A Spectacular Replay

Hearing Oni Jūjirō's assessment of Echizen Ryoma, Muneyoshi smiled.

Looking at Echizen on the court, Muneyoshi spoke in an utterly calm tone:

"That kid on the other side has talent, and he's the same age as Kintaro. He's almost as strong as Kintaro, too. But if he wants to beat Kintaro as he is now, he's still got a long way to go."

At nearly the same moment, Dudu and the others on America's team were also astonished by Aoi Kintaro's strength. They cried out in alarm.

Some of the middle schoolers were even puzzled that they had sent another middle schooler like Echizen Ryoma to face him.

America's captain, Reinhardt, didn't answer their questions.

He simply watched the court in silence. Echizen Ryoga stood nearby, watching just as intently.

Seeing them like that, the others turned their attention to Echizen Ryoma on the court.

At that moment, all they could do was hope the boy would surprise them during the match.

But on the court, Aoi Kintaro, who had taken the game with ease, showed little joy. Instead, he clasped his hands behind his head and asked Echizen Ryoma:

"Chūma, why aren't you using your Shining Shot anymore? It's no fun playing against you when you don't hit back."

Faced with Aoi Kintaro's question, even Echizen Ryoma, who was usually so cool, couldn't help showing a flicker of surprise.

Then, in a tone that brooked no surrender, he replied:

"The match has only just begun. The Shining Shot is just one of my moves. You'd better see what my tennis can really do."

With that, Echizen Ryoma turned and headed to the baseline to serve.

Echizen Ryoma could hear the spectators' chatter and all the praise being heaped on Aoi Kintaro.

Standing in the service area, he stared intently