My Prince of Tennis has a high proficiency level.

Genius is special to him. But he doesn't like people who don't listen to instructions. He has seen Echizen's transformation; given time, this boy will surely become a pillar of Seigaku.

However, the other party is still too inexperienced.

Tezuka secretly decided to find an opportunity before the Metropolitan Tournament to put some more pressure on Echizen and make him complete his transformation.

This is the end.

The one-day regional qualifiers have come to an end.

Yamabuki, Seigaku, Fudomine, and other teams from the regional competitions such as Hyotei and Ginka all advanced and secured their tickets to the Metropolitan Tournament.

Chapter 101 Rikkai University's Attention, A Chance Encounter at a Street Tennis Court

The day.

All regional qualifiers across Japan have concluded.

Unsurprisingly, those once-famous schools all advanced to the city and county competitions.

"how do you feel?"

Kanagawa Prefecture.

Ida Tennis Park, Kamakura City.

The regional qualifying final has just concluded. However, the number of people gathered around the stadium is no less than that of other city or county-level competitions.

Without him.

The competition taking place here is being held by Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School, which won the national championship last year.

The speaker was a dashing young man wearing a black baseball cap, with eyebrows as sharp as blades. It was none other than Sanada Genichiro, the vice-captain of Rikkai University, known as the 'Tennis Emperor'.

"good."

Hearing his words, the handsome young man with blue-purple hair and a coat next to him smiled slightly: "It's much better than I expected."

Yukimura Seiichi.

Captain of Rikkai University's tennis club.

He is known as the "Son of God" and is also currently recognized as the number one junior high school tennis player in the country.

Upon hearing Yukimura's words, the other Rikkai members nearby all breathed a sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, last October, Yukimura fell ill without warning with a very difficult-to-treat neurological disease. Although the condition is currently under control, no one can guarantee against the risk of a relapse.

However, Yukimura's moves in the previous match were sharp and decisive. He defeated his opponent in less than 8 minutes, intimidating those around him who had their own agendas.

Some people initially thought that Yukimura had health problems, and there were even rumors that Rikkai would lose the championship this year.

Yukimura's triumphant return was undoubtedly a slap in the face to those people. But only those inside Rikkai University knew that Yukimura's health had not yet fully recovered.

"The doctor said that as long as I control the intensity of my exercise, I will recover gradually."

Yukimura said with a smile.

Rikkai University won the national championship the year he joined. The formidable Yukimura became one of the top national fighters that year.

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Yukimura was already in his third year of junior high school. Under his leadership, Rikkai University achieved an unprecedented record of 15 consecutive Kanto championships and 2 consecutive national championships.

If Rikkai University wins the title again this year, they will achieve an unprecedented three-peat in the national championships!

This was not only Yukimura's wish, but also the consensus of everyone at Rikkai. Yukimura's return now undoubtedly declares that Rikkai's three-peat in the national championships is without any weaknesses!

"By the way, Liu."

As he left, Yukimura turned to look at Yanagi beside him and asked curiously, "Are there any teams worth watching this year?"

Nationwide?

Liu thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Shitenhoji in Osaka and Makinofuji in Hyogo are quite formidable. There's also Hyotei in Tokyo; Atobe has big ambitions this year."

"Where is Lion Music?"

Yukimura raised an eyebrow and said, "I remember there were two very strong players on that team."

"They've all transferred schools."

Liu shook his head and said, "Both of the two from the Kyushu Two Wings have left. Chitose went to Shitenhoji Temple, but as for Tachibana, I don't know."

"I see."

Yukimura nodded.

It's not surprising that Liu would pay more attention to Shitenhoji, who was in the top four last year, rather than Makinofuji, who ranked higher.

Shitenhoji is a strong team, but lacks top-tier players. In last year's national tournament, they lost their first two doubles matches, and their No. 3 singles player was crushed by Mori from Rikkai.

However, the gross profit margin has increased to the first year of high school this year. In fact, the overall strength of Rikkai University has declined slightly compared with the same period last year.

On the other hand, Shitenhoji Temple gained a top-tier expert, Chitose, and their strength improved significantly.

"That guy is strong?"

At this moment, a boy with curly black hair asked in confusion.

Kirihara Akaya.

The only second-year regular at Rikkai University.

As a highly anticipated newcomer, although his skill level is only average, he is very important. He is recognized by the entire team as someone to be groomed as the future successor to the team leader.

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, even someone as strong as Sanada said with a serious expression, "There aren't many players nationwide who can be considered top-tier. Yukimura, myself, and Atobe from Hyotei, and among the rest, this Chitose is one of them."

"Top-tier level nationwide?"

Kirihara's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this.

He is no longer the clueless newbie he was a year ago when he first entered Rikkai University. More than a year of experience has enriched his knowledge and made him understand the differences between the prefectural/city tournament level, the Kanto region level, and the national level.

A year ago, Kirihara could barely qualify for the prefectural tournament. A year later, he is now a top-tier player in the Kanto region, and can even compete with national-level players when he performs at his best.

But Kirihara knew very well that it was an extremely rare case.

Even if he unleashed his full power, he might not be able to withstand the attack of a national-level expert. And this guy named Qian Sui is not an ordinary national-level expert, but a top-tier expert among national-level experts.

"A thousand years and a thousand miles?"

Kirihara clenched his fist, silently memorizing the name.

Although he is not strong enough now, he believes that with his talent, he may be able to compete with the top national level players in the national competition three months later.

"Your Majesty."

Yukimura raised his eyebrows slightly.

Others didn't know why Sanada valued this person so much, even distinguishing him from Tachibana Kippei, another master of Shishigaku. But Yukimura had guessed something.

"Because of that thing?"

There are many top players nationwide. But apart from Yukimura himself and Sanada next to him, there are only two other people who truly master that ability.

Chitose is one of them.

Having mastered that ability, Chisui's strength could even surpass that of other top national-level players by a significant margin.

"As for the other person..."

As if he had thought of something, there was a hint of obscurity in Yukimura's beautiful blue-purple eyes.

"What about Seigaku?"

He paused, then looked at Liu beside him and said with a smile, "Fuji, that genius from Seigaku, is not to be underestimated."

A genius without equal?

Upon hearing this, the Rikkai University team members nearby perked up.

Even the arrogant Kirihara regained some clarity in his eyes. He was very confident in himself, believing that even within Rikkai University, below the three leaders, he was invincible.

Moreover, apart from Rikkai University and a few others like Atobe from Hyotei University, he didn't take anyone else seriously.

But this perfect one is not among them.

The reason is simple: the other party defeated Liu, one of the three giants of Rikkai University, in last year's National Autumn Youth Selection Tournament.

Kirihara, whose win rate against Liu was zero, knew better than anyone else Liu's strength.

"There's only one, Bu Er."

Even so, Kirihara arrogantly said, "Last year, Seigaku couldn't even get past Hyotei, so having Fuji one more won't make any difference."

"enough."

To his surprise, Sanada looked at him sharply and said, "Do you really think you're invincible just because you've won a few qualifiers? You're so careless and relaxed. It seems I'll have to give you a few more practice matches when we get back."

"No, no, Vice Minister."

Kirihara immediately wilted. He might be arrogant to outsiders, but in front of Sanada, he was a complete good boy, not daring to have any thoughts of resistance.

Just kidding. When I first joined Rikkai, I was used by Sanada as a training subject to establish his authority. A year has passed, and that miserable experience has seeped into my bones, even becoming part of my stress response.

"strangeness."

Liu couldn't help but feel curious.

He lost to Fuji, whose strength was also extraordinary. But this doesn't mean Seigaku is more valuable than Hyotei. After all, tennis is a team sport, and Hyotei has a stronger overall strength and poses a greater threat to Rikkai.

But Liu could clearly sense that Sanada's expression changed instantly when he mentioned Seigaku.

why?

Is it just because of Fuji?

impossible!

Liu is 100% certain that this is not the reason.

When Fuji lost to Atobe, Sanada only gave Atobe a slightly high opinion of him and didn't take him seriously at all. Even if Fuji defeated Yanagi, he would not be considered a threat to Rikkai University.

So... what exactly is the reason?

Liu was curious.

At the same time, the image of another person appeared in his mind. Three years had passed, and that person was now at Seigaku.

"Perhaps I should go and take a look there."

He made up his mind that if he had time recently, he would go to Tokyo to take a look around and investigate the strength of various teams in person.

"That person?"

Yukimura also noticed Sanada's unusual behavior.

He also knew that the other party wasn't being so serious because of Fuji. Rather, it was because of that terrifying figure within Seigaku who, despite gaining some fame over the past two years, had never revealed his true strength in public.

If that person, along with Fuji, forms a strong doubles team, they would indeed pose a considerable threat to Rikkai.

Although Yukimura knew that Sanada had secretly sealed away a powerful technique to deal with that person, he might not be able to win if they actually faced off.

Even if Yukimura himself went up against him, his chances of winning wouldn't exceed 50%. So, if they really faced Seigaku, the only Rikkai member who could stop that person was Yukimura himself.

"Well."

But at that moment, Yukimura suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over him. The weakness came and went quickly, and he was somewhat dazed, even thinking he was hallucinating.

"Let's go."

Taking a deep breath, Yukimura led his team off the field.

...

the other side.

The qualifying tournament where Hyotei is located.

As the dominant team in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, Hyotei easily advanced to the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record, even though they fielded only second-string players.

"What about the other teams?"

Under the awning next to the tennis court, Atobe looked at the clearing sky and glanced at Taki Oginosuke beside him.