A Budding Evolution
"Hmph! Tezuka has certainly made a good plan!"
Tachibana Kippei stared intently at Echizen Ryoma, who was struggling opposite him, his gaze growing increasingly domineering. ✿.｡.:* ☆::..::.☆*.:｡.✿
Having played for so long, he naturally understood Echizen Ryoma's characteristics. Once he understood this, he naturally understood why Tezuka and Ryūzaki Sumire had arranged for this first-year student to face him.
Echizen Ryoma is indeed a rough gem, but does he want to use himself as a whetstone?
Then you can't blame Tachibana Kippei for it; be careful he doesn't break this sword!
Swish!
Even in the final game, Tachibana Kippei never hesitated or held back as he tossed the tennis ball into the air.
A streak of dark red light flashed across Tachibana Kippei's fingertips.
Unleash the Beast Aura!
Tachibana Kippei showed no mercy; he was determined to utterly crush this Seigaku brat in front of him!
"Don't even think about scoring so easily again! I'm going to get my revenge!"
Across from him, Echizen Ryoma's cold voice rang out, and his muscles instantly tensed, showcasing the slow adaptation ability he had developed through long-term training with Echizen Nanjirō.
After five rounds, he finally managed to keep up with Tachibana Kippei's pace.
Bang!
Echizen did it! This time he finally succeeded in returning Tachibana Kippei's powerful Cannon Serve!
"Commendable! Explosive Ball Wild Dance!"
Tachibana Kippei's eyes, hidden beneath her long golden hair, were extremely terrifying; her raging gaze resembled that of a predatory lion, capable of tearing everything apart.
A wild and domineering Beast Aura ignited, and in an instant, dozens of illusionary Illusion Ball, imbued with this Beast Aura, hurtled straight towards Echizen Ryoma's feet.
"Aaaaaah!"
With his exceptional dynamic vision, even Ryoma couldn't distinguish a real tennis ball; he left his swing to his subconscious reaction.
His subconscious reactions, suppressed to the extreme, truly allowed him to grasp the essence of tennis. ¤ (¯´☆✭.¸_)¤ ¤(_¸.✭☆´¯) ¤
However!
The next second, there was a loud bang.
Echizen Ryoma felt a tremendous force strike his hand, and then he was sent flying backward.
Tachibana Kippei's Explosive Ball Wild Dance, with its rampaging Beast Aura, directly shattered Echizen Ryoma's defense.
Although he played a passive defensive role throughout the entire match, Echizen Ryoma's seemingly well-constructed defense was completely torn to shreds by Tachibana Kippei's powerful attacks.
"Fudomine Tachibana Kippei, 15:0."
The referee's voice brought the shocked crowd back to their senses, and everyone silently watched Echizen Ryoma fall to the ground, looking utterly disheveled.
The power of Tachibana Kippei's goal just now was no joke; even the captains of each team need to take it seriously.
"Echizen, still can't beat that guy?"
Momoshiro Takeshi shook his head dejectedly.
"Idiot, what are you thinking? Echizen was already doing a pretty good job returning Tachibana Kippei's serve. If you went up there, you probably wouldn't be as good as Echizen!"
Momoshiro Takeshi, Momoshiro Takeshi's natural nemesis, added insult to Kaidou Kaoru, speaking coldly.
Kaidoh's words made the Seigaku members nod slightly, especially Fuji and Tezuka.
In their eyes, Ryoma had done a very good job; at the very least, they had seen Echizen Ryoma's strong will and his ever-evolving potential.
And at this moment, in the Fudomine rest area.
"Echizen Ryoma!"
A mocking smile appeared on Muneyoshi's lips. What he admired most about Echizen Ryoma was his indomitable spirit.
Of course, it would feel really good if that look could be completely changed by him...
"Should I fight him? Or should I just let things take their course? If I take the initiative and beat up both of his sons, I'm afraid Echizen Nanjirō might really come knocking on my door..."
That old guy is still truly the world's number one in strength.
Before Muneyoshi possesses sufficient strength, forcing a match against Nanjirou would only result in him being humiliated.
"Mighty Lion Dance!"
Since ordinary powerful shots could no longer defeat Echizen Ryoma, Tachibana Kippei did not hesitate. He continuously spread his Beast Aura, infusing it into the tennis ball, which he then repeatedly struck at Echizen Ryoma.
Tap tap...
Echizen Ryoma rose again, took a step back, and the increasingly clear image of the lion in his vision made him grip his racket tightly once more.
The dark red, Beast Aura, like the claws of a lion, relentlessly sliced through the racket net and squeezed his own space to move.
"Go back here!"
In the face of utter despair, Echizen Ryoma roared, and the aura of his State of Selflessness shone even brighter.
Boom!
The moment the tennis ball hit the racket, a violent gust of air swept outwards from the court, instantly lifting dust and gravel into the air, shrouding the entire court in smoke and dust.
"Little one, are you alright?"
Kikumaru Eiji looked at the field shrouded in smoke and dust with a worried expression, wondering what the situation was.
Neither Tezuka nor Akutsu spoke; their gazes remained fixed on the Seigaku half of the court, shrouded in smoke and dust.
The smoke and dust quickly dissipated, Echizen Ryoma was half-crouched, his hands still in the hitting posture. He was panting heavily, but a tear on the surface of his racket was particularly conspicuous.
Echizen Ryoma received the ball, but not completely.
"Fudomine Tachibana Kippei, 40:0."
Seigaku called a pause.
While changing his racket, Echizen wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a few deep breaths, and calmed down.
He had just felt a faint sense of fear?
This was hard for Echizen Ryoma to accept; after playing basketball for so many years, this was the first time he had ever experienced this.
Although he had never won a match against his Old Man before, he knew very well that his Old Man would not hurt him.
But when he faced Tachibana Kippei, he was filled with fear.
Faced with the lion-like attack of Tachibana Kippei, he surprisingly did not take the initiative to attack, but instead retreated to the baseline for passive defense...
Because Ryoma truly felt an unprecedented malice from Tachibana Kippei, even more intense than that from Akutsu.
"Is this what a real tennis match is like...?"
Tachibana Kippei's domineering presence and constant pressure made him subconsciously afraid to confront him directly.
Slap! Slap!
Echizen Ryoma slapped his cheeks hard, trying to wake himself up completely.
"It's too late to wake up now!"
Muneyoshi shook his head after seeing Echizen Ryoma's actions; the pressure exerted by Tachibana Kippei was not something that could be easily dispelled.
"Ha! Echizen Ryoma is such a loser!"
Kamio Akira chuckled, clearly having no good feelings towards this guy who dared to come and challenge him.
"A dying struggle!"
Of course, Tachibana Kippei saw this action. He snorted coldly, and facing Echizen was taking the stage again, the heavy pressure once again surged towards him like a tidal wave.
"The Lion's Roar!"
Tachibana Kippei's racket emitted a streak of blood from above his head, and a rolling wave of air swept towards the opposite half of the court.
"Whirlwind Strike!"
Seeing this, Echizen Ryoma didn't stop at the finish line, but ran forward quickly, roaring out his vow as he ran.
At the same time, his feet began to spin, causing his body to rotate continuously. Using the powerful force generated by the rotation, he charged straight at the dark red lion.
"Little one! Watch out!"
Kikumaru Eiji, standing outside the fence, immediately shouted.
"Ahhhh~~~"
At this moment, the young samurai of Seigaku shone brightly. The dazzling golden light that enveloped his entire body made Tachibana Kippei clearly feel a different kind of aura.
Boom!
Echizen Ryoma roared and unleashed a spinning strike, the light transforming into a golden figure that shone brightly across the entire arena from his hand.
"That little ghost house across the street actually..."
Kamio Akira and Ibu Shinji looked somewhat horrified.
"Ha, it actually evolved. Is this the 'protagonist'?"
Saeki Muneyoshi squinted slightly; he was one of the few people present who were not affected by the light.
As the light faded, a golden shuttle soared high above the net, then slanted down under the pressure of force and spin.
"They fought back!"
Momoshiro Takeshi exclaimed in surprise, "Echizen actually managed to knock back Tachibana Kippei's counterattack?"
"That brat?!"
In the Hyotei Academy area, Atobe's gaze was deep; he hadn't expected Echizen Ryoma more outstanding than he had imagined!
Meanwhile, his opponent, Tachibana Kippei, stood still. He glanced at the ball and judged its trajectory, but he didn't bother with it.
The tennis ball flew high over his head, followed by a loud crash from the iron net behind Tachibana Kippei.
"Out of bounds! Game over! Fudomine Tachibana Kippei wins, score 6-0."
The referee's voice rang out, announcing the final result of the match!
After taking a deep look at the unconscious kid opposite him, Tachibana Kippei felt a jolt in his heart.
At this moment, he finally believed what Saeki Muneyoshi had said: this brat would indeed become a great enemy of Kamio Akira and Shinji in the future.
Moreover, the thought that the other party's evolution was caused by his suppression made Tachibana Kippei feel even worse.
"It seems I've been too lenient with Kamio Akira and Shinji all this time; they haven't been putting enough pressure on them. I need to give them extra training when we get back!"
P. S.: "Please vote with monthly tickets!"