"No way!!!"
Seeing Ishikawa spread his feet apart and assume a martial arts stance, Mukahi exclaimed in disbelief, "Is he planning to play Hiyoshi's martial arts-style tennis?"
Everyone else was equally stunned.
"This guy!"
Outside the court.
Hiyoshi instinctively clenched his fists.
He had considered many possibilities, but he never expected Ishikawa to mimic his martial arts stance on the court!
Was he just showing off?!
For a moment, this thought crossed everyone's minds. But it was quickly dismissed.
The reason was simple.
Ishikawa's previous achievements, including his dominant performance in this match, spoke for themselves.
In this situation, no one believed he was just putting on an act.
"Hmph!"
On the other side.
Shishido's gaze turned cold. Realizing his opponent's intent, he didn't hold back, sending the ball flying with a powerful drive.
*Whoosh!*
The spectators' eyes followed the ball, focusing on the black-haired boy on the other side of the court. They were eager to see what he would do next.
*Tap! Tap!!*
At that moment.
Ishikawa moved.
He dashed toward the ball's landing spot with a fluidity and precision reminiscent of Hiyoshi's style. However, Ishikawa's movements appeared even more streamlined and efficient.
*Swish!*
Once he reached the ball.
He swung his racket decisively, using his waist to generate power, which traveled through his arm and wrist before being transferred to the ball.
*Whoosh!*
The ball shot forward.
"This shot?"
Seeing the ball streak across the court and land toward his backhand side, Shishido's expression changed. "It's so fast!!"
As a fast-paced player, he knew he couldn't afford to slow down now.
He had to move faster, outpace his opponent!
With that thought.
Shishido sprinted toward the ball.
As he caught up, he swung his racket, intercepting the ball after it bounced and sending it back.
However.
In his pursuit of speed, the quality of his shot suffered. Even so, to many watching from outside the court, the ball was still too fast to react to.
*Swish!*
Yet.
The moment the ball landed.
Ishikawa, still in his martial arts-style stance, closed in. With a twist of his wrist, he angled his racket upward and struck the ball with a sharp *bang*, sending it back.
"This guy!"
Seeing the ball rapidly descending toward the other side, Shishido, now alarmed, rushed to intercept it.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
In just a few seconds.
The two exchanged over a dozen shots.
The speed of their movements left the audience dizzy. Many couldn't even process one shot before the next was already in play.
"Gulp."
"What kind of reaction speed is this?!"
"Hey, are these guys really middle schoolers like us?!"
The crowd was left in awe by the relentless exchange.
Even members of other clubs, witnessing the swift and fierce rally, began to doubt their own abilities.
"So strong!"
Even among the regulars, players like Takaki and Ootori felt the pressure.
Meanwhile.
Hiyoshi clenched his fists tightly.
At this moment, he was both amazed and conflicted.
"If I could react this quickly yesterday, how could I have lost?!"
This was his martial arts-style tennis.
Yet, as the original creator, he was now being outperformed by someone who had just picked it up?
At this moment.
Hiyoshi fell into deep self-doubt.
"It's over!"
At that moment.
Oshitari, one of the regulars, spoke up.
Watching Shishido sprint to return the ball, he said gravely, "The continuous rallies have disrupted Shishido's breathing rhythm. His form is breaking down, and he's making unnecessary movements."
"Mm."
Atobe, standing beside him, nodded. His gaze toward Ishikawa now carried a hint of surprise.
Because Oshitari hadn't said everything.
Compared to Shishido, whose movements were becoming sloppy and whose sweat was pouring, Ishikawa, though also sweating, was moving with increasing fluidity.
At the start.
There had been a trace of awkwardness in his movements. But now, those subtle flaws had disappeared.
"So..."
Atobe narrowed his eyes. "Is he using Shishido as a whetstone to sharpen his skills?"
If this thought were spoken aloud, it would have left many in shock.
Using a third-year regular from Hyotei as a stepping stone? And this was a first-year student?
It was almost too outrageous to believe!
Yet.
This was exactly what was happening.
At this moment.
Shishido, who was considered incredibly strong by many, including Hyotei's own team, was gradually showing signs of defeat in his direct confrontation with Ishikawa.
*Thwack!*
At that moment, exhausted and slowed, Shishido had no choice but to lob the ball high into the air.
*Whoosh!*
On the other side.
Anticipating this move, Ishikawa leaped into the air and smashed the ball down with a powerful overhead shot.
*Bang!*
The ball exploded near Shishido's feet.
The impact sent dust flying into the air.
Completely drained, Shishido watched the ball bounce past him, a bitter smile forming on his tired face.
He knew that with this shot, the match, and the regular spot he had taken for granted, were slipping away.
"15-0!"
As the ball hit the fence and bounced back, the referee announced the score.
"Whoa!!!"
Instantly.
The crowd, which had been holding its breath, erupted into cheers.
"It's over."
From the fourth-floor window of the school building, Coach Tōru Mizuno watched the scene with a faint smile.
Shishido had lost.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was that, for the first time in two years, Hyotei had another genius who could rival Atobe.
Watching Ishikawa hit the ball, Mizuno felt a deep sense of satisfaction. "The next three years of nationals are going to be even more interesting!"
*Bang!*
Finally.
After 18 minutes of play.
With Ishikawa's final smash landing decisively, the referee called out, "Game over! Ishikawa Shin wins, 6-0!"
"Whoa!!!"
Instantly.
The entire court erupted into thunderous cheers.
Aside from Atobe, Oshitari, and a few others, everyone looked at Ishikawa with a mix of awe and genuine excitement.
Who could have imagined, at the start of the new term, that a rookie would defeat a third-year regular?
And now.
This legendary story of a prodigious talent had unfolded right before their eyes.
As witnesses to this moment, how could they not be thrilled and exhilarated?
**[Ding!]**
Meanwhile, as the victor of the match, Ishikawa heard the system's notification in his mind.
**[Player has defeated elite player Shishido Ryō, earning 900 experience points.]**
**[Player has acquired the skill dropped by Shishido Ryō: Super Half-Volley Lv. 1.]**
(End of Chapter)