"I-Ishikawa?!"
Seeing the handsome black-haired boy, the Ice Imperial team instinctively exclaimed.
Outside the court, representatives from Shitenhouji, Fudomine, Yamabuki, and other schools also widened their eyes in shock. No one had expected Yanagi to transform into Ishikawa!
"Atobe-senpai," the 'Ishikawa' spoke, smiling at Atobe. "Please go easy on me."
"Hmm."
Atobe's eyes flickered with a hidden glint as he observed the boy before him.
Ishikawa.
Atobe's feelings toward him were complicated. Ishikawa's arrival had brought about earth-shaking changes to Ice Imperial, but it had also shaken Atobe's once unshakable position as the team's undisputed leader. Although the other team members tactfully avoided the topic, it had left an indelible mark on Atobe's heart.
Even though his mindset had shifted after his match with Ishikawa, seeing Yanagi's phantom version of 'Ishikawa' standing before him as an opponent once again stirred those emotions.
"A real match, huh?"
Atobe's gaze sharpened as he tossed the ball into the air. Then, to the astonishment of the spectators, he leaned back, his racket perpendicular to the ground.
"Is that... the Tannhäuser Serve?"
The Ice Imperial team perked up.
*Swish, swish, swish!!!*
In Atobe's eyes, colorful lights flashed. As the ball reached the optimal hitting point, his eyes gleamed, and his body snapped forward like a spring.
*Thwack!*
With a crisp sound, the ball shot out like an arrow, clearing the net and landing precisely on the service line.
*Ssshh...*
The ball skidded low, barely rising off the ground as it shot forward—Atobe's signature Tannhäuser Serve!
"Whoa!"
The representatives from other schools couldn't help but gasp. Zaizen barely suppressed his voice as he muttered, "C-can that serve even be returned?"
Shiraishi's expression turned serious.
Indeed.
Compared to Yanagi's phantom version of 'Atobe,' the real deal's Tannhäuser Serve was far more powerful in both speed and spin.
It was clear.
This serve was something Yanagi, in his current state, would struggle to return.
*Swish!*
But at that moment, the 'Ishikawa' at the baseline suddenly moved. His racket swung with astonishing speed, even faster than Sanada's "Speed like the Wind."
A sharp white light filled everyone's vision.
*Thwack!*
With a crisp sound, the ball slammed into the far corner of Atobe's court, scoring a direct point!
"0-15!"
"What?!"
The Ice Imperial team gasped in shock.
"Shinten... Battojutsu!"
Oshitari narrowed his eyes, his expression grave as he watched the 'Ishikawa' on the court. "This guy's phantom ability is terrifying!"
Sanada, Atobe, Akutsu, Ishikawa...
Yanagi's phantoms were all top-tier players. What's more, he had mastered their signature moves. And this was without even using the "Muga no Kyouchi" (State of Self-Actualization).
Coach Tōru couldn't help but praise, "He's like a magician on the court!"
"Let's continue, Atobe-senpai."
On the court, 'Ishikawa' raised his racket and pointed it at Atobe. "I think you're still holding back, aren't you?"
*Whoosh!*
Atobe's response was to toss the ball again and unleash another high-speed serve.
*Swish!*
On the other side, 'Ishikawa' twisted his racket, slicing into the ball with precision. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he sent the ball rocketing back.
*Ssshh!*
A fierce whirlwind erupted, tearing up the grass and dirt as the ball shot forward with incredible force.
*Whoosh!*
In Atobe's eyes, the ball's speed was blinding. In an instant, it transformed from a faint yellow dot to a full-sized tennis ball!
At the same time, a wave of scorching heat washed over him.
This was one of Ishikawa's signature moves—Rekka (Blazing Wind)!
*Thud!*
The ball was too fast.
Atobe had no choice but to block it with his racket, but in doing so, he lost control of the ball's trajectory. It bounced back weakly.
*Thud!*
On the other side, 'Ishikawa' leaped into the air, adjusted his racket angle, and executed a perfect smash, channeling his kendo techniques.
*Boom!*
The ball landed with a resounding thud, leaving Atobe frozen in place.
"0-30!"
"That smash..."
Oshitari, Hiyoshi, and others who had faced Ishikawa before felt their pupils contract.
Especially Oshitari.
He could clearly see that the smash was executed using Ishikawa's kendo techniques. Otherwise, Atobe wouldn't have been caught off guard.
"Adding Sanada's 'Speed like the Wind' and 'Thunder,'" Oshitari said solemnly, "it seems that before Yanagi phantoms someone, he must have trained extensively in their techniques."
It appeared that the Rikkai Phantom wasn't just relying on mimicry or trickery, as some might assume.
Coach Tōru nodded in agreement. "The phantom ability itself is a reflection of his own skills. The different personas are just manifestations of his talent for imitation."
The rest of the Ice Imperial team nodded in understanding.
From this perspective, Yanagi was a top-tier genius and a formidable player in his own right.
"Yanagi..."
On the Rikkai side, Yanagi and Sanada's expressions grew complex.
Especially Yanagi. He hadn't expected the boy who had always been under his radar to possess such incredible talent.
"Sigh."
Thinking of the so-called "Big Three" of Rikkai, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
*Thud, thud, thud.*
At the baseline, Atobe gently tapped the ball.
From the 'Ishikawa' before him, he felt a familiar pressure. This made him discard any remaining traces of arrogance and treat Yanagi as a true opponent.
*Thwack!*
Another powerful serve shot out.
The ball landed close to the service line, but 'Ishikawa' was already in position, his movements swift and precise.
"His insight has improved?!"
Oshitari exclaimed in surprise. "Is his tennis more than just simple mimicry?"
After all, if Yanagi's abilities were based solely on his own skills, no matter how much he imitated others, his insight should remain consistent.
But the 'Ishikawa' before them moved differently from the previous phantoms. His insight seemed to have significantly improved.
"Phantom ability..."
On the sidelines, Ishikawa watched the match with a thoughtful expression.
Yanagi's Phantom ability was a unique skill in the original series. The phantoms he created could use the abilities of the person he was mimicking.
During the Nationals, he had mimicked Tezuka's "Hyakuren" and "Muga no Kyouchi."
During the World Cup, he had even mimicked Japan's U17 top player, Byoudouin.
If Yanagi's abilities were based solely on his own skills, he wouldn't have been able to achieve such feats. In Ishikawa's opinion, Yanagi must possess some extraordinary talent—a unique ability akin to Yukimura's "Yips," Sanada's "Black Aura," or even Tokugawa's "Muga no Kyouchi."
Yanagi's talent allowed him to manifest the abilities of the players he had studied in a unique way.
Like now.
When he mimicked 'Ishikawa,' his insight had clearly improved.
*Swish!*
Atobe, noticing this change, chased down the ball and activated his "Insight," scanning for weaknesses.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!*
In an instant, countless ice pillars descended around 'Ishikawa,' each representing a potential weakness.
*Thwack!*
Atobe returned the shot, aiming precisely at one of the ice pillars with his impeccable control.
Seeing this, Kirihara's face paled. "No way! Atobe's found Yanagi-senpai's weakness!"
The others also looked grim.
After all, it was impossible to return a shot aimed at one's weakness. Even Sanada and Akutsu couldn't do it.
*Whoosh!*
But in the next moment, to everyone's astonishment, the ball, after bouncing, curved around and flew to 'Ishikawa's' side.
"No way?!"
The Ice Imperial team gasped. "Ishikawa's... Domain?!"
*Thwack!*
'Ishikawa' swung his racket, sending the ball to the far corner of Atobe's court with surgical precision.
"0-40!"
"Gasp..."
The spectators collectively inhaled.
"Ishikawa's Domain?"
Atobe looked up, surprised. "I didn't expect you to master this move too."
"Wait!"
Hiyoshi suddenly spoke up, puzzled. "Vice-captain, aside from his match against Seigaku's Tezuka, hasn't he only used this Domain once?"
"Hmm."
Oshitari's brow furrowed as he stared at the black-haired boy on the court. "So, he even studied the footage from the regional tournament?"
The others were stunned.
Looking at 'Ishikawa,' their eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear.
Coach Tōru sighed. "It seems he's been preparing for this. I suspect his target wasn't Atobe or Akutsu... but Ishikawa from the very beginning."
"Perhaps."
Ishikawa smiled faintly.
But in his heart, he leaned toward this possibility.
In fact, it was likely true.
Yanagi's sensitive nature had likely been triggered during the Kanto Finals when Ishikawa had glanced at him a few times, making him feel uneasy. From that moment, Yanagi had likely begun studying Ishikawa.
In a way, it was Ishikawa's gaze that had spurred the Phantom's evolution.
Now, with the Domain, enhanced insight, and Ishikawa's signature moves at his disposal, Yanagi's phantom was nearly as formidable as Ishikawa had been during the Kanto Finals.
*Thwack!*
Another powerful shot.
The ball landed precisely in Atobe's backhand corner.
"Game!"
"Rikkai Dai's Yanagi, 2-2!"
In less than two minutes, Yanagi had tied the score. The phantom of Ishikawa had completely suppressed Atobe.
In the fifth game, Yanagi, using Ishikawa's super-speed serve, scored consecutive aces, taking the game in under a minute and leading 3-2.
"Hmm."
Seeing Atobe being overwhelmed, Oshitari's expression darkened. "That serve is almost as fast as Ootori's Heavy Cannon Serve!"
Speed, power, technique, insight...
The phantom before them was like the real Ishikawa. Even his serve had reached the pinnacle of middle school tennis, leaving no weaknesses to exploit.
"So, Atobe-senpai," 'Ishikawa' said, adopting a receiving stance. "You're still holding back, aren't you?"
*Thud.*
Atobe held the ball in his hand, ignoring the taunt as he considered his next move.
"Not reacting, huh?"
'Ishikawa's' brow rose slightly.
*Hum...*
Then, a dazzling silver light erupted from his body.
"What?!"
Oshitari's eyes widened in shock. "He's even mastered Ishikawa's... Sword Intent?!"
The silver light was blinding, exuding an oppressive aura that made everyone feel uneasy.
"Is this the legendary Sword Intent?"
Outside the court, Shiraishi of Shitenhouji said gravely. "This feeling... it's truly terrifying."
"Is that Ishikawa's ultimate move?"
Kintarō, wearing a leopard-print tank top, stared at the silver light in awe. "Does that mean... he wasn't even using his full strength when he played against me?"
His shoulders slumped in defeat.
The other Shitenhouji members sighed inwardly.
Though they knew Kintarō was exceptionally talented, as a fellow first-year, his light had been completely overshadowed by Ishikawa.
"This match... Ice Imperial is in trouble."
Chitose said grimly. "If Yanagi has even mastered this move, Atobe's time to turn things around is running out."
Beside him, Koharu couldn't help but sigh. "Who would've thought that the person standing in Ice Imperial's way to the finals would be the very rookie who changed their fate?"
The others couldn't help but nod in agreement, their expressions complex.
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
On the court, with 'Ishikawa's' Sword Intent activated, his scoring efficiency skyrocketed. Atobe, on the other hand, was visibly affected by the sword's aura, his movements becoming sluggish.
*Thwack!*
"Game!"
"Rikkai Dai's Yanagi, 4-2!"
In no time, Yanagi had widened the gap, further solidifying his lead.
"Victory to Rikkai Dai!"
"Let's go, let's go, Rikkai Dai!"
"Rikkai will win!"
Yanagi's stellar performance ignited the team's morale. The Rikkai cheerleaders chanted enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Ice Imperial's supporters looked on with heavy hearts, their eyes fixed on the purple-haired boy at the baseline.
"Indeed."
In the stands, Shishido of Tennis Monthly couldn't help but sigh. "The only one who can stop Atobe is Ishikawa. That Rikkai Phantom, Yanagi, is truly a genius for thinking of mimicking him."
"Yeah."
Uchimura nodded. "I suspect Yanagi had planned to mimic Ishikawa from the start. And it's working perfectly."
Shishido sighed softly. "It looks like Ice Imperial might lose this match..."
"Even if they lose, it's not the end."
Uchimura thought for a moment and shook his head. "The next doubles match is Ice Imperial's best chance to win. That would set up the final showdown between Ishikawa and Yukimura."
"Those two, huh?"
Shishido glanced at the two handsome boys on opposite sides of the court, clasping her hands together. "What an exciting match that'll be!"
*Thwack!*
On the court, the phantom 'Ishikawa' unleashed another lightning-fast serve.
"It's coming again!"
The Ice Imperial team's expressions darkened.
"That's Ishikawa's... Star Trace Serve."
Oshitari's face turned grave.
If there was one serve in middle school tennis that could be called unstoppable, it wasn't Atobe's Tannhäuser Serve, Tezuka's Zero-Shiki Serve, Ootori's New Heavy Cannon Serve, or Inui's Waterfall Serve.
It was this one.
The Star Trace Serve—a serve so fast it defied comprehension.
Back then, Ishikawa had made a name for himself with this serve.
Now, it had become Atobe's downfall.
In everyone's eyes, there was no way Atobe could return this serve. And this might very well be the final two games of the match.
*Thwack!*
The ball landed, its faint yellow glow blooming right on the service line.
"Is this the Star Trace Serve?"
Yukimura and Sanada's expressions shifted.
Especially Sanada. He had never seen this serve during the Kanto Finals. With his current abilities, he would need to use his "Thunder Step" to even have a chance of returning it.
It was hard to imagine just how much strength that Ice Imperial first-year had been hiding during the Kanto and National tournaments.
But what was even more terrifying was Yanagi.
He had managed to replicate this serve, which had never been seen in the Kanto or National tournaments, just by studying footage.
The usually unassuming Rikkai Phantom had become the key to their victory over Ice Imperial and their path to the finals.
*Thwack!*
But in the next moment, a crisp sound echoed through the court.
"What?!"
The Rikkai team's faces fell as they turned to see Atobe at the baseline, his racket firmly holding the spinning ball.
"Your serve is indeed fast," Atobe said, looking at 'Ishikawa.' "But unfortunately, compared to the real deal, it's still far from enough."
*Hum...*
A golden aura erupted from Atobe's body, filling the court with an overwhelming, domineering presence—the aura of an emperor!
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