readytorunbook #145 - Echizen Nanjiro
#145 - Echizen Nanjiro
"Very impressive."
Yukimura nodded. Ralph Rhinehart reaching the professional level was naturally impressive.
There wasn't a huge difference between the world-class and professional levels.
It was just that the titles changed after becoming a professional player.
"Ralph Rhinehart?"
Byodoin Hōō looked at Yukimura and asked, "What kind of person is he?"
"I don't know."
Yukimura shrugged in response.
"It seems we'll only know after arriving at the American U-17 camp."
Irie Kanata said, "But that Ralph Rhinehart probably isn't on the American U-17 team, right?"
"We'll know whether he is or isn't when the matches start."
Oni Jūjirō said, "Let's prepare in the meantime."
"Since Yukimura said it, then this Ralph Rhinehart is definitely not simple."
Duke Watanabe's eyes revealed seriousness.
Ochi Tsukimitsu didn't speak, only nodding slightly.
Yukimura smiled, already looking forward to it.
America, Los Angeles.
In a certain villa.
A person wearing a casual jacket and holding a swimsuit photo book in his hand occasionally let out somewhat lewd laughter.
"Ding ding ding ~ ~! !
Suddenly, a phone rang.
Before long, a woman came over and said, "Nanjirō, there's a phone call for you."
"Ah? For me?"
The figure put down the swimsuit photo book in his hand, somewhat dejected.
He was just getting excited watching it, but he was interrupted.
And the person being called Nanjirō was none other than Echizen Nanjirō!
The legendary Samurai!
The Samurai who was once only one match away from breaking the world record!
"Hurry up and answer the phone."
The woman said somewhat helplessly. She was Echizen Nanjirō's wife, Echizen Rinko.
She changed her surname to Echizen after marrying Echizen Nanjirō.
"Got it."
Echizen Nanjirō put down the swimsuit and lazily walked over to the phone.
Before Echizen Nanjirō could speak, an unpleasant voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Nanjirō, you're still the same as before."
Echizen Nanjirō's eyes lit up slightly after hearing this voice, "Isn't this Iriye? Why did you suddenly think of calling me?"
"The team is going to America for an expedition match in the next few days."
Mifune Iriye's voice rang from the phone, "I'm just calling to ask you about the situation."
"About the situation of the American U-17 team?"
Echizen Nanjirō raised his eyebrows, "How would I know about the U-17 situation? I don't care about these things.
I do have a question to ask you, will that kid named Yukimura be coming along?"
Hearing this, Mifune Iriye on the other end of the phone was silent, then replied, "Yes."
"Oh?"
"That's why I'm calling you!"
Mifune Iriye snorted, "Yukimura is currently the hope of the Japanese team, you should understand what I mean."
"Of course I understand."
Echizen Nanjirō put away the smile on his face.
"I heard from Yukimura that he got some information from your son."
Immediately after, Mifune Iriye's voice rang again.
After Echizen Nanjirō heard Mifune Iriye's words, he subconsciously thought of Echizen Ryoga!
As for Echizen Ryoma, he was too young and had no chance to meet Yukimura.
The only one who could meet Yukimura was Echizen Ryoga.
Thinking of this, Echizen Nanjirō couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
He didn't expect that Yukimura would actually know Ryoga.
Moreover, they seemed to be very familiar?
"When are they coming?"
Immediately after, Echizen Nanjirō asked.
"Three days later."
Mifune Iriye continued, "How is the situation outside now?"
"It's still as chaotic as ever."
Echizen Nanjirō said, "After all, there hasn't been much change from before."
"I see."
Mifune Iriye was silent for a while, then said.
"The American U-17 team seems to be having a major purge recently."
Echizen Nanjirō continued, "Perhaps the American team will ask you for help."
"Help? That depends on whether they are sincere."
After Mifune Iriye finished speaking, he hung up the phone.
Echizen Nanjirō chuckled after hearing the busy tone from the other end of the phone.
"Dad, who was that just now?"
Echizen Ryoma walked in from outside.
Obviously, Echizen Ryoma had heard some things he didn't know about yet.
"An acquaintance."
Echizen Nanjirō smiled, then asked, "Ryoma, do you know a person named Yukimura Seiichi?"
"I know."
Echizen Ryoma pressed down on his hat and said, "The one known as the Child of God."
"Your brother seems to know him."
Echizen Nanjirō smiled, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
"My brother?"
Echizen Ryoma was stunned, and the figure of Echizen Ryoga appeared in his mind. Speaking of which, he hadn't seen Echizen Ryoga in a long time.
"Do you think he's strong?"
Echizen Nanjirō looked at Echizen Ryoma and asked.
"Strong!"
Echizen Ryoma said in a deep voice, "I watched his match, he's very strong!"
"Do you want to defeat him?"
Echizen Nanjirō said with a smile.
"Yes!"
Echizen Ryoma nodded heavily.
"Then next year, we'll go back to Japan."
Echizen Nanjirō nodded, then said, "Recently he's coming back to America, if there's a chance, you can meet him."
Hearing this, Echizen Ryoma's expression became serious.
"Is it confirmed?"
When Echizen Nanjirō came to the corridor, Echizen Rinko asked softly.
"Of course!"
Echizen Nanjirō said, "It's been more than ten years, Ryoma has grown up, Ryoga has also grown up, it's time."
"Moreover, the state of the tennis world in Japan has been getting better and better in recent years."
"Especially that kid named Yukimura, he has such strength at such a young age. By the next U-17 World Cup,
he will definitely lead the Japanese team to win the world championship."
These words surprised Echizen Rinko. As his wife, she naturally knew what achievements Echizen Nanjirō had when he was young.
"Are you so optimistic about that kid named Yukimura?"
Echizen Rinko asked curiously.
"Some people are geniuses from birth, and this Yukimura is one of them."
Echizen Nanjirō smiled and said, "Some geniuses will surpass all geniuses, and he is one of them."
"What about Ryoma and Ryoga?"
Echizen Rinko looked at Ryoma.
"Ryoma is still far behind."
Echizen Nanjirō smiled and said, "At least Ryoma can't reach the same height as him at Yukimura's age."
How exaggerated is a world-class player in the first year of middle school?
Perhaps only those who understand will be clearer.
Japan U-17 Training Camp.
The First-String players received a notice.
They will go to America for an expedition match in three days, for about half a month.
After all, after arriving in America, both teams need to adjust before the expedition match can begin.
Due to Shūji Tanegashima's situation, he will not be going to this expedition match.
All the First-String players are preparing for the expedition match in three days.