Yukimura and Kiko

"Hey, why do I get the feeling this kid gets even more excited when he hears the other person is really good?"

Omagari twitched the corner of his mouth slightly.

"Omagari, have you forgotten that the junior high students achieved remarkable results the other day?"

Tanegashima Shūji, who was observing with narrowed eyes, suddenly spoke up, "Atobe Keigo defeated the captain of the Australia team, Tezuka Kunimitsu defeated the captain of the South Africa team."

"Oh, is that so? But youthful passion alone can't win every game!"

Having undergone rigorous training, Ōmagari Ryūji no longer possesses the impulsive, hot-blooded mentality that often arises from a single sentence; he now values responsibility and competence more.

On the court, two equally gentle-looking boys stood facing each other at the net. A gentle breeze blew by, and smiles appeared on their faces simultaneously...

Please give me your guidance!

Please give me your guidance!

In the players' rest area, Reinhardt looked very casual, even though he knew that this middle school student from Japan was quite strong.

But he was also well aware of Balentin's strength. Among America's middle school students, he was one of the top students. The only one who could surpass him was probably Echizen Ryoga...

Reinhardt's gaze swept over Ryoga. Although he was unaware of the true strength and background of this player who shared the same surname as him and was recommended by the head coach, he was still concerned about him.

But that subtle sense of danger was undeniable.

To make Reinhardt himself feel threatened is something not everyone can do, and it is precisely because of Ryoga's existence that he can naturally conceal their true strength during the exchange matches.

"Boss, that little guy from the other side of the Japan stadium is dangerous with tennis. Is Balinting okay?"

Like Reinhardt, Dudu Obando also arrived in Japan early and was quite familiar with the strengths of the middle school students.

Yukimura had made a deep impression on him during the previous National Tournament, and he had also learned about his tennis style.

He might not be in much danger, but Balintin, who has just been discovered, is in some danger.

"Trust Chiko, he's never lost to anyone his age."

Even if his opponent could use dangerous techniques that Annihilate Five Senses, Chiko's versatile playing style might just be the perfect counter to his tennis.

Seeing the worry on Dudu Obando's face, Reinhardt smiled and spoke.

"Okay, boss, maybe you're right."

Dudu Obando nodded. This newcomer's temperament was just right for him, and he didn't want him to lose.

And as Ralph said, what if, after experiencing his opponent's tennis style in this match, Balintin can also improve himself...?

On the court, the two players guessed the end of the game first and returned to the baseline.

"The singles match begins, with Kiko Valentin serving first. The first game is over!"

The referee climbed onto the high chair and announced the news loudly.

"I never imagined my opponent would be you, the Child of God, Yukimura Seiichi!"

"Another one my age? I heard from the boss that your tennis is dangerous, so let me give it a try!"

Chiko's aura surged, his previously gentle demeanor completely transformed. As he assumed an attack stance, his powerful aura swept over the survivors opposite him.

Yukimura frowned slightly. Although this kind of mental pressure wouldn't bother him much, it would slow down his reactions.

Sensing the other party's intentions, a flash of silver light appeared in Yukimura's eyes, instantly neutralizing it. Upon hearing the other party's words, Yukimura's voice was firm and confident:

"Chiko, I'd also like to experience your tennis. As for whether it's dangerous or not, I think the score will be more convincing."

A polite yet assertive remark earned him the favor of his opponent, Chiko.

"Alright, I'm ready to begin."

Qi Ke narrowed his eyes and chuckled.

"Let me... see your tennis skills."

A silvery-white light flickered continuously in Yukimura's purple pupils.

He crouched slightly, fully prepared to receive the hair.

Tap... tap... tap... slap...

On the service line in the backcourt, the tennis ball was being gently pressed down by Chiko. His movements were not large, but they seemed to connect the ball with the audience in the court.

Each strike seemed to resonate in the hearts of the audience.

As he continued to strike, the power accumulating within him grew ever stronger.

However, Chiko Balentin remained calm, and even Reinhardt in the players' section nodded slightly in appreciation upon seeing this.

"To think it could possess such imposing power..."

The Japan also noticed this change. Ōmagari Ryūji looked around, slightly surprised. "Just as Muneyoshi said, this person doesn't seem simple!"

"Yukimura..."

Hearing his senior say this, even the composed Sanada felt a little worried about Yukimura.

"A versatile playing style?"

Seeing the powerful aura that Balintin displayed on the field, everyone simultaneously thought of what Muneyoshi had said about the opponent's unpredictability. Perhaps what he was showing now was not his true self.

"Your playing style seems a bit rough and unrestrained, but that's probably just a disguise." Yukimura didn't pay attention to the change in his opponent; instead, his vigilance grew stronger.

Bang!

Yukimura's thoughts began to stir, a golden light flashed, and the tennis ball shot out from Chiko's racket.

A hissing vortex of air swirled around.

The tennis ball landed precisely at the angle where Yukimura was receiving the serve, paused for a few seconds, and then bounced high towards his face.

"What an intense American Topspin Serve!"

Yukimura was certainly no stranger to this type of serve; Akutsu Jin was a master of this style of American tennis. However, familiarity did not mean that his opponent posed no threat.

Moreover, this was the first time he had ever seen a topspin serve with such speed and such a tricky angle.

Muneyoshi, watching from the sidelines, twitched his lips. This style was exactly the "Twist Serve"!

However, this name is not currently associated with Echizen Ryoma promotional materials; it belongs to the serving technique of Echizen Nanjirō.

Upon seeing this powerful shot, Yukimura's expression turned slightly serious, and he began to move his feet, taking a half-step back with his left foot.

Bang!

With a swing of his arm, Yukimura's wrist rotated, and he forcefully slashed the racket forward, his line of sight pointing straight ahead.

They easily defused what appeared to be a dangerous surprise attack.

"Well done, but the game isn't completely over just because you catch the ball!"

However, just as the tennis ball was flying over the middle of the net, a beautiful blonde figure blocked its path.

Chiko smiled slightly, his narrowed eyes revealing a cunning smile of triumph. He raised his arm, and his aura surged once more.

Snap~

Just as Yukimura was concentrating on preparing to meet his fierce attack, his powerful swing stopped when it touched the tennis ball.

With a slight downward pressure on the racket, gently send the tennis ball over the net.

Drop a short ball at the net.

"Kiko Valentin scores, score 15-0."

"It was a feint followed by a short lob?"

Shiraishi Kuranosuke opened his mouth, a look of surprise on his face.

To be honest, even he thought the other side would launch a fierce attack.

After all, it was such a good opportunity, and it was the first ball to show their momentum. No matter how you look at it, it was a good chance to suppress the opponent.

One can only say, as expected of the versatile Kiko Valentin!

Not only Shiraishi, but also Fuji, Tachibana Kippei, and the others around him reacted similarly.

This abrupt ending feels like opening a folder, ready to savor it, only to think, "That's it?"

Absolutely boring!

"I'm afraid... what they just did wasn't just a feint."

Irie's expression was solemn; he sensed something unusual.

"Senior Irie is right, that guy on the other side made his move from the very beginning!"

Saeki Muneyoshi also heightened his senses, observed the game on the field, and sensed something was amiss.

Bang!

On the court, Balintin continued to serve, but this time it wasn't a powerful serve; instead, it became a very simple straight serve.

However, when the tennis ball was in mid-air, it suddenly gained a slight spin, and then its speed suddenly increased, accelerating a second time.

It fell rapidly to the ground, and at the moment of impact, the spin on the left side increased dramatically, causing the tennis ball to land at a different angle and bounce directly towards Yukimura's backhand.

"Huh? I didn't know it could be like that..."

Yukimura raised an eyebrow. Only now did he realize the brilliance of this serve, especially the precision with which it landed on the line.

This made his eyes light up, as he had always been pursuing the essence of tennis.

"Truly worthy of being a world-class tennis player!"

Yukimura felt a sudden enlightenment, but since he was in the middle of a match, Yukimura had to put aside his distracting thoughts.

Faced with this attack targeting the blind spot on his backhand, Yukimura did not use the conventional method to receive it.

He made an extremely light turn, then pulled back with his hand, and the racket lightly collided with the tennis ball.

Bang!

Observation, decision-making, and swinging the racket—the entire process was executed flawlessly, without a single unnecessary movement, Shiraishi Kuranosuke, watching from the sidelines, filled with admiration.

However, Muneyoshi, standing beside him, frowned once again.

"Does Senior Irie know what the other side is doing?"

He noticed that every time Chiko Balentin swung his racket, his momentum would shift.

At this moment, Yukimura's body, his reflexes, or rather his eyes, would experience a brief pause.

"Yukimura's reflexes have been clouded."

Irie hesitated for a moment, a glint of light flashing across his round glasses.