Ishida Gin's Crushing Defeat
"The Fifteenth Style Wave Ball!"
Having learned his lesson the first time, Ishida Gin increased his power again after his Tenth Wave Ball was deflected.
"Not bad, I have no choice but to return the favor."
With the appearance of the fifteenth Wave Ball, Duke finally got a little serious.
"Duke's Homerun."
Like most power fighters, Duke only has one move when it comes to strength.
Although there is only one move, there are still differences between them.
Even though it's the same move, the power will change if the force is different.
Facing Ishida Gin's fifteenth move, the Wave Ball, he also used 60% of his strength.
Duke's Homerun perfectly returned the 15th Wave Ball, and Ishida Gin was on high alert.
"As expected of a powerful power-type fighter. Out of respect, I will also do my best. Twentieth move... Ah!"
Ishida Gin was preparing to hit his twentieth Wave Ball with even more power, but Duke's home run was already upon him at incredible speed.
The tennis ball bounced off the ground, creating a shockwave that struck Ishida Gin directly.
Ishida Gin let out a scream as he was thrown back towards the back of the court.
Bang!
"First String scores, 30:0"
"How is that possible!?"
"Gintoki's Wave Ball was so easily returned..."
"Besides, Ishida is so muscular; the power of that return shot was enough to send him flying. It's hard to describe the power of that shot."
"Duke Watanabe, just by looking at his physique you can tell he possesses strength beyond that of ordinary people. He's said to be the strongest player on the U-17 team, and is known as the King of Destruction."
Seeing the junior high students' surprise, he flipped the notebook in his hand over.
After the Expeditionary Force returned yesterday, Gan used this short period of time to collect some information.
Upon hearing about Duke, the middle school students' enthusiasm waned again.
"Twentieth Style: Wave Ball!"
"Duke's Homerun."
Bang!
"First String scores, 40:0"
Despite Ishida Gin's powerful Wave Ball, Duke still only used 60% of his power.
The tennis ball still generated a shockwave upon landing, sending Ishida Gin flying.
"It's too naive for a middle school student to think they can compete with a player like Duke, who is ranked among the best in the world."
"It was a complete annihilation. Duke was known for his strength when he was on the French team, and he has focused even more on strength training since joining Byodoin."
"Right now, Duke might not even be as strong as you."
"Who would have thought that such a robust, power-type athlete would also possess the refined technique of a technical athlete?"
Horio simply smiled and brushed it off when he heard Irie's comments about Duke.
What Horio cared more about Duke was not his strength, but the subtle technique hidden beneath his powerful exterior.
However, Duke's technical finesse was clearly useless in this game, because Ishida Gin's all-out offensive prowess earned Duke's mental respect.
Bang!
"First String scores, score 6-0, first First String game, both sides switch sides."
With Ishida Gin being knocked out again, Duke took the first inning.
"Your courage is commendable, but there is a distance between us, and I believe you are aware of that yourself."
"No need to say anything more, I know what you mean, and I will not give up easily."
There was once a player who was repeatedly knocked away by my Wave Ball during a match, but even when he was sent flying into the stands, he didn't give up.
"Ishida..."
Ishida Gin understood Duke's intentions, but this game was of great significance and he couldn't afford to back down.
Kawamura, who overheard Ishida Gin's words from the sidelines, knew they were directed at him and was somewhat moved by Ishida Gin's determination.
"So I will not give up. I believe that as long as the competition is not over, anything is possible."
Take this! The Hundredth Wave Ball!
As if he had made up his mind, Ishida Gin tensed his already aching arm once again.
The 100th Wave Ball appeared, and its power on the tennis ball could no longer be described as merely strong.
"You've persisted for so long and can still play at this level; you're almost pushing your physical limits."
However, continuing to hit that kind of shot will have a double impact on your arm damage, and if you don't want to jeopardize your athletic career, you should stop.
Ishida Gin hit the Wave Ball to the level of 100, which was enough to attract Duke's attention.
"Since you're not willing to stop, then I'll help you out! Duke's Homerun."
Duke has already acknowledged Ishida Gin as a worthy opponent.
He increased his power to 80% and hit another Duke's Homerun to return the ball.
Bang!
"First String scores, 15:0"
"Ishida! Stop!"
"A-Yin, let's stop here. You've done your best."
"If you keep playing with that guy, you won't be able to play tennis anymore!"
Ishida Gin's body was already covered in wounds, but even so, he struggled to get up from the ground.
"I won't stop. The game isn't over yet, how can I just give up?"
The 101st Wave Ball!
"What's already known can't be changed, Duke's Homerun!"
Bang!
"First String scores, 30:0"
"They're really stubborn, but it seems like all middle school students are quite stubborn."
"Although each of them has different talents, it is undeniable that they all have a heart that yearns for strength."
In this respect, he is much better than most high school students in the training camp.
So rather than saying they are stubborn, it's more accurate to say they are persevering.
Seeing Ishida Gin's figure being sent flying backwards for what seemed like the umpteenth time, Irie said with a sigh.
Horio nodded in affirmation of Ishida Gin's spirit, and went on to praise all the other middle school students as well.
Bang!
"First String scores, score 2-0"
Under Duke's strong pressure, the score gap widened again.
At this point, Ishida Gin had already hit the 107th Wave Ball, and his arm was almost too stiff to lift.
Outside the arena, the middle school students who had initially tried to dissuade Ishida Gin had fallen silent.
Seeing Ishida Gin's current miserable state, all they could do was remain silent.
"I bet your Wave Ball has one last move."
Come on, since you're so persistent, I'll do my best to catch this ball.
"Is that so? I am honored to have your respect."
This next shot will be my strongest one; I will use all my determination, even if it breaks my arm.
The 108th Wave Ball!
Hearing Duke's words, Ishida Gin staked all his will on this final shot.
At this moment, Ishida Gin's strongest attack, the Wave Ball, which he had never used before, finally appeared before everyone's eyes, flying towards Duke with an aura that seemed to want to destroy everything.
"That's quite impressive momentum. If we were the same age to compete, the outcome today would be very difficult to predict."
But you still have a long way to go. For now, just keep honing your skills. Duke's Homerun!
Duke unleashed his full power, swinging his racket at the tennis ball with Duke's Homerun.
A wave of energy surged across the court, but Duke stood motionless amidst it.
Just as the powerful blast of air was about to engulf him, his racket struck the tennis ball.
A stronger wave of air than the previous one swept across the court erupted from the racket, causing Duke's clothes to flutter wildly.
"Let's end this!"
Duke roared and hit a powerful Duke's Homerun, sending the 108th Wave Ball home.
Bang!
"First String scores, 15:0"
Duke's Homerun didn't display much power, but it was this very shot that knocked Ishida Gin unconscious.
"Since the junior high school student was unable to continue the match, the First String was declared the winner."
With a total score of 2-0, the U-17 team was declared the winner of the second round of the shuffle match between the U-17 and junior high school teams.
After Ishida Gin collapsed, the referee declared the second round over.
"We can play in the third leg, right? If there are no objections, then it's decided."
At the First String was located, Kimijima Ikuto made use of his advantage in negotiating tennis.
They secured the right to play in the third round, and also added Tono Atsukyo to the mix.
"The third round of the reshuffling battle between the U-17 team and the junior high school students is now beginning. The First String's players are number 7, Kimijima Ikuto, and number 8, Tono Atsukyo."
Junior high school student representatives: Kite Eishiro, Marui Bunta.
After the middle school students helped Ishida Gin off the field, the announcement for the start of the third round came over the loudspeaker.
"Let's go, Marui, it's time to show what middle school students can do."
"Yes, we lost the first two games, we can't afford to lose again."
In the junior high school students' viewing area, Kite and Marui, each wearing their own school uniforms, picked up their rackets and walked onto the court.
"He's just a middle school student, yet he has such slicked-back hair. It's infuriating."
"Oh? You high school students are going to meddle in this too?"
"What can you do if I say I want to interfere?"
At the net, Tono Atsukyo still maintained his arrogant demeanor.
Looking at the greasy hair combed by the Kite, he felt very annoyed.
"That good- Tono -nothing Tono is still so arrogant. He's so cocky in front of what he considers a weak opponent. It seems the lesson he learned last time wasn't severe enough."
Off the field, Horio's eyes immediately turned hostile as he watched Tono Atsukyo, who clearly looked down on Kite and Marui.
"If you have the ability, then give it a try."
"Your arrogant attitude is really annoying. In that case, it's time for your execution."
At this moment, Kite had been provoked by Tono Atsukyo, and Killing Intent appeared in his eyes. After all, Kite's nickname in Okinawa was "the killer."
Tono Atsukyo also became interested in this killer on the court.
Upon seeing his Captain, he revealed his true self, and the other students from Higa Junior High cheered him on.
Hearing the familiar cheering voice in the Osaka dialect, a cruel smile crept onto Kite's lips.