The Will Not Be Zero

"It seems like these two people with strong self-esteem are about to get serious."

"Sanada has always followed the elite route and played orthodox tennis, and Akutsu, whose playing style is not bound by common sense, the combined strength of these two might really give Tanegashima a headache."

Seeing the two middle school students reveal their hand halfway through the game, a hint of anticipation appeared in Horio's eyes.

"Or Akutsu's unconventional playing style is exactly what Sanada needs. After his defeat against Yukimura in the knockout stage, his competitive spirit drove him to go even further."

Even though the training on the mountain had evolved his Wind Forest Fire Mountain, it still couldn't satisfy him. Therefore, Akutsu was the person who could help him the most now.

For Akutsu, what he needs most is the same determination that Sanada has in a head-on match until the very end.

It's a lucky coincidence that these two were able to team up on the field.

Seeing the two players on the field, each with a different but equally powerful aura, Horio's anticipation grew increasingly evident.

"That's really scary, but let me see what your current level is like."

On the court, Tanejima, seeing the aggressive Sanada and Akutsu on the other Tanegashima, also smiled.

Then he served a ball to Sanada, and the tennis ball flew out quickly.

"Take this! If you can withstand the Black Dragon First Slash, let's see if you can defeat this attack!"

Surrounded by a dark Aura, Sanada's eyes flashed with black light as he swung his racket.

The tennis ball was instantly returned and flew back towards Tanegashima.

Tanegashima resorted to his old tricks, but Extinguished Zero be defeated.

However, this time, just as the tennis ball was about to hit Tanegashima's racket, the ball, which had already taken a turn, took another turn.

Thump...

"Score!"

"Great, finally found a way to give them a headache."

"I was genuinely surprised that you were able to withstand the Black Dragon First Slash. I hadn't expected to use that move now, but I must say you're a very strong person."

So, let's try to break through my Black Dragon Second Slash.

The onlookers were all incredulous when they saw Sanada unleash the Black Dragon Second Slash, which had two turns.

Sanada, looking at Tanegashima also seemed somewhat surprised, said provocatively.

"That really created a double-difference shot! Sanada- kun is amazing!"

"While a ball that undergoes a second transformation is enough to render most elite high school students helpless, the opponent is Tanegashima. How long can this ball last?"

Although Irie praised the appearance of the Black Dragon Second Slash, Horio was clearly still not satisfied.

"A second turning point? If this is all you have up your sleeve, it won't change the course of the battle."

Although he didn't receive the Black Dragon Second Slash, Tanegashima wasn't bothered by it.

Clearly, the Black Dragon Second Slash was not yet at a level that Sanada would take seriously, though Sanada was completely unaware of this.

Smiling and shaking his head, Tanegashima tossed the ball up again.

"Black Dragon Second Slash!"

The tennis ball flew towards Sanada, who swung Sanada racket, unleashing the Black Dragon Second Slash.

As Tanegashima moved, the tennis ball made its first turn as it approached Tanegashima.

Then, after Tanegashima realized what was happening, the tennis ball took another turn.

Seeing this, Sanada thought he had succeeded again, but then the smile on his face froze.

After the second turn, the tennis ball had come to Tanegashima's back, but just as it was about to pass Tanegashima, a racket blocked it.

Tanegashima, with his back to the tennis ball, simply stretched his racket backward and caught the ball.

"I told you, I can catch any ball, no matter what it is."

He smiled at the surprised Sanada, and then Extinguished Zero another attack.

Don't forget I'm here!

At this moment, Akutsu roared, and his state greatly improved as he activated his Manas Consciousness.

He used to always have to travel a distance to return a shot that Extinguished Zero, but now he easily reached the ball's landing point and returned it with Half Volley.

Bang!

"Junior high school students score, 30:0"

The powerful return shot caught Ohmeguro Ryuji off guard, allowing him to score directly.

"Oh? Not bad, you can actually wield such strong extradimensional power."

Akutsu's outburst of power startled Byodoin, who was watching from the sidelines. He too sensed an unusual, otherworldly power emanating from it.

"That's enough. Now we just need one last push. If we succeed, the first person in junior high school to step into the Asura Divine Path will appear."

"Oh? Shouldn't you be the first middle school student to step into the Asura Divine Path?"

"My Genesis Domain is not the power of the Asura Divine Path, and besides, the power of the Asura Divine Path cannot compare to my Founding God Path."

Off the field, Horio sensed the increasingly obvious otherworldly power emanating from Akutsu and hoped that Tanegashima could push him a little harder so that Akutsu could rightfully step into the Asura Divine Path.

Bang!

"Junior high school students score, 40:0"

Bang!

"Junior high school student scores, score 1:4"

"I didn't expect Akutsu to be this strong now."

"I thought Sanada would be the one to influence this match, but it turned out to be Akutsu."

"Compared to when we played the team match against Court No. 3, Akutsu's Manas Consciousness is much more refined."

Off the court, the members of the former Court No. 5, now Court No. 3, were all shocked by the speed of Akutsu 'Akutsu evolution, witnessing the strength he displayed.

"Keep this momentum going, keep suppressing them, Akutsu."

"I know without you saying it. What you need to do now is figure out how to do something."

Otherwise, if you just stand there watching the show, I won't let you have it so easy."

In the middle school students' halftime play, Sanada dispelled his dark Aura.

Upon arriving before Akutsu, who was still in the state of Manas Consciousness, he generously praised Akutsu's strength.

However, Akutsu had awakened her Manas Consciousness, didn't hold back in criticizing Sanada, who then realized he had somewhat held Sanada back.

After turning back to his seat, Sanada's eyes revealed a determined look.

"Ryuji, we can't let those two boys continue like this. We have to do something."

"Okay, do whatever you want. Leave the defense to me."

On the other side, Tanegashima and Ohmeguro Ryuji also prepared to launch a counterattack after conceding a point.

The serve came to Tanegashima was already standing on the baseline.

"Sanada, you'd better keep up."

"Of course!"

Tanegashima's serve was against Sanada.

Because Sanada had already revealed his trump card, and Tanegashima had perfectly countered it.

At this point, Sanada undoubtedly became the opponent's main focus, so Akutsu had to ensure that Sanada had at least the ability to cope.

Of course, Sanada himself was aware of this, so he was also very anxious at this moment.

"They didn't even get the Black Dragon Second Slash, are they really going to have to use a move that's not even finished yet...?"

With these thoughts in mind, Sanada hesitated.

For a traditional tennis player like him, Sanada wouldn't take any risks during a match.

However, the situation in the match had forced him to reflect, so the desire to win and the rules of tennis were locked in a struggle within him.

Just as he was still hesitating, Tanegashima in his line of sight suddenly changed.

"What... what's going on!?"

Tanegashima had been occupying the main position in his field of vision, suddenly disappeared, and a look of horror appeared on Sanada's face.

"Damn it... what kind of trick is this now?"

Like Sanada, Tanejima's figure also disappeared from Akutsu's sight.

"It's here; Tanegashima Will Not Be Zero."

"Those two middle school students actually managed to force Senpai Tanegashima to use this move..."

"This move would be even more troublesome in doubles than in singles. How are those two going to deal with it?"

Seeing Tanegashima disappear from the field, Horio, Irie, and Tokugawa, who were watching from the sidelines, all had different expressions.

"What happened!? Why did Tanegashima suddenly disappear?"

"I have a feeling this isn't as simple as it seems... Now it's not just Sanada who's in trouble. Even Akutsu is going to be in trouble."

The use of the Tanegashima Will Not Be Zero the line; even those outside the arena can no longer see him.

"Sanada, don't give up, believe in yourself."

"I know..."

Bang!

"First String scores, 15:0"

Just then Akutsu suddenly turned around and said something encouraging to Sanada. Before Sanada could respond, the sound of a tennis ball hitting the ground rang out.

"You can't see the serve's motion or timing at all; how are you supposed to return it?"

"You have no idea where the tennis ball will land, and even if you did, it would be difficult to return the shot..."

"And the most serious problem isn't that, but that even if you successfully retaliate, you don't know when the other party will retaliate."

Among the middle school students, Yukimura, Fuji, and Miki looked at the stunned Sanada with serious expressions, while the others had even more solemn faces.

Bang!

"First String scores, 30:0"

Bang!

"First String scores, 40:0"

Bang!

"First String, making the score 5-1."

"Oh no, this is the last chance. If we lose again, we'll never have another chance."

"Next is Akutsu's serve. Hopefully, Akutsu can turn things around a bit."

Tanegashima Will Not Be Zero four serves, forcing the match into a deciding game.

"Akutsu, I'm sorry..."

"The game isn't over yet, now is not the time for you to apologize and complain."

On the court, before Sanada could even finish apologizing to Akutsu after making four consecutive mistakes, Akutsu interrupted him.

Seeing that Akutsu was still in high spirits, Sanada forced himself to cheer up as well.

"High school students, I told you I'd show you what I'm capable of, and I absolutely won't go back on my word."

Even if you know any stealth tricks, I can still find you.

On the baseline, Akutsu looked across the court, trying to pinpoint Tanegashima's location.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts, Manas Consciousness, in his Akutsu state, couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness.

"No... it can't end like this. I have more important people to defeat."

"To be defeated by you now is absolutely unacceptable!"