The Complete Version of Limitless Scattered Flowers

Ding ding ding...

Under the overpass, the tram pulled into the station.

The sunlight reflected off the tram window, and the weather was perfect for playing ball.

"What a coincidence, Captain, you arrived at the same time."

"We agreed on a time, so we have to be on time."

Horio and Tezuka appeared in the tennis court under the overpass.

The two walked side by side along the court's wire fence, an indescribable atmosphere brewing between them.

"Captain, what are your thoughts on the arrangements for the finals?"

"Rikkai Dai is undoubtedly a formidable opponent, with Yukimura Seiichi, who has never lost a match in an official game, and Sanada Genichiro, who is the second-in-command."

These two are formidable opponents, and the others should not be underestimated either.

"If we want to reach the top of the national competition, we must win one match in doubles and secure two wins in singles."

Sensing that the atmosphere was a bit off, Horio took the initiative to speak up and bring up the finals.

"I heard that you and Sanada had a rivalry back in elementary school, is that true? It seems you beat him very easily, and I think he must have been particularly concerned about it."

As Rikkai Dai's second-in-command, he'll definitely be the Second Singles. The Coach might even put you in the Second Singles too. If you can beat him once, you can definitely beat him twice.

"Sanada... those are all unknowable. If we really encounter him, there's nothing we can do."

Tezuka's tone was very calm, but the way his eyes were slightly raised clearly indicated that he was recalling his match with Sanada.

Seeing this, Horio didn't continue the topic, and the two went onto the court.

Without a referee, the two players took out their rackets and went to their respective halves of the court.

"Captain, I've heard something else."

The two approached the net, Horio slightly raised his head to look at Tezuka, his expression very serious.

"I heard that the German professional tennis world has already invited you, but you haven't responded yet."

Upon hearing Horio's words, Tezuka's expression changed somewhat.

"I have no plans to go there right now; I have more important things to do."

"You mean the national championship, right? Is it really worth risking so much of your life for just one sentence?"

Having a sense of responsibility is certainly a good thing, but that doesn't mean sacrificing oneself.

Tezuka's words sounded weak and powerless; Horio knew he was doing it for Seigaku.

"Moreover, once you third-year Senpai graduate, who will be left to carry the team forward at Seigaku?"

Echizen? He's already at a level where he can compete in the All-American Open. Would his father let him spend all his time at Seigaku?

Even if the remaining Senpai, Kaitou and Momoshiro, were more capable, they couldn't possibly help Seigaku go any further, or even maintain their current glory.

"It's impossible for me to stay at Seigaku forever. After we reach the national championship together, I will start my own path."

Hearing Horio make his point so clear, Tezuka fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, Horio turned around and spoke again.

"You don't need to take this responsibility so seriously. You injured your arm for three years because of just one sentence. You could have improved your skills so much more in those three years."

Three years is enough time for you to do right by Seigaku. Now you should do what you want to do.

After Horio finished speaking, he stopped walking in the backfield.

"Captain, you serve first. After this match, we probably won't play against each other for a long time, so please do your best and enjoy the game."

Knowing that the old man will send out an invitation after the National Tournament, Horio has to Tezuka go even further.

"Go all out!"

At this moment, Tezuka also adjusted his thoughts and turned to the baseline.

The movement was swift and decisive; the racket swung out cleanly after the ball was tossed up.

Tezuka immediately hit a close-angle shot, and the tennis ball flew out like a bullet.

Horio moved his feet and countered with a backhand.

The tennis ball deformed severely upon impact with Horio's racket, demonstrating the power of Tezuka's shot.

However, it had no effect on Horio at all; with a slight effort, he successfully returned the ball.

Horio didn't return the cross-court ball, but instead aimed at Tezuka's backhand area and hit a straight ball.

Then, with Inch Step movement, he appeared at the net a second later.

Seeing this, Tezuka, who was moving laterally to receive the ball, changed his original backhand smash and hit a Lob Shot with his backhand.

As if he had anticipated this situation, Horio revealed his bottom line the next second.

The tennis ball fell from the sky, Horio was ready to return the hit.

His left hand pointed high into the sky, while his right racket was poised to strike.

Tezuka saw Horio preparing to return a high straight shot, and immediately moved his feet to the middle of the baseline.

Bang!

A heavy thud resounded as a powerful ball flew out.

Tezuka gripped his racket tightly, preparing to counter Horio's fierce attack.

Puff...

The tennis ball hit the net, causing the net to move forward a few centimeters, and some of the force on the tennis ball was also dissipated.

However, the ball, having lost some of its force, did not change its trajectory and continued to fall straight down after clearing the net.

Thump...

Even the sound of trams pulling into the station from the overpass couldn't drown out the sound of a tennis ball hitting the ground.

"You seem a little distracted, Captain."

Looking at Tezuka, Horio said in a relaxed tone.

Horio jumped right into Tezuka's obvious trap, not because he didn't know he should be wary of Horio's Inch Step, but because he couldn't forget Horio's earlier words.

Bang...

Bang...

Bang...

Three more balls followed, with Horio using distance and timing differences to catch Tezuka off guard.

"If a person can't even do what he wants to do, how can he talk about taking responsibility?"

"Did you, Tezuka, live for the past three years simply by clinging to that belief that you are the pillar of Seigaku?"

As the game ended, Horio saw Tezuka still struggling between two ideas, and his tone became serious.

After saying these words to Tezuka, Horio turned around and walked towards the baseline.

Seeing the unchanging expression on Tezuka's face, Horio tossed the ball up.

Bang!

A powerful shot was launched, the tennis ball flying straight towards Tezuka.

Although Tezuka was still struggling with his own thoughts, he managed to spare some attention to deal with Horio's serve.

As the tennis ball flew rapidly over the net, preparing to bounce, Tezuka had already raised his racket, ready to return the shot.

Just as Tezuka was waiting for the tennis ball to bounce back, the ball landed and produced an incredibly complex spin.

After the tennis ball landed, its spin became irregular.

Finally, in Tezuka's view, they turned into eight balls, which slid in eight different directions.

"This is the complete version of the Limitless Scattered Flowers. It won't bounce, and it will also cause visual interference to the opponent. Your strength can't handle this ball, can it?"