In the shadows, five figures stood across the court from Atobe.
They said nothing, yet powerful auras emanated from them.
Suddenly, one of the figures pushed aside the fog and fully revealed himself.
"Is this... a dream?"
Atobe's eyes widened as he stared at the familiar face, the familiar peaked cap, and the Rikkai Dai regulars' uniform.
It was Sanada Genichirou.
"Come on, Atobe. I'm going to crush you!"
Then the five people who had originally appeared so clearly would surely change as well.
The Japan Team members exchanged bewildered comments. Neither the middle schoolers nor the high schoolers understood what was happening to Atobe.
"When did this guy get so strong? Seven changes—how is that even possible?!"
Atobe's fierce drive had failed to break through the defense of the towering mountain peaks.
He let out a cold snort and instantly cut off every stray thought in his mind.
Koganei's keen eyes were impressive. He was the first to spot the truth.
"Oh, Saeki seems to understand this better than the rest of us. But those opponents you mentioned... why aren't you among them?"
Thump!
The ball shot out from behind Atobe once again. Faced with a ball that kept changing, he was utterly helpless.
Whoosh!
Atobe tossed the ball without hesitation, bent his knees, pushed off, and swung his racket overhead.
Sanada's gaze was sharp as a sword, and flecks of fire shone through his pupils.
He planted his foot, his shoe scraping fiercely against the ground. Once he stopped, Atobe twisted his shoulder and swung his arm.
"Atobe!"
Boom!
The instant the ball struck the racket, a muffled, thunderous explosion rang out.
"I see. Then what exactly did Atobe see? When he said 'made manifest' just now, did he mean...?"
Muneyoshi scratched his head too.
In the end,