Confusion.
Shock.
Astonishment.
In an instant, a mix of emotions erupted within Ibu Shinji's heart. At that moment, he stood frozen like a statue.
Had his side-spin serve just been completely dismantled?
"Your speed is good, and the spin is sharp," Ishikawa commented from across the court. "Unfortunately, it lacks concealment, and there's not enough variation."
Concealment?
Variation?
Outside the court, Kamio and Tachibana exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
Did Ibu Shinji's serve really have so many flaws?
"You're strong," Ibu said, giving Ishikawa a deep look. As he spoke, he composed himself, his expression turning serious. "Your insight is the second strongest I've ever seen. But I won't lose this match!"
*Thwack!*
With that, he served again.
This time, Ibu was smarter. After serving, he quickly adjusted his stance, positioning himself in the center of the court so he could move to either side as needed.
Yes.
Facing this unfamiliar opponent, he chose a defensive approach. But that didn't mean Ibu believed he was at a disadvantage.
After all, victory on the court wasn't determined by just one or two strengths.
Testing the opponent.
Gathering information.
Combining his own abilities with the data he collected.
That was the mark of a true tennis player.
Clearly, Ibu Shinji believed he was different from Kamio. He was more strategic, relying on planning rather than just brute force.
*Thwack!*
At that moment, Ishikawa's return shot flew over. Ibu quickly moved to intercept it, carefully reading the ball's trajectory as it bounced.
"The bounce angle is low, and it has side spin?"
"Right, he knows I'm good with side spin, so he's using it to force me into a topspin."
"A clever plan, but I've figured out your strategy!"
After processing the information in his mind, Ibu immediately formed a plan.
He raised his racket, preparing to hit the incoming ball with an upward motion. But as the racket approached the ball, he adjusted, using the upper part of the racket to brush against the ball, creating a strong topspin.
In an instant, Ibu had infused the ball with intense spin.
*Swoosh!*
But the next second, the ball, which should have had its spin neutralized, suddenly accelerated.
"What?!"
Feeling the powerful impact transmitted through his racket, Ibu's expression changed drastically.
"It's not side spin?"
"This is... topspin?!"
*Whoosh!*
But by the time he realized it, it was too late. The ball had already flown off his racket, soaring high into the air and landing out of bounds.
"Out!"
"0-30!"
As the referee called it, Ibu's body stiffened as if struck by lightning.
"How is this possible?!"
On the sidelines, Tachibana's eyes widened in disbelief.
First, Kamio, the speedster, had been utterly crushed. Now, even Ibu Shinji, Fudomine's technical genius, was being outplayed in his own area of expertise?
At that moment, both she and Kamio couldn't help but wonder: "Who exactly is this Mr. X?"
This guy's tennis was on a whole different level!
In fact, Tachibana even sensed a faint aura similar to her brother's emanating from him.
Was this guy... national-level?
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
The answer came in the form of two powerful returns.
Ibu Shinji didn't even have time to react before losing the match.
**[Ding!]**
**[Player has defeated elite player Ibu Shinji, earning 110 experience points.]**
**[Player has acquired the skill dropped by Ibu Shinji: Side Spin Serve Lv. 1.]**
Compared to Kamio, Ibu had dropped a skill.
Although for Ishikawa, a skill like the side spin serve was something he could probably figure out with a bit of practice.
Still, just like with the previous Bear Drop, Ishikawa had discovered that skills he learned on the spot could be permanently added to his skill tree. Moreover, skills dropped by defeated opponents could be fused with existing ones, boosting their experience levels.
For him, this was a handy way to level up his techniques.
"What's wrong? Not satisfied?" After defeating Ibu Shinji, Ishikawa noticed the other's grim expression and smiled. "No problem, we can play another match—a full set this time. But I'm in a hurry, so why don't you two come at me together?"
Come at him together?
Ibu and Kamio exchanged glances, both seeing anger in each other's eyes.
But they knew the truth.
If they wanted to save face, fighting him one-on-one was out of the question. Besides, Ishikawa was the winner now, and he set the rules.
If they wanted to challenge him again, they'd have to play by his terms.
With that in mind, the two stopped hesitating. After a nod to each other, Kamio stepped onto the court as well.
"He's taking on both Kamio and Shinji by himself?" Tachibana stared at Ishikawa, shocked by his audacity. Was this guy overly confident, or did he simply not realize how difficult it was to play singles against a doubles pair?
However, as the match began, all of Tachibana's preconceptions were shattered.
This street tennis player, known as X, was simply too strong. Even with Kamio and Ibu working together, they were completely overwhelmed.
Not only that, but by the end of the match, the two hadn't managed to score a single point against him.
*Thwack!*
"Match over."
"Mr. X wins, 6-0!"
Although the match was played under doubles rules, Kamio and Ibu didn't want to take advantage of Ishikawa, so they rotated the serve among the three of them.
Ishikawa never used his high-speed serves either.
Yet, even so, the two were utterly outclassed. The gaps in their doubles play seemed like glaring weaknesses to Ishikawa.
By the end, the exhausted duo kept colliding with each other, looking more and more disheveled.
**[Ding!]**
**[Player has defeated the duo of Ibu Shinji and Kamio Akira, earning 1,260 experience points.]**
**[Player has completed the quest: The Authority of the Street King, reward: 500 experience points.]**
**[Player has achieved a special accomplishment. Street King title has been upgraded to: Street Legend (limited to this court and surrounding areas).]**
Hearing the system's notifications, Ishikawa put away his racket.
Before leaving, he glanced at the two players lying on the ground, completely drained, and smiled. "That was fun. I hope we can play again tomorrow."
With that, he slung his tennis bag over his shoulder and walked away.
"Ugh..."
As they watched Ishikawa's retreating figure, Tachibana and the two Fudomine players wore complicated expressions.
Tachibana thought to herself, "I never expected someone this strong to be playing on a street court."
"My brother was right—Tokyo is full of hidden talents."
Unlike the three, the street tennis players, including Izumi and Buke, looked at Ishikawa with admiration and reverence.
As the match ended and word spread, Ishikawa's identity as "Mr. X" gradually became a legend in the local street tennis scene.
And as time went on, his reputation began to spread, even reaching the ears of various schools.
---
**End of Chapter**