After hearing Muneyoshi's explanation and speculation, everyone exchanged glances.
Just then, Irie Kanata pushed up his glasses and stepped to the front. He sighed.
"After hearing Saeki's explanation, I finally understand how terrifying Reinhardt's ability is. Your guess was right—Oni really did play against him before."
"Irie, they played each other? How come I never knew? When did this happen?"
At Irie Kanata's words, Byōdōin furrowed his brow. He was displeased by anything that had happened outside his control.
Hearing the reproach in Byōdōin's voice, Irie said nothing more and simply explained what had happened back then.
After hearing Irie Kanata's explanation, Muneyoshi could only sigh.
He hadn't known that Oni Jūjirō had gone through something like that with Reinhardt.
If he'd known earlier, he would have made Mifune Nyudo move Oni Jūjirō to another team, no matter what.
Against someone he'd played before, Reinhardt would be able to bring his ability to its fullest.
While Muneyoshi was introducing Reinhardt to everyone and Irie was speaking, the situation on the court was changing by the second.
Faced with Reinhardt's sudden smash, Oni Jūjirō was surprised, but his reaction was incredibly fast.
His wealth of match experience gave Oni the confidence he needed, and he charged forward.
Even though it was a smash, he still managed to reach it.
Before the ball could hit the ground, he gripped his racket with both hands and leaped off one foot.
He swung with all his strength, and his racket powerfully returned the shot.
"Black Jack Knife!"
Oni let out a roar. Black-and-red flames blazed fiercely around him, and the Oni God behind him roared as well.
Boom!
The explosive crack of the shot rang out. The instant the racket struck the ball, it was compressed and twisted out of shape.
Then a streak