Ice Emperor meeting room.
Two days have passed since the last semi-final.
"Atobe, Uesugi, do you have any opinions on the arrangement of tomorrow's battle?"
Taro Sakaki sat on the main seat with his legs crossed. When it came to the national finals, even he, the consulting coach, had to think twice.
"Let's arrange it like we did before against Shizile Middle School."
Atobe pondered for a moment and said with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"What about you, shirt."
Taro Sakaki nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Uesugi Yuu who was next to Atobe.
"I have no opinion."
Uesugi Yuu smiled and confirmed what Atobe said. Now the doubles team of Shishido and Mukai is no worse than the team of Oshitari and Mukai, and they can definitely compete with the weaker doubles team of Rikkai if they have a chance.
"Um…"
There was a glimmer of recognition in Coach Sakaki's eyes. As long as the two did not regret the decision they made, he would respect their choice.
After all, how big the gap in strength between each player is is known best by the players themselves.
"Well... let's arrange the contestants the same as last time, but I'll have to trouble you with the order of their arrangement."
"That's fine. I'll try to take the strength of my opponents into consideration when ranking them."
There is no need for Atobe to say much, Sakaki Taro has some experience in this area.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Coach Sakaki!"
Atobe and Uesugi Yu bowed, then stood up and left the meeting room.
Snap… Snap…
After the door closed, the entire classroom fell silent, leaving only the sound of Coach Sakaki's fingers tapping on the table.
The first page of information in his hand was about a young man with squinting eyes and neat student hair.
"Yanagi Renji... Rikkai University's military advisor..."
…
"How about it, are you sure this time?"
Uesugi Yu walked out with Atobe, and seeing that he seemed to be still thinking about something, he winked at him and asked.
"Hmm? Of course, no matter who my opponent is, I will win!"
Atobe was stunned at first, then a look of pride flashed in his eyes and he spoke with certainty.
"Well, I believe you."
Although it is not completely right, Uesugi Yu did not discourage Atobe's pride. Even if Atobe lost, he always left proudly.
Whether it was the battle against Tezuka in his memory, or the U17 match against Ochi Gekko, the pride in Atobe's heart was the driving force for his growth.
"What about you? I heard that the president of Rikkai University has never lost since the fourth grade of elementary school, no matter who his opponent is."
Atobe raised his eyes and looked at Uesugi Yu with a smile. He really wanted to see how Uesugi Yu would react to this. After all, the goal of the man in front of him was to be the first at that level.
If you can't even be the first in your class at Neon Middle School, then what goals are you talking about?
"That's because he hasn't touched me yet..."
Facing Atobe's deliberate verbal provocation, Uesugi Yuu just smiled and spoke calmly.
"You... I didn't expect there is someone more narcissistic than me."
Atobe smiled and pushed the arrogant Uesugi Yu. He always felt that the aura exuded by this guy next to him was sometimes even stronger than his own.
Shangshanyou smiled but said nothing. If he was not absolutely sure of resisting Yukimura's five senses at the beginning, he now really wanted to try it.
“However, I don’t know which number he will play in singles this time.”
After a while, Uesugi Yu muttered something quietly, and he felt a little more excited about Yukimura's playing position.
Rikkai University suffered a loss in this regard before, so I think there will be some changes this time. Yukimura is not the kind of person who sticks to the rules.
"There will be a chance. Not only you, Shangshan, but I also want to have a good fight with him."
There was a cold light flashing in Atobe's eyes. He was holding back his energy in the two previous eye contact exchanges.
It's not just the two of them...
On the court, Shishido Ryo and Mukai Taketo were also sparring with Kaida Nobuyuki and Sakamoto Yuji. On another court, Oshitari was sparring with Kabaji.
In the last competition, some people felt regretful, some were unwilling to give up. Now they are all squeezing out their potential, hoping to contribute their own part on this final stage.
…
the other side.
The tennis meeting room at Rikkai University Junior High School.
Compared to Hyotei, where Coach Sakaki mainly purchases information through special channels, the information at Rikkai University is much more complicated.
Yanagi Renji compiled a thick stack of information about each of the Hyotei's main candidates, especially Atobe Keigo, Uesugi Yuu and Obuta Yuuji.
As for the white boards, they were also filled with analysis of Coach Sakaki's personnel arrangements for previous games. What Yanagi Renji had done in the past few days could be said to have fully fulfilled his responsibility as a "military advisor".
"Lianji, you should take a break. You have a competition tomorrow."
Looking at Yanagi Renji who was still concentrating on estimating something, Yukimura smiled gently and reminded him softly.
Renji Yanagi's work intensity has been a bit too high these days.
"It's okay. It was because of me last time... This time, I will bring the championship back."
Upon hearing this, Yanagi Renji raised his head. His voice was a little hoarse, but his expression was very calm. He still couldn't let go of the Kanto championship that he had not won.
"By the way, where's Sanada?"
Yanagi Renji took this opportunity to drink some water, glanced around , and found that Sanada was no longer in the classroom, so he asked in confusion.
"On the court, I'm afraid Sanada hasn't let it go yet..."
Yukimura's gaze seemed to be reminiscing, and it was unclear where it was going.
On the court.
Sanada was fighting madly with Mori Jusaburo on the opposite side.
At this time, his backhand strike was as fast as the wind and had made visible progress. He would not leave the flaws that he had revealed in front of Shitenhoji to Hyotei.
The opponent, Mori Jusaburo, had excellent physical strength and his hands seemed slow, but he could always accurately counterattack against the wind-like speed that was almost invisible to ordinary people.
Sanada seemed to be in a bad mood today, but as a sparring partner, Mori Jusaburo endured the whole process silently.
Not only because of his change in attitude, but also because Yanagi Renji had pointed out a lot of small flaws in him in the past few days, and he also needed an opponent like Sanada.
…
Under the same sky, the two teams are doing their best in different places.
…
after one day.
Ariake Tennis Forest Park main stadium.
Compared with the previous two semi-finals, this national final attracted more viewers, including many teams that had been eliminated but were interested in participating in the national competition next year.
The scene was packed with people and very noisy.
However, the weather today is very good, the sky is very clear, the sunlight in the stadium is not glaring, and there is an occasional breeze, which makes people feel very comfortable.
Although it is a bit noisy in the ears, it may not affect the mood of the spectators.
nine in the morning.
The two teams that met in the Kanto finals once again came to the stage of the national competition finals.
Some people even put up banners with the words "Rivals" on them above the audience seats. Before the game even started, the audience supporting the two teams were already very excited.
“This atmosphere…”
Looking at the small stadium in the center of the stadium that attracted everyone's attention, Fuji suddenly felt that he understood what Tezuka had said to him.
How can someone who aims to become a top professional tennis player not desire stronger opponents and a bigger stage?
As he expected, there was indeed a gleam in Tezuka's eyes at this moment.
…
"Next, the national finals will begin, with Hyotei Gakuen from Tokyo facing off against Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School from Kanagawa Prefecture."
"Both teams, please step forward!"
The bright broadcasting voice slightly overwhelmed the noise outside the stadium, and the entire stadium was silent for a moment. Then, a huge cheer rang out as the two teams came out.
"Ice Emperor! Ice Emperor!"
…
"Always win at Lihai University!"
…
The sounds of waving flags and cheering were endless.
"Nice to meet you again, Yukimura Seiichi. Come to think of it, it was Hyotei who waited for you in the finals this time."
Atobe spoke to the blue-purple-haired boy in front of him with an arrogant look and a hint of sarcasm.
He still remembered the harsh words Yukimura said to them last time when they drew lots.
"Hmph, a verbal dispute. I hope you can still be so bold when the competition comes."
Before Yukimura could answer, Sanada took over the conversation first. He had long been displeased with Atobe's nobleman-like behavior.
"Heh... I guess the guy I shut out has no right to criticize our minister."
"Right, Oshitari."
As soon as Sanada finished speaking, Uesugi Yuu immediately responded with full firepower.
"you……"
"SANADA!"
Sanada wanted to say something, but was stopped by Yukimura's calm shout.
Verbal confrontation is useless; the key lies in the strength on the court.
"Looking forward to fighting with you!"
After giving Uesugi Yu a meaningful look, Yukimura led the Rikkai University team past Hyotei.
"me too……"
With the corners of his mouth raised, Uesugi Yuu's confident words were accurately heard by everyone in Rikkai.
…
five minutes later.
"Next, the singles match for number three will begin, with Atobe Keigo from Hyotei Academy versus Sanada Genichirō from Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School."
"Both players, please come forward!"
When the broadcast sounded, the people of Rikkai and Hyotei were all excited.
"It's him!"
“It’s actually him!”
Atobe and Sanada stood up at the same time, their eyes locked on each other.
In front of the net, a strong smell of gunpowder spread in the air.