The next day.
Tokyo Midori no Mori Tennis Park.
The weather was perfect.
A crowd had already gathered outside the park early in the morning. As the gates opened, people began streaming in.
"Senpai," said Shiba, a reporter from *Tennis Monthly*, as they walked out of the parking lot. "The atmosphere here is incredible. The number of spectators is nothing like the previous rounds."
"Of course," replied Inoue with a nod. He glanced at the energetic young players and smiled. "This is the annual Kanto Finals, one of the most prestigious tournaments after the National Championships and the West Japan Tournament. I wouldn't be surprised if schools from all over the country sent representatives to watch."
"True," Shiba agreed, spotting a group of students in the distance. She recognized the emblems on their uniforms. "Those over there are from the Tokai and Hokkaido regions."
As the level of the competition rose, so did the presence of powerhouse schools from across the nation.
This was only natural.
The banner for the National Championship still hung in the Rikkai Dai tennis clubroom. And this year, Hyotei Academy was stronger than ever.
Rumors were swirling that Hyotei might finally dethrone the undefeated Rikkai Dai.
"We should head in now," Inoue said, noticing the crowd thinning out.
With that, the two made their way into the park.
But to Shiba's surprise, Inoue didn't lead her to the court where Rikkai Dai and Hyotei would face off. Instead, they headed to other courts.
Although it was finals day, the first matches were the consolation rounds for the teams that had lost in the quarterfinals.
The Kanto region had six spots for the National Championship. Besides the top four teams, the remaining four would compete in a playoff. The first two winners would secure their tickets to the Nationals.
Meanwhile, at Kanagawa General Hospital near Rikkai Dai...
Outside a room on the third floor, several boys in dark yellow jackets with a chevron emblem on their chests occasionally glanced inside.
"Yukimura," said a stern-looking boy with a black cap and sharp eyebrows. He was Sanada Genichirou, Rikkai Dai's vice-captain. "Don't worry. We'll be back before your surgery is over."
On the hospital bed, a handsome boy with bluish-purple hair nodded weakly. Despite his pale complexion, a faint smile appeared on his face as he looked at Sanada and then at the others outside the room.
"Good luck, everyone. I'll be waiting here for your victory."
Hearing this, the boys—some chewing gum, others lost in thought—snapped to attention and nodded firmly.
Soon after, led by Sanada, the Rikkai Dai team left the hospital and boarded a bus to Tokyo.
By 11 a.m., the two consolation matches had concluded. Rokakuzu from Chiba and Yamabuki from Tokyo had secured their spots in the Nationals.
Even though the matches were over, the excitement in the air hadn't faded.
Though the main event hadn't started yet, the stands around the court were already packed with spectators.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Kanto Finals will now begin!"
The announcement echoed through the park.
"Representing Kanagawa Prefecture, Rikkai Dai Fuzoku! And representing Tokyo, Hyotei Academy!"
*Clap, clap, clap!*
The sound of footsteps filled the air, rhythmic and powerful, like an army marching to battle.
"Hyotei's here," Inoue said, his eyes lighting up as he stood on the highest step of the stands.
In the distance, a group of boys in gray-white jackets, led by a man in a suit, approached with an air of confidence.
Compared to their appearance during the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, Hyotei's aura was even more imposing. It wasn't just their record—it was the spirit and determination radiating from every member of the team.
Even the regular members seemed sharper, their tanned skin a testament to their rigorous training. They looked like seasoned soldiers, ready for battle.
With a contingent of 200 supporters, they moved like a royal guard, protecting the nine players at the forefront.
"People say Atobe is the king of Hyotei. With a display like this, it's hard to argue," quipped Mizuki from St. Rudolph, watching from a distance.
"True," agreed Akazawa. "This year, they might be the only ones capable of challenging Rikkai Dai."
"Not necessarily," Mizuki countered. "Four days ago, Osaka's Shitenhouji added Chitose Senri, the other half of the Kyushu duo, to their roster."
"Chitose Senri?" Akazawa's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, Shitenhouji's lineup this year is terrifying."
"Exactly," Mizuki said with a sigh. "Between Kanto, Kansai, and even Okinawa, this year's competition is fiercer than ever."
Akazawa could only chuckle wryly.
Whether it was Hyotei, Seigaku, or the traditional powerhouses from Kansai and Kyushu, every team's name carried a weight that made him feel small.
"But," he said, turning his gaze back to the Hyotei team descending the steps, "this team is undoubtedly among the nation's elite."
*Thud, thud.*
At the same time, footsteps echoed from the opposite side of the court.
Everyone turned to see a group of players led by a young man in a black cap.
"They're here."
"Rikkai Dai has arrived."
The aura around them was unmistakable. The presence of Rikkai Dai's players was overwhelming.
Players from Yamabuki, Rokakuzu, Jyousei Shounan, and St. Rudolph all tensed up.
"Is that Sanada?" Momoshiro asked, his eyes narrowing as he watched the leader of the Rikkai Dai team.
"The Emperor of Tennis," Kaidoh said solemnly. "They say he's the strongest player in the nation after Yukimura. A true king of the court."
For second-year players like Momoshiro and Kaidoh, Rikkai Dai had always been a name they'd only heard about.
Just a few days ago, they'd faced Rikkai Dai's second-year player, Kirihara Akaya, during a practice match. But compared to Sanada, Kirihara was on a completely different level.
Even so, Momoshiro and Kaidoh doubted they could beat Kirihara in a real match. So, how strong was Sanada, the one who could command someone as fierce as Kirihara?
"Yanagi," Inui said, his gaze fixed on the boy with closed eyes behind Sanada.
Yanagi Renji.
The brains of Rikkai Dai.
He was Inui's former doubles partner from Rokkaku Elementary and the one who had taught him data tennis. In Inui's eyes, if there was anyone in middle school tennis who could rival Hyotei's Ishikawa in data analysis, it was Yanagi.
With Yanagi on their side, Rikkai Dai likely had detailed information on Hyotei.
Similarly, Ishikawa probably had Rikkai Dai's data as well.
While others saw the tension between the two teams as they took the court, Inui knew that the real battle had already begun behind the scenes.
He was eager to see how the strategies of these two masterminds would play out on the court.
"Atobe."
"Sanada."
At the net, the two captains shook hands.
*Crackle!*
Their gazes met like lightning, sparking an invisible clash.
"Hmm?" Sanada felt a shift in Atobe's aura.
He could tell that the boy before him was different from the one he'd faced in the semifinals just a week ago.
"What... happened?" Sanada wondered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his mind.
Glancing at the confident figures behind Atobe, Sanada nodded. "I look forward to facing you in the finals."
"Likewise," Atobe replied with a smirk. "Let's hope you don't disappoint me."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Sanada on edge.
"Sanada, what's wrong?" Yanagi asked as Sanada rejoined the team.
"Nothing," Sanada replied. "Tell Marui and Jackal to warm up. We can't afford to underestimate Hyotei."
"Understood," Yanagi said.
But as he left the court, he couldn't help but glance toward Hyotei's side.
Coincidentally, a handsome black-haired boy from Hyotei was also looking his way.
Their eyes met.
Ishikawa smiled faintly, gave a slight nod, and then turned away.
"That look in his eyes..." Yanagi felt a chill. "Did he figure something out?"
Yanagi had studied Ishikawa's rise meticulously. The boy's talent, determination, and insight were unparalleled. If Ishikawa had indeed seen through his plans, Yanagi's carefully laid strategies might backfire.
"Perhaps... I underestimated him," Yanagi thought, taking a deep breath before walking away.
As both teams left the court, the spectators buzzed with excitement.
Then, the announcement came:
"Next up, the first doubles match!"
"Representing Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwahara!"
"Representing Hyotei Academy, Shishido Ryou and Ootori Choutarou!"
"Please prepare for the match."
The crowd's attention shifted to the players from both teams.
(Chapter end.)
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