What is a Demon King

"Ryoma, hold on to your own convictions, and you won't be overwhelmed by your opponent's presence."

Seeing his own son getting beaten, Echizen Nanjirō finally couldn't hold back and went over to Seigaku's players' area.

Ignoring the strange looks from everyone else, Nanjirō continued:

"Ryoma, remember what I told you before—and what you've already come to understand. Playing tennis is a lot of fun. Having such great teammates and opponents, knowing your limits and surpassing them—that's even more worth celebrating!"

On the court, Echizen had been feeling immense pressure, but after hearing his father's reminder, his mind settled. Ryoma struggled to calm his restless thoughts.

"Dad, you're right. Playing tennis really is a lot of fun. And if I can beat him myself, it might be even more fun!"

After he spoke, dazzling blue light suddenly radiated from Echizen Ryoma. His own Cloudbreak finally activated.

Of course, it might have been active all along, and Nanjirō had merely drawn it out again.

The glow was not as powerful as Tezuka's, but it still formed a domain around Echizen Ryoma, shielding him.

"Echizen's activated Cloudbreak too!"

"Echizen..."

"Little guy!"

Seeing this sudden turn of events, Seigaku's players were surprised, then delighted.

The three guys who were always making wildly optimistic predictions were especially excited. They even declared that the match was no longer one-sided, and that Echizen now had a chance to turn it around.

Most of the spectators outside the court were astonished. Seigaku already had one player who'd activated Cloudbreak, and now there was another—and he was only a first-year.

Among them, Chitose from Shitenhoji was the most excited:

"Another Cloudbreak! I thought Koganei was the first-year closest to Tezuka. I never expected..."

"Chitose, what are you talking about? What happened to Echizen? He suddenly feels so much stronger.