Chapter 83: Tachibana Kippei's Shock

Fudomine.

Ibu Shinji was very excited and handed the data in his hand to Tachibana Kippei.

Tachibana Kippei took the data and looked at it; it turned out to be the lineup for Rikkai's previous matches.

"Shinji, you worked hard to do such a detailed investigation before the match."

Tachibana Kippei said, while casually placing the list to the side.

Watching Tachibana's movements, Ibu Shinji spoke up: "Captain, it is this list. I feel we have hope. If we arrange our lineup well, we can at least win one match."

"Hmm?"

Tachibana was puzzled and signaled for Ibu Shinji to continue.

Ibu Shinji picked up the data and showed it to everyone.

It was written on the data:

Rikkai -- Ginka

Doubles 2: Marui Bunta, Jackal Kuwahara

Doubles 1: Niou Masaharu, Yagyu Hiroshi

Singles 3: Kirihara Akaya

Singles 2: Yanagi Renji

Singles 1: Sanada Genichiro.

Rikkai — Meishikari

Doubles 2: Kirihara Akaya, Niou Masaharu

Doubles 1: Jackal Kuwahara, Yanagi Renji

Singles 3: Marui Bunta

Singles 2: Yagyu Hiroshi

Singles 1: Sanada Genichiro.

"Can you see any hope from this data?"

Kamio Akira was very confused.

Tachibana Kippei pondered and slowly said: "Niou Masaharu and Yagyu Hiroshi are Rikkai's ace doubles pair; they haven't lost a single game in all public matches so far."

"Marui Bunta and Jackal Kuwahara are also a fixed doubles pair with tacit cooperation."

"And as one of the Rikkai Big Three, Yanagi Renji's strength is also top-tier. Putting him in a doubles position is a bit of a waste of combat power, and doubles require cooperation. If the player paired with Yanagi Renji cannot keep up with his rhythm, they will instead hold him back."

"The lineup against Ginka follows Rikkai's usual tradition, but the lineup against Meishikari makes me a bit unable to understand."

"Is it a new tactic from Rikkai?"

Ibu Shinji became excited and said: "The Captain is too smart; you saw the point immediately."

"I have a friend in the Kanagawa region, and he told me that Rikkai's personnel have changed this year."

Tachibana Kippei raised his head, began to become serious, and said: "What change?"

Ibu Shinji let out a breath and said: "Rikkai's Vice Captain has changed this year."

"What?" Hearing this news, Tachibana Kippei couldn't help but stand up.

As for Rikkai's original Vice Captain, Sanada Genichiro, who in the middle school tennis world doesn't know him?

Even at Shishigaku, far away in Kyushu, Tachibana Kippei had heard this name like thunder.

Now, hearing that Rikkai's Vice Captain had been replaced, how could he not be extremely surprised?

Rikkai has always valued strength.

To be able to push Sanada Genichiro out of the Vice Captain position, that person's strength must be even more powerful.

Who could it be?

Yanagi Renji?

Or the other few third-years?

Ibu Shinji suppressed his excitement and said: "It's a first-year."

Tachibana Kippei was surprised again.

A first-year?

Replacing Sanada Genichiro, who is known as the "Emperor" of Rikkai, to become Vice Captain?

Is this a joke?

"Shinji, tell me everything you know, quickly."

Tachibana Kippei said.

"My friend encountered Rikkai during the Kanagawa Regional Tournament. Rikkai's Regional Tournament is always led by the Vice Captain, so that's how he discovered that Rikkai's Vice Captain had changed."

"Moreover, after his investigation and research, he found that the newly appointed Vice Captain is just a first-year."

"Rikkai's lineup during the Regional Tournament was also chaotic, just as chaotic as this Kanto Tournament match against Meishikari. Sanada, who is always Singles 1, was actually placed in the Singles 3 position."

"So my friend guessed that this newly appointed Vice Captain doesn't know how to arrange the lineup at all."

Kamio Akira interrupted Ibu Shinji's words and said:

"However, even if they don't know how to arrange the lineup, with Rikkai's strength, they were still able to win the championship in the Kanagawa Regional Tournament."

"This news is still useless!"

Tachibana Kippei also spoke: "A newly appointed Vice Captain who doesn't know how to arrange the lineup is very useful information. But in the Kanto Tournament, the Captain will take the field personally."

Ibu Shinji became excited again and said: "This is the part I'm most excited about; Rikkai's Captain, Yukimura Seiichi, has actually fallen ill and is hospitalized."

"And according to my friend, he went to that hospital himself, and the doctor said he needs surgery."

Tachibana Kippei caught the point immediately and said:

"This means that Yukimura will not be attending tomorrow's semi-finals."

"If it is still this Vice Captain who doesn't understand how to arrange the lineup and order deciding the roster, although we cannot win, one of the matches might still be possible to win."

Ibu Shinji said: "Right, Captain, that is exactly what I mean."

Kamio Akira spoke lazily: "What is the point of winning just one match? In the end, we still lose."

Tachibana Kippei said to Kamio Akira solemnly: "Do not underestimate a single victory."

"In last year's National Tournament, Rikkai never once played all five matches; they were able to secure victory in just three matches every time."

"Even when they reached the National Tournament finals, with opponents being strong schools selected through layers of competition from every region, it remained the same."

"Therefore, if we can drag Rikkai to the Singles No. 2 match in tomorrow's game, that would be quite a brilliant achievement."

"After all, the opponent is Wangzhe Rikai Da."

While speaking, Tachibana Kippei's brain was also thinking at high speed.

A first-year Vice Captain?

It must be to take over the Captain's position next year!

I didn't expect Rikkai to start considering future matters so early.

Do they think this year's National Tournament has no pressure at all?

Is it an opportunity to train newcomers?

How terrifying!

The National Tournament, which all middle school students in the country look forward to and compete fiercely for, is actually a trial ground for cultivating newcomers in their eyes.

……

Kanto Tournament semi-finals.

At the match venue between Rikkai and Fudomine.

The members of Fudomine, wearing black school uniforms, all stood to the side with high spirits, having brought out their best mental and physical states to welcome this important match.

However, their opponents.

The other team in the semi-finals, the position for Rikkai, did not have a single shadow of a person.

"Captain, there are 10 minutes left until the match starts."

"How come Rikkai hasn't arrived yet?"

Ibu Shinji looked at his watch and said to Tachibana Kippei.

"Let's wait a little longer!"

Tachibana Kippei said.

"It would be great if they were late; we would get a free victory."

Kamio Akira said.

"That is impossible. This is, after all, the Kanto Tournament."

Tachibana Kippei spoke.

In truth, he was also puzzled; it was already this time, yet not a single shadow of anyone from Rikkai had appeared.

Even if they were certain of victory, they shouldn't look down on this match so much!

As a private middle school in the Kanagawa region, Rikkai has a long history, has always been rigorous in its management, has an excellent school spirit, and has achieved outstanding results in all aspects.

Being late does not seem like something a school like this would do.

"Arriving right on time, not late. Don't be nervous; my control over time is also first-class."

A somewhat familiar voice reached Tachibana Kippei's ears.