"Maple Leaf Slice is as formidable as ever." Oshitari couldn't help but marvel.
And that wasn't all. Akutsu's footwork, his timing as he rushed the net, and his control over the lob were all impeccable. It had only been a little over a month, yet the guy had gotten even stronger.
"Kamikawa."
Tezuka's gaze shifted slightly. He could feel the pressure too. The angle at which Maple Leaf Slice bounced was unusual as well. Unlike his Zero-style Slice, Maple Leaf Slice seemed to bounce according to Kamikawa's will.
"Is that guy... really a first-year?!"
At Yamabuki, Sengoku, who considered himself exceptionally gifted, stared wide-eyed with tension.
Getting that monster to lose a point first, then hitting such a marvelous slice—"strong" wasn't enough to describe him. He was a monster among monsters.
"Sengoku! Watch this match carefully!"
Banji's voice drifted into Sengoku's ear.
Banji rested his chin on his crossed hands, eyes narrowed as he watched Akutsu on the court. Then he glanced at Kamikawa. Those two would undoubtedly become tennis players who shook the Japanese tennis world.
"Just over a month... Akutsu, it's still too soon for you."
Banji sighed inwardly. If he'd had a little more time, he was sure he could have made Akutsu even stronger. But that first-year named Kamikawa truly had extraordinary talent.
Over the past month or so, Banji had clearly seen his skills improve considerably. His strength and speed had increased no less than Akutsu's.
Thwack!
Thwack!!
The sound of the ball being hit rang out nonstop, while the clamor from the sidelines gradually died down.
Both players were displaying an incredibly high level of skill. Even when people spoke, they kept their voices low, discussing the two players' performances in awe. And this was only the Metropolitan Tournament!
It wasn't the Kanto