"It's Ishikawa, as expected!"
When the young boy from Hyotei stepped onto the court, Inoue smiled. "It seems Coach Sakaki's intention is indeed to prepare for next season."
Of course.
With Ishikawa's skill level, even without participating in national-level matches, his future would remain unaffected.
After all, he's already standing at the pinnacle of the national stage. The only one who could possibly rival him is Seiichi Yukimura from Rikkai Dai.
"However, the captain of Higa Chuu doesn't seem like an ordinary player either."
Inoue's gaze shifted to Kite. "Using Ishikawa as a benchmark, I wonder how long he'll last."
At the net.
The two faced each other.
Kite's aura was cold and menacing, like a venomous snake lurking in the jungle, ready to strike.
Perhaps due to the four consecutive losses, or perhaps because of the intimidating glare Ishikawa had given him earlier in the day, Kite's gaze toward Ishikawa was clearly hostile.
"Senpai."
Facing Kite's oppressive aura, Ishikawa remained calm, as if basking in a gentle breeze. He smiled and said, "You know, it's not easy for Higa Chuu to make it from Okinawa to the national stage. What kind of inspiration do you think your playing style offers to those who come after you?"
"Are you lecturing me?"
Kite's eyes grew even colder. "I know you're strong, but I don't need you telling me what to do. If you really think you can beat me, show me what you've got!"
Under normal circumstances.
Kite would have already closed the distance, using his body or subtle racket movements to intimidate his opponent.
After all, he's trained in Okinawan martial arts since childhood. His talent and skill in combat far surpass that of an average person.
But.
Facing Ishikawa.
Kite's instincts warned him that any reckless move would result in unimaginable consequences.
So, he held back.
"Kite…"
Outside the court.
Kai, Hirakoba, and the others were stunned.
This hesitant demeanor was nothing like the ruthless and cunning captain of Higa Chuu they knew.
"Tch."
Saotome, lying on the bench with a faint ache in his stomach, sneered. "All that talk, and he's still intimidated by this first-year."
In truth, the aggressive, underhanded playing style of Higa Chuu was cultivated by this bald, middle-aged man.
In his view, the reason Higa Chuu lost the previous four matches was because they weren't ruthless enough.
In tennis, the winner takes all!
People only see the result. When you're crowned champion, all they care about is the throne you sit on and the scepter you hold. Who cares how you got there?
According to Saotome's philosophy.
If Hirakoba, Kai, and Tanishi had been more ruthless, aiming their shots at their opponents' weak spots, a few hits would have rendered them powerless.
"In the end, they're just a bunch of fools."
On the court.
As Kite won the serve.
Both players retreated to the baseline, and the atmosphere around the court grew quiet.
"The match begins, one set decides the winner!"
The referee, sitting high above, glanced at both players to confirm their readiness before announcing, "Higa Chuu's Kite to serve, first game!"
*Tap!*
*Tap!*
*Tap!*
At the baseline.
Kite bent down, lightly tapping the tennis ball.
At this moment, his usual ferocity was completely concealed. The sunlight obscured his facial expression, but the light reflecting off his glasses created a sharp glare.
"Hmm."
Seeing Kite in this state, Oshitari and Shishido from Hyotei exchanged uneasy glances.
"A fierce wolf is nothing compared to a hidden venomous snake."
Oshitari narrowed his eyes. "This Kite is far from simple."
*Whoosh!*
As soon as he finished speaking.
Kite tossed the ball high into the air.
Then, he leaped off the ground with force, his left hand gripping the racket as he swung it overhead, smashing the ball with tremendous power.
"This is…"
Seeing Kite's familiar motion, Ootori and Hiyoshi's expressions changed.
*Bang!*
In an instant.
A loud explosion-like sound echoed.
The ball shot out like a cannonball.
"Big Bang?!"
Mukahi exclaimed instinctively.
"That's right."
On Higa Chuu's side, one of the players sneered. "Kai's [Big Bang] serve was taught to him by the captain. And the original version is far more powerful than the watered-down one."
*Thud!*
The ball landed.
The sheer impact sent a cloud of dust flying into the air.
"Hmm."
Seeing this serve, Oshitari narrowed his eyes. "He's concentrating all his strength into one point. Using his incredible jumping ability to deliver a serve that's almost like a smash."
In terms of speed.
This Big Bang serve was nowhere near as fast as Ootori's new cannonball serve. But in terms of power, it far surpassed Tanishi's earlier shots.
*Thud!*
However.
At that moment.
A crisp sound rang out.
Ishikawa, at the baseline, had already closed in on the ball. With a smooth swing, he effortlessly returned Kite's Big Bang serve.
"What?!"
Seeing this, the Higa Chuu team was stunned. "He countered the captain's serve so easily?"
"Forget speed and explosiveness."
Outside the court.
Saho from Rokkaku, who had been watching since before the match began, exclaimed in awe. "His strength is on a whole other level!"
"That's normal, isn't it?"
Kurobane, with his black broom-like hair, shook his head. "After all, he's the one who countered Sanada's [Rai]!"
Rai?
The Rokkaku team was momentarily stunned before it clicked.
"Right!"
Their captain, Aoi, nodded vigorously. "Ishikawa defeated Sanada. This Kite guy is no match for him."
"That boy…"
Beside them, the elderly man with a white beard looked at Ishikawa with deep meaning in his eyes.
While others might not see it, he could sense the boundless potential within this young player.
In some ways.
The talent and ability Ishikawa displayed far surpassed even his most gifted disciple from over twenty years ago.
*Thud!*
At that moment.
Ishikawa returned the ball again.
The shot landed precisely and swiftly at the edge of the baseline on Kite's right side.
"Incredible control!"
The Higa Chuu team's expressions shifted dramatically.
"This kid's got some skills."
Coach Saotome also frowned. Ishikawa's strength was far beyond what you'd expect from a rookie.
*Step! Step!*
But then.
Kite quickly moved to intercept, returning the ball to Ishikawa's backhand side with equal precision.
*Thud!*
Seeing the ball land perfectly on the line, the Higa Chuu team was energized, chanting their team's name:
"Higa Chuu!"
"Higa Chuu!"
"Higa Chuu!"
*Tap!*
But then.
Ishikawa suddenly played a drop shot.
The shot came out of nowhere, executed with such finesse that it completely disrupted the fast-paced rhythm of the match. The Higa Chuu team was caught off guard, their chants dying mid-sentence.
"Naive!"
Kai sneered. "Does he really think he can score against Kite with that kind of shot?"
*Swish!*
Sure enough.
In the next moment, Kite used his [Shukuchi] technique, sliding into position and smashing the ball back.
*Tap!*
However.
Ishikawa, at the baseline, responded with a lob, smiling as he did so.
"What?"
Seeing this, Kai and Hirakoba's expressions changed.
Kai said grimly, "Was that drop shot just a decoy? His real goal was to lure Kite to the net?"
Shiranui, standing nearby, frowned. "But… at that height, the ball might go out, right?"
"No!"
Hirakoba, watching the ball rapidly descend toward Kite's backhand side, forming a diagonal line with his current position, shook his head. "That shot was definitely aimed at the baseline!"
No one understood better than him the terrifying precision of Ishikawa's control. Whenever that racket swung, the ball would land exactly where he intended.
"But unfortunately."
Hirakoba paused, then smiled. "Kite's Shukuchi technique has no blind spots!"
*Swish!*
In the next moment.
Kite's figure slid toward the ball's landing point, showcasing his mastery of Shukuchi.
"Why?"
A Rokkaku player asked in confusion. "I thought Shukuchi couldn't cover lateral movements?"
"It's simple."
The elderly man replied calmly. "This Higa Chuu boy has exceptional balance. No matter his stance or position, he can always use Shukuchi."
"Incredible balance?"
The Rokkaku team's expressions shifted, and even Hiyoshi and Mukahi from Hyotei frowned.
"Doesn't that make him invincible on the court?"
*Swish!*
At that moment.
Kite's figure reached the ball just before it landed.
"Heh."
Looking at the ball, Kite prepared to return it after it bounced, a confident smile on his face. "Your tactics are impressive, but unfortunately, I have no blind spots!"
*Swish!*
With that.
He swung his racket.
*Sizzle…*
But to his surprise.
The ball didn't bounce after landing. Instead, it spun fiercely at the baseline, showing no signs of rising.
Gradually.
The ball's momentum was drained by the friction with the ground, coming to a complete stop.
"Uh…"
Kite's racket froze mid-swing. His smile stiffened.
"0-15!"
The referee announced.
The crowd erupted in gasps.
On Hyotei's side, Mukahi exclaimed, "Was that… the Four Gods Technique: Suzaku?"
"No."
Atobe shook his head. "That wasn't Suzaku. It was just a lob with a bit more spin."
He had seen the real Suzaku.
That terrifying spin would make the ball blend with the sun mid-flight, making its landing point impossible to predict.
Atobe guessed that Ishikawa hadn't even used 30% of his spin potential in that shot!
"Damn it!"
Kite, snapping out of his daze, looked furious. He hadn't expected to be humiliated like this in front of everyone.
"Fine."
Kite clenched his fists, his voice cold as he spat out the words. "You've… successfully pissed me off!"
*Whoosh!*
With that.
Kite tossed the ball into the air.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he smashed the ball with a sharp, snake-like spin.
"Cobra?!"
Seeing the ball's spiraling trajectory, Mukahi's expression changed. "He can use that serve too?"
"No, not Cobra."
Oshitari, with his sharper insight, immediately corrected him. "It's [Big Cobra]!!!"
In fact.
The spin on this shot was even more intense than Hirakoba's earlier attempts.
"Kite's angry."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "An angry Kite is the most dangerous."
"Yeah."
Hirakoba nodded. "Everyone who's ever provoked him has ended up regretting it."
As teammates, they knew Kite's personality and abilities all too well. His cold, vengeful nature ensured that anyone who crossed him paid the price.
Clearly.
This first-year from Hyotei was about to face the consequences!
*Thud!*
However.
What no one expected was.
Kite's fiercely spinning [Big Cobra] serve was intercepted mid-flight by Ishikawa's racket as it headed toward his face.
"The spin is impressive."
Ishikawa said calmly. "But senpai, your malice is a bit too obvious."
*Whoosh!*
The ball reversed direction.
Kite's expression darkened further.
"Did this kid see through my intentions?"
He frowned inwardly, wondering if he had been too obvious.
"No."
But soon, Kite realized the truth. "He read the spin and is mocking me!"
*Thud!*
Immediately.
He smashed the ball back, using Shukuchi to slide across the court. His body swayed left and right, like a malevolent spirit, exuding overwhelming pressure.
"Shukuchi with no blind spots, huh?"
Seeing Kite's stance, Ishikawa smiled. "Blind spots are relative. Right now, senpai, your entire game is full of them."
"Arrogant!"
Kite snapped. "If you're so confident, then come at me!!"
*Thud!*
But as soon as he finished speaking.
A faint yellow light flashed at his feet. Kite looked down, seeing the ball's trajectory as it flew past him. He instinctively swung his racket to intercept.
But.
His expression froze.
"I… I can't move?!"
*Thud!*
The ball flew out, hitting the wall and embedding itself like a nail, spinning endlessly without falling.
"Hiss…"
Seeing this.
The Higa Chuu team was left in disbelief.
"K-Kite…"
Hirakoba and Kai exchanged stunned glances.
They never expected Kite, with his omnidirectional Shukuchi technique, to be unable to even touch the ball!
Then.
They turned to Ishikawa in awe. "That guy… is just too strong!"
(End of Chapter)
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