Darkness Secret Technique

"So this is the national-level domain he was talking about..."

Freed from all restraints and distractions, Atobe could clearly feel his own strength take a significant leap forward.

This step, though not outwardly obvious because his body's foundational indicators hadn't yet caught up to his mental power, was still a huge boost due to his breakthrough in mental power, allowing him to glimpse its mysteries.

Furthermore, with his mental power advancing, he also sensed Saeki Muneyoshi's true strength, realizing it was still a considerable distance ahead of his own.

"Is this also a national-level domain? But I've caught up now!"

After his breakthrough, he observed Muneyoshi again and found that although the opponent was strong, he was no longer the seemingly flawless and unbeatable figure he had been before.

As he unleashed his Ice World.

The ice pillars piercing his opponent's court, each representing a blind spot, were all telling tales of the opponent's weaknesses.

Those were blind spots that even Saeki Muneyoshi couldn't reach now!

Continuously appreciating the wonder of his Ice World, Atobe grew increasingly satisfied with this evolved ability.

He felt ready again.

He resumed his world-dominating king's gaze, sweeping across the court.

"Heh~ Hmph~"

"Muneyoshi, as thanks, I'll end you here! Are... you ready to be mesmerized by my exquisite skills~"

Atobe laughed freely, declaring his immense confidence to Muneyoshi across the court.

As if in response to Atobe's words.

Muneyoshi seemed to hear the cheers and screams of the Hyotei cheering squad.

"Mmm~"

"Atobe, aren't you being a bit too full of yourself?"

"Is that so, Muneyoshi? Now that the tables have turned, you're not looking very flamboyant at all, en~"

Hearing Atobe's narcissistic remarks after regaining his confidence, Muneyoshi shook his head and gave Atobe a knowing smile.

Such a personality, it's truly Atobe.

However, because of him, Atobe had truly stepped into the national level as a first-year during the regional preliminaries. Was it a bit too soon?

But, when Atobe is at his most triumphant, delivering a heavy blow then... his expression should be quite something, right?

A sliver of dark emotion surged within Muneyoshi, making his blood run a little hotter.

This kind of thought is truly... wicked.

"But, I like it!"

The match continued.

Clearly, Atobe's confidence had soared after winning that crucial point.

Bang!

Bang!

Atobe paid no mind to why Muneyoshi could still maintain his composed demeanor. He raised his slender left hand to his face, entering the "King's Pose."

Partially obscured, his fingers rested on the corner of his eye and the bridge of his nose.

Beneath his flowing purple-grey hair, dusted with frost, his deep blue eyes, adorned with a tear mole, were profound and mysterious.

Faintly, wisps of icy light flickered subtly.

A powerful chill suddenly erupted.

"Muneyoshi!"

"Are you ready to accept defeat! Ice World!" A hint of icy brilliance flickered in Atobe's deep gaze.

"I see it again!"

Atobe's sharp eyes, accentuated by the tear mole on his right eye, held a touch of beauty, yet his movements were incredibly swift.

Thump, thump...

With a few strides, he arrived before the ball's landing spot, his racket gathering power for a swing.

The tennis ball, at an extremely tricky angle, once again shattered an ice pillar on Muneyoshi's left half of the court.

Whoosh!

The ice pillar shattered, snowflakes scattering, incredibly flashy and aesthetically pleasing.

When Atobe unleashed his Ice World again, Muneyoshi felt his body stiffen, as if unable to move, his actions becoming incredibly sluggish.

Although he had only just stepped into the national level, Atobe's Ice World could indeed restrict him.

Muneyoshi now couldn't do what Yukimura could so effortlessly in the original story when he was in his third year.

That transcendent state where all pretense is washed away, all things are seen through, and only the essence of tennis exists in one's eyes.

At that time, in terms of his understanding of tennis's essence, his vision, and his talent, only Borg was stronger than Yukimura.

Muneyoshi had not yet reached that level.

Although he had been training scientifically, his current physical condition still didn't allow him to control his movements at will.

Muneyoshi's heart stirred. He felt a surge of joy that Atobe could point out his weaknesses.

This was precisely why he had sought out Atobe first, and why he had to constantly provoke him, forcing him to evolve far beyond his original timeline.

This effort finally paid off, allowing him to understand the limits of his current normal state, and to know his blind spots and weaknesses.

Having reached this point, the ultimate goal of his match against Atobe had been achieved. This was truly a good thing.

Many of the openings Atobe was seeing now were habits he had unconsciously developed through constant training.

He himself was unaware of these habits.

But now, with Atobe serving as a reference, he could continuously record and ultimately correct these flaws and blind spots.

"30-40."

Atobe grew more excited with each point scored, then, wanting to use his Ice World to officially sound the horn of counterattack.

"But, it's time to end this, Atobe!"

"While I'm grateful, reality is often this cruel!"

"To show my gratitude, Atobe, for the next two shots, I'll use my full strength. Don't get scared, okay~"

"This is my yet-to-be-perfected secret technique, Falling Darkness, make its entrance!"

Without waiting for Atobe to reply, Muneyoshi had already taken his stance before the ball landed, ready to receive the incoming shot.

Bang!

A muffled sound.

This shot appeared incredibly ordinary, but after crossing the net, it instantly split into seven or eight afterimages within Atobe's half of the court.

Saeki Muneyoshi's eyes, hidden in the shadows, flashed with a deep, dark glint.

This glint spread like spilled ink, and countless shadows converged on the tennis ball.

"What is this!!!"

"Saeki, do you think these cheap tricks can scare me, the Great Atobe!"

Atobe moved his feet, trying to chase down these seven or eight shadows and hit them back.

As if sensing Atobe's intention, the shadows began to converge again.

Bang!

The seven or eight shadows finally merged back into one.

However, at this moment, Atobe, on the opposite side of the court, suddenly felt a heart-stopping sense of danger.

Whoosh whoosh!

The tennis ball, swirling with dark, inky energy, finally disappeared bit by bit into the shadows.

But just as Atobe thought it was all over.

Vroom vroom vroom~

A massive shadow, almost imperceptible, surged towards Atobe, threatening to engulf him.

"What is this..."

Atobe's gaze flickered. A dark, inscrutable aura appeared on the pale yellow tennis ball, as if countless extreme emotions were intertwined within it, capable of stirring up bad memories and feelings.

After the ball landed, it shot like a yellow straight line, pulling open a black curtain.

Bang!

With a loud explosion, the ball hit the ground at Atobe's feet, creating a deep crater. The ball bounced off the wall behind him and became deeply embedded in the hole, spinning and making a hissing sound.

Atobe's eyes widened, all movement in his body halted. He looked at Saeki Muneyoshi with an expression of disbelief.

By the side of the court.

A few people secretly watching the match were also filled with shock.

That feeling of being on the verge of being swallowed by endless darkness just now sent shivers down their spines.

But Muneyoshi gave them no chance to catch their breath.

Swish!

He tossed the tennis ball in his hand straight up, and then another dark aura surged within his body.

A flash of pitch-black light enveloped the entire tennis ball.

ps: "The protagonist's first secret technique appears, his own unique Darkness Secret Technique. Although not yet perfect, it has begun to show its edge. Darkness Falling Darkness, make its entrance!"