Chapter 81: The Draw of Lots by a Gathering of Elites
"Shangshan, why do you think I need to come here in person ?"
Sitting in the car specially responsible for pick-up and drop-off , Atobe crossed his legs and complained to Uesugi Yuu beside him.
"This is perfect, and it will also allow other strong schools in other regions to see how good you are."
Leaning back comfortably on the leather seat, Shang Shanyou comforted him casually. Atobe's face was obviously full of joy. He just won the Kanto Championship and he wanted to show off.
"Hmph...you're right. Let me see who our opponents are this time."
Hearing what Uesugi Yu said, Atobe suddenly seemed to have found a reason. His proud eyes flashed and he said with an elegant smile on his face.
"Yeah, yes, that's the kind of momentum we need. Don't forget, you are the face of our Hyotei."
Shangshanyou teased the arrogant Atobe with a smile, and his eyes turned slightly to the street passing by outside the window.
soon.
The black sedan drove into the familiar park venue. It was here that Hyotei won the Kanto Championship not long ago.
"Shang Shan, let's go... Let's go with me to see what powerful guys will be in this year's national competition."
Atobe's smile remained undiminished. After arriving at the stadium, he was obviously excited again.
"Um……"
Uesugi Yu nodded slightly. To be honest, he was also quite curious about who would be the president of Kyushu's Lion Music Junior High School this year.
Unlike Makino Teng, who almost fell out of the first tier, you have to know that in memory, the school that finally confronted Rikkai University that year was Shizigaku Junior High School from Kyushu.
Not to mention the second and third grades, there are two first graders in their school right now who will enter the national level in the future.
These two were Tachibana Yoshihei and Chitose Chisato, who were later known as the Kyushu Twins. It was this year that they both joined Shishigaku and formed a doubles team.
While thinking and walking, Uesugi Yuu and Atobe arrived at the meeting room for the drawing ceremony.
When I opened the door, I saw many representatives from other schools inside. Since the national competition is always held in Tokyo, they usually arrive earlier than local schools.
The intrusion of the two immediately attracted everyone's attention. After all, Ice Emperor's momentum this year is very strong, and many teams have listed Ice Emperor as the favorite to win the championship this year.
"Hey, Hyotei's big eater, you guys are here~"
As Tezuka was about to take his seat with a proud step, he was caught off guard by the sudden greeting.
He glared at the last row with full force. The head of Shitenhoji Temple, Hei Zenyuki, was winking at Atobe and Uesugi Yuu. His contrasting funny look calmed Atobe down again.
Next to him, Shiraishi Kuranosuke was supporting his chin with one hand, with a nice smile on his lips as he looked at the out-of-control Atobe.
Yu Uesugi was trying to hold back a smile. Because of his face-saving personality, Atobe had barely won the big eater competition after the exchange match, which left him with an embarrassing black history in front of everyone at Shitenhoji.
"It turns out that even Atobe, who is known as the Ice Emperor, is so good at eating barbecue!" This was the consensus of everyone in Shitenhoji at the time.
Uesugi Yu looked at Shiraishi's expression, and he must have been laughing in his heart. After all, sometimes the contrast between Atobe and others was really interesting.
"Let's go and say hello..."
Yu Uesugi gently pushed Atobe from behind. After all, they had a good relationship with Shitenhoji, and both schools achieved their goals in this Kanto Tournament.
"It's because of you that I made a fool of myself in front of those commoners."
Atobe glared at Uesugi Yuu beside him with a resentful look. It was Uesugi Yuu who had tricked him at that time.
Although he complained, he did not drop the noble etiquette he had learned. His expression quickly recovered, and he walked back, ignoring the gazes of others.
"Congratulations~ Minister Heizen."
Uesugi Yuu and Atobe walked over to the seats opposite the two of them and sat down, saying congratulations softly.
Now everyone knows that Shitenboji has overthrown the heavy mountain of Muzhiteng. In Kansai, Shitenboji is simply stepping on Muzhiteng's face.
"Young man, you are very strong too!"
Hei Zenyuki tilted his mouth and gave a thumbs up to Uesugi Yuu and Atobe.
Able to end Rikkai University's 13-game winning streak in Kanto, this young Hyotei is even more terrifying in the eyes of some people than last year's top four Hyotei team.
The four of them briefly exchanged information. In addition to the strength of Rikkai University, which made Hei Zenzhi and Shiraishi look serious, it was the weak strength of Makuteng that was somewhat unexpected.
"The gap on Mu Zhiteng's side is obvious. Apart from a national-level third-year player, the only other doubles team left is worth watching."
Bai Shi calmly shared the current information about Mu Zhiteng.
"It's no wonder they lost with such a strong lineup."
Shangshan You sighed in his heart. This year's nationals will definitely be a battle of dragons and tigers. Mu Zhiteng, who has threatened to win the championship for the third time in a row, has been studied countless times. His strength not enough this year.
Several people were talking quietly in the back of the classroom, and soon, new school representatives arrived.
"Kabuto, Rokkakuchu, Yamabuki, Rokurigo, the overlord of the Central Region, Nagoya Seitoku..."
Schools that had made it to the national level appeared one after another, and the ministers or representatives sent by each school were at least first-class in Kanto. Each of them had a very confident and sharp look in their eyes, and none of them was weak in spirit and temperament.
As Shangshan You observed, he ranked the minister-level experts in his mind. If these teams were in the same half zone as Hyotei, he would have some confidence.
"So this is why you dragged me here so early?"
The expression on Atobe's face was very interesting. In his eyes, Uesugi Yuu was very strange. You could say he was proud and confident, but he never looked down on his opponents.
Originally, in the mind of his uncle Atobe, Hyotei, as the strongest in Kanto, should be the last to appear. After all, they are the hosts here.
"Wouldn't it be more satisfying to beat them 6-0 on the court then..."
However, Uesugi Yuu's words completely moved him. Hyotei had already enjoyed enough of these glories in normal times, and being able to achieve a perfect victory on the court was more in line with his preferences.
"Hmm... a practical yet gorgeous style..."
At that time, Atobe quietly set a tone in his mind for his good friend.
…
Soon, after Yukimura and Sanada from Rikkai University Junior High School arrived on time, only the last two teams were left out of the 26 teams participating in the national competition.
Muzhiteng and Shizile Middle School.
"How stupid."
After waiting for a few more minutes, a trace of disdain flashed across Atobe's face. He was clearly the loser, and Mu Zhiteng's behavior of forcibly showing off his existence would only make people look down on him even more.
If Shizile, who won the Kyushu regional championship for two consecutive years, still has the capital to do so, then for Makino Teng... Shitenhoji, as the Kansai champion, arrived earlier than Hyotei.
"coming……"
Suddenly, a commotion came from the front of the conference room.
Outside the door, Mu Zhiteng and Shizi Le came over at the same time.
"They really don't like each other..."
Seeing that the expressions of the two teams at the door were not very good, the original discussions became quiet again, but everyone knew the grudge between the two teams.
If Hyotei and Rikkai University are the rivals in Kanto, then Makunoteng and Shishiraku are the rivals in the national competition.
For two consecutive years, Shizile lost to Muzhiteng. Shizile is very strong in doubles, but Muzhiteng is even stronger in singles.
In the past two years that Byodoin has dominated, Makuno Teng has defeated Shishile 3 to 2. It is normal for these two teams to dislike each other.
