National Tournament

The participating schools in the National Tournament generally don't change much.

Under normal circumstances, the inherent strength of each team means that their performance cannot be suddenly boosted too much.

However, this year is an exception. There has been a significant change in personnel in the Tokyo Metropolis area, with many unfamiliar faces.

Of course, besides Rikkai Dai, Hyotei Academy, and Yamabuki, a little-known Seigaku has also emerged.

The schools' positions were arranged according to their historical performance in the previous year, but Seigaku was placed on the far left because it was their first time participating in the National Tournament.

Players from many schools whispered amongst themselves, glancing in the direction of Seigaku, exchanging information.

Which school is this?

"I don't know, I've never seen it before."

"It must be a new school."

"A new school? That's impressive, they actually made it to the National Tournament."

"Hey, they're not a new school, they're Seigaku from Tokyo Metropolis, it's just that this is their first time making it to the National Tournament."

"Tokyo Metropolis seems weak this year. Rikkai Dai and Hyotei Academy have a lot of first-year students, and Seigaku is the same. If they face a school from Tokyo Metropolis this year, wouldn't it be easy for them to advance?"

"By the way, who did Seigaku face in the first round?"

"I heard it's last year's champion Makino Fuji..."

"Wow! It's actually the King of Makino Fuji, they're so lucky..."

"However, after Makino Fuji finishes playing against Seigaku, they will face Rikkai Dai in the second round. With these two going head-to-head early, a new school will definitely emerge in this year's semifinals. I wonder who will be lucky enough to be that one."

"It's not just one school. I heard that last year's runner-up, Maiko Ban School, has suffered a significant drop in strength since their third-year students graduated. They're having a tough time even making it into the National Tournament this year, and their spot in the top four is definitely out of reach!"

"Hey, that's great news! Two new spots in the semifinals."

The discussions and exchanges among the team members from different schools in the audience did not affect the middle-aged man's speech on stage.

After reading his speech fluently, he addressed the twenty-four participating teams below with a radiant smile:

"Now I declare the National Tournament officially open!"

Afterwards, the schools left the venue in an orderly manner and began heading to their respective competition venues for the first round of matches.

Upon arriving at the competition venue, the members of Seigaku looked somewhat serious.

It's no wonder the Seigaku members were so nervous.

Anyone would feel this way if they knew that their first opponent in the National Tournament was last year's champion, and a two-time champion at that.

This is especially true for Yamato Yūdai.

Although he failed to participate in the National Tournament in the previous two years, and even failed to make it into the Kanto Tournament last year, he watched the matches of every National Tournament as a spectator.

King of Makino Fuji!

Perhaps to Kikumaru, Oishi, and the others, Makino Fuji was simply a powerful school.

But for Yamato, the heroic figure of Makino Fuji, led by Byōdōin, was something he would always admire.

Seigaku was not taken seriously at all because it was their first time making it to the National Tournament.

Therefore, they ran into last year's champion in the first round, which is a perk that the organizers gave to Makino Fuji.

Just like in America's NBA, weak teams and those that can't even make the playoffs have no choice but to accept the inhumane intensity and back-to-back game arrangements.

Moreover, besides Makino Fuji, Rikkai Dai is also in the same half of the bracket as them.

A group of absolute death.

Besides Makino Fuji and Rikkai Dai, the upper half of the bracket also includes last year's runner-up, Mai- Mai no Saka.

Hyotei Academy, Shitenhoji, Nagoya Seidoku, and Kyushu Shishigaku were placed in the lower half of the bracket.

"Everyone, our match hasn't even started yet, so cheer up!"

Even the usually optimistic Kikumaru felt a little uneasy seeing the tense and suppressed emotions of his teammates.

"Yes, we've all witnessed each other's hard work along the way. Our original goal was to make it to the National Tournament, and now we've succeeded. Let's enjoy the rest of the competition..."

Yamato Yūdai also realized what was happening, clapped his hands, and encouraged everyone.

With Yamato Yūdai's encouragement, Oishi and the others calmed down.

At this moment, Fuji noticed that Tezuka was silent and became somewhat worried.

"Tezuka..."

"Yeah, I'm fine, Fuji. Actually, Yamato- senpai is right. Makino Fuji did achieve two consecutive championships, and they were indeed very strong. But after their third year, everything changed."

Tezuka took in everyone's expressions and adjusted his glasses.

"Right now, they are at their weakest, so we might still have a chance..."

"Tezuka, do you know something?"

The intelligence-sensitive Inui reacted instantly, but Tezuka simply shook his head without replying.

Actually, he wasn't quite sure either.

He had exchanged contact information with Muneyoshi before, and after hearing about Fudomine's situation, he took the initiative to contact Muneyoshi.

The two then engaged in this intermittent, sporadic exchange.

Having learned that Muneyoshi had gone to Spain some time ago, he instinctively told him today, after the draw, that Seigaku's first-round opponent was Makino Fuji.

A short while later, Muneyoshi replied to the message.

"Congratulations, now Makino Fuji is the perfect stepping stone for Seigaku to make a name for themselves."

Tezuka didn't quite understand Muneyoshi's meaning, and Muneyoshi was probably very busy, so he didn't reply much.

He was simply told that Makino Fuji was already past its prime.

As Muneyoshi said, before going to Shitenhoji, the penultimate stop of the national challenge, Muneyoshi visited Makino Fuji.

He had initially thought that the King 'Makino Fuji would bring him some kind of improvement.

Unexpectedly, the entire Makino Fuji, apart from Fuwa the Iron Man, had no other formidable opponents.

Among their second and third-year students, another one whose name they could recall was Kadokawa Go.

Can you believe it!

So, Muneyoshi, who was already in Spain and had begun targeted training, couldn't help but marvel at Seigaku's luck when he Seigaku that their opponent in the first round was Makino Fuji.

Is there a more famous way to become famous than a dark horse defeating a two-time champion?

"Minister, we've run into a school we've never heard of before in our very first match. That's really lucky."

Hearing the flattery from his subordinates, Fuwa the Iron Man remained silent.

While others were still basking in the afterglow of Makino Fuji Zhiteng's influence, he was more clear-headed than anyone else.

Although to outsiders they still appear to be the undisputed champions, and the team members are all very confident, those within the team know their own situation best.

Since graduating from Byōdōin, Makino Fuji's overall strength has declined rapidly.

"The decline of Makino Fuji is inevitable..."

Fuwa the Iron Man waited for a long time but did not find any talent among the younger generation. Even Kadokawa Go was just so-so in his eyes.

As he was thinking about other things, he became annoyed by the noise around him.

"Shut up, Kadowaki!"

Fuwa the Iron Man glanced indifferently at Kadokawa Go was shouting the loudest.

"Regardless of Seigaku's strength, everyone needs to be on their toes this time. What happened in the Kansai finals must not be allowed to happen again."

Upon hearing this, Kadokawa Go's face twitched, and the other Regular from Makino-Tō also fell silent.

Despite their loud boasting, Shitenhoji taught them a lesson in the Kansai finals.

If it weren't for the Hirazeni Fuwa the Iron Man, they would probably have become a laughing stock.

Especially that brat named Shiraishi Kuranosuke, who almost climbed to the top by stepping on their reputations.

"What kind of bullshit Bible is this? When we meet again, I'll make sure he knows how powerful my Super Tennis is!"

A sinister glint flashed in Kadokawa Go's eyes. If he were to encounter Shiraishi again, he would definitely win back his losses tenfold.

"Alright, go get ready!"

"Yes!"

Makino-Tō and the others responded in unison.

The prestige of the Fuwa the Iron Man still holds considerable influence, and the glory and prestige of the Makino-Tō remain undiminished.

This first round of the National Tournament, which should be a breeze, is expected to be a sure thing. What he needs to be concerned about is his opponent in the next round.

Rikkai Dai.

P. S.: "Don't worry, I'll only write about one person's match, one I haven't written about before. As I mentioned, I'll only write a detailed description of a character once."