Chapter 140: National Tournament Finals, Takahashi VS Tezuka

Yukimura said in a deep voice, "During this time, I have also been thinking about how to break the Peerless Perfection."

"If I improve Metsu Gokan, stripping the opponent of a random sense at a critical moment, returning it afterward, and then repeating this multiple times, I can catch the opponent off guard."

Takahashi nodded and said, "Even if the opponent is under the Peerless Perfection, it takes time to break through. Being suddenly stripped of a sense will definitely cause small mistakes. Creating a time lag is indeed a good method."

"The Peerless Perfection can double Echizen Ryoma's strength, but with your powerful foundational strength, Yukimura, you may not be without a chance to fight in a match against Echizen."

"My only worry is that when you truly face the Peerless Perfection, when you face that dazzling radiance, you will be affected by that light and be unable to display your original strength."

Yukimura was somewhat surprised and said, "What?"

Takahashi said to Yukimura solemnly, "The greatest threat the Peerless Perfection poses to you does not come from Echizen's increased strength, but from the fact that that radiance will shake your willpower, making you unable to exert your full strength."

"How not to be affected by that radiance is the difficult problem you need to face."

"If you break through this hurdle, then Echizen Ryoma will be nothing to fear."

Listening to Takahashi's words, Yukimura fell into deep thought.

……

The scene of the National Tournament Finals.

"Wangzhe Rikai Da! Guaranteed victory!"

"Wangzhe Rikai Da! Guaranteed victory!"

"Seigaku! Go!"

"Seigaku! Go!"

……

As soon as Takahashi Yanichi stepped onto the match venue, he heard the deafening shouts of the cheerleading squads from both sides.

"The atmosphere is so enthusiastic!"

Takahashi exclaimed.

"This is the National Tournament Finals, the highest-level competition for middle school students."

Sanada said.

"Influenced by them, I even feel a bit fired up myself."

Takahashi said.

"If this match goes smoothly, our Rikkai will be able to complete the National Three-peat!"

"Therefore, we should maintain a moderate level of passion and excitement."

Sanada said solemnly.

"Just play the match normally; Rikkai's National Three-peat has no blind spots!"

Takahashi said domineeringly.

At this moment, the broadcast began to announce.

"Next, we begin the National Tournament Finals, Rikkai Dai Fuzoku Chugaku versus Seishun Gakuen."

"The Singles No. 3 match is about to begin, with Takahashi Yanichi of Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School versus Tezuka Kunimitsu of Seishun Gakuen."

……

In the spectator stands.

"Is it a battle between the captains of both sides right from the start?"

"I really understand less and less."

"Shouldn't the captain be playing in the Singles 1 position?"

Hyotei's Mukahi said in surprise.

"Takahashi Yanichi cannot be viewed as an ordinary captain; his style of doing things is unfathomable."

Atobe stared intently at Takahashi in the arena, who was wearing the yellow and white team uniform.

As the captain of Hyotei Gakuen, Atobe immediately saw through Tezuka Kunimitsu's intention in playing Singles No. 3.

Because this year's Rikkai is truly too powerful; the configuration of the Three Giants plus Takahashi is simply invincible.

If Seigaku does not make moves in their lineup arrangement, they will likely repeat the situation of the Kanto Tournament, being eliminated by Rikkai in three matches.

Putting himself in their shoes, if Atobe were the captain of Seigaku, he would also play Singles No. 3, not only to avoid running into Takahashi but perhaps even to take a game from Rikkai's weakest player.

But that premise assumes Takahashi is just an ordinary captain; the fact is, Takahashi is clearly not such an ordinary person.

He once again anticipated the opponent's anticipation, just like in that match where Rikkai played Hyotei in the National Tournament quarterfinals.

"Sigh!"

Atobe let out a sigh; he really did not expect that Takahashi was not only outstanding in strength but also so excellent in intellect.

As fellow Tennis Club captains, the captain of Rikkai is a bit excessively excellent!

……

Seigaku rest area.

"I didn't expect that our captain and Rikkai's captain would actually meet in the first match."

Fuji said with some emotion.

"This is also good; through this match, we can determine who is truly the number one person in the middle school tennis world."

Ryuzaki said.

Ever since Takahashi Yanichi shut out Echizen Ryoma in the Kanto Tournament Finals, various tennis magazines have vied to report on this newly appointed captain of Rikkai, sparing no effort to affirm and praise Takahashi's strength.

There were even reports mentioning that Takahashi Yanichi is the number one person in the middle school tennis world.

This report made Ryuzaki feel very uncomfortable.

Besides Echizen Ryoma, Ryuzaki has another very excellent student, and that is Tezuka Kunimitsu.

Especially since Tezuka, while going to D Country to treat his hand injury, was also successfully recruited by Germany U17.

You must know that D Country is a tennis powerhouse; D Country U17 has won nine consecutive world championships, while Japan U17, which took a fancy to Takahashi and sent him an invitation, is ranked a mere 23rd in the world.

Being scouted by the kings of D Country U17 demonstrates Tezuka's excellence and strength.

It is just a pity that these newspapers are unaware of this news, and that after this National Tournament, Tezuka will be heading far away to D Country, not staying in Japan to develop.

Therefore, this match might be Tezuka's final match in Japan; Ryuzaki hopes that Tezuka can use this match to make a stunning impression, allowing everyone to also see the excellence of Ryuzaki, who serves as Tezuka's Coach.

And that Takahashi Yanichi is playing Singles No. 3, serving as the opponent for Tezuka's final match, makes Ryuzaki very pleasantly surprised.

In this way, if Tezuka defeats Takahashi in full view of everyone, it is equivalent to announcing to the public that Tezuka Kunimitsu is the number one person in the middle school tennis world.

……

Rikkai rest area.

Takahashi took off his jacket and said, "Sanada, you sit in the courtside coaching chair for this match!"

While speaking, Takahashi walked straight toward the court.

On the court.

Takahashi and Tezuka slowly walked to the net.

A trace of a smile that was extremely difficult to detect flashed across Tezuka's face.

He had considered many things before the match, but he had never imagined that Takahashi Yanichi, as Rikkai's strongest player and as Rikkai's Captain, would actually settle for the Singles No. 3 position.

This was simply an unexpected joy.

Tezuka had originally very much wanted to have a real match with Takahashi.

Echizen Ryoma is a junior whom Tezuka values highly, and since Takahashi was actually able to shut out Echizen, his strength can be imagined.

However, apart from that match with Echizen at the Kanto Tournament, Takahashi has had very few opportunities to take action in official matches; even in the National Tournament up to this point, Takahashi has only appeared once.

For Tezuka, Takahashi is a powerful opponent who is like a mystery.

And now that Tezuka has healed his arm injury and his strength has also seen a great leap in improvement, he desires even more to have a battle with a strong player.

It is just that as the Captain of Seigaku, having traveled back specially from D Country for Seigaku's National Tournament this time, he must prioritize the interests of the entire team.

Thus, Tezuka chose the Singles No. 3 position, originally thinking there would be no chance to face Takahashi.

Things took a turn for the better; he did not expect that Takahashi would also be in the Singles No. 3 position.

This kind of surprise caused the usually calm Tezuka to have a slight emotional change.

After Tezuka calmed his mood, he discovered that Takahashi's focus did not seem to be on him.

Instead, he was looking toward the spectator stands behind him.

Feeling that he had not received the attention he deserved, Tezuka said, "Don't be careless!"

The cold words rang out by Takahashi's ear.

Pulled back to his thoughts by this voice, Takahashi withdrew his gaze and cast it toward Tezuka.

The umpire spoke, "A one-game match, let's begin the toss."

Tezuka said solemnly, "Heads."

Takahashi said casually, "Then it can only be tails!"

"Clang!"

Accompanied by a crisp sound, the tennis racket that had landed on the ground revealed the result.

Heads.

"Takahashi Yanichi, give it your full focus!"

After saying this, Tezuka turned and walked back to the baseline of his own half of the court.

Listening to Tezuka's solemn voice, Takahashi shrugged; he had not expected the opponent's fighting spirit to be so abundant.