The Demon's Nightmare (Part Two)

Across the court.

Shinji took two deep breaths, suppressing the fear in his heart and the pain in his wrist.

He clutched a small mustard-yellow ball in his hand. After carefully watching Akutsu crouch at the baseline, his body constantly shifting, he looked away.

He tossed the ball high again, then bent his knees and pushed off the ground. Shinji's arm blurred as he sent the ball flying with a jumping overhead serve.

This was the basic serving technique Muneyoshi had liked best.

Ibu Shinji had been deeply influenced by Saeki Muneyoshi, and had dabbled in many of the same techniques.

But Akutsu had long since studied this kind of attack inside and out. His judgment was more precise.

As he watched the ball fly toward him, he immediately retreated two steps toward the back of the court.

The fast-moving ball landed near the baseline, then shot off like a cannonball, flying out of bounds at even greater speed.

Akutsu kept his eyes on the ball and strode sideways. When he saw this familiar shot, an indescribable sharpness flashed in his eyes.

Akutsu, who knew nothing of defense, leaped high into the air again.

To him, any serve that soared high could be returned with a smash.

Bang!

This time, the return carried not only tremendous power but also a deathly pale aura he had condensed into something tangible. With a swing of Akutsu's racket, it bore down on Shinji.

Shinji felt a weight settle on both shoulders. It seemed to restrict his movement.

He had experienced this before. Though moving felt difficult, Shinji still swung his racket quickly and met the ball Akutsu had sent his way.

Smack!

It came as no surprise: this shot was even more powerful than the last, and its force nearly knocked the racket