After observing them for the past few days, Sakaki Taro had realized that although Kannagi Shinichi was very strong, his technique and fundamentals were only average. They didn't match his top-tier, national-level ability.
So he had drawn up a new training plan for Kannagi Shinichi.
"Kanngi, your strength is so great that you can get through many matches without relying on much of a tennis foundation. That's both your advantage and your weakness.
"If you want to improve your technique, the first thing you need to do is control your strength. I've already had weighted wristbands and strength clips made for you. They weigh about seven kilograms in total. From now on, you must wear them at all times, except when you're bathing."
"Yes, Advisor."
After Sakaki Taro finished speaking, Kannagi Shinichi quickly stood and acknowledged him.
"Also, the best way to improve your technique is through actual match play." Sakaki Taro turned to Shishido Ryo, Oshitari Yuushi, and Yamazaki Uye. "From now on, the three of you will spend an hour each day practicing with Kannagi. Remember, it's three against one. Otherwise, you won't be able to match him."
"Yes, Advisor."
The three stood up at his words, looking a little awkward. After all, being told by the advisor that they'd need to team up three against one to have a chance against Kannagi made them feel they'd lost face as regulars on Hyotei's team.
But that wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing was that the advisor was telling the truth.
Sakaki Taro looked at Kannagi Shinichi again and continued, "When you play against them, you must remember to learn to control your strength. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Kannagi Shinichi knew his strength was so great that it was holding back his technical improvement. Now that Sakaki had come up with a solution, Kannagi naturally accepted it.
Sakaki Taro nodded. He was quite pleased with Kannagi Shinichi. Then he turned his gaze to Atobe Keigo. "Atobe, your technique is well-rounded, and your stamina and endurance are excellent, but you don't have a decisive finishing move. Your Dance of Destruction may be powerful, but it isn't enough against a true tennis expert. So your most urgent task is to develop a new finishing move."
Atobe Keigo rose slightly from his chair and nodded to Sakaki Taro. "Yes, Advisor."
Sakaki Taro nodded, then continued, "Your powers of observation are exceptional, among the best in the country. Use those eyes of yours to learn to see through your opponents' weaknesses, then attack them."
"I understand. Thank you, Advisor."
Atobe was also extremely respectful toward Sakaki Taro. He saw in Sakaki the same imposing presence as his father's. More importantly, Advisor Sakaki had seen through his strengths and weaknesses at a glance. Atobe couldn't help but take the man in charge of Hyotei's tennis club seriously.
"Good." Sakaki Taro was pleased with Atobe's attitude too. Then he looked toward Mukahi Gakuto and Akutagawa Jirou. "You two will also spend an hour each day practicing against Atobe."
At his words, Mukahi Gakuto quickly pulled the nearly sleeping Akutagawa Jirou to his feet and bowed to Sakaki Taro. "Yes, Advisor."
"Good." Sakaki Taro looked at Atobe again. "When you play against them, you must learn to observe with your eyes. Your vision is your greatest weapon."
"Yes, Advisor."
Seeing Atobe acknowledge him, Sakaki Taro turned to Akutsu Jin. "Akutsu, your physical gifts are exceptional. Playing tennis on instinct is a good thing, but you also need to learn the fundamentals of the game—to understand how tennis is played and how points are won. That's part of the rhythm of tennis.
"Right now, you need to deepen your own style of play—or, you could say, forge a path that's uniquely yours. Then learn the techniques of traditional tennis, absorb what's useful, discard what isn't, and bring it all together. Only then will you be able to improve."
"Yes, th-thank you, Advisor."
Akutsu was sincerely grateful to Sakaki Taro. It was Sakaki who had given him the chance to study at Hyotei, and who was willing to guide him. Akutsu never said it aloud, but he always remembered the kindness of those who truly treated him well.
"Atobe, you'll also spend an hour each day practicing against Akutsu. Teach him anything he doesn't understand about the fundamentals of tennis."
"Understood, Advisor."
After replying, Atobe glanced at Akutsu, who gave him a slight nod in return.
"And you, Oshitari. Your style of play may be varied, but that's also holding back your progress. Remember, tennis is about depth, not breadth. You still don't have a finishing move that can truly decide a match. So when you practice with Kannagi, try to develop new techniques and refine them to perfection."
"Yes, Advisor."
Hearing Sakaki Taro's words, Oshitari Yuushi quickly stood and acknowledged him, then glanced at Kannagi Shinichi from the corner of his eye.
Feeling Oshitari's gaze, Kannagi Shinichi smiled kindly.
"Yamazaki, you're unstable in your lower body when returning serves, which greatly affects the power of your returns...
"Shishido, you move quickly and can reach any spot on the court in a flash, but you don't know how to use your explosive power...
"Mukahi, your jumping ability is excellent. You can return any lob, but your stamina and endurance are both extremely poor. If you face a long match..."
Sakaki Taro went on to point out Yamazaki's, Shishido's, and Mukahi's strengths and weaknesses, along with the training methods they should focus on from then on.
They accepted his advice with humility. After all, what the advisor had said really were problems they encountered in matches.
Looking over the players he had just addressed, Sakaki Taro wore a satisfied expression. Then his gaze fell on the last regular on Hyotei's team, Akutagawa Jirou.
But when he saw Jirou's drowsy eyes, all Sakaki could do was let out a long, helpless sigh.
Akutagawa Jirou was very talented, an all-around player with many strengths. His technique was solid, and he had a great touch at the net. If he was willing to train, he could make tremendous progress.
But Sakaki also knew that Jirou's weakness was glaringly obvious: no matter where he was or what time it was, he could fall asleep at any moment.
Getting Akutagawa Jirou to train obediently was impossible. It would never happen in this lifetime.
After all, as far as Akutagawa Jirou was concerned, training was out of the question. He seemed to need to sleep every hour of every day just to get by.
At that moment, Hyotei's other regulars looked at Jirou's face, which seemed on the verge of collapsing onto the conference table in sleep, and all covered their faces. Kannagi Shinichi and Akutsu were no exception.
Akutagawa Jirou slept far too much.
"Forget it. That'll do."
After looking at Akutagawa Jirou once more, Sakaki Taro finally decided not to say anything. Then he surveyed the regulars. "Go on. You can start training!"
"Yes!"
The Hyotei regulars answered in unison. Then the seven young men slowly filed out of the conference room, dragging along a drowsy Akutagawa Jirou.
Watching the boys leave, a faint smile appeared on Sakaki Taro's usually stern face. "What interesting kids."
Before you continue