BAM!
BAM!
At the Hyotei Tennis Club.
After returning from the nationals, some of the regular team members, still hyped from watching the matches, decided to play a few practice games.
Since it was the middle of the Zenkoku Taikai (National Tournament), neither Coach Sakaki Tarou nor Ishikawa were as strict about practice matches as usual.
"Found it!"
But just as the matches were heating up, a voice with a slightly odd accent cut through the air. "Excuse me… is Ishikawa here?"
SWISH!
Everyone turned to look.
Standing there was a red-haired boy with a leopard-print shirt, a tennis bag slung over his shoulder, grinning at them.
From another school?
Here to challenge Ishikawa?
The Hyotei players were a bit shocked.
Ever since Ishikawa defeated Sanada and led Hyotei to victory in the Kanto Taikai (Kanto Tournament), his reputation had surpassed even that of Rikkai Dai's tennis emperor. In their minds, no one would dare come knocking at Hyotei's door anymore.
And yet, here was this guy.
He looked young but was specifically asking for Ishikawa. Clearly, he came prepared.
"Uh…"
Third-year Suzuki Ryota frowned. "Sorry, Ishikawa's not here. If you want to challenge him, you can head to the nationals venue tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Tooyama sounded disappointed. "I was hoping to play him early. If it's tomorrow, it's not as fun."
According to the schedule, tomorrow was the quarterfinals matchup between Hyotei and Shitenhoji. The winner would face either Rikkai Dai or Makinofuji in the semifinals the day after. But in an official match, Kintarou wasn't guaranteed to face Ishikawa.
"If you're up for a game, we can play you."
Another player chimed in with a grin. "Just a heads-up, if you lose, don't cry about us bullying a kid."
"Ryusuke!"
Seeing his friend propose a match, Suzuki's expression shifted. "Playing someone from another school? If we get caught, we're toast."
"It's fine."
Uesugi Ryusuke laughed. "He's just a newbie. Maybe his team already lost today, and he's only here because he's heard of Ishikawa's fame."
As a third-year, Uesugi had been training hard lately. His skills had improved significantly, and his physical conditioning was leaps and bounds better than before. Naturally, his confidence had swelled.
Of course, the real reason he was willing to play this kid was a bet with his buddy.
He and Suzuki had been arguing over ownership of a tennis video game disc. They'd agreed to settle it with a match—winner takes the disc. Problem was, their last five matches all ended in draws.
"Ryota," Uesugi said, eyeing the red-haired boy with a smirk. "Let's each play him. Whoever beats him in a game the fastest gets the disc. Sound good?"
"Alright, fine!"
Suzuki nodded.
They'd been fighting over that disc forever with no resolution. This was as good a way as any to settle it.
"I'll go first so you don't think I'm taking advantage," Uesugi said, strolling onto the court with a grin. He looked at the slightly confused boy across from him. "Kid, don't say Hyotei's picking on you. You can serve first!"
"Serve? Sure thing."
Kintarou nodded.
"Weird," one of the Hyotei players muttered. "His accent sounds a lot like Nio-senpai's."
"From Kansai, maybe?"
Thinking of Nio's background, the others started to piece it together. "The strongest school over there is probably Shitenhoji, the Kansai Tournament champs. I heard they're crazy strong—maybe even contenders for the national title!"
"Kansai? Osaka? Shitenhoji?"
On the court, Uesugi's brow furrowed as he sized up the red-haired boy in the leopard-print shirt. "No way I'm that unlucky, right?"
BANG!
The thought barely crossed his mind when a sound like a cannonball hitting the ground exploded in front of him.
"What?!"
Uesugi's eyes widened at the shot.
"So strong!!!"
Suzuki and the others around the court paled.
That serve was insanely fast!
And what was with that overwhelming power? This scrawny-looking kid—where was he getting that kind of monstrous strength?
BANG!
Another ferocious serve landed.
"Hiss!"
Seeing Uesugi unable to even react as the opponent racked up points, the Hyotei players' pupils shrank.
"Uh, oops!" Tooyama scratched his head, looking sheepish. "Was my serve too fast? Alright, I'll slow it down a bit."
"Damn it."
Uesugi's face twisted, humiliated by the kid's pity. "This brat's looking down on me way too much."
BANG!
But then another brutal serve landed, zipping past him. The indignation in Uesugi's eyes turned to shock. "No… seriously?"
He froze.
Then he looked up at the boy, a mix of anger and disbelief. Didn't he say he'd go easy? Was this a joke?
"What a terrifying serve."
The other Hyotei players outside the court were floored by the red-haired boy's display of skill.
Suzuki, in particular, knew this guy was no ordinary player. He was likely from Shitenhoji, Hyotei's opponent tomorrow. A player like this was way out of their league as regular team members.
Uesugi had just kicked a steel plate.
"Hey! What are you guys doing?"
A stern voice cut through the air.
"It's Hiyoshi?"
The Hyotei players turned to see the mushroom-haired Hiyoshi approaching, frowning.
BANG!
At that moment, Tooyama unleashed his final serve. The arrow-like speed made Hiyoshi's expression shift slightly.
THUD!
The ball hit the ground.
It rocketed past Uesugi, who didn't even have a chance to react.
"Uh…" Tooyama frowned, seeing his opponent couldn't even touch the ball. "Is Hyotei's tennis really this weak?"
He wasn't mocking—just genuinely puzzled.
But to the Hyotei players, especially Hiyoshi, his words stung, and their faces darkened.
"Jerk!"
Hiyoshi stepped onto the court as Uesugi wisely backed off.
"Kid," Hiyoshi said, glaring at the boy. "Take back what you just said, or else…"
"Why should I?" Kintarou frowned. "I'm just telling the truth. Hyotei's tennis isn't that great."
"Hmph!" Hiyoshi's voice turned cold. "Fine, then I'll show you just how terrifying Hyotei can be!"
The two didn't see eye to eye, and a clash was inevitable.
BAM!
BAM!
BAM!
Moments later, the sound of intense rallies echoed through the Hyotei Tennis Club.
"Hm?"
Ishikawa, who'd just arrived from the dorms for some light training, raised an eyebrow.
"Vice-Captain!"
The Hyotei players lit up like they'd seen a savior, nodding to him excitedly.
"What's going on?" Ishikawa asked, eyeing the two figures battling it out on the court. "Why are they fighting?"
"Well…" Suzuki hesitated before explaining the situation.
"I see." Ishikawa nodded, glancing at the red-haired figure dominating Hiyoshi on the court. He turned to Uesugi. "Go find about two meters of white bandages."
"Bandages? Got it."
Uesugi didn't question Ishikawa's request and dashed off.
"Tooyama Kintarou from Shitenhoji, huh?" Ishikawa muttered, turning back to the court, watching the two players clash.
BANG!
Tooyama smashed a lightning-fast shot. Hiyoshi, using his Shukuchi (Ground Shrink) technique, quickly reached the ball's landing spot.
But when he made contact, his face twisted. The ball's weight was overwhelming.
Too heavy!
He couldn't fathom how this kid's body held such terrifying power.
From the start, every return had left his grip tingling. Now, his entire arm was sore.
"No choice. I have to use that."
Realizing he was up against a formidable foe, Hiyoshi didn't hesitate. He assumed his Enbu (Martial Performance) stance.
As Tooyama sent the ball over, Hiyoshi raised his racket like an archer drawing a bow, locked onto the incoming ball, and swung hard.
BANG!
A sharp sound rang out.
A piercing shot, crackling with faint arcs of electricity, rocketed forward.
"There it is!" Suzuki and the others shouted excitedly. "Hiyoshi's [Shijin Enbu: Byakko] (Four Gods Martial Performance: White Tiger)!!!"
Hiyoshi had learned this move from Ishikawa.
Over time, he'd trained and refined it daily. After the match against Higa Chuu, he'd made it battle-ready. Though its power was only about a third of Ishikawa's, it was still a terrifying technique for most opponents.
In their eyes, the red-haired boy's racket would surely fly out of his hands the moment it touched the ball.
BANG!
But when Tooyama returned the shot, not only did his racket stay firm, his arm didn't even tremble.
"Oh?" Feeling the intense vibration through his racket, Tooyama's eyes gleamed. "Now that's interesting! Is this Hyotei's real strength? Alright, time to get serious!"
SWISH!
With that, he swung with full force, sending the ball flying.
THUD!
The ball hit the ground.
It landed just in front of Hiyoshi's baseline. Staring at the bouncing ball, Hyotei's second-year singles ace felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
His opponent was too strong!
That monstrous power was something he couldn't handle.
"Uh!" Tooyama blinked, surprised that Hiyoshi didn't return it. "Why didn't you hit it back?"
"There's no point." Hiyoshi shook his head, fully aware of the gap between them. Continuing would only humiliate him further.
"Ugh, this isn't fun. Not fun at all," Tooyama grumbled, stomping his foot like a kid throwing a tantrum.
"That's enough."
A cold voice cut through the air.
"Hm?" Hiyoshi looked up instinctively. Seeing Ishikawa approaching, his eyes widened.
Then, the second-year Hyotei reserve hung his head in shame. "Sorry, Vice-Captain… I lost."
"It's fine. He's not someone you can handle," Ishikawa said, shaking his head. He turned to the red-haired boy. "Tooyama Kintarou, Shitenhoji Middle School's strongest rookie, the Kansai powerhouse with national-level skill."
"What?!"
The Hyotei players gasped.
They knew the kid was strong, but they hadn't realized how strong.
"You're Ishikawa, right?" Tooyama's eyes lit up. "Come on, let's play a match!"
"I said, that's enough."
To the Hyotei players' surprise, Ishikawa didn't accept the challenge. Instead, he raised his right hand, wrapped in thick white bandages, and said sternly, "Tooyama-kun, if you don't behave, I'll have to get serious."
"That's…" Tooyama's face paled when he saw the bandages. "Shiraishi's Dokushu (Poison Hand)? You've got it too?! Wait, hold on, I messed up! Spare me, I don't wanna die!!!"
To everyone's shock, the cocky, confident Shitenhoji rookie, who'd been unstoppable moments ago, started trembling in fear as Ishikawa slowly began unwrapping the bandages on his right hand.