Chapter 30: The Repeated Defeats of Seigaku!

Since the original lineup would lose, we obviously can’t stick to the old routine.

Even if Shengzai defeated Ryoma in place of Shinji, Shengzai didn’t believe Okihira could beat Tezuka Kunimitsu in singles one.

So quickly, under Shengzai’s suggestion, Undong Peak’s newly announced lineup was released.

Their doubles two remained Ishida and Sakurai, but now their opponents were Momoshiro and Kaidoh.

Doubles one would be Okihira and Shinji teaming up to face Seigaku’s “Golden Pair,” Oishi and Kikumaru.

Kamio would still play singles three, while Shengzai took singles two.

Even if Kamio lost, Shengzai still had a high probability of defeating the current Ryoma, even if the boy unleashed his hidden potential.

As for singles one, it was completely abandoned by Shengzai’s team.

To be honest, even now, Shengzai had no guarantee of beating Tezuka Kunimitsu.

Who knows if Tezuka might go all out and sacrifice his arm? If it came to that, Shengzai knew he couldn’t win—but if more older brothers from “Heart-Dream Between” arrived later, things might change.

“Doubles two is Momoshiro and Kaidoh? Has Seigaku changed their lineup too?”

When Shengzai saw Seigaku’s starting players, he froze. But he quickly realized his interference had caused slight deviations in the plot.

Of course, though some changes had occurred, it wasn’t a big problem.

In terms of singles strength, Momoshiro and Kaidoh were definitely stronger than Ishida and Sakurai.

But Shengzai knew Seigaku’s pair’s weaknesses very well.

This was likely Momoshiro and Kaidoh’s first doubles match, so their flaws were obvious.

If Ishida and Sakurai were told precisely what the pair excelled at and where they were weak, their synergy would make winning this match easy.

“Am I imagining things? Undong Peak’s pair changed their offensive rhythm from the start.”

“And the shots they’re hitting are all in the exact spots Momoshiro and Kaidoh hate most.”

Niou, who had been half-closing his eyes, now opened them fully, watching Momoshiro and Kaidoh struggle to return shots and even argue with each other, his face heavy with concern.

“So you noticed too, Niou? And Undong Peak’s pair only changed their strategy after exchanging sides and speaking with their captain.”

Hearing Qian’s words, the rest of Seigaku stared at him in shock. “Qian, are you saying Undong Peak’s captain is also a type of player like you?”

“No, I think the one who actually gave them advice is someone else.”

“Does Undong Peak have another strong player?” Seigaku’s members exclaimed.

“I just saw that second-year named Shengzai Wen speaking at length with their captain.”

“Only an on-court coach can directly advise players—outsiders can’t transmit information.”

Qian pushed up his glasses and looked toward Shengzai, his interest deepening.

As if sensing Qian’s gaze, Shengzai returned it with a wide, toothy grin, making Xiao Xing frown and twist his head back. “You’re being too obvious—you’ll blow your cover.”

“It’s fine. We broke no rules. Why else would those info-gathering tennis players collect data on opponents?”

“Still, tone it down. We haven’t won yet—what if we lose after acting so cocky?”

Xiao Xing wasn’t surprised that Shengzai knew Seigaku’s regulars’ data.

After all, back at the street tennis court, Shengzai had already told her Momoshiro and Ryoma’s signature moves and shot styles.

She didn’t know where Shengzai got his intel, but she was certain he wasn’t playing “info tennis.”

Shengzai’s family was rich—Xiao Xing guessed he might have paid someone to collect past Seigaku match data or video tapes.

The thought of Shengzai, usually carefree, secretly studying Seigaku match tapes late into the night for Undong Peak’s sake made her heart swell with emotion.

Of course, if Shengzai knew what Xiao Xing was thinking, he’d scream his innocence.

Though he sometimes watched tapes late at night, they had absolutely nothing to do with tennis.

They were about something far greater and more meaningful—like exploring the origin and birth of life…

Armed with knowledge of their weaknesses and the “Wave Ball” as a trump card, Ishida and Sakurai narrowly won 7–5 against Seigaku’s Momoshiro and Kaidoh.

They looked relieved, feeling how much harder the match became as it went on.

Seigaku’s pair grew increasingly in sync during the match, improving at an astonishing rate.

Had they not followed Shengzai’s advice and pushed hard to finish early, with no early lead, they might have already lost.

After Seigaku lost doubles two, they froze when they saw Undong Peak’s doubles one lineup: their captain and Shinji, the second-year who defeated Kikimaru.

Qian pushed up his glasses, his expression grim. “We’ve been outmaneuvered. They clearly have a brilliant strategist too.”

Coach Kiriaki’s face was dark. Okihira and Shinji’s strength needed no explanation—they were clearly using military tactics, aiming to win the first three matches!

“Don’t worry—no matter who they are, we won’t lose!” Kikumaru gripped his racket with confidence.

“Eiji, don’t underestimate them. They’re a formidable opponent.” Oishi remained as steady as a mother hen.

In doubles skill, Oishi and Kikumaru were far beyond Momoshiro and Kaidoh.

After all, they were last year’s “Golden Pair” who reached the national finals.

But “Golden Pair” was barely national-level—among today’s national doubles teams, they were at the bottom.

Their opponents, however, were former Kyushu titans, a genius whose ball sense rivaled Ryoma’s.

Even without intel, Okihira and Shinji were stronger than Oishi and Kikumaru—especially with full knowledge of their weaknesses.

So the outcome of doubles one was predictable: Seigaku’s “Golden Pair” suffered a crushing defeat.

They didn’t just lose—they lost worse than Momoshiro and Kaidoh, falling 6–3 in less than half the time of the previous match.

Okihira didn’t even use his signature move, and Shinji’s temporary paralysis completely nullified Kikumaru’s special shots.

(End of Chapter)