A Supreme Secret (Part One)

The court was filled with the radiance of Cloudbreak as silver-white mental power began to spread.

Beneath the glow of blue light, a strange distortion hidden within the tennis ball flickered and vanished. The small mustard-yellow ball disappeared with it.

Yukimura's five-sense deprivation had blocked Tezuka's perception. Even in his Cloudbreak state, he could only sense the ball's movement after it had crossed the net.

But that was already enough. Cloudbreak's radiance pierced through all of Yukimura's little tricks before they could get close.

With Cloudbreak's power amplifying him, Tezuka's speed surged. His lateral movement drew gasps from many of the spectators.

Thwack!

The power of selflessness coursed through his body. The ball, which Yukimura had returned with all its force while canceling out its spin, did nothing to hinder Tezuka's reply.

Tezuka raised his arm steadily, and the unique spin of his own once again enveloped the ball. His lightning-fast drive shot back across the court.

Tap, tap, tap...

Mirage Mirror!

"Haah!"

Yukimura's head snapped up. Beneath his green headband, his amethyst eyes lacked any trace of spirit, yet gleamed like pearls.

"Tezuka, this was a surprise I'd originally prepared for Muneyoshi. It's a shame, but against an opponent like you, I can't hold back and still win this match."

Yukimura smiled, but the emptiness in his eyes made the seemingly gentle words conceal a chilling murderous intent.

To break the Tezuka Zone, one had to hit a shot with spin in the opposite direction while Tezuka was unprepared.

But hitting shots with opposite spin every time in front of Tezuka, who excelled at handling spin, was beyond the ability of ordinary players.

Yukimura, however, could do it.

Last year, on Muneyoshi's advice, he had gotten himself examined early, received a diagnosis, and undergone surgery ahead of time.

During