The Semifinals

The next day.🐤🍟 💘💜

9:00 AM.

Led by the press staff, the two teams arrived at the stadium where today's Semifinals was being held.

The on-site Hawk Eye and photography equipment has been fully tested and is ready to begin.

Even the sweltering summer heat couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the large number of tennis enthusiasts who gathered here for such an event.

Ariake Tennis Forest Park.

"The Semifinals have finally begun. Inoue-senpai, I'll head to the Fudomine and Hyotei Academy courts now."

Shiba Saori waved the digital camera in her hand and spoke to Inoue Mamoru.

As it was the Semifinals, both matches were very exciting, and both teams were strong teams from the entire Kanto region. As a reporter for Tennis Monthly, Inoue Mamoru certainly didn't want to miss a single match.

Fortunately, my current assistant Shiba Saori, is much better than the ones I had before, and she can now report on her own.

Therefore, Inoue Mamoru and Shiba Saori each chose one of the two Semifinals that started simultaneously today to gather material for their reports.

Although Shiba Saori also wanted to report to Seigaku and Rikkai Dai, Hyotei Academy and Fudomine had Atobe Keigo and Saeki Muneyoshi, which were actually better for her.

As a fan of Inoue Mamoru for over twenty years, Nanjirou naturally had to watch Seigaku's match. Moreover, this time, not only Seigaku was playing, but their opponent, Rikkai Dai, was also a very strong team.

It's fair to say that both Inoue Mamoru and Shiba Saori felt they would have a very fruitful day.

For many teams participating in the competition this year, it marks their final year of junior high school.

Now in their third year, they will be entering high school next year, and this time, no one wants to have any regrets.

Seigaku had already set an example for them during the Metropolitan Tournament, and Hyotei Academy was ready to go all out!

Please give me your guidance!

Please give me your guidance!

Led by Muneyoshi and Atobe, the two teams saluted each other across the net, signaling the start of the final Kanto Tournament Semifinals.

"The following is the Semifinals of this Kanto Tournament, a match between Fudomine Junior High and Hyotei Academy's third singles player, Fudomine Junior High's Ibu Shinji, and Hyotei Academy's Oshitari Yushi."

"Please bring your players to the stage!"

Soon, the referee's voice came through the loudspeaker.

"It's my turn! It's been a long time since I played a singles triple!"

Today, Oshitari was unusually focused.

He had been looking forward to facing Fudomine again for a long time.

"Go for it, Yushi!"

"Oshitari, take this match!"

"Hmph, if you lose, I won't let you off the hook!"

Oshitari Yushi did not respond to the expectations of the Hyotei Academy fans behind him, but a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes as he looked towards the half of the court at Fudomine.

"What? I thought it would be Tachibana Kippei, but I missed it again. Anyway, Ibu Shinji, I hope he's a worthy opponent!"

Although he said he didn't care, Oshitari Yushi's demeanor grew increasingly cold and aloof.

"Shinji, Oshitari is a tough opponent, but I believe in your abilities. This is a good test for you. Go!"

Muneyoshi glanced silently at Ibu Shinji, who stood silently in front of him, and then spoke softly.

"Yes, Minister!"

The moment he stepped onto the court, Shinji felt an inexplicable pressure. The club president had entrusted him with the first game, and he absolutely could not let his seniors down.

Neither Oshitari nor Shinji were talkative people. After shaking hands, they completed their guessing game, then exchanged a glance before walking towards the finish line at the same time.

Ibu Shinji won the serve in the first game.

With a whistle from the referee on the high chair, the Semifinals officially began.

"The match begins, a decisive set, Fudomine Junior High's Ibu Shinji's serve."

The brief pre-match warm-up left Ibu Shinji's face slightly flushed, but he was in excellent form.

Swish!

The tennis ball was quickly tossed into the air by Shinji, Ibu Shinji.

"Cannon Serve!"

Bang!

Having won the right to serve, Shinji decided to take the initiative and immediately used the Cannon Serve he had learned from Ishida Tetsu and Tachibana Kippei.

A smash serve delivered from the highest point, using all the player's power to generate explosive force, naturally produces astonishing power and speed.

The moment the tennis ball flew off the racket, it seemed as if even the surrounding air was drawn into the ball; for a fleeting instant, Oshitari felt as if he saw a cannonball falling from a great height.

"Hey, trying to intimidate me? Not bad at all!"

While pondering his thoughts, Oshitari stepped forward, his entire body lowered by bending his knees to reduce his center of gravity. Then, he twisted the muscles in his arms and waist, lifting the racket upwards from below.

Bang!

After a muffled thud, the wind pressure spread, a strong wind swept through, and the powerful airflow blew up the dust behind Oshitari.

Creak!

Oshitari frowned, his arm trembling. He hadn't expected that the spin and force contained in Shinji's ball would be so complex and heavy.

Under the guidance and instruction of Saeki Muneyoshi, Ibu Shinji has reached the pinnacle of his physical training.

In order not to hold the team back, to win more games, and to stand on a higher stage, Ibu Shinji's self-discipline is arguably the strongest among the second-year students.

"However, this is no problem for me!"

Ibu Shinji Oshitari some surprise, then tensed all his muscles, his arm veins bulging, and the surrounding violent air currents solidified like a vortex.

Bang!

Oshitari swung his arm and returned Ibu Shinji's serve.

However, the next second, Shinji, who had somehow run to the front field, suddenly came into Oshitari's line of sight.

With a blank expression, Shinji raised his arm high and volleyed the mustard-yellow ball that had just flown over the middle net.

Drop Shot!

"Fudomine Junior High 'Ibu Shinji scores, 15:0."

The sudden short ball caught Oshitari off guard, but in the blink of an eye, he realized it was Ibu's tactic.

Oshitari gripped his racket tighter once more, his expression turning solemn as he looked at Shinji.

"Interesting! Looks like this match is going to be quite a battle!"

Bang!

Bang!

"Game, Fudomine Junior High wins this round, score 1:0."

"Change of scene!"

In the first game, thanks to Ibu Shinji's sound tactical execution and reserves, he fully utilized his individual abilities to firmly control the rhythm of the game.

"It seems we still can't underestimate these second-year students."

As the scene changed, Oshitari Yushi glanced indifferently at Ibu Shinji.

Although the opponent had a record of defeating his own team's Hiyoshi Wakashi, he did not really value them.

He originally thought that dealing with Ibu Shinji would be a piece of cake, but unexpectedly...

"After all, Fudomine, and they are indeed not easy to deal with. We should go all out, otherwise these guys might really underestimate us."

Oshitari's expression also turned somewhat serious; this match seemed to be more difficult than he had imagined.

P. S.: Happy New Year! Requesting double monthly votes!