The Tennis Ball's Arc Was Gradually Rising
"No way, it must be just a coincidence, only a one-centimeter deviation."
"Yeah, that situation just now might have been caused by a mistake on Shiraishi's part."
"No, Kane and Horio are right, Shiraishi did that ball on purpose."
The optimistic Kikumaru and Momoshiro refused to believe it until Tezuka spoke up.
"Fuji, keep going, let's see how I break your move."
Through so many returns of the ball, Shiraishi did indeed find a weakness in the Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper.
So in his return of that ball, he changed both his swing angle and the force of his swing, and the tennis ball did indeed fly higher.
Seeing that his strategy had worked, Shiraishi became happy again.
The match continues, Fuji serves.
After aiming at the near corner of the court, Fuji the left-handed Shiraishi to the right side of his half of the court.
Then Fuji to the side again, and seeing this, Shiraishi quickly came to the net to defend.
After Fuji swung his racket, Shiraishi also swung his racket back, ready to return the attack.
Just as the tennis ball flew over the net, Shiraishi thought it was going to fall, so he swung his racket to hit it.
However, the ball, which was supposed to fall after flying over the net, did not react at all and instead flew a further distance behind.
Bang...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, 15:0"
After Shiraishi's shot missed, Fuji the return shot.
"That was 'Swallow Returns to Nest'... Fuji, are you trying to pull that same trick again?"
Seeing the path left by the Swallow Returns to Nest returning to their nests after landing behind him, Shiraishi's eyes showed a strange emotion.
Even the most patient person would find it unbearable to be repeatedly subjected to such mocking tactics by their opponent.
Shiraishi turned around and went back to the backstage area, staring at Fuji with a fierce look in his eyes.
"Shiraishi is a bit flustered; he's never lost his composure before."
When Watanabe Shu, the Coach of Shitenhoji, saw Shiraishi's expression, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Are you angry? It looks like Swallow Returns to Nest and Phoenix's Return to Nest won't gain any advantage soon. We need to win this round as soon as possible."
With his eyes still closed, Fuji used his intuition to sense Shiraishi's restless aura, and after making a decision, he hit the ball.
As expected, Shiraishi's return shot this time seemed even more illogical.
The so-called "unreasonableness" wasn't in the choice of the return shot, but rather that compared to his previous perfect tennis shots, this one seemed more in line with his own will.
As if sensing this change, Fuji Swallow Returns to Nest attack once more.
Seeing this, Shiraishi couldn't decide whether he should go to the net or move back a bit, and while he hesitated, the tennis ball had already flown over the net.
Shiraishi instinctively swung his racket, and surprisingly caught and returned the ball.
However, Fuji wouldn't give Shiraishi a chance to catch his breath. After Shiraishi returned the tennis ball, Fuji sprinted to the net and hit a smash.
Bang...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, 30:0"
"I see, Fuji. You are indeed very clever to be able to use the same move to confuse your opponent."
Back in the backstage area, Shiraishi had already grasped the subtle differences between the Swallow Returns to Nest and the Phoenix's Return to Nest.
Fuji served the third ball, Shiraishi promptly returned it.
The familiar pose reappeared, and as Fuji swung his racket through the air, the tennis ball flew in an arc.
Shiraishi moved forward a few steps into the front court and swung his racket the moment the tennis ball flew over the net.
Shiraishi successfully predicted Fuji's shot and returned the rapidly falling ball.
Then, without stopping his footwork, he retreated back to midfield.
Fuji then unleashed the Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper. Shiraishi smiled, for he had already seen through Fuji's intentions.
Puff...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, 40:0"
Bang...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, the score was 6:5"
"Fuji Syusuke's Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper is completely ineffective against Shiraishi; he's at a significant disadvantage."
"But there's no time left for Shiraishi to waste. There's only one game left, and if they lose four more points, all hope is lost."
Konjiki Koharu and Kazuki Yuji of Shitenhoji had their arms around each other's shoulders. Although their expressions remained relaxed, the worry in their voices was obvious.
"Really? I think there's a pretty good chance Shiraishi will succeed."
Watanabe Shu rested one hand on the chair, his smile undiminished.
"I can't believe it, Fuji actually managed to come back from six games down to take the lead."
"This is the true strength of our Seigaku geniuses!"
"Indeed, Fuji is incredibly skilled to have achieved this level, but Shiraishi is no pushover either."
"Shiraishi 'Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper return shot is getting closer and closer to the top of the net; I think it will be about three or four more shots before he can successfully return the ball."
With Shiraishi's relentless efforts, the height of his tennis returns increased.
However, Horio wasn't worried about the tennis ball being returned affecting Fuji, because Fuji still had moves he hadn't used yet.
Thump...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, 15:0"
Thump...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, 30:0"
Thump...
"Seigaku Fuji scored, 40:0"
On the third ball, Shiraishi's return shot reached the top of the net.
"The tennis ball is getting higher and higher! Shiraishi can hit it over it with his next shot."
"Fuji Syusuke's Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper is about to be breached by the next shot; all his techniques are useless now. Shiraishi's counterattack is about to begin!"
"Shiraishi, let's finish this match quickly!"
The people of Shitenhoji also noticed the change in the tennis ball, Shiraishi on the court regained his previous smile.
"Fuji, you've run out of tricks. Even if you've reached match point, so what? You can't do anything. You can't beat me in terms of basic skills."
Seeing Fuji still with his eyes closed and his body covered in white light, Shiraishi tossed a tennis ball and hit it at Fuji.
The tennis ball flew out quickly, and at that moment, Fuji, who had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
"Shiraishi, you truly live up to your title as the tennis bible, but I can't lose this match, Seigaku can't lose, so let this be the last point!"
Fuji saying that, Fuji swung his backhand, Hundred-Armed Giant Goalkeeper punched it away again.
Seeing that Fuji was still using the same move, Shiraishi smiled and then confidently swung his racket.
Puff...
The tennis ball touched the net again, but this time the ball's lower half touched the net.
The tennis ball, which should have hit the net directly, grazed the net instead, Shiraishi hit a net-hitting shot in this return.
The tennis ball's speed and power were largely neutralized by the net, landing as a short ball in Fuji's half of the court.
Seeing this, Fuji immediately moved his feet and successfully returned the ball after it bounced off the ground.
With Fuji's swing, a Lob Shot appeared.
The tennis bible is resurrected: a figure leaps up at the net and smashes the tennis ball.