Chapter 154: National Tournament, Winning the Championship

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

"Score 3-0!"

"Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School's Yukimura Seiichi scores!"

……

Seigaku rest area.

"Echizen has been completely suppressed by Yukimura."

Oishi's voice sounded somewhat dejected.

"Even after training in the U. S. and practicing with his father, is Echizen still unable to beat Yukimura?"

"If this continues, we are going to lose to our opponents in three matches again!"

Momoshiro said in disbelief.

"Yukimura has barely used any special moves in these few games; he's just scoring with the most basic returns."

"Judging by fundamental strength, the gap between Echizen and Yukimura is massive."

"Even the Peerless Perfection seems unable to bridge this gap."

Fuji's voice was somewhat low.

"We were targeted by the opponent from the very beginning of this match."

Tezuka said.

"Captain, what does that mean?"

Momoshiro said.

Inui Sadaharu pushed up his glasses and said, "Starting from the lineup order, our thoughts were guessed by the opponent."

Tezuka said solemnly, "Yes. Not only did they guess our lineup order, but they also formulated corresponding strategies for every single one of us who stepped onto the court."

Inui realized suddenly, "This must be the work of their Strategist, Yanagi Renji!"

"I'm afraid all our data has been collected by him!"

Tezuka was suddenly choked up; he paused for a moment, then continued, "The Captain of Rikkai, Takahashi Yanichi, is someone who absolutely cannot be underestimated."

"Not only is his own strength formidable, but in terms of arranging the lineup and training his players, his ability is not a bit inferior to his tennis skill."

Momoshiro said, "Takahashi Yanichi?"

"But isn't he only a first-year? With tennis skills that amazing, does he still have the energy to study other aspects?"

Tezuka said, "In Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School, the only person who has faced the Peerless Perfection head-on is Takahashi Yanichi."

Fuji added, "That was during the match against Echizen at the Kanto Tournament."

"Just like Yukimura Seiichi today, Echizen's Peerless Perfection had no effect on Takahashi; instead, Takahashi crushed Echizen, who possessed the Peerless Perfection."

"So Tezuka, do you think it was Takahashi who told Yukimura how to break the Peerless Perfection?"

"But, is such a thing even possible?"

Tezuka was silent for a moment, then said, "Before today, I also wouldn't have believed that anyone could break the final door deep within the Selfless State: the Peerless Perfection."

"But during the Singles No. 3 match I played against Takahashi, I heard Takahashi instructing Sanada on how to break my signature move during the break."

"And in the following Singles No. 2, Yukimura was able to break through the suppression of the Peerless Perfection; I don't think this is a coincidence."

Hearing this, everyone's eyes widened.

The atmosphere suddenly went quiet.

After several seconds, Fuji said, "This match, the highest level among middle schoolers, Takahashi is actually treating it as a coaching session to instruct his players?"

"Just how powerful must his own strength be to treat a match like such child's play!"

Tezuka said softly, "It definitely exceeds the National Level. Half-World Level—no, I'm afraid it's only a thin line away from the World Level."

Tezuka recalled the practice match he played with Borg in D Country.

Although Takahashi gave him a feeling of being unfathomable, he still didn't compare to people like Borg who truly possessed World Level strength.

Kikumaru said, "World Level? Isn't that the kind of strength only top high schoolers have?"

"Is Takahashi's strength that terrifying?"

Tezuka said, "My point is, do not view Takahashi as an ordinary first-year student."

"I now suspect that Takahashi taking the position of Rikkai's Captain wasn't because Yukimura handed the position to him due to illness."

"But rather that he possesses all the qualities of a captain in every aspect; his ability to serve as captain even surpasses Yukimura's."

……

"Bang!"

"Thud!"

A cross-court shot landed heavily on the right side of Echizen's court.

Beads of sweat the size of beans slid down Echizen's face; he gripped his racket tightly, his heart filled with apprehension.

Whether it was the Samurai Smash or the signature moves of others in the Selfless State, they were all actually returned by Yukimura.

It was as if anyone's signature move was ineffective against him!

What terrifying strength!

Moreover, while in the Peerless Perfection, Echizen could clearly feel his Five Senses losing control from time to time.

Not only Takahashi, but even Yukimura could easily defeat him?

A deep sense of unwillingness welled up in Echizen's heart.

However, no matter how much unwillingness Echizen felt, it would not have any impact on the situation of the match.

……

"4-0!"

……

"Bang!"

"The score is 6-0!"

"Match over! Yukimura Seiichi wins!"

"Rikkai Dai Fuzoku Chugaku wins! The score is 3-0!"

"The champion of the National Tournament is Rikkai Dai Fuzoku Chugaku!"

……

As the umpire announced the final winning team, the Rikkai cheerleading squad outside the court began to cheer.

"Wangzhe Rikai Da!"

"Wangzhe Rikai Da!"

……

Many tennis reporters who came to watch the match also swarmed to the side of the Rikkai team members to interview them.

Unlike the liveliness on the Rikkai side, Seigaku appeared cold and desolate here.

"Echizen, we must continue to work hard!"

Tezuka looked at the dejected Echizen and encouraged him.

"Yes."

Echizen replied with his head drooping.

Once again, he had been defeated by a Rikkai team member.

Once again, Seigaku had lost 0-3 to Rikkai.

Rikkai was simply Seigaku's, and his, Echizen Ryoma's, nightmare.

Coach Ryuzaki looked at the bustling crowd over at Rikkai, then looked at her own team's deserted area, and she sighed helplessly.

They had managed to make it to the National Tournament, but she hadn't expected to be just one step away from the championship.

A young female reporter could not squeeze in because there were too many reporters interviewing Rikkai, so she could only linger on the periphery.

Suddenly, she saw the Seigaku coach standing to the side.

She ran up quickly and said to Ryuzaki, "Coach Ryuzaki, please allow me to interview you!"

Ryuzaki's originally gloomy face smiled and she said, "Alright!"

After all, they were the runners-up of the National Tournament; although this result could not compare to Rikkai, it was still enough to look down upon other schools, so it was only right that a reporter came to interview her.

The female reporter began, somewhat excitedly:

"This year, Seigaku had Echizen Ryoma who returned from the United States, yet all three matches were 0-6 losses to Rikkai."

"In your heart, does the strength of Wangzhe Rikai Da far exceed that of Seigaku, making them an existence untouchable by ordinary schools?"

"This year is the third year Rikkai has won the championship; do you think that with their strength, they can continue to retain the National Tournament championship next year?"

"Sigh, don't leave! As Rikkai's opponent today, your feelings are the most authentic..."

Before she had finished speaking, Ryuzaki turned and left, her face as black as the bottom of a pot.

……

On the other side, the Rikkai rest area.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

The phone in Takahashi's pocket was vibrating incessantly.

He went back through the heavy crowds and found a secluded spot.

……

Takahashi returned to the court and watched as Sanada received the red pennant and trophy that symbolized the championship.

"Today is a good day!"

"Besides winning the National Tournament championship, I have another piece of good news to tell everyone."

Takahashi said with a smile.

"Master, besides winning the championship, what other good news is there!"

Kirihara was somewhat puzzled.

"After Yukimura's surgery, I sent Yukimura's blood to a professional medical institution in the United States for testing, and this is the result."

Takahashi handed the phone to Yukimura; on the phone screen was the report sent back by the medical institution.

"This is..."

Yukimura was somewhat excited.

"The report shows that no problems were found."

"In other words, Yukimura, your illness has been completely cured!"

Takahashi's cheerful voice rang in the ears of everyone from Rikkai...