Echizen and Aoi Kintaro, the Showdown of Cloudbreak

Soon, at the referee's signal, the two players finished deciding who would serve first.

This time, Aoi Kintaro was lucky and won the right to serve.

"The match begins. Japan Team representative Aoi Kintaro will serve first. One set."

With the referee's announcement, Kintaro took the tennis ball and returned to the serving area at the back of the court.

Glancing at Echizen across the net, Kintaro scratched his head and said with a cheerful smile:

"Echizen, you'd better be ready. I won't hold back this time."

"Hmph."

Echizen Ryoma gave a soft snort. Then his famous line rang out once again:

"Bring it on. You're still a long way from making me go easy on you."

Hearing Echizen's usual bold remark, Kintaro didn't get angry this time. Instead, he gently bounced the tennis ball.

Tap, tap... smack...

Then Kintaro's aura surged, his red hair swaying wildly as an utterly joyful smile spread across his face.

Watching this, Echizen Ryoma, standing in the receiving area, couldn't help but turn serious.

"You can use Cloudbreak too? And you activated it right from the start. Looks like you really have gotten stronger. Well, I'll play with you properly..."

Having made up his mind, Echizen Ryoma began to radiate blue particles as well.

Once the blue light faded, Echizen Ryoma stood resolute, having activated Cloudbreak.

Aoi Kintaro, who had been bouncing the ball, watched Echizen Ryoma's transformation, his excitement growing even more apparent.

Aoi Kintaro looked up at Echizen Ryoma and called out with a bright smile, "That's more like it, Echizen! Here I come..."

Whoosh!

As Kintaro spoke, he tossed the ball high into the air.

Then Kintaro bent his knees and leaped, soaring into the sky. Beneath his Japan Team uniform, his tight leopard-print T-shirt fluttered in the wind.

His super