"Oshitari, your backhand isn't decisive enough. While doubles might limit some of your power, skillfully using your physical advantages is key to creating the best attacking opportunities for your partner."
"Yes, Coach!"
Oshitari nodded, making a mental note of the flaws Coach Sakaki had pointed out.
"Mukahi! Your excellent jumping ability certainly lets you reach many unreturnable balls, but the height and angle of your jumps waste a lot of stamina. Endurance is crucial for maintaining proper performance in doubles."
Mukahi lowered his head. He knew deep down that his constant running around was a major drawback.
Lately, he'd been working on improving his stamina to ensure he could last through a tie-break in high-intensity matches.
"Alright! You two can head off."
Coach Sakaki gestured towards the spectator stands.
In his eyes, this doubles pair was still far from perfect.
Truly outstanding doubles players could understand their partner's thoughts, making moves instantly based on instinct, without needing any signals. That's what a good doubles team should be able to do.
"Minami, Higashi, you two did very well. After all, this year's Hyotei is incredibly strong."
Bantaro, hunched over, said with a chuckle.
He had initially thought Hyotei only had one or two formidable singles players, but now it seemed the entire team had undergone a dramatic transformation.
To defeat this Hyotei team, losing in doubles would make victory incredibly difficult.
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"Leave the rest to me, Bantaro-sensei!"
Kitayama Ya, the club captain, stepped forward.
"We won't disappoint you."
Inagaki Daiki also stood up.
These two were Yamabuki Middle School's top doubles pair, with skills at the national level.
"Hyotei's Coach Sakaki, huh!"
Bantaro looked at Sakaki Tarō, who had stood up from his coaching seat. "This seemingly young coach is surprisingly talented at coaching. What a breeding ground for talent!"
After giving some brief pointers to Minami and Higashi, Bantaro got up, intending to clear his head.
"You two are useless!"
Akutsu leaned against the fence, his voice cold.
"You lost to a third-rate team!"
"Yamabuki Middle School is full of useless players like you, which is why you always get knocked out in the first round of the National Tournament every year!"
Akutsu shrugged, a nonchalant look on his face, then turned and walked away.
He completely ignored the expressions on Minami and Higashi's faces.
Akutsu didn't need to care what others thought. To put it bluntly, hardly anyone in the tennis club could last fifteen minutes against him, and even fewer could last three minutes in a fight.
After a short break.
"Second match."
"Will both doubles teams please step onto the court."
Shishido took a deep breath, walking slowly towards the court.
Gen Hikaru lightly tapped Shishido's backside with his racket and said, "Don't be nervous. Play at the same pace we used before the semi-finals."
"Okay!"
Shishido nodded firmly, his gaze fixed back on the court.
Kitayama Ya, Inagaki Daiki.
They were Yamabuki's best doubles combination that made it to the National Tournament last year.
Although they played as Doubles Two last year, their skill was only slightly less refined than the top doubles pair. After a full year of training, their abilities were definitely beyond what Shishido and Gen Hikaru's temporary combination could match.
In just one short game, these two saw through the flaws in Shishido and Gen Hikaru's combination. Shishido's half-volley was indeed excellent, and with time, he could certainly make a name for himself.
However, for now, it was too green. Coupled with the lack of points from his returns, the already nervous Shishido became even more so. Many balls he should have returned simply flew past him.
With continuous attacks, alternating offenses, and constant position changes, Kitayama and Inagaki truly maximized their doubles synergy, easily winning the Doubles One match 6-1.
The score was instantly tied, giving Yamabuki Middle School a glimmer of hope for victory.
"Great job, Kitayama-senpai, Inagaki-senpai!"
Sengoku, with his orange-yellow hair, quickly ran up, shouting to his two seniors.
"Sengoku, in the tennis club, you should call me captain!"
Kitayama discontentedly reminded him. This guy was just like Akutsu, with no sense of decorum. He wondered when Yamabuki Middle School's hierarchy became so relaxed.
"Okay, Kitayama-senpai," Sengoku replied with a cheerful smile.
"You little rascal..." Kitayama helplessly waved his hand. He didn't want to bother with Yamabuki's current state anymore; this was his last year anyway, and next year, Yamabuki wouldn't concern him.
"Hey!"
At that moment, a boy wearing a Yamabuki tennis club uniform walked slowly from a distance, emanating a violent aura. His arrogant eyes landed on Bantaro, and he said calmly, "Old man, just watch this match closely."
"Akutsu!"
Bantaro interlaced his fingers under his chin, smiling, "This old man will sit right here and watch, just like that match a little over a month ago."
"Hmph!"
Akutsu scoffed at Bantaro's attitude.
Twisting his neck, he slowly walked towards the court.
He had been waiting for this match for a very, very long time. For Akutsu, he constantly thought about matches like this.
To defeat Kamikawa, he had practically swept all the street tennis courts in Tokyo, crushing self-proclaimed strong tennis players.
"Kamikawa!!"
Reaching the court, Akutsu looked at Kamikawa across the net and said coldly, "This time! You won't escape from me!"
"Akutsu! I swept you a little over a month ago."
"And a little over a month later, I can still sweep you."
Kamikawa smiled slightly and said, "Let's have an interesting match."
"You damn guy!"
Akutsu's face suddenly changed. He reached out and grabbed Kamikawa's collar, "Do you want to die?!"
"Kamikawa!"
The Hyotei team members on the sidelines all stood up, looking towards Kamikawa.
Even the umpire sitting in the high chair couldn't help but shout, "Player, please calm down! This is still a match. If you continue like this, Yamabuki will be declared to have forfeited!"
"Huh?!"
Akutsu tilted his head back, glaring fiercely at the umpire.
For some reason, the umpire, after being glared at like that, instinctively swallowed and lowered his head, no longer looking in Akutsu's direction. A man in his thirties was actually intimidated by a 13-year-old kid.
"Akutsu."
Kamikawa took Akutsu's wrist in one hand, slowly pushing his arm down. Looking at Akutsu's violent, pale face, he said, "You want a match, I'm in!"
"Hmph!"
Akutsu released Kamikawa's collar and turned to walk towards the baseline.
He didn't want his overly aggressive actions to affect this match. He had waited for this day for a long time and didn't want to wait any longer.
Kamikawa nonchalantly patted the spot where Akutsu had grabbed him. Akutsu, this guy, seemed violent and fierce, but in reality, he was very gentle, just not good with words.
After all, the only friend he had during his childhood was Kawamura.
The rest of the people who tried to approach Akutsu would be scared off by his gaze, and even if they got close, it would be with an obsequious or pleading attitude.
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