Chapter 11

The main qualifying matches were carried out according to the pre-scheduled schedule. Sanada did not give up at all throughout the competition, and used his unquestionable strength to stabilize the tennis club's situation affected by Yukimura's illness.

On the A-team court, Sanada hit the ball back with a powerful strike, and the opposing team member didn't have time to react, scoring inside the tennis court.

"6-0, the winner of Group A is Sanada."

The results of the matches were posted on the tennis club's notification board so that every member could see them.

Sanada's record of 6-0 from start to finish stood out on the display board, allowing the club members to directly see the gap in strength.

Kirihara Akaya felt his blood boiling, eager to challenge Vice Minister Sanada again. "Another 6-0, as expected of Vice Minister Sanada."

"Kirhara, don't just focus on watching Sanada's game, pay attention to your own game time." Yagyu Hiroshi held the DV video and reminded his junior.

Kirihara Akaya ran from the spectator seats to his own arena, arriving a little late but not by the limit. "Hey! It's already this late. I'll go back to the game first, Yagyu-senpai."

"This is the nth match you have recorded, Yagyu. Not only Sanada's matches, you should record my matches too. It's Niou's request." Yanagi Renji used an affirmative sentence.

Yagyu Hiroshi finished recording and put away the DV. "Well, the military advisor knows, so there's no need to ask. Besides, isn't it clearer that Sanada is actually present at every match than the records?"

Niou Masaharu secretly practices for the competition, enlisting the help of Yagyu Hiroshi and Marui Bunta to record the action. However, when it comes to taking it seriously, Yanagi Renji, who watches every match from the sidelines, takes it even further.

"Well, I need to update the data in time. After Yukimura was hospitalized, Sanada's practice time more than doubled. I want to see the strength of the two in the match against Nioh." Yanagi Renji and Sanada are too familiar with each other, and they know many of their playing habits.

However, Sanada showed even more strength in the main qualifying round than ever before. Based on Yanagi Renji's previous data, the same return would have landed in the back half of the left court.

The result was correct. Sanada did respond in the same way, but his response was more precise, pressing on the left baseline, and his speed and power were stronger than before.

One might argue that Sanada hasn't been giving his all in the past, and that variations in qualifying are normal. Yanagi Renji disagrees. Even if he hasn't been giving his all, Sanada's playing style remains consistent, with subtle variations in his smashes and slices from match to match. This suggests that Sanada's control has evolved during this period, a new level of improvement.

"The winner is Marui from Group B, 6-2!"

The loser, Marui Bunta's junior, Aikawa, bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance."

"Keep up the good work, your backhand has improved a lot compared to before. Keep working hard in the coming year." Marui happened to remember that he had coached this junior before, so he comforted him.

"Yes, I will try my best, Senior Marui!" Aikawa didn't expect that the regular player could still remember his situation.

After the match, the Jackal Kuwahara didn't forget to bring some snacks for Marui Bunta. "Bunta, congratulations on your victory."

"Yeah." Marui Bunta's eyes were fixed on the small cake, and he had not forgotten what he had promised Niou Masaharu.

The next game was Yanagi Renji's turn. After Marui Bunta came off the court, he waited outside the net while eating and handed the DV to Kuwabara to help record the video.

Liu Lianer stood calmly on the field waiting for his senior to come on stage.

In the main qualifying round, all the graduating seniors who have not retired early will participate in this competition. It is considered as their final contribution to the club, and it also allows the younger students in the tennis club to gain more experience.

Third-year Ito felt twice as stressed as he looked at Yanagi Ren.

You have to know that they witnessed the rise of the Big Three of Rikkai University with their own eyes. Ito, who has been in the tennis club for three years, is very clear about the direct gap between the starters and the non-starters. If there is no outstanding performance in the first year of entering the school, there is a high probability that he will not be able to get a starter position.

Maori, who transferred to the school that year, quietly won the place in the main selection competition. The classmates of the same year were mentally prepared. When Maori was at the peak of his popularity, his reputation was not inferior to that of the son of God, Minister Yukimura. Maori of that class was a genius representing Shitenhoji.

Ito is a player who is stuck on the edge of the starting lineup. The closer the position is, the clearer the distance is.

Do you think other tennis club players would sweep the tennis club 6-0 like Fudo Sanada? Even if not all of them, nearly 80% of them would have been swept, but they just didn't do that.

"Let's kick off, Senior Ito." After a little thought, Yanagi Renji found the data he had memorized.

Ito gripped the racket and served.

As expected, Yanagi Renji stood in the position to receive the ball in advance.

Facing a non-starter in his own tennis club, Yanagi Renji played less oppressively and did not read out statistics to exert pressure.

Yanagi Renji didn't say it, but every ball hit by Ito was returned effortlessly, and the pressure kept accumulating.

After finishing his match, Kirihara Akaya came back to see that Liu-senpai's match was just over halfway through. "What? Liu-senpai is letting the sea go."

When Kirihara Akaya joined the tennis club on his own in the first grade of junior high school, Senior Liu had not collected any data in advance, but he was able to figure out Kirihara Akaya's return preference after three sets. How could an internal match drag on so long? If it was a match between Vice-President Sanada, the time would be about the same.

"Pfft~ Don't say that. We are a club. If we all act like Sanada, the tennis club will probably have to quit the club collectively." Niou Masaharu strolled in slowly, holding the DV of Sanada's match that Yagyu Hiroshi had just recorded.

"It's so scary, Senior Niou! You can't even make any sound when you walk." Kirihara Akaya stood up in anger.

Niou tilted his head. "But I spoke first, Bunta. Here's your reward."

"OK, Kuwabara is still recording." Marui Bunta opened the steaming takoyaki and noticed that Kirihara Akaya had a longing look in his eyes and had given him half a box.

Although this was not enough to fill Kirihara Akaya's stomach, he still thanked Marui-senpai for his kindness. "Thank you, senpai. Actually, I'm just feeling a little hungry."

"You should know that what you eat is brought by Niou. Well, you will know how rare it is to have the opportunity to order Niou around in the future." Marui Bunta enjoyed the snacks to replenish his energy.

Ito was chasing the tennis ball with sweat all over his head, completely caught up in Yanagi Renji's rhythm.

The reason why we can notice the main selection action outside the court is that Yanagi Renji did not press on with the victory.

This is the treatment that seeded players should have. They can enter the main selection circle before they are even in the main selection. Even in non-main selection venues, they can compete with the main selection from time to time. Of course, the amount of training is also first-class.

When Ito first joined the club as a freshman, he did not complete the amount of exercise required by the Rikkai University Tennis Club. Although the players after Nioh did not challenge for the main selection, those three were the only freshmen who completed the rookie training program on time. It is estimated that they had already been recorded by the captain, no, the former captain, and were given special training at that time.

Are you really about to graduate? Why do you love reminiscing so much? Even if you can't let the younger generation gain experience, you will still give it your all.

Ito took a deep breath, changed his rhythm, and sliced ​​the ball backhand.

Yanagi Renji did not fluctuate. No matter whether the senior was a little distracted or the senior was now bursting with strength, he received the ball just the way he should. Even with the burst of strength, Yanagi Renji could still return the ball as steadily as before. Senior Ito's return was not a threat to Yanagi Renji. In short, he was not strong enough.

"The match ends, 6-3, Group B Liu Shengli."

Yanagi Renji placed his racket in his tennis bag, his brow slightly sweaty. "Ito-senpai, thank you for your guidance. If I'd played like I did in the second half, I'd have had a much harder time. Also, when you were hesitating about the direction of your return, even though you didn't make eye contact, your backhand gave you away. If you were more attentive, you could have guessed the direction based on the angle of your backhand."

"Thank you, Liu-kun." Ito calmed down his breathing from the exercise. "My little movements were clearly seen."

Ito would pay attention to this situation when playing, but when he focused on attacking, he neglected his usual playing habits.

"What a great military advisor." Ren Wang waved from the side.

After leaving the court, Yanagi Renji took out his notebook. One match didn't stop him from collecting data. "It's your turn, Niou."

"I'll be right there." Niou Masaharu's match was scheduled later, so this could be considered as the military advisor's care.

Nioh's matches showed everything and nothing at the same time. His style changed completely according to his opponent. If his opponent was not good at dealing with smashes, he would choose to attack with smashes to score points. He adopted a weakness-based point-scoring system, leaving no subjective preferences for the spectators.

Kirihara Akaya had played against Niou-senpai before and knew he was quite capable, though he certainly hadn't beaten him. "Why is Niou-senpai letting his opponent down? He knew he was vulnerable, but he still let them score. That shouldn't be the case. How did they get to 6-4?"

Marui Bunta almost spit out the water in the military advisor's face while drinking it, choking. "Ahem! In some ways, Kirihara, you are better than Sanada."

"Huh?! How am I better than Vice Minister Sanada?" Kirihara Akaya really wanted to know when he heard it.

"You're so silly and adorable, Sanada can't compare to you in this respect." Marui Fumita nudged his coat. "You'll have to discover it yourself."

Yanagi Renji took the initiative to avoid the place of trouble. Niou Masaharu still had nothing to collect from this competition and kept it hidden tightly.

"Kuwabara, give him the DV. We're leaving." Marui Fumita was afraid that if he stayed with Kazukihara Akaya, he would be infected with single cell disease and then be punished by Sanada's iron fist.

Kirihara Akaya, who was left behind, watched the game with a puzzled look on his face.

After finishing his match, Niou Masaharu went to the venue where Yagyu Hiroshi was playing, asking his partner to do the hard work. A good partner should show their concern in a timely manner. "Puh-huh~ 6-1, not bad, Hiroshi."

"What's the matter again, Niou?" Yagyu Hiroshi firmly believed that Niou Masaharu was being so attentive to him for no reason and had something to ask for.

Since Yagyu Hiroshi had spoken, Niou Masaharu, who had no intention of doing so, borrowed the homework reference. "Pfft~ Why is Hiroshi so cautious?"

"Sanada, it seems you didn't go to watch the Nioh game." Yanagi Renji recorded the results of the game and found Sanada practicing in the indoor practice field.

Sanada maintained his standard swing and replied, "There's nothing to see. The outcome will be revealed during the match."

Even if Niou Masaharu has prepared some secret weapons, as long as there is a gap in strength, there is nothing to be afraid of. What Sanada is doing now is to continuously strengthen himself.

After hearing this, Yanagi Renji quietly recorded Sanada's practice process. What Niou Masaharu prepared was indeed exciting, but Yanagi Renji, who was familiar with Sanada's strength, did not think that Sanada would lose.