Trading Injury for Injury

Kabaji's face finally showed an expression other than his usual stoicism, a mix of surprise and perhaps fear.

Despite this, Kabaji still followed Atobe's orders, managing to return the ball.

Coach Ryuzaki, watching the two players compete in a way that damaged themselves, stood up abruptly.

"Kawamura, stop it!"

Bang...

"Hyotei scores, the score is 40:0."

"Honestly, you can't continuously hit Wave Balls. If you want to hit them repeatedly, it's best to use a two-handed grip, otherwise, it won't work. Do you understand?"

"Ah, I'm sorry, Coach. I made you worry."

Although Kawamura felt apologetic upon hearing the coach's reprimand, the belief in victory burned fiercely within him.

He recalled Seigaku's national championship, the fact that this might be his last time playing tennis, and the teammates who had helped him.

Kawamura no longer hesitated, his eyes becoming exceptionally determined.

"A commendable spirit. To grow this much in such a short time is truly praiseworthy."

Horio noticed the change in Kawamura's eyes and knew what he was about to do, hesitating on whether to stop him.

However, stopping someone with such a firm will and strong conviction right now...

might have the opposite effect. So, he decided to let Kawamura proceed with what he was planning.

Besides, Kawamura wasn't the only one with arm trouble.

On Hyotei's side of the court, Kabaji, with a blank expression, also felt his gripping hand tremble.

Though the tremor was small, it couldn't escape Horio's Eye of Shattering Delusions.

After enduring the trembling in his arm and hitting a powerful serve, Kawamura, now resolute on winning, unleashed a full-power Wave Ball once more. Coach Ryuzaki, seeing Kawamura disobeying him again right after being lectured, furrowed his brow deeply. Kabaji, like a machine, returned the Wave Ball with an identical shot.

After three exchanges, the tennis ball, having endured six impacts of immense force, flew back to Seigaku's side.

Kawamura could feel his arm could only handle one more Wave Ball. He resolved to change the tide with this final shot.

The spectators then saw Kawamura not adopt the usual Wave Ball stance, but instead crouch down, preparing for a charge.

Seeing Kawamura like this, others were merely curious about his unusual posture, but Horio was terrified.

"Charging Wave Ball... Senpai Kawamura, stop!"

Others didn't know what Kawamura was planning, but Horio did.

He hadn't expected Kawamura to master this technique so quickly. He knew that the Charging Wave Ball was unlike the regular Wave Ball.

The regular Wave Ball only caused damage to the wrist upon impact, whereas the Charging Wave Ball, in addition to the swing, inflicted further damage on the arm during the charge.

Its power was far greater than a regular Wave Ball, but so was the damage.

If Kawamura had played this way from the start of the match, it might have been fine, but his arm was already compromised.

"What... Charging Wave Ball? What is that Seigaku guy talking about? Is there such a thing?"

"Yeah, with that stance, it's impossible to hit a Wave Ball."

The spectators outside the court listened with doubt, while only the players from Seigaku and Hyotei held their breath.

They could sense the extraordinary nature of this shot. Even the coaches at the team benches frowned as they watched Kawamura.

Hearing Horio's attempt to stop him, Kawamura paid no mind, his gaze fixed solely on the ball.

Then, as if hearing the starting gun at a track meet, Kawamura lunged forward.

Instantly, waves of energy erupted from his racket. Kawamura gritted his teeth in pain as he unleashed the shot, imbued with his determination.

Bang...

On Hyotei's side of the court, the tennis ball lay smoking on the ground.

Beside the ball lay a racket with its handle stained with blood. Kabaji stood frozen, his right arm trembling uncontrollably, his hand covered in blood.

His expression remained blank, but he spoke with a voice full of exhaustion and weakness, "I... I can't play anymore."

"So... that was the Charging Wave Ball?"

"Truly... terrifying. That immense power."

The Hyotei team was stunned by Kawamura. To them, Kabaji was one of Hyotei's true powerhouses, someone they themselves weren't confident they could beat.

Yet, Kawamura had forced him to concede the match. A sense of dread instantly cast a heavy atmosphere over the Hyotei team.

"Hooray! Kabaji forfeited, we won!"

Katsuro and Katsuo, not understanding the full implications, were happy for Kawamura. However, the Seigaku regulars all wore frowns.

"Katsuro, Katsuo, quickly get the medical kit. This match is over."

Horio was very serious now, frowning as he looked at Kawamura's hand on the court.

Kawamura, who had been standing stunned in place, finally couldn't hold on any longer, and the racket fell from his hand to the ground.

"Since neither side can continue the match, singles three is declared invalid."

"Katsuro, Katsuo, after giving Senpai Kawamura emergency ice application, take him to the hospital immediately."

Seeing the injury on Kawamura's arm, if it wasn't treated promptly, it would truly leave a hidden danger.

On the court, Fuji picked up the racket Kawamura had dropped.

Looking at the bloodstains on the racket, Fuji was also inspired by that touch of red.

"Aaron, can you lend me your racket?"

"Ah, Fuji, if you want to use it, take it."

Looking at the racket in his hand, Fuji turned and walked towards the court.

"Next, we will have the singles two match between Seigaku and Hyotei. Players from both sides, please prepare."

A serious Fuji looked at Akutagawa Jiro on the opposite side, who looked like he had just woken up and was still lazy.

"The match begins, Fuji of Seigaku serves."

Fuji directly hit the Disappearing Serve, the tennis ball falling with spin as Fuji struck it.

After the ball bounced on Hyotei's side, it moved rapidly. As Akutagawa Jiro focused his attention and swung his racket, the tennis ball passed right through it.

"The spin has increased, that's what a slice serve should be like."

Bang...

"Seigaku scores, 15:0."

"Concentrate, one more ball."

With that, Fuji hit the Disappearing Serve again. After bouncing, the ball also passed through the racket.

Bang...

"Seigaku scores, 30:0."

"Wow, that's an amazing serve, Atobe, did you see that? The ball disappears."

Akutagawa, who had been dozing, was finally woken up. Looking at a skill he had never seen before, he appeared very excited.

"That's why I told you that Fuji Syusuke is not simple, you need to pay attention."

Atobe looked helplessly at the naturally airheaded guy in front of him. Akutagawa, who was being lectured, didn't get angry, just felt a little embarrassed that he hadn't heard Atobe's words because he was sleeping.

Bang...

"Seigaku scores, 40:0."

Bang...

"Seigaku scores, the score is 1:0."

Soon, Fuji had won a point with his Disappearing Serve. Akutagawa on the other side, who hadn't even managed to return a single ball, wasn't discouraged by losing a point at all; instead, he was very excited.