Coach Ryuzaki, I would like to ask if I may play a match with Echizen.
The Metro Tournament is coming up.
I know.
Are you sure its all right to play at this stage?
No problem. I think I know myself well.
Is this a duel?
No, its just a match.
I need the right reason to allow you to do it.
Do you have one?
I havea reason.
Can you tell me what it is?
Wow, thats good! Youre playing great!
Can you get serious and play?
Oh!
This is stupid!
Hey, hey, help me out!
Anyway, beat me as quickly as you can.
After all, Im getting old fast.
Im burning, BURNING!
Youll never dunk!
He means youll never get away with it, right?
Yeah. But everyone is getting pumped up.
The Metro Tournament is coming soon.
But I think those two are speaking weird Japanese.
R-Right
I can easily return your snake shot.
Youre not giving me much practice.
Well, now Im going to hit it with 80% of my power.
I want 100%.
Hiss
One-two, one-two up down, up down.
Try to put equal weight on both your knees.
Your split step on one leg
puts a lot of pressure on that knee. Kikumarus the best
Youd better work up the other knee, too,
or youll risk a torn muscle. Sorry, see you...
Okay. next week.
And Kikumaru Hup two
Huh? What?
Be quiet while you exercise! Youre too noisy.
Okay.
It looks like well play well in the Metros.
Everybody looks great.
Wed better not let our guard down.
Theres no tournament anywhere in the world
where we can easily advance to the championship.
Thats the safe attitude to take.
Y-Youre right.
Weve finished practice for today.
Be careful and dont get injured. Thats all.
Youre dismissed!
Echizen.
Y-Yes?
Follow me.
I need a good reason to allow this match.
I have a reason.
Can you tell me what it is?
Ryomas tennis game is just a copy of Nanjiro Echizens.
His power, speed, reflexes and ability to use either hand
He is outstanding in these areas of tennis.
He does the opposite of what his opponent anticipates, just like his father.
Nanjiro Echizen was able to see his talents blossom, by playing overseas.
But I dont think Ryoma has that spark now.
At this rate, hell end up just being a copy of Nanjiro.
But I think he wants to beat Nanjiro. You think thats not enough?
Yes. All that he needs now is to awaken his abilities.
Are you planning to sacrifice your arm to that end?
No. Im all right. Dont worry about me.
Why are you doing this, Tezuka? The Metro Tournaments are soon.
Thats why I need to do this, for Echizens future.
LEGENDARY PLAYER! NANJIRO ECHIZEN He has to get over it eventually
The public tennis court in Harunodai Do you know where it is?
Its under the viaduct, right? I know where it is.
Whats this?
Ill wait for you there at 3 oclock three days from today.
Come alone. Ill bring the balls.
Huh?
Are you planning a showdown?
You were listening
What are you thinking about these days?
Never mind, Oishi.
But
Its okay.
Did Tezuka tell you? About the match.
Yes.
Hell play seriously.
Prepare yourself.
Hell be stronger than anybody youve ever played before.
About the same as your father.
Huh?
Thats all.
Its the last day of the tournament.
The mens singles final has turned into a 5-hour battle.
Well
this is another long rally, isnt it?
They took the first match 6-0!
Huh?
What you talkin about?
That aint it at all!
Here you go
You should choose between the TV and the newspaper.
You are not watching either, are you?
A young boy like you shouldnt be daydreaming.
Whats wrong with Ryoma?
Hes been like that since he came back home.
Right
Hes not even responding to Uncles childish provocations.
You there! Whats so childish about me?
Everything!
No way!
Ill wait for you at 3 oclock three days from today.
Come alone. Ill bring the balls.
There!
Darn! I almost got it!
Oh?
Whats wrong with you, Echizen? Feeling sick?
Not really.
Well, youre not very friendly As usual
Its easy to hurt your elbow, especially by playing tennis.
Therere many athletes who suffer from tennis elbow.
Though in your case,
its the joint thats injured rather than the elbow.
Your favorite drop shot put a lot of strain on your joint.
Uncle Akitaka, how long must he continue his treatment?
Our team will not be able to make the National Championship without Tezuka.
Shuichiro, calm down. Listen to me.
You worked very hard.
Congratulations! Youve recovered completely.
You did it, Tezuka!
But you should not play long matches yet.
And also, you had better not try to hit the drop shot for a while.
I was really happy for you,
but are you sure about the match with Echizen?
Im completely recovered. Theres no problem.
But you were told youd better stay on your guard.
I dont want to repeat this to you. Its okay.
Its unusual for Tezuka to be exercising.
The Metro Tournament is getting close.
He must be gearing up.
We had another tough practice today.
There arent many days left before the Metro Tournament.
Get as much rest as you can until then.
Okay! Right!
MONTHLY PRO TENNIS EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
LEGENDARY PLAYER! NANJIRO ECHIZEN
Huh? Arent there fewer players today?
You may be right. Ryoma hasnt showed up either.
Boy, hes so lazy
Oh? I dont see the captain here.
Well, Oishi is not here either.
The little guy hasnt shown up yet, either.
I wonder what theyre doing?
Echizen is off due to illness.
Hes sick?
How about the Captain?
Sick.
What about Oishi?
Sick.
What?
I smell a conspiracy
A tennis conspiracy?
Sabotaging someone whos a pain, maybe?
It doesnt sound good.
Hey, hey, dont worry about the others.
Go start your practice! Go!
Nanjiro... Its been so long!
Huh?
Yo, Inoue! Long time no see!
Yes. Im here to ask you some questions.
Oh, okay. Ill answer anything you want.
Oh? Isnt that young lady with you today?
No, Im alone today.
I not Nanjiro.
U-Uh Nanjiro
By the way, whats your question?
Well, I was thinking about what you told me before
concerning what Ryoma needs to do.
Oh?
I agree Ryoma was just copying your tennis game as you mentioned.
That means he cant overtake you as long as he copies you.
He switched his racket while playing in the district preliminary.
He was certainly just copying you, Nanjiro.
But after he hurt his eye,
he showed us his overhead with the twist spin for the last point.
That was not a copy of your game. It was Ryoma Echizens own style.
That means Ryoma overcame the obstacle which is you.
Isnt that correct?
No, its not.
Even if he stops copying my tennis, he still wont be able to beat me.
Well... So is there something else he has to do?
Yes But he has to figure it out himself.
Are you ready to start?
Yeah.
Tezuka
Well That was fast.
Oh!
You should stop, Tezuka. Your arm is
Echizen, will you able to beat me?
If you want me to beat you, I will.
Thats the Kick Serve.
Your Kick Serve doesnt work on me.
Youre pretty good. No wonder youre the captain.
He returned that strong Kick Serve
Usually, its not easy to return because the ball bounces up into your face.
Butby lowering his hips at that instant,
Tezuka turned the Kick Serve into just another high ball.
Moreover, the ball originally had backspin,
so Tezuka returns it on the half volley.
And its impact makes the ball spin faster back to Ryoma.
Hes not just playing around. Tezuka is very serious.
Echizen, why do you play tennis?
Why? Whats the reason?
I have someone I want to beat.
You play tennis just because theres someone you want to beat.
Are you satisfied with thatEchizen?
What do you mean?
After that, what will you have?
After you beat him, what are you going to do?
After that, what will you have?
Instead of thinking about the future
now I need to focus on the enemy before me!
Oh!
Stop it, Tezuka! You shouldnt hit a drop shot yet
Tezuka
Echizen see if you can beat me.
Im Seigaku 7th grader, Ryoma Echizen.
Im playing a match against Captain Tezuka,
but my favorite Kick Serve doesnt faze him.
No wonder he is the captain; hes a strong player.
But I dont intend to lose.
If you insist, Ill show you my tennis, my own tennis.
Next on The Prince Of Tennis: Seigakus Strongest Man Part 2
You still have a ways to go.