Mai no Saka

Apart from Tachibana Kippei and Hanamura Aoi, Fudomine knew where Saeki Muneyoshi had gone.

Of course, Keith and Lin Xiu also guessed it later, but neither of them said it.

When the National Tournament draw was held, Tachibana Kippei Hanamura Aoi contacted Saeki Muneyoshi, but he was playing against the Republic of Summer Pipes at the time and couldn't make it back.

The final draw resulted in Fudomine facing off against Mai -Fudomine -Saka, the Mai no Saka of Tanegashima Shūji and Irie Kanata, in their first match of the National Tournament.

Although they were once a regular participant in National Tournament and even won the runner-up title several times, their current strength is no longer what it used to be.

Compared to Fudomine, he is naturally far inferior.

However, the absence of Saeki Muneyoshi, who was Fudomine's first match in the National Tournament, still caused some unease among the Fudomine members.

At this moment, the Fudomine team also fell silent.

As the Kanto champions and the number one seed, Fudomine received a bye in the first National Tournament; their first match was actually in the second round.

Tachibana Kippei led the Fudomine team as they moved between the various competition stadiums.

"I remember Muneyoshi telling me before he left about the opponents we needed to be careful of in this National Tournament. Besides the few we're already very familiar with, the rest are these guys."

Tachibana Kippei pointed slightly in the direction of a group of young players wearing purple sleeveless vests and said in a deep voice.

"Oh?"

Tachibana Kippei's words immediately piqued the interest of the Fudomine members.

They greatly admired Minister Saeki Muneyoshi's eye for talent.

Anyone he said needed to be wary of, they all found to be weak.

This time, they've surprisingly mentioned a new team.

"Higa Junior High School, which also defeated the long-established powerhouse Shishigaku Junior High Kyushu this year, is also a group of newcomers, just like us."

What we should pay attention to is their long-haired, tall doubles player, and their bespectacled minister.

Tachibana Kippei spoke of the information he had gathered from various sources, as well as the information he had received from Saeki Muneyoshi.

"Their minister? How powerful are they?"

Keith wasn't very interested in the others, but he was quite interested in the minister.

"Those two doubles players, their current level is probably only slightly worse than Lin Xiu's. As for their captain Kite Eishiro, he should be a very strong National Level singles player, roughly the same level as me in the past."

Tachibana Kippei spoke, he also gave a very detailed introduction to the Higa Junior High.

"As expected of National Tournament, there are so many strong teams."

With just a few words, the Fudomine members sensed the other party's strength. Through Tachibana Kippei's introduction, the Fudomine members gained a general understanding of the backgrounds of many schools.

"It's nice to see you again, Tachibana Kippei, Keith."

As the competition continued, all the seeded teams from Kanto had now defeated their opponents.

Neither Sanada of Rikkai Dai nor Atobe of the Hyotei Academy were in a hurry to leave. When Tachibana Kippei arrived with Fudomine, they greeted each other gently.

"Sanada, Atobe, nice to meet you~"

Tachibana Kippei raised his head slightly, his sharp eyes sweeping over Atobe and Sanada.

"Why isn't Saeki Muneyoshi here? Is he not planning to participate in the National Tournament...?"

Sanada couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Atobe.

"Hmph, that Saeki guy, he's not planning to wait until the finals to appear, is he? In that case, I'll be waiting for you at the finals!"

Atobe's brown eyes flashed with a cold light, as if he were making a declaration or issuing a challenge, and he spoke these words to Tachibana Kippei with great confidence.

Tachibana Kippei was taken aback at first, then frowned slightly, nodded, and a confident smile appeared on his face.

Their eyes clashed in mid-air, a powerful spiritual force clashing.

Sanada, whose words had been interrupted by Atobe, stared Fudomine with his sharp eyes hidden beneath his hat brim.

"Hmph, Atobe Keigo, all you can do is talk... Rikkai Dai will definitely be the champion of this National Tournament!"

"Tachibana Kippei, we'll be waiting for you at the Rikkai Dai finals!"

After saying that, Sanada led the Rikkai Dai team away. Seeing this, Atobe smiled knowingly and also left with the Hyotei Academy.

As the competition progressed, the first round of matches came to an end.

The next day.

Kurikawa Park Gardens.

Fudomine also faced their first opponent in this tournament in the second round.

Formerly one of the top four in the nation, and the national runner-up for two consecutive years, Mai no Saka School.

"Minister, our next opponent is none other than the Kanto champion Fudomine Junior High. Isn't that the school of the guy who played against Minister Chikao before?"

Hearing the team members' discussion, Matsudaira Masashi, the current captain of Mai no Saka School, looked rather displeased.

Although they still made it to the National Tournament this year, they know their own situation best.

Since the graduation of Tanegashima Shūji and Irie Kanata's class, their overall strength has declined significantly.

By the time Matsudaira Chikao, Sasabe Junichi, and Taira Ri Junpei entered high school this year, Mai no Saka School had almost completely stopped accepting students.

The reason they seemed more resilient than Makino Fuji last year was simply because Makino Fuji only had Fuwa the Iron Man at the time.

While these three may Fuwa the Iron Man, they are still capable of holding their positions in the second tier of the training camp.

Among them, Matsudaira Chikao was able to consistently perform well at Stadium No. 5 under the command of Oni Jūjirō.

"Minister, what's there to be afraid of? I heard that Fudomine's minister Saeki Muneyoshi, might not be able to make it to the next match. Without him, how strong can Fudomine be?"

Before Matsudaira Masashi could even speak, another third-year student was already shouting.

Although there have been rumors that Tokyo Fudomine has the best junior high school fighter.

But who knows if it's just mutual flattery?

After all, the National Tournament is not a child's play.

"Ryosuke, shut up!"

Matsudaira Masashi roared fiercely.

"Regardless of whether the rumors about Fudomine Junior High's strength are unfounded, the fact remains that they defeated Rikkai Dai. Everyone, stay focused; I don't want you to falter at this crucial moment."

On the other side.

Fudomine is also actively preparing information on each opponent he will face in the upcoming matches.

With Makino Fuji, the champion of the first round of eliminations from Seigaku last year, the current strength of these established Japan teams doesn't pose much of a threat to them.

"So what if they were the top four or the runner-up? We'll have to settle this one-on-one to see who's truly stronger."

All the players from Fudomine were filled with determination.

Even though Saeki Muneyoshi wasn't there, Fudomine didn't think he would lose.

They even wanted to wait for Saeki Muneyoshi to return in full glory.

P. S.: "Requesting monthly votes"