The Demon's Nightmare (Part One)

After the pre-match formalities were over, the familiar voice of the referee's announcement rang out across the stadium once more:

"Next is the third singles match of the National Tournament final. Seigaku's Akutsu Jin will face Fudomine Junior High's Ibu Shinji."

"Players, please take the court!"

A short while later, Akutsu emerged from the rest area and walked toward the center court.

The sleeves on both sides of his shirt were rolled high above his shoulders, revealing a pair of long, athletic arms. Their streamlined contours radiated strength and beauty at every moment.

Akutsu's aura was as powerful as a rainbow, and the demonic presence around him surged like waves.

As the referee's voice fell silent, Ibu Shinji also approached the court. A sudden, overwhelming sense of danger made his heart jolt, and he instinctively looked across at the figure below.

Shinji's breath caught. The hand gripping his racket had grown damp.

This wasn't his first time meeting Akutsu, but before the final, when Muneyoshi and Coach Hanamura Aoi told him they would put him in the third singles match,

he had first been incredibly excited, then felt a trace of apprehension rise in his heart.

This wasn't the Kanto Tournament. This was the National Tournament, especially after Seigaku had nearly pulled off a surprise victory earlier.

When Fudomine faced Seigaku, their singles players were liable to fall into a disadvantage.

Shinji knew that, given his current abilities, he would struggle against any of Seigaku's singles players.

And against Akutsu or Tezuka, he had no chance at all.

Every match in the National Tournament was important, and Shinji didn't want his loss to cause consequences that couldn't be undone.

Sigh...

Under the gazes of all the Fudomine players, Shinji walked over to Hanamura Aoi, who stood beside the court.

With