"What do you think?" Kamikawa looked at Tezuka, wanting to hear his thoughts.
After a moment of silence, Tezuka shared his opinion: "There are still many shortcomings. Oshitari's skills need to be strengthened."
In his view, the player named Yanagi Renji wasn't particularly strong; he was within manageable limits. Furthermore, Yanagi specialized in doubles, and his victory over Oshitari in singles reflected that Rikkaidai didn't need Yanagi to play singles at all. Their singles lineup was already overflowing, which wasn't good news for Hyotei.
Yanagi Renji possessed top-tier Kanto-level skills, and in doubles, he could even perform at a national level. In singles, having Sanada and Yukimura was already enough. Besides, their other singles players, at worst, were still Kanto-level.
"After all, it's Rikkaidai, a renowned tennis school that has dominated the Kanto Tournament for years. It's expected to have several national-level players."
"Next, it's time for the doubles to take the court."
Upon hearing this, Tezuka nodded. "Gen Hikaru, Kawamura-senpai, it's your turn."
"Don't worry, we absolutely won't lose this match."
"With Hikaru and my synergy, in the doubles arena, even nationally, there are few who can beat us."
"After all, we were once the two rising stars of the Hyotei Tennis Club."
Gen Hikaru and Kawamura were confident. Since their first year, these two had been partners. Even if they weren't regular members, Ochi would occasionally let them participate in training matches.
In their second year, they officially became Hyotei regulars and traveled with the team, facing countless strong doubles combinations, fighting their way into the national top four.
Hearing them, Tezuka smiled faintly. "Senpais, please give it your all!"
"Just leave it to us."
With that, Gen Hikaru and Kawamura walked onto the court.
Facing them was another Rikkaidai third-year doubles pair: Ishihara Chu and Fushimi Seiichi.
These two had also competed in the national tournament as a doubles team. In terms of synergy and skill, they were no less than Gen Hikaru. If Yukimura and others hadn't appeared, Ishihara would have already been the captain of the Rikkaidai Tennis Club, which was somewhat similar to Gen Hikaru.
"Ishihara, Fushimi! It's you two again!" Gen Hikaru looked at them with displeasure, as if remembering some unpleasant past.
"Gen Hikaru, Kawamura Hayato!" Ishihara turned slightly, his eyes narrowing, and calmly said, "You two, weren't you supposed to be the vice-captains of Hyotei? How did you fall so low as to play doubles?"
"Cut the crap, Ishihara!" Kawamura sneered, glancing at Yukimura in the Rikkaidai audience. "You're no different, scurrying back to play doubles. It looks like Rikkaidai's singles doesn't have a spot for you either." Kawamura said dismissively, "Last time, you just got lucky, winning that crucial match in the Kanto Tournament finals. Today, you're going to lose!"
"Lose..." Fushimi muttered softly, without showing a hint of dissatisfaction. His face was as calm as water. He slowly shook his head and said, "Only Rikkaidai can win! Both now and in the future..."
"You...!" Kawamura was about to make a move but was stopped by Gen Hikaru.
"Let's settle it on the court."
Gen Hikaru's gaze remained on Fushimi. That guy was definitely not as simple as he appeared. Fushimi Seiichi, the original candidate for Rikkaidai's captain.
...
"Gen-senpai and Kawamura-senpai lost to these two in last year's Kanto Tournament finals," Kamikawa suddenly interjected, his gaze on Rikkaidai's doubles pair.
Even Tezuka only knew a little about this matter.
Atobe, who was sitting in the audience, stood up and walked towards Kamikawa, sitting next to him. His gaze fell on Gen and Kawamura:
"Their doubles pair, lost?"
"Yes, they lost." Kamikawa glanced at Atobe and nodded. "They were the Double Two at the time, but their skill level was that of a Double One. It's just a pity they ultimately lost 6-4."
"Is that so!" Atobe nodded thoughtfully.
"These two might not be as good as you in singles, Atobe," Kamikawa paused, then added, "but in doubles, even Mukahi and Oshitari's style would find it very difficult to score a single point against them."
"Mukahi and Oshitari's combination is still too green," Atobe didn't argue. "But given time, that doubles pair will definitely become Hyotei's strongest."
Atobe had considerable confidence in that. Oshitari specialized in baseline defense, while Mukahi excelled at net play. These two were practically born to be a doubles pair. What they lacked now, besides skill, was synergy.
"Perhaps," Kamikawa smiled faintly, not dwelling on the matter, as no one could predict the future. He then turned to Tezuka, "Once this doubles match is over, I'm going in!"
Sitting in the audience, Kamikawa was itching to play. This practice match, besides the regular first-string players, also included Shishido, who had been relegated to the second-string. The original plan was to see Shishido's growth during this period. After being sent to the second-string, Shishido trained until dark every day. Everyone in the tennis club—Atobe, Tezuka, and the others—knew Shishido's determination to rejoin the first-string.
"Hm?" Tezuka was surprised and looked at Kamikawa twice before asking, "Do you want to play against Rikkaidai's captain?"
"No, no, no!" Kamikawa shook his finger. He had no intention of playing against the Child of God. Even though he knew he would win, he had found a suitable prey this time.
"I want to play against that second-year who's sleeping."
"A second-year?" Hearing Kamikawa, Tezuka followed his gaze.
He saw a figure with red curly hair, wearing the Rikkaidai tennis club uniform, lying comfortably in the audience. Even with his team's match underway, he seemed completely indifferent.
Tezuka felt like he had seen this somewhere before, then turned to see Jiro sitting motionless behind him. "That person is quite similar to Jiro."
Jiro, after arriving at Rikkaidai, showed no signs of sleeping, nor was his attention on the match. Instead, he was focused on the Rikkaidai club members watching from outside the court.
More than Tezuka, Atobe was curious about what kind of magic that person possessed that would make Kamikawa actively choose him.
"He looks like a very ordinary guy."
Atobe observed for a long time using his keen eyes, but the person continued to lie on the chair, seemingly unaffected, just sleeping.
He couldn't see any clues. Furthermore, having mastered the World of Ice, he had officially entered the national level. He could also sense the aura emanating from Kamikawa and Tezuka.
That was the mark of a national-level player.
From Yanagi Renji, who had just played against Oshitari, he could vaguely sense a faint aura. It was just a bit weak, not as intense as the aura from him or Sanada.
Not to mention Kamikawa and Tezuka.
Atobe, who knew Kamikawa's personality well, understood deep down that the person Kamikawa actively pointed out to play against was definitely not as simple as he appeared.