A Crushing Defeat (Part One)

The game continued on the field, and this time, Echizen Ryoma adopted an even more aggressive approach. ✊👊 ♟🐳

He slid forward and, just as Shinji's backspin shot crossed the net, unleashed a powerful volley.

The high-speed tennis ball suddenly veered back and grazed straight past Ibu Shinji's face.

Upon witnessing this scene, especially seeing the tennis ball pass through Ibu Shinji's defense and fly towards the backcourt, Horio Satoshi, one of the three giants of Seigaku, couldn't help but cheer.

His two companions also shouted loudly at this moment.

"Echizen! You should score this time!"

However.

Their cheers lasted less than a second when Ibu Shinji suddenly took two consecutive steps in midfield, and his subsequent actions completely exceeded the expectations of Horio and his two companions.

As the tennis ball flew past Shinji's defensive range, he twisted his left foot and landed on his right heel, using the momentum of his body to complete a large-scale turn.

After turning around, Shinji suddenly exerted force with his calf, leaving an afterimage on the court before instantly catching up with the tennis ball that had not yet flown out of bounds.

The tennis ball, which looked like it was about to score, was firmly trapped inside by Shinji's racket.

This wasn't some top-spin ball, but a baseline attack that resembled a scoop from the bottom of the sea.

Bang!

The tennis ball flew between Echizen Ryoma Echizen's legs and exploded in his backcourt, leaving him stunned.

"Game, Fudomine Ibu Shinji scores, score 4-0."

"That was a good shot, but it's still just a trick!"

After returning the ball, Ibu Shinji put away his racket and stood straight in the backcourt, staring coldly at Echizen Ryoma.

"I've already told you, your tennis skills are useless against me!"

Shinji's tone was very calm, so calm that it sounded like he was stating a fact.

But it was precisely these seemingly mundane words that provoked the proud Echizen Ryoma even more.

This scene was just like when he was a toddler playing tennis and playing against his most hated dad.

The relentless, almost declarative tone of his voice made him clench his racket tightly.

Echizen Ryoma didn't argue much; he simply stared intently at Ibu Shinji's figure with his sharp, sword-like eyes.

The atmosphere in the Fudomine area was much more relaxed. After seeing Ibu Shinji score so easily, Kamio Akira quietly took out his racket, preparing to warm up a bit.

At this rate, he should be able to take the field very soon...

In contrast to the silence and ease at Fudomine, the Seigaku area was much more lively.

"Echizen didn't even score a single point? And how did he manage to catch up to that kind of tennis ball?"

Horio Satoshi, who had always had an inexplicable confidence in Echizen and Seigaku, was somewhat shaken after witnessing Fudomine strength, and he scratched his hair forcefully.

"Katsuro, Fudomine... How terrifying! Are all their players monsters of this level?"

As someone who had just started playing tennis, Mizuno Katsuo Echizen Ryoma was the genius he admired, but Ibu Shinji's performance completely exceeded his expectations.

Especially their on-the-spot reaction and speed just now, which has exceeded the range that ordinary people like them can achieve.

"Shinji's personality of constantly criticizing and educating others is just like Muneyoshi's," Tachibana Kippei shook his head helplessly.

Ever since Saeki Muneyoshi started teaching Ibu Shinji how to play tennis, Shinji has been imitating Muneyoshi in every way.

I haven't learned much in terms of skill yet, but your educational and condescending attitude shows that you've already grasped the essence of the teachings.

Of course, without the competitions and growth over the past year, it would have been very difficult for Ibu Shinji to reach his current level.

However, given Ibu Shinji's experience and strength, winning this game would be incredibly easy for him.

As the sky cleared completely, more and more athletes from other schools arrived at the venue.

Two figures in grey and white uniforms attracted a lot of attention.

It was Atobe Keigo and his follower Kabaji Munehiro.

Atobe Keigo watched Echizen Ryoma display his strength on the court and Ibu Shinji remain nonchalant, his expression shifted from relaxed to serious.

Ibu Shinji had already demonstrated his talent in the Mental Power Path at last year's Kanto Tournament and National Tournament.

Although he was defeated by Yukimura Seiichi at that time, he was not taken seriously by Atobe.

However, after the intensive training camp, their strength improved once again. 👣🍭 👻⛵

Although it was just a simple regional preliminaries and Fudomine was only trying to train its players, judging from the strength it has shown so far, Fudomine is clearly stronger this year.

"Heh~ Fudomine... Saeki... you Fudomine are quite a formidable opponent!"

Atobe flicked a strand of hair across his forehead with his finger. "Looks like we'll have to go on another training camp with Rikkai Dai when we get back, don't you think, Kabaji!"

Yes~

The half-court baseline service area for Seigaku.

Holding the tennis ball, Echizen Ryoma's mind was in turmoil.

Having learned from the lessons of the previous four rounds, Echizen Ryoma, with his astonishing battle intelligence, began to devise his own plan.

At this moment, he knew clearly that Ibu Shinji's strength far surpassed his own.

This is the fourth person who can truly put pressure on him since returning to Japan. If he continues with his previous playing style, the results of the next two games probably won't be good either.

Therefore, he must make significant changes.

Tap... tap...

Echizen Ryoma's thoughts did not affect his actions. He gently tapped the tennis ball twice, then tossed it, drew back his racket, and with all his strength, hit the ball towards Shinji's receiving area.

Bang!

The tennis ball traced a sharp arc through the air above the court, landing with a dull thud before landing precisely on the Shinji's serve line.

"Hmm, they're not using serve-and-volley anymore. Are they planning to find an opening by pulling the ball around?"

Ibu Shinji squinted, his extensive experience allowing him to estimate Echizen Ryoma- perfect accuracy.

"However, if you think that pulling along the baseline is easy, you're sorely mistaken. I'm not going to slow down the pace of the game; your hands are going to go numb."

After assessing Echizen Ryoma's intentions, Shinji decisively launched his attack.

His footwork accelerated, leaving a blur on the field before disappearing behind the baseline.

His constant running created gusts of wind, causing the black Fudomine team uniform covering him to cling tightly to his body.

The two sides engaged in a tense and close battle around the baseline, center line, and frontcourt.

After gaining the upper hand, Ibu Shinji refused to give an inch, continuously hitting the tennis ball with topspin and backspin.

Every time the tennis ball bounced back, Ibu Shinji would appear precisely at the landing point.

Bang!

Slice the racket with force, or chop it with force!

The tennis balls flashed continuously in the air above the court, putting immense pressure on Ryoma.

Seigaku's rest area.

Fuji looked at Echizen Ryoma, who seemed to be stuck in a quagmire, and the worry on his face grew deeper and deeper.

The Seigaku members all quite liked this little guy, but Fuji a bit worried seeing Ryoma struggling on the court.

There are concerns that Echizen Ryoma might be overwhelmed by the pressure of this kind of competition.

After all, he's only a first-grader.

"Tezuka! Echizen... he should be alright, right?"

When in doubt, Fuji would consult Tezuka; this was a good habit he had cultivated over Fuji long period of time.

However, Tezuka did not reply to him this time; his sharp, eagle-like eyes were fixed on Ryoma's every move.

Fuji didn't see anything wrong with not receiving a reply from Tezuka.

However, Momoshiro Takeshi on the other side said to him in a deep voice:

"Fuji -senpai, Echizen has never known what pressure is. Look at Echizen expression, he doesn't seem to be affected at all!"

"That guy is probably still enjoying this high-pressure match... hiss..." Kaidou Kaoru had played against Echizen Ryoma, and he was quite envious of Ryoma's mentality.

"Um!"

"Kaidoh, Momoshiro, you're both right. I should just trust Echizen like you do." Fuji Shusuke said with a smile after hearing his two juniors' words.

Although Fuji knew that Echizen's chances of winning were slim, he could Echizen see that Echizen was constantly pulling out new weapons from his arsenal to deal with powerful enemies.

He still felt very happy.

"This is... a series of quick, one-legged steps? Yes, Ryoma is using this to counter Shinji's increasingly rapid and fierce attacks?"

After revealing his basic single-leg shuffling steps, Echizen Ryoma gained a slight advantage in the pull between the two sides.

After giving it their all, they finally scored a point, avoiding the embarrassment of being wiped out.

Of course, Echizen Ryoma didn't see it that way; he believed this was the prelude to his counterattack.

But.

"However, if this drags on, Ibu Shinji's other temporary paralysis ability will kick in... How will you deal with that, Echizen!"

Seeing Echizen's performance, Fuji's smile remained, but his eyes, which had been narrowed, were now half-open.

"You're really strong! I'm getting more and more excited to face an opponent like you!"

As the Seigaku members expected, Echizen Ryoma Ibu Shinji, was not afraid, but rather became more and more excited.

He slightly bent his knees, lowered his center of gravity, and continuously used basic small steps on one foot.

This ensures that the rhythm of one's actions is always maintained.

"Haa!"

Bang!

Once again catching up with Shinji's Topspin, Echizen Ryoma roared and slammed the tennis ball back, the sound of the racket hitting the ball being incredibly crisp.

The tennis ball was also very fast, Echizen Ryoma's powerful ball control allowed him to precisely press the ball onto the left edge of Shinji's half of the court.

"Can you maintain ball control until the very end of the match?"

A glint flashed in Shinji's eyes, and his cold voice escaped his lips once more. "Too bad it's over. Now your hand will be paralyzed!"

Bang!

As the tennis ball flew towards him, Echizen Ryoma maintained a rapid pace with his Single-Footed Split Steps, quickly turning and appearing in front of the tennis ball's path with a flick of his toe.

However, just as he made the swing motion, his left arm went numb instantly, as if he had lost all feeling, and he froze in place.

Thump!

The tennis ball passed right through Echizen Ryoma's body, landed on the baseline, and then flew out.

"Game, Fudomine Ibu Shinji scores, score 5-1."

Yesterday afternoon around 5 PM, while I was still at work, my editor contacted me and said, "We need to work on the weather forecast again."

In previous recommendations, both before and after the book's release, there was no requirement for a surge in updates, so I didn't tell my readers. However, this time, a surge in updates is required, so I'm letting you know in advance. There will be a surge in updates on the 13th and 14th, with at least four updates each day, and ideally five, depending on how many I can manage.

So I might have to hold back this weekend, updating only twice a day, otherwise I won't have anything to share on the 13th and 14th. I also ask for your understanding, as work is really busy at the end of the year, and I often work overtime. I also have to write when I get home at night.

Furthermore, based on my outline, I estimate there will be a minor climax around the 13th or 14th, making a large-scale update perfectly timed.