My Prince of Tennis has a high proficiency level

Chapter 129 Shibukawa and Nanjiro's First Meeting

"This semi-final match has now concluded."

"Yamabuki Junior High School advances to the finals with a record of three wins and one loss."

soon.

The players from both sides gathered again at the net, each standing in a separate line. After the referee announced the result of the match, both teams bowed.

Thank you for your guidance!

Compared to the excitement of the Yamabuki members, the Seigaku regulars, especially the younger Momoshiro and Kaidou, had expressions of resentment on their faces.

The two were filled with remorse.

Just one more game!

If they win their doubles match 2, Seigaku will advance to the final singles match 1. And in their view, once captain Tezuka takes the field, Seigaku's advancement is practically a done deal.

"Damn it!"

Tao Cheng pinched his knuckles until they turned white.

Kaido was also filled with remorse.

Not only them, but also the Oishi-Kikumaru duo, and even Fuji, took the blame for the team's defeat. As a result, everyone silently resolved to train even harder when they returned, determined to get revenge in the Kanto Tournament!

"What a pity."

On the other side, Shibukawa looked at Tezuka's calm expression and shook his head, saying, "I thought I could fight you, Tezuka. It seems I'll only have a chance at the Kanto Tournament."

"Um."

Tezuka nodded calmly.

He could tell that his opponent wasn't just showing off after winning, but genuinely wanted to fight him. In fact, Tezuka also felt regretful.

Akutsu is very strong; even he felt the pressure.

Furthermore, Shibukawa is ranked higher than his opponent in Yamabuki. A match against such a skilled player would be highly beneficial for Tezuka's tennis career.

However, despite the disappointment, as the captain of Seigaku, he had to take full responsibility. Even though the team lost, he had to maintain their morale and not let others look down on them.

"Phew...it's finally over."

the other side.

When the game ended, the Hyotei fans who had rushed over to watch the excitement all breathed a sigh of relief.

The match they just watched was terrifying. Both Fuji's astonishing tennis skills and Akutsu's terrifying aura were beyond their reach.

Even players like Oshitari and Shishido, who consider themselves quite strong, were drenched in cold sweat after watching the game.

"Atobe!"

Shinobu snapped out of his daze and looked at Atobe, whose face was grim, with a serious expression: "The final this afternoon, should we...?"

"Yes, tactical adjustments are indeed necessary."

Atobe nodded: "However, we still need to discuss the specifics with the coach. Also, we need to inform the coach of Yamabuki's strength assessment."

immediately.

He led the Hyotei team away.

However, unlike when they first arrived with such a menacing air, the Hyotei army, though still a dark mass, clearly no longer displayed the arrogance and smugness they once had.

"I can't wait!"

Noticing this, Inoue's face lit up with anticipation: "The match between Yamabuki and Hyotei this afternoon is sure to be exciting!"

"Perhaps."

Nanjiro shrugged, looking indifferent.

Then, he crossed his arms behind his head and walked away with a nonchalant gait.

"That southern wolf...."

99

As Shizuka watched the other person's departing figure, she couldn't help but purse her lips. But just as she was about to make a comment, Inoue interrupted her.

"Alright, Saori. I've said it many times, Mr. Nanjiro isn't such a superficial person. Don't be fooled by appearances."

"Really?"

Zhi looked incredulous.

But when she thought of Nanjiro's son, Ryoma, Shiba couldn't help but nod. In her opinion, without a sufficiently outstanding father, it would be difficult for Echizen to become a national-level player comparable to masters like Sengoku and Tachibana at his current age.

"What a pity."

Thinking of Seigaku's elimination in the semifinals of the Tokyo International Tournament, she couldn't help but sigh again.

"It's nothing."

Inoue seemed to read her mind and said with a smile, "The final this afternoon will be even more exciting. Also, we might even see a showdown between Shibukawa and Atobe."

"Those two people?"

Zhi's eyes widened instantly, her face full of anticipation.

"Tell me about it."

After a while.

Inside a café near the tennis park, a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a reddish-brown suit, crossed his legs, took a sip of his coffee, and looked up at Atobe in front of him.

"What happened that the situation you described on the phone has changed?"

Sakaki Taro.

43 is old.

Coach of the Hyotei Tennis Club.

Known for his strictness, even the proud Atobe wouldn't dare to be disrespectful in his presence. Although he doesn't usually manage the Hyotei tennis club's affairs, he wields considerable influence.

Especially when it comes to starting lineup replacements and team tactical arrangements, Taro Sakaki is the final decision-maker.

According to the schedule, Sakaki was supposed to arrive half an hour before the afternoon match started. Just now, while he was discussing a contract with a client, Atobe called and asked him to come earlier.

In reality, it's only because Atobe's identity is unusual. Otherwise, Sakaki Taro wouldn't have paid any attention to anyone else.

Because he is not only a teacher and tennis coach at Hyotei University, but also holds shares in several listed companies, making him a true tycoon.

For Taro Sakaki, coaching is more of a side job. He's genuinely interested in tennis, if not for his passion, he'd be willing to spend money on it.

Even if you ask him, he would never do such a thing.

"Seigaku lost, our opponent in the final is Yamabuki."

Kabaji, sitting next to Atobe, pulled out a chair and sat down casually, saying with a serious expression, "Yamabuki's strength is far greater than we anticipated."

"Oh?"

Sakaki Taro became interested.

He knew Atobe's personality; he wouldn't take ordinary things to heart. After all, Hyotei was also a national-level team, and like Rikkai, the dominant force in Kanagawa, this year's Hyotei team was undoubtedly the strongest in history.

In Sakaki's view, unless they encounter a monster of Rikkai's caliber, Hyotei is fully capable of dominating the Kanto region and even the entire country.

How strong is it?

"A minimum of two national-level doubles pairs and three national-level singles pairs are guaranteed!"

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, the disdain on Sakaki Taro's face vanished, replaced by astonishment. He even wondered if he had misheard.

"Both singles and doubles are at the national level?!"

"That's right."

Atobe nodded solemnly: "Compared to doubles, singles is even stronger. Even the weakest player, Sengoku, is at a top-tier national level!"

"this..

"

Sakaki was taken aback.

If he remembered correctly, Yamabuki was a team famous for its doubles, nicknamed "the undefeated doubles team." How come doubles has become their weakness after just one year?

"In that case, the finalists must be reshuffled."

Sakaki was a decisive person. He said in a deep voice, "Also, within half an hour, I need data on every regular player in Yamabuki."

"no problem."

Atobe nodded.

He quickly took out his phone and dialed a number, asking the other party to gather all the detailed information about the Yamabuki Tennis Club within 20 minutes.

Soon, in less than 10 minutes, the specific data was delivered to their coffee shop by a designated person.

This is the terrifying power of Japan's top-tier currency!

"Has Yamabuki... really reached this level this year?"

Sakaki Taro looked at the information in front of him, and then at the Yamabuki match video that had been temporarily put on the projector next to him. His brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

Finally, he said solemnly, "You're right, we need to rearrange the finalists for this afternoon."

Compared to the serious atmosphere at Hyotei, the atmosphere at Yamabuki was much more relaxed. They defeated their arch-rivals Seigaku and avenged their defeat in last year's Metropolitan Tournament.

During the lunch break, Bantian didn't make any strict rules, only instructing the regular players to assemble half an hour in advance.

Outside the tennis park.

The entrance to a ramen shop.

Banta and Shibukawa ordered two bowls of pork bone noodles and were eating in the shop when a middle-aged man wearing a black monk's robe walked in casually.

"Boss, a bowl of noodles, please."

As the middle-aged man spoke, he sat down in front of the two men without a second thought.

"Old man, it's been a long time."

The middle-aged man, Echizen Nanjiro, rubbed his hands together and winked at the old man in front of him.

"You..."

After seeing the person clearly, Bantian couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle: "He hasn't changed much since twenty years ago."

"I'm getting old, I'm getting old."

Nanjiro laughed heartily, then looked at Shibukawa next to Banta: "Now it's the world of these young people, the world of us old folks."

Guy, you're way behind the times.

"You're too modest, senior."

Shechuan shook his head and said, "With your abilities, you should be able to play in professional matches right now without any problems."

In the original work, Echizen Nanjiro's strength remained a mystery.

However, considering some plot points, such as how the opponent could take down a wild boar weighing at least 100 kilograms by simply hitting rocks with a wooden stick, it is enough to show how formidable the opponent is.

Calling him the world's number one might be an exaggeration, but this man, nearing forty and looking unkempt, is enough to give even the top world-class players a headache once he picks up a racket.

After all, this is the world of Prince of Tennis.

In Shibukawa's previous world, someone Nanjiro's physical condition would definitely have declined significantly at his age. But with the extremely exaggerated expressiveness of killer tennis, no one can guarantee that Nanjiro doesn't have any means to restore his top-level fighting power.

Shibukawa thought to himself, "It's not impossible that the other party might pull off some kind of 'ultimate sublimation'."

"Nanjiro."

At this moment, Bantian glanced at the middle-aged man in front of him: "You suddenly came here, it can't be as simple as just wanting to eat noodles, right?"

"Otherwise what?"

Nanjiro curled his lip: "Do you think I'd challenge you to a fight?"

"Haha, you can't joke like that."

Bantian shook his head repeatedly.

He was meticulous and had a unique understanding of human nature. The moment he saw Nanjiro, he knew that the other man was still unable to let go of what happened back then.

After all, it should be one of the few dark chapters in the life of the invincible tennis warrior.

But the past is the past, and Nanjiro didn't take over Ryuzaki's position as Seigaku's coach. Otherwise, the other could have used a different identity to exact revenge on those years ago.

"but."

After a pause, Banta's expression turned serious. He looked at Nanjiro, who was happily stirring the ramen he had just taken from the owner: "If you have time, I hope you can give this kid some pointers."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Nanjiro paused in his actions.

"he?"

He looked at Shibukawa, only to find the other man's expression calm. With his keen eyesight, he couldn't discern any emotional change in the other's face.

"That's interesting."

Nanjiro immediately became interested.

This was the first time he had ever encountered someone like Shibukawa. Even the U17 players from the US and Europe wouldn't have been this calm in front of him.

"Kid."

He stopped scooping noodles and looked at Shibukawa: "How would you like me to guide you?"

"With your abilities, even a few words from you can benefit me greatly."

Shibukawa stopped what he was doing and looked at the other man. "However, if it's alright, I'd like to have a match with you."

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Ban Tian, ​​who was standing next to him, stopped what he was doing.

Even Nanjiro doubted that he had heard correctly, and a look of surprise flashed across his eyes as he looked at Shibukawa.

Are you sure... you want to fight me?

"I'm sure."

Shechuan smiled and nodded.

In terms of his five core attributes alone, his current stats would place him in the top five of Japan's U17 team. However, his true strength is not that simple.

With his mastery of numerous characteristics, coupled with the powerful abilities he developed himself, he was able to hold his own against top experts from various countries.

This is also the source of his confidence to challenge Nanjiro to a match.

It's a chance to experience the power of legendary tennis players, and also a chance to test your own limits.

"interesting."

After confirming Shibukawa's thoughts, Nanjiro turned to Banta and said, "You old man, you're really lucky! I never expected you to run into such an outstanding guy!"

"How can I compare to you?"

Banta laughed as well: "In terms of talent, your kid is no slouch either. Two years from now, with him leading Seigaku, they'll probably be unmatched nationwide."

"National Tournament? Ha!"

Nanjiro shook his head as if he'd heard a joke. In his opinion, if Echizen's area of ​​activity two years from now was still the national tournament level, it would be a huge failure.

In this respect, Banta is indeed getting old and out of touch with the times. He doesn't realize how fierce the competition is in the U17 tennis field these days.

However, the old man had a good temper and wasn't angry at Nanjiro's reaction. Instead, he smiled and said, "Then it's settled. Find an opportunity to give this kid some pointers and let him know how vast the world is!"

"no problem."

Nanjiro nodded, then looked at Shibukawa: "Kid, when do you have time? Let me make it clear, I'm very busy."

busy?

Shibukawa chuckled to himself.

If he hadn't known the original author's true personality, he probably would have actually believed it.

"In that case, let's do it this afternoon."

Shibukawa smiled and said, "After our match against Hyotei is over, my senior and I will find a place and have a good match."

"Oh?"

These words made Nanjiro take another look.

He had initially thought the boy was somewhat interesting, likely quite strong, and rather arrogant. He never imagined Shibukawa's confidence in himself would reach such a level.

However, being a legendary professional player, he immediately nodded in agreement.

"It's settled then, kid. Don't let me down."