The Fierce Battle

Seeing Yukimura Seiichi score directly with his serve while Kannagi Shinichi didn't move at all, many spectators around the court were confused.

Some spectators who had seen Yukimura Seiichi play before stepped forward, pretending to know what they were talking about. "There it is again! That tennis shot that can rob people of their sight."

"Rob people of their sight? How could there be a shot like that?" Those who hadn't seen it before naturally questioned them.

Chitose Senri and the others also looked toward Kannagi Shinichi. His eyes were already gradually recovering.

They couldn't help wondering: Kannagi Shinichi's vision clearly hadn't been taken away, so why hadn't he returned the shot?

On the court, Yukimura Seiichi served again.

Thwack...

"Game, 1–0. Yukimura Seiichi leads. Change sides."

After the umpire finished speaking, Kannagi Shinichi and Yukimura Seiichi walked toward each other.

But as they passed shoulder to shoulder, Kannagi Shinichi suddenly spoke. "That was your ability just now, wasn't it? I almost fell for it."

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's words, Yukimura Seiichi merely lowered his head and didn't answer.

When he reached the baseline and got ready to receive, he looked across at Kannagi Shinichi, who was preparing to serve. A bitter smile touched his lips. "So you really did notice."

During his previous service game, Yukimura Seiichi had had chances to score directly. But to deprive Kannagi Shinichi of his sight, he had kept hitting close-range shots with extreme spin. He hadn't expected Kannagi Shinichi to figure it out so quickly.

More than anything, Kannagi Shinichi had been decisive and simply given up trying to return the ball. That had left Yukimura Seiichi no chance to take his vision.

Kannagi Shinichi had already set his sights on the tiebreak, so now that it was his service game, he naturally had to give it everything he had.

He tossed the ball high, then leapt into the air. The muscles in his arm began to ripple, and he swung his racket with his right hand.

"Dragon's Roar..."

The rush of air from the tennis ball thundered across the entire court. The ball streaked like a beam of light and slammed down in Yukimura Seiichi's half.

Thump!

The deafening impact sounded like an exploding shell, rumbling across the court.

Yukimura Seiichi didn't move. Only his long purple hair fluttered in the wind stirred up by the ball.

"15–0. Kannagi Shinichi scores."

As soon as the umpire spoke, the spectators around the court began discussing the shot.

"No matter how many times I see Kannagi Shinichi's Dragon's Roar, it's still just as astonishing."

"Looks like Yukimura Seiichi can't return Kannagi Shinichi's serve either. Whoever breaks serve first will probably win the match."

On the court, Kannagi Shinichi continued serving.

"Dragon's Roar..."

"30–0. Kannagi Shinichi scores."

"Dragon's Roar..."

"40–0. Kannagi Shinichi scores."

"Dragon's Roar..."

"Game, 1–1. Scores level."

As soon as the umpire finished speaking, the members of the Hyotei tennis club began cheering loudly.

"Captain, take the lead for good!"

"Captain, you've got this!"

Just as the Hyotei players were cheering excitedly, Kannagi Shinichi disappointed them.

Yukimura Seiichi quickly fired off four serves and won his service game again. This time, Kannagi Shinichi ignored them completely, letting the balls fly past him without even touching one.

"Game, 2–1. Yukimura Seiichi leads."

The Hyotei players, who had just been roaring with excitement, fell silent. They looked at Kannagi Shinichi with reproachful eyes.

Captain Kannagi, you had such a good chance to return those shots. Why did you give up?

Kannagi Shinichi had no time to pay attention to the Hyotei tennis club members. It was his service game now, and he couldn't afford any mistakes. After all, he had only just developed Dragon's Roar.

Fortunately, Kannagi Shinichi had been worrying too much. Four Dragon's Roars won him his service game perfectly.

"Game, 2–2. Scores level."

Although the match had turned into a simple serving contest, the spectators around the court still watched without blinking.

Kannagi Shinichi's serve, Dragon's Roar, looked tremendously impressive. Its power and speed were both at their peak, packed with explosive force.

Yukimura Seiichi's serves were elegant and precise, and their spin and angles were beyond reproach.

On top of that, both players on the court were exceptionally handsome. Yukimura Seiichi was beautiful and graceful, while Kannagi Shinichi was cool and resolute.

Even if the two of them weren't playing tennis and were simply standing on the court, they would still have been a sight to behold.

The match continued.

Thump...

Thump...

Thwack...

Thwack...

The score went back and forth.

"Game, 4–3. Yukimura Seiichi leads..."

"Game, 4–4. Scores level..."

"Game, 5–4. Yukimura Seiichi leads..."

"Game, 5–5. Scores level..."

"Game, 6–5. Yukimura Seiichi leads."

Yukimura Seiichi had reached his deciding game. If he could break Kannagi Shinichi's serve, he would win the match and take the championship at this elementary school tournament.

Although that seemed a possible outcome, many spectators believed Kannagi Shinichi wouldn't drop a point in this service game. The score would be tied again, and the match would go to a tiebreak.

"Kippei, who do you think will win?" Chitose Senri asked Tachibana Kippei beside him.

Tachibana Kippei crossed his arms and watched the two players on the court. "Kannagi Shinichi is wary of Yukimura Seiichi's ability to rob people of their sight and sense of touch, but Yukimura Seiichi can't return Kannagi Shinichi's Dragon's Roar either. If neither of them has another trick up his sleeve, then whoever has more stamina will win."

On the other side, Shiraishi Kuranosuke asked Mouri Jusaburou the same question. "Mori-senpai, which of them will come out on top?"

Mouri Jusaburou scratched his long red hair and answered with some difficulty, "I don't know either. If neither of them has another trick up his sleeve, Yukimura Seiichi might have a better chance of winning. Kannagi Shinichi's Dragon's Roar takes too much out of him."

The players weren't the only ones discussing the match. Even the tennis coaches had begun talking about the two players. Seigaku coach Ryuzaki Sumire said to Bandou Mikiya beside her, "This match looks like a serving battle, but it's also a battle of endurance. The situation on court is unfavorable for Kannagi Shinichi right now. His style of play uses too much energy."

Ryuzaki Sumire watched Yukimura Seiichi with bright, intent eyes. He was evenly matched with Kannagi Shinichi, so there was no question about his talent. He was undoubtedly one of the finest of the new generation. If she could invite him and that Sanada Genichiro to Seigaku, then Seigaku would surely rise again.

"Heh..." Seeing Ryuzaki Sumire watching Yukimura Seiichi, Bandou Mikiya immediately saw what she was thinking. All he could do was let out a chuckle. If Seigaku didn't change its rule that first-years weren't allowed to touch a ball, even the best talent would be ruined by Ryuzaki Sumire.

Although Bandou Mikiya didn't like Ryuzaki Sumire, he still replied with a smile. "Heh, they might both have something up their sleeves."

At the side of the court, Sanada Genichiro watched Yukimura Seiichi walk back to the baseline to receive. He kept murmuring, "Seiichi, you have to win!"

The two players on the court exchanged a glance. Then Kannagi Shinichi leapt high once more and struck his Dragon's Roar serve.

Yukimura Seiichi narrowed his eyes and rushed to meet the ball, preparing to return the Dragon's Roar.

He had spent five games observing Kannagi Shinichi's serves. Relying on his eyes, which could see through the essence of the ball, he tried to return Kannagi Shinichi's serve.

"Ah...!" Yukimura Seiichi gripped his racket with both hands and made contact with the ball as it hurtled toward him. He poured all his strength into his arms and cried out fiercely, "Go... back...!"

"Oh my god! Yukimura Seiichi actually returned Dragon's Roar!"

"H-how is that possible...?"

The spectators on court stared wide-eyed. The Hyotei tennis club members clutched their heads and cried out in shock, their eyes filled with fear...

Sanada Genichiro stood up from his seat and shouted to Yukimura. "Yukimura..."

But before Sanada could finish, the white-haired boy at the other end of the court shouted at the same time, "Do...uble...Thun...der...Eight...Tri...grams..."