Shrinking Ground Technique
"You bastard!"
"That guy, Renji Hitoshi, only lasted five minutes before he gave up!"
"Damn it!"
"The next match will begin: Tokyo's representative Fudomine Higa Junior High School's doubles team."
"The match between Fudomine Akira Kamio and Ishida Tetsuya will pit Higa Junior High School's Rin Hirakoba and Hiroshi Chinen against each other. Please bring your players to the stage."
Soon, the announcement of the start of the doubles match came over the loudspeaker, and the previously scattered crowd began to gather in greater numbers.
"Hirakoba..."
"The opponent's strength should not be underestimated. You need to control your chances of using the Great Whirlwind Spin!" Kite Eishiro coughed lightly and exchanged a glance with the boy with platinum blonde hair.
After witnessing Keith's tactics in the previous round, Kite Eishiro seemed to have remembered Saeki Muneyoshi's methods and began to take his threat seriously.
I recall that Saeki Muneyoshi Saeki's methods were even more ruthless than those of Keith.
Even as an assassin Kite Eishiro dared not openly allow Hirakoba Rin and his companion to continue using any underhanded tactics.
"Yes!"
Hirakoba Rin and the other nodded.
As the de facto number two in Higa Junior High, Kite had full confidence in Hirakoba Rin's strength. He believed that even if it came down to sheer strength, they had a chance in this match.
Fudomine Rest Area.
In contrast to the concise instructions given by Kite in Higa Junior High, the instructions given by Saeki Muneyoshi were much more complicated.
After all, only Muneyoshi truly understood what kind of people they were, and he was very clear about their techniques and characteristics.
The tennis program at Higa Junior High is based on Okinawan Kobudo.
Although Muneyoshi himself could see through the mystery, it was still very difficult for him to explain it clearly in such a short time through oral explanation.
The two players in the previous game weren't very proficient in using the Shrinking Ground Technique, but the doubles pair that's playing now is arguably the strongest doubles team in Higa Junior High.
Both of them can use their Shrinking Ground Technique flexibly, which poses a threat to Fudomine.
"Be safe!"
"Not only yourselves, but also be wary of what other methods they might use! Go!"
Saeki Muneyoshi pondered for a moment before speaking.
It's always right to be cautious and prioritize safety above all else.
"Yes, Minister!"
Kamio Akira and Ishida Tetsu nodded, their gazes turning towards Hirakoba Rin and the other person who had already walked onto the court.
Kamio Akira stood in front of the net with Ishida Tetsu, his face expressionless. The various mocking voices around them made them not even think about shaking hands with the opposing team.
Kamio stared intently at the figure that was much taller than him, and coldly asked, "For or against?"
"As expected of Saeki Muneyoshi's Fudomine, the team members are all as arrogant as he is."
The tall Chinen Hiroshi didn't answer; instead, the handsome Hirakoba chuckled and said, "Let's choose the opposite."
Kamio Akira glanced at him sideways, completely ignoring the other's provocative words.
He braced himself against the racket, and with a whoosh, the racket snapped.
The racket, poised on the ground, spun rapidly as he twisted a few fingers.
The racket landed, and all five people's gazes fell on it simultaneously.
"The match begins, a decisive set! Hirakoba Rin and Chinen Hiroshi from Higa Junior High School serve!"
After both sides guessed who would go first, the referee waved his hand and blew his whistle.
"It's about to begin, Hirakoba!"
"Okay! Chinen!"
With a slight smile on her lips, Hirakoba Rin, with her short platinum blonde hair, confidently walked to the service line in the backcourt.
Tap tap... tap tap...
Although it seems like he's in a concentration camp of bad kids, Renji Hitoshi's personality isn't as impatient as that of Tajimi, who suffered a crushing defeat in the Hirakoba.
He has a very good rhythm when serving.
Patience was also paramount; in such a tense match, every additional tap of the tennis ball wore down the patience and focus of the opposing receiver.
"That's about it."
On the service line, Hirakoba Rin bent over slightly and tossed the tennis ball high into the air with a flick of his arm.
"Go to Hirakoba!"
"Let them see the strength of Higa Junior High!"
Seeing Kai grasp the tennis ball, he knew the match had begun, so he shouted from the sidelines.
Hirakoba did not respond to Kai Yujiro's encouragement; he maintained his rhythm perfectly Hirakoba.
With a thud!
Hirakoba Rin's body rose inch by inch along with the rising tennis ball, his jump was extremely high, and his raised arm curled in the air.
The racket struck the center of the net, directly hitting the falling tennis ball. With the added force of the forward lean, the racket slammed into the tennis ball!
Bang!
A streak of light!
The tennis ball suddenly surged towards Fudomine's half of the court.
"What a fast serve!"
"The serve from this Higa Junior High player is completely different from the serve from the last player!"
Many people in the stands couldn't help but gasp as they watched Hirakoba Rin serve.
Although the members of Higa Junior High seem barbaric and rude, their players are actually quite skilled.
"Are you serious from the start?"
Kamio Akira's gaze sharpened. "However, once you keep up with the rhythm, your serve is still far from perfect!"
Tap tap tap!
Kamio Akira moved.
As the tennis ball bounced back, Kamio Akira twisted his body to the side, swung his arm, and smashed the tennis ball with a backhand!
Bang!
A crisp sound of the ball hitting the ground rang out!
The tennis ball left a trail of afterimages in the air before quickly rolling back towards Higa Junior High's half of the court.
But.
Just as the tennis ball flew over the net.
A tall figure appeared silently in front of the net like a ghost—it was Chinen Hiroshi!
Shrinking Ground Technique!
When Hirakoba Rin served, Chinen Hiroshi used the illusion created by the Shrinking Ground Technique to arrive at the net a step ahead of time.
"This goal! We at Higa Junior High are happy to accept it!"
Chinen Hiroshi's tuft of white hair on his forehead fluttered in the wind, and a smug smile spread across his face!
Bang!
A powerful volley!
The tennis ball was volleyed into the air and hit Fudomine's front court sideline before flying out of the court at high speed!
"Higa Junior High School's Rin Hirakoba and Hiroshi Chinen score, making the score 15-0."
Upon seeing the tennis ball fly out of bounds, the referee immediately announced loudly.
"What just happened? The opponent appeared at the net in an instant, and Kamio and Ishida from Fudomine didn't even react!"
Tachibana An, standing outside the arena, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
"How is this possible..."
"Is this the Shrinking Ground Technique?"
In the Fudomine rest area, Tachibana Kippei and the others were also quite surprised, after all, it seemed that the opponent appeared at the net in an instant.
That's incredibly fast.
"That's right, that's the ' Shrinking Ground Technique, and it seems they've mastered it quite well in doubles!"
Muneyoshi frowned as well. In the Higa Junior High, only Kite could perfectly use the Shrinking Ground Technique; everyone else used imperfect versions.
But even this imperfect version didn't appear in the National Tournament until the third year.
Unexpectedly...
"Ishida, it's only one point. I won't be careless from now on, don't worry!"
Kamio was on the field, also focused his attention at this moment, and he didn't care about the Shrinking Ground Technique anything like that.
Since the minister said that this was just a matter of footwork and movement, he could definitely catch up with him as long as he had absolute speed.
"Don't worry, Kamio, the frontcourt is yours, I'll take care of the backcourt!"
Their long-term partnership has fostered a deep understanding between them, allowing them to know each other's thoughts with just a glance.
Moreover, it really was only a small portion.
P. S.: "Please vote with monthly tickets!"