The Prince of Tennis, Talent Replication

Chapter 106

"Where did Atobe go?"

In the Kanto team's locker room, the alluring coach, Hanamura Aoi, scanned the entire team, but couldn't find Atobe or Natsume Tsukiya. "Natsume's still here?!"

"Oh, it seems Atobe was called away by our department head."

Ryo Mido stepped forward to answer, looking at Genichiro Sanada, and said, "However, it seems our captain also calls himself Sanada, right?"

Genichiro Sanada: "Sorry, he's not the captain of Rikkai University, nor is he the team coach. I don't need to listen to him."

The indoor court of the stadium.

Standing on either side of the court was a man—Atobe Keigo said, "It's hard to believe that at a time like this, you'd actually say you want to play a match against me!"

"I think this is a good thing, don't you think so?" Natsume Tsuki also said.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Atobe Keigo pointed at Natsume Tsukiya: "I couldn't ask for more."

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Natsume Tsuki also raised his racket above his head, his wrist twirling and spinning.

Atobe Keigo had never seen such a move before, but it wasn't surprising. He simply retorted, "Hey, what kind of move is that?"

"Watch closely, this move is called 'The Horse-Taming Man'."

Natsume Tsukiya grinned and said, "If you can't catch it, you'd better go home and herd cattle."

"Hmph, obediently go home and herd cattle? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Atobe Keigo refuted this.

"Bang!"

The irregular rotation instantly overwhelmed Atobe Keigo's visual nerves, making him react slowly.

"Snapped!"

A cloud of dust billowed out and dispersed.

Natsume Tsuki also said, "Atobe, the speed of this serve is at most 195 kilometers per hour. It's been so long since the Kanto Tournament loser's bracket revival match, and you still can't even consistently receive a ball that's 200 kilometers per hour. It's really disappointing."

"Stop arguing, what kind of serve was that? Let's try again." Atobe Keigo never admits defeat. "I was just careless."

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

While swinging his racket above his head, Natsume Tsukiya said, "In any match, only the weak will keep emphasizing that they lost because of momentary carelessness."

Atobe Keigo gritted his teeth.

"Bang!"

Atobe Keigo was completely fired up.

"~~Heng, an irregularly spinning serve that spins rapidly, flashes suddenly on the racket."

Keigo Atobe gritted his teeth and said, "This shot is nothing special."

"Bang!"

Atobe Keigo swung the sword into the air.

Natsume Tsuki also took two steps back, flicked his racket upwards, and hit a high lob.

Atobe Keigo glanced at him, his pupils flashing with a sharp light, and thought to himself, "Damn it, he's tempting me again."

Natsume Tsukiya: "What's wrong, Atobe? Afraid to unleash the Waltz Towards Destruction?"

"Bang!"

Atobe Keigo jumped up after being hit by him.

"Don't underestimate me."

He slammed it down suddenly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Natsume Tsukiya's figure suddenly rose from the ground opposite him.

"Bang!"

The ball went straight through.

Aerial interception!!!

Keigo Atobe was once again taken aback by the guy in front of him.

His move seemed to be aimed at himself.

"Atobe, you haven't improved at all," Natsume Tsuki said, carrying his racket.

"Tap tap tap!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

Another guy who's good at lassoing horses.

"Bang!"

Keigo Atobe was able to receive these serves with ease. After all, he was a bit careless at times, but he had been constantly evolving these days.

In short, everyone at Hyotei is evolving. As the former captain, he believes he can't fall behind others. Of course, Natsume Tsuki isn't human either!

"!"

Atobe Keigo hit a high lob.

Natsume Tsukiya also sprang up from the ground and leaped upwards.

Seeing this, Atobe Keigo no longer hesitated and followed suit. After all, he had been intercepted in mid-air by Natsume Tsukiya before, and he had imagined this scene countless times.

"Bang!"

Successful interception.

Atobe Keigo was secretly pleased with himself.

"Snapped!"

Before he could react, Natsume Tsuki also fell back and, just as Atobe Keigo's interception ball bounced up into the court, suddenly returned the shot.

Atobe Keigo: "......"

Damn it, how could this even happen?!

Keigo Atobe memorized this scene and got into position on the other side of the court.

Natsume Tsukiya gestured with his lip towards the back of him.

Atobe Keigo turned his head and saw that it was Hanamura Aoi.

"Are you two complaining that this match isn't enough?" Aoi Hanamura laughed.

Keigo Atobe reluctantly put away his racket, muttering, "The troublesome guy's here."

Hanamura Aoi: "Atobe, what are you talking about?"

Keigo Atobe: "Let's start the match."

Hanamura Aoi then said to Natsume Tsukiya, "Natsume, why don't you sit with me in the instructor's seat?"

Natsume Tsukiya was slightly taken aback: "Is this alright?"

"There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, I'd like to hear your opinion too."

Ever since that performance-like competition at the training camp, Hanamura Aoi has been greatly shocked. After returning to Kanagawa, she couldn't stop thinking about the man in front of her, and was deeply impressed by his talent.

If Ryoma Echizen is the perfect player in Aoi Hanamura's heart, then Tsukiya Natsume is the most perfect coach template in Aoi Hanamura's heart, the ultimate goal this woman pursues.

Hanamura Aoi approached Natsume Tsukiya with an alluring air and said, "It's decided then."

"They're here, they're finally here."

The scene was filled with jubilation.

"Next, please welcome the Kanto team to the stage."

"Next up, please welcome the West Coast team!"

The two teams made their appearances in front of everyone.

"Next up is the doubles match 2."

An announcement came over the loudspeaker: "Please welcome the two contestants representing the Kanto region to the stage."

All eyes turned to the entrance that was obscured by the light.

"Who is it? Who is the Kanto team sending for the doubles match 2?"

The guy wearing the hat came out first, followed by a guy with a racket tucked under his arm.

"It's... Atobe... and Sanada too?"

"No way, this is fake, is it really okay?"

"They actually let those two team up for doubles!"

"Atobe participated in doubles at the Kanto Tournament, right?"

"Sanada has done it before, but those were against weaker opponents. This time, it's a combination of two from the West Coast team, which is incredibly surprising."

"West Coast representative, Billy Casey, Mike Lee!"

The voice on the radio was even more inspiring.

The crowd heated up, fireworks burst forth, and two people emerged from the mist.

Billy Casey, dressed in casual workwear, has a muscular physique and waves to the crowd.

He claims to be deeply devoted, doing everything for Stephanie, yet he's always having affairs.

The man beside him had sharp eyes and an old-looking face; this was Mike Lee.

The two caused a huge sensation as soon as they appeared.

On either side of the court, Richard, the West Coast team's coach and agent, turned to look at the Kanto team and murmured, "Why are there two of them?"

Everyone else noticed that there was a boy with Hanamura Aoi.

"Hey, who's that?"

"have no idea."

"I didn't expect that Natsume Tsuki would also be sitting in the coaching seat with Coach Hanamura," Kikumaru Eiji said to Inui Sadaharu. "Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Natsume's team has achieved the most remarkable results at the training camp."

Eiji Kikumaru: "Inui, you're really cunning."

Momoshiro Takeshi: "Exactly, Inui-senpai, you knew all along that guy would teach real stuff, didn't you? You kept it a secret."

Inui Sadaharu hesitated for a moment, then said, "No, the reason I chose that group was simply to see why Coach Shinichi would so strongly recommend Natsume Tsukiya, to learn something from him, and to see if I could apply it to my training..."

"

Inside the venue.

"BOSS."

Billy Casey and Mike Lee stood in front of Richard.

"Remember, conserve your strength first, then shock the world."

Richard explained, "Use the Kanto team as a stepping stone for you to reach the world's pinnacle. Audiences are most likely to sympathize with those who fall behind and then rise again. Your opponent isn't the so-called Kanto team, but yourself. What you're going to write is just a story, a story about a comeback!"

"Yes, BOSS!"

The two seemed completely unconcerned about the Kanto team and answered casually.

On Hanamura Aoi's side, "I believe in you."

"Although I've never teamed up with Sanada, I'm still pretty good," Atobe Keigo said.

Genichiro Sanada: "I have only one goal: to win!"

Hanamura Aoi looked at Natsume Tsukiya beside her: "Aren't you going to tell them?"

Genichiro Sanada frowned. Natsume Tsuki was also an eternal enemy, and Kirihara was someone he could never get past.

"Speak quickly, don't ramble on and on."

Despite his stubbornness, Atobe Keigo was secretly eager to hear what his captain had to say.

"Shut them clean sheet!"

"Zero...zero shutout?!"

Hanamura Aoi was stunned for a moment, her heart pounding wildly. She suddenly realized how incredibly charming the man beside her was...

Genichiro Sanada was also taken aback. Rikkai had a history of shutting out opponents, but shutting out the West Coast national team was something he'd never even dared to dream of.

The opposing team is the West Coast representative team. They must be no ordinary team to go to such lengths.

Genichiro Sanada couldn't help but wonder if Natsume Tsuki was addicted to shutouts, which was why he started talking nonsense.

"Oh?"

Atobe Keigo became excited, his eyes shining, and said, "If we can do it, I would never mind making them eat duck eggs."

"The other side will definitely stage a comeback."

Natsume Tsuki also spoke up: "Let you win four sets first to heat up the so-called atmosphere, and then fight back and come back from four to six. At that time, you will not only lose the game, but also lose your dignity. Since that's the case, let's do as he wishes and shut them out."

"Great, I really like this kind of momentum." Hanamura Aoi made no attempt to hide the pink hearts in her eyes.

Genichiro Sanada: "I can't shut out them, but I will never lose."

Atobe Keigo turned to Natsume Tsukiya, wanting to confirm his words.

"Atobe, you should have this belief, and never waver, no matter what."

Natsume Tsukiya looked up at Atobe Keigo and said, "Shut them out!"

Let's go!

Atobe Keigo turned around gracefully.

"Natsume, you've got guts."

A clear, insightful aura emanated from Atobe Keigo as he thought to himself, "So that's why you challenged me to a match before the game. Excellent! Although today's match isn't exactly a world-class event, it's being broadcast nationwide, with all the media outlets present. I'm going to let the world see the ice of Hyotei!!!"

Atobe Keigo thought to himself, but a question remained in his mind: why would Natsume Tsuki use aerial interception again?

"Clatter!"

"The winner is me."

Keigo Atobe snapped his fingers.

"Atobe Atobe Atobe~"

The crowd outside the stadium erupted in cheers.

"A decisive set, Kanto team's Atobe serves."

The referee immediately made the announcement.

"I don't know what kind of US West Coast team you are, but so what?"

After Atobe Keigo finished speaking, a ball went in!

"Fifteen to zero!"

"Yay! We scored right from the start with the serve!"

Cheers erupted from the sidelines.

"!"

"Bang!"

"Thirty to zero!"

Genichiro Sanada landed and glanced at the sidelines. Aoi Hanamura was looking at Tsukiya Natsume with a radiant smile. Sanada thought to himself, "It really is just as that guy said. The US West team is deliberately throwing the game. But how did he know beforehand?"

"Bang!"

"Forty to zero."

Keigo Atobe gripped the ball: "Looks like Natsume was right. Opponents like this deserve a shutout. I won't give them the slightest chance!"

"!"

The two sides played a few balls.

"Sanada, don't get in my way," Atobe Keigo said.

Genichiro Sanada retorted fiercely, "You are!"

"6

Game: Atobe Sanada, score 1-0!

"Atobe and Sanada are really something, they won the first game in one go."

"However, they're probably just observing."

"That's right, it's not time to show our strength yet."

"Oh, the other party is really impressive. They don't seem to be all show and no substance," Billy Casey said nonchalantly.

"Now is not your time to perform. Remember, this is a performance," Richard said.

"Then let's use this trick for now."

Billy Kessie had a secret weapon hidden in his service game, using a regular serve instead.

"Bang!"

Genichiro Sanada: "Are you serious?"

"That serve is really not good enough," Atobe Keigo suddenly retorted.

Mike Lee rushed forward: "Although the BOSS told us to exercise restraint, we can't let the opponent win too easily."

"Click click click!"

Saori Shiba was snapping photos like crazy: "The US West Coast team is really getting into the swing of things."

Inoue Mamoru: "Yes, that makes the competition even more intense."

"Bang!"

'

Game 3: Sanada Atobe, score 2-0!

Off-site sponsorship area.

"Nakamura, we've already let them take a two-game lead. Is it really okay for this to continue?"

Nakamura nervously explained, "No, there's no problem, trust me."

Inwardly, however, he was frantically praying: "Please, Mr. Richard, this is a tennis match! There are tennis courts everywhere here, and everyone's only watching because of tennis. Plus, the sponsors are mostly sports equipment groups related to tennis. If you win, great; but if you lose, what value do you have for them? You absolutely can't lose..."

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