Boom!
About three minutes later.
As Akutsu's cannonball-like smash landed, the referee's voice rang out: "Game over! Akutsu Jin of Hyotei Academy wins, 7-5!"
Huff... Huff...
At the baseline.
Sanada was gasping for air.
Staring at the intimidating figure across the net, a wave of frustration washed over him. "Damn it... If only I could have pushed my Black Dragon Double Slash further..."
Recalling the match, Sanada had been relentlessly pushed back by Akutsu's fierce attacks. Even his Black Dragon Double Slash, infused with the speed of lightning, had been effortlessly dismantled.
What truly unnerved Sanada was the dark aura emanating from Akutsu. It was terrifying, mentally suppressing his fighting spirit and affecting his performance.
In some ways, Sanada felt he had only been able to unleash about 80% of his full potential. With Akutsu's relentless pressure, it wasn't long before Sanada was completely overwhelmed.
"The Tyrant of Tennis, huh?"
Taking a deep breath, Sanada clenched his fists.
In less than a month, he had tasted defeat once again. For someone who had once stood undefeated and reigned supreme over the nation, this was a heavy blow.
He silently vowed to himself.
After the Nationals, he would intensify his training. Even though his middle school tennis career was nearing its end, he was determined to erase the humiliation Hyotei had inflicted upon him.
"So... was that the aura of a tyrant?"
In the stands.
The spectators watched as Akutsu, now calm and composed, returned to his team. Yet, their hearts were still racing.
In the final two games, Sanada had been completely dominated, unable to mount any resistance. It was reminiscent of how Atobe had crushed Shiraishi after removing his golden weights.
"Demon King, Emperor, Tyrant..."
Shiraishi from Rikkai couldn't help but sigh. "With a lineup like this, even Rikkai can't compare, can they?"
"Yeah."
Chitose nodded in agreement.
Rikkai's Big Three paled in comparison to Hyotei's trio.
Yanagi had lost to Atobe.
Sanada had fallen to both Ishikawa and Akutsu.
The only one left to hold Rikkai together was their captain, Yukimura. If he were to lose to Ishikawa in the upcoming Singles 1 match, the title of the strongest team in the nation would truly be up for grabs.
"However..."
Chitose paused, then shook his head. "If things continue like this, this semifinal might not even reach Singles 1."
Sanada's defeat was a heavy blow to Rikkai.
One of their guaranteed wins had slipped away. If they lost another match, they would be in serious trouble.
Watching the tense expressions of Rikkai's team, Tachibana muttered, "The next match... is absolutely crucial for them."
"Yukimura... I lost."
At the edge of the court, Sanada hung his head, his face filled with regret.
As the vice-captain, he had taken on Singles 3 to secure a win for the team. Yet, he had been defeated, and in the end, he couldn't even put up a fight. For someone as disciplined as Sanada, the shame was overwhelming.
"I understand."
Yukimura nodded. "Go rest. Don't worry about the remaining matches."
While Yukimura was indeed disappointed by Sanada's loss, he knew his teammate had given it his all. This wasn't Sanada's failure.
It was simply that Hyotei... was too strong.
Even before the match, Yukimura had prepared for the worst-case scenario. But as the match unfolded, he realized he had still underestimated their opponent's strength.
"Hyotei..."
Taking a deep breath, a sharp glint flashed in Yukimura's blue eyes. "Defeating such a formidable opponent and achieving a three-peat would be the most perfect way to end this."
Hyotei's strength had ignited Yukimura's fighting spirit.
For him, sweeping through weaker teams and claiming the national title twice in a row couldn't compare to the thrill of facing a powerhouse like Hyotei in the semifinals.
"Next up, the Doubles 2 match will begin."
The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium. "Hyotei Academy's Shishido Ryo and Ootori Choutarou versus Rikkai Dai's Yanagi Renji and Yagyuu Hiroshi. Please prepare!"
"Yanagi and Yagyuu?"
In the stands.
Representatives from various schools exchanged surprised glances.
No one had expected Yanagi, Rikkai's strategist and the third pillar of their Big Three, to appear in doubles. And not just any doubles—he was paired with Yagyuu, one half of Rikkai's regular doubles team.
"Does this mean... Rikkai is sacrificing a singles match?"
Mizuki from St. Rudolph exclaimed. "If they lose this match, and then Atobe defeats Kirihara in Singles 2, Rikkai will be eliminated with three consecutive losses?!"
His words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.
Rikkai, the defending champions and two-time national title holders, facing the possibility of being swept in the semifinals?
"This is getting interesting."
Zaizen from Higa chuckled. "So, in the end, it's not that the other teams are weak—it's just that Hyotei is on a completely different level."
"Uh..."
Shiraishi and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
If things really played out this way, Hyotei's lineup this year would be nothing short of terrifying.
Latest updates available at 69shuba!
"It probably won't come to that."
Chitose shook his head. "Hyotei's lineup is indeed strong, but in this doubles match, Rikkai clearly has the upper hand. After all... data tennis is most effective in doubles."
"True."
Beside him, the bald Kintarou Toyama nodded vigorously.
"From a data perspective, Yanagi is indeed a formidable player."
Kintarou mimed holding a pair of binoculars, gazing at Yanagi on the court. "That scholarly demeanor is quite captivating, isn't it?"
Thwack!
But then, his partner, Ibu Shinji, smacked him on the head. "Damn it, Kintarou! Are you planning to cheat on me?!"
The two immediately started bickering.
"Anyway..."
Chitose ignored their antics and continued, "Rumor has it that Yanagi's data tennis was learned from a legendary senior at Midoriyama Middle School. If anyone in the nation can counter him, it's probably that guy from Hyotei."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Ishikawa on Hyotei's side.
"No way."
Tachibana chuckled. "That guy would never play doubles. Besides, Hyotei's pair might just surprise us."
Step!
At that moment, Shishido and Ootori stepped onto the court. The pressure on them had eased somewhat after Hyotei's first victory.
Approaching the net, they exchanged a few words with Yanagi and Yagyuu before retreating to the baseline.
"The match will now begin. Best of one set."
After a moment, the referee confirmed both teams' readiness and turned to Hyotei's side. "Hyotei's Ootori to serve. Game start!"
Whoosh!
With that, Ootori tossed the ball high into the air.
Then, rising onto his toes and extending his body, he brought his racket down with a powerful swing.
"One... Ball... to... Soul!!!"
Boom!
With a thunderous crack, the ball shot forward like a cannonball, landing squarely in the service box in front of Yanagi.
Ace. No contest.
"15-0!"
"It's here!"
"Ootori's new cannon serve!"
The crowd erupted as they witnessed Ootori's devastating serve.
"Hmm."
Shiraishi's expression shifted. "It seems Hyotei is determined to ride this momentum and take the match in one go."
(End of Chapter)