No- holds-barred Mimicry

"This time it's Spinning Snake Shot!"

Kaitou was also somewhat stunned when she saw Horio hit a backhand Spinning Snake Shot.

After the tennis ball flew out of bounds, it arced back into Hyotei's half of the court.

Kabaji moved quickly, anticipated the landing point of the Spinning Snake Shot, and swung his forehand to hit the ball back to Horio's left.

Horio immediately returned the corner kick, and then the same scene repeated itself.

Kabaji also prepared his backhand in advance, and after the ball bounced, he drew a large circle outwards, and the tennis ball also flew out of the court.

"It's also Spinning Snake Shot!"

Kabaji also hit Spinning Snake Shot from the same spot.

"It seems this talent also has obvious drawbacks."

Seeing Kabaji hit Spinning Snake Shot that was exactly the same as his own, Horio shook his head.

Then move to the landing point, lower the racket, and hit a Lob Shot.

Kabaji, Kabaji sprinted and jumped, preparing to hit a smash.

Horio wasn't idle either; he rushed to the net, pushed off with his left foot, and jumped up as well.

"Horio jumped up too! Is he trying to return Kabaji's smash in mid-air!?"

"When the opponent hits a smash, I jump too... it feels so familiar."

Oishi Fuji upon hearing Oishi's somewhat surprised tone.

"It's Billy..."

"That's right, Billy, that's exactly what he did when facing Atobe's smash."

Tezuka, who was standing nearby, obviously remembered as well, and it was only after this reminder that Fuji realized what had happened.

"Shotgun Intercept?! Kabaji! Stop!"

On the other side, Atobe, seeing such a familiar scene, knew exactly what Horio was planning and quickly stopped Kabaji.

But it was too late; Kabaji had already swung his racket by the time Atobe shouted those words.

A smash was thrown, and the tennis ball flew towards Seigaku's half of the court.

But as the tennis ball flew over the net, a racket suddenly appeared and blocked its progress.

Bang...

"Seigaku score, 15:0"

"While they can quickly absorb their opponents' skills and imitate them perfectly, they also imitate their weaknesses as well."

After landing, Horio stared at Kabaji.

During the previous Spinning Snake Shot, Horio noticed that Kabaji's movements were exactly the same as his own from the very beginning.

She even imitated Haitang's lack of range in her swing, because her arm wasn't as long as Kaitou's.

In addition, because it's a backhand shot, I simply can't hit the high-quality Spinning Snake Shot like Kaitou's.

However, Kabaji was different; his physique helped him compensate for this weakness, but in the end, the effect he achieved was the same as Horio's.

"That's strange. Kabaji's physical advantage is clearly greater than Horio's, so why did that ball have the same effect just now?"

Gan, who was off the field, also voiced his doubts, and Kaitou, who played the Spinning Snake Shot, nodded in agreement.

"Agan, what do you mean by the same effect?"

Kikumaru's question drew the attention of the others. He adjusted his glasses and continued.

"We all know that whether it's a regular snake shot or Spinning Snake Shot, it requires a large outward swing of the arm to swing the racket."

To hit the perfect snake shot, one must have a wingspan like Kaitou, but Horio, a first-year student, is clearly not developed to that extent, and he just hit a backhand.

So while it was a remarkable Spinning Snake Shot, it was undeniably not perfect.

With a height of 1.9 meters, Kabaji's wingspan was more than enough to hit the shot, but the Spinning Snake Shot he hit was exactly the same as Horio's. Isn't that strange enough...?

The thought of doing something made everyone think, and at that moment Kabaji was about to serve his second ball.

However, Kabaji did not use the Disappearing Serve again, but instead chose the Waterfall Pouring Down.

"Your technique is so perfect, let me see your strength next."

Watching Kabaji toss the ball up in preparation for his jump, Horio still held a sliver of hope.

Bang...

The sound of the ball hitting the ground rang out, with the same force as Horio, Waterfall Pouring Down shot.

With that momentum, the tennis ball flew towards Horio.

"As expected... we can only achieve a perfect copy; we cannot improve upon it."

Seeing that Kabaji was using the exact same power, Horio took a step back.

He swung his racket with a forehand, and there was a loud thud.

The tennis ball and racket collided, and the shockwave spread outwards.

The wind blew through Horio's clothes and hair, but it didn't disturb the calm expression on Horio's face.

With a soft hum from Horio, the tennis ball was successfully returned.

"Akinosuke, how fast was the ball just now?"

"214.6 kilometers, about the same as before Horio."

Upon hearing the ball's speed, Atobe was actually somewhat pleased, since Kabaji's actions had caused some discomfort for the Seigaku members.

Something's not right...

The Kabaji cascaded down the Waterfall Pouring Down, prompting Gan to ask another question.

This time, no one asked him what happened; instead, all eyes were on him.

"While Horio cannot be used as a point of comparison, I can."

Kabaji and I are about the same height, but our builds are different. I can hit a ball about 215 kilometers per hour, but Kabaji is definitely stronger than me.

"Agan, you mean..."

"That's right. It seems that Kabaji can't optimize his own shot by absorbing his opponent's techniques, so his Spinning Snake Shot and Waterfall Pouring Down were no different from Horio's."

"Did Horio also notice this problem?"

"Probably, but I don't understand why Horio would still use all sorts of ball skills when he knew Kabaji's weakness in his mimicry talent."

Inui had already guessed that Horio had discovered Kabaji's weakness, but he didn't understand why they didn't analyze this weakness in depth.

"I think it's because even if Horio didn't do that, he wouldn't have had a better way to deal with Kabaji."

Fuji's words puzzled everyone, so they continued.

"Since Kabaji can absorb his opponent's skills without reservation, even if Horio deliberately plays a flawed shot and then scores by exploiting that flaw in the subsequent rally, it will only work temporarily."

"Then Kabaji will absorb Horio's method of dealing with this move, is that what you mean, Fuji?"

Fuji in agreement.

"I don't think it's that simple. Horio might actually have a way out."

Tezuka seemed to think for a long time before speaking.

His words immediately attracted the attention of others, drawing their attention and causing them to turn their heads.

"No matter how outstanding a person's talent is, there will be a limit to their abilities within a certain period of time. Within that limit, they may be invincible, but once they exceed that limit, they will be like a kite with a broken string; without any interference, they will fly away on their own."

"So... is Horio testing the limits of Kabaji's imitation...?"