Defeating Tezuka!

Watching Tezuka, who stood across from him with a weary face and sweat covering him, Chiba Yun Chuan didn't hold back. It was a sign of respect for Tezuka, and a point of pride for Chiba Yun Chuan!

"Tezuka, I'm looking forward to our next match. But this time, I'll be taking the win!"

Seeing how relaxed Chiba Yun Chuan looked in stark contrast to himself, Tezuka didn't say much.

Instead, he focused on getting ready to serve!

Tezuka's body was exhausted, but his gaze remained sharp!

Suddenly, a glint flashed in Chiba Yun Chuan's eyes, and his pupils turned purple!

He looked utterly otherworldly.

"Tezuka, you still want to win a point like that? Then I'll let you have it!"

As soon as Chiba Yun Chuan finished speaking, Tezuka felt as if something had interfered with him, leaving him momentarily dazed!

But he quickly recovered!

Tezuka shook his head, tossed the tennis ball high with his right hand, and his whole body began to glow white!

Then, holding his racket in his left hand, he swung down from above. Just as the ball dropped to the right height—

Limit of Thousand Forgings!

The racket, glowing white, struck the ball with a slicing motion!

Bang!

The ball began spinning at incredible speed as soon as it was struck!

Then it flew toward Chiba Yun Chuan's side of the court, trailing powerful air currents!

It let out repeated sonic booms as it flew, trailing smoke as well.

Zero Style Serve!

As soon as the ball crossed the net, it dropped toward the ground!

Chiba Yun Chuan appeared in front of it too, and swiftly swung his racket before the ball could hit the ground!

But the ball was spinning too fast. There was no way to cancel out its spin!

After hitting the ground, it rolled straight along the surface back toward the net!

Seeing this, Tezuka finally let out a breath of relief!

He'd finally won a point!

The ball was now on Tezuka's side of the court!

But he wasn't happy. He took a deep breath and slowly walked to the net,

where Chiba Yun Chuan was also making his way over.

"I lost. You're strong—the strongest middle schooler I've ever met!

I hope I get the chance to play you again.

And... thank you!"

At first, Tezuka hadn't realized anything was amiss. But as the match went on, he noticed something was wrong!

There was no way Chiba Yun Chuan's skill level would let him keep the match going this long. Tezuka couldn't think of a reason why!

But he knew Chiba Yun Chuan had been using the techniques he himself had used, watching Chiba Yun Chuan perform his own shots.

Tezuka had noticed many of his own shortcomings, and learned a great deal from it!

Once he had digested what he'd learned today, Tezuka believed he'd be able to raise his level by another notch!

So his gaze was filled with both solemnity and gratitude!

The purple in Chiba Yun Chuan's eyes faded!

But he was still surprised. Tezuka hadn't fallen into his illusion!

"No need to thank me. Would you be interested in joining Hyotei?"

Chiba Yun Chuan openly tried to recruit him in front of everyone, though only the two of them could hear.

At Chiba Yun Chuan's words, Tezuka looked back toward the Seigaku stands. He stared for a few seconds,

then slowly replied,

"Thank you for the invitation. I'm Seigaku's Captain!"

After saying that, he shook hands with Chiba Yun Chuan, then turned and walked away!

"Tezuka, I'm looking forward to our next match. I hope you can win at least one point next time!"

Tezuka stopped in his tracks at those words, then continued walking off the court!

Watching Tezuka's retreating figure, Chiba Yun Chuan turned and headed back to the Hyotei team!

"Game, Hyotei. Score: 6–0.

The match is over. Hyotei wins, 3–1!"

As the referee's voice rang out, the second singles match ended with a score of 6–0!

Hyotei had also taken the semifinal, three matches to one!

They had advanced to the Metropolitan Tournament final, though it was still unclear who they would face, since the other two teams hadn't finished their match yet.

The spectators, now aware of the result, began discussing it again.

"Hyotei's Captain is so strong!"

"They won, and it wasn't even close!"

"Yagami is incredible!"

By then, Chiba Yun Chuan had returned to the Hyotei team.

"Captain, you were amazing!"

"Captain, you're so strong! We're in the finals!"

"The next match will be a breeze!"

Chotaro and the others spoke with excitement and respect—the respect one felt for the strong!

"Chiba, I didn't realize you'd been hiding so much. What else have you got?" Atobe was curious about Chiba Yun Chuan's skill, as always!

Hearing that, Chiba Yun Chuan replied, "I told you already. I'm a god."

"Tch."

Over with Seigaku,

Tezuka had returned to the middle of the team.

Seigaku now looked like soldiers who'd lost a battle. Every one of them seemed like a wilted eggplant, their eyes dim!

Seeing their expressions, Tezuka shouted,

"We only lost one match. Have you all lost your fighting spirit? When we get back, each of you will run fifty laps around the track!

"We lost this time, but that doesn't mean we'll lose next time!

"Our opponents are strong, but as long as we keep working hard, we'll beat them one day!"

Hearing Tezuka's words, the Seigaku players silently clenched their fists!

Gradually, light returned to their eyes!

It was true: Seigaku had lost all three of the matches today by a score of 6–0!

The one game they'd won had only been because a Hyotei player was injured.

Otherwise, the match would already have been over.

"Tezuka's right. We'll train hard when we get back and aim to make it to the National Tournament!"

Ryuzaki Sumire called out loudly as well.

The Seigaku players replied,

"Understood, Coach!"

"Inoue, Seigaku really has a lot of fight in them. But Hyotei really is strong!

"No wonder you think so highly of them!"

Inoue Mamoru watched the Hyotei players, admiration in his eyes!

"That's right. Coach Ryuzaki Sumire is certainly capable, but Hyotei's overall strength is just too great!

"Seigaku still has a long way to go before they can beat them!"

"Yeah."

Chiba Yun Chuan was just about to lead his team away when he suddenly noticed a petite figure in the corner.

So he turned to the Hyotei players and said,

"Atobe, take them back first!

"I've got something to do, so I won't be going with you."

After saying that, Chiba Yun Chuan slung his tennis bag over his back and headed out alone.

"You, honestly..." Atobe muttered, then led the Hyotei players away.

"Atobe, does Chiba have something to do? Why isn't he coming with us?"

Oshitari watched Chiba Yun Chuan walk away alone, sounding curious.

"Captain must have something to take care of. But he was amazing today!" Chotaro was still thrilled that Chiba Yun Chuan had beaten Tezuka.

"Come on. Chiba told me to take you all out to relax!" Atobe said lightly as he walked ahead.

"Really? That's great! The Captain's the best!"

No one had expected the match between Hyotei and Seigaku to end so quickly.