Winning the Championship Early

In the court, Sengoku bounced the ball rhythmically, his earlier casual attitude gone.

"Alright, let's have a real match now, Momoshiro."

With that, he tossed the ball into the air, higher than his usual serves, then bent his knees and leaped with all his might.

Sengoku's astonishing jumping ability was on full display. As the ball reached its apex, he arched his body slightly backward and swung his racket arm down with his wrist.

The tossed tennis ball shot out at an incredible speed. Momoshiro, who had already focused and prepared to return, couldn't react in time and only heard the sound of the ball landing.

"Maximum power, it's a bit like Kawamura's forward-diving波動发球 (波動发球 - a type of serve), but his body dimensions aren't quite there. Otherwise, it could be a threatening serve."

Horio saw Sengoku use the Tiger Cannon so quickly and figured Momoshiro should be back to his senses.

Bang...

"Sengoku scores, 40:0."

"Disrupt him when Momoshiro is in good form, then go for the kill once he loses his cool. Yamabuki is still Yamabuki."

Having experienced it himself, Oishi, seeing Momoshiro suppressed by Sengoku, had some reservations about Yamabuki's tactics.

"Alright, time to finish this."

Sengoku, full of confidence, tossed the ball high again, leaped, and unleashed another Tiger Cannon.

As the fast-flying ball neared the ground, Momoshiro suddenly appeared at its landing spot.

Holding his racket with both hands, he executed a half-volley.

"Momoshiro scores, 15:40."

Everyone on and off the court was astonished to see the fast-flying ball returned. Even Echizen Nanjirou, watching from a distance, was taken aback.

"Our Hot-blooded Monster isn't so easily defeated. A hot-blooded monster with astonishing insight... the match is just beginning."

"Momoshiro is used to playing with both hands now. I guess I can teach him something new."

Watching Momoshiro hit a half-volley with both hands just now, Horio also had an idea.

"Hey Horio, get me my match racket."

"Senpai, you didn't bring your match racket. Just use a practice racket for now."

Bang...

"Momoshiro scores, the score is 3:3."

"He's caught up! Senpai is amazing."

"Go, Senpai! Beat him!"

Hearing the cheers from his juniors, Momoshiro became even more excited.

He rotated his right foot, a smile creeping onto his lips.

"Is it finally starting? I'll show him what a real Vertical Smash is."

"With Momoshiro using his right foot, even your superior dynamic vision won't help."

Horio glanced at Momoshiro, then at Sengoku, before announcing he was going to buy drinks and would be back in ten minutes.

The Seigaku members looked at the ever-unpredictable Horio with a sense of helplessness.

After all, his eccentricities had never caused any real problems, so they had always indulged him.

"Mr. Nanjirou, what are you doing here? Ryoma is playing singles one today, so he won't get a chance to play."

After buying drinks, Horio approached Echizen Nanjirou. He had noticed him the moment he appeared.

"Oh, it's you, young man. I'm just here to see an acquaintance, old man. I had some time, so I was just wandering around. I wasn't here to watch my brat's match."

Hearing Echizen Nanjirou's words, Horio subconsciously glanced towards the Yamabuki coach's bench.

"Is that so? Since you're just wandering, I won't disturb you. My match is coming up soon. If you're interested, you can watch me take out the trash."

"Is that so, young man? Then I must take a good look."

Horio then bid farewell to Echizen Nanjirou, thinking Momoshiro's match should be over by now.

"Match over, score 6:3, Seigaku wins."

"Yay! We won!"

"Senpai is so amazing!"

"Damn it, I lost. You're strong, Momoshiro, but I definitely won't lose next time."

Sengoku, despite admitting Momoshiro's strength, was still somewhat unwilling to accept defeat.

"Alright, next time I won't go easy on you either."

"Next up is the second singles match, players please prepare."

Under the referee's announcement, the second singles match between Seigaku and Yamabuki began.

Since Seigaku had already won two matches, everyone from Yamabuki appeared very nervous.

In contrast, Seigaku looked as if the match was already over, as if they had already secured the championship for the prefectural tournament.

In fact, what others didn't know was that they had indeed already won the championship.

"Everyone, watch this match carefully. After this match, until the Kanto Tournament, you all need to stay close to me as much as possible. Otherwise, winning the national championship will be very difficult."

Watching Horio finish speaking and walk directly onto the court, everyone seriously adjusted their state to prepare to observe Horio's match.

"Just you wait, I'm definitely going to crush you."

Looking at Horio walking onto the court, Akutsu glared at him hatefully.

"No need to stare at me like that. Don't you want revenge? I'll give you the chance."

Horio said as he walked towards Akutsu.

"I'll give you the serve. You'd better use all your strength, otherwise, when you have no moves left, it will be your time to go to hell."

As Horio spoke these words, a massive mental power erupted simultaneously, instantly making Akutsu feel somewhat suffocated.

Sensing Horio's terrifying aura, Akutsu became even more determined to end the match quickly. He stopped talking and walked towards the baseline.

Horio also didn't waste any more words, turning and walking towards the baseline.

From his hiding spot under a tree not far from the court, Echizen Nanjirou took in the scene. The shock in his eyes had not yet subsided.

"Such immense mental power. Could this young man be playing Mental Tennis? At this age, to possess the mental power of a world-class player... if he has another year, even I, an old man, would find him troublesome."

After speaking, he looked towards Ryoma again, a meaningful smile on his face.

"Ryoma, with so many interesting companions around you, to what extent will you grow... I'm truly looking forward to it."

Inside the court

Thwack... thwack... thwack...

After bouncing the ball a few times, Akutsu caught it. Then, with a fluid motion, he tossed the ball, jumped, and swung his racket—simple and brutal.

The ball, once struck, flew out with immense impact.

This simple serve was already beyond the reach of others. It was a ball struck purely by Akutsu's physical ability.

It wasn't imbued with any specific technique, yet it was more threatening than if it had been.

Those watching from the sidelines who had never seen Akutsu play were moved. At this moment, only one thought occupied their minds: this was a formidable player.

Looking at the ball flying rapidly towards him, Horio showed no surprise.

"As expected, just a half-baked player who learned along the way, thinking he can do whatever he wants with just talent. Today, I'll let you know what it means to have chosen the wrong path."