Semifinals

Not long after Kannagi Shinichi's match ended, the other two matches also concluded.

Sanada Genichiro shut out Akutagawa Jirou, and Chitose Senri couldn't score a single point against Yukimura Seiichi.

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing a gray pinstripe shirt and holding a camera appeared at the edge of the crowd.

He glanced at the remaining four players, marveling in his heart. Kannagi Shinichi's strength was to be expected, but he hadn't anticipated Yukimura Seiichi and Sanada Genichiro to be so powerful as well.

Click, click!

He aimed his camera at Kannagi Shinichi, Yukimura Seiichi, and Sanada Genichiro, completely ignoring the one calling out "lucky."

The middle-aged man's name was Inoue Mamoru. He had interviewed Kannagi Shinichi before, but he had only heard of Sanada Genichiro and Yukimura Seiichi. This was the first time he was seeing them in person.

At this moment, the large screen on the court once again displayed the match information:

Kannagi Shinichi VS Sanada Genichiro (Court 2)

Sengoku Kiyosumi VS Yukimura Seiichi (Court 8)

"It's already the semifinals. Kannagi Shinichi's next opponent is Sanada Genichiro."

Inoue Mamoru felt this would be an incredibly intense match. While Sanada Genichiro might not be as strong as Kannagi Shinichi, he shouldn't be too far behind.

At this time, the other players had already left the court. Chitose Senri had sat back down next to Tachibana Kippei.

"You got shut out too," Tachibana Kippei said with a light smile to Chitose Senri, though there was a hint of bitterness in his tone.

"That guy's tennis is terrifying. The Kannagi Shinichi who beat you is going to be dangerous," Chitose Senri recalled his own match just now, the helplessness of having his vision and touch taken away, even once considering giving up tennis.

"He can't lose," Tachibana Kippei replied to Chitose Senri. Then, filled with fighting spirit, he continued, "Chitose, we have to get stronger. There are many monsters in this world waiting for us to surpass."

Chitose Senri smiled at this and sat there, awaiting the start of the semifinals.

On the other side, Yukimura Seiichi and Sanada Genichiro stood together. Sanada, now, no longer underestimated Kannagi Shinichi; instead, he looked extremely serious.

"Genichiro, that guy is strong," Yukimura Seiichi said from the side.

"I know, but I will defeat him."

"I also want to meet you in the finals, Genichiro," Yukimura Seiichi said with a gentle smile.

"I will," Sanada replied, gripping his racket tightly. His gaze inadvertently drifted to the white-haired boy not far away.

Kannagi Shinichi felt Sanada's gaze and met his eyes, a provocative grin appearing on his lips.

"That Sanada Genichiro is strong. Do you have confidence you can beat him?" Although Kannagi Shinichi had claimed to be the strongest among his peers before the match, Sakaki Taro had watched Sanada Genichiro and Yukimura Seiichi's matches from the sidelines today. These two were indeed national-level players, just as Kannagi had said.

Kannagi Shinichi simply smiled and nodded, "He's still a long way off."

Hearing this, Sakaki Taro's usually stern face revealed a rare smile.

Just then, the broadcast voice sounded again.

"Next, the semifinals of the National Elementary School Tennis Championship will begin. Players, please proceed to your designated courts to prepare."

"Go," Sakaki Taro nodded at Kannagi Shinichi expressionlessly.

Kannagi Shinichi picked up his racket and replied, "Yes."

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi and Sanada Genichiro met at the net for the pre-match handshake.

"In this match, I will defeat you," Sanada Genichiro said resolutely.

In response, Kannagi Shinichi turned away coldly and said indifferently, "The only one who can defeat me is myself."

"Hmph, I will cast you into the abyss of defeat," Sanada Genichiro snorted coldly and returned to his baseline. Kannagi Shinichi would serve first.

"The match begins. A single set decides the winner. Kannagi Shinichi serves first."

Kannagi Shinichi held the tennis ball in his hand, bounced it on the ground twice, then tossed the ball into the air. He jumped nearly two meters high and swung his racket with all his might.

Bang!

With an explosive sound, the tennis ball shot out like a beam of light, landing within Sanada's half of the court.

Rumble...

The tennis ball had landed, but the violent sound of its impact echoed throughout the entire court.

Sanada Genichiro's feet remained completely still. He simply stared in astonishment at the rolling tennis ball.

"Hey, hey, hey, Shishido, when did the ball get over there?"

"I didn't see it either."

Even the usually sleepy Akutagawa Jirou lost all his drowsiness upon seeing this shot, exclaiming repeatedly, "So strong! Mukahi, Shishido, he's amazing!"

Inoue Mamoru watched the ball, his mouth agape. He murmured, "Kannagi Shinichi has gotten even stronger."

On the court, Kannagi Shinichi looked at the referee and asked calmly, "Referee, aren't you going to call the score?"

Sweat began to bead on the referee's forehead beneath the brim of his hat. He truly hadn't seen that shot.

The referee requested a video replay. After a moment, the referee announced the score.

"15-0, Kannagi Shinichi scores."

From the back of the court, Kannagi Shinichi looked at Sanada Genichiro and asked, "Can you return my Dragon's Roar?"

Sanada Genichiro didn't reply. He hadn't even seen the previous ball clearly himself.

"Dragon's Roar, huh? A fitting name."

From the sidelines, Inoue Mamoru watched Kannagi Shinichi and murmured.

"I know why you said this guy wouldn't lose. We can't return his serve at all right now," Chitose Senri said to Tachibana Kippei.

"He went easy on me," Tachibana Kippei said bitterly to Chitose Senri again.

This Dragon's Roar was created by Kannagi Shinichi himself. He had previously seen Sengoku Kiyosumi and knew that he would later have a special move called Tiger's Roar, which was executed with explosive jumps. Kannagi Shinichi had fused his own strength into that explosiveness, making the speed of this shot far exceed his usual serves.

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi stood at the baseline again, beginning his service game.

Rumble...

"30-0, Kannagi Shinichi scores."

"40-0, Kannagi Shinichi scores."

The match on the court continued. By now, scouts on the sidelines had started using speed guns to measure the speed of Kannagi Shinichi's serves.

"225 kilometers per hour. Is this kid really just a sixth-grader?"

The scout's words also shocked the spectators on the sidelines. The coaches from the tennis schools looked at Sakaki Taro, their eyes full of envy.

"Game, 1-0, Kannagi Shinichi leads, change ends."

Kannagi Shinichi's service game had now ended. As the two players exchanged sides and brushed past each other, Kannagi Shinichi didn't glance at Sanada Genichiro.

Sanada Genichiro tightly gripped his racket and looked coldly at Kannagi Shinichi before returning to his half of the court, going to the baseline to prepare for his serve.

Right off the bat, Sanada Genichiro unleashed his signature move:

"Swift as the Wind!"