Tetsuka Kunimitsu.
Captain of the Seishun Academy tennis team.
A man of calm demeanor, strict discipline, and an ice-cold aura that radiates from his every move.
And at this moment.
With the score against him and his team's chances of advancing slipping away, a red line was drawn beneath Tetsuka's feet. He had made his decision—there would be no retreat, not even half a step back.
No roars, no shouts.
No impassioned declarations.
Yet.
Ishikawa could clearly feel the conviction and will emanating from the Seigaku captain.
*Swish!*
In response, Ishikawa spread his legs, lowered his stance, and prepared to receive the serve.
"Ishikawa... he's actually taking this seriously?!"
On the Hyotei side, Shishido, Mukahi, and the others were stunned.
How long had it been?
Since Ishikawa became a regular, it seemed like they hadn't seen him take such a serious stance.
*Whoosh!*
At that moment, Tetsuka tossed the ball into the air once more, raised his racket, and swiftly brought it down.
*Thwack!*
The ball shot forward, landing precisely on the outer corner again.
*Ssshh...*
Under Ishikawa's watchful gaze, the ball spun fiercely before rolling back.
"30-15!"
The umpire's call sent a ripple of shock through the spectators.
"This... this serve..."
Mukahi's voice trembled. "Can anyone even return that?"
The crowd fell silent.
According to the rules, a serve cannot be returned before it bounces. But even after it lands, returning it before it rolls away is nearly impossible.
"Theoretically, it's possible," Seigaku's Inui said, taking a deep breath. "But only in theory."
After all, completing the entire motion of swinging and hitting within a fraction of a second is practically impossible!
*Thwack!*
Tetsuka delivered another Zero-Shiki serve.
"40-15!"
"Tetsuka Kunimitsu!"
Atobe's gaze deepened as he watched the ice-cold man on the court. "Is this your true strength?"
Atobe's confidence wavered.
Seeing this Zero-Shiki serve, he finally understood what it meant to be at the "national level."
If this man before him was at that level, then there was still a significant gap between them.
*Thwack!*
Another serve landed.
*Ssshh...*
The ball hit the ground and spun back, hugging the surface. The entire court fell silent, everyone holding their breath as they watched Tetsuka calmly lower his racket, their eyes filled with awe.
"Game!"
"Seigaku Tetsuka, 1-2, change sides!"
"Whoa!!!"
Seeing Tetsuka take a game, the previously demoralized Seigaku team erupted in cheers.
"That Ishikawa... actually lost a point?"
On the Hyotei side, the supporters were stunned, as if they had witnessed something unbelievable.
Unknowingly, Ishikawa had become synonymous with invincibility in their minds. But now, he had lost a game—this was simply shocking!
"Facing the Zero-Shiki serve, even Ishikawa has no answer," St. Rudolph's Mizuki remarked. "But then again, that serve isn't meant to be returned."
"True," Akazawa nodded, then glanced at Ishikawa, who was lightly bouncing a tennis ball after the side change. "Only someone like him could remain unfazed after losing to such a serve."
Despite losing the game, Ishikawa showed no change in expression. It was as if the four consecutive aces had never happened.
"Of course," Yutaka muttered beside them. "Even though Tetsuka-senpai won a game, the overall score still favors Hyotei. The gap hasn't narrowed."
"Exactly," Mizuki chuckled. "For Ishikawa, as long as he holds his serve, he can win this match. If I were him, I wouldn't be worried either."
*Tap! Tap! Tap!*
Ishikawa bounced the ball.
But his thoughts were different from everyone else's.
Tetsuka, having unleashed the Zero-Shiki serve, had resolved to win at all costs. In this situation, he wouldn't sit idly by as the score gap widened.
*Whoosh!*
With that thought, Ishikawa tossed the ball into the air.
His eyes sharpened, focusing on a single point as he unleashed a blistering serve.
*Thwack!*
The ball landed.
It struck precisely at the inner corner of Tetsuka's right front, and after bouncing, it carried a fierce spin, shooting out at a sharp angle.
"Gasp!"
The Seigaku team collectively inhaled.
While not as unreturnable as Tetsuka's Zero-Shiki, Ishikawa's serve was still of the highest caliber.
Especially for a left-handed player like Tetsuka, this serve was particularly challenging. But he reacted quickly, moving almost as soon as Ishikawa served.
At the moment the ball bounced at a sharp angle, a silver streak appeared in front of him. It cut in at an angle, enveloping the ball.
*Thwack!*
The ball spun back fiercely.
Its target was the corner of Ishikawa's backhand.
"Hmm..."
Seeing this, Oshitari muttered, "His control... has improved again?!"
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Shishido, Mukahi, and the others immediately changed expressions.
"Really?"
Ootori also exclaimed in surprise. "Does that mean Tetsuka-senpai wasn't going all out earlier?"
"Impossible," Atobe shook his head. "At that time, he was in an absolutely passive position. He couldn't have been holding back. This situation... clearly shows that he's improved under Ishikawa's pressure!"
"Evolving in adversity?"
Shishido, Mukahi, and the others looked at Tetsuka in astonishment.
*Thwack!*
At that moment, Ishikawa, receiving Tetsuka's return, clearly felt the intense impact transmitted through his racket.
Yes.
Tetsuka's strength had improved.
Not just his reaction speed and control, but also his power. Without using the "Muga no Kyouchi" (State of Self-Actualization), the force behind his shots was noticeably stronger than before!
This made Ishikawa understand even more deeply the unwavering resolve of Tetsuka, the pillar of Seigaku, after making his decision.
In that moment, as he received the ball, Ishikawa sensed a surge of willpower from his opponent. He raised his racket, employing his kendo techniques, and as the ball flew, a sharp gust of wind swept past.
*Swoosh!*
In an instant, a whirlwind of blue and red streaked across the court, landing fiercely on the baseline. The speed was so fast that even Tetsuka's reaction was half a beat too slow.
*Tap!*
He could only stretch his racket as far as possible, barely managing to lob the ball back.
*Swish!*
On the other side, a figure leaped into the air—it was Ishikawa. He raised his racket like a sword and smashed it down with a powerful spike.
*Boom!*
The sound of the impact echoed like an explosion.
A wave of heat rushed outward, forcing even Tetsuka to narrow his eyes against the scorching air.
"15-0!"
"What a terrifying spike," Momoshiro of Seigaku said, his voice filled with awe as he watched Ishikawa land steadily. The power of that spike was far beyond his own dunk smash.
"First, he used a high-speed serve to force Tetsuka into a backhand straight shot. Then, he followed up with a sharp drive to disrupt Tetsuka's rhythm," Inui analyzed, his expression grave. "And that final spike—its power was likely double that of the drive. That stance... it must be a variation of kendo techniques. This guy's understanding of both tennis and kendo is astonishing!"
The more Inui learned about Ishikawa, the more he feared him.
Despite being younger, Ishikawa's fundamentals were even more solid than Tetsuka's. His drives, slices, spikes, and his flawless control of the match left no weaknesses.
If it weren't for Tetsuka's Zero-Shiki serve, he probably wouldn't have been able to score a single point against Ishikawa.
*Thud!*
"30-0!"
*Thud!*
"40-0!"
*Thud!*
"Game!"
"Hyotei Ishikawa, 3-1!"
The game ended.
Tetsuka still hadn't scored a single point.
Throughout the match, Ishikawa had complete control. Even someone as strong as Tetsuka could only react defensively.
To the spectators, it seemed like Tetsuka had no chance of winning.
*Thwack!*
Yet, when it was Tetsuka's turn to serve again, he unhesitatingly delivered another Zero-Shiki serve.
*Ssshh...*
As the ball spun back along the ground, the crowd reacted differently.
Some were filled with admiration for his unwavering will. Others scoffed, seeing it as a futile struggle. And some were worried, their faces clouded with concern.
"Tetsuka..."
Oishi watched as Tetsuka tossed the ball again and delivered another Zero-Shiki serve, his fists clenched tightly. "Your wrist... can it really handle this?"
The doctor had advised Tetsuka to avoid excessive slicing, especially with the Zero-Shiki. The strain on his wrist was immense.
But seeing the determination in Tetsuka's eyes, Oishi swallowed his words.
*Thwack!*
"Game!"
"Seigaku Tetsuka, 2-3!"
Four Zero-Shiki serves later, the gap narrowed again.
But before Seigaku could celebrate, Ishikawa quickly regained the lead, 4-2.
Then, Tetsuka surged once more, taking his serve with another four Zero-Shiki serves.
*Thwack!*
"Game!"
"Seigaku Tetsuka, 3-4!"
The gap was closing.
But the expressions on the Seigaku team grew heavier.
They weren't fools. They knew that even if Tetsuka held his serve every time, he would still lose the match in the end.
"Hmm."
As they changed sides, Tetsuka stood at the baseline, his brow slightly furrowed. A scene from a past conversation flashed in his mind, and a glint of determination appeared in his eyes.
*Thwack!*
At that moment, Ishikawa's serve came flying.
As before, it landed sharply at Tetsuka's right front, a difficult position for a left-handed player.
But he quickly chased it down and returned it with force.
*Tap! Tap!*
Then, Tetsuka moved to the center of the court.
As he saw Ishikawa's return, a glint flashed in his eyes. He chased the ball and sliced it with precision.
"It's useless."
The Hyotei team shook their heads.
Tetsuka's efforts were nothing but a desperate struggle.
At best, he could delay the inevitable, but he couldn't change the outcome.
*Thud!*
Ishikawa struck decisively.
Using his "Raging Wind" technique, he sent the ball flying with a fierce drive. In an instant, a gust of hot air swept across the court.
*Hum!*
But just as everyone thought Tetsuka was helpless, a strong surge of air currents suddenly surrounded him.
"Is that... the Tetsuka Zone?"
"The Zone? So what?"
Someone shook their head. "It's just delaying the inevitable. It won't solve anything."
*Whoosh!*
However, to everyone's surprise, the ball didn't fly toward Tetsuka. Instead, it was repelled by some force, flying out of bounds.
*Thud!*
The ball landed.
The umpire's voice followed. "Out! 0-15!"
"It... it went out?!"
The Hyotei team was stunned. No one had expected this.
Oshitari, Shishido, and the others were equally shocked. "Ishikawa... actually made a mistake?"
This was Ishikawa Shin, the most skilled and composed player on Hyotei. From his first match until now, he had never made such a basic error.
"That wasn't a mistake!"
Atobe shook his head, his voice low. "Ishikawa's shot was given a special spin by Tetsuka, causing it to fly out of bounds."
"You mean..."
Oshitari's eyes widened. "This is a reverse Tetsuka Zone?!"
"So... you've finally used this move, huh?"
Seeing Tetsuka's calm yet overwhelmingly oppressive aura, Ishikawa sighed. "You, who bear the title of 'Seigaku's Pillar,' are truly strong."
This strength wasn't just about speed, power, or technique—it was about spirit, an unyielding will that came from within.
For Tetsuka, the title of "Seigaku's Pillar" was a belief he was willing to sacrifice everything for.
"Unfortunately," Ishikawa shook his head, "your 'Phantom' has no effect on me."
The Tetsuka Phantom.
A move that uses even stronger spin than the Zone to force the ball out of bounds. While powerful, it posed no threat to a slice master like Ishikawa.
*Thwack!*
Ishikawa returned the ball.
*Thwack!*
Tetsuka chased it down and applied the Phantom spin.
Seeing this, the Seigaku team clenched their fists, as if they could already see Ishikawa's return being forced out of bounds.
*Tap!*
But to their surprise, Ishikawa executed a perfect slice.
The reverse spin neutralized Tetsuka's Phantom, and the ball landed safely in bounds.
"This..."
The Seigaku team was dumbfounded.
No one had expected this. Seigaku's last hope of winning had been snuffed out so easily.
"As expected," Inui smiled bitterly. "He only needed one look to find the weakness in Tetsuka's ultimate move."
Too strong!
This guy had no weaknesses!
Facing someone like this, it wasn't that Tetsuka was weak. It was just that Seigaku's luck... was too poor!
*Ssshh!*
But at that moment, a sharp slicing sound caught everyone's attention.
"Tetsuka?!"
Inui, Oishi, and the others turned in shock.
They saw Tetsuka once again applying the Phantom spin.
"Is he crazy?!"
The players from St. Rudolph, Yamabuki, Rokkaku, and even Hyotei stared in disbelief.
The Phantom had been countered.
Yet he was still forcing this spin, adding unnecessary strain to his wrist for no reason.
*Tap!*
Sure enough, Ishikawa countered the Phantom with another slice.
*Ssshh!*
But to everyone's astonishment, Tetsuka applied the Phantom spin yet again.
"Tetsuka... please..."
Oishi's voice trembled as he fell to his knees. "Please... stop using that move!!!"
*Ssshh!*
But Tetsuka didn't hesitate. Facing Ishikawa's shot, he applied the Phantom spin once more.
By now, his arm was visibly red and swollen.
The Zone, Zero-Shiki slice, Zero-Shiki serve, Phantom...
The continuous use of these high-intensity slicing techniques had placed an unimaginable burden on Tetsuka's left arm.
Anyone else would have broken down by now, choosing to forfeit.
But Tetsuka's eyes showed no sign of wavering. His swings were as decisive as ever.
"Is this the true Tetsuka Kunimitsu?"
Outside the court, representatives from various schools looked at Tetsuka with respect. It wasn't about skill or tennis—it was about that unshakable willpower that left them in awe.
"Truly an admirable spirit and will," Ishikawa spoke up.
Hearing this, everyone's attention turned to him.
*Swish!*
Ishikawa raised his racket, pointing it at the incoming ball. "In response, I'll crush your Phantom head-on!"
What?!
The crowd was stunned.
Especially the Hyotei team, who looked at Ishikawa in confusion.
Facing it head-on?
Did that mean Ishikawa wouldn't use slices to counter the Phantom anymore?
That was... foolish!
Even Coach Sakaki of Hyotei frowned.
On the tennis court, winning within the rules was all that mattered. The idea of facing an opponent head-on, like some ancient samurai duel, was utterly ridiculous!
*Hum!*
But contrary to everyone's expectations, an even sharper aura erupted from Ishikawa. The dazzling light forced everyone to avert their eyes.
*Swish!*
Suddenly, Ishikawa raised his racket.
*Boom!*
At the same time, a thunderous roar seemed to echo in everyone's ears. An indescribable pressure spread across the court.
"This... this feeling?!"
On the Seigaku side, the suffocating pressure made their hearts tremble.
*Boom!*
In an instant, Ishikawa struck.
As his racket swung, an ear-splitting crack of thunder rang out.
A silver streak of light shot forward, expanding rapidly in Tetsuka's vision.
*Boom!!!*
The thunderous roar filled his ears.
His mind, his thoughts, everything before him was engulfed by the terrifying sound.
Fast!
Too fast!
Feeling the incredible speed and destructive power of the shot, Tetsuka found himself frozen, a deep sense of helplessness welling up inside him.
In that moment, he realized.
In the face of absolute power, all his efforts seemed so futile, so laughable!
*Thud!*
The ball landed and bounced, shooting past Tetsuka like a cannonball. It struck the wall behind him with a deafening *crash*, spinning fiercely.
*Crack.*
*Crack.*
Suddenly, strange sounds filled the air.
To everyone's horror, the wall behind Tetsuka began to crack, spiderweb-like fissures spreading outward from the point of impact.
*Crash!*
Finally, as if unable to bear the weight, half the wall collapsed, crashing to the ground.
Silence.
The entire court fell into a stunned silence.
Everyone stared at the collapsed wall, then at Ishikawa, who stood calmly with his racket. A sense of fear crept into their hearts.
Even the Hyotei team looked at Ishikawa with a mix of awe and terror.
So... this was Ishikawa's true strength?!
pat-reon:belamy20
---
(End of chapter)