Crushing Black Peak

Tap, tap...

The referee's calls announcing the score and the sound of the ball flying past the baseline and hitting the ground both tugged at everyone's heartstrings.

Although it was only the first game, and only the second point, the entire court had fallen into absolute silence.

It was more than ten seconds before someone began speaking in a low voice.

"Vice-captain, do you know what happened with that last shot?"

Shinji asked Tachibana Kippei in shock, "If I saw right, it seemed to bend again at the very end..."

Tachibana lowered his arms, which had been folded across his chest, and gripped the railing in front of him tightly. He didn't answer Shinji.

Of course, it was possible that he hadn't seen clearly himself—or that he found it hard to believe.

But Tachibana's sharp eyes were just as grave.

Tachibana knew Sanada's strength very well. Especially during their time at the training camp, they had constantly competed and trained, and both had reached the world-class level.

Compared with Tachibana, Sanada's strength had undergone an all-around improvement after he reached the world stage, particularly after his various skills had evolved. That put Tachibana under considerable pressure.

Still, Tachibana felt he could hold his own if he gave it everything he had. But the new change in that black aura, which had just flared up at the end, had made his hair stand on end.

The same question arose among the teams from Hyotei Academy, Shitenhoji, and Seigaku.

Among the Seigaku team, Akutsu, whose senses were the most attuned to auras, looked surprised. Rarely, he offered his opinion on Sanada's move:

"Tch, Sanada isn't half bad... That black aura must be what did it. After he returned the ball, he deliberately swung a second time. He probably forced the ball's trajectory