The Ice Emperor's Advisor, Sakaki Taro

Just then, two more people entered the Kannagi family shop. One of them wore an amber-colored suit with a red scarf around his neck, looking extremely noble.

The other was exceptionally tall, already over two meters, with white-and-blue bangs covering his eyes.

"Hello, may I ask what business you have with our Shinichi?" Kannagi Rinako approached the two and asked.

"Greetings. I am Sakaki Taro, advisor of the Hyotei Academy Tennis Club. We have come to invite Kannagi-kun to join Hyotei Academy."

Kannagi Shinichi also looked over. He knew these two—one was Hyotei's tennis club advisor, Sakaki Taro, and the other was Ochi Moonlight, the captain who had led Hyotei's tennis club to nationals.

"Hey, Sakaki. Coming all the way to Nagoya to poach players—that's a bit much, don't you think?" Kiyota Yosuke immediately bristled at the sight of Sakaki Taro. Kannagi Shinichi was someone he had his eye on first.

With Makunoteng's strongest generation about to graduate, every major tennis powerhouse school was seizing this chance to rise. Everyone knew that Kannagi Shinichi was the strongest of the next era. Having him meant securing victory in a singles match.

After all, Kannagi Shinichi had defeated a national top-tier player—Tono Atsukyo, the third-seeded ace of the two-time national champion Makunoteng Academy—with a single ball.

Ochi Moonlight had faced Tono Atsukyo before. They had traded wins and losses, and he knew well how troublesome Tono Atsukyo was. When he heard that a grade-schooler had beaten him with one shot, even he couldn't believe it.

So when he learned that Coach Sakaki intended to invite this grade-schooler, he couldn't resist coming along to see for himself just how strong this Kannagi Shinichi really was.

But what others didn't know was that Kannagi Shinichi's victory over Tono Atsukyo had been a trick. If Tono Atsukyo hadn't taken the full-power Thunder Rumbling Eight Trigrams head-on, Kannagi Shinichi knew he would have been no match for him. After all, the Two-Handed Thunder Rumbling Eight Trigrams was only equivalent to Ishida Gin's Eighty-Eight Style Wave Ball.

Perhaps the Two-Handed Thunder Rumbling Eight Trigrams was enough to defeat many people, but it definitely didn't include a national top-tier player like Tono Atsukyo.

Fortunately, Tono Atsukyo was stubborn and took the full-power Thunder Rumbling Eight Trigrams head-on. Though it was only in its primitive stage, it still had power comparable to a Light Shot.

Especially the sight of the spiderweb-like crater blasted into the wall behind Tono Atsukyo after Kannagi Shinichi struck with the full-power Thunder Rumbling Eight Trigrams—that was what truly shook people.

"Principal Kiyota, a tennis player like Kannagi-kun is someone any school aiming for national domination would want to recruit. Of course, Hyotei is no exception." Sakaki Taro truly longed for Kannagi Shinichi to join Hyotei. After all, Ochi Moonlight would graduate next year, and Hyotei needed a new leader.

"I'd like to hear your terms." Kannagi Shinichi stood up from his seat and began observing Sakaki Taro and Ochi Moonlight.

As Kannagi Shinichi observed them, they observed him in return.

Kannagi Shinichi's appearance was deceptive. Though only twelve years old, he stood 1.72 meters tall. With his silver long hair and cold, handsome features, he gave off the impression of a man who was both strong and lonely.

But no one knew just how secretly flamboyant Kannagi Shinichi's heart truly was.

"Aside from waiving Kannagi-kun's tuition, Hyotei will also cover his room and board."

Kannagi Shinichi shook his head in disappointment. Hyotei's offer lacked sincerity. It wasn't even as good as Nagoya Seidoku's.

When Nagoya Seidoku's principal, Kiyota Yosuke, saw Hyotei's terms, he felt relieved. Seeing Kannagi Shinichi shake his head only made him more confident. Just as he was about to taunt them, Sakaki Taro spoke again.

"Of course, I know these alone won't move Kannagi-kun." Sakaki Taro paused, glanced at Kiyota Yosuke, then continued: "Ten million yen. If Kannagi-kun joins Hyotei, Hyotei Academy will grant him a ten million yen scholarship."

The sound of swallowing echoed. Kannagi Shinichi knew it came from his family.

Pathetic. Truly pathetic. Didn't they see that Nagoya Seidoku's people were still here? Perfect chance to let them bid against each other and reap the benefits.

Kannagi Shinichi remained expressionless, glancing at the two from Nagoya Seidoku while screaming inside: "Raise the bid! Hurry up and raise it!"

As if hearing Kannagi Shinichi's inner cry, Kiyota Yosuke gritted his teeth and spoke: "Nagoya Seidoku offers five million yen, plus an annual one-month tennis study trip to Germany for Kannagi-kun."

I already have a cheat system. Why would I need to study tennis? I just want money.

Kannagi Shinichi turned his gaze back to Sakaki Taro, desperately hoping he would raise the bid again.

"I will personally add another five million yen, for a total of fifteen million yen. However, Kannagi-kun must remain at Hyotei for a full three years."

Straightforward. I like people like you, Advisor Sakaki.

Kannagi Shinichi's family watched him remain calm and couldn't help but secretly admire their son (grandson). They themselves couldn't stay so composed in the face of money. Their son (grandson) truly deserved to be called the Second Legendary Man.

Kiyota Yosuke then tried to play the emotional card, approaching Kannagi Shinichi: "Kannagi-kun, you have to understand—Hyotei is in Tokyo. Going there means being far from your family. Nagoya Seidoku is not far from your home. You can come back anytime."

"Yes, Kannagi-kun. Germany has the most advanced tennis in the world. If you go there to study, you will definitely make great progress." Dai Weisi also stepped forward to persuade Kannagi Shinichi.

Kannagi Shinichi rolled his eyes internally. No raise and you want me to go to Nagoya Seidoku? Dream on! You think being close to home is a temptation? You think this is Slam Dunk?

Seeing that Nagoya Seidoku wasn't raising the bid, Kannagi Shinichi didn't waste words. He looked at Sakaki Taro and Ochi Moonlight and said calmly: "Actually, I'm not interested in money. What I care about is your sincerity. Since Hyotei's sincerity is sufficient, I'm willing to join Hyotei."

Sakaki Taro smiled upon hearing this: "Hyotei Academy welcomes you, Kannagi-kun."

"Thank you, Advisor Sakaki." The two shook hands. Then Kannagi Shinichi spoke again: "By the way, Coach Sakaki, do we need to sign a contract?"

"No need. I trust Kannagi-kun." Sakaki Taro pulled out a checkbook from his pocket and wrote a string of zeros on it—with a 15 at the front, of course.

Taking the check Sakaki Taro handed him, Kannagi Shinichi's face remained impassive, but inside he was moved: Don't trust me. I don't even trust myself. I'm a man who can't resist the temptation of money.

Seeing this, the two from Nagoya looked dejected.

"Can we play a match?"

Ochi Moonlight, who had remained silent until now, issued a challenge to Kannagi Shinichi.

"One ball?"

Ochi Moonlight was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Fine."

Sakaki Taro glanced at Ochi Moonlight. He knew that Ochi was testing whether Kannagi Shinichi had the strength to take over Hyotei's leadership after he left.

Though the reports said Kannagi Shinichi had defeated Tono Atsukyo with one ball, hearing was empty, seeing was real.

The two from Nagoya Seidoku also decided to stay and watch the match between Kannagi Shinichi and Hyotei's legendary captain, Ochi Moonlight.

After all, from now on, Kannagi Shinichi would be an enemy of Nagoya Seidoku.