Demon Slayer: The beginning of an immortal sword

The first time, the first time, was a big event.

With the arrival of Richard Bega and others, the Kanto regional selection training camp has officially ended. All participating players will go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on the day of the game.

After arriving in Neon, Richard began to promote his team, summoned many reporters to visit their place of residence, and showed everyone the training routines of some substitute members of their representative team.

Originally, he thought that these reporters would be very surprised, but gradually found that the reporters seemed to be completely uninterested in the training of these substitute members, which made Richard secretly think: What a bumpkin, he can't even appreciate the real art of tennis.

Little did they know that the reporters had been watching Akashi and his team's games for more than two years, and their horizons had long surpassed those of the past. If it were a few years ago, these reporters from Kanto might have really been fooled by Richard.

But in the current Japanese junior high school, the players from Kanto are basically at the ceiling, and other regions cannot compare at all. Currently, only the Shitenhoji in Kansai is still worth watching. Naturally, they are not interested in this alternate member of the US West Coast team.

In fact, this time, many reporters came to interview with a sense of joking. They didn't think that this American youth team could defeat those monsters in the Kanto region. Now they can get salary and bonuses, and they can make themselves happy. Such good things they wish for more.

Richard soon took a group of uninterested reporters to visit the entire training ground. Since there was a press conference later, Richard didn't talk much with the reporters.

This time, Shiba Saori didn't follow the lounge to ask for an exclusive interview out of curiosity. She and Inoue Mamoru quietly waited for the press conference to begin. In fact, what the reporters wanted to see most was how the Kanto team completely defeated the US West Coast team. That was when they would frantically wipe out the film.

At this time, Richard was still dreaming of making a lot of money in Japan, but he didn't know that the organizer of this exchange exhibition match was not something he could fool around with, because the organizer was the Akashi Group.

Yes, that's right! It was held by the Akashi family group. This was also a big reason why Akashi agreed. Anyway, they all made money, so of course they wanted to keep the money within the family, and then let Richard pay for his pants.

Just a few days ago, a manager of the Akashi Group contacted Richard through the Tennis Association. The two sides reached an agreement on the exchange match and signed a bet agreement. This was simply a huge fortune for Richard.

Richard thought he knew the level of Japanese tennis very well. Even if he recruited players from all over the country, they would not be the opponents of his American West Coast team, not to mention just the Kanto region.

So he signed the agreement very happily, still mocking the Japanese in his heart that they were really stupid and rich. Isn't this just giving money to him for nothing? When the time comes, let the players fool around, and there will definitely be a lot of crazy fans in Japan.

In Richard's view, tennis is just so-so, and fan culture is the mainstream trend of future revenue. As long as he succeeds in making stars, he can make more money than the club.

But Richard is not in a very good mood now. He is still furious in the lounge backstage because Kevin's unauthorized actions disrupted a small part of his plan. Fortunately, Kevin and his little follower finally came back at the last moment.

Time passed quickly, and the press conference was about to begin. All the invited reporters were already waiting quietly at the scene, and Richard was also making final preparations.

At the same time, in Akashi's training manor, everyone was waiting to watch the press conference on the big screen in the open space. After the training camp ended, most of the players came to the training base to continue training.

Shiraishi and the others were also curiously looking at the big screen. Although there was nothing happening in the Kansai region this time, it was human nature to join in the fun, and they were actually quite concerned about the current strength of the United States.

Akashi had already informed all the directors of the training schools, including the six-cornered ones, that the junior high school students would participate in the world competition this year. Although they didn't know whether they would not be selected, it was better to treat them equally. As for whether to tell their own players, it was up to the directors to decide.

At this time, the picture on the big screen finally

Finally, a change occurred. Richard appeared in the center of the stage. You know what, a straight suit made Richard look like a decent person.

"Dear guests from Japan, welcome to come here today. I am Richard Bega, the coach of the West Coast Youth Team of the United States!" Richard first introduced himself.

"It is a pity that everyone in Japan does not know what real tennis is. Do you think tennis is an art?"

"Tennis should be a performance. When the best stage, the best actors and the best performances come together, it is the time when the miraculous art begins to show!" Richard directly began to talk about his understanding of tennis.

However, these remarks offended the players who were watching the live broadcast in the training base. Many people frowned involuntarily. Akutsu's eyes seemed to chop Richard into pieces. This obviously regarded them as clowns.

"Excitement, fantasy and thrills, the most perfect tennis in the world, let us show it to everyone in Japan!" Richard finally said his closing remarks.

Then he began to introduce the players of the US West Coast team. The atmosphere was like an idol debut performance, which made many reporters feel a little embarrassed.

"The most perfect tennis in the world? How ridiculous! Right, Karaji!" Atobe was the first to speak disdainfully.

"Uh-huh!" Karaji still responded woodenly.

"It seems that I have to communicate with these players this time~ But they look quite strong, I hope to make the game more interesting!" Fuji still had a smiling expression, but everyone could hear the coldness in his tone.

"Tsk! It's just a waste of my time!" Akatsuki said extremely unhappy.

Akashi glanced at Akatsuki and complained in his heart: You are so reluctant, isn't it because Xiao Jin participated? Just spoil him, tsundere!

On the big screen, the player introduction session finally ended, and then the reporter's question session began. Although the reporters were not too interested in these players, many people raised their hands out of the instinct of the reporter profession.

"You are not the All-American team. Have you ever thought that you will lose badly this time?" A reporter stood up and asked bluntly.

"This is an invalid question. As long as you watch the game, you will know how strong we are! Of course, I can guarantee that our strength is better than last year's All-American team!" Richard said very confidently.

Richard's words made the third-grade junior high school students raise their eyebrows. They watched the last world championship. The strength of the United States is second only to the top four countries, and it is said that this year's strength has greatly increased.

"If Reinhardt hears your remarks, I wonder what that guy will think!" Akashi said softly.

This year's US team is one of the strongest teams in the early stage of the world championship. Even against the German team, it is not inferior at all, but it was pitted by Long Ya later.

"I'm Mamoru Inoue, the editor of Tennis Monthly. I have a question for Kevin Smith. You are likely to play against Ryoma Echizen, who has a connection with your father. What do you want to say?" Mamoru Inoue asked Kevin at this time.

"What do you mean, will Ryoma Echizen also play in this game?" Kevin asked, looking at Mamoru Inoue with sharp eyes.

"Yes! Ryoma Echizen is also on the list of players in this game!" Mamoru Inoue looked at the information in his hand and said truthfully.

After hearing this, Kevin came directly to Richard, snatched the microphone from his hand, and said to the camera in front of him in a sharp tone:

"I have been waiting for the day to compete with Echizen Ryoma! Hey! Echizen Ryoma! I will not run away or hide! I will completely defeat you in front of so many viewers!"

Kevin's words made the eyes of everyone watching the live broadcast shift to Ryoma, while Ryoma lowered his head, adjusted his hat, and then looked at Kevin on the screen and said:

"Hmph~ You... are still far away!"

In fact, Ryoma knew in his heart that he might not be able to play this time. After all, he is just a substitute now, although he is also very curious about the relationship between Kevin and himself.

Due to Akashi, most of the players returned to the training base after the training camp, so Ryoma did not meet Kevin in advance, and naturally did not know the grievances between his father and Kevin's father. He just felt that Kevin was a little inexplicable.

Time soon came to the day of the game, by

Due to the strong promotion of the Akashi Group in the early stage, many spectators came from all over the country to watch the game today.

In order to make his team more famous in Japan, Richard also found a connection to invite Jelly Bins to hold a small concert before the game. You know, she is now a super popular idol in the United States.

At this time, at the door of the lounge of the US West Coast team, a staff member of the Tennis Association was talking to Richard. He told Richard that there would be many sponsors coming to this game, and more importantly, the current chairman of the Akashi Group would also be there in person.

Richard let him rest assured. Richard had 100% confidence in his team. It was just a group of Japanese junior high school students. It was not a piece of cake to win the game. He even started to think about how to play tricks.

You must know that in the gambling agreement signed with the Akashi Group, if his team won this game, then Richard would get a sponsorship of 30 million US dollars from the Akashi Group. Together with other sponsors, it is estimated that all the sponsorship fees would be at least 40 million US dollars.

Amid the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, Jellybeans's small concert came to an end, and the next game was finally about to officially begin. At this time, the host came to the center of the competition venue.

He first thanked the Akashi Group for its strong support for this competition, and also made oral announcements for several tennis sports brands under the Akashi Group. At the same time, some other sponsors were all introduced one by one, and then all the participating players were allowed to enter.

When the players of the Neon Kanto team entered the stadium, the entire stadium was filled with extremely warm cheers, and the people of Fudomine in the VIP seats looked at the participants with interest, especially Akutsu and Kintaro.

After the two sides shook hands before the game, the referee of the game was already in place, and the first doubles match was about to begin, and the four players participating in the game had already done warm-up exercises before.

At this time, the host began to introduce the four players of the doubles match. When the audience heard that the first match was between Atobe and Sanada, the cheers became even louder, almost overturning the roof of the gymnasium.

Richard on the sidelines was giving his final instructions to his players, repeatedly emphasizing that the game process must be exciting, and that their performance skills must be brought to the limit, and that they must firmly grasp the attention of the sponsors.

"The doubles match will begin next. The Kanto team's Atobe Keigo and Sanada Genichirō will compete against the US West Coast team's Billy Kady and Mike Lee. Please enter the field!"

Billy and Mike walked onto the field as usual, but something they didn't expect happened. The opponent seemed to be a little different from what they imagined.

Atobe, wearing the Kanto team uniform, slowly walked to the center of his half. At this time, the people of Hyotei School began to cheer, which made the audience unconsciously follow along.

"Atobe! Atobe! Atobe! Atobe!"

Atobe raised his right hand high, and then snapped his fingers loudly. The cheers around him instantly quieted down, and a device above the gymnasium was directly turned on, and rose petals slowly fell from the sky.

"The winner! It will be me!" Atobe tore off his coat and threw it into the sky.

"Still so pretentious! Atobe!" Sanada said speechlessly.

"I'm so sorry! It seems that I am more eye-catching than you!" Atobe showed a narcissistic smile on his face.

Atobe's appearance made Richard on the sidelines a little stunned. Why does this person seem to be better at acting than his own players? Who is the protagonist of this game?

After the audience around them quieted down a little, the four came to the net and started to guess who would go first. There was still a greeting session, but Atobe and Sanada ignored each other's intentions, and the referee could only awkwardly signal to guess who would go first.

In the end, Atobe won the serve, which made the audience cheer again. Atobe and Sanada walked back to their positions with calm expressions.

"The game ends! Atobe Keigo serves first!"

Atobe stood on the baseline, looking at Billy and Mike on the opposite side, with a disdainful smile on his face, and threw the tennis ball high in his hand. When swinging the racket, his wrist gave the tennis ball a fierce rotation.

The tennis ball flew straight to the front court of the opposite side with a strong rotation. After flying over the net, Billy had already arrived at the landing point first, waiting to swing the racket back.

But after the tennis ball landed,

It started spinning at high speed, then bounced a little, and then slid forward along the ground, and finally rushed out of the court.

"Tanhuaiser serves!"

"ACE! 15-0!"

Bibi's serve made Billy stand there in disbelief. He had never seen such a serve in the club or in the training base.

But Bibi didn't care about his opponent's daze. He came to the baseline again and threw a tennis ball, and used the same method to hit a Tanhuaiser serve again.

The tennis ball flew over the net with a spin like before. Billy finally reacted at this time, but he didn't seem to have a good way, because from his perspective, the tennis ball didn't seem to bounce, so how could he fight back.

"ACE! 30-0!"

In the next two balls, Bibi still hit the Tanhuaiser serve mercilessly. Many people in the current junior high school can crack this trick, but it was unexpectedly successful against these American players.

"ACE! 40-0!"

"GAME! Atobe and Sanada combination! 1-0!"

The second game was Billy's serving game. Although Billy, who was standing at the baseline, was somewhat shocked by Atobe's serve, he soon regained his smile. They had originally planned to let the opponent win three games in this game.

Even if the opponent's serve was strong, this was a doubles match, how many times could the opponent serve? Moreover, he had just gradually seen that this ball did not bounce, but was just a little low. He was confident that he could break it.

Billy directly threw the tennis ball high up, then swung the racket to hit the tennis ball, and flew directly to the bottom corner on the right side of Atobe with a relatively ordinary flat shot. Although he had his own serving trick, Billy always remembered what Coach Richard said, this was a performance.

After seeing Billy's serve, Atobe's disdain in his eyes became even stronger, and there was also a hint of anger. With his eyesight, he could naturally see that Billy did not use his full strength at all.

So our uncle Atobe flashed to the point where the ball landed, swung his racket fiercely, and the tennis ball flew across the net at a very fast speed and hit Billy's feet at the bottom line.

This counterattack was beyond Billy's expectations, but he reacted immediately and quickly intercepted the tennis ball downwards. When the tennis ball hit the racket, a strong force made Billy secretly frightened.

This also caused the quality of Billy's return ball to decline. The tennis ball flew directly to the opposite half of the court. At this time, Atobe had appeared in front of the net, jumped high, and hit the tennis ball in the air hard.

The tennis ball hit Mike's right hand on the other side with strong kinetic energy, causing him to unconsciously release the racket in his hand. The tennis ball bounced high. Atobe jumped up again and hit the rebounding tennis ball hard again.

The tennis ball turned into a yellow afterimage and flew directly past Mike, then hit the left sideline and flew out of the court. Billy, who was still in the backcourt, had no time to support.

"Waltz to Destruction!"

"0-15!"

"Heh~ Indulge yourself in my magnificent ball skills!" Atobe said narcissistically after scoring a point.