Kirin Drop

"That was exhilarating, Fuji! Your time is up. I'll claim the victory for this match."

Shiraishi, looking up at the sky, swung his racket and said to Fuji.

"Really? You could have chosen other ways to retaliate, but you insisted on using a smash."

Hearing Shiraishi's somewhat smug words, Fuji's lips curled up, and he went to the spot where the ball had landed, turning his back to Shiraishi.

"Another Brown Bear Drop? Fuji, that trick won't work anymore, accept defeat... What!?"

Seeing that Fuji had his back to him, Shiraishi thought that he was going to use the Brown Bear Drop to retaliate against his smash, but Fuji's next move made him shut up.

Fuji with his back to Shiraishi, Fuji did not shift his weight forward.

Instead, he grips the racket with both hands and swings it upwards towards the smashing ball.

The powerful smash was instantly caught by Fuji, and then, with a flash of white light, the tennis ball drew a sharp arc in the air.

Bang...

"Seigaku Fuji, the score is 7-5, Seigaku wins."

The tennis ball landed, and my gaze swept over Shiraishi's surprised expression. The tennis ball lay quietly on the baseline of Shitenhoji's half of the court.

"The third counterattack: Kirin Drop."

Fuji, still with his back to Shiraishi, then uttered the move that evolved from the Brown Bear Drop.

"It falls faster than Brown Bear Drop and also raises the upper limit of the return's power."

"That move, 'Kirin Drop,' was so cool!"

"Truly a genius from our Seigaku."

The Seigaku team was quite excited to witness Fuji's evolved triple counterattack in one match.

"They actually kept a final trick up their sleeve and only used it at the last moment. What a miscalculation."

"Shitenhoji's tennis bible has actually lost; this must be his first defeat in the National Tournament."

"That last shot must have been a huge blow to Shiraishi."

The members of Shitenhoji frowned as they looked at Shiraishi, who had lost all expression on the field.

"This was a very good game."

On the court, Fuji turned around.

He walked to the net and stretched out his hand. Upon seeing this, Shiraishi hesitated for a moment before reaching out and grasping his hand.

"You're really strong, Fuji. Seigaku is truly a formidable team. However, the semifinals aren't over yet, and we at Shitenhoji won't give up."

Upon hearing Shiraishi's words, Fuji resumed his usual squinting smile.

"Really? But you guys seem to have focused all your attention on the two doubles matches, right? If that's the case, you've already lost this match."

Remembering what Coach Ryuzaki said during his pre-match pep talk, Fuji smiled and looked at Shiraishi.

Shiraishi was also taken aback, because Watanabe Shu had indeed said before the match that as long as the two doubles matches were resolved, the match would be in the bag.

Fuji's words were like a bucket of cold water poured on Shiraishi's heart, and he couldn't help but speak up.

"What do you mean? Did you all guess this already?!"

"Although we were a little skeptical when the Coach told us, judging from your expression, it seems like it's true."

After saying that, Fuji smiled and turned to leave the stage.

"What? They guessed we were going to target the two doubles matches...?"

Back at Shitenhoji, Shiraishi returned to the sidelines and reported to Watanabe Shu that his plan had been discovered.

Watanabe Shu was clearly somewhat surprised, but not overly worried.

After all, the fact that he could do this, and that Coach Ryuzaki could guess it, proves that Seigaku's doubles is indeed a weakness.

But Watanabe Shu's expression changed immediately after the announcement came over the loudspeaker in the stadium.

"Next up is the Second Doubles, featuring the Tokyo representatives Tezuka Kunimitsu and Satoshi Horio from the Seigaku Academy Horio Satoshi..."

Upon hearing the names Tezuka and Horio, not only was Watanabe Shu stunned, but the rest of the Shitenhoji were also astonished, their mouths agape.

"Seigaku actually made these two play doubles!?"

"What was Seigaku's Coach thinking! If those two were played one-on-one, it would be two separate victories."

"Our Second Doubles is going to lose too, there's no chance of winning..."

"Coach Ryuzaki, is this the method you chose to deal with us? I really didn't expect this..."

Watanabe Shu shook his head and sighed.

Just then, someone in the stadium stands saw the names Tezuka and Horio and their expression changed.

"It's Tezuka, and Horio too. But Tezuka, I'd rather compete with you than Horio."

As someone who has opened one of the legendary three gates, I'd love to have a showdown with you!

Chitose Senri, dressed casually in the audience, clenched her hands tightly on the stands, her body trembling slightly.

Then the broadcast came on again, leaving him both puzzled and somewhat delighted.

"A match against Osaka representatives Shitenhoji of Chitose Senri and Zaizen Hikaru."

"What!? Why is it my name!?"

Hearing the surprised and questioning voices of the non-regular cheerleaders from Shitenhoji around her, Chitose herself was taken aback.

"Your Chitose, what are you doing? Hurry up, it's your turn to go on stage."

At that moment, Watanabe Shu's voice came, bringing Chitose back to her senses.

"The National Tournament isn't over yet, I won't allow you to quit the club now. Let's finish your match with Tezuka first. Don't you really want to compete against him?"

"Aren't you going? Only the strong have the right to stand on the field; that's only natural."

No sooner had Watanabe Shu finished speaking than Oshitari Kenya appeared not far from Chitose.

"You really want to fight Tezuka Kunimitsu, don't you? Are you ready?"

Seeing how much her Coach and teammates were helping her, Chitose put aside her hesitation and turned to run towards the court.

"As expected of you, Ash."

"Rejecting it before submitting the resignation application was definitely the right choice."

Seeing that Chitose had already made preparations, Kintaro, who was behind Watanabe Shu, turned to him and said something.

"But did Seigaku get the wrong people? It's clearly Tezuka and Kaitou, so why is the screen showing Horio?"

"Huh? What are you talking about, Kintaro? What Kaitou?"

"Yes, the name and the person match up perfectly. That person is none other than Horio Satoshi, the one you've been longing to have a showdown with."

"Sigh, I didn't expect him to team up with Tezuka Kunimitsu Second Doubles. Looks like you don't have a chance."

"What!? He's Horio Satoshi!? He's been lying to me all along!"

When Konjiki Koharu and Kazuki Yuji say that they had mistaken him for someone else, Kintaro's face immediately fell.

"The opponent has identified our Seigaku doubles as a weakness, so we're counting on you two."

"Coach, I understand you want to finish this quickly, but I really didn't expect you to pair me and the Captain in doubles..."

On the other side, Tezuka and Horio stood in front of Coach Ryuzaki.

"Instead of going along with their wishes, it's better to end the match sooner. Fuji has already won one match, and for the Second Singles, they will probably send out a power player like Kawamura, Ishida Gin."

So you guys should win this match. If Kawamura wins, that would be great. Even if you lose, you still have Oishi and Kikumaru to fall back on in doubles. Don't drag the match into a fifth game."