Two Doors Open

"My Radiant Talent prediction was absolutely perfect, but why..."

On the field, Chitose closed her eyes, pondering what had happened with those few shots.

"There's no use thinking about it so much; I just have to pull myself together."

Suddenly, Chitose patted his face, seemingly not discovering any secret.

"Next up is one ball."

Just as Chitose picked up her racket to continue the match, Tezuka on the opposite side gave a warning before Chitose could react.

"What?! They actually released a preview beforehand! But even if it's exaggerated, it's impossible."

Tezuka's words made Chitose very suspicious, but the moment he looked at Tezuka, his eyes changed.

He seemed to see a tsunami rushing towards him, and the aura emanating from Tezuka rendered his Radiant Talent useless.

Bang...

"Tezuka Horio of Seigaku score, score 1-1"

"That was... Radiant Talent!?"

You can even open two doors... that's incredible."

Sensing Tezuka's aura, Chitose broke out in a cold sweat.

"Seigaku is truly an unfathomable opponent. The Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired and the path of Radiant Talent are two completely different doors that cannot coexist."

I already thought it was incredible that Horio could do that, but I never expected you to reach that level just now too.

Faced with Tezuka's relentless attacks, Chitose passively retaliated.

Upon learning that Tezuka had awakened his Radiant Talent, he was filled with mixed emotions.

"By setting a limit for myself, I may have already determined my own limits. What a powerful man you are, Tezuka Kunimitsu!"

"Tezuka and Horio of Seigaku score, score 2-1"

"Was I wrong about what he said before!? He wasn't referring to Horio Satoshi, but to himself!"

On the court, after Tezuka unleashed his Radiant Talent and countered Chitose 'Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired, he also successfully unlocked his own Radiant Talent.

At this moment, Tezuka's body surface shone with an unusual light, and his pupils were also affected by this unusual light.

"His evolution is still ongoing; the outcome of this match is already decided."

In the audience area, Atobe saw the rising aura emanating from Tezuka and felt a surge of excitement.

Then he turned and left the field.

"Not bad, Captain. You've managed to explore the power of selflessness after mastering the Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired."

That makes sense, considering you already had Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired foundation when you joined the club in your first year. With your arm injured, you had no choice but to change direction.

On the sidelines, Horio watched Tezuka on the court, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"How are you, Horio? Feeling excited? Tezuka, like you, has opened two of the three legendary doors at the same time."

"You think so too, Coach? I'm not like the Captain."

Seemingly having noticed Horio's smiling profile, Coach Ryuzaki assumed that Horio had found a worthy opponent.

However, Horio didn't call out Coach Ryuzaki's self-righteous words, but instead turned around and gave him a meaningful smile.

Upon seeing this, Coach Ryuzaki's previously smiling expression froze, and he stared intently at Horio, as if trying to see through him.

"Tezuka, you've become stronger and stronger. I probably can't beat you anymore."

Indeed, with someone like that around, it's hard not to become stronger.

Off the field, Fuji's gaze lingered on Tezuka for a while before turning to Horio.

Bang...

"Tezuka and Horio Seigaku score, making the score 6-1, Seigaku wins."

At the end of the seventh game, after Tezuka scored with a return of the final point using the "Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired" technique, the referee announced the result of the match.

During this period, in several matches, Tezuka's "Hundred Refinements Self-Acquired" and "Radiant Talent" were activated simultaneously, along with the Tezuka Zone.

The combination of these three would win even against a fully-formed Chitose and Zaizen, let alone a Chitose Radiant Talent has been diminished.

"That was a fantastic match."

"You've lost completely. I never expected you could do something like this. Looks like you were under a lot of pressure."

At the net, Tezuka and Chitose held hands.

Upon hearing Chitose's words, Tezuka paused for a moment, then understood what Chitose meant.

Instead of responding, he glanced at Horio was shaking hands with Zaizen beside him.

"Captain, you should still remember our previous agreement, right?"

"Of course I remember. My arm has fully recovered, and I can fulfill the agreement at any time."

"The semifinals are over, but there's still some time before the finals. Let's make it tomorrow, at the tennis court under the tram overpass."

When Horio set the match for the next day, Tezuka hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

"The Second Singles match between Seigaku and Shitenhoji will now begin, with Seigaku's Kawamura facing Shitenhoji Ishida."

With the Second Doubles ending, Seigaku holds match point.

If Seigaku wins their Second Singles as well, they will have another three-game winning streak, just like their match against Hyotei, and advance directly to the next round.

"Kawamura -Senpai, I'm counting on you for the Second Singles! Let them see the power of Seigaku's number one team!"

"Go, Coach Ishida! Don't let Seigaku get too cocky!"

"That's right! You're still far from being as strong as our master!"

Before the match even started, the two sides started arguing about whose athlete was stronger.

"Alright, this match is up to you, Kawamura. Your opponent is also a power-type fighter, and he'll definitely be a good match for someone like you who aspires to become the strongest fighter in the nation."

"Yes, Coach. Everyone won the first two games, and I won't be an exception."

"But... you've seen their match against Fudomine, right? Their strength shouldn't be underestimated. If you're really not up to it, don't force it."

Your safety is more important than winning the game.

"Yes, I won't let him succeed so easily. I have a secret weapon!"

On the Coach bench, Coach Ryuzaki looked at Kawamura, whose muscles exuded power.

Remembering how Kawamura used to sacrifice his wrist for matches, I couldn't help but remind him.

When Kawamura heard the Coach say that, he just smiled and then looked at Horio on the sidelines.

Sensing Kawamura's gaze, Horio responded with a knowing smile.

Seeing this, Coach Ryuzaki said nothing more; she knew that Horio must have done something for Kawamura.

"The match officially begins, with Shitenhoji from Ishida serving."

"Those who possess great power will not choose to hide it; that's only human nature."

On the court, Ishida as a monk.

However, his massive and exaggerated muscles were completely at odds with his demeanor.

He calmly finished saying those words, then tossed the ball up and swung the simplest of shots.

Bang!

However, the seemingly simple swing produced a rather deafening sound when the ball was hit.