JR Tournament!

Tokyo.

The Rosen Tennis Center, a venue that had once hosted the Tennis Open, was where the annual Junior Championship was held. Today, the elementary school division of the JR Tournament was also taking place on this very court. Following the course of history, the champion of this tournament would be Rikkai Dai's future Child of God, Yukimura Seiichi.

And Rikkai Dai's future Emperor would naturally deign to be second.

Today's matches were the quarterfinals, with four courts in simultaneous play.

Outside the courts, the area was packed with spectators. Among them, one could spot representatives from several renowned tennis schools, as well as scouts from tennis clubs and reporters eager to break a headline.

"Ryo, how strong is your opponent today?"

"Hmm~ He's an unknown by the name of Kamikawa. I should be able to advance easily."

"You're so lucky. My opponent is Tezuka, the reigning singles champion of the Metropolitan Tournament's elementary division. I guess I'll be stopping at the quarterfinals."

Amidst the crowd, two boys held their tennis rackets, their faces displaying starkly different expressions, one of excitement, the other of apprehension.

"Mukahi, don't worry. I'll defeat that arrogant Tezuka for you."

The boy with brown hair tied in a standard samurai topknot said with a pleased expression.

He had absolute confidence in his abilities; even some junior high school students were no match for him.

If not for the abundance of exceptionally talented players in this JR Tournament, he might have contended for the championship or runner-up title. After all, he was one of the top three tennis players at Hyotei Elementary School.

He was already quite well-known throughout Tokyo.

"Jiro, his next match is against Sanada from Kanagawa, right?"

The red-haired boy with bangs suddenly said, "I heard he's very strong. He's one of the best players in Kanagawa too."

"It's hard to say."

The brown-haired boy slowly shook his head, glancing at Akutagawa Jiro, who was asleep on the railing like a lamb. "He's a famous prodigy from Hyotei Elementary School. He won't lose."

Akutagawa Jiro wasn't particularly famous in Tokyo.

He wasn't even as well-known as Mukahi and himself in Tokyo. Yet, despite his penchant for sleeping, his fundamentals were more solid than anyone else's. Both he and Mukahi had played against Akutagawa, and the outcome was, without exception, defeat.

"Hey~ Ryo."

The red-haired boy seemed to notice something and pointed behind the brown-haired boy. "That's your and my opponent next."

Upon hearing this, the brown-haired boy turned his head and saw Kamikawa and Tezuka approaching, carrying their racket bags. Tezuka's somewhat youthful appearance concealed a deep yearning for victory.

"Tezuka."

Kamikawa placed a hand on Tezuka's shoulder and said, "If I hadn't come to find you earlier, you wouldn't have even made it to the quarterfinals today. Your grandfather is something else; knowing you had a match today, he still sent you fishing."

Tezuka had no recourse against his childhood friend and said helplessly, "Grandfather didn't do it on purpose. I also forgot to tell Grandfather about today's match."

"Don't make excuses for your grandfather."

Kamikawa said with a smile, "We're in different halves of the bracket this time. We'll meet in the finals."

"You won't lose, will you!"

Tezuka replied calmly, "I won't lose. I hope you don't lose either."

"Our previous matches always ended in a draw. I hope today I can have a good, satisfying match and focus completely."

"And regarding the Limit of a Hundred Refinements you mentioned, I feel like I've seen that door opening for me."

Hearing Tezuka mention the Limit of a Hundred Refinements, Kamikawa's eyes narrowed slightly. "As expected of you, Tezuka. That's one of the three doors to the Muga no Kyochi..."

Before Kamikawa could finish his sentence, a provocative voice reached his ears.

"You're my opponent for the next match?!"

The brown-haired boy, twirling his racket with a single finger, slowly walked up in front of Kamikawa and Tezuka.

Looking at the somewhat youthful boy before him, Kamikawa immediately recognized him: one of Hyotei's future regular players, Shishido Ryo!

And the red-haired boy beside him was also one of Hyotei's future regular players, Mukahi Gakuto!

He had just decided to go to Hyotei yesterday, and today he encountered future Hyotei regular players.

Judging by his tone, this guy was his next opponent.

"You're Shishido Ryo from Hyotei Elementary School, right!"

Kamikawa walked forward with a smile and patted Shishido's shoulder. "I've heard your name for a long time. I heard net play is your specialty."

Shishido brushed off Kamikawa's hand, looking displeased. "Running into me is your misfortune. I regret to inform you that you'll be stopping at the quarterfinals of this JR Tournament!"

After saying that.

Shishido turned and walked towards court B2.

Mukahi glanced at his opponent before turning and leaving with Shishido.

"Who is he?"

Tezuka turned and asked.

"Shishido Ryo from Hyotei Elementary School."

Kamikawa smiled and said, "He's quite skilled."

"Never heard of them."

Tezuka remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Is that red-haired boy also a participant in this JR Tournament?"

"Probably."

Kamikawa also recognized Mukahi, but wasn't sure if Mukahi had made it into the quarterfinals.

After all, luck was sometimes a part of skill, especially in the JR Tournament, which gathered so many talented tennis players from various schools.

"Next, we will begin the semi-finals of Group B in the JR Tournament."

"Player number 15, Shishido Ryo from Tokyo Metropolis!!"

"Against player number 26, Kamikawa Mutsu from Tokyo Metropolis!!"

Upon hearing this, Kamikawa silently nodded and waved goodbye to Tezuka. "Bring me a soda later, I'm going in first."

Tezuka was about to say something when he realized Kamikawa had already run off towards Court B2.

Helplessly, he lowered his arm. His own match should be starting soon, too.

"Let's finish this quickly," Tezuka muttered, picking up his racket and heading towards Group A.

"Shishido Ryo? Kamikawa Mutsu?"

At the junction between Group B and Group A, a boy wearing a black cap and carrying a tennis bag smirked disdainfully. "I've heard of Shishido Ryo, but as for Kamikawa Mutsu, I've never heard of them."

This person was none other than Rikkai Dai's future Emperor, Sanada Genichiro.

Standing beside him, wearing a green headband and with deep blue hair, was the future ruler of the entire junior high division, the Child of God - Yukimura Seiichi.

They looked somewhat young now, lacking the imposing presence they would later possess when they dominated junior high tennis. Their demeanor was more easygoing and friendly.

"It seems this JR Tournament will be a showdown between Yukimura and me."

Sanada lowered the brim of his cap, his heart burning with intensity. In his mind, only Yukimura could be considered a worthy opponent; the rest of the players were not worth mentioning.

"Sanada, don't underestimate others,"

Yukimura said with a smile. "There are quite a few strong players in Tokyo Metropolis."

"Perhaps."

Facing Yukimura's words, Sanada's temperament softened slightly, but the arrogance befitting an Emperor remained undiminished.

Within Kanagawa, apart from Yukimura, no one had ever managed to score a single point against him.

This was the basis for Sanada's arrogance.

He was participating in the JR Tournament purely because his good friend Yukimura wanted to. He had also come from Kanagawa to Tokyo Metropolis, and it now seemed the finals would be a match between them.

"This time, let's have another good match!"

"Alright!"