Chapter 23
Rikkai University's 16th consecutive Kanto championship almost collapsed before the game even started. Fortunately, Kirihara Akaya's English score was up to standard, which made the entire Rikkai University tennis club breathe a sigh of relief.
At Tokyo Tennis Park, the 28 participating teams arrived one after another, and a tense atmosphere filled the stadium.
Sanada looked around seriously and led the team forward.
The situation in the team is completely different from that on the field, it's very relaxed.
Yanagi Renji had already learned about his opponents and was already tracking their whereabouts after the match. "Where are you all going after the match?"
"Pfft~ Biru and I went straight back to school. Why are you asking so early this time, military advisor?" Niou Masaharu felt something was wrong. Usually, Liu would ask about where the game was after the game.
Marui Fumita thought for a moment. Even if the match ended quickly, it would still be lunchtime. "Let's go line up for a local specialty cake. After lunch, let's go check out the other seeded teams' matches this afternoon."
"I want to watch the match between Hyotei and Seigaku." Kirihara Akaya raised his hand.
Yanagi Renji smiled faintly. "That's going well. Sanada and I will go too."
"Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School and Ginka Middle School, please line up."
The broadcast sounded, and the players lined up before the game. Sanada led the players to stand in an orderly manner, waiting for the game to begin.
The team leader of Yinhua and Sanada's opponent signaled to the referee without even looking up: "We have stomachaches, forfeiting."
"Wait!? Everyone abstain." Kirihara Akaya was confused.
Sanada looked at Ginka's team expressionlessly. "Too lax."
"So this is what the military advisor meant~ Phew, Biru, we have a lot more time this time, let's take a walk around first and then go back to school." Niou Masaharu didn't expect that Ginka would choose to forfeit as a whole. Generally, tennis clubs that come to Kanto rarely don't play a single game.
Yanagi Renji estimated a 50% chance of winning. It seemed Ginka was indeed quite lucky. Based on their strength, they probably couldn't beat St. Rudolph in the loser's bracket. "Ginka has had a whole-team forfeit experience before, and the first round of the Kanto tournament was their best performance in recent tennis."
"Disband." Sanada and the tournament staff confirmed the records and walked towards the busiest venue.
Marui Bunta squeezed in next to Niou Masaharu and enthusiastically discussed the morning's cake strategy. "I'll trouble you, Advisor, to gather the intelligence. Niou, please help me line up the limited edition."
"Wait for me, Senior Yanagi, Deputy Director Sanada." Kirihara Akaya followed his senior to the competition venue between Hyotei and Seigaku.
In the qualifying round where the number of spectators was not counted, there was a venue that was completely surrounded.
"Ice Emperor, Ice Emperor..."
The shouts of encouragement were heard one after another, but Qingxue's voice could not be heard at all.
Sanada was able to locate the location without asking for directions. "Still as noisy as ever."
"We've just started the second doubles match. Did Seigaku change players? This is the first time Kikumaru has competed in a formal match with someone other than his partner." Yanagi Renji opened his notebook.
Sanada observed the changes on the court with a sharp eye. Normally, Seigaku's doubles match had no chance of winning. A makeshift team, a novice pairing lacking chemistry, even if Hyotei's ninjutsu wasn't serious, Seigaku wouldn't have been able to turn the tables. "But in the end, it was Seigaku who faced Rikkai University."
"How can we lose like this?!" Kirihara Akane was completely baffled. Forget about anything else. That blue-haired Hyotei player had performed much better against Vice Minister Sanada. There wasn't a loser's revival match in the Kanto Tournament. What was going on? This advantage had been overturned. Vice Minister Sanada wasn't going to face an iron fist, but a steel fist!
Sanada was speechless. He hadn't expected Oshitari, whose brains rivaled Niou Masaharu's, to lose in a match like this, a match where a little more carefulness could have easily won by a large margin. "Too lax."
"Oh~ Hyotei's Shishido Ryo has been promoted from the second team again." Yanagi Renji recorded the results and turned his attention to the next group of players. "Let Sadaharu play this round, the second-year player."
Seigaku's first doubles pair is fixed by Oishi Kikumaru, and the second doubles pair, excluding Tezuka, all have a record of playing. Calculating the singles strength, there is a high probability that Sadaharu will become a fixed doubles pair, with a chance of at least 53%.
Kirihara Akaya looked around bored. "It's so slow~ When will it be Tezuka's turn to compete?"
On the court, the doubles battle between Hyotei and Seigaku was in full swing. Yanagi Renji on the sidelines frowned and noticed Inui Sadaharu's actions.
The score was 4-4, and after one goal, the referee ruled that Seigaku scored. Inui Sadaharu stepped forward to explain: "Referee, this ball was 5.2cm from the sideline, it's out of bounds."
The scores were recalculated and the game continued, with Hyotei winning the match.
"What? It was clearly the referee's fault just now. They lost after showing off." Kirihara Akaya muttered in disappointment. They should have won the victory by force after the score was corrected. What's the point of losing?
Yanagi Renji closed his notebook. "If the people from Seigaku hadn't said anything just now and won, wouldn't you feel that it was an unfair victory, Akaya?"
"It's the referee's problem. Of course, I don't want such a victory. I will definitely defeat them and win." Kirihara Akaya said so. If this problem really occurs, he will choose to express it directly. Of course, the red-eye mode cannot guarantee it.
Sanada said nothing. There was no need to hesitate about such a choice.
At Rikkai University, only Masaharu Niou might agree to let the game go on.
In the singles match, both Hyotei and Seigaku chose to forfeit.
"You chose the wrong opponent. With Kabata's characteristics, he won't suffer any loss when fighting with anyone else. It would be okay if Atobe was on the sidelines, but due to Atobe's arrogance, he won't interfere and give orders in official matches." Yanagi Renji added a mark to Kawamura Ryudan.
Sanada deliberately ignored Tezuka. With his strength, he could take on many of the hado balls, so there was no need to refer to them during the match.
Yanagi Renji continued to observe the dynamics of the game. The winner of this game would most likely be the opponent in the Rikkai University finals.
In the second singles match, Aogaku Fuji Shusuke defeated Hyotei Akutagawa Jiro 6-1. Now Aogaku has the advantage over Hyotei with a score of 2-1, and the first singles match will be soon.
Atobe Keigo of Hyotei versus Tezuka Kunimitsu of Aogaku.
"The winner is Hyotei, and the victor is Atobe..."
The game was still in full swing, and the teams that had finished their games were slowly gathering at the venue.
"From Chiba, Fudomine, Yamabuki... many schools are here." Kirihara Akaya noticed the crowd in the audience and found many members of participating schools.
Yanagi Renji pointed across. "Many reporters have heard the news and rushed over. The fight between Tezuka and Atobe is rare."
It should be said that the gap between strong teams and weak teams is obvious. One strong player cannot save the team, but this matchup will undoubtedly be a evenly matched contest.
Kirihara Akaya clenched his fists, a glint of anticipation flashing in his eyes. "I've finally been waiting for this."
Sanada watched the match with a sharp gaze, his heart in turmoil. He always had the highest expectations for Tezuka Kunimitsu's matches, even if he was silent at this moment, even if he had made a break before.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
