Tap, tap... smack.
After Muneyoshi's crushing blow, Echizen Ryoga had finally managed to calm himself down as he got back to his feet.
His expression gradually turned serious and wary. Only now did he realize that he had clearly underestimated Saeki Muneyoshi's strength.
He had thought that since he'd reached Stage Three before his opponent and had already figured out his own path, he was definitely stronger than Saeki.
But now that they were actually playing, it felt as if he'd returned to the most perilous moment of the Shikoku tournament.
Back then, he'd also been stronger than Saeki Muneyoshi, yet Saeki had turned the match around under his pressure.
Now that he'd sensed Saeki Muneyoshi's strength and the true nature of his path, he realized Saeki was aiming far higher than he was.
If Saeki Muneyoshi continued down this path, he might really become another legend.
He might even come close to the most towering figure in Ryoga's heart.
"If you want to become a legend, you'll have to get past me first!"
Whoosh~
He caught the bouncing tennis ball, gripped it tightly, then tossed it high into the air.
He planted both feet on the ground and sprang upward. His racket swung down toward the ball, and Echizen Ryoga let out a shout:
"Samurai's Strike!"
Bang!
As Echizen Ryoga shouted, he swung his arm and brought his racket down with a thunderous crack that reverberated through the entire court.
A samurai leaped out from behind him, its katana gleaming with brilliant golden light as it slashed down at Muneyoshi.
The tennis ball became a golden blade of light as Ryoga struck it, tearing through the air with a sharp whistle.
The brilliant golden light illuminated the entire court in an instant.
"He's also reached Stage Three, and that's