"Yeah, that's how it is."
"We won both doubles matches, but they took way too long. At this rate, we're not going to make it in time."
"Don't worry, we'll bring the Kanto championship to you!"
Inside the tennis park.
In a quiet, secluded corner, Sanada was on the phone with someone. After a brief conversation, he solemnly ended the call.
"Hyotei."
Looking in the direction of the courts, Sanada's gaze sharpened, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.
He realized he had underestimated this team.
The time taken for the two doubles matches far exceeded the total time Rikkai had spent in the finals of last year's national tournament.
Even though they had won both doubles matches.
As the team's leader, Sanada knew better than to let his guard down, especially at a time like this.
For the upcoming singles match, he had full confidence in Chitose. However, he anticipated it would be similar to the previous matches—likely taking at least another hour to conclude.
If that happened, they wouldn't make it in time for Yukimura's surgery.
The thought made his expression darken.
"What's wrong, senpai?"
A light, teasing voice called out from a distance.
Hmm?
Sanada raised an eyebrow and turned to see who it was. "Seigaku?"
The person approaching wasn't tall, wearing Seigaku's blue-and-white jacket, a white tennis cap, holding a can of soda in one hand and a racket tucked under his arm. He walked over casually, one hand in his pocket.
"Senpai."
Stopping a short distance away, Ryoma smiled. "I heard you're the strongest middle schooler in the nation. Mind giving me some pointers?"
"Not interested."
Sanada replied expressionlessly, turning to leave.
"What, are you scared?"
"Huh?"
Sanada paused, giving the boy a deep look before calmly saying, "You've got guts. For that, I'll play one point with you."
"Just one point?"
Ryoma raised an eyebrow but nodded. "That's fine."
He was here to test just how strong this so-called "strongest middle schooler in the nation," the vice-captain of Rikkai known as the "Emperor of Tennis," really was.
Even if it was just one point, it would be enough.
With that, the two headed to a nearby court.
"Just to be clear, this is only one point."
Sanada glanced at the smirking boy across the net and said sternly, "If you lose, go back to Seigaku. I don't want Tezuka accusing me of bullying a kid."
"Oh?"
Ryoma looked surprised. "Senpai, you know Captain Tezuka?"
Whoosh!
At that, Sanada's expression shifted slightly.
But he quickly masked it and said firmly, "If you don't want to play, we can stop here."
"Of course I do."
Ryoma grinned, tossing the ball into the air.
Whoosh!
He leaped into the air, his racket swinging down from behind his head with a sharp thwack, sending the ball flying.
"Hmm?"
Sanada's eyes flickered with surprise. "Not bad for a kid's serve."
Ssshh—
The ball landed, skidding low before abruptly shooting up toward Sanada's face.
"Twist serve?"
Sanada raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected this young Seigaku player to pull off such a sharp serve.
But he was Sanada.
Though the ball came fast and fierce, Sanada simply leaned back slightly, his racket already positioned to intercept. With a crisp thwack, he effortlessly returned the ball.
Tap tap!!
On the other side, Ryoma was already sprinting toward the net.
He hadn't expected his serve to score against the vice-captain of Rikkai.
Ssshh—
After a quick dash, he slid into position, leaping up to return the ball with a swift swing.
Thwack!
The ball landed, bouncing high into the air.
"Huh?"
Noticing the ball's unusual trajectory, Sanada stepped forward with his superior footwork, reaching the ball's second bounce point with ease.
Thwack!
Ryoma's Drive B was easily countered.
Whoosh!
The ball spun in a wide arc, landing near Ryoma, who had retreated to the baseline.
"Is that... Tezuka Zone?"
Sanada's expression shifted slightly as he observed his opponent. "He switched to his left hand... so he's a lefty?"
At that moment, Sanada felt a ripple of surprise.
He hadn't expected this short Seigaku player to possess such skill.
Thwack!
Ryoma quickly swung his racket, slicing the ball with precision.
The ball flew over the net, dipping sharply and skidding irregularly along the ground. Sanada frowned.
"That's Seigaku's Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi? So..."
Sanada looked up, his gaze shifting. "Is this... the State of Self-Actualization?"
Hummm!
Around Ryoma, several white energy swirls appeared, wrapping around him like ribbons—the unmistakable sign of the State of Self-Actualization.
Compared to his first awakening of this state, Ryoma's aura was noticeably stronger, and his control over it had improved.
Thwack!
However, Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi was swiftly countered by Sanada.
"The speed's good, and the bounce is low, but unfortunately, there's no technique I can't return."
Sanada spoke impassively.
"Is that so?"
Ryoma's eyes narrowed as he dashed after the ball. Catching up, he swung his racket with incredible speed.
Thwack!
The ball shot past, a sharp gust of wind trailing in its wake.
"Like the Wind?"
Sanada's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Ryoma to mimic his signature move.
"Did Tezuka tell you about this?"
He mistakenly assumed Tezuka had shared his techniques with Ryoma, sparking a flicker of interest.
"But unfortunately."
Sanada shook his head. "Your 'Like the Wind' is only skin-deep. The real technique isn't this sluggish."
Thwack!
With that, Ryoma's "Like the Wind" was easily countered.
"How about this one?"
Ryoma's brows furrowed, a hint of frustration showing.
Whoosh!
He swung his racket as if stirring flames, smashing the ball with force.
Boom!
A fiery blast erupted, a wave of heat rushing toward Sanada.
"Now it's 'Like the Fire'?"
Sanada shook his head again. "My flames aren't this weak."
Thwack!
With a single swing, Ryoma's technique was effortlessly returned.
From start to finish, Sanada remained composed, each return executed with precision. His calm demeanor fully embodied his title as the Emperor of Tennis.
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
Ryoma, unwilling to give up, launched a series of attacks.
With the State of Self-Actualization, he believed that by cycling through enough styles, he'd eventually find one that could counter Sanada.
"Huh?"
Meanwhile, outside the court.
A boy with messy hair and a loose floral shirt walked over. Spotting the match, he exclaimed, "A match outside the Kanto finals? Wait, is that Sanada?"
The boy, Chitose Senri from Osaka's Shitenhouji, was surprised. "And who's he playing against? Huh? That's the State of Self-Actualization?"
Instantly, Chitose's attention was captured.
"Is this the rumored super rookie from Kanto?"
As someone who had also mastered the State of Self-Actualization, Chitose knew how difficult it was to achieve. He had only managed it in his second year, and this boy looked like a first-year.
"Looks like I've got good luck today."
Chitose grinned. "I get to witness the Kanto super rookie challenge Sanada."
Sanada Genichirou.
Vice-captain of Rikkai.
One of the top three players in the nation who had mastered the State of Self-Actualization (the others being Yukimura and himself).
And now, it seemed like he was being held up by someone during the finals against Hyotei? Chitose was amazed that Sanada, of all people, would be delayed like this.
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
On the court, Ryoma continued his relentless assault.
Using the State of Self-Actualization, he mimicked various powerful techniques, launching fierce attacks at Sanada.
But Sanada was too strong.
His defensive skills were top-tier, and Ryoma's attacks posed no real threat.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Ryoma crouched low, lifting his racket and one leg, as if drawing a bow.
"Is that..."
Before Sanada could react, Chitose's eyes widened in recognition. "That's Kippei's move!"
Boom!
Ryoma unleashed the technique, sending the ball hurtling forward.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!
In an instant, the ball split into multiple afterimages, surrounding Sanada.
"Seigaku brat."
Facing the barrage of afterimages, Sanada's eyes sharpened like blades. "Had enough fun?"
Thwack!
With a swift swing, Sanada targeted one of the afterimages and returned the ball.
"He countered it?"
Chitose was stunned.
He knew Sanada was strong, but he hadn't expected him to dismantle such a formidable technique so easily.
"Then again, this kid isn't Kippei. He hasn't mastered the move's essence."
The more Chitose observed, the more he understood the limitations of the State of Self-Actualization. Relying too heavily on it could hinder one's growth.
"It's over."
Chitose shook his head.
This Kanto super rookie was no match for the Emperor of Tennis, Sanada Genichirou.
One more point, and the match would be decided.
Whoosh!
But then, Ryoma flipped his racket to his right side, gripping it like a sword ready to be drawn.
Swoosh!
With a motion faster than "Like the Wind," Ryoma smashed the ball forward.
"This shot?!"
Chitose's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected Ryoma to have such a powerful technique up his sleeve.
"Not bad."
Seeing the ball's incredible speed, Sanada's stoic expression finally showed a hint of emotion.
Whoosh!
He swung his racket with lightning speed, returning the ball even faster.
Boom!
The ball exploded past Ryoma, landing with a sharp crack.
In the faint yellow light, Ryoma's face was filled with shock. He hadn't expected the true speed of "Like the Wind" to be this overwhelming.
Sadly, he couldn't counter it.
The constant use of the State of Self-Actualization had drained most of his stamina.
In the end, he could only watch as the ball landed and shot past him.
"It's over."
Sanada coldly declared before turning to leave.
"Huh?"
Noticing Chitose's presence, Sanada shot him a sharp look.
"That gaze..."
Feeling the intensity of Sanada's stare, Chitose's expression shifted. The Emperor of Tennis was truly intimidating.
"Huh?"
But then, Sanada gave a slight nod, almost as if acknowledging him.
"This guy's weird."
Chitose was puzzled by Sanada's mixed signals. Had he not recognized him at first? If so, that was pretty underwhelming for Rikkai's vice-captain.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Chitose turned around and spotted a black-haired boy in a gray-white jacket.
"That's... someone from Hyotei?"
Seeing him, Chitose's earlier confusion made sense. But it also raised more questions.
Why was Sanada so serious, even showing a hint of hostility, toward someone who wasn't Atobe?
"Senpai."
Ishikawa approached Sanada, greeting him. "You've already communicated with Yukimura-senpai, right?"
"Huh?"
Sanada's sharp gaze locked onto Ishikawa.
"Nothing."
Ishikawa smiled. "I just wanted to remind you that the next match will take even longer. But since you've already communicated, that's good."
Sanada didn't respond, turning to leave the court.
"Hyotei kid."
Once Sanada was gone, Chitose approached, curious. "You've got some nerve, talking to Sanada like that. Even your captain, Atobe, wouldn't dare."
"I think Sanada-senpai is pretty easy to talk to."
Ishikawa shook his head, smiling. "By the way, senpai, you're not from a Kanto school, are you?"
"Nope."
Chitose grinned. "I'm from Kansai. Just here to gather intel. Heard Kanto's got a super rookie making waves!"
"Super rookie?"
Ishikawa feigned surprise. "I didn't know I was that famous."
"You?"
Chitose was taken aback, glancing at the exhausted Ryoma on the court. "Isn't it him?"
"What?"
Ishikawa's expression turned serious. "Senpai, you don't believe me?"
"It's not that, just..."
Before Chitose could finish, Ishikawa cut him off. "In that case, how about you give me some pointers?"
"Uh, sure."
Chitose chuckled.
He didn't know why this Hyotei kid was so bold, challenging both Sanada and him, a former top player from Kyushu.
"If you insist."
Chitose smirked. "I'll play a little with you. Don't disappoint me, 'Kanto's super rookie.'"
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