Chapter 127: Atobe's Call, Sanada's Confusion

Yanagi Renji also spoke up: "Hyotei has always been a regular at the National Tournament; their strength cannot be underestimated."

"Moreover, I went to observe the match between Hyotei and Shishigaku Middle School over the past two days. Hyotei's level of strength far exceeds the standard they had during the Kanto Tournament."

Kirihara said with some dissatisfaction: "They have improved, but does that mean we haven't?"

"Our rate of improvement will only be faster than theirs."

Takahashi spoke to summarize: "What you both say makes sense. Strategically, we must despise the enemy, but tactically, we must take the enemy seriously!"

Kirihara was confused and said: "What does that mean?"

Takahashi said: "Read more books when you have time! Kirihara."

Yanagi Renji explained: "The Captain means that from an overall perspective, we should look down on our opponents and believe in our ability to defeat them, which helps us establish good confidence and fighting spirit."

"But in specific actions, we must maintain a cautious attitude, observe the opponent carefully, not commit any low-level mistakes, and ensure victory in the match."

Kirihara pondered carefully and said: "That makes sense!"

Sanada said: "So we cannot be too relaxed. Especially you, Kirihara, your strength is the weakest!"

Kirihara was defeated and said: "Alright! Vice Captain, I'm going to practice."

Yanagi Renji also left with Kirihara.

"Sanada, is there anything else?"

Takahashi looked at Sanada, who was standing there wanting to say something but hesitating, feeling a bit puzzled.

Sanada thought for a moment and said: "There is something very strange. I thought about it and decided I still have to tell you."

"Hmm?"

Takahashi signaled for Sanada to continue.

"This morning, Hyotei's Captain Atobe Keigo called me and asked if our Captain would be playing in Singles 1."

Sanada said while recalling the content of the call.

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a flash of a smile on Takahashi's face.

"Then how did you answer?"

Takahashi asked with great interest.

"I don't know!"

"I just answered him saying I don't know!"

Sanada spoke the truth.

He truly did not know where Takahashi would be playing.

The final decision for the lineup was in Takahashi's hands. During the Kanto Tournament, the team members only found out when they were playing through the live broadcast.

Takahashi chuckled and said: "Well said. So, what was the other party's reaction?"

"Very angry!"

Sanada's words were filled with confusion.

He seemed to still be able to hear Atobe's angry words from that moment.

"Sanada, aren't you the Vice Captain of Rikkai? How can you not even know such a small matter?"

"As a famous school in Kanagawa, Rikkai has always had a rigorous academic and athletic style. Has the lineup not even been carefully considered? The match is tomorrow, and the lineup is still unknown today."

"Sanada, as Vice Captain, you are truly incompetent."

Sanada was at a loss at the time due to Atobe's anger.

Atobe, as the Captain of Hyotei, actually came to accuse the Vice Captain of Rikkai of being incompetent?

What a joke.

Although he didn't know where Atobe's anger came from, Sanada responded very domineeringly: "The lineup is a secret of our Rikkai. Trying to pry into an opponent's secrets—you, the Captain of Hyotei, are the one who is incompetent!"

After saying this, Sanada hung up the phone in a fit of rage.

But after hanging up, Sanada felt that the whole call was strange from beginning to end.

Atobe's anger was even more bizarre!

Although it was just a trivial matter, given Sanada's cautious personality, he still reported it to Takahashi.

He had expected Takahashi to also feel confused about this, but he didn't expect to see a cunning smile on Takahashi's face.

"Sanada, you did very well!"

Takahashi praised.

Sanada was even more bewildered!

"This year's National Tournament is a mix of singles and doubles. Based on our past matches against Hyotei, where do you think Atobe will play?"

Takahashi continued to ask.

Sanada began to ponder and said: "Last year, our match against Hyotei only took three matches to win. Hyotei's overall strength is vastly different from ours; there was almost no possibility of them winning."

"In this year's match, the first is Singles 3, the second is Doubles 2, and the third is Singles 2. If Atobe gives up the Singles 1 position and puts himself in the Singles 2 position, it is possible for them to win one match."

"Atobe's strength is worth paying attention to. For example, if Kirihara faces Atobe, the probability of winning is very small."

"But even with such a change, the final victory will still be in our hands."

Takahashi nodded and said: "You also think Atobe will play in Singles 2, right?"

Sanada said: "Yes, otherwise if Atobe is in Singles 1, he might not even get to play at all. With his proud personality, I'm afraid he couldn't accept the team losing without him even stepping onto the court."

Sanada looked at Takahashi's thoughtful expression and said: "So, is the Captain planning to play in Singles 2 as well? To play against Atobe and directly end their National Tournament journey?"

A glint flashed in Takahashi's eyes as he said: "No, I plan to play in Singles 3 tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's match will definitely be especially exciting!"

Sanada was full of question marks.

He had analyzed it with Takahashi for so long, and yet Takahashi was going to play in Singles 3.

……

The next day.

The National Tournament quarterfinals.

On the court where Hyotei was playing against Rikkai.

As soon as Takahashi and the others entered the venue, they heard the Hyotei cheering squad outside the court, their voices nearly reaching the heavens.

"Hyotei!"

"Hyotei!"

"The winner is Hyotei, the loser is Rikkai!"

"The winner is Hyotei, the loser is Rikkai!"

……

On the other side, the cheering squad for Rikkai was not to be outdone.

"Wangzhe Rikai Da! Certain victory!"

"Wangzhe Rikai Da! Certain victory!"

……

Kirihara said: "I feel like our cheering squad is being outdone by them."

Sanada looked at the momentum on both sides and spoke up: "Captain, should we also recruit more cheering squad members?"

"We cannot lose to them in terms of momentum."

Takahashi replied with a smile: "No need to worry about such trivial matters."

"What matters on the court is strength, not the cheering squad."

"Whichever cheering squad shouts the loudest and loses the most miserably, that is what's truly embarrassing!"

As he spoke, Takahashi strode into the competition area.

Marui Bunta popped the bubble gum in his mouth and said: "I feel like the Captain is in a very good mood today!"

Yanagi Renji said: "According to my data, the number of times a smile has appeared on the Captain's face today is twice the usual amount."

Sanada was even more puzzled.

Although he knew that the winner of today's match would definitely be Rikkai, was such a thing worth being this happy about?

……

On the other side, in the spectator stands.

"Senior Inoue, for today's match between Rikkai and Hyotei, we arrived half an hour early on purpose; we should be able to see the battle between their two Captains, right?"

Shiba asked while holding her camera.

Seigaku had their match ended 3-0 by Rikkai in the Kanto Tournament, and they didn't even score a single point in the small games.

This made Shiba Saori, who admired Seigaku and Echizen Ryoma, very dissatisfied.

But for the National Tournament, Seigaku's original Captain, Tezuka Kunimitsu, had returned; the Tezuka who was valued by professional players from D Country had returned.

This gave Shiba a glimmer of hope again, even if Seigaku's overall strength was not as good as Rikkai's.

But just looking at the Captain level, Seigaku might not necessarily fail.

Therefore, Shiba wanted to properly record Takahashi's match and send the data to everyone at Seigaku.