The Tennis Machine

"So, Fuji- Senpai, that nickname 'Arnold Tennis Machine' wasn't given for nothing, was it?"

"That's right, he is indeed very strong. His ball control is as precise as if he has a scope."

"However, it seems that Arnold hasn't used his full strength yet. Whether to continue probing or start a counterattack is up to you."

"I think so too. If that's all the skill he has, he'll be helpless against speed-type opponents. So I'm going to push him a little harder."

On the Coach's bench, Horio looked at Fuji, who was resting, and they exchanged information about the first game.

Although they both agreed that Arnold Tennis Machine, their expressions showed no sign of worry.

"The opponent is probably still observing the situation in the first game, so let's give him a good thrashing from here on out."

"Yes, boss."

Coach Baker did not relax after easily winning the first game; instead, he urged Arnold to press his advantage.

The second game begins with Fuji serving.

Presumably because Arnold's full potential hasn't been realized yet, Fuji, standing on the baseline, didn't intend to use the Disappearing Serve.

Toss the ball up and serve a standard serve.

The two then began to fight, repeatedly shifting left and right to counterattack, and for a time they were evenly matched.

Arnold was the first to act, his eyes scanning Fuji's half of the court once again with robotic precision.

He quickly aimed at the position behind Fuji's right side and then hit a powerful straight shot with his forehand.

Having anticipated this, Fuji quickly appeared behind the landing point of the tennis ball and returned it with a forehand.

However, because Arnold added extra force to the shot, and because of Arnold calculations before returning the ball...

Fuji's ball became a high ball this time, and the tennis ball flew into the sky.

Seeing that his calculations had come true, Arnold did not hesitate and immediately jumped up to Smash Shot.

Seeing the Smash Shot, Fuji remained completely calm.

Take a step back, then firmly plant your left foot.

He turned his body backward and swung his racket backward at the same time.

He slightly bent his right foot to absorb the force of the Smash Shot, and then Fuji spread his crossed hands to the sides, receiving the originally threatening Smash Shot.

The tennis ball flew into the air again, heading straight for Arnold's backcourt.

Knock knock knock...

"Kanto team scores, 15:0"

"Looks like they haven't investigated us properly. They don't even know that you can't easily smash against Fuji."

"Fuji's Brown Bear Drop are getting more and more exquisite. That last shot was impeccable in terms of both angle and timing."

The Kanto team members had already appeared at the players' tunnel outside the field.

With a crucial match looming, they simply couldn't stay in the players' area.

Meanwhile, the West Coast team also appeared at the players' tunnel on the other side.

"That move just now, was it Oshitari used before?"

"I knew these players shouldn't be underestimated."

Having already Oshitari at the hands of Brown Bear Drop, the Griffith Brothers were impressed by Fuji's use of the Fuji technique again, and were amazed by the strength of the Kanto team.

Arnold's expression changed slightly after that shot, but he quickly regained his composure.

On the sidelines, Coach Baker showed no anger whatsoever at Fuji's shot that Fuji in the Brown Bear Drop.

On the contrary, the moment he saw the change in Arnold's expression, he himself also revealed a slight smile.

The second ball was hit, Fuji still did not use the Disappearing Serve.

It was another fight with Arnold, and this time Fuji struck first.

In response to Arnold's return shot, Fuji deliberately hit Lob Shot.

As Fuji, Arnold jumped towards the high-flying ball.

Seeing that Arnold had fallen for the trap, Fuji began to move.

His left foot had already moved back, ready to strike the Brown Bear Drop, but then Arnold's jump changed.

"Unfortunately, your trick no longer works on me."

Arnold leaps into the air, nearing the perfect striking point.

The player, who was originally preparing to smash, suddenly withdrew and instead performed a forehand flat drive in mid-air.

Arnold's sudden change caught Fuji somewhat off guard.

Fortunately, Arnold's return shot landed Fuji far from Fuji, and he managed to return the ball despite being slightly off-balance.

"That Arnold is really something. He figured that as long as Fuji didn't Smash Shot Fuji wouldn't be able to use the Brown Bear Drop, so he deliberately used a feint to disrupt Fuji's balance for that instant."

Gan Jiang, who was watching from the sidelines, had seen Arnold's change of tactics and Fuji's loss of balance, and had also figured out Arnold's intentions.

On the field, the two continued their battle.

After shifting Fuji's position several times, Arnold once again focused on the bottom right corner of Fuji.

Then, with a forehand swing, the ball with its arc reappears.

"As expected, that Arnold has a precise aiming technique."

Faced with the same ball skill once again, Fuji decided to fight fire with fire.

Since Arnold's shots exhibit a unique upward arc, it proves that the topspin on the ball is also very strong.

Fuji also has a way to deal with balls with strong topspin; he Fuji raises his left hand slightly.

With the right-hand racket nearly parallel to the ground, swing it out when the opportunity arises.

The tennis ball flew out in an arc, and Arnold remained calm in the face of the equally arcing ball.

Quickly calculate the ball's landing point, and Arnold takes his position to return the ball.

However, this shot was destined not to go as he wished; the tennis ball did not bounce after landing, but instead slid along the ground.

"Are you still planning to test the waters using just this kind of rotation?"

When Coach Horio saw that Fuji's "Swallow Returns to Nest" shot mostly relied on the ball's original spin, he realized that Fuji still wasn't serious.

"Kanto team scores, 30:0"

"As expected of the genius Fuji Syusuke, it's a pity you won't last much longer. Don't get too cocky."

On the other side of the Coach bench, Coach Baker saw that Fuji showed no intention of holding back and was dismissive of it.

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, 40:0"

"He was deliberately trying to make me use Swallow Returns to Nest again, wasn't he? Since you want to experience it, then I won't hold back."

Fuji again with Swallow Returns to Nest on the third point, taking the game point in the second game. However, this time it was Arnold deliberately Fuji hit the same shot.

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, score 1-1"

Another Swallow Returns to Nest Fuji won back a game.

Despite easily losing a game, both Arnold on the court and Coach Baker off the court remained relaxed.

Even a faint smile could be seen on Arnold's face, as if he understood something.