The Struggling King
"Atobe! Wake up!"
"Atobe! Get moving!"
The entire stadium erupted in deafening cheers; it seemed as if everyone at the Hyotei Academy was calling upon their King.
"Ha! You truly deserve to be called the Ice Empire's King, as everyone hopes! However, shouting alone won't wake you from your reverie!"
Muneyoshi was not surprised by the Hyotei Academy team members' performance; in fact, he had experienced shouts that were even louder than this.
However, he always seemed to automatically assume the villain's role, which annoyed Muneyoshi somewhat.
Thinking of this, Muneyoshi glanced at Atobe, who was standing motionless opposite him, then his gaze sharpened, and he flicked his wrist, sending the tennis ball flying.
The road to victory is always fraught with hostility, but such noise is far too trivial to achieve the ultimate goal.
Bang!
"Huh?! They actually did it?"
The moment he served, Muneyoshi frowned. He realized that Atobe, despite being bound by the domain, had actually broken free from the influence of the Seed of Illusory Dream?
The next second.
Amidst the worried and delighted gazes of the Hyotei Academy members, Atobe, who had been as still as a clay sculpture, suddenly moved.
His racket firmly blocked the bouncing tennis ball, and a carefree smile played on his lips.
Bang!
With a flick Atobe his arm, Atobe easily returned the tennis ball that Muneyoshi had served.
"Ha! As expected of someone capable of infinite evolution, Atobe, you deserve praise for being able to move again!"
Muneyoshi smiled slightly, stepped forward, and as his clothes swayed, golden light raged in his palm as he swept a backhand diagonal shot through the air.
Bang!
The Light Ball that shot out from Muneyoshi's hand tore through the space of the court, instantly flying towards Atobe's half of the field with unimaginable pressure.
Muneyoshi's control over the battle situation and his ability to use momentum to pressure others are, if not unparalleled, among junior high school students.
Although Atobe had just broken free from the Mental Restraint imposed on him by Muneyoshi and his mental energy was greatly depleted, his movements kept up with the speed of Muneyoshi's Shining Shot.
Now, he is no longer as helpless as he was before when faced with ordinary Light Ball.
With the same mid-air strike, a chilling wind howled around Atobe.
Bang!
Atobe used his mastery of Sweet Spot Technique, along with his well-honed strength and wrist power, to forcefully suppress the destructive power of Muneyoshi Shining Shot.
Not only that, as Atobe swung Atobe racket, a flurry of ice shards suddenly pierced Muneyoshi's half of the court, creating openings for him.
"Heh, so I had so many weaknesses? Too bad, Atobe, even if you saw them, you still couldn't score!"
Muneyoshi gave a soft shout, then leaped into the air and smashed the ball down with a powerful slam.
The light strings of the racket were enveloped in a golden streak of light that seemed to pierce the sky.
In the next instant, the intense darkness plunged the entire court into darkness. Although Muneyoshi's tennis moves appeared violent, they were extremely entertaining to watch.
With a single shot, Atobe, who had just escaped the darkness, found himself back in a dimly lit space.
"Saeki Muneyoshi, you're dreaming!!!"
Having gained experience and awareness of how to crack the Atobe, Atobe reacted instantly.
This kind of struggling and passive style is not like Atobe's Atobe style.
With all his hidden spiritual power released, the dim space shattered instantly, like a mirage, and Atobe once again successfully broke free from Muneyoshi's domain.
Seeing the tennis ball about to hit the ground, Atobe sprinted forward, using the momentum to leap up on one foot just after the ball had landed.
Bang!
The tennis ball landed and bounced high into the air, and Atobe's figure appeared precisely at that bounce height.
The mustard-yellow ball did not fly out of the court; thanks to Atobe's exceptional Insight, it accurately struck the bouncing tennis ball.
"Muneyoshi, don't get too caught up in my amazing ball skills!"
A song of retreat towards despair!
Bang!
Atobe Keigo's signature smash was on full display, and his timing was absolutely brilliant, drawing cheers from the Atobe.
"Atobe! Opening champagne at halftime is not a good habit!"
"What?"
Atobe had just landed, was startled and looked up.
Muneyoshi took a step and started running quickly, his feet simultaneously sinking into the ground as he charged forward.
Immediately afterwards, his center of gravity began to rise and fall.
His perfectly sculpted physique began to unleash its power. Muneyoshi pushed off with the toes of his right foot and lifted his left foot in a step.
After a brilliant mid-air lateral shift and change of direction, his speed did not decrease at all, and he rushed directly towards the tennis ball that had been pulled into the ground by Atobe 'Atobe, leaving a streak of light.
He leaped into the air, holding the racket in both hands, the racket slightly raised backward, and his elbows lowered a few centimeters at the same time.
With his body slightly tilted and all his weight on his wrist, he swung the tennis ball hard while it was still in the air.
Atobe was very familiar with this kind of movement and posture.
"Jack Knife!"
Bang!
A wisp of purplish-black flame flashed across Muneyoshi's body, and the tennis ball was also brought out with a slight black glow, bouncing straight towards Atobe's feet.
"Muneyoshi, I've seen this move of yours many times before. It's far too slow compared to Oni Jūjirō's. Get over there!"
With his amazing eyesight and defensive counter-attacking ability, Atobe instantly arrived at the landing point of the tennis ball, a proud smile on his lips.
Atobe stretched out his arm and scooped up the tennis ball with his backhand, catching it completely.
He then used his arm muscles to try and hit it back.
However, the next moment, his smile froze on his lips.
The moment the racket touched the tennis ball, Atobe's eyes narrowed sharply. Muneyoshi was no longer the same person he was in his second year who would play with them.
This attack may seem ordinary, but the power and destructive force it contains are astonishing.
Atobe only held on for a second before feeling a sharp pain in his wrist as Muneyoshi knocked his racket away with a powerful blow.
Snap!
The tennis ball's force was not diminished at all by Atobe's obstruction; after bouncing up, it slammed heavily into the iron net behind him, creating a dent in the net.
This caused tennis to become deeply involved.
"Game! Saeki... Muneyoshi scores, score 1-0."
The referee's voice rang out, and many people who were initially amazed by Atobe's perfectly timed dance move were suddenly jolted awake by Saeki Muneyoshi's even more violent methods.
"Atobe couldn't even score a point?!"
Muneyoshi's formidable strength left many people in disbelief.
"You bastard..."
Atobe, who picked up his racket again, lost his smile and became serious. His strategy and offense in that instant had been the best he could do.
But I didn't expect it to turn out this way.
"Atobe, the score isn't over until the tennis ball actually hits the ground. This lesson is free for you!"
Muneyoshi said calmly.
"Ha! I've been lectured by you again. Well then, bring it on, Muneyoshi!"
Although he lost a game and struggled, Atobe did not lose confidence; in fact, he regained his confident demeanor.
Possession changes, and it's Atobe's turn to serve.
Although Atobe was reluctant to admit it, he was aware of the gap between himself and Muneyoshi.
Having figured this out, Atobe stopped considering anything else; from now on, it was his turn to launch a relentless attack.
Ta-da-ta-da...
The tennis ball was being pressed Atobe in Atobe's palm, his Atobe lowered, seemingly deep in thought.
"It seems that Saeki Muneyoshi is putting too much pressure on Atobe!"
Seeing Atobe's expression, Oshitari couldn't help but speak up.
Atobe has never hesitated for so long when serving.
"After all, his opponent is the number one player in the national junior high school division. Even if Tannhäuser had a normal serve, it wouldn't have any effect on him."
Shishido Ryo.
Snap!
While the Hyotei Academy members were talking, Atobe grabbed the ball.
Swish!
P. S.: "Requesting double monthly votes!"