*pat-reon: belamy20*
*Swish!*
On the court, a figure descended from the air, his incredible hang time allowing him to assess the situation before making his move.
*Thud!*
With a crisp sound, the ball precisely pierced through the opponent's defense and landed for a point.
"0-30!"
*Tap.*
After scoring, Mukahi landed gracefully, casting a disdainful glance at his opponents before turning away.
"Ugh, this guy from Hyotei is so arrogant!" Kachiro from Seigaku's trio clenched his fists in frustration.
However, Inui, Fuji, and the others didn't join in his complaint.
Yes, Mukahi was arrogant, but he had the skills to back it up. His absurd hang time and aerial control were something most players couldn't replicate.
"From that high position, he can clearly see the entire court," Inui explained gravely. "In this situation, Oishi and Kikumaru's positioning, formation, and blind spots are completely exposed. Even Kikumaru would struggle to counter this."
"Right," Fuji nodded. "Kikumaru's dynamic vision is strong, but against something like this, he's powerless. This makes it nearly impossible to break Hyotei's siege on Oishi."
Hyotei's strategy of targeting Oishi with lobs or straight drives was effortless for someone as skilled as Jirou.
On the other hand, if Seigaku tried to use similar tactics against Jirou or Mukahi, they'd have to get past Mukahi's defense.
Facing Mukahi, who possessed the [Moon Volley], Oishi's lobs were practically useless.
Thus, the targeting strategy only worked for Hyotei against Seigaku, leaving Seigaku with no counter.
"But," Kachiro couldn't help but ask, "can't Kikumaru-senpai help out?"
"No," Inui replied sternly. "This targeting strategy may seem like it's focusing on Oishi, but if Kikumaru makes a move, they'll immediately shift their focus to him."
During last year's Tokyo tournament, Oishi and a Seigaku third-year faced Yamabuki's Minami and Higashikata.
When the third-year was being overwhelmed, Oishi tried to intervene, only to become the new target and the team's weak point.
Compared to Yamabuki's pair, Hyotei's targeting strategy, led by Jirou and enhanced by Mukahi's [Moon Volley], was on a completely different level.
As a result, Seigaku's service game was broken.
1-0, Hyotei in the lead.
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
The match continued.
With Hyotei now serving, Jirou and Mukahi intensified their attacks. Jirou carefully controlled the pace, ensuring Mukahi didn't overexert himself, while Seigaku continued to lose points under Hyotei's relentless assault.
*Thud!*
"Game! Hyotei leads, 2-0!"
"The Golden Pair... completely dominated?" Shiba's face was filled with shock.
"Mm," Inoue's expression was equally grave. "It seems Hyotei and Seigaku really aren't on the same level."
He recalled the previous doubles match. If Ootori hadn't injured his wrist, his nearly unstoppable cannon serves would have cost Seigaku a game, leading to their defeat.
Now, even Oishi and Kikumaru's Golden Pair were being completely suppressed. It was clear that Seigaku and Hyotei were not in the same league.
"If Seigaku loses this match..." Inoue glanced at the remaining players on both teams, his expression heavy. "It'll be incredibly difficult for Seigaku to win."
*Thud!*
"Game! Hyotei leads, 3-0!"
In the blink of an eye, Hyotei's double-team strategy had Oishi on the ropes. Kikumaru, unable to move freely, was frozen at the net, forced to watch his partner struggle.
"Seigaku's Golden Pair? Hah, this is all they've got?"
Seeing Oishi and Kikumaru's grim expressions, the Hyotei players, who had been frustrated after losing a game earlier, finally felt vindicated.
"At this rate, we'll finish this match in 15 minutes!" one of them declared confidently.
"15 minutes?" Mukahi, standing at the baseline, gripped the ball tightly, a glint in his eyes. "Too slow. We'll end this in 10!"
*Thud!*
He served the ball with fierce determination.
"This is bad," Kachiro muttered nervously. "If this keeps up, our senpais are going to lose."
The others were equally tense.
They had fought hard to secure one win. If they could just win this doubles match, with Captain Tezuka's unmatched singles skills, securing the decisive match would be no problem.
Then, Seigaku could defeat Hyotei, break through their limits, and advance to the Kanto finals!
But looking at the current situation, with Oishi being targeted and Kikumaru frozen, the chances of losing this doubles match were growing by the minute.
*Thud!*
Kikumaru returned the ball, but to everyone's surprise, he didn't rush to the net or switch positions with Oishi.
"What's going on?" Momoshiro asked, alarmed. "Are they planning to play the entire match like this?"
Normally, the Golden Pair's formation had Kikumaru at the front, leading the offense, while Oishi supported from the back, covering any gaps.
Even during Kikumaru's service games, they would adjust their positions during rallies.
But now, Oishi and Kikumaru weren't making any adjustments.
"Heh," Mukahi smirked. "Do these guys really think that by switching formations, we won't be able to target Oishi anymore?"
On the contrary, having Oishi at the net made it even easier for Hyotei to limit and attack him.
By leaving Kikumaru at the baseline, the core of the Golden Pair was effectively neutralized.
All they had to do was focus their attacks on Oishi, and the match would be over in no time.
*Thud!*
But then, a sharp return shot suddenly flew past Mukahi.
"What?!"
Caught off guard by the tricky shot, Mukahi quickly moved to intercept it. Oishi seized the opportunity to drive the ball toward the sideline, forcing Jirou to scramble after it.
*Thud!*
Oishi then stepped aside, allowing Kikumaru to strike the ball into the open space Jirou had left.
"0-15!"
"They... scored?!"
The sudden shift left everyone, including Seigaku's team, stunned.
"What amazing teamwork," Ootori exclaimed. "Oishi-senpai used his shots to draw both Mukahi-senpai and Jirou-senpai out of position, leaving an opening for Kikumaru-senpai to deliver the finishing blow!"
It was like watching a perfectly scripted play.
"W-was that a fluke?" Mukahi muttered, looking up to see Oishi and Kikumaru already switching positions.
*Tap... tap... tap...*
At the baseline, Mukahi bounced the ball, eyeing Oishi's position before serving to the outer corner.
*Thud!*
The ball landed, and Oishi quickly returned it.
*Tap tap!!*
To everyone's astonishment, Oishi and Kikumaru seamlessly switched positions mid-rally.
Oishi moved forward.
Kikumaru retreated.
In an instant, they had completely reversed their formation.
"So, it's a positioning adjustment?" Jirou
He keenly noticed the shift in his opponent's strategy and aimed precisely, sending the ball straight to Oishi's backhand.
Oishi quickly shuffled to the side, returning the ball with an awkward slice.
The ball landed right in front of Fuji, who immediately stepped forward, glancing up to assess Oishi's positioning.
After returning the shot, Oishi had subtly closed in, trying to cut off Fuji's angle for a counterattack.
"Quick reflexes, but..."
With his sharp instincts, Fuji immediately retaliated, sending the ball to the open space on Oishi's other side.
"What?!"
Seeing Fuji execute a lightning-fast topspin backhand, the Seigaku team's expressions shifted in surprise.
"Hmph!"
Mukahi smirked coldly. "A shot like that is nothing for Yushi."
In fact, before Ishikawa joined Hyotei, the title of "genius" had always belonged to Fuji.
As Mukahi said, such a simple technique was child's play for Fuji.
*Thud, thud!!*
But just then, a figure suddenly appeared. To everyone's astonishment, they swiftly swung their racket, sending the ball straight into Hyotei's open spot.
"0-30!"
"Kikumaru?!"
The Hyotei team was stunned by the sudden appearance.
"Could it be...?"
Connecting the dots from the previous shot, Ootori blurted out, "That last shot wasn't a coincidence?!"
"Exactly."
Seeing everyone catch on, Ishikawa nodded. "It's not a coincidence. It's Seigaku's new strategy after adjusting their lineup. Simply put, Oishi moves to the net, using his broad vision to quickly assess the opponent's situation. Then, by tweaking his play, he signals his teammate. Kikumaru, receiving the instruction, can instantly switch from defense to offense."
At this point, Ishikawa paused.
Watching the two switch their receiving positions, he continued, "Originally, Kikumaru was the core of the Golden Pair. But after adjusting their formation, Oishi has become the core."
"A dual-core formation?"
Hearing this, Shishido, Ootori, and the others frowned.
This meant Hyotei's marking strategy had lost its effectiveness, as they couldn't simultaneously lock down both Seigaku players.
"A dual-core strategy?"
Hearing Ishikawa's explanation, Fuji, Momoshiro, and the others also caught on.
Kachiro exclaimed excitedly, "Great! Now the seniors can counterattack!"
"With Oishi at the center, controlling the pace of the match according to his plan?"
Inui nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, we could call it Oishi's Domain!"
"Domain?"
Hearing this familiar term, the Seigaku team instinctively glanced at their silent, icy captain standing at the front of the group.
"Whew!"
Coach Ryuzaki let out a long sigh of relief. "The crisis is finally over. Now the Doubles 1 match can continue."
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
On the court, Seigaku's new formation, utilizing [Oishi's Domain], completely unleashed Kikumaru, who had been previously locked down.
Kikumaru, who had been holding back his frustration, didn't hold back in his counterattacks, each shot landing in crucial spots.
Meanwhile, Hyotei's coordination between Fuji and Mukahi gradually fell apart under Oishi's strategic vision.
Oishi and Kikumaru seized the opportunity to counterattack, scoring point after point.
*Thwack!*
Seizing the moment, Kikumaru unleashed a powerful smash, sending the ball straight through the gap between Fuji and Mukahi, scoring the point.
"Game! Seigaku, 3-3!"
"Awesome, they've tied the score!"
Seeing the Golden Pair win three games in a row, Seigaku's morale soared.
"Oishi-senpai... is so strong!"
Momoshiro, Kaidoh, and the others were equally amazed.
Originally, they had always thought of Kikumaru as the strongest in the Golden Pair, even though Oishi was diligent and did his best in everything.
"Oishi has always been amazing."
Seemingly reading their thoughts, Fuji smiled. "If a pair has a star, there must be someone supporting them in the background. Oishi is the one who willingly stays behind Eiji, quietly helping him."
"Oishi-senpai..."
Hearing Fuji's words, the Seigaku team was deeply moved by Oishi's selflessness.
"Now, the Golden Pair has become Tokyo's strongest doubles team."
Kachiro clenched his fists, brimming with excitement. "Next, they just need to push through and completely take down Hyotei's doubles pair!"
With that, he, Katsuo, and Kachirou excitedly chanted Seigaku's rallying cry.
"Seigaku..."
"Hmm."
Hearing their cheers, Inui instinctively furrowed his brow.
It wasn't that he doubted the Golden Pair's improved skills, but he felt it was too smooth if they were to defeat their opponents so easily.
*Whoosh!*
His attention shifted to the calm, blue-black-haired boy standing at the front of Hyotei's doubles pair.
Fuji Yushi.
Hyotei's genius player.
Inui didn't believe this guy would just stand by and watch Seigaku score point after point without doing anything.
Unlike others who were swayed by Mukahi's [Moon Return] technique, Inui knew very well...
This seemingly quiet guy was the most dangerous player in Hyotei's doubles pair!
**(End of Chapter)**