"Seiichi Yukimura and Genichirou Sanada."
Kamikawa raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself.
"Who?"
Hearing that, Tezuka also turned his head to look at Kamikawa.
Clearly, he didn't recognize either of them, even though one of them would be his opponent in the next match.
"Your opponent and mine in the next round."
Kamikawa said to Tezuka with a smile.
His gaze fell upon the two of them. The future Emperor, Sanada, still seemed a bit rough around the edges.
As for Yukimura, Kamikawa seemed to sense an aura similar to the one emanating from Tezuka – a manifestation of "potential."
Potential, or rather, aura, can only be developed through powerful mental strength, leading to one's own "path" in tennis. More simply, it's about finding one's unique tennis style.
Only players whose tennis skill has reached a certain level can fully grasp their perfect potential. The State of Self-Actualization (Muga no Kyouchi) is also a form of potential, and similarly, the Path of Shura is the same.
Neither is definitively superior; they are simply opposing paths.
"Alright, Sanada."
Suddenly, Yukimura made his move, quickly dashing towards the net and swinging fiercely.
His speed was a few notches faster than expected, and Sanada was momentarily stunned in place, unable to react.
"Yukimura, your skill..."
Sanada paused, looking up at his childhood friend.
Yukimura smiled slightly, placing his tennis racket into his tennis bag as he spoke, "Sanada, let's have a great match in the finals."
"Okay!"
Hearing Yukimura say this, Sanada clenched his fist, nodding heavily. "I'll be waiting for you in the finals. Those two over there aren't our opponents for the next match, are they?"
Sanada's perception wasn't weak. After all, it was unusual for two people their age to suddenly appear on this public court. He had just been warming up and hadn't paid much attention to his surroundings.
"Yes," Yukimura nodded.
"Nice to meet you."
Kamikawa also walked over warmly, smiling slightly at Yukimura and Sanada. "I'm Muzuki Kamikawa from Tokyo, and this is Kunimitsu Tezuka, also from Tokyo."
"He also mastered 'potential'?"
Yukimura suddenly sensed a faint aura emanating from Tezuka.
He knew Sanada's strength well. If Sanada encountered a tennis player who had mastered 'potential', he would likely lose, and lose badly.
In contrast, this Kamikawa fellow didn't seem to have even the beginnings of 'potential'.
"Hello."
Yukimura interrupted his thoughts, smiling slightly. "My name is Seiichi Yukimura, and this is my friend Genichirou Sanada. We're from Kanagawa Prefecture."
"And we'll be your opponents in the next round."
Hearing this, Tezuka gave Yukimura another look. He felt that Yukimura's skill would be stronger than Sanada's, and he radiated the same aura as himself.
"He's my next opponent? A tennis player from Tokyo?!"
Sanada glanced at the boy with the gold-rimmed glasses. He looked about the same age as himself, but his face somehow bothered him.
"Hello."
Tezuka also noticed Sanada's gaze and gave a cold nod in response.
"Hello."
Sanada replied equally flatly.
For some reason, he felt that the other party was not simple. That subtle pressure was very similar to Yukimura's final shot during their warm-up.
"Pfft~"
Kamikawa couldn't help but chuckle at Tezuka's feigned cool demeanor.
Yukimura also turned to look at Sanada, his lips curving into a slight smile, and he joined in the laughter.
Tezuka rolled his eyes and said, "There's still some time to warm up."
"Alright."
Kamikawa readily agreed, turning his head to Yukimura and saying, "Then, Yukimura-kun, we'll see you in the semifinals."
"Mm."
Yukimura nodded, softly saying, "See you in the semifinals."
After Kamikawa and Tezuka left, Yukimura's smile faded. He had a feeling that the boy named Kamikawa wasn't simple. Although he didn't possess "potential," the sense of danger he exuded was very strong...
"Yukimura, I will meet you in the finals."
Sanada gripped his racket. No matter what, he would make it to the finals to play a true match against Yukimura again.
"I will too, Sanada."
Yukimura nodded. No matter what, Yukimura didn't believe he would lose, not even against those older players or the official team members of other middle schools. Yukimura had never lost.
---
...
"Next, the semifinals of this JR Tournament are about to begin! All participants, please prepare yourselves!"
At this time.
At the Rosen Tennis Center.
Half an hour had passed.
The broadcast announced, and the crowds converged towards the A and B group final courts.
"There are... even more people than we saw earlier."
"Yeah, after all, a lot of geniuses have emerged in this JR Tournament. You should've seen it; that backhand overhead smash, it was nothing short of genius!"
"This year's JR Tournament has a lot of substance, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, yeah~"
The spectators outside were discussing excitedly. Many coaches from tennis clubs had already taken their seats, eager to see the new talented players who had emerged.
The players who had been eliminated earlier also squeezed into the crowd, trying to find the best viewing spots.
Among them were Shishido and Mukahi, accompanied by a sleepy-eyed boy with curly hair, yawning.
"Honestly, Jirou!"
Shishido complained, looking at the curly-haired boy's appearance.
This person was none other than Jirou Akutagawa, ranked first in skill at Hyotei Elementary.
Like Shishido and Mukahi, he had been knocked out in the quarterfinals. His opponent was an elementary schooler from Kanagawa Prefecture, wearing a black hat, whose playing style was incredibly aggressive.
Jirou's always reliable net play was easily broken by his opponent.
Thankfully, Jirou had a big heart and didn't care much about winning or losing. If Shishido and Mukahi hadn't dragged him along, he would probably have gone off to nap under a tree somewhere.
"Jirou's just like that."
Mukahi waved his hand and turned to look at the court.
He had wanted to go to Group A to watch Tezuka and the Kanagawa player who defeated Jirou, but Shishido had dragged him over, saying he wanted him to witness the opponent's skill with his own eyes.
Mukahi really couldn't argue with Shishido, so he squeezed in with him.
"Ryo~ Is he really as spooky as you say he is?!"
Mukahi pouted. He didn't think the opponent was that strong; it must have been that Shishido's playing style was simply countered, which led to the 6-0 defeat.
"You'll see for yourself. Seiichi Yukimura from Kanagawa Prefecture isn't weak either. I have a feeling today's match will be exceptionally exciting."
"We might even learn something we want from it."
Ever since that match, Shishido had deeply realized his own shortcomings.
"Alright then~"
Mukahi had an indifferent attitude and turned to look at the court.
He'd just see how strong this boy who gave Shishido a clean sweep really was. He couldn't possibly be stronger than Kunimitsu Tezuka, could he?!
---
...
At this moment.
On Court A for the finals.
In the distance, a boy wearing a black jacket and a black hat had his hand on the net, feeling its tautness, his gaze coldly fixed on the boy with the gold-rimmed glasses on the court.
"Kunimitsu Tezuka from Tokyo."
"Hmph~"
"No matter who you are, you should be grateful that it's me you're facing at this moment!!"
Sanada held his racket and slowly walked onto the court as the umpire gave the command.
Walking onto the court with him would be his eternal nightmare.
Kunimitsu Tezuka!