Tezuka Zone
"Although I've been with them since first grade, I still haven't fully grasped their information because they usually defeat their opponents before they've even used their full strength."
But this time might be different; they are opponents who will have to go all out to defeat each other.
He held a notebook in his hand, his eyes fixed intently on the situation on the field.
The fourth game has begun.
"No matter how you look at it, Fuji's shot was Fuji superior."
"Hehe, maybe Captain Tezuka is already panicking."
"Idiot, do you even have eyes? Do you look like you're panicked?"
Momoshiro's simplistic remarks left Kaitou speechless.
On the court, Tezuka tossed the ball up.
The airflow that originally emanated from the point of contact with the racket during the second game's serve disappeared, and instead became more concentrated.
Enveloping the tennis ball, a vortex is formed around it.
This shot was faster and from a more difficult angle than in the second game.
"Aiming at the corner of the court and hitting that smash—only a player who surpasses junior high school students could pull that off."
Horio nodded when he saw Tezuka hit a near-corner shot.
Even Fuji couldn't handle a ball that was both angled so sharply and moved so fast.
The fact that he could only react passively gave Tezuka the opportunity.
Bang...
"Tezuka scores, 15:0"
Bang...
"Tezuka scores, 30:0"
Bang...
"Tezuka scores, 40:0"
"This won't do. A ball that isn't sharp enough poses no threat to him. Tezuka, you're really amazing."
After conceding three goals in a row, Fuji also realized the problem.
Just as Tezuka hit the fourth ball, Fuji once again held his racket with both hands.
After forcefully returning Tezuka's serve, Fuji went to the net again.
Bang...
"Fuji scores, 15:40"
"As expected, you really need both hands to return Tezuka's serve."
Everyone could understand Fuji's helpless move.
Fuji, using both hands, received Tezuka's serve, and the two entered into another close rally.
Tezuka suddenly hit Lob Shot when returning the ball, but Fuji seemed to have anticipated it.
They started moving early and immediately smashed the ball back after it landed.
Bang...
"Fuji scores, 30:40"
"Wow... it seems like every single shot showcased both skill and intelligence to the fullest."
"But Fuji's four-fold counterattack only used the Swallow Returns to Nest technique, and Tezuka didn't even make a move."
Watching the two players go toe-to-toe with just their basic skills, no one could imagine what it would be like if they used ball skills.
Suddenly, a gust of wind picked up on the field.
"The wind is picking up, Tezuka. I've got this match in the bag."
Feeling the wind, Fuji's eyes flickered.
On the sixth ball, Fuji returned Tezuka's near-corner shot and quickly got into position.
Just as expected, Tezuka returned the ball to the position he anticipated.
Fuji swings his right-handed backhand, unleashing a powerful Slice Shot.
As the tennis ball flew towards Tezuka, it suddenly flew upwards.
"It's the White Whale! The second move has begun!"
The tennis ball, flying upwards, suddenly falls after reaching a certain height, and then flies back.
Tezuka remained calm in the face of Fuji's White Whale attack.
Instead, he moves his body simultaneously as the ball flies past him, keeping up with the tennis ball, and then swings his racket to hit a smash.
Seeing that the White Whale had been defeated, Fuji changed his tactics.
The Brown Bear Drop to receive Tezuka's smash, and facing Fuji, who had already used three counterattacks, Tezuka finally reacted.
Tezuka didn't move to receive the ball from the backcourt after the Brown Bear Drop's return shot; instead, he remained stationary.
A vortex emanated from Tezuka, covering the entire court, and tennis balls that were originally far away from Tezuka flew towards Tezuka.
"It's the Tezuka Zone!"
His signature moves were repeatedly broken, Fuji once again executed Swallow Returns to Nest.
Tezuka quickly moved to the net and hit a short backhand shot just as the tennis ball was about to drop.
Fuji immediately moved, anticipating the moment and managing to catch the ball.
However, the ball, which should have bounced, spun rapidly in the opposite direction after landing and rolled along the ground towards the net.
"Zero-style... Slice Shot..."
Tezuka scores, score 2-2
"What just happened...?"
"What on earth is going on?!"
"Tezuka actually broke through Fuji's triple counterattack with just one move."
What just happened was so sudden, Fuji's triple counterattack was executed flawlessly.
Tezuka's calm retort left the audience in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Fuji on the field stared wide-eyed, seemingly surprised by how much he had improved.
Even after employing a triple counter-attack, they still failed to score.
"I knew this day would come, the day I would risk everything to fight you."
Fuji had been gritting his teeth in resentment, suddenly smiled.
"Now, I'll show you the real me."
Looking at Tezuka in front of him, Fuji's memories were pulled back to two years ago.
As freshmen who have just joined the tennis club, Tezuka and Fuji are both among those with outstanding tennis skills.
However, the approachable Fuji and the meticulous Tezuka are two extremes, but the two seemingly unlikely to cross paths were broken when Fuji took the initiative to greet him.
Seeing Tezuka, then a first-year student, cleaning the basketball court alone, Fuji smiled and walked over to greet him.
Tezuka was somewhat taken aback by Fuji's sudden greeting.
Fuji then challenged Tezuka to a match, but Tezuka had already injured his arm.
Tezuka, who had initially intended to refuse, sensed Fuji's kindness and instinctively agreed.
Thus came Tezuka's Oishi defeat, as described by Oishi, but the true story was known only to the two players involved in the match.
"We've been training together since first grade, and that's when we all trusted you."
However, you've been incredibly strong since first grade, and I'd really like to have a serious match with you.
Back in the present, Fuji's fighting spirit is reignited.
The fifth game begins with Fuji serving.
Tezuka directly opened the Tezuka Zone, Fuji was forcibly moved around.
Bang...
"Tezuka scores, 15:0"
Bang...
"Tezuka scores, 30:0"
Bang...
"Tezuka scores, 40:0"
Bang...
Tezuka scores, score 3-2
Fuji's serve has been broken.
He's in trouble.
At this point, Fuji was completely overwhelmed by Tezuka, and if this continued, defeat was inevitable.
"Are you still planning to hide it? That won't do."
Horio's sudden remark left the worried group somewhat bewildered.
"What are you talking about Horio?"
"Are you Fuji there's something Fuji hasn't shown yet?"
"Besides that Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper move, has Fuji practiced some new ball skills...?"