The Prince of Tennis, Talent Replication

"So, Natsume-kun, what are your thoughts on Hyotei's upcoming matches?"

Inoue Mamoru finally caught up with Natsume Tsukiya and Hiyoshi Wakasa, and said in an interview:

"From what I overheard the students at the scene, they're saying that groups one through eight are the 'group of death,' as they bring together the national champions, Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School (all previous Kanto Tournament champions), Ginka Junior High School (third place in Tokyo University), Fudomine Junior High School (the dark horse that made it into the Kanto Tournament in its first appearance), and Yamabuki Junior High School (the runner-up in Tokyo University's ...

Inoue Mamoru listed them one by one.

Just as he said,

Numbers one through eight are all relatively tricky.

Unexpectedly, Natsume Tsukiya's lottery draw made things much easier for Seigaku this time. From the 9th to the 16th, apart from Josei Shonan and Rokkaku Junior High, there were basically no other strong schools.

"Hyotei?"

Natsume Tsukiya also answered directly:

"Our goal at Hyotei, as I said before, is unchangeable: to win the Kanto Tournament and the National Championship. It's that unoriginal."

He spread his hands and spoke with complete ease.

Inoue Mamoru was taken aback for a moment. Although this was the information he hoped to get, Rikkai University was not so easy to deal with, so he immediately asked:

"Hyotei High School and Rikkai University Affiliated High School are in the same district. What strategies does Hyotei have to deal with Rikkai University?"

Is Rikkai University big?

Natsume Tsukiya also displayed considerable confidence, saying:

"Hyotei ends Rikkai's three-peat, starting with the Kanto Tournament!"

Although Hyotei is a strong team in the Kanto region, Rikkai is ultimately Hyotei's eternal nemesis. It's true that Hyotei's players are strong, but Rikkai's players are among the strongest...

Inoue Morio believes that even with his captain and Atobe Keigo, Hyotei cannot easily defeat Rikkai.

"Is it from the Kanto Tournament?"

Inoue Mamoru repeated Natsume Tsukiya's words and asked a question in return.

"That's right, it's the Kanto Tournament."

Natsume Tsuki answered affirmatively, his voice firm and resolute:

"Remember my words, Rikkai's winning streak ends here."

"ah?!"

Shiba Saori covered her mouth, somewhat skeptical of such boasting, yet secretly amazed by Natsume Tsukiya's confidence and eloquence.

Inui Sadaharu was even more surprised.

"No one has ever dared to claim they could end Rikkai's winning streak."

Inoue Mamoru could only chuckle awkwardly.

It's not that no one has made pronouncements, but rather that no one dares to imagine what kind of existence Rikkai University is—it's a god-like existence.

"We have it now," Natsume Tsuki said, shrugging.

Inoue Mamoru was at a loss for words after hearing such a startling statement.

The results of the lottery were quickly relayed back to each school.

Especially Yamabuki.

"Sengoku." Coach Banta Mikiya, with his usual calm and kind demeanor, said into the phone with a smile, "You really are lucky, Sengoku."

"Oh dear, Ban-ye, don't even mention it. We've run into Hyotei in our very first match. What are we going to do?"

Sengoku Kiyosumi was at a loss for words.

Although Yamabuki is not afraid of anyone, how embarrassing would it be if he were eliminated in the first round?

"Your opponent is a champion of the Metropolitan Tournament and a regular runner-up in the Kanto Tournament. Even so, as a youth selection representative, you shouldn't be so lax, Sengoku."

Ban Tianqian also spoke without the slightest hint of urgency.

Kentaro Minami spoke up from the side:

"Should we bring Akutsu back? I heard from someone that Kabaji Takahiro of Hyotei is incredibly strong, and perhaps only Akutsu can deal with him."

"Ah, Akutsu," Banta Mikiya said calmly.

"Ouch...."

Sengoku Kiyosumi had just heard some news about Yamabuki. The guy seemed very arrogant. He told Minami Kentaro that he refused to lose no matter what. Actually, that guy from Hyotei was obviously more popular with girls than him. Several girls had been hit on by him. How could Sengoku Kiyosumi admit defeat? Absolutely not.

"It's rare to see our Sengoku so obsessed with winning and losing," Banta Mikiya joked.

Sengoku Kiyosumi scratched his head and said:

"No, it's just that I suddenly really want to fight Fudomine again."

Banta Mikiya naturally didn't know that Sengoku Kiyosumi was lying.

-

Qingxue.

"Yeah?"

Inside the Seigaku office, Sumire Ryuzaki sat at her desk, put down her steaming teacup, and picked up the phone. On the other end was Kunimitsu Tezuka.

"That's right, our first opponent is Ikari from Yamanashi. I just wanted to report that to you."

Tezuka Kunimitsu meticulously reported the situation on the scene to Ryuzaki Sumire.

"We don't know the opponent's strength yet. Even if they're not a top school, we need to be fully prepared. We must win the first match, otherwise the third-year students won't stand a chance..."

Sumire Ryuzaki gave her earnest advice.

"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Coach." Tezuka Kunimitsu hung up the phone.

Shuichiro Oishi: "Luckily, I didn't run into Hyotei in this draw."

"....."

Tezuka Kunimitsu remained silent. Seigaku harbored resentment towards Hyotei, as Hyotei's overall strength was superior to Seigaku's, based on past tournament records.

The addition of Ryoma Echizen this year has boosted Seigaku's strength, but the fearsome mark will remain until he is defeated, no matter how many times it is hinted at.

None of the Seigaku members wanted to face Hyotei in their first match.

"Isn't that A-Qian?"

As Oishi Shuichiro looked up, he saw Inui Sadaharu staring blankly at his notebook.

They exchanged a glance and then stepped forward.

"Agan, what kind of information are you here to collect?" Oishi Shuichiro spoke first.

Inui Sadaharu turned his head upon hearing the sound and said:

"yes."

"You watched the lottery just now, didn't you?" Tezuka Kunimitsu asked.

Inui Sadaharu looked at his notebook and said:

"I was quite worried before coming here that I'd get Hyotei. What do you think, Tezuka?"

"Even if I draw it, I'll give it my all," Tezuka Kunimitsu replied emotionlessly.

"After the draw, the captain of Hyotei University made a bold statement, saying that he would end Rikkai University's three-peat in the Kanto Tournament."

Inui Sadaharu slowly stated:

"Hyotei this year is even stronger than last year."

"Wait, A-Qian..."

After pondering for a moment, a head full of questions arose. He gestured for the other to stop and asked:

"Has the captain of Hyotei University arrived?"

"They're here."

Inui Sadaharu turned his head and gave an affirmative answer.

"We haven't seen Atobe yet?"

As the vice-captain of the third year, Oishi Shuichiro was not exactly familiar with Atobe Keigo, but he was not completely unfamiliar with him either. He had not seen Atobe Keigo all day, so he was very confused.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Hyotei's captain has changed."

Inui Sadaharu pushed up his glasses.

"Change...change the person?"

Oishi Shuichiro was startled, but it was no wonder that he was surprised; even the usually composed Tezuka Kunimitsu showed a slight surprise.

"Yes, Atobe Keigo is no longer the captain of the Hyotei 200-member club."

"What on earth is going on?" Shuichiro Oishi asked anxiously.

Tezuka Kunimitsu chimed in, "Hyotei has always valued strength above all else. Atobe was able to become captain because of his ability."

The meaning was quite obvious, and Inui Sadaharu immediately replied:

"Before the loser's bracket revival match in the Metropolitan Tournament, Atobe was no longer the captain of Hyotei. The reason he didn't play was because he was suspended by the new captain."

"A ban?!"

This news exceeded even Shuichiro Oishi's expectations, and even Kunimitsu Tezuka was utterly shocked.

Like Tezuka Kunimitsu, Atobe Keigo possesses the strength to compete in the national region, and the two understand each other very well.

Given Atobe's personality, it's hard to imagine what happened that led to his suspension.

"This can't be real, can it?" Oishi Shuichiro simply couldn't believe it.

Tezuka Kunimitsu: "Inui, what exactly happened?"

"Yes, A-Qian."

"The specific details are unclear. All we know is that Keigo Atobe, a third-year official team member and captain, was defeated by a second-year substitute in the school ranking tournament, thus losing his captaincy."

Inui Sadaharu adjusted his glasses and said:

That's how it is.

"Second year...substitute?"

There was so much information that even Oishi Shuichiro, the mother of Seigaku, began to feel confused.

Tezuka Kunimitsu's eyes gleamed brighter, and his mind became unusually calm. He grasped the most important information and spoke:

"So, the one who drew lots today."

"etc."

Shuichiro Oishi hurriedly said:

"Tezuka, you don't mean to say that the unfamiliar face sitting in Hyotei's seats today, the one representing Hyotei to draw lots, is Hyotei's—captain?"

"That's right, that's Hyotei's current captain."

Qian Zhenzhi paused for a moment before uttering the last four words:

"Natsume Tsukiya!"

"Natsume Tsukiya?!" Tezuka Kunimitsu and Oishi Shuichiro exchanged glances.

Neither of them had ever heard of this person.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Inui Sadaharu flipped through the notebook, then turned it to the two of them and introduced them:

"This is the person who defeated Fuji's younger brother, Fuji Yuuta, in the Metropolitan Tournament's loser's bracket revival match with an astonishing time of fourteen minutes and thirty seconds."

"Fourteen points..."

Oishi Shuichiro stared wide-eyed in astonishment at the numbers circled in red by Inui Sadaharu, shaking his head and saying:

"That can't be right. Fuji's younger brother is very strong. He fought Echizen to a standstill."

"More importantly, throughout the entire match, Yuta Fuji lost 0-6 and didn't score a single point."

Inui Sadaharu closed his notebook.

"Uh..." Tezuka Kunimitsu's eyes showed wariness.

"Is this...is this really possible?"

Shuichiro Oishi was surprised and asked doubtfully:

"Ah-Qian, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"

"I've watched the videotape of that game, there's absolutely no mistake."

Inui Sadaharu stared at Oishi Shuichiro and said:

"The opponent is an incredibly powerful guy, far stronger than Atobe."

"So, this year it's not just Seigaku who has a superstar, Hyotei also has an amazing newcomer?" Oishi Shuichiro thought of Echizen Ryoma.

Tezuka Kunimitsu:

"So, Hyotei is very confident of winning this Kanto Tournament?"

Inui Sadaharu:

"Hyotei is still resentful about losing to Fudomine in the Metropolitan Tournament. If they can defeat Yamabuki this time, they will definitely face Fudomine. Two matches will be enough to see their strength."

"Even if it happens again, we, Fudomine, will not fear anyone."

The voice came from behind. It turned out that Tachibana Kippei and Kamio Akira had come over and happened to hear the three of them talking about Fudomine, so they interrupted.

"It's Fudomine's tachibana."

Inui Sadaharu turns his head:

"Hyotei has suffered at your hands against any opponent."

Akira Kamio: "In my opinion, Hyotei might not be able to beat Yamabuki."

"That's exactly what you want."

Qianzhen governs the way.

Kippei Tachibana: "Of course, we still have a score to settle with Yamabuki."

"Even so, I still want to remind you that the captain of Hyotei is not someone to be trifled with," said Sadaharu Inui.

"It doesn't matter who comes, including your Seigaku," said Kippei Tachibana. "This time, we won't lose like we did in the regional preliminaries."

"That would be best," Tezuka Kunimitsu said.

......

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group went their separate ways.

Throughout the journey, Oishi Shuichiro appeared extremely worried, constantly pestering Inui Sadaharu with questions about Hyotei.

Although Hyotei and they won't be able to meet for the time being.

Inui Sadaharu:

"Oishi, you don't need to worry too much. Hyotei has to beat Rikkai before they can face Seigaku."

"Why..."

Shuichiro Oishi immediately realized what was happening, scratched his head, and chuckled sheepishly:

"Yeah, Hyotei might not be able to beat Rikkai."

He immediately realized the problem and changed his words:

"It would have been better to meet Hyotei."

The sea is so fearful of Rikkai.

"Hahaha~"

The two exchanged a smile, while Tezuka Kunimitsu, as always, kept a straight face, showing neither joy nor anger.

Before the game,

The career monthly magazine that Inoue Mamoru works for has published interviews and reports about various schools.

This immediately sparked widespread discussion.

The most attention-grabbing part was the pre-match trash talk between Shonan and Hyotei.

The students at Rikkai University Affiliated High School reacted calmly to those words.

When Inoue Mamoru and Shiba Saori went to interview him, Sanada Genichiro calmly said:

"Hyotei's new captain is spouting nonsense. We won't take it to heart. Rikkai's goal has always been the same: to achieve every victory. Any threats or provocations are laughable to us, the reigning champions, Rikkai..."

These words left the two reporters speechless.

but,

While Rikkai University may not care, the group of people who subscribe to this youth monthly magazine do.

At least they were extremely surprised.

The fact that someone would make such a boastful statement about Rikkai has generated a lot of discussion.

On the contrary, the participating schools had no time to pay attention to these things.

All sixteen schools are intensifying their training, either by developing new tactics to counter rival teams or by strengthening their regular training, all striving with the belief that they can showcase their skills in the Kanto Tournament.

Natsume Tsukiya's side,

Hyotei's situation is much better than before.

Yamabuki Junior High School is a strong school. Although it doesn't have any particularly impressive special skills, its strength is very stable.

but,

Even with the addition of Akutsu, Hyotei might not be able to compete with them now.

Hyotei did not let their guard down because of this.

The previous example triggered a chain reaction, and Atobe Keigo even lost his title as department head. How could people not remember that?

Keigo Atobe finally made his first public appearance after disappearing for a long time.

He remained as self-willed as ever, followed by Kabaji Takahiro.

When Natsume Tsuki saw him, he knew in his heart that this person's strength had improved again, and he was much stronger than before.