"I hear that this year, both Rikkaidai's captain and vice-captain are first-year students, and they even have a strategist who's also a first-year. The three of them are known as Rikkaidai's 'Three Pillars'!"
Oshitari, who had been secretly investigating Rikkaidai, also discovered their unique aspects. As "The Kings," Rikkaidai almost always had new faces emerge each year, leading the school to dominate Kanto and advance to the Nationals.
Even without a top-tier national-level player last year, they still boasted two national-level doubles pairs, plus a national-level singles player. That's precisely why Hyotei lost to Rikkaidai in the Kanto Tournament finals.
"Rikkaidai isn't called 'The Kings' for winning the Kanto Tournament championship once or twice, but for an astonishing thirteen consecutive times! That's the honor they've earned from thirteen Kanto Tournament championships."
"This year's Rikkaidai might be even stronger than in previous years."
Shishido seemed to recall two monsters from Kanagawa Prefecture.
Those two might just face off in the Kanto Tournament.
Even though those two lost to Hyotei's duo at the JR Tournament,
The power they displayed still left Shishido feeling a sense of dread.
"Ryo~ Don't boost their morale and lower our own."
Mukahi's competitive spirit, which he had just managed to ignite, was immediately extinguished by Shishido.
Seeing everyone enthusiastically discussing Rikkaidai Junior High's strength, Kamikawa also turned his head to look at Atobe, who was resting with his eyes closed, and asked curiously:
"Atobe, don't tell me you spearheaded this practice match again?"
In Kamikawa's impression, Rikkaidai rarely sought out other schools for practice matches.
The "King" Rikkaidai wouldn't condescend to train with other schools.
If they did, it would only be with their own high school division.
That's right, almost every generation of Rikkaidai Junior High's tennis club would train with their own high school tennis club to improve their skills.
After all, those guys in the high school tennis club all graduated from the junior high tennis club, and they were practically the architects of Rikkaidai's thirteen consecutive Kanto championships.
Naturally, they wouldn't want to see Rikkaidai lose to any team in the Kanto Tournament.
"Not me. This time, Rikkaidai actually initiated the invitation. The guy who called was incredibly arrogant, something like Genichiro Sanada."
"That guy, leave him to me, your magnificent self. I'm going to teach him a harsh lesson. What 'King Rikkaidai'? It's just an empty title because they haven't met me, your magnificent self, yet."
Atobe said, clearly annoyed.
His tone wasn't an invitation at all; it was more like a demand.
That condescending attitude really rubbed Atobe the wrong way.
"Are you sure?"
Kamikawa's tone was light, looking at Atobe, "Rikkaidai's Sanada lost to Tezuka at the previous JR Tournament. His skill has probably already entered the national level."
"Oh?"
Atobe suddenly looked interested, glancing at Tezuka beside him.
He received a confirming nod from Tezuka.
"A guy who lost to Tezuka doesn't seem that strong, does he?"
Atobe shook his head, looking as if he didn't care about Sanada at all, and said easily, "That guy is all mine, your magnificent self. I'll make him understand what the absolute difference in skill means!"
"I have no objections." Kamikawa waved his hand; he didn't want to play against Sanada anyway.
"Suit yourself, Atobe."
Tezuka's mind conjured up Sanada's image, and he also let Atobe choose his opponent.
Although this was just a practice match, Tezuka still didn't want to see his team lose, just like Seigaku did when they were invited to Hyotei last time.
The taste of defeat was very bitter.
"Rikkaidai Junior High, huh."
Kamikawa's eyes grew serious. According to the original story, this year's Rikkaidai was practically carried by Yukimura and the others, but even so, Rikkaidai's doubles pairs were still at a national level.
Furthermore, the old fox Masaharu Niou was always a hidden threat.
Currently, he spent most of his time wandering around the tennis club, rarely training, quietly observing Yukimura, Sanada, and the others. In Kamikawa's opinion, his imitation ability was a manifestation of his mental strength.
Of course, without the speed, power, and ball control to match the original, even an imitation would be much less effective. These geniuses seemed to love to hide their talents.
Not to mention the one who transferred from Shitenhoji, who rarely trained but whose skill surpassed that of Tetsuya Hara from Shitenhoji, definitely possessing national-level skill.
If he hadn't been crushed by Ochi in the first-year Kanto Tournament singles, and then seen Yukimura willing to give everything for rehabilitation, he might still be languishing at a national level.
Currently, he seemed to have not yet awakened, still acting lackadaisical and unenthusiastic about training, which was very similar to Jiro: both loved to sleep and loved to slack off.
As Kamikawa thought about this, he couldn't help but look at Jiro, who was excitedly beside him.
As soon as he heard they were playing Rikkaidai Junior High, even on the bus, this guy was too excited to sleep. For him, nothing was more important than Marui.
Kanagawa Prefecture.
Rikkaidai Junior High, Tennis Club.
On the court, the team members stood at their designated spots, training. A boy with straight bangs swept his gaze over everyone, seemingly observing something.
Being watched by such eyes made them feel uncomfortable, but no one dared to utter a word of complaint.
Currently, Rikkaidai's daily training was almost entirely set by this seemingly young boy with straight bangs. Under his strict training regimen, Rikkaidai's strength had elevated to another level.
Among the first-years, there were quite a few exceptionally talented tennis players.
"Gather!"
Just then, a stern voice rang out.
On the court, the faces of the first and second-year players subtly changed. Even the third-year players looked nervous, putting down their work and gathering towards the center of the court.
"Step... tap-tap..."
Soon after, a graceful boy in a jacket walked to the center of the court, a smile on his face.
Looking at the boy before them,
The second and third-year students on the court involuntarily lowered their heads.
They dared not look directly at the boy in the center of the court.
This person, almost single-handedly, swept away Rikkaidai's originally selected regulars, winning every match with a 6-0 score. Not to mention losing a game, he hadn't even dropped a single point.
Even before joining Rikkaidai and its tennis club, he already had a resounding reputation:
The Child of God - Seiichi Yukimura.
Currently, he was the captain of the Rikkaidai Tennis Club.
And he was also the only first-year to serve as the tennis club captain in Rikkaidai's history.
"Sanada, you make the announcement." Yukimura smiled slightly, looking at the boy beside him wearing a black baseball cap, Genichiro Sanada, the current vice-captain of the Rikkaidai Tennis Club.
"A practice match will be held soon."
Sanada's gaze swept over everyone, a sharp glint in his eyes: "We'll be facing Hyotei Academy, last year's Kanto Tournament runner-up."
Among the crowd, some third-year players' pupils constricted.
Last year, Hyotei put a lot of pressure on Rikkaidai. If it weren't for Hyotei's other players falling short, they might not have achieved their thirteen consecutive Kanto Tournament victories last year.
However, this year's Rikkaidai would only be stronger than last year. Both the two boys standing in the center of the court and the first-years listening below were the future hope of Rikkaidai Junior High.
After a pause, Sanada's gaze swept over everyone again, and he said calmly, "Whether we face last year's Kanto Tournament runner-up, or last year's National Tournament champion..."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions became serious, and their hearts stirred with excitement.
As tennis players, who wouldn't long to face stronger opponents?
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