"Akutsu is being suppressed?"
"That's not surprising. His opponent is Chitose Senri, one of the Two Heroes of Kyushu. It's hard to say who's stronger between him and Shiraishi!"
"If that's the case, it looks like Shitenhouji might win this match!"
Around the court, representatives from various schools and casual spectators were buzzing with discussions.
"Second game."
"Akutsu from Hyotei serves, one game final!"
*Boom!*
A powerful serve was immediately launched.
Feeling the sheer force of the shot, Chitose's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward to return the ball.
*Boom!*
"This power!!"
The moment the ball made contact with his racket, Chitose's expression shifted slightly. "Interesting. Is this the playing style of Hyotei's beast?"
*Whoosh!*
With a flick of his wrist, Chitose sent the ball flying back.
*Tap tap!*
Meanwhile, Akutsu crouched low, his movements swift and predatory like a leopard. He dashed to the center of the court and, meeting the ball head-on, unleashed a fierce strike.
*Boom!*
The sound of the impact reverberated through the air.
In the eyes of the spectators, a faint yellow streak flashed by, and the ball landed right in front of Chitose.
However, being a national-level player, Chitose had already anticipated Akutsu's attack. He raised his racket to block the shot.
*Thud!*
With a deft motion, Chitose pushed the ball back.
*Swish!*
On the other side, Akutsu, like a beast on the prowl, charged forward again. With a powerful swing, he sent the ball hurtling toward Chitose's side.
"Hmph!"
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Chitose's expression changed. For a moment, he seemed to see a figure with golden hair, wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt, flashing before his eyes.
"This pressure… it's nostalgic. Kippei!"
His gaze sharpened.
The aura of *Muga no Kyouchi* (State of Self-Actualization) began to flow around Chitose. He swung his racket, intercepting the ball the moment it landed and sending it flying back.
"Is that… Shishido-senpai's Super Half Volley?!"
Ootori's eyes widened.
*Boom!*
But Akutsu's relentless assault continued.
Having already closed in on the net, Akutsu, with his ferocious momentum, launched one attack after another, keeping Chitose on the defensive.
Despite Chitose's quick reflexes, he was clearly being overwhelmed by Akutsu's increasing speed and aggression.
*Smack!*
Left with no choice, Chitose decided to pull out a trick.
"A lob?!"
Someone outside the court exclaimed in surprise. "That height… is it a mistake? He's giving Akutsu the perfect chance for a smash!"
*Swish!*
Sure enough, Akutsu leaped into the air.
Raising his racket high, he aimed at the ball and smashed it down with full force.
"He fell for it."
At that moment, Shitenhouji's Yuushi chuckled. "Chitose's lob… it was a decoy!"
As soon as he spoke, Chitose turned around, crouching slightly. His racket moved like an eagle spreading its wings, swiftly slicing through the air.
*Boom!*
Akutsu's smash was perfectly intercepted.
"The *Bear Hunt*?!"
The Hyotei team's expressions darkened.
No one had expected Chitose to have such a trick up his sleeve.
*Whoosh!*
The ball flew back.
Akutsu, still in mid-air, had no chance of returning it.
*Tap tap tap…*
The ball landed.
The Hyotei team looked dejected, while the Shitenhouji members broke into smiles.
"Out!"
But the next moment, the referee's voice rang out. "15-0!"
"What?!"
Everyone was stunned. They all turned their eyes to the baseline.
"Out of bounds?"
Shiraishi was also surprised. He had full confidence in Chitose's skills. "It seems this Akutsu is no ordinary player."
"Such power?"
On the court, Chitose stood up, his expression serious as he looked at Akutsu. When he had executed the *Bear Hunt*, he had felt an immense weight pressing down on him.
It reminded him of his old friend, Kippei.
"I never thought I'd feel that familiar pressure again after a year."
Despite losing the point, Chitose remained calm. In fact, his fighting spirit was ignited, and the aura of *Muga no Kyouchi* around him grew even stronger.
*Boom!*
Soon, Akutsu served again.
Chitose raised his racket and unleashed Sanada's *Aggressive Fire*. In an instant, a fiery shot streaked across the court, the heatwave palpable.
*Boom!*
But Akutsu effortlessly returned it with a single-handed strike.
"Incredible!"
The Shitenhouji team's expressions changed. "He's blocked Chitose's special moves one after another. Who exactly is this guy?"
Many had never heard of Akutsu before.
They had assumed he was just another national-level player. But now, it seemed he was holding his own against Chitose's *Muga no Kyouchi*.
*Boom!*
Chitose then used Yanagi's *High-Speed Slice*.
*Tap tap!*
Akutsu sprinted forward, intercepting the ball before it landed and smashing it back.
*Swoosh!*
The speed was so fast that it left a trail of dust on the ground.
Chitose then switched to Yagyuu's *Laser Beam*.
The ball shot like a laser toward Akutsu's backhand side.
"Great shot!"
Shitenhouji's Shiraishi and Oshitari were thrilled.
Chitose's use of *Muga no Kyouchi* wasn't random. He strategically employed different special moves to control the pace of the match, keeping his opponent on the move.
The *High-Speed Slice* had forced Akutsu to one side of the court, and the *Laser Beam* was aimed precisely at his weakest spot.
To many, it seemed like this point was already in Chitose's pocket.
*Tap tap!*
But the next moment, a gray-white figure flashed past—it was Akutsu!
"He's too fast!!!"
Watching Akutsu, who moved like a cheetah, leaving behind a trail of afterimages, the Shitenhouji team's eyes widened in shock.
"This guy is like a leopard!"
Even Yuushi, known as the "Star of Naniwa" for his speed, looked grim.
In a pure speed contest, Akutsu might not lose to him!
*Boom!*
Akutsu returned the shot with a powerful strike that echoed through the court. Even Ishida Gin, known for his immense strength, couldn't help but shudder.
"His power… is terrifying!"
Hearing Ishida's assessment, the Shitenhouji team grew even more tense.
Leopard-like speed.
Bear-like strength.
Akutsu's physical abilities alone might already place him at the national level.
*Hum!*
At that moment, Chitose's *Muga no Kyouchi* aura reached its peak. Facing Akutsu's overwhelming pressure, he decided to hold nothing back.
*Hum!*
But on the other side, a gray-white aura began to emanate from Akutsu as well.
In an instant, Akutsu's speed increased dramatically. He met Chitose's shot head-on and smashed it back.
*Boom!*
A faint yellow light exploded at the feet of Shitenhouji's top player.
"30-0!"
"Hiss…"
The Shitenhouji team's expressions darkened.
Chitose had lost another point, and this time, it was a direct, overwhelming defeat.
"This isn't good."
Shiraishi's face grew serious. "That last shot must have landed in Chitose's blind spot. That's why he reacted a step too late."
"Yeah."
Doubara's expression was equally grave.
Only a few people knew about Chitose's vision impairment in his right eye. Despite his exceptional skills and *Muga no Kyouchi*, this weakness could put him at a disadvantage.
"Akutsu is a top-tier national-level player."
Doubara observed the gray-white, ferocious aura surrounding Akutsu and said solemnly, "This match is going to be a tough one for Chitose."
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
As expected, Akutsu dominated the game during his serve.
*Boom!*
"Game!"
"Hyotei Akutsu, 1-1!"
In no time, Akutsu secured a game, tying the score.
"Phew…"
After an intense exchange that yielded no advantage, Chitose let out a deep breath.
His opponent was too fierce!
Akutsu's monstrous physical abilities, combined with his sharp court sense, made him a terrifying beast on the court.
Chitose was certain that even Kippei might not be able to suppress Akutsu in close-quarters combat!
"No choice."
Chitose composed himself. As he looked at Akutsu, a brilliant light began to radiate from his feet.
"What's this?!"
The spectators gasped in astonishment.
"Is this still *Muga no Kyouchi*?"
The Hyotei team, sensing the sudden surge in Chitose's aura, exchanged uneasy glances.
"Is this his true strength?"
Oshitari narrowed his eyes. "This level of *Muga no Kyouchi*… his understanding of it might be on par with Seigaku's Tezuka."
Hearing this, Shishido and the others turned to him in surprise.
"Are you saying he's surpassed the basics of *Muga no Kyouchi* and reached a deeper level?" Shishido asked.
"Six balls."
At that moment, Chitose suddenly spoke.
His words left everyone puzzled. What did he mean by "six balls"?
*Boom!*
Chitose served.
Akutsu countered with his usual ferocity, but Chitose remained calm. He used a series of slice shots, engaging Akutsu in a rally. After the fifth shot, a short ball, Akutsu accelerated, chasing after the ball.
*Smack!*
But his return hit the net.
"15-0!"
"Wait a minute!!"
Hiyoshi's eyes widened. "That last shot… was that…"
"The sixth ball?"
Shishido and the others instinctively echoed.
"No way!"
The rest of the Hyotei team looked shocked.
"It's a coincidence!"
Mukahi shook his head. "It has to be. No one can predict exactly when a rally will end before the match even starts."
This was beyond their understanding of tennis.
"Nine balls."
Chitose spoke again.
This time, the rally lasted longer. Akutsu raised an eyebrow as he quickly moved to attack after Chitose's serve.
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
The two engaged in a fierce exchange.
Chitose used his refined techniques to keep Akutsu running from side to side. On the eighth shot, as Akutsu prepared for a powerful strike, Chitose raised his racket, mimicking a strong return.
*Smack!*
But at the last moment, Chitose reduced the force of his swing, delivering a perfect drop shot.
*Tap tap tap…*
The ball landed.
The entire court fell silent.
"30-0!"
"It… it really was the ninth ball?"
Even Mukahi, who had dismissed the idea earlier, was stunned.
"Can this guy predict the future?"
Oshitari stared at Chitose in disbelief.
Atobe, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes. Chitose's ability was indeed extraordinary. His eyes, clear and deep, seemed to see through everything.
"Finally showing his true strength, huh, Chitose-senpai?"
At that moment, Ishikawa, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"Huh?"
The Hyotei team turned to him.
That's right.
They still had their vice-captain, Ishikawa, who was known for his extensive knowledge of players, even those from the Kansai region.
"V-Vice Captain," Hiyoshi asked curiously, "do you know what this move is?"
"*Sai ki Kanpatsu no Kyokuchi* (The Pinnacle of Brilliance)," Ishikawa explained. "It's an advanced form of *Muga no Kyouchi* that Chitose-senpai developed through relentless training. By activating his brain with *Muga no Kyouchi*, he can analyze all possible outcomes of the match in an instant and find the surefire way to score."
"*Sai ki Kanpatsu no Kyokuchi*?!"
The team turned back to Chitose, observing the colorful aura surrounding him.
Indeed, this form of *Muga no Kyouchi* wasn't as concentrated as Tezuka's *Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami* (The Pinnacle of Perfection). Instead, it radiated a brilliance that seemed to enhance Chitose's *Absolute Prediction*.
"Fifteen balls."
Chitose spoke again.
The match continued to unfold exactly as he had predicted.
True to his words, on the fifteenth shot, he secured the point.
*Boom!*
"Game!"
"Shitenhouji Chitose, 2-1, change sides!"
In their duel, Chitose, having unleashed his *Muga no Kyouchi*'s ultimate technique, had taken control of the match. To the spectators, it seemed like Shitenhouji was on the path to victory.
"Fourth game, Hyotei Akutsu serves, one game final!"
After the players switched sides, the referee announced the start of the next game.
*Tap!*
*Tap!*
*Tap!*
To everyone's surprise, Akutsu, known for his straightforward and aggressive style, began bouncing the ball slowly.
*Hum!*
At the same time, Chitose's *Muga no Kyouchi* aura flared up, activating his brain to analyze all possible future scenarios.
*Rustle…*
But suddenly, Chitose froze, his expression stiffening.
"What is that?!"
In the "future" he had simulated, Akutsu had vanished from the court. In his place was an overwhelming, ominous black aura that shrouded the entire court!
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