Two more people entered the Kannagi family's little shop. One wore an amber suit and a red scarf around his neck, giving him an air of great nobility.
The other was extremely tall, over two meters, with white-and-blue hair falling over his eyes.
"Hello. May I ask what brings you here to see our Shinichi?" Kannagi Rinako came over to them and asked.
"Hello. I'm Sakaki Taro, advisor to the tennis club at Hyotei Academy. I've come to invite Kannagi to join our school."
Kannagi Shinichi looked over. He knew these two: one was Sakaki Taro, advisor to Hyotei's tennis club, and the other was Ochi Moonlight, the captain who would lead Hyotei's tennis club to the national championship.
"Hey, Sakaki, isn't it a bit much to come all the way to Nagoya to poach someone from us?" Kiyota Yosuke immediately blew up when he saw Sakaki Taro. After all, Kannagi Shinichi was someone he'd set his sights on first.
Now that Makunoteng's strongest generation was about to graduate, all the top tennis schools were looking to seize the opportunity and rise to prominence. Everyone knew that Kannagi Shinichi was the strongest player of the next generation. Whoever got him would secure a win in one of the singles matches.
After all, Kannagi Shinichi had defeated Tono Atsukyo, the third-ranked player at Makunoteng Academy—the two-time national champions—with a single shot.
Ochi Moonlight had played against Tono Atsukyo before. The two had won and lost against each other, so he knew how difficult Tono Atsukyo was to handle. When he heard that a grade-schooler had beaten him with a single shot, even he couldn't believe it.
So when he learned that Coach Sakaki was going to invite the boy, he couldn't help joining him. He wanted to see for himself just how formidable this kid named Kannagi Shinichi really was.
What no one else knew, however, was that Kannagi Shinichi had beaten Tono Atsukyo through a bit of luck. Later, he realized that if Tono Atsukyo hadn't tried to return the full-power Thunderclap Eight Trigrams, he would never have been a match for him. After all, the Two-Handed... Thunder... Rumbling... Eight... Trigrams was only equivalent to Ishida Gin's Eighty-Eight Style Wave Ball.
The Two-Handed... Thunder... Rumbling... Eight... Trigrams might have been enough to defeat many players, but it certainly wasn't enough for a top national player like Tono Atsukyo.
Fortunately, Tono Atsukyo had been stubborn enough to return his full-power Thunderclap Eight Trigrams. It was only at its rudimentary stage, but it still had the power of a Light Shot.
What had truly left everyone stunned was that after Kannagi Shinichi hit the full-power Thunderclap Eight Trigrams, the wall behind Tono Atsukyo had been blasted open, leaving a massive hole like a spiderweb.
"Principal Kiyota, any school determined to dominate the nation would want to recruit a tennis player like Kannagi. Of course, Hyotei is no exception." Sakaki Taro desperately wanted Kannagi Shinichi to join Hyotei. After all, Ochi Moonlight would graduate next year, and Hyotei needed a new leader.
"I'd like to hear what you're offering." Kannagi Shinichi stood up and began sizing up Sakaki Taro and Ochi Moonlight.
As Kannagi Shinichi studied the two of them, they were doing the same to him.
Kannagi Shinichi's appearance was deceptive. Though only twelve, he was already 1.72 meters tall. With his long silver hair and cool, handsome features, he gave the impression of a strong, lonely man.
But no one knew just how much of a flirt Kannagi Shinichi was inside.
"Hyotei will waive Kannagi's tuition, and the school will cover his room and board as well."
Kannagi Shinichi shook his head in disappointment. Hyotei wasn't showing enough sincerity. This offer wasn't even as good as Nagoya Seidoku's.
Seeing what Hyotei was offering, Nagoya Seidoku's principal, Kiyota Yosuke, felt reassured. When he saw Kannagi Shinichi shake his head, he relaxed even more. He was just about to make a snide remark when Sakaki Taro spoke again.
"Of course, I know that alone won't convince Kannagi." Sakaki Taro glanced at Kiyota Yosuke before continuing. "One million yen. If Kannagi joins Hyotei, the academy will give him a one-million-yen scholarship."
Several people gulped. Kannagi Shinichi knew the sounds had come from his family.
What a bunch of hopeless money-grubbers. Can't you see Nagoya Seidoku is here too? Let them outbid each other, and we can reap the benefits.
Kannagi Shinichi kept his expression composed and glanced at the two people from Nagoya Seidoku, silently shouting inside, Raise the offer! Come on, raise it!
Perhaps Kiyota Yosuke had heard Kannagi Shinichi's silent plea. He gritted his teeth and called out, "Nagoya Seidoku will offer five million yen, and we'll send Kannagi to Germany for a month of tennis training every year."
I've already got a cheat. Why would I need tennis lessons? I just want the money.
Kannagi Shinichi looked back at Sakaki Taro, desperately hoping he'd raise the offer again.
"I'm willing to add another five million yen of my own, for a total of fifteen million. But Kannagi must stay at Hyotei for three years."
Now that's what I'm talking about. I like people like you, Advisor Sakaki.
Kannagi Shinichi's family saw how calm he remained and couldn't help but admire him. They couldn't have stayed so composed in the face of money. My son—or grandson—is worthy of being called the Second Legendary Man.
Kiyota Yosuke began appealing to Kannagi Shinichi's feelings and stepped over to him. "Kannagi, you should know that Hyotei is in Tokyo. If you go there, you'll have to leave your family behind. Nagoya Seidoku, on the other hand, is close to your home. You could come back whenever you wanted."
"That's right, Kannagi. Tennis in Germany is the most advanced in the world. If you go there to train, you'll make great progress." Davis Ben also stepped forward to persuade him.
Kannagi Shinichi rolled his eyes as he listened. You think I'll go to Nagoya Seidoku just because you won't raise the offer? Keep dreaming! You think being close to home will tempt me? This isn't Slam Dunk.
Seeing that Nagoya Seidoku wasn't going to bid any higher, Kannagi Shinichi didn't waste any more time. He looked at Sakaki Taro and Ochi Moonlight and said lightly, "Actually, I'm not interested in money. What matters to me is your sincerity. Since Hyotei has shown enough, I'm willing to join."
Sakaki Taro smiled. "Welcome to Hyotei Academy, Kannagi."
"Thank you, Advisor Sakaki." They shook hands, and Kannagi Shinichi spoke again. "By the way, Coach Sakaki, do we need to sign a contract?"
"No need. I trust you, Kannagi." After speaking, Sakaki Taro pulled a checkbook from his jacket and wrote a string of zeroes, with a fifteen in front.
Kannagi Shinichi accepted the check Sakaki Taro handed him, keeping his expression calm. Inside, though, he was deeply moved. Don't trust me! I don't even trust myself. I'm a man who can't resist the temptation of money.
The two people from Nagoya saw this and looked rather dejected.
"Would you play a match with me?"
Ochi Moonlight, who hadn't spoken until then, challenged Kannagi Shinichi.
"How about one shot?"
Ochi Moonlight fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "All right."
Sakaki Taro glanced at Ochi Moonlight. He knew Ochi wanted to test Kannagi Shinichi's abilities and see whether he could take over as Hyotei's leader after Ochi left.
The reports said Kannagi Shinichi had defeated Tono Atsukyo with a single shot, but hearsay was no substitute for seeing it with his own eyes.
The two people from Nagoya Seidoku didn't leave either. They decided to stay and watch Kannagi Shinichi play against Hyotei's legendary captain, Ochi Moonlight.
After all, Kannagi Shinichi would be an opponent of Nagoya Seidoku from now on.
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