Chapter 139: Yukimura's Unwillingness

This point made Yukimura feel very wary, and also felt quite ironic.

Because he and Sanada had come into contact with the Selfless State a long time ago, but after they discovered the side effects of the Selfless State—namely, that it would consume a massive amount of physical strength—

they decisively gave up on the Selfless State and each turned toward different directions, so they did not attempt to open the Three Great Doors of the Selfless State.

Never did he expect that the door at the deepest part of the Selfless State—the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami—would be so powerful.

Not only could it break through Yukimura's Metsu Gokan, but it could also allow one's own strength to double.

Wrapped in the radiance of the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami, Echizen's serve truly gave even Yukimura a shock.

Whether it was speed, power, spin, or angle, everything was completely different from the previous Echizen.

The technique Yukimura had once abandoned had now become a favorable weapon for breaking his own ultimate move.

How could Yukimura accept this?

Fortunately, it was Takahashi who played at that time; he used only his base strength to defeat Echizen Ryoma, who was under the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami, and successfully took the championship.

Although Yukimura did not directly face Echizen Ryoma, he understood that Echizen Ryoma was an opponent who could absolutely not be underestimated.

Takahashi's base strength and willpower were even above Yukimura's; the Metsu Gokan he unleashed would certainly be even more powerful than Yukimura's.

If Echizen Ryoma could break through such a Metsu Gokan, then if it were the one he himself unleashed, it would be even easier.

And Echizen Ryoma, just like Takahashi Yanichi, was only a first-year.

Losing to Takahashi, while it made Yukimura feel somewhat uncomfortable, was something he accepted because Takahashi represented the future of Rikkai.

The stronger Takahashi's strength was, the more stable Rikkai's position as national champion would be.

Therefore, even if Yukimura had some emotions, they only lasted for a short period of time.

Moreover, the strength Takahashi was currently displaying had already far exceeded the limits of what Yukimura could imagine.

So, the current Yukimura did not have any thoughts of wanting to defeat Takahashi.

But regarding the other school, Seigaku's first-year Echizen Ryoma, Yukimura very much wanted to face him.

He wanted to defeat Echizen Ryoma, not only to prove that his title of Child of God was by no means an empty name, but even more to prove that his decision to abandon the Selfless State back then was correct.

At this moment, hearing Takahashi let him take the position of Singles No. 2, although Yukimura very much wanted to face Echizen Ryoma, he understood that this was the National Tournament, and it concerned Rikkai's three-peat; he could not be willful.

Everything had to be centered on Rikkai's three-peat.

Takahashi arranging the lineup like this must have his deep meaning.

Takahashi watched the look of disappointment flash across Yukimura's face and explained, "In the Singles No. 2 position, you might run into Fuji Shusuke, or you might run into Echizen Ryoma."

Yukimura was a bit surprised and said, "Will Echizen Ryoma play in Singles No. 2? He opened the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami and can be considered Seigaku's strongest player; Singles 1 is more likely, right!"

Takahashi shook his head and said, "Seigaku's strongest player should be Tezuka Kunimitsu, not Echizen Ryoma."

Yukimura said, "Although Tezuka Kunimitsu is also very formidable. But according to Yanagi's data, Tezuka only opened the Limit of the Thousand-Year Hardened Steel and the Talent Blooming."

"Captain, you said that the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami is completely superior to those two."

Takahashi said, "Yes, but how do you know that Tezuka Kunimitsu hasn't opened the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami?"

Yukimura said in astonishment, "What?"

Takahashi said, "As a Japanese person, for Tezuka to be invited by the world champion Germany U17, it in itself shows his excellence. Because Japan's tennis strength is far weaker than D Country's."

"And as the nine-time consecutive champion of the World Cup, the D Country Team's methods and experience in training players are also far beyond our imagination. You should know that in the U17 D Country Team, there are several professional players, one of whom is even called the current strongest professional player."

Yukimura said, "Is the Germany U17 that invited Tezuka so formidable?"

Takahashi said, "Yes, and as far as I know, Tezuka opened the Limit of the Thousand-Year Hardened Steel several years ago; I'm afraid he was only one step away from the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami."

"Even if he hadn't opened the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami before being scouted by the D Country Team, after the D Country Team's training, he has already opened it."

"Therefore, it is better for us to treat him as someone who has already opened the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami."

Yukimura pondered and said, "Tezuka far exceeds Echizen in both strength and all-around qualities; a Tezuka who has opened the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami is probably much harder to deal with than Echizen."

"So, is that why Tezuka is Seigaku's strongest player and will play in the Singles 1 position?"

Takahashi shook his head and said, "I guess it should be Singles No. 3."

Yukimura said, "Is it because Seigaku lost to us in three matches at the Kanto Tournament? As captain, is Tezuka afraid of repeating that situation, so he is playing in Singles No. 3?"

"That is a possibility, but I think the probability is very small."

Takahashi said, "Tezuka is a captain who values Seigaku's honor more than his own future. He has already joined the Germany U17 and could have chosen not to participate in Seigaku's National Tournament, because the U17 World Cup is not very far away now."

"But he still came back. As a foreigner who joined the Germany U17, he must be under great pressure to return to participate in this match, so he definitely will not allow Seigaku to repeat the tragedy of the Kanto Tournament."

"As Seigaku's strongest player, by playing in Singles No. 3 and facing our Rikkai's weakest player, he can guarantee one victory."

Yukimura realized and said, "This is Tezuka's one-sided idea, thinking that our Rikkai's weakest player must be playing in Singles No. 3, so Captain, you..."

Takahashi continued, "So I will also play in Singles No. 3."

"Since I am already playing in Singles No. 3, there is no need for our match to drag on to the fifth game; let's end it in three games!"

"Yukimura, you missed the Kanto Tournament; let the final match of our Rikkai National Tournament be ended by you!"

Yukimura was stunned.

Immediately, he realized and asked, "Then why did you say Echizen might play in Singles No. 2?"

Takahashi thought for a moment and explained, "If Tezuka placed himself in Singles No. 3, which is adopting the Tian Ji horse racing strategy of using the strong against the weak, then Echizen should be in Singles No. 2."

"But other possibilities cannot be ruled out; after all, Echizen was in Singles 1 in the previous few matches."

"If the Singles No. 2 is Fuji Shusuke, with your strength, Yukimura, you can absolutely crush the opponent, and then we will have won three matches, and the national championship will be in our hands."

"But if you face Echizen Ryoma, you will have to face the Ten-i Muhou no Kiwami directly..."