Facing Tezuka's Domain, Yukimura tried the same strategy as their previous encounter - forcing a high lob after extended rallies. But the tennis ball still fell directly toward Tezuka's position.
"Have you upgraded the Tezuka Domain, Tezuka?"
Yukimura murmured, studying his opponent carefully.
The original Tezuka Domain had possessed certain flaws that could be exploited through slices and lobs. But after the Kanto Tournament, Tezuka had refined it. Now, no matter what type of tricky shot was attempted, as long as contact was made, the ball would be "pulled" toward Tezuka.
But this posed no insurmountable problem for Yukimura. He'd used his Mirage Mirror during the Kanto Tournament - hitting with perfect accuracy through the balance of left and right hands. As long as Tezuka couldn't predict the rotation, his Domain and all techniques based on spin control would become useless.
Once Yukimura employed the Mirage Mirror, Tezuka's Domain was indeed neutralized.
The two seemed to have returned to their Kanto Tournament encounter, exchanging signature techniques in an intricate dance of countermeasures.
With his slight serving advantage, Yukimura claimed the second game.
"Even though we've only faced each other once at the Kanto Tournament, we both understand each other's capabilities completely."
During the changeover, Yukimura addressed Tezuka directly.
"What are you getting at, Yukimura?"
"This game of move and countermove is tedious, Tezuka. In the next round, let's both use our absolute strongest abilities and end this fate-deciding duel quickly!"
Though they'd battled only once before, both players knew each other too well. If this pattern continued, determining a winner could take forever.
"Agreed."
Tezuka nodded slightly, accepting Yukimura's proposal.
At the start of the third game, brilliant multicolored light erupted from Tezuka's body as all three gates of the State of Self activated simultaneously and layered upon each other.
Yukimura also burst with radiance, though not as vibrantly colored as Tezuka's - he hadn't yet achieved the Limit of Perfect Selflessness, the ultimate realm.
But this didn't mean Yukimura lacked solutions. To defeat Tezuka, he'd developed a counterstrategy: by depriving himself of unnecessary senses, he could enhance the senses required for tennis to their absolute peak. This way, he could minimize Tezuka's seamless light's impact and reduce physical fatigue, allowing him to use the State of Self without reservation.
Yukimura had named this technique - Zero Sense Tennis.
The radiance of both players clashed and battled, neither willing to yield. Though Yukimura lacked Tezuka's perfect brilliance, Zero Sense Tennis allowed him to compete on equal terms.
"They're going all-out this early? Are they trying to end the match quickly and decide everything this way?"
Gustave watched with surprise. He'd expected both players to test each other longer before unleashing their full power.
"Waaaaaaaa!"
"Anya wants to glow too!"
Anya gazed excitedly at the court, apparently forgetting her earlier promise to Gustave and wanting to learn these awesome glowing techniques.
"Tch! Tezuka, Yukimura - I'll defeat both of you eventually!"
Atobe clearly felt the gap between himself and the two titans, but would he surrender? Ridiculous - this was Atobe Keigo! No one could make him lower his proud head.
"After removing this golden armguard, could I reach this level too?"
Shiraishi studied the court action, then examined the bandage on his hand. The golden armguard was essentially a seal restraining his abilities - even he didn't know his true strength.
In both Yamabuki and Rikkaidai's rest areas, players from both schools watched their captains with amazement, never expecting such intense combat so early.
The third and fourth games saw some tension as both maintained their selfless states, but entering the fifth game, as stamina and energy declined, the match's pace suddenly accelerated.
Yet their abilities were too evenly matched, separated only by the slimmest margins. They battled back and forth, chasing each other point by point until the match reached 6-6, entering the decisive final set.
Neither Tezuka nor Yukimura could maintain their selfless states any longer.
However, having used Zero Sense Tennis to artificially enhance his selfless radiance, Yukimura suffered severe backlash when he finally released the technique in the deciding set.
This disadvantage proved decisive. Yukimura ultimately lost the match as Tezuka defeated him 7-6.
Yamabuki Junior High had completed an incredible comeback after losing the first two matches, winning three straight to claim the national championship.
"We did it! We won! We're champions!"
"We are the champions!"
Yamabuki team members shouted joyfully, rushing onto the court to hoist Tezuka high into the air in wild celebration!
Meanwhile, Rikkaidai sat in stunned defeat despite their two-game advantage, their faces showing no trace of happiness.
"I'm sorry, everyone. As captain, I failed to win when it mattered most."
Yukimura shouldered full responsibility and apologized to his teammates.
"No, Captain! It's my fault. If I could have defeated Fuji in singles two, Yamabuki wouldn't have dragged us into this situation."
Despite his usual laid-back demeanor, Mori possessed strong team loyalty. Seeing their commanding position overturned, he stood with Yukimura in taking blame.
"It's not just you two - we share responsibility as well."
Niō and Yagyu also stepped forward, acknowledging their role in the defeat.
All of Rikkaidai seemed shrouded by the massive shadow of failure.
"Enough! We are Rikkaidai - we all bear responsibility for this loss!"
"We lost this year, so we'll return to training harder than ever, carry this defeat with us always, and come back next year to claim the championship!"
At this crucial moment, Sanada stepped forward and swept away the cloud of despair hanging over his team.
"Sanada..."
Everyone looked at their vice-captain with surprise and deep gratitude.
Tezuka approached with his Yamabuki teammates:
"Everyone from Rikkaidai - I hope we can compete against you again in next year's national finals!"
Facing Tezuka's outstretched hand, Yukimura stepped forward from his team, shook it firmly, and replied:
"Tezuka, and everyone from Yamabuki - we at Rikkaidai eagerly anticipate facing you again next year!"
The camera captured their handshake, projecting the moment onto the big screen for all spectators to witness clearly.
Everyone left with even greater anticipation for next year's finals.