Chapter 131: Yukimura Seiichi, Singles No. 3

Chitose said with a smile, "Although that's what you say, Coach, your expression doesn't mean that at all."

Watanabe Osamu said, "After losing so miserably to Rikkai last year, we should have learned our lesson by now."

"This year, with the addition of Chitose and Kintaro to Shitenhoji, our strength is far greater than last year."

"Therefore, our goal this year is that even if we lose, we must at least play all 5 matches."

Kintaro opened his mouth wide and said, "Ah! I thought Ah-Shu would say our goal is to achieve victory."

Shiraishi said, "Rikkai has already achieved two consecutive championships. Their greatest strength lies in the fact that the entire team has basically no obvious weaknesses; whether it's singles or doubles, none of them are easy to deal with."

"Moreover, Rikkai's tradition is to eliminate their opponents in 3 matches. If we can drag them to the fifth match, it would count as a small victory."

Watanabe Osamu nodded and said, "So the lineup arrangement is very important."

"The lineup is announced as follows: Singles No. 3: Shiraishi Kuranosuke.

Doubles No. 2: Koharu, Hitouji.

Singles No. 2: Chitose Senri.

Doubles No. 1: Oshitari Kenya, Zaizen Hikaru.

Singles No. 1: Toyama Kintaro."

Kintaro shouted, "Eh, is Shiraishi actually the first one to play?"

Watanabe said, "As the Captain, no one would expect me to put Shiraishi in Singles No. 3. This is our surprise move."

"I guess their Singles No. 3 might be Yanagi Renji or Kirihara Akaya, with a small probability of it being Sanada Genichiro."

"In that case, the probability of us winning the first match is very high."

"Our doubles cannot compare to the opponent's, so it doesn't matter if we lose Doubles No. 2."

"Chitose has opened the second gate of the Selfless State: the limit of Talent Blooming, so the win rate for the match is very high."

Kintaro said, "Then that's 2 victories. We only need 1 victory out of the remaining two matches."

Watanabe Osamu had a toothpick in the corner of his mouth, pondered for a moment, and said, "We likely won't win Doubles No. 1. Little Kin, if you face Rikkai's Captain Takahashi Yanichi..."

Kintaro got excited and said, "Takahashi Yanichi, is he a first-year like me? I really want to play against him. I heard he is even more amazing than Chomae who came back from the U. S."

Watanabe Osamu said, "Hmm, Little Kin, just take it as gaining some experience!"

Kintaro said, "Ah-Shu, do you think I definitely can't win?"

Watanabe Osamu did not answer directly and said, "We'll see when the time comes!"

Watanabe Osamu had previously observed Takahashi's performance in the Kanto Tournament finals.

From the moment Takahashi hit the Light Strike, Watanabe understood that Takahashi was likely the number one person in the middle school tennis world at present.

The Light Strike, that is a symbol of World Level.

And back then, Takahashi could even make the Light Strike split.

This level has likely already firmly stepped into the World Level.

Even though Toyama Kintaro is exceptionally gifted, Watanabe Osamu held no hope for a victory in Singles No. 1.

A World Level player coming to participate in the middle school National Tournament, isn't this a dimensional strike?

Therefore, Watanabe Osamu also understood very well that Rikkai's three-peat would likely be unstoppable.

Shitenhoji's goal was also very practical; since they were destined not to win, they shouldn't lose too ugly.

On the court.

It wasn't until 5 minutes before the start of the match that Watanabe Osamu saw the players wearing yellow and white uniforms entering one after another.

"Eh? Shiraishi, help me see if the one walking on the far right is Yukimura Seiichi?"

Watanabe Osamu's words reached Shiraishi's ears.

Shiraishi cast his gaze toward the Rikkai group.

"Yes, it is him, Yukimura Seiichi, known as the Child of God."

"I didn't expect him to play in this match as well."

Shiraishi replied.

"During the quarterfinals, in the match where Rikkai played against Hyotei, did Yukimura play?"

Watanabe Osamu asked.

"That match was also finished in 3 matches. When I went to watch, I didn't seem to see Yukimura Seiichi."

"I heard he fell ill before the Kanto Tournament. Now that he has appeared, does it mean his illness has been cured?"

Shiraishi said.

"Oh my, this is not good news for us. The Three Giants plus Takahashi—this Rikkai lineup has absolutely no blind spots!"

Watanabe Osamu said.

"But I find it strange. Since Yukimura Seiichi is back, why is the Captain still Takahashi? Isn't he the acting captain?"

Shiraishi said.

"Rikkai has always been about the strong taking the lead. Takahashi's strength is even above Yukimura's, so it's not strange for him to be the Captain!"

Watanabe Osamu said.

"What you say makes sense, but a first-year Captain, and from Rikkai at that, always gives me a sense of displacement. After all, for the past two years, Yukimura was Rikkai's strongest; this concept is already deeply rooted in people's hearts."

"Suddenly seeing the Captain changed, there's a sense of unreality."

Shiraishi said.

"Oh my, Shiraishi, that's not the point. When I was considering the lineup, I didn't take Yukimura into account. Which position do you think Yukimura will appear in?"

Watanabe said.

"Singles No. 2, perhaps! Sanada's strength is not as good as Yukimura's. Now that Yukimura has returned, there is a high probability that Sanada will appear in Singles No. 3 in this match."

Shiraishi said, his expression darkening somewhat.

As the "Emperor" of Rikkai, Sanada is not someone easy to deal with.

Even with Shiraishi, who is the Captain, stepping up for this Singles No. 3, it will be very difficult to win.

……

"We will now begin the semifinals of the National Tournament, Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School versus Shitenhoji."

"The upcoming match is Singles No. 3, between Yukimura Seiichi of Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School and Shiraishi Kuranosuke of Shitenhoji."

The announcement blared loudly over the speakers.

……

"What?"

"Yukimura Seiichi is playing in Singles No. 3?"

Shiraishi was stunned.

Seeing Yukimura appear had already put Shiraishi in a low mood.

Yukimura's strength is so great; his return during the semifinals is certainly not a good thing for Shitenhoji.

In that case, the probability of Shiraishi facing Sanada had been very high.

However, Shiraishi never imagined that he would actually encounter Yukimura Seiichi in Singles No. 3.

Yukimura Seiichi, the undisputed number one middle schooler before Takahashi, would actually go to Singles No. 3.

Are you kidding me!

This lineup is just too reckless!

Watanabe Osamu rubbed his forehead and said helplessly, "My fault! It's all my fault! I was looking at last year's roster to arrange our lineup."

"I forgot about Rikkai's newly appointed Captain, Takahashi Yanichi! Last year we faced Yukimura's lineup, but this year the leader is Takahashi, and their styles are completely different."

"This must be his handiwork; don't forget that when they faced Hyotei in the quarterfinals, he played as the Captain in Singles No. 3."

"It seems he is a guy who doesn't play by the rules, just like me."

"Having Yukimura Seiichi play in Singles No. 3 is truly a bizarre move!"

"It's even more unbelievable than me putting Shiraishi in Singles No. 3."

"At this rate, aren't we going to be eliminated in just three matches again!"

Watanabe Osamu muttered to himself while looking up at the sky.