The tennis ball shot back, and the fierce swing sent a violent gale sweeping through the hair of Saeki Muneyoshi, whom Niou was impersonating.
A black blade of light streaked across the court behind the ball.
Then, in front of "Saeki Muneyoshi" as he swung, the air compressed into a vacuum.
The compressed air rushed back in an instant, driving the ball to its utmost speed.
It was as if a terrifying shock wave had ripped across the court. Sefried's return had only just bounced when he was sent flying, the smile still lingering on his lips.
At the same time, the Cloudbreak radiance surrounding him burst like a bubble.
"So this is Cloudbreak? Too bad that little bit of light you've got doesn't even come close..."
"Saeki Muneyoshi" lowered his racket and stood still. Niou closed his eyes, carefully savoring the feeling of the move he had just imitated from Muneyoshi.
The Darkness Light around him grew ever stronger.
When he grasped the subtlety of it, he grinned and chuckled. Yet against the backdrop of darkness, his smile looked chilling.
"Game. Point to Japan. The score is 5–4."
The referee's voice brought Sefried back to reality. The pain coursing through his body made him realize what had just happened.
"Bismarck, I—"
Sefried struggled to his feet, but before he could finish, Bismarck raised a hand to stop him.
"No need to say anything. Didn't you say you were going to beat him? Keep believing in yourself and prove it to me!"
Bismarck knew how to read people and control the team's morale. Sefried didn't need reprimanding right now, so he simply smiled.
"Yes!"
Sefried nodded firmly, determination filling his eyes.
The Cloudbreak that Niou had shattered seemed to gather again under the force of his will.
Seeing Sefried pull