"Zhen … Shinichiro, come and practice with me."

He was very happy when he said that they were the strongest, but he stubbornly insisted on using his name.

Xing Cun had never been able to figure out his friend's obsession that he couldn't understand.

In fact, he just felt that when he called out "Sanada", it sounded particularly imposing, as if he was full of energy.

Ah, but this point, it's better not to let Shinichiro know.

After studying in the club for half a year, these two kids became famous in school.

Junior high students won the tiebreak with their physical advantage, but Sanada Yukimura and his friend deserved to be called the strongest in the Warring States period. They gave all their peers and primary school students a zero in the match.

This kind of talent and progress made the club's coach unable to believe it, especially the Yukimura who didn't grow taller for half a year. He was full of curiosity.

That kid, why does his style of playing look more stable than the senior players?

Obviously, he always has a gentle smile on his face, but every ball is tricky, and his movements are crisp, simply a textbook example.

This kind of play has a very high scoring rate, whether it's the baseline or the net, it seems that he can accurately return the ball to the dead corner, no matter what the ball is, he can return it. He must be an all-around tennis player in the future.

On the other side, the coach sighed, why are there so many amazing kids. This Jun Sanada has grown a lot taller than when he first came. Among his peers, he is the strongest. With the improvement of his physical fitness, his style of playing is full of deterrence.

He has heard several students complain that Sanada's ball is particularly scary!

The students are too good, the coach feels that there is nothing to teach … But, at present, the most suitable thing for them is actual combat training.

These two people have their own style of playing, but doubles is not only about skill, especially when facing an opponent who has the age advantage, can they still play their strengths?

In a sense, the cunning coach pinched his chin and smiled.

He didn't really want to see the expressions of these two little fellows when they were hit. Young man, failure can make people grow!

"The two of us, go to the doubles game?"

The two kids looked at each other and felt that the coach seemed to have come up with another idea.

Junior high students and preschoolers had never competed against each other in the club ever since they discovered their talents. However, they had organized several single matches where all the members drew lots.

In the end, the birth of two genius children had inspired many tall men who were usually lazy.

However, the two of them weren't confident in a doubles match …

"You guys don't understand. Men should play doubles!

Imagine the passion of fighting side by side, the tacit understanding of each other, and the friendship of entrusting your back to someone you trust. "

As he spoke, he glanced at the expressions of the two children. They were easily stirred up. As expected, they were still children. The coach smiled with satisfaction.

"I believe in the strength of the two of you. If you can defeat everyone here, I'll sign you up for the doubles competition in the Kanagawa region."

Boys were born with the desire to win. Seeing the flames burning in the eyes of the two children, the coach felt that it was time to pour cold water on them.

Yukimura had always been a person who refused to admit defeat.

In his memory, he was the best at everything, and it was the same in tennis.

After discovering the difference in physical strength and strength between himself and the Junior high students, he asked the coach to provide him with a special training menu.

As the strongest, there should be no blind spots in any aspect!

What troubled him was that recently, when practicing with him, the probability of his opponents making unforced mistakes had gradually increased. It was clearly just a continuous return of the ball, but they would actually miss the net or something. In Shinichiro's words, they were too lax!

He asked a few students who he was familiar with, and it seemed that they weren't in good condition. Their fingers were numb and they couldn't control their strength well. However, when he watched Shinichiro practice, such a problem never occurred …

Could it be that it was caused by his return of the ball?

Because he received my ball, his grip and feel were affected?

He had never heard of this kind of thing.

For the time being, he put aside the doubts in his mind and focused on cultivating the tacit understanding of the doubles with Shinichiro.

From the perspective of the style of play, the two of them were very suitable to play doubles.

Sanada had strong attacking power, and he was the key to scoring in front of the net. Yukimura's excellent return of the ball ensured that every tennis ball that flew to their backcourt would be defended.

With such a combination, even if they were to face players who were a few years older, they would be able to win. However, it was simply a dream for them to participate in the competition at the age of four or five.

"Shinichiro, come and train!"

Yukimura's eyes were shining, and he would never allow his weakness to exist. He felt unhappy when he thought about losing to a weak team that was only suppressed by their size.

If he was strong enough, he would definitely be able to win no matter what the opponent was.

Motivated by his partner's efforts, Sanada also felt that he had to open up more of his abilities.

The two children relied on their hot-bloodedness. In addition to training at the club, they often practiced in the courtyard of Sanada House.

However, the intensity of this training was, of course, increased with the approval of the coach. It would not be worth it if it affected their physical development in order to improve their strength in a short time.

The effect of this special training was significant, especially on Sanada. He felt refreshed every day, and his limbs were stronger. He looked even bigger than Yukimura.

The students who practiced doubles with them in the club all expressed that it was a strange feeling to see the skinny one defending on the opposite side of the court and the tall one standing in front of the net.

Compared to Sanada, they hoped that Yukimura would stand in front!

At first, they thought that this formation could fully utilize Sanada's attacking power as the main attacker, and Yukimura's defensive role did not seem to be very useful.

Many people were more afraid of Sanada's heavy hit than Yukimura's return of the ball. After repeated adjustments, when they finally focused on attacking Yukimura, they found that no matter how tricky their return of the ball was, Yukimura could steadily catch it and return it to them.

Every time they felt tired because of the constant play, their hands began to lose control, and the opponent seemed to be able to read their minds and seize this opportunity to win.

"If you're not serious, I won't let you go!" The cute child opposite them was not an angel at all, but a demon, right?

"You're too relaxed!" Hey, even if you're Sanada, don't teach us a lesson …

The Sanada Yukimura duo had achieved their initial goal. For the first time in their lives, they had become the club's overlords. Congratulations.

Next was the regional championship. Kanagawa was the overlord, and Kanto was the winner. If the two children were alone, they would also be very strong, but with an opponent by their side, the way they chased each other would be more emotional.

The coach, who was watching them from the side, was soberly aware that he might be witnessing a pair of amazingly talented tennis players who would shine. At this time, they were just two children who had never tasted the real fruit of victory and did not know how tempting it was.

— — —

In the summer when they were five years old, the two people who participated in the Kanagawa regional tournament for the first time, accompanied by their coach, wrote their names on the sign-in book for the under-12 doubles competition: the Sanada Yukimura duo.

The coach, who originally brought them to test the water, did not expect that the so-called competition players were the kind of geniuses who could use every game to continue to break through and show amazing growth.

They were in Group B, known as the "Group of Death," and they were the youngest pair of doubles players in this year's tournament. The two children caused the audience to laugh as soon as they came on the court.

Although he did not have much hope, the coach could not help but complain about his luck for the sake of their young age.

"It's okay, just do your best. Anyway, you're still young. You can win next time." The coach patted them on the shoulder comfortingly and looked helplessly at the two tall and thin opponents across the court.

Yukimura looked at Sanada, who showed obvious dissatisfaction on his face, and did not intend to answer.

It's good that no one is optimistic about us. I like to see the other person's expression when they underestimate me and are defeated.

He smiled calmly and looked directly at his partner, as if to calm his anger.

Shinichiro.

Yes.

Let's get a regional championship first.

They stood calmly on the court, as if the laughter and comfort around them did not exist. They even had an expression that said, "We're definitely going to win this game."

However, after the first game, no one doubted that the two children would lose this game. Faced with the aggressive ball sent by the tall and strong opponent, the one with the hat could actually yell and use a faster speed to return the ball to the opponent's blind spot.

And even if he received the return ball, he would always unknowingly fall into the rhythm of the purple-haired player. In the long tug-of-war, he would always give away points in the form of a net.

Who would suspect that the opponent was throwing the game?

The two children, who were refreshed, did not seem to have warmed up, while the opponent was sweating profusely as if they were not playing a game, but a game.

Were the children nowadays so good?

They turned their eyes to the coach sitting in the chair. Little did they know that although they looked calm on the surface, they were jumping with joy on the inside.

It was really amazing. It seemed that they were stronger than they thought.

Although their opponent was not a strong player, he was not at the level of someone who would be eliminated in the first round.

They were as calm as a general. These two children were really monsters!

The ball was switched to Yukimura. He tossed the ball twice to find the feel of the ball. Looking at Sanada's back in front of him, he smiled. The first serve of this victory should also surprise Shinichiro.

He threw the ball high and leaned his upper body back heavily. With the strength of his waist and the width of his calves, he swung his right arm vigorously. With a crisp sound, the yellow ball flew past the center net and hit the sideline of the opposite service area. Then, it bounced lightly in a weak arc and rolled to the side of the opponent's coach's feet.

The ace ball in the outside corner made the whole audience quiet down as if someone had grabbed their throat.

Sanada slowly turned his head and opened his eyes wide.

"Sanada, take the next ball."

The man almost used a commanding tone and called his surname. However, Sanada felt that on this court, the words "Sanada Yukimura" were more powerful than any other name.

He straightened up and swapped positions with his partner. He said proudly, "Of course, Yukimura!"

With a record of 6: 0 in the group stage, this team with the title of Warring States Heroes entered the quarterfinals as a dark horse.

Although it was a regional tournament in Kanagawa, with the famous Tachikaidai University in charge, countless tennis lovers threw themselves into the pursuit of this small ball.

Yukimura and Sanada met two groups of seeded players in the group stage, and the other three groups were seeded teams. In such a situation, the two children who had not yet entered elementary school were particularly eye-catching.

Even the coaches, who were full of confidence in them, could not say for sure what tactics they would use against the other three teams that were coming at them.

However, he was very clear that these two mischievous children would never reveal the slightest bit of information to him.

Yukimura and Sanada's opponents were a pair of fifth-grade elementary school students. According to the coach's information, the opponent's unique skill was a tacit understanding, which made it almost impossible for them to miss the ball and break the opponent's serve. Using fast attacks to keep the serve was their secret.

However, such tactics were almost useless in the face of Sanada Yukimura's almost guaranteed kill. Yukimura's ace ball and Sanada's fierce attack were almost useless. Even the so-called tacit cooperation ended when Yukimura broke one of the players' focus on returning the ball.

The coach gradually discovered some subtle characteristics. It seemed that Yukimura, who he had always regarded as a model, had consciously used this to develop a similar psychological influence.

However, was it his illusion?

Why did he always feel that the opponent's mental state was particularly bad when they came off the field?

The opponents in the semi-final were different from those they had encountered before. This was a group of strong attacking teams. The one in charge of the net was a tall and thin guy. His style of playing was very sinister. Sanada's calf, who was confronting him, even had some bruises, which more or less led to mistakes in returning the ball. After losing two games, Sanada guiltily apologized to Yukimura, but he received a big encouraging smile in return.

After the change of venue, the opponents were surprised to find that the two children had actually changed their positions.

"Hey, are you going to give up, kid?"

The boy in front of the net looked down at Yukimura, his slender eyes flashing with malice. "Don't think that I won't dare to be ruthless just because you have a pretty face. Hmph!"

Yukimura pretended to smile innocently at him, but his clear and cute voice said something that frightened the opponent. "If only you could still touch the ball."

The situation then reversed. The boy found that he could not touch the ball at all, just as the kid said. The moment his teammate returned the ball over the net, he seemed to have teleported and sent a short ball to the inside corner of the center line.

This situation repeated countless times. Other than serving and returning the ball, all the scoring and defense of the kid in the hat were done by this pretty kid alone.

This game was very uncomfortable for Sanada Yukimura.

Neither of them used the style of playing that they were good at, and Sanada was injured because of it.

Yukimura tried to use the paralysis skill at the end of the game, but he gave up in order to not let the opponent score and to quickly end the game to clean up Sanada's wounds.

Although both of them were not satisfied with their performance, the onlookers were really surprised.

Sanada sat on the chair, and Yukimura squatted in front of him, carefully watching the coach treat his wounds. He looked very serious, and maybe even a little angry.

Although he felt that Yukimura was not angry at him, Sanada still felt a little guilty.

"I'm sorry …"

"What are you sorry for? That bastard actually dared to hurt you. I didn't even have time to teach him a lesson before it was over …"

Sanada pulled the brim of his hat, trying to hide his red face.

"Shinichiro, you have to think about the problem. You can't be helpless when faced with such a style of playing."

Yukimura looked at him sternly. "Your return is too forceful, and it's too stiff. It's easy to miss the net like this, and it's even exhausting your energy and wearing out your wrist."

Sanada nodded obediently, silently accepting the education. "Of course, my skills still need to be improved. I've clearly touched on one point, but why can't I understand it?"

The coach quietly worked as a nurse. Other than being an adult, what was the point of being a nurse?

But … "Little Yukimura, when you said 'one point', are you referring to the psychological effect?"

Yukimura's eyes widened, and he seemed to suddenly understand something. "… Psychological, huh? So it's not a numbing effect."

The coach looked at his clear eyes and felt that he was still a little useful. "Your style of playing is based on an absolute return defense. This means that no matter what the opponent sends you, you can use the most basic skills to return. If such a round continues, the opponent will have the mentality that no matter how they play, they won't be able to score. It's similar to a skill that makes the opponent slack off and seize the opportunity to score."

Yukimura frowned. Although this was the effect in the eyes of outsiders, this was not his purpose.

Now, the landing point of his return was not so ruthless. Sometimes, it was inevitable that he would habitually feed the ball, resulting in a long round in the coach's eyes.

However, he himself liked an absolute crushing attack. It was just that he could not achieve it with his current strength.

But at least, the coach's words were a reminder. Seeing that he was looking at him with a pitiful face, the coach would praise him. "I've thought of what you said, but the effect is different. Still, thank you, teacher."

The coach was dumbfounded and smiled helplessly. "Well, good luck, Little Yukimura."

The regional finals were much more difficult than Yukimura thought.

For the first time, the two of them were suppressed by absolute strength. Not only was Yukimura's racket knocked out of his hands several times, but even Sanada could not defend against his own attack power.

Yukimura suddenly realized that his tennis was not the kind of aggressive tennis that had deterrence. Although it was called comprehensive, the attacks used to feed the ball and the attacks used in the competition were two completely different situations.

He felt that he gradually lost his excellent sense of hitting the ball as he ran. The path of the ball that would not deviate in the past was out of control.

Under such circumstances, how could he play the ultimate move of psychological effect?

He was even a little desperate. Sanada Yukimura's reputation would be ruined if this continued …

The incoming ball became so scary that he did not want to catch it at all. He could not catch it anyway, so he just let it go …

"Until the end, don't give up, Yukimura!"

Yukimura jerked his head back. Shinichiro, who had always been mocked by him for being too mature, was crying under his cap. He did not even use his hand to pull down the brim of his cap out of habit. It was as if he was wholeheartedly focused on the game.

Yukimura suddenly felt that he had let Sanada down. In such a desperate situation, Shinichiro could still hold on. On the other hand, he, who had once used this sentence to teach Shinichiro a lesson, was too lax!

"Shinichiro!

Sorry!

Let's do our best for the next ball! "

He turned his head and stared at his opponent with his eyes wide open.

Junior high students, who were a little frightened by his gaze, could not help but admire the two children on the other side of the court.

In the finals, they certainly knew how strong their opponents were. Even if they lost, the two children were only a few years old. It would not be long before they could turn around and crush them.

And with such tenacious spirit, they really had to pull themselves together and fiercely suppress it.

However, what was unbelievable was that they saw what was called cheating in real life.

It was obviously a ball that could not be caught, but the kid in the cap actually held the racket with both hands and roared back. His teammates, who were stunned in place and somewhat relaxed, did not react at all.

He turned his head to remind them. When he turned back, he found that the beautiful kid standing in front of the net was staring straight at his eyes.

What was going on?

He shook his head and concentrated on returning the ball that the opponent picked in front of the net. After a few rounds, the continuous ball made him a little impatient. In such a state, he could not exert any strength at all.

With a glance, the ball that his hands received had a strange change.

Wait a minute, this, the net?

He looked at his hands in disbelief. His sense of the ball had become worse.

He looked up at the kid opposite him. His deep purple pupils emitted a dark light. For a moment, his vision was blurred.

The game was reversed again. All the spectators found that a huge hole had appeared in front of the net for the Junior high team. The player who had always been calm and seemed to be the leader lost all his aim.

The consecutive forced mistakes gave the opponent two games.

And then, in the face of the double team that had lost one of its members, Yukimura's ace showed its power again.

The two people on the other side of the court, one was at a loss and frightened, the other was blinded by anger and confusion.

In the last game, Sanada did not use his usual strength. Instead, he handled a few small balls in front of the net very carefully, perfectly ending Sanada Yukimura's first victory in the doubles competition.

On the sidelines, the coach, who could no longer sit still, looked at the two high-fiving kids with admiration.

With such strength, it was a waste to only practice doubles!

What did he see in the desperate counterattack in the seventh game?

It was a transformation of strength and a mental attack!

He finally remembered what Yukimura had said not long ago about "the effect was different."

At that time, he felt that he had overestimated him. But now, he wanted to go back in time and give Little Yukimura a big hug.