The Hyotei-Seigaku Showdown, Part 10

"The Kanto Tournament Semifinals match between Seigaku and Hyotei Academy in Singles 1 is about to begin. Players from both sides, please enter the arena."

"Tezuka, do your best!"

"Minister, we must win!"

"Tezuka..."

"Tch, this Monkey King is actually Singles 1."

Tezuka's calm gaze swept over every member of Seigaku, taking in their expressions.

Tezuka then nodded, picked up his racket, and walked onto the court.

"Everyone, I will win!"

On the Hyotei Academy coaching bench, Atobe Keigo stood before Sakaki Tarou, listening respectfully to his words.

"Atobe, I can't offer you any advice on this match, but I have only one request!"

As he spoke, Sakaki Tarou put his legs down, placed one hand on the back of the coach's bench, and stretched out the other hand, making a "one" shape.

"You are the king of the Hyotei Academy's Tennis Club, the emperor of the Hyotei Academy's more than two hundred members. You should climb to the top!"

"That's all! Go!"

Upon hearing this, Atobe bowed respectfully to him. "Yes, Advisor!"

On the field, the two sides locked eyes, their auras surging, and began a silent battle.

Similar to the original timeline but also different, the similarity is that Tezuka and Atobe have never faced each other before, and today is the first time the two have started their match.

The difference is that, compared to the third year of their encounter in the original work, this time is not only earlier, but Tezuka is also not injured.

However, in contrast, Atobe's strength was also incomparable to that of his contemporaries in the original work.

Even Muneyoshi, who was very familiar with both of them, couldn't say for sure what form the match would take.

The main reason is that he hasn't faced Tezuka for over a year.

If Tezuka were to face Atobe a year ago, the odds would probably be 40/60.

Tezuka, 4th; Atobe.

Of course, this is based on the strength that Tezuka displayed during his match against Muneyoshi when he was still a year or two into middle school, according to his memory.

Muneyoshi was unaware of Tezuka's later performance in the National Tournament; he only knew that Tezuka had defeated Fuwa the Iron Man, and there were no other recordings available to watch.

He didn't know how strong Tezuka had become or how advanced his techniques were.

Judging from the aura emanating from the two, even the air seemed to slow down, and the atmosphere gradually became tense. Everyone stared at the two on the field, and an invisible smoke of battle filled the surroundings.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the stands, Sanada stared intently at the figure in the arena, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"Tezuka! Just you wait! I will definitely take my revenge on you. I am a completely different person now!"

The students at Rikkai Dai were already used to Tezuka Sanada.

Kirihara Akaya, was not quite clear about this. In his opinion, someone who was treated so seriously by the vice-captain was someone he was willing to defeat!

"Hmph, let me see just what kind of skills the people I value so highly among Rikkai's top monsters really possess!"

Please give me your guidance!

Please give me your guidance!

After exchanging greetings, the two players on the field began to guess which side would go first.

A faint, cold glint appeared in Atobe's eyes. Atobe stared intently at Tezuka, then scanned him around, secretly pleased with himself.

"Tezuka Kunimitsu, I'll shatter your expectations, and I hope you won't disappoint me!"

Swish!

The racket is slightly rotated, and the letter F is facing up.

"Looks like I'm luckier!"

With a hint of excitement in his eyes, Atobe raised the corner of his mouth and was about to walk towards his backcourt service line with his racket when he suddenly stopped.

He looked at Tezuka with an arrogant expression. "With this match over, Seigaku ends here. Don't even think about hiding anything."

Tezuka ignored Atobe's provocation, his gaze sweeping over the arrogant young man before him, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes as well.

A cold glint flashed in the eyes behind Tezuka's glasses. "Go all out, Atobe Keigo."

"Snort."

Tezuka's words elicited an annoyed snort from Atobe, a sneer playing on his lips, "If you want me to go all out, let's see what you're capable of."

After finishing his Atobe, Atobe walked to the service point without looking back.

Although he had heard of Tezuka Kunimitsu's name, and he hadn't watched the entire match last year because of the Hyotei Academy's game, the proud Atobe didn't think he was inferior to his opponent.

Moreover, in the clash of momentum just now, Tezuka did not show that he was stronger than him.

"My target is Saeki Muneyoshi, and to defeat him, I'm no longer the same person I am now!"

Snap... Snap... Snap...

Gently tapping the bouncing tennis ball, Atobe suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind and raised his gaze to glance at Tezuka across from him.

Seeing Tezuka's slightly bent posture and focused grip on the racket, revealing no weakness, Atobe raised an eyebrow slightly.

Since we didn't find any weaknesses at the beginning, let's exploit them.

Atobe tossed the ball vertically upwards.

Immediately afterward, he pushed off with the toes of his front foot, his body bounced slightly, and his bent and compressed arm suddenly exerted force, his elbow turning inward as he swung it forcefully.

Bang!

The tennis ball flew at a wide angle, quickly heading towards the corner of Tezuka's right receiving area.

"That arc and power, that consistency in ball control—that's not Theirs Serve!"

Tezuka's reaction speed was extremely fast. He had also studied a lot of the information about Atobe compiled by Inui Sadaharu. The moment he served, he already knew what the opponent's serve was based on the spin and angle.

However, even if it wasn't Theirs Serve, it didn't mean it had no power. Looking at the tennis ball that was precisely pressed into the corner, Tezuka hardened slightly, and he took two steps to the right.

Bang!

Tezuka quickly arrived at the landing point of the tennis ball, and with a flick of his left hand, he caught Atobe's aggressive first shot without any effort.

Then Tezuka quickly raised his arm diagonally upwards, creating a perfectly executed swing arc.

"His reactions are precise, his judgment is quick, and his fundamentals all seem quite good. Moreover, even his backhand doesn't appear to be a weakness."

Tap tap!

Atobe scanned Tezuka's movements as he moved nimbly in his own half of the court.

Like Tezuka, he was able to deduce a great deal of information from the data the instant his opponent made a move.

This made him even more excited.

Bang!

Atobe's steps were incredibly light. After arriving at the point where the tennis ball would land, he swung his racket horizontally and pulled it back forcefully.

This time, the tennis ball flew towards the bottom corner on Tezuka's left at an even faster speed.

Tap tap...

"Do you want to test the waters a few more times?"

Both were exceptionally calm players, serving as their respective team captains and carrying the hopes of their teams advancing.

Therefore, at the beginning, because they were not familiar with each other, they each began to test each other.

Tezuka calmly scanned every movement of Atobe's arm, his feet sliding, and in a moment he had reached his left half of the court.

Bang!

A dull thud rang out, the racket and net trembled slightly from the impact. Tezuka frowned, noticing that Atobe's shot had been more powerful than before.

However, such strength was still no match for him.

P. S.: "Not much work at work today, so I wrote a few chapters while slacking off. Consider it a treat for everyone, please vote with your monthly tickets~"