Chapter 58 Hexagon's Father and the Racket
Three days later.
Bingdi played against Jiaoyang Middle School and won with a total score of 3-0!
"Final Four!"
There was a hint of excitement on Kaida Nobuyuki's face. This year's competition went very smoothly, as if he had returned to the days when he was fighting with his senior Ochi.
"It seems that my original decision was not wrong, Senior Ochi!" Looking at Atobe who was walking at the front of the team, Kaida sighed in his heart.
In previous Kanto tournaments, they might have had some trouble in the first two rounds, but this year with the emergence of new players such as Atobe and Uesugi Yuu, Hyotei has become even stronger.
The sweeping results are the best proof. Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a little dreamy. He didn't know when Hyotei had grown to this level. This year, even Rikkai University, the overlord of Kanto, may not be unshakable.
"Senior, our next opponent is Rokkaku Junior High School in Chiba Prefecture, right?"
Shishido Ryo's voice brought Kaida Nobu back from his memories.
"Well, today Rokkaku defeated Oguchi South Middle School and made it to the semi-finals."
Kaida Nobuyuki recalled the information about Rokkaku Middle School and said.
"Rokkaku Junior High School in Chiba Prefecture is also a frequent participant in national competitions. Their tennis style is quite unique..."
"Strange? Is there something strange about it?"
Kaida Nobuyuki's words aroused the curiosity of Murikatsugu, and he asked with a puzzled look on his face. They had even seen the style of Shitenhoji Temple, so what else would they find strange?
"Senior, I think what you mean is Rokukaku's special racket!" Uesugi Yu smiled slightly and took over the topic directly.
"Hey~ Shangshan, how did you know? Could it be that..."
Although Xiangri had doubts in his eyes, he had a smile on his lips. Shangshan You always sneaked away during their competitions, and he had encountered this more than once.
"What are you thinking? I was just gathering information normally. Originally, this matter was supposed to be handled by our Oshitari-san, but he pushed it to me..."
Uesugi Yuu rolled his eyes at Xiangri, spread his hands and said to Oshitari who was thinking about something.
"Oh, sorry~"
When Oshitari heard Uesugi Yuu mention his name, he was stunned for a moment, then said apologetically. Recently, he has been thinking about the selfless state that his coach and Uesugi had told him, and his mind has not been on other things.
"Ha~ I was just kidding..."
Seeing that Oshitari was really apologizing sincerely, Uesugi Yu was a little surprised.
"Don't study this recently. The more you care about it, the less you understand it. Selflessness is all about transforming the mind into nothingness. What you lack is just the accumulation of experience and a chance to surpass your limits."
Regardless of whether Oshina listened or not, Uesugi Yu could only persuade him again. He knew that Oshina was a little anxious. Hyotei was about to face Rikkai University, and he was worried that he would not be able to play a key role as he had not made a breakthrough yet.
"Um…"
After hearing what Uesugi Yuu said, Oshitari agreed, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that he was absent-minded.
"Forget it, let's just keep talking about the hexagon."
Patting his forehead, Shangshanyou felt helpless. He didn't understand the thing about Wuwo, and he couldn't show it to Oshitari.
"As far as I know, the rackets used by the players at Liujiao Middle School are all made by their coaches themselves."
"Made it yourself?"
Everyone was a little surprised, even Atobe was attracted by Kamisama Yuu's words.
"Yes, their rackets are longer than the rackets we usually use. Most of our common rackets are 27 inches, but Hexagon's rackets are almost the maximum length of 29 inches stipulated by the competition."
“So long!?”
The difference of 5 centimeters in length shocked everyone at Hyotei. You know, in a game, even a change of 1 centimeter can cause a huge change in the serve and receive.
"Yes, not only the length, the width of their rackets also reaches the maximum of 12.5 inches. The wide net allows them to disperse the power of the tennis ball more evenly." Before anyone could ask, Uesugi Yuu added.
"That means powerful ball skills will have much less effect on them?" Xiangri Yueren exclaimed in amazement.
"Shangshan, even though you've mentioned all the advantages, the flexibility and strength of this racket is a problem. This racket should be easy to break."
Atobe narrowed his eyes, simulated it in his mind, and quickly found the possible defects of this racket.
"Correct! But this is also the key to the next part, the reason why their rackets are called special ones.
The coach of Rokkaku who is called Dad is a person of an older generation than Coach Banda of Yamabuki.
The rackets they make are all made of extremely flexible wood that he personally selects and then soaks in special tung oil. Even the racket's string and grip are made by the old man himself. There is absolutely no problem with the flexibility and strength of such rackets.
And because of the characteristics of this long racket, their defensive and offensive capabilities are greatly enhanced. It can be said that they use such equipment to largely narrow the gap with their opponents.
Except for me and Atobe, everyone else will be affected to some extent."
Uesugi Yu's words left everyone in Hyotei silent for a moment. As expected, every team that could reach the national level had its own trump card.
Kaida Shin touched his nose awkwardly. It seemed that Uesugi Yuu knew more detailed information than he did. He only knew that the players of Rokkaku Junior High School had peculiar rackets and a bold playing style.
"Don't worry too much. We also faced Hexagon last year. Although they have sharp rackets, they still have too few top players. We can still win by relying on our strength."
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little silent, Kaida Xin took the initiative to explain what happened last year.
The others were stunned. That's right, Uesugi Yuu only talked about a lot of hexagonal rackets and didn't mention the opponent's strength. In other words...
Atobe and the others were not stupid and they quickly realized that Uesugi Yu was just trying to scare them again. The person holding the racket is the key to playing tennis.
“You bastard…”
…
"Okay, Shangshan, you're talking nonsense again!"
…
"hey-hey……"
Shangshanyou curled his lips and smiled. Although the hexagon was not a big problem, it was a reminder that it would always be better to be cautious.
…
Sunday, Ariake Forest Tennis Park.
The semi-finals of the Kanto tournament will be held here today.
Upper half: Hyotei vs. Rokkaku.
Bottom half: Tatekai vs. Yamabuki.
The four teams are all regular visitors to the country, especially Hyotei and Rikkai University. Many people believe that this year it will still be Hyotei and Rikkai University competing for the Kanto championship.
Many eliminated teams or tennis clubs from other schools came to watch the game. They also wanted to see what level the two teams would show in the semi-finals.
nine in the morning.
The two stadiums started at the same time, and the cheers in both stadiums were amazing. Unlike the previous two rounds of knockouts, the semi-final teams had a lot of supporters.
…
"The Kanto Tournament semi-finals are about to begin, with Hyotei Academy facing Rokkaku Junior High School."
"Next, let's start the doubles match number two, with Hyotei Academy's Oshitari Yuushi and Mukai Taketo facing Rokkaku Junior High School's Sada and Araki."
"coming!"
Oshitari and Hibiki looked at each other, and they remembered what Uesugi Yuu had said to them before...
Outside the court, the old man with white hair and beard sat cross-legged on the coach's chair. His thin and short body seemed like it could be easily blown down by a gust of wind.
On the other side of him, Taro Sakaki did not dare to look down on him at all. This old man's tennis career was longer than his age. Anyone who had contact with the Neon Tennis Association would know his name.
