The Responsibility of Yanagi Renji

"Yukimura has given us match point. If we win just one more game, Rikkai Dai will have won this match. But what's next..."

Watching the player win the singles match and return to the coach's bench without breaking a sweat, Yanagi Renji felt a surge of responsibility and pressure.

Their lineup and formation are fine, if everything goes according to their pre-match plan.

For Yukimura to personally secure the victory in this match would be the best remedy for his defeat in the Kanto Tournament.

However, unexpectedly, their continuous planning and targeted training completely overlooked the first-year duo from Fudomine.

Actually, it wasn't exactly an oversight; Yanagi Renji had always been aware that Kamio Akira and Ishida Tetsu's strength was indeed improving.

However, in the Kanto Tournament, Marui and Kuwa defeated their opponents.

This psychological advantage, ironically, became a point of attack for them in the current National Tournament, where Fudomine.

This single mistake prevented their plan from truly succeeding.

However, there is still a chance!

"And the only chance lies with me!"

Yanagi Renji deep breath, stood up, and was silently calculating in his mind.

"The outcome of the next singles match will directly determine the result of the entire match."

This was the first time Yanagi Renji felt the responsibility that had originally rested on Sanada and Yukimura, and the plan that he had originally considered as a backup plan came to mind.

"Yanagi Renji, Rikkai Dai needs you to take responsibility this time. Sanada and Yukimura have already completed their mission!"

Yanagi Renji slightly opened his half-closed eyes and looked up at the resting area of Fudomine opposite.

He also collected a lot of information about Keith and Saeki Muneyoshi, the two fighters from Fudomine who have not yet played.

But the more he collected this information, the more alarmed he became.

Especially Saeki Muneyoshi, the part he has revealed is already not to be underestimated, not to mention that he also possesses the unfathomable part of Yanagi Renji.

"The best outcome would be for Saeki Muneyoshi to appear in singles match two, and then for Mouri- senpai to face Keith in Singles 1... With the information I provided, Mouri- senpai should have a chance."

"Forget it, I can't think about this anymore..."

Grabbing the racket from the bag, Yanagi Renji's entire demeanor calmed down. No matter who he was going to face, he needed to give it a try.

This is the true responsibility he bears as Rikkai Dai strategist.

"Liu, keep going! We all believe in you!"

Sanada walked up, looked at Yanagi Renji was deep in thought, and said in a deep voice.

"Don't worry, Sanada, I know!"

With her eyelids slightly lowered, Yanagi Renji nodded and then walked towards the contestant's passage.

Five or six minutes later.

After finishing his warm-up, Keith returned to the rest area of Fudomine.

The loss in singles match three has put Fudomine on the brink of elimination; he absolutely must win the next singles match, match two.

This way, he can hand over the decision of the match to Saeki Muneyoshi, the Singles 1.

At that moment, the stadium's announcement system began to play.

"Next, we will begin the Singles 2 match, between Keith from Fudomine Junior High and Yanagi Renji from Rikkai Dai High School."

As the referee announced the entry of both teams, the spectators outside the stadium began to murmur amongst themselves...

The appearance of these two immediately ignited the enthusiasm of the audience.

"Judging from this formation, Rikkai Dai probably originally intended to gamble on the first three games!"

"That's right, and they almost succeeded!"

"One wrong move! It seems that using such an aggressive formation in the finals was far too risky!"

"Hmph, Rikkai Dai has already fielded two of their strongest fighters, but don't forget they still have one more. And Rikkai Dai isn't entirely without a chance in this match!"

On one side is the strategist and advisor of Rikkai Dai High School, originally the strongest doubles pair in Rikkai Dai; on the other side is the strongest doubles pair in Fudomine.

The fact that these two, both doubles players, are now facing off in singles is certainly generating a lot of buzz.

Moreover, Keith of Fudomine seems to be just like their minister, Saeki Muneyoshi, in that he has never lost a single official match.

"Heh, it seems Rikkai Dai's plan has failed. If they really had taken down Fudomine in three innings, I might have admired them, wouldn't you say, Kabaji!"

Yes~

In the stands, Atobe casually leaned back in his seat, a cold glint in his eyes, and an expression of keen interest appeared on his face.

In fact, at this stage of the match, the outcome was already quite clear. Rikkai Dai was betting heavily on the first three games, Fudomine wanted to give each player a taste of national competition.

In retrospect, Fudomine was still the better choice.

"Oshitari, you need to watch this match very carefully. Whether it's Rikkai Dai or Fudomine, those two are among your most important opponents!"

"If you can't beat them, then you won't be able to help me reach the top of the national championship!"

Atobe turned to look at his strongest teammate, his previously frivolous expression turning serious.

Oshitari gently lifted his glasses, exuding a cold and solitary aura similar to Atobe's, his dark brown eyes filled with solemnity.

"Oh, Atobe! I'll watch carefully."

Similar conversations were taking place at Shitenhoji, Seigaku, and Higa Junior High.

Shiraishi, Oshitari Kenya, Akutsu, and the others crossed their arms, their faces showing great interest in the upcoming duel.

"Go and win the game, Keith!"

Muneyoshi gently patted Keith on the shoulder, his words filled with confidence about the outcome of the match.

"Don't worry, Muneyoshi! I'm still waiting for you to keep our promise after the National Tournament."

Keith's indifferent face showed a slight smile as he tossed his jacket toward Lin Xiu, picked up his racket, and walked off the court.

Off the field.

Yanagi Renji walked to the net with a solemn expression.

Not being able to face Saeki Muneyoshi in the second singles match further reduced Rikkai Dai's chances of victory.

However, Yanagi Renji is not going to give up on Keith right now. His Data Tennis still needs more skilled players to help him improve.

After extending his palm towards Keith, Renji said calmly, "Nice to meet you."

Please give me your guidance.

Keith's facial expressions were also very rare; most people couldn't tell whether he was happy or sad, joyful or angry.

Yanagi Renji already knew this, so he did not show any emotional fluctuation at Keith's indifferent appearance.

"Guess first?"

"Of course! You choose."

Keith stared intently at Yanagi Renji, his fingers gently gripping the racket handle, and said in a firm tone.

"Just."

Splash splash splash...

Keith applied force with his fingertips, and the racket spun as the two men watched.

Snap...

After glancing at the handle of the racket, Yanagi Renji returned to the baseline without saying a word.

Keith picked up his racket and walked back to the baseline.

Seeing that both competitors were ready, the referee on the platform blew his whistle again.

"The match begins, with Rikkai Dai's Yanagi Renji serving. The first game is over."

Bang!

The match began, Yanagi Renji instantly raised his hand and served the tennis ball.

Although this goal looked ordinary and had nothing particularly outstanding about it.

But from this point on, Yanagi Renji's calculations against Keith and their one-on-one confrontation had already begun.

In Data Tennis, the most important thing is to collect data on your opponents.

Furthermore, if you encounter an opponent who is a skilled tennis player who is good at hiding their abilities, then it becomes even more important to gather accurate data about your opponent.

Yanagi Renji had already done a lot of work on this during the Kanto Tournament.

Now, more than a month has passed, Yanagi Renji is unsure whether the previous data still perfectly matches Keith's current situation.

Therefore, he needs to do some testing and experimentation.

Based on Keith's previous real data, he can do this even better.

Yanagi Renji learned Data Tennis from Mitsuya, and it was Mitsuya's guidance and demonstration of the deeper applications of Data Tennis that made him so successful.

Yanagi Renji was well aware that Data Tennis was not as simple as it seemed.

This is one of the reasons why he was able to immerse himself in the story more fully than in the original work.

P. S.: "I'm adding an extra chapter for everyone today, please vote with your monthly tickets, we don't have enough!"

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