You Cannot Play Murder Tennis

"Hmph!"

With Atobe Keigo's roar, a massive impact sound echoed as the tennis ball shot towards Kannagi's side of the court.

He returned the minister's shot. Shishido Ryo gazed at Atobe Keigo with a complex expression. While the guy was arrogant and narcissistic, his skill far surpassed his own.

Mukahi Gakuto, who had been mocking alongside Shishido Ryo earlier, sighed in admiration after seeing this shot. "This guy is stronger than all of us."

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the school building not far from the tennis court, Sakaki Taro held a document and observed the match with a stern expression.

Upon seeing Atobe Keigo return the ball, a slight tremor ran through Sakaki Taro's usually cold face. He murmured, "The genius who returned from Europe, Atobe Keigo?"

He glanced at the document in his hand again. A rare smile touched Sakaki Taro's stern face. "This year's national champions will undoubtedly be Hyotei."

On the court, Atobe Keigo's return was astonishingly fast, arcing towards the baseline on Kannagi Shinichi's side.

Observing this shot, Kannagi Shinichi's eyes lit up. "Indeed, he lives up to his reputation. From this shot alone, one can see his skill is just a step away from reaching the national level."

However, for Kannagi Shinichi, it was still too weak.

Thump... thump...

Footsteps sounded as Kannagi Shinichi appeared before the ball. Watching the tennis ball about to bounce, a smirk played on his lips. "Atobe Keigo, if this is all you've got, it's far from enough!"

As Kannagi Shinichi spoke, his right hand blurred into an afterimage. The racket whistled through the air, precisely striking the ball just as it was about to bounce. A thunderous impact echoed across the entire court.

Bang...

The orange tennis ball shot out like an arrow loosed from a bow, transforming into a streak of light as it blazed towards Atobe's side of the court.

The ball carried an immense power, as if it were about to tear the very air apart.

Boom...

The ball landed.

Even Oshitari Yuushi, sitting in the umpire's chair, couldn't track this shot.

But Atobe Keigo's eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze fixed on the ball. He suddenly pushed off with his legs, kicking up a cloud of dust as he sprinted towards the ball.

Thwack...

Atobe Keigo gritted his teeth, gripping his racket tightly. He locked onto the ball and swung with all his might.

"How is it even heavier than the last shot?" Feeling the successive impacts from the ball, Atobe Keigo roared inwardly.

The moment the ball met the racket, the surrounding air began to churn. Gusts of wind ruffled the few strands of Atobe's gray hair.

"Hya..."

Atobe let out a beast-like growl as the orange tennis ball involuntarily flew towards the sky.

Seeing Atobe Keigo return the ball once more, Kannagi Shinichi couldn't help but praise him inwardly. "This eyesight is top-tier, even in all of Japan."

However...

A high-arcing ball was a perfect opportunity for a smash.

It was time to showcase his true skills. Kannagi Shinichi's new ultimate move had been itching for action.

Kannagi Shinichi leaped high into the air, seeming to float for a moment. The racket in his right hand appeared to gather thunder.

As the ball reached Kannagi Shinichi's racket, he swung his right hand with great force:

"Kōsanze... In'naraku..."

Boom...

A thunderous clap erupted. The ball, seemingly carrying countless bolts of lightning, descended from the sky into Atobe Keigo's half of the court.

Rumble, rumble...

As the ball struck, the entire court was enveloped in dust. Countless spectators by the sidelines covered their mouths, coughing lightly.

When the dust settled, a crater had formed on Atobe Keigo's side of the court. The tennis ball, still emitting white smoke, spun relentlessly within it. Not far from the ball lay a broken racket – Atobe Keigo's.

On the court, everyone stared with wide eyes, disbelief etched on their faces.

You can hit a tennis ball like that?

Atobe Keigo stared blankly at the spinning ball in the crater, his face a mask of bitterness and despair. He felt that he might never be able to return a tennis ball like this.

Seeing Atobe Keigo's current state, no one on the sidelines mocked him. After Atobe had returned Kannagi Shinichi's previous two shots, the members of the tennis club no longer cared about his initial boasts.

Atobe Keigo was strong, and Hyotei had always respected strength.

Shishido Ryo looked at the dazed Atobe and said with a sigh, "He's already at the top among our peers. It's a shame he met the club president, Kannagi."

Losing to the department head this time might be a form of growth for him.

The sleepy Akutagawa Jirou had been extremely excited before this match, as he enjoyed watching excellent techniques. However, after witnessing Kannagi Shinichi's move, his excitement vanished, replaced by the same sigh as Shishido Ryo.

Behind Kannagi Shinichi, Akutsu swallowed hard. Recalling his past provocations towards Kannagi Shinichi, a flicker of panic appeared in his eyes.

Thank goodness he held back back then.

On the second floor of the school building, Sakaki Taro, usually composed, showed a hint of losing his composure.

However, the most flustered person was another individual – Inoue Mamoru, who had appeared by the tennis court at some unknown time.

At this moment, he had forgotten to pick up his camera to take pictures, and instead stood there dumbfounded.

After a long while, he remembered to take photos and held up his camera, "click, click," aiming it at Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe Keigo on the court.

At this moment, Shishido Ryo heard the sound and looked at Inoue Mamoru, "Uncle, is that you! What are you doing here at Hyotei?"

Shishido Ryo's tone was unfriendly, and Inoue Mamoru heard the voice and looked down. It turned out to be the boy who wasn't cute at all back then.

He glanced at Shishido Ryo, then looked at Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe Keigo, who were still standing on the court. Inoue Mamoru sighed and replied, "I am a reporter for Tennis Weekly. I came to Hyotei this time to interview Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe Keigo."

Inoue Mamoru had received news that the tennis prodigy Atobe Keigo, who had returned from Britain, had joined Hyotei. Therefore, he had come specifically to interview them this time. After all, Hyotei already had Kannagi Shinichi, and if they added another strong singles player, Hyotei would undoubtedly be the strongest contender in the national tournament.

Coincidentally, as soon as he arrived at Hyotei, he saw the two of them competing. During the match, he also witnessed the power of Atobe Keigo.

However, what surprised him even more was Kannagi Shinichi; he had become even stronger than before.

"Do you know that guy?" Mukahi Gakuto and Akutagawa Jirou also came closer. Hearing that the reporter knew information about Atobe Keigo, they hurriedly asked.

"Yes, he is a very famous tennis prodigy even in Europe." Inoue Mamoru then looked at Oshitari Yuushi on the referee's chair, "His name is Oshitari Yuushi, and he is also a tennis prodigy, quite well-known in Osaka."

After Inoue Mamoru said this, Shishido Ryo and the others were a little taken aback. Were there so many talented first-years at Hyotei this year?

Then Inoue Mamoru looked at Akutsu behind Kannagi Shinichi. He had noticed him when he came to the court earlier. So, he pointed at Akutsu and asked the three of them, "Do you know who he is?"

"His name is Akutsu. We only know that the department head brought him," Mukahi Gakuto told Inoue Mamoru the information he knew.

"Kannagi Shinichi brought him?" Looking at Akutsu again, Inoue Mamoru couldn't help but murmur, "It seems this young man should not be an ordinary person either."

Outside the court, there was a lot of discussion, but inside the court, not only was Atobe Keigo dejected, but he was also lost in thought.

Kannagi Shinichi was also not feeling well. His heart was filled with bitterness, "Killer tennis is really not to be played. I just used one new ultimate move, damn it, and I'm already exhausted."