The Beginning of the Champion

Time flowed by unnoticed during training. For the past few days, the Hyotei regulars had not slacked off one bit.

Kannagi Shinichi continued to focus on technique, with controlling his power as a secondary goal. Atobe, meanwhile, was honing his eyesight and strength, preparing to face Kannagi Shinichi again after the district preliminaries concluded.

Oshitari Yuushi was working on integrating his mastered techniques while simultaneously developing new signature moves. Akutsu, on the other hand, was diligently practicing the fundamentals, and sparring with Atobe whenever possible to gain experience.

Shishido Ryo had started experimenting with doubles, Mukahi Gakuto was striving to improve his stamina, and Yamazaki Uye was working on adjusting his lower body's center of gravity. As for Akutagawa Jirou, aside from being dragged into doubles matches by Shishido every day, he spent most of his remaining time sleeping.

Almost everyone had made significant progress during these past few days of intense training.

Especially Akutsu and Shishido Ryo, these two trained the hardest. Even Kannagi and Atobe, compared to them, were slightly inferior.

In the blink of an eye, it was the final day of the district preliminaries. If they won one more match, Hyotei would secure a ticket to the prefectural tournament. Winning two matches would make them the champions of the district preliminaries.

Tokyo, Higashi-Nippori Tennis Park, the venue for the final two rounds of the Tokyo East District tournament.

Currently, besides the remaining few participating schools, the park was filled with even more spectators coming to watch the matches.

Of course, there were also scouts from other schools, present at the competition site for reconnaissance.

And Hyotei, a powerhouse on a national level, was their target.

Outside the park, five large buses arrived in neat formation and parked at the entrance. The Hyotei contingent then disembarked, a grand procession.

Sakaki Taro still led the way, followed closely by the regulars. Behind them, over two hundred members of the Tennis Club marched, carrying Hyotei flags and war drums.

Gazing at the magnificent procession of over two hundred people, the pedestrians in the park couldn't help but make way for them.

Scouts from other schools, witnessing Hyotei's imposing presence, couldn't help but frown with concern and exclaim.

"The aura emanating from those regulars is so strong. This year's Hyotei might be one of the strongest teams in the nation..."

"None of these individuals are ordinary. Especially Kannagi Shinichi, who is known as the strongest in the nation. We must be extremely thorough in our reconnaissance this time. No information about Hyotei can be missed..."

Those from other schools who came for reconnaissance stayed not far from the Hyotei regulars, holding cameras and acting suspiciously.

The Hyotei members paid them no mind, as ultimately, tennis matches were decided by skill.

Without skill, watching countless match recordings would not change the inherent gap between the two sides.

Unless these individuals played tennis using data, like Yanagi Renji and Inui Sadaharu, only then would they be worthy of Hyotei's attention.

Sakaki Taro led everyone directly to the registration desk, submitted the list of regulars for the day's matches, and simultaneously began the draw for the semifinals.

Outside the draw area, the regulars from the other three schools were clasping their hands in prayer, a remarkably solemn scene.

Kannagi Shinichi and the others looked over.

They saw the individuals with devout expressions, murmuring to themselves.

"Please don't let us draw Hyotei..."

"Please don't let us draw Hyotei..."

Hearing these words, onlookers couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and helplessness, but they weren't surprised.

Hyotei was simply too powerful this year. Other schools had set their sights on avoiding Hyotei from the start, aiming to secure second place and a ticket to the prefectural tournament.

They had now reached the semifinals, and just one more round would grant them entry into the prefectural tournament.

But they had one prerequisite: first, they had to avoid Hyotei in the semifinals. They knew very well that there was no chance of winning against Hyotei.

The draw had concluded, and Hyotei's opponent had been determined.

For some, the draw was incredibly fortunate; they had avoided Hyotei. Of course, there were also the unfortunate ones, who would become Hyotei's semifinal opponents.

The fortunate ones were cheering wildly, while the unfortunate ones were filled with despair.

Kōdō Academy was one of these unfortunate teams.

As the two sides shook hands and bowed before the match, the Hyotei members could clearly sense the despair radiating from the Kōdō Academy regulars.

The match began quickly and ended just as quickly.

"Game, match over. Score: 6-0. Hyotei Academy wins..."

"Game, match over. Score: 6-0. Hyotei Academy wins..."

"Game, match over. Score: 6-0. Hyotei Academy wins..."

Forty minutes later, all three matches were concluded. Hyotei had once again swept their opponents.

During the post-match handshake, although the Hyotei members could feel their opponents' dejection, they didn't say much.

After all, tennis has always been about skill.

And looking at Hyotei's performance, the scouts from other schools who came to observe grew even more serious than before.

This Hyotei team was too strong, so strong it was despair-inducing.

The semifinals ended in the morning, and Hyotei didn't bother to pay attention to their final opponent. After all, it didn't matter who their opponent was; what mattered was that Hyotei would definitely win.

After Hyotei's members finished their bento lunches provided by the school, time quickly turned to the afternoon. They were about to start their second match of the day, which was also the final of the regional tournament.

The school that would face Hyotei in the final match was named Kakihara Junior High.

Unlike the players from other schools who had faced Hyotei, the regular members of Kakihara Junior High were filled with excitement.

They had secured a ticket to the prefectural tournament, achieving their initial goal: second place in the regional tournament.

Stomp... stomp...

When a team in gray and white uniforms approached them, the excitement on their faces vanished instantly.

Instead, a hint of fear appeared in their eyes as they looked at these boys, much younger than themselves.

After the teams shook hands, the match began immediately.

Just like the morning's match, there wasn't a ripple of excitement during the game.

Forty minutes, three 6-0 sets, and Hyotei easily clinched the regional championship.

Although the process of winning this championship was somewhat bland, all the members of the Tennis Club cheered nonetheless.

"The victor belongs to Hyotei..."

"The victor belongs to Hyotei..."

As for their final opponent, Kakihara Junior High showed no signs of disappointment. They were also celebrating, as second place was their ultimate goal.

Now, the regional tournament awards ceremony was about to begin. All of Hyotei's regular players stood on the podium. Kannagi Shinichi held the trophy high, and the rest of Hyotei's regulars surrounded him.

The reporter, Inoue Mamoru, who had arrived late, also rushed to the podium at this moment.

Looking at the youthful, smiling faces on the podium, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards. He then raised his camera and captured the scene.

Years later, when people saw this photo again, countless people would sigh.

"It was around this time that Hyotei began their path to dominating the nation."