The Rise of Yamabuki

Staring at the silver-haired youth with a faint smile before them, Yanagi Renji and Inui Sadaharu felt their minds go a bit blank.

They never would have imagined that Kannagi Shinichi would know them, let alone invite them to travel together.

Unlike Kannagi Shinichi, who was already famous nationwide, they, though having gained some minor fame as a doubles pair in fourth grade, had faded from the junior tennis scene in the past two years. Compared to the current Kannagi Shinichi, they were practically unknown.

"You are Yanagi Renji, a first-year regular from Rikkai Dai." Kannagi Shinichi first looked at Yanagi from Rikkai Dai, then smiled at Inui Sadaharu: "And you are Inui Sadaharu, a first-year regular from Yamabuki."

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's words, the two froze on the spot, momentarily forgetting to reply.

Seeing their reaction, the faint smile on Kannagi Shinichi's face grew stronger. It seemed they truly hadn't expected him to know them.

However, after all, they had experienced significant events before. After a brief moment of shock, they quickly recovered.

"We just didn't expect the renowned 'Tennis Tyrant' to know our situation in such detail."

Yanagi Renji's tone was somewhat serious. He didn't believe Kannagi Shinichi knowing him was a coincidence. It was highly possible that Kannagi had investigated Rikkai Dai, and Hyotei might have been monitoring Rikkai Dai all along.

"After all, you weren't ordinary back then. It's just that you've been low-key for the past two years, which is why people might not recognize you."

Kannagi Shinichi withdrew his smile and then said something that made the two gasp in shock.

"By the way, are you two still playing data tennis?"

"What..."

Their faces were filled with astonishment. Kannagi Shinichi even knew they played data tennis. Could it be that the data Hyotei showed them during their match today was intentionally displayed?

They were both intelligent people, and intelligent people tended to overthink. Kannagi Shinichi looked at their bewildered expressions, knowing he had successfully disrupted their mental state.

He chuckled inwardly. Who told you to collect data on us Hyotei? If I don't mess with your heads now, and you actually gather useful information, it would be a huge problem for Hyotei.

"Oh right, do you want to come with us to watch Yamabuki's match?"

Seeing Kannagi Shinichi speak again and suggest watching their team's match, Inui Sadaharu immediately stepped forward to ask, "Shinichi, are you also going to watch our Yamabuki match?"

"Of course. In the entire Tokyo region, only Yamabuki is worthy of our Hyotei's attention."

Kannagi Shinichi was not hiding anything. Observing rivals and understanding their situation was a perfectly normal part of tennis matches.

"Renji, are you going?"

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's affirmative reply, Inui Sadaharu glanced at Yanagi Renji, wanting to see if his friend would accompany him to Yamabuki's match.

Yanagi Renji saw Inui Sadaharu's questioning gaze, nodded slightly, and then said to Kannagi Shinichi, "Then we'll trouble you."

Yanagi Renji was also very interested in Yamabuki Middle School, where Inui Sadaharu was currently playing. After all, Inui Sadaharu had hinted before that Yamabuki was very strong now.

"No trouble at all, there's plenty of space in the car."

After Kannagi Shinichi led Yanagi Renji and Inui Sadaharu into the car, they were immediately the focus of all the Hyotei regulars.

They had overheard Kannagi Shinichi's words in the car and knew that the schools these two represented were rivals to Hyotei in the race for the national championship.

Thus, they couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity towards the pair.

Sensing the gazes of the Hyotei regulars, Yanagi Renji remained composed, but Inui Sadaharu felt a bit awkward.

After all, these were Hyotei's biggest rivals during the prefectural tournament. Sitting with rivals was bound to be awkward.

Fortunately, the awkwardness didn't last long. Yamabuki's match venue was not far from Hyotei's, and they arrived outside Yamabuki Middle School's court in about half an hour.

At this time, Yamabuki Middle School had already finished their second doubles match and were moving on to the first doubles.

The Hyotei group looked at the scoreboard. Yamabuki's second doubles pair had won the first match 6-0. The players in this match were surprisingly also first-years, named Minami Kentaro and Higashi Masami.

The other Hyotei regulars didn't recognize these two, but Kannagi Shinichi knew they would become a nationally ranked doubles pair in the future, nicknamed the Potato Soldiers.

The Yamabuki first doubles pair currently on the court were Kikumaru Eiji and Oishi Syuichiro, who had transferred from Seigaku.

The current score on the court showed Yamabuki's first doubles leading their opponents 5-1. It seemed they truly lived up to their reputation as the future Golden Pair, showing such great chemistry so soon after enrolling in Yamabuki.

Looking at Yamabuki's two doubles pairs, Kannagi Shinichi's brow began to furrow.

Hyotei's biggest weakness right now was a lack of doubles players. Both he and Atobe, Akutsu, and the others were strong singles players. Shishido Ryo and Mukahi Gakuto, among others, had also played singles before.

Kannagi Shinichi had identified Hyotei's weakness: doubles was Hyotei's biggest vulnerability.

He had already decided to suggest to Sakaki Taro after watching this match that they form a combination with doubles as the main focus. Shishido Ryo and Akutagawa Jirou would be the first candidates for this combination.

Shishido Ryo excelled in speed and explosive power. As a defensive player in the backcourt, he could effectively protect his teammate's backcourt during their offense. Moreover, Shishido Ryo was a natural doubles player, though he hadn't realized it himself yet.

Akutagawa Jirou, on the other hand, possessed excellent volleying skills. With a strong defender in the backcourt during doubles, it could maximize Akutagawa Jirou's offensive capabilities. However, Akutagawa Jirou had a major drawback: he was prone to sleepiness. It wasn't much of an issue off the court, but during a match, it would significantly affect the coordination of the doubles pair.

It seemed that Hyotei's "Golden Pair" would have to wait until Ohtori Chotaro enrolled before it could be formed. Akutagawa Jirou would have to suffice for now.

However, the main objective now was to help Shishido fully adapt to doubles. When Ohtori Chotaro joined later, Shishido would have an additional year of doubles adaptation.

While Kannagi Shinichi was contemplating Hyotei's doubles issue, the first doubles match on the court had also concluded. Kikumaru Eiji and Oishi Syuichiro ended the match with a score of 6-1.

Looking at the "Golden Pair" walking off the court, Kannagi Shinichi knew that with the addition of the six former Seigaku members, Yamabuki had truly risen.

Especially their two doubles pairs, both possessing national-level potential. Coupled with the singles reserves of Tezuka, Fuji, Inui, and Sengoku, and Bandou Mikiya's coaching ability, Yamabuki might be one of Hyotei's biggest rivals for the national championship this year, or perhaps next year.

"The next match will be singles 3, Yamabuki Middle School's Fuji Syusuke VS Sato Nashigakuen's Rigenkawa."

"Fuji, let's win this match..."

"Fuji, let them know the strength of our Yamabuki..."

On the court, the squinty-eyed boy had already picked up his racket. He smiled at the cheering crowd behind him and declared, "I will bring victory back to Yamabuki."

Meanwhile, in the stands, Kannagi Shinichi said to Oshitari, "Yushi, you must watch this match carefully. This Fuji Syusuke, his tennis is very similar to yours, and he is very likely to be your biggest rival in the future."