The Outcome Was Decided

In the eyes of everyone at Higa Junior High Great Fan Shi Qian being defeated, Kite no longer had anything to threaten Horio.

Little did she know that Great Fan Shi Qian had never gained any advantage over Horio from the very beginning. If Horio hadn't had his own plans, the match would have been over long ago.

In contrast to the Higa Junior High, the Seigaku students wore expressions that said, "I knew it."

"I knew Horio couldn't possibly miss that shot."

"Those last few shots were probably just him toying with the opponent."

"Anyway, that Kite is out of options now, and the final victory belongs to Seigaku."

Kikumaru and Momoshiro, the two members of the atmosphere-building team, undoubtedly took "cheering on" to the extreme, while Tezuka Fuji, and the other two had a different idea in mind.

"It seems my guess was right; Horio is indeed doing something extraordinary."

"Tezuka... did you see that shot just now...?"

"Yes, Horio neutralized all the spin on the powerful shot the opponent hit with, returning it to the opponent."

At this moment, Fuji looked serious, and Tezuka was also staring intently at Horio.

"So, the slight vibration of his racket when he received the ball was actually neutralizing the constantly changing spin of the tennis ball... He was able to completely neutralize even that complex spin with just a normal swing... Tezuka... your..."

"I don't know either... after all, that move of his only just happened."

Tezuka clearly knew what Fuji wanted to say, and even though he had some guesses in his mind, Tezuka suppressed those thoughts.

"How is this possible... He actually managed to knock my Great Fan Shi Qian back..."

The Kite was now completely consumed by self-doubt; two goals in a row could no longer be a coincidence.

"Even if you can see through the ball's spin and simulate and predict it, it still takes too much time to neutralize the spin, and the racket movements are too obvious..."

Kite stood rooted to the spot, doubting himself, while Horio also fell into deep thought.

Even if you activate both the Eye of Shattering Delusions and the Radiant Talent to simulate the ball's spin, you still won't be able to deliver a truly perfect counterattack.

To develop a flawless playing style like Extinguished Zero's, one needs more practice and refinement in real matches.

Looks like I'll have to ask that old geezer for help again sometime.

With that thought in mind, Horio returned to the bottom line once again.

He served a standard serve; he didn't intend to end the match so quickly.

Because he wanted to Kite training with the Great Fan Shi Qian, it would be a loss for Horio if such a good training subject were let go easily.

However, it seemed that Kite was spurred on by Horio's two successful counterattacks, and he didn't manage to do it even once in the subsequent matches.

They simply ran back and attacked, without even using the Ground Shrinking Technique anymore.

Bang...

"Seigaku Horio scored, the score was 5:1"

With Kite's lackluster performance, Horio quickly brought the score to match point.

"Kite Eishiro, known as an assassin in the Kyushu Region, is in such a disheveled state."

"That person seems to have completely lost their fighting spirit."

"He's been like this ever since that point in the fourth inning. It seems Horio's blow to him back then was too obvious."

"Tch, the game isn't even over yet and it's already like this, it's really ugly."

The Seigaku members also felt somewhat ashamed of Kite's negative attitude, but since he wasn't their teammate, worrying about him was pointless.

Just then, Saotome Harumi, who had been sent back to the Coach's bench by a shot from Kite at the start of the match, stood up again.

They made a move to leave the field, but Coach Ryuzaki immediately stopped them.

How about watching the game until the very end?

"Hmph... I have no interest in stray dogs."

Saotome Harumi only glanced back at Coach Ryuzaki rejecting him and leaving.

Seeing that Saotome Harumi was so ruthless towards her student, Coach Ryuzaki merely frowned, sighed, and said nothing more.

The students from Higa Junior High the sidelines saw their Coach leave once again, and those who were previously afraid were now somewhat unhappy.

Coupled with the performance of the Kite in the previous rounds, the unwilling team could no longer hold back.

"Eishiro! Do your best!"

"Don't lose to him!"

"Let them see the spirit of Okinawan men!"

The voices of the students from Higa Junior High reached Kite's ears. Kite, panting heavily from running left and right to catch the ball, looked at them.

Seeing the excitement on his teammates' faces, Kite felt a strange mix of emotions.

Although their usual conversations are often fraught with tension, they are genuine teammates who have gone through all sorts of arduous training together.

Thinking of these things, Kite's dejected mood finally eased somewhat.

"I have to admit you are very strong. Since Kyushu, I have been defeating masters from various schools, but I have never encountered an opponent like you."

Although I hate to admit it, it's true that you are much stronger than me. We have all gone through unbearable hellish training to get to this point.

Our motivation to keep going, even though we're stuffed, was that supreme trophy from the National Tournament. We never imagined we'd be defeated by you guys.

But don't underestimate us! We're the men of Okinawa! No matter the outcome today, I'll show you the spirit of Okinawan men!

With a final roar from Kite, his previously waned spirit surged forth once more with astonishing power.

At the same time, Kai and others on the sidelines were also inspired by Kite's momentum, Higa Junior High once again resounded throughout the entire stadium.

The deafening noise attracted people from other schools as well.

"Is that the person who defeated you in the Kanto Tournament?"

Outside the stadium, a group of people wearing yellow uniforms appeared.

"It was a person wearing a white headscarf and with their uniform draped over their body," said a voice.

"He's incredibly strong, I don't even know how strong he is. In this year's National Tournament, Seigaku... no, I should say he'll be our biggest rival for a three-peat."

A man wearing a hat and with a serious expression spoke up, but the man wearing a white headscarf remained calm upon hearing this.

"For Sanada to speak of someone like that, that person must be really amazing."

"Yukimura, you'd better not underestimate him. You'll definitely face him in the finals. In other words, our Rikkai Dai's hopes for a three-peat rest on your shoulders."

It turned out to be a group from Rikkai Dai, led by Yukimura, who had recovered and returned. The conversation just now was between Yukimura and Sanada.

Despite Sanada's serious words, Yukimura remained calm and composed, as if nothing was amiss.