Byōdōin Hōō
The match is over.
Muneyoshi returned to the Japan rest area with light steps, but before he could sit down, he was blocked by Oni Jūjirō.
This serious and composed senior showed great favor and relief towards Muneyoshi at this moment.
"Thank you, Muneyoshi!"
If Saeki Muneyoshi loses in a one-on-one match, then Oni Jūjirō will feel guilty to death.
After all, in his view, it was his failure to win the three-on-one match that led to the current situation.
"Well done, Saeki!"
Tōno Atsukyō and Kimijima Ikuto were very happy. Muneyoshi won, so their leader, Byōdōin Hōō, could take the stage!
Mifune Nyudo glanced at Saeki Muneyoshi, who was surrounded by the crowd, and took a few big gulps of the sake he carried with him!
He never interfered with Muneyoshi's decision to walk the Path of Darkness; he wanted Muneyoshi to walk it on his own, and he only intended to play a guiding role at the most crucial moment.
However, it seems that Saeki Muneyoshi has done a good job.
If he wasn't mistaken, this kid seemed to have undergone another transformation, entering the first stage in terms of strength, skill, and mental power!
"It seems we'll have to put our plan to wait until he's fully grown before guiding him on a new path. This kid's maturing too fast; we need to give him something different..."
Mifune Nyudo pondered how to initiate this opportunity for guidance.
"Byōdōin, I have not failed you."
When Muneyoshi reached Byōdōin, he extended his hand and smiled. Byōdōin smiled back, and then they clasped hands together.
"Well done, kid. Now it's my turn to take over!"
Byōdōin's eyes were full of admiration.
"Senior, your injury..."
"It's nothing, a minor problem..."
Byōdōin insisted, Muneyoshi said no more.
As Muneyoshi left the field, on the France Team's side...
"Medical team, quick!"
The France Team coach quickly waved his hand, and the medical team, which had been waiting on the sidelines, immediately carried a stretcher onto the field.
The medical team performed a preliminary examination on Tristan and found no obvious injuries.
He's just mentally exhausted!
The medical team spoke to Ronard and the France Team coach.
"He's alright, let's take him downstairs to rest first!"
Hearing that it was just due to mental exhaustion, the France Team breathed a sigh of relief, and Ronard finally at ease.
Duke!
Duke's gaze was fixed on the blond figure in the Japan rest area, and at that moment, he heard Ronard's voice.
"Team leader!"
Duke quickly snapped out of his daze and replied.
"I'm leaving this Singles 1 match to you, okay?"
Ronard trusted this high school freshman completely, and his strength and hidden potential were almost equal to Ronald's.
This is why he was willing to relinquish his position as captain, and why he considered him one of the future pillars of France.
He did not discriminate against Duke in any way.
In the world of tennis, everything depends on strength, and Duke is the stronger team.
Duke's tennis is not only incredibly powerful, but also remarkably delicate; it's a true gem in the rough!
"Captain! I definitely won't lose!"
Ronard shown him kindness, and Byōdōin had saved his sister's life. Watching the other's figure enter the arena, Duke was in great turmoil.
But as a true man, Duke decided to repay Ronard's kindness, for Ronard's sake and for the sake of the France Team!
As for the rest, we'll talk about it after this is over.
"Okay! Duke, I believe in you!"
Ronard glanced coldly at the still noisy seniors behind him and used his authority as France Team to silence them.
When Duke walked out of the rest area, Byōdōin was already waiting in front of the net.
"Go for it, boss!"
Atsuhiro Tono, a devoted fan of Byodoin, was cheering him on from behind!
"Senior, be careful!"
Only Muneyoshi, who knew everything, was somewhat worried about what was about to happen.
"Byōdōin Hōō (Grade 10) VS Duke Watanabe (Grade 10)"
Before the audience could even recover from the afterglow of the previous match, the list of Singles 1 appeared on the big screen.
At this point, the Japan Team had reached the final stage of the match, while France had already secured match point.
This was arguably the game that would decide the final outcome.
The fact that both sides entrusted such an important singles match to two first-year high school students surprised many viewers.
In front of the net.
Please give me your guidance!
Byōdōin extended his hand, his face expressionless, as if he were seeing Duke for the first time.
Duke, with his keen observation, narrowed his eyes slightly as he noticed that Byōdōin's wrists were wrapped in several bandages.
Recalling his previous ordeal, the injuries to his hands were probably the least serious, but what about his back...?
Please... give me your guidance!
Although he had already guessed it in his heart, Duke still understood what Byōdōin meant when he saw Byōdōin's indifferent eyes: the game should not be mixed with other things.
Having understood this, Duke also extended his large, fleshy palm and returned the greeting in a deep, booming voice.
Very close to the France team's stands, Chloe, a little girl with bright blonde hair and delicate features, clenched her hands tightly in front of her chest.
She wanted to shout, but froze when she saw her opponent.
"Ah... it's a match between my brother and Byōdōin!"
The thought that her older brother was going to fight against her savior made young Chloe very sad.
With the innocence of a child, she truly didn't want anyone to lose.
As the handshake ended, Duke hesitated for a moment before saying, "Thank you for saving Chloe!"
However, his thanks did not elicit any change in Byōdōin; she remained indifferent.
"Positive or negative?"
"... just!"
The Byōdōin did not answer, but looked at the referee who was about to toss a coin.
Snap...
The referee tossed the coin up, heads down!
Seeing Byōdōin's focused determination on the game, Duke gave Byōdōin a deep look.
Then, he took a deep breath, his aura instantly rising, and strode confidently to his service line in the backcourt.
Byōdōin's attitude was already quite clear, so he had to do his best.
The best way to show respect to your opponent is to give it your all.
"The match begins! Best of three sets, with Duke Watanabe serving!"
"Byōdōin, then let me show you the power of the France Destroyer King!"
Snap... Snap... Snap...
The tennis ball slammed heavily onto the ground under Duke's pressure.
Swish!
Duke took a deep breath and tossed the ball out with nothing fancy, just pure, unadulterated power.
As he tossed the tennis ball into the air, his muscles twitched, and his tennis uniform bulged out of place.
An astonishing aura rose from his body, and he raised his right hand, his powerful swing as fierce as thunder, striking the falling tennis ball vertically.
Bang!
With a deafening bang, the tennis ball hurtled towards Byōdōin like a cannonball.
This serve, which sounded powerful even just from the sound, instantly ignited the passion of all the spectators in the arena.
Moreover, the tennis ball whistles through the air, carrying not only power but also a terrifying psychological pressure.
"What a terrifying serve! Such powerful shot!"
Upon seeing this shot, Dōmoto Shingo trembled slightly; this was the first time he had ever seen such a powerful shot, aside from when he was defeating Oni Jūjirō.
No, judging by strength alone, the opponent has probably already surpassed a demon.
"Is this the Power Force? No, this is pure power stepping onto another level!"
Saeki Muneyoshi's eyes widened, his gaze incredibly serious.
He had seen many contestants who had reached the Power Force, but this was the first time he had ever experienced another level of power so closely.
Even just from the sidelines, he could feel the terrifying mental pressure and frightening power.
Duke's simple serve is like it can destroy everything in its path.
The speeding tennis ball, carrying unimaginable force, tore through the surrounding air.
This explosive attack made Byōdōin's expression turn solemn, but there was no sign of him backing down in his eyes.
Tap tap!
Facing the shockwave, her golden hair swayed slightly as Byōdōin precisely positioned himself behind the ball's landing point.
As his expression shifted, he slightly stepped back with his left foot.
The tennis ball slammed heavily onto the ground, its force somewhat reduced by the cushioning effect of the clay, but it still carried tremendous momentum.
But what seemed perfectly normal to others appeared so out of place when performed by Byōdōin.
The members of the Japanese Japan Team, who were familiar with Byōdōin, were taken aback.
When did Byōdōin start to employ strategy, waiting for the opponent's strength to dissipate before retaliating?
The one who felt this abnormal sensation the most was Oni Jūjirō.
When playing against him, Byōdōin would always rush straight at the tennis ball he hit, wanting to defeat his opponent head-on.
Never before have we made such concessions.
Such confusion and disbelief filled the hearts of a few, and even Mifune Nyudo's expression turned grim.
Only Saeki Muneyoshi, who knew all this, sighed softly to himself.
Although the injuries were not as severe as in the original work, they were still quite serious. Apart from the head, which was unharmed, almost the entire back was hit.
Although Muneyoshi helped him get bandaged up, the injury still affected Byōdōin's tennis performance.
The tennis ball made contact with the racket, and the heavy force transmitted through the racket made Byōdōin frown slightly. This guy's strength is really formidable!
"However, I've seen that kind of force many times before!"
Byōdōin roared inwardly, the tearing pain in his back stimulating him as the tennis ball ripped through his racket, yet he still managed to catch the ball with one hand.
Press the racket down, then gently slice.
Call out!
A streak of golden light flashed across Duke's half of the court in an instant, heading towards the baseline.
The strong backspin caused the tennis ball to travel at a very low angle after clearing the net; Byōdōin clearly didn't want Duke to hit such powerful flat shots again.
However, what he didn't know was that although Duke looked like a power player, he was also very technically skilled.
He is also extremely skilled at playing tennis with exceptional finesse.
Two distinct and opposing playing styles were perfectly integrated in Duke's game.
Thump!
Duke's muscular body sprinted forward quickly, then his racket sliced diagonally into the falling tennis ball.
Duke Short Ball!
A short drop shot!
Byōdōin, positioned in the backcourt, had no chance to receive the ball and could only watch helplessly as the tennis ball gently crossed the net.
"France Team scores, 15-0."
Duke served again, their offense undiminished, their power terrifying.
However, having learned its lesson, Byōdōin changed its tactics once again.
Bang!
"Japan Team scores, 15-15."
Bang!
"France Team scores, 40-40."
Bang!
"Game, Japan Team, 1-0."
After a hard-fought battle, Byōdōin won the first game, but this result did not bring joy to everyone.
Moreover, the referee's decision left the other athletes present somewhat puzzled.
Although both players are very strong, Byōdōin, as the captain of the Japan Team, seemed to have performed a little worse.
He's not even as good as Oni Jūjirō in a one-on-three fight!
Meanwhile, the Japan Team's rest area erupted in chaos!
What is Byōdōin doing?
"Is this an attempt to remain cautious as they step onto the world stage for the first time?"
"This is completely unlike Byōdōin's style!"
The team members chattered amongst themselves, Irie, Oni, and Tanegashima all turned their attention to Muneyoshi.
Mifune Nyudo even further, asking bluntly, "Kid, what happened at Byōdōin?"
Seeing the anger in the eyes of Mifune Nyudo Saitō Kurobe, Muneyoshi dared not hide anything and told them the whole story of Byōdōin's injury.
"What!!!"
"He actually got injured trying to save someone?!"
"Heh heh, I never thought that Byōdōin would have a kind side..."
"Damn it..."
P. S.: This is the first time I've written about Uncle Gui in such detail during the match against France, and also the first time I've written about Uncle Huang in such detail. Please enjoy it while it lasts, as I won't be able to do it this meticulously in the future. Please vote with your monthly tickets!