2:0, Singles 3 Begins

Swoosh...

A sound of tearing through the air cut through the silence. A serve, fast but not too fast, flew from Horio's racket towards Fudomine's court like it was slicing through the air.

The Fudomine players stared at the ball, which seemed almost as weak as, or even weaker than, his previous serves, and voiced their confusion.

"What's with that first-year? Why is he holding back now? He just managed to return Ishida's Wave Ball, and now he wants to insult us Fudomine?"

"He's just a first-year brat. Even if he's a bit stronger, he can't possibly hit a Wave Ball like Ishida's."

"Ishida, show that first-year brat what he's made of."

The only one who could maintain his composure was Tachibana Kippei, who stood with his arms crossed. However, his furrowed brow betrayed his worry.

"This shot isn't simple at all... What that first-year said earlier was uncomfortable to hear, but I can't deny... he was just speaking the truth."

Tachibana Kippei, suddenly understanding Horio's words, lost his calm demeanor.

"Ishida! Get out of the way! Don't return that shot!"

The Fudomine players looked confused at Tachibana Kippei's words, and Ishida on the court also didn't understand why his captain was telling him not to return a ball he could clearly reach.

Ignoring the warning, Ishida gritted his teeth and swung his racket. The last bit of unwillingness in his heart made Ishida use all his remaining strength to execute a Wave Ball.

Watching the ball about to land, Ishida's tensed arm was ready.

The ball landed! It bounced! Seizing the opportunity, Ishida swung with all his might. At this moment, he didn't notice any changes the bouncing ball caused to the court.

As the ball made contact with the ground, the seemingly ordinary serve actually caused the ground to dent upon bouncing.

When it bounced again, it kicked up a cloud of dust. As the dust appeared, a figure shot out from within the dust, following the bouncing ball.

It was Ishida, who had thought he could return the shot! He was sent flying by the bouncing ball.

Due to the immense recoil force from the ball, he was knocked unconscious the moment he was sent flying.

Only the sound of Ishida hitting the ground could be heard, and silence fell both inside and outside the court.

Everyone was stunned. No one present had ever seen a ball capable of sending someone flying, especially a ball that had already lost some of its force after bouncing off the ground.

If anyone could still manage to be not entirely surprised, it would be Coach Ryuzaki, dressed in his pink tracksuit.

"Incredible. To be able to hit such an incredible shot at this age... Echizen Nanjirou couldn't even do this at his age. It seems a person who transcends an era has appeared."

"Hey, umpire, aren't you going to announce the score? That ball should have been in."

"Ah, oh, oh, oh! Horio scores! 40-0! Seigaku match point!"

The stunned umpire, reminded by Horio's voice, finally snapped back to reality.

"Umpire, they can't continue the match, right? That person seems to have fainted."

Horio looked at Ishida, who lay on the ground and hadn't gotten up, estimating he had been knocked out.

"Fudomine's Ishida has fainted and cannot continue the match. This match is won by Seigaku."

After assessing Ishida's condition on the ground, the umpire declared the result of the Doubles 2 match.

"Sigh, how boring. I thought it would be something interesting, but it's just a disappointing defective product."

Back at the team bench, Horio's dissatisfied complaints continued.

"Hey, hey, kid, you won, you won. Why are you still saying such boastful things?"

"It looks like Horio didn't enjoy the match very much."

"Regardless, you both worked hard in that match, Horio. It's our turn next, and we'll definitely win this match too."

With that, Seigaku's Golden Pair, Oishi and Kikumaru, walked onto the court with their bags.

Horio, with a disappointed look, said he was thirsty and was going to buy a drink, then got up and left the court. Momoshiro wanted to ask him to stay and watch Oishi and Kikumaru's match.

To his surprise, Horio just replied, "A match where the outcome is already known isn't worth watching. The skill gap is too huge. I'll be back when Kaidoh-senpai plays."

Hearing Horio's casual remark, the Seigaku members' faces showed a surge of confidence.

That's right, the outcome of this match was already decided. The Golden Pair would definitely not lose.

"Tezuka, if I were to play a match against Horio, it would surely be great."

"Yes, I also look forward to the day I can have a full-power match against him."

Fuji, with a smile on his face, had a hint of fighting spirit in his eyes. Tezuka, always wearing a serious expression, also had his gaze sharpen, and he unconsciously looked at his left hand.

"I must get better as soon as possible. This year is Seigaku's most promising year to win the national championship."

As expected, the Doubles 1 match ended without any suspense. Seigaku's Golden Pair gave their opponents no chance to counterattack.

Seigaku had now won two consecutive matches. If they won one more, they would be the champions of the regional preliminaries.

Shortly after Doubles 1 ended, Kaidoh was preparing to take the court, but it started to rain. Horio, who had slipped away to buy water, also returned.

"What bad luck. Kaidoh-senpai must be in a difficult situation right now."

"You brat, stop minding other people's business. No matter what, I will win."

"Oh, you get provoked that easily? That's quite surprising."

Horio, who had intentionally teased Kaitou, knew he had disrupted Kaitou's composure and decided not to push it further. Meanwhile, on the other side, Kamio Akira of Fudomine, playing singles three, maintained his focus by listening to music.

"Heh, even the fastest prey gets tired eventually. The faster you run, the faster you die."

What Horio didn't know was that his mumbling was overheard by Inui Sadaharu, who had been standing behind him. Inui thoughtfully adjusted his glasses.

Before long, the rain stopped, and singles three began on the muddy court.

After the players took the court and before they could even shake hands, Kamio Akira of Fudomine said, "I heard you have a nickname, Viper."

This directly enraged Kaitou, who was already agitated by the rain. He raised his racket and swung it at Kamio Akira.

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard, but Kamio Akira on the court managed to dodge with his agile speed.

"You really are short-tempered, Viper."

After dodging, Kamio Akira didn't stop talking, deliberately emphasizing the word "Viper." Kaitou, completely provoked, was about to lash out.

Suddenly, Horio's voice chimed in again.

"Don't misunderstand. He's not a Viper. Vipers don't get provoked and lose their patience over a few casual words, especially not by a weakling like you who just has a bit of speed."

Horio's words instantly brought Kaitou, who was on the verge of losing his mind, back to his senses. Seeing that his taunt had been seen through by Horio, Kamio Akira couldn't continue either.

Under the referee's announcement, the singles three match began.