New Tennis Skill

"Seigaku scores, the score is 6:0, Seigaku wins."

"Yeah! Seigaku! Seigaku! Seigaku!"

"That was amazing, kid."

With the referee's announcement, Seigaku unexpectedly won the metropolitan tournament and would participate in the Kanto Tournament as a seeded team.

"Tezuka, we're one step closer to the national championship. You can focus on your treatment with peace of mind."

Upon hearing of Seigaku's victory, Oishi, the acting captain, couldn't help but think of Tezuka, who was undergoing treatment for his arm.

Horio, who had just come off the court, saw the crowd waiting for him outside, all looking excited.

"Horio, you were incredible. Akutsu didn't stand a chance against you."

"I didn't expect you to be this good, kid. It looks like we need to work harder too."

"Yeah, I'll revise the training plan once we get back today. The improved version of Inui Juice is almost ready, and everyone will definitely make greater progress then."

Witnessing Horio's crushing victory, Inui Sadaharu, the assistant coach, gained a new understanding of junior tennis.

He firmly believed that Seigaku's regulars had more room for improvement, and he wanted to ensure everyone's strength for the sake of the national championship.

"Congratulations, Coach Ryuzaki. That was a spectacular match."

"This isn't my credit; the kids played well."

"Yes, those juniors are indeed very good. Your Seigaku has gained a really excellent player this year."

"You flatter me. I can't even see the future of that child. I believe he'll be soaring to greater heights before long."

"I will remember this match. One day, I will get my revenge."

"To think I'd see such a remarkable junior after twenty years. A new era is about to begin."

Echizen Nanjirou, still as unconventional as ever, walked along swaggering, muttering to himself, but with a completely different look of happiness on his face.

After venting some of the joy from their victory, the Seigaku members prepared to leave. Just then, Tachibana Kippei arrived with his sister, Tachibana An.

"Congratulations to all of you, and congratulations to you too, Horio. The metropolitan tournament is over; it's our turn now."

After congratulating the Seigaku members, Tachibana Kippei immediately turned his gaze to Horio. Seeing Tachibana Kippei's eyes burning with fighting spirit, Horio also became interested.

"That's exactly what I want. I hope you've been practicing well during this time, or I won't have much fun."

"Don't worry. I've undergone special training for our match."

"I'm so thirsty... You guys go ahead, Senpai. I'm going to buy a drink."

"Alright, Horio. Remember to attend training on time tomorrow."

"Okay."

With Oishi's permission, Horio left on his own.

"Phew... refreshing. There's nothing more satisfying than a drink after playing."

After taking a big gulp of his drink, Horio sighed with genuine satisfaction. He then prepared to take another large drink.

"I will defeat you..."

Suddenly, an angry voice came from behind him. Horio turned to look.

He saw a boy slightly shorter than him, wearing a headband.

"Are... are you talking to me?"

"Yes, you! You beat Akutsu-senpai. One day, I will defeat you in place of Akutsu-senpai."

"What are you talking about... Oh, you're Yamabuki's tennis club manager, Dan Taichi, right?"

"That's right. Please remember my name. I will definitely defeat you in the future."

"Hey, let me ask you, what do you think of Akutsu?"

"Ah... Akutsu-senpai. Akutsu-senpai is a very strong person. He plays tennis very well."

"Heh, so you only think he plays tennis well and that's why you're defending him? But do you know that the person you're defending isn't very interested in tennis?"

"How is that possible? Akutsu-senpai plays tennis so well, how could he not like tennis?"

"I don't need to explain myself to you. I don't have to account for my actions to anyone. If you think defeating someone is a great achievement, then so be it."

He then ignored Dan Taichi, who was still looking indignant, and turned to drink his beverage, preparing to head to the training hall.

"Your move is already perfect, isn't it? Why do you keep practicing?"

Inside the training hall, the owner couldn't help but ask as he watched Horio practicing the same move alone.

"No tennis skill is perfect. All I can do is strive to perfect every move I make."

"Is that so, strive for perfection... Yeah... That's just like you."

As he turned to leave, Horio suddenly called out to the shop owner.

"I've been practicing a new move recently. Want to see it?"

"A new skill? What an honor."

"Can you return my serve? Should I go easy on you?"

"Of course! You can't bully a tennis enthusiast like me, can you?"

Hearing this, Horio shook his head and chuckled, casually serving the ball.

"When you return it, use all your strength. Otherwise, I won't be able to gauge the force properly."

"Hey, hey, hey, you're quite demanding."

Despite his words, the owner braced himself and returned the ball with all his might upon hearing Horio's advice.

Feeling the full-force return, Horio had a plan forming in his mind.

"Get ready, brace your muscles."

With that, Horio got into position. As he saw where the ball would land, he gripped his racket tightly, and a faint purple aura appeared.

He hit a flat volley, using the front end of his racket as the point of contact.

As the racket met the tennis ball, the purple aura flowed entirely into the ball, and then he struck it back.

The owner, standing on the opposite court, watched the ball fly back towards him, his eyes blurring slightly as he stared intently.

He felt as if multiple balls were flying at him, the image of the ball doubling, yet he could still barely make out its trajectory.

After roughly discerning the ball's path, the owner, feeling unprecedented pressure, tensed his arm muscles and swung his racket.

"Got it!"

The owner felt a moment of joy upon successfully returning the ball, but then a sharp pain shot through his arm.

It felt as if his arm was being forcibly twisted by a machine, and he instinctively let go of his racket. Only then did the tearing pain in his arm slowly subside.

"How was it? To make sure you could return it, I probably controlled the force specifically."

Horio asked with a smile, looking at the owner, whose expression was complex after his racket was knocked away.

"Th-that... that... how did you do that? The ball speed wasn't fast, so why did it feel so painful when it hit my hand..."

The owner asked curiously, still not fully recovered. Horio's expression turned satisfied upon hearing his words.

"This is the new tennis skill I've been developing recently. If I had used my full power, your hand would have been crippled just now. Of course, if I had used my full power, you wouldn't have even seen the ball's trajectory."

Seeing that the owner still hadn't grasped it, Horio lost the desire to continue practicing.

"Think about it slowly. I'm heading home now."