Awakening Tachibana Kippei, Stimulating Fudomine

"They're all so amazing, I didn't expect our captain to be this strong."

"Yeah, I knew the captain was stronger than us, but I never imagined he'd be this much stronger."

"But... even a captain this strong seems to be having some trouble with that Seigaku first-year..."

"You're right, Shinji. Look, the captain's hands are shaking, but that Seigaku first-year looks completely unfazed."

"That first-year... his tennis is so strong... He easily returned the Wave Ball I hit with all my might back then."

"Hey, when are you going to show us your Explosive Ball Dance? I'm really looking forward to it."

One of his two goals had been achieved. Now, all that was left was the Explosive Ball Dance, which could only be performed using the frame of the racket.

Hearing Horio's calm words, Tachibana Kippei, who still hadn't shaken off his Beast's Aura, felt it was a provocation.

Tachibana Kippei, who had been momentarily dazed after failing to return the ball due to its power, became aggressive once more, like a beast.

"Then you just wait. Get ready to try my Explosive Ball Dance."

Hearing Tachibana Kippei's confident tone again, Horio smiled and hit a six-tenths power Outer Spin Serve.

Tachibana Kippei moved again and forcefully returned the ball. Horio didn't increase his power, maintaining it at six-tenths to return the shot.

While Horio was moving, Tachibana Kippei on the other side had already taken his stance.

He rose onto his left toes, lifting his right foot directly.

Bending his right arm, he brought the racket to his chest. After gauging the ball's trajectory, he swung the racket horizontally with force.

To the Fudomine members, all they saw was Tachibana Kippei hitting the ball with his racket held sideways.

However, under Horio's Eye of Shattering Delusions, he saw in detail how the racket frame struck the tennis ball, causing the entire ball to deform at the moment of impact.

"I see. By hitting the tennis ball with the racket frame, the contact area with the ball is reduced, causing the ball to deform. As it returns, the uneven friction with the air as the ball regains its shape causes irregular movement during flight, making it look like there are multiple balls."

Through the Eye of Shattering Delusions, Horio completely understood the technique of the Explosive Ball Dance.

For a middle schooler at this stage, and even for the upcoming Kantō Tournament, this was indeed a respectable skill.

However, by the time of the National Tournament, while it could be used in the early stages, it would become somewhat lacking later on.

"Sorry, I've already seen through your Explosive Ball Dance."

With that, Horio stood his ground, waiting for the "multiple balls" flying towards him. His eyes sharpened, he focused on one of the balls, and swung his racket.

There was a sound of the racket hitting the ball, and the seemingly multiple balls were returned.

Bang...

Outside the court, the Fudomine members were first astonished by their captain hitting a ball they had never seen before.

The next second, they saw Horio directly find the weakness and return the ball.

Clearly, the Fudomine members, shocked twice in a row, didn't have time to process these sudden changes.

Meanwhile, on the court, Tachibana Kippei had retracted his Beast's Aura.

Seeing his signature skill deciphered in an instant, it was difficult for him to maintain it.

"Your Beast's Aura and Explosive Ball Dance are both quite good, but they won't be enough for the National Tournament. You still have time to refine and evolve them."

Horio's words pulled the dazed Tachibana Kippei back to reality. His proudest skill was no match for a first-year player, and he had even been lectured.

"If you judge a player's strength based on their age, then forget I said anything."

As if seeing through Tachibana Kippei's thoughts, Horio's tone immediately turned cold. Tachibana Kippei, his thoughts exposed, also came to his senses.

"I apologize for judging you with such a childish mindset. I will take your advice to heart. When I transform again, we'll have another match."

"Alright, but that's enough for today. There's no point in playing any longer. If your teammates keep watching, your good intentions might do more harm than good."

To prevent the recently regained confidence of Tachibana Kippei from being shattered again, and to prevent his teammates from losing their faith in tennis, Horio unilaterally ended the match.

"You should all have seen your current level. Today's match wasn't meant to crush your confidence, but more importantly, to inspire you."

Looking at the solemn faces of the people off the court, Tachibana Kippei spoke.

"If we want to go further in the Kantō Tournament, or even the National Tournament, we must become stronger."

Understanding their captain's good intentions, the previously dejected group perked up, their eyes brightening.

"You are all far from reaching your limits. Here's a piece of advice: if you want to surpass yourselves, you must push yourselves to the limit. With your current training intensity, you're still a long way off."

After speaking, Horio left潇洒ly, ignoring the contemplative Fudomine members.

"Explosive Ball Dance... a unique swinging method created solely to alter the friction between the ball and the air. Unfortunately, without the boost of an aura, the power of the skill cannot be further amplified."

Walking down the road, Horio mused, recalling his time training in the forest.

"Creation is the beginning of everything... It seems my domain of creation is still a long way from taking shape."

At the entrance of Seigaku, a bus had just pulled away. A person with sleepy eyes alighted from the bus.

"Damn it, I missed my stop again. And where am I now...?"

After speaking, he turned to look at his surroundings. When his gaze landed on the words "Seigaku Academy," his dazed eyes instantly cleared up.

"Oh~ I'm at Seigaku. If I go back now, the vice-captain will probably scold me. Since I'm already here, I might as well take a look."

With that, he walked straight through the gates of Seigaku Academy.

At this moment, on the courts of the Seigaku tennis club, all the members were training.

Acting captain Oishi watched the regulars training in their uniforms and asked Katsuo, who was carrying tennis balls nearby.

"Why isn't Echizen here for training today?"

"Ah, Oishi-senpai, he's on duty today, so he'll be a little late."

"Hoo... hoo... I bet he heard about Agan's new training plan and just doesn't want to come," Kikumaru suddenly appeared, panting heavily and complaining. Seeing Kikumaru on the verge of collapse from exhaustion, Oishi felt helpless.

"Eiji, Echizen isn't like that. Agan's training plan has daily goals. Even if he's late, he still has to complete them before he can go home. As for you, you're almost collapsing and you haven't even finished half of your progress for today. You should worry about yourself first."

"Ah! I've already trained this much, and I haven't even finished half of it? Agan is too ruthless!"

Knowing Kikumaru's personality, Oishi continued.