Rikkai's Response

Let's rewind a bit to the afternoon of the quarterfinals.

While Muneyoshi was still telling the students from Rokkaku Middle School that Chiba was hosting the National Tournament.

On another court, Rikkai Dai's Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichirou, Yanagi Renji found a coach from Yamabuki Middle School to Banrō.

As a senior figure in the tennis world, he was highly respected by both proud individuals like Yukimura and serious people like Sanada.

"Oh, it's you guys from Rikkai. What brings you here?"

Seeing the people in front of him bowing very politely, the Banrō asked with a smile.

"Banrō, we've come here to ask you about the doubles pair, Keith and Lin Xiu, who appeared at Fudomine..."

Yukimura had lost his usual arrogance; his tone was gentle yet resolute as he stated their purpose quite clearly.

"Yukimura, Fudomine an easy opponent. You two mustn't lose the Semifinals."

Seeing the group preparing to leave, Sengoku Kiyosumi, Banrō, chuckled softly.

Although Yamabuki had also lost to Rikkai Dai before, Sengoku still hoped that Rikkai Dai would win against the newly emerging opponent, Fudomine.

"You don't need to trouble yourself with that."

Yukimura said with a smile, and then the group bowed to the Banrō again before leaving.

The reason why Yukimura and his Banrō came here to inquire about Fudomine doubles from Banro was not only because of their superb doubles coaching skills and their broad understanding of doubles.

More importantly, Yukimura did indeed see a threat in Fudomine.

Just like the threat he saw in Seigaku!

Throughout the journey, the students from Rikkai Dai remained silent with solemn expressions.

The first-grader, Kirihara Akaya, wanted to say something, but he keenly sensed the unusual atmosphere and silently swallowed back the words he was about to say.

The members of Rikkai Dai's Tennis Club boarded the train back to Kanagawa Prefecture.

They remained silent the entire way. Yukimura was deep in thought with his eyes closed, Yanagi Renji was constantly analyzing data, Sanada was doing his meditation exercises, Niou Masaharu was idly teasing Kirihara, Marui and Kuwa were listening to music and watching movies.

Yagyu Hiroshi, a second-year student who just joined the club this year, looked out at the beautiful scenery.

As for Mori Juzaburo, he's sleeping!

It was dusk when they returned to Rikkai Dai's tennis club.

The fiery red sunset shone into the conference room through the window, and everyone's eyes seemed to sparkle with fire.

Rikkai Dai has dominated the Kanto Tournament for many years, but they have never felt as much pressure as they do now.

Both Seigaku and Fudomine are coming on strong.

Kirihara all the way, looked left and right and saw that everyone was silent, the meeting room was eerily quiet.

He could no longer contain himself, and suddenly slammed his hand on the table, shouting loudly.

"Hey seniors, we're the Rikkai Dai! What are you doing? Fudomine, is it really that scary?"

"Kirihara, do you think they're afraid of Fudomine?"

Yagyu Hiroshi adjusted his glasses and gave a faint laugh.

After being lured into the Tennis Club by Niou, he fell in love with tennis even more, and he believed that his teammates would not back down when facing strong opponents.

"What a big idiot! Are you looking for trouble, or do you want to be punished with extra practice?!"

Marui Bunta quickly covered Kirihara's mouth. They were already quite familiar with this newcomer; he was incredibly bold and dared to say anything.

"Mmm~~"

Kirihara's mouth was covered by Marui, and he stammered, unable to make out what he was saying.

"Alright, let's begin the meeting. Renji, you can start now."

Kirihara's shout interrupted everyone's thoughts and startled Yukimura. He glanced at Kirihara, then turned to Yanagi Renji beside him and spoke.

"Good."

Yanagi Renji stood up and distributed the materials he had compiled.

These are all materials about Fudomine Junior High's competitions this year, collected by the intelligence department of Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School High School. He has organized them in great detail, and many of them are accompanied by videos and diagrams.

This is the first time Fudomine has appeared in Rikkai Dai's database; previously, it was mostly Hyotei Academy, Yamabuki, Rokkaku, Seigaku, and other schools.

"Saeki Muneyoshi..."

Yukimura watched as Saeki Muneyoshi easily defeated the evolved Akutsu, defeated the evolved Atobe, and today defeated Sengoku.

This level of strength involuntarily reminded him of when he came to challenge them last year.

At that time, Saeki Muneyoshi was already extremely strong, and that last shot still makes his heart skip a beat when he thinks about it now.

They had already witnessed Atobe and Akutsu's strength; they were definitely National Level players.

And it's not just any National Level.

"Yukimura!"

Seeing Yukimura lost in thought again, Yanagi Renji called out softly.

"Renji, don't worry about me, you can continue."

Yukimura snapped out of his daze and smiled sheepishly.

"In our match against Fudomine, the two doubles games will be the key to determining the outcome."

Yanagi Renji said solemnly.

"Jack and I will definitely win. Leave it to us."

Marui Bunta chewed the bubble gum in his mouth and patted his chest.

Now in their second year, with their bodies growing and their skills becoming more refined, their abilities have improved significantly.

His net play, in particular, is second to none.

"Yes, I believe it if we encounter the first-year group from Fudomine, but I'm talking about another group, Keith and Lin Xiu!"

Yanagi Renji did not doubt Marui's words. Although the pedestrians of Fudomine made great progress, they were still a little short of catching up with Marui.

"Liu, if this doesn't work, just move me to doubles!"

At this moment, Vice Minister Sanada Genichirou, who had been silent in the corner, spoke in a deep voice.

His words shocked everyone. None of them expected that this guy, who aimed for honor and defeating Muneyoshi and Tezuka, would say such a thing about the match against Fudomine.

Even Yukimura was astonished as he looked at his friend; he hadn't expected Sanada to be able to do this.

This requires immense determination.

For a moment, both Yukimura and Yanagi Renji were somewhat tempted, but after thinking for a while, Yanagi Renji still refused.

"Sanada, that idea is certainly tempting, but a hastily assembled doubles team might not be as effective against them..."

"In that case, what if I join you?"

At some point, even the lazy Mori Juzaburo spoke up, seemingly because he couldn't stand idly by seeing Sanada, who usually disliked him, making such sacrifices for the team.

"Compared to Sanada, I've actually studied doubles!"

Mouri casually flicked a strand of curly hair from his forehead.

Even Yukimura's eyes lit up at that moment.

However, after some thought, Yukimura's rationality prevailed for the time being. "Mouri- senpai, your decision is certainly excellent, but Fudomine also has singles besides doubles!"

"We are the defending champions, we don't need to gamble!"

As he finished speaking, Yukimura wore a faint smile, seemingly regaining his initial confident demeanor. His amethyst-like eyes and purplish-blue hair made him appear incredibly self-assured.

"Puri! I'll take care of Fudomine."

Encouraged, Niou Masaharu tugged at his silver-white braid, chuckled, and said, "However, I have one request!"

"What are your requirements?!"

Seeing that even the usually feigning death, Niou, was showing signs of fighting spirit, everyone was quite curious.

"I need the vice minister to play a few matches with me, and I want him to showcase his full strength..."

Upon hearing this, the others were still unaware of what was happening, but Yanagi Renji and Yagyu Hiroshi, who were most familiar with Niou, were startled.

"You, Niou, could it be that you?!"

"Puli! You're all working so hard, I can't help it, but things aren't stable yet, I need a lot of materials!"

P. S.: "Can I say that I forgot to post this chapter? I think it's appropriate to put it here, please vote with your monthly tickets~"

This chapter was originally at the beginning of the book, but I pulled it out when I was revising the chapters. Later, when I read it myself, I felt it needed a transition, so I took it out, made some minor revisions, and put it here.