"Is this the strength of a top national-level player?"
On the court, Ryoma's expression was grim. He had wanted to test Sanada's abilities and seize a victory from him, but despite giving it his all, he still lost.
At this moment, a wave of self-doubt washed over Ryoma. He couldn't understand why, after winning four consecutive U.S. Junior Tennis Championships, he kept losing to middle school players in Japan—Akutsu, Kirihara, Sanada, and even that terrifyingly strong vice-captain from Hyotei who was the same age as him.
"Ryoma-kun," a voice suddenly called out. "Mind if I borrow your racket?"
"Huh?" Ryoma looked up and saw a smiling Ishikawa. Then, his gaze shifted to Senju, the eccentric guy in a floral shirt and wooden sandals.
Were these two about to play a match?
It didn't take long for Ryoma to figure it out. Considering they had likely been watching his match with Sanada, it was only fair that he now got to watch theirs.
"Sure, no problem," Ryoma replied, handing his racket to Senju.
"Senpai," Ishikawa said, glancing at Senju's wooden sandals, "Isn't it a bit inconvenient to play in those?"
"It's fine," Senju waved it off with a calm smile. "I'm used to them. Just bring your best game."
Oh? Ryoma's eyes gleamed with interest. He knew exactly how strong Ishikawa was, and yet this guy dared to say something like that. For a moment, Ryoma couldn't help but admire Senju's boldness. At the same time, he was curious—just how strong was this guy to make such a claim?
"Alright then," Ishikawa nodded with a smile.
The two took their positions on the court, while Ryoma volunteered to be the referee. After learning the name of the carefree-looking teenager, he announced, "The match will be one set. Senju to serve, first game!"
With that, Senju, holding the tennis ball, glanced at Ishikawa and said, "Let's begin."
Thwack!
He sent the ball flying with a sharp serve. The ball traced a beautiful arc through the air before landing near the service line on Ishikawa's right.
Whoosh!
The ball bounced with intense spin, a move that would have left most players struggling to react, let alone keep up with its unpredictable trajectory.
Thwack!
But Ishikawa swiftly returned the ball.
"Not bad," Senju acknowledged. This serve had been a test, and if Ishikawa couldn't handle it, the match would have been over before it began.
Thwack!
Senju quickly followed up with a cross-court shot aimed at Ishikawa's backhand side near the baseline.
"A cross-court drive?" Ryoma, from his referee's position, narrowed his eyes. "His control is impressive, but is this really enough to pressure him?"
Ryoma shook his head, already forming a theory. This guy in wooden sandals probably didn't know Ishikawa. Otherwise, he wouldn't be wearing those sandals or wasting time with such basic tests.
Thwack!
Sure enough, Ishikawa quickly reached the ball and returned it with a powerful shot, aiming for Senju's far corner.
Oh? Senju was slightly surprised by the quality of the return. But true to his word, even in wooden sandals, he moved with remarkable speed, catching up to the ball.
Thwack!
He returned the shot with even more speed and spin.
Smack!
But Ishikawa effortlessly reached the ball and executed a perfect drop shot.
"This kid..." Senju's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "If you think a cheap trick like that will work on me, you're sorely mistaken!"
Tap, tap.
He rushed forward, managing to lob the ball just before it bounced a second time.
Whoosh!
But in the next moment, Ishikawa leaped into the air and smashed the ball down with a powerful overhead shot.
Thud!
The ball landed, leaving Senju frozen in place.
"0-15!" Ryoma called out, watching Senju's expression with interest. The stranger's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
"You're good," Senju admitted, looking at Ishikawa seriously. "That was a well-executed drop shot and smash combo. I didn't expect Hyotei to have someone like you."
During last year's national tournament, when Senju was still with Rikkai, he had seen Hyotei's lineup. Atobe had been in top form, and the rest of the team had been full of fighting spirit, clearly a top-tier national team. But Ishikawa hadn't been among them.
So, it seemed Ishikawa really was a newcomer.
"Let's continue," Senju said, retreating to the baseline. He pulled a ball from his pocket, bounced it a couple of times, and gripped it tightly.
"This time, I'll get a bit more serious."
Whoosh!
He tossed the ball into the air, bent his knees, and pushed off the ground, using the momentum to swing his racket and send the ball flying.
Crack!
The ball shot forward like a bullet.
"Hmm?" Ryoma's eyes narrowed. "This serve is faster. So, this guy isn't just all talk."
Thud!
The ball landed precisely on the baseline. If his previous serve was a 40 out of 100, this one was easily a 70.
But for Ryoma, while the serve was sharp, it wasn't unreturnable. He mentally put himself in Ishikawa's shoes and imagined several ways to counter it.
Whoosh!
But then, something unexpected happened.
The ball, after bouncing, suddenly disappeared.
"What?!" Ryoma's expression changed. This wasn't like Fuji's "Disappearing Serve." Senju's serve was faster, and the ball vanished earlier. Even Ryoma doubted he could react in time.
With this added effect, Ryoma rated the serve a solid 90, using Tezuka's Zero-Shiki Serve as the benchmark.
Heh.
On the other side, Senju allowed himself a small smile.
This was his special move—Kamikakushi (Divine Concealment). With this technique, even if his offense wasn't the most aggressive or his serves not the fastest, he could still dominate most players.
Back at Shitenhouji, this move alone had carried him through regional tournaments, Osaka prefecturals, and even the Kansai championships.
In fact, he almost regretted using it here. It felt like overkill against a Hyotei newcomer.
Crack!
But then, the sound of a clean return echoed across the court.
What?!
Senju's eyes widened as he watched the ball fly back. His heart raced. "He returned it?!"
Without wasting a second, Senju chased after the ball and returned it, his expression now serious.
"This kid's not bad," he thought, reassessing Ishikawa. "No wonder he dared to challenge Sanada. If he's really a newcomer, he's got the skills to back it up."
Even two years ago, Senju wasn't sure he could have countered Kamikakushi on his first try.
Whoosh!
But then, the ball disappeared again after bouncing.
"Huh?" Ryoma was stunned. "This technique... it's not just for serves?"
Crack!
Yet again, Ishikawa returned the ball.
Tap, tap!
Senju, in his wooden sandals, dashed to intercept the ball, his respect for Ishikawa growing.
"Speed, reflexes, and insight... This Hyotei kid is no ordinary player."
With a quick flick of his wrist, Senju sent the ball spinning like a top, curving sharply before landing precisely at the intersection of the baseline and sideline.
This shot showcased the skill of a national-level player.
"As expected of one of Kyushu's strongest players," Ishikawa remarked, appearing at the ball's landing point.
Huh?
Senju's expression darkened. It was clear now—Ishikawa had recognized him from the start.
"If he knew who I was, why did he challenge me?" Senju wondered, his eyes locking onto Ishikawa. "What gave him the confidence to do this?"
Crack!
Before he could dwell on it, a yellow streak exploded at his feet.
"What?!"
Senju's pupils contracted as the ball shot past him. In his current position, he couldn't even react.
Clang!
The ball hit the fence.
"This guy!" Senju's gaze sharpened as he stared at Ishikawa.
Now, he felt an overwhelming pressure emanating from the Hyotei player.
"So," Senju thought, taking a deep breath, "this Hyotei newcomer... is he national-level?"
The pieces fell into place.
"I've been played," Senju admitted, his expression turning serious. "So, he's telling the truth. He really is that super rookie from Kantō."
(End of Chapter)
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