkai Dai, Genichirou Sanada."
Inoue adjusted his camera, focusing on Sanada. Almost every match he played was a display of overwhelming power, his stern and uncompromising demeanor earning him the nickname "Emperor."
"The Strategist, Renji Yanagi."
Next, his lens shifted to Renji Yanagi. Yanagi's playstyle differed from Sanada's forceful approach. He excelled at thoroughly understanding the flow of a match and strongly controlling its direction. In doubles, he was often seen making perfect defensive plays, and many points were scored thanks to his solid, fundamental style.
"The captain of Rikkai Dai Junior High, the Child of God, Seiichi Yukimura!"
Taking a deep breath, he finally aimed his camera at Seiichi Yukimura! At merely ten years old, he had participated in the U14DKN Kanagawa Youth Tournament, which was typically for fourteen-year-olds. In that match, as the setting sun illuminated him, the faint silhouette of a god seemed to emerge behind him. It was through that very match that he earned the moniker "Child of God."
"This year's Rikkai Dai truly possesses the aura of a king!"
Inoue slowly lowered his camera, the image of Hyotei flashing through his mind. He mumbled, "Perhaps, the only team that can halt Rikkai Dai's advance is Hyotei Gakuen from Tokyo!"
"Gather 'round."
Just then, Tarou Sakaki, having finished his meeting, approached with the roster in hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone. His tone was calm. Tezuka and Atobe followed closely behind him, their expressions equally solemn.
"You should all be familiar with Yamabuki's strength. Last year, they made it to the National Tournament, especially their doubles teams, which are at a national level. They relied on two doubles pairs and their Singles 3 player to advance to the nationals last year."
"In previous years, their singles were their weakness, but this year is different... This year, they've brought in two exceptionally talented first-years for Singles 3 and Singles 2."
Sakaki tapped the roster, especially noting Yamabuki's doubles. Even if their Doubles 2 was a new pair, their overall skill was at a Kanto-level. In terms of synergy, only Oshitari and Mukahi's doubles team could barely contend with them. Doubles had always been Hyotei's weakness; there was no denying that.
So...
"Now, I will announce the lineup for the match against Yamabuki."
"Oshitari and Mukahi will play Doubles 2. Hikaru Gen and Shishido will play Doubles 1. Kamikawa will play Singles 3. Atobe will play Singles 2. And Tezuka will play Singles 1."
Sakaki calmly announced the lineup, making a slight adjustment to Doubles 2 and Doubles 1 to ensure one doubles team could secure a point. As for Singles 3 and Singles 2, Sakaki had considered Atobe and Tezuka's opinions.
His initial intention was to have Atobe play Singles 3. If the first two doubles matches were lost, Singles 3 would be a crucial point. A loss there would halt any further progress in the match. However, if Singles 3 won, the chances of winning the subsequent matches would be much higher.
The latter two singles matches had always been Yamabuki's weak points. Even with the introduction of two exceptionally talented first-years this year, compared to players like Kamikawa, even the most brilliant talents would be overshadowed by their dazzling aura.
But, ultimately, Sakaki decided to have Kamikawa play Singles 3. According to Atobe and Tezuka, Singles 3 was critical, and this position required a strong player, which Kamikawa certainly was.
"Any questions?" Sakaki looked calmly at everyone, asking.
"None!" everyone replied.
"Our first step towards the Nationals begins with this championship trophy!" Sakaki raised two fingers, swishing them forward forcefully, his eyes remarkably serene.
"Hyotei! Hyotei!"
"Yamabuki! Yamabuki!"
Outside the court, the cheers of the crowd erupted. The Hyotei tennis club had so many members that their cheers quickly drowned out those for Yamabuki.
"Now, let the Metropolitan Tournament finals begin."
"Hyotei Gakuen versus Yamabuki Junior High."
"Please, both teams, come forward."
Both teams had entered the court, standing on opposite sides of the center net.
"Kamikawa, there's no escaping this time!"
Akutsu's eyes sharpened, his mind replaying the scene of Kamikawa, alone, storming into Yamabuki's territory, acting as if Akutsu was nothing.
"Huh? Escape?"
Kamikawa paused slightly, then replied, "I don't think I've ever run away! On the contrary, you'd better have improved quite a bit during this time."
"It wouldn't be any fun if it's like last time."
Kamikawa was genuinely curious about Akutsu's growth. Akutsu's talent was certainly comparable to Kintaro Tooyama's. Kintaro, after only a few months of playing, had made it to theai Tournament and crushed Makonoji's ace. In just one short year, he had mastered the Limit of Perfection.
Similarly, Akutsu's formal training hadn't been long. Before his match with Echizen, he had trained sporadically, and after the match, he had completely let loose, with no intention of training. Upon entering U-17, while everyone else was improving, Akutsu, relying on his extraordinary talent, stepped halfway into the realm of the Pre-Emptive Strike. In the U-17 World Cup, he officially entered that realm.
"Hyotei would let a first-year be captain? They're really going downhill," said Kitanoyama, a third-year from Yamabuki who was playing Doubles 1, as he stared at the boy barely taller than a meter and sixty centimeters, speaking disrespectfully.
"Oh really?"
Tezuka looked up at the Yamabuki third-year before him and calmly stated, "Last year, Yamabuki lost to Hyotei in the Metropolitan Tournament."
"This year, next year, and for many years to come! Yamabuki will always lose to Hyotei!"
At that moment, Kitanoyama felt an astonishing aura emanating from the boy named Kunimitsu Tezuka. He had felt this very aura last year, on this very court!
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