Double No. 2: Tezuka Kunimitsu
"Now we begin Doubles Match 2: Fuji Shusuke Seigaku Tezuka Kunimitsu. Fudomine Junior High's Keith and Lin Xiu. ╰☆☆ Claw☆☆╮"
The referee's voice rang out, and all the murmurs seemed to fall silent.
Many people thought they were hallucinating; Seigaku's choice was truly unexpected.
Seigaku did not field their usual pairing of Inui Sadaharu and Kaidou Kaoru, nor did they use the Golden Pair. Instead, they unconventionally fielded Fuji in doubles match two.
It wouldn't be surprising if it were just Fuji, but they actually arranged Tezuka to play doubles, partnering with Fuji!
Seigaku has come up with a surprising move.
What is Seigaku trying to do?
"It seems like such a waste that both Fuji and Tezuka are playing doubles!"
"Didn't you notice? Fudomine sent out their strongest doubles team!"
Keith and Lin Xiu, their doubles team was almost undefeated last year, with only the Rikkai Dai pair of Sanada and Niou managing a hard-fought victory.
"Even if Fudomine's doubles is strong, we still don't need both of them!"
"But Fuji Shusuke alone is probably no match for Keith and Lin Xiu!"
"Seigaku's doubles team is absolutely terrible!"
The crowd outside the stadium was buzzing with discussion, and even the Regular from the Hyotei Academy and Rikkai Dai were now in high spirits.
"Huh? Tezuka and Fuji, Seigaku really knows how to come up with ideas!"
Atobe brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, watching the basketball court with a cold eye. 🎉✌ 👻💲
"Genichiro, it seems Seigaku has the same idea as us: take down Fudomine's doubles, use the singles to wear down Tachibana Kippei, their strongest player, and then we'll have a good chance to deal with the others!"
As the captain and coach, Yukimura Seiichi understood Seigaku's intention in making this arrangement after only a moment's thought.
"That's right, Yukimura, but it's a waste to pair Fuji and Tezuka together. If it were just Tezuka alone, and Fuji were to fight one-on-one, the chances would probably be much better!"
Sanada nodded and said in a deep voice.
"Sanada, I think Seigaku is experimenting. It's only the Metropolitan Tournament yet, so they can try different things and learn from their mistakes. Kanto Tournament and the National Tournament coming up, so they should be able to adjust their lineup to best counter Fudomine!"
Yanagi Renji also opened his eyes and stated his deduction.
He then made another bold hypothesis.
"If we arrange Inui and Kawamura in the doubles first team, Kawamura's strength can deal with Ishida, and Inui's stats are against Kamio Akira. Then, as long as Akutsu wins the singles match, Fudomine can be dealt with!"
"Pfft, so in that case, one member of the Golden Pair will have to be dropped!"
Niou touched his braid and joined the conversation. "Furthermore, according to the information we've received, Kawamura seems to be unable to participate in the competition this time due to a wrist injury."
"So, if the Golden Pair goes to doubles and then singles, they should have a good chance against Ibu Shinji!"
These people are all geniuses. Just seeing Tezuka appear on the stage, they immediately thought about Qingxue's tactics and made other targeted arrangements. ♟☹ ❻9 🍮🎈
Such reflections are certainly also occurring at the Fudomine rest area.
Muneyoshi's gaze fell on Ryūzaki Sumire on the Seigaku coaching bench. She wasn't particularly outstanding in other aspects, but she was quite insightful when it came to tactical formations.
Seigaku's number two doubles player has always been their weakness. Ryūzaki Sumire is probably worried that if singles player Echizen Ryoma loses and doubles player number two also loses, Seigaku will suffer two consecutive defeats.
This will be a serious blow to their morale.
Instead of that, it would be better to increase the stakes in doubles 2. Moreover, if they were to run into Fudomine's strongest doubles team, Tezuka and Fuji could handle it.
Because of the rules of doubles, one strong player cannot guarantee victory, especially since both doubles pairs in Fudomine are National Level players.
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Even the weaker Lin Xiu is not much different in strength from Fuji.
With the addition of the even stronger Keith, Seigaku has no one who can defeat them except for Akutsu and Tezuka.
Akutsu isn't suited for doubles, so Tezuka will have to Tezuka.
Although Tezuka is confident on his own, he is not absolutely certain that he can deal with both Keith and Lin Xiu.
So let's test Tezuka's abilities in this match.
This was Ryūzaki Sumire's idea.
This is the Metropolitan Tournament. If this attempt succeeds and Tezuka can truly handle Keith and Lin Xiu alone, then Seigaku's chances of winning against Fudomine in the later matches will greatly increase.
Furthermore, with Kawamura Takashi currently injured in the wrist, the best plan to deal with Kamio Akira and Ishida Tetsu has not yet been formulated.
This gave Seigaku the confidence to give it a try.
"Hehe, Seigaku really has some ideas for this match. Coach Hanamura, you disagreed with changing the lineup before, but what kind of effect will your tactics have now? Let everyone see."
Saeki Muneyoshi's gaze shifted to Hanamura Aoi.
Due to Muneyoshi's own actions, the changes in the strength of each school are now enormous.
Especially for Fudomine, since singles almost guarantees a win, Hanamura Aoi can experiment with more possibilities in doubles.
This is why Muneyoshi was surprised to find that Keith and Lin Xiu, as well as Kamio Akira and Ishida Tetsu, were all undergoing training in teamwork and mental fortitude after he returned.
Last year, Watanabe Osamu of Shitenhoji developed a doubles technique, which, although not very effective, still gave Hanamura Aoi a lot of inspiration.
After all, Hanamura Aoi herself had witnessed real Synchronization, and Muneyoshi also understood this, which was why she dared to try it boldly.
If Hanamura Aoi's idea is confirmed, then it's likely that no one will try to gain any advantage over Fudomine in doubles anymore.
At the net, the four members of Seigaku and Fudomine stood.
"Finally, I've run into you!"
Seeing Tezuka appear before him, Keith extended his right hand first, his eyes lighting up slightly.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu, I've wanted to play against you since last year, but I never had the chance. I never thought I'd finally meet you today..."
"I've seen your strength firsthand. If you think you can win the match without going all out, I won't allow it. Besides, this is a doubles match, and Lin Xiu and I will completely shatter your expectations!"
Keith, who was usually aloof, suddenly became more talkative when facing Tezuka.
A faint, cold light appeared in his eyes, and he even began to tighten his grip on Tezuka's hand.
"Keith, I'm also looking forward to our match. Nice to meet you!"
Tezuka's gaze swept over the cold-blooded youth before him, a fiery fighting spirit flickering in his own eyes.
So far, among the junior high school students he's been looking forward to facing, he's already encountered everyone except for Yukimura, Tachibana Kippei, and Keith, whom he hasn't actually faced yet.
He even fought against Tachibana Kippei and Mori Juzaburo during their training camp.
The only Yukimura Seiichi and Keith, whom they have never fought, even in the training camp.
Now, one of them can finally face off.
Lin Xiu and Fuji Shusuke, who were standing beside them, were also old acquaintances; they had sparred with each other countless times.
Both Fuji and Lin Xiu know each other very well.
"Fuji, it's great to see you again. Nice to meet you!"
"You too, Lin Xiu! I look forward to fighting you again!"
Fuji smiled, his eyes shining.
This was the happiest match for him, apart from the doubles match against Niou.
He was truly playing alongside Tezuka at that moment.
P. S.: "Please vote with monthly tickets!"