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🕑 Added 2025-05-01 05:04:53 +0000 UTC*Chapter 201: The Peak Battle at Rikkai Dai (Part 3)*
"Yanagi."
As everyone gathered around, Yukimura turned his head and called out to Yanagi, who was standing outside the court. "Could you do me a favor and referee the match between me and Sanada?"
Hearing this, the members of Rikkai Dai couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
The Son of God versus the Emperor.
And now, with Yanagi Renji, the team's strategist, as the referee? This lineup was simply too extravagant.
"Sure."
Yanagi nodded. He had been thinking the same thing. While watching from the sidelines was good, the best seat in the house was undoubtedly the high chair of the referee.
"By the way," one of the Rikkai Dai members muttered as Yukimura and Sanada exchanged a few words, "have any of you ever seen a match between Captain Yukimura and Vice-Captain Sanada?"
"Huh?"
At this question, many of the third-year members shook their heads.
Jackal, surprised, chimed in, "Now that you mention it, I don't think I have!"
"Yeah," Marui agreed. He had joined the Rikkai Dai tennis club early on. In his memory, Yukimura wasn't even a regular back then, and neither was Sanada. During the internal selection matches, both of them caught the attention of the coach at the time and were added to the roster.
After that, Yukimura and Sanada both stood out, with Yukimura defeating everyone except Sanada with his overwhelming strength, securing the position of captain. Sanada then became the vice-captain. Together, they managed Rikkai Dai with precision, eventually leading the team to a national championship. The coach, nearing retirement, handed the reins over to Yukimura.
So, in everyone's eyes, this was the first time Yukimura and Sanada would face off.
But in reality, that wasn't the case.
Yukimura and Sanada had met long before entering middle school. They first crossed paths at a famous tennis club in Kanagawa. During practice matches, they both advanced with outstanding results. Later, they participated in inter-club tournaments and various local elementary school tennis competitions.
However, every time, Yukimura took first place, and Sanada came in second. This pattern continued until they entered middle school.
Now, three years had passed.
Both of them had forged their own paths in tennis. As they prepared to face each other again, both Yukimura and Sanada felt a surge of excitement.
"The match will be one set, winner takes all."
From the high chair, Yanagi, acting as the referee, confirmed both players' readiness and then looked to one side. "Sanada to serve, first game!"
Tap... tap... tap...
At the baseline, Sanada bent down and lightly tapped the tennis ball.
Memories of the past flashed through his mind. He gripped the ball, looked up at his opponent, and said, "I hope you don't disappoint me, Yukimura."
Whoosh!
With that, he tossed the ball into the air.
Then, with a swift motion, his racket moved so fast it seemed to vanish, leaving only a faint afterimage.
Thwack!
The crisp sound of the racket hitting the ball echoed through the court.
The ball, trailing a faint green streak, shot forward like a gust of wind. Its speed was so incredible that the spectators could barely catch a glimpse of it.
"Fūrin Kazan!!!"
Niou adjusted his glasses, visibly surprised. "Sanada's starting with that move already?"
In terms of speed, "Fū" (Wind) wasn't as fast as Niou's Laser Beam. However, it wasn't just about speed. The ball had incredible penetrating power, and if you weren't paying close attention, you wouldn't even be able to spot the contact point, let alone return the shot.
Thwack!
But at the baseline, a figure draped in a jacket effortlessly blocked the wind-like serve.
Sizzle...
The ball spun rapidly against the racket, as if trying to bore through it. But Yukimura's wrist remained steady, unmoved.
"Captain Yukimura's strength is incredible!" Kirihara exclaimed in surprise.
While "Fū" wasn't as powerful as "Ka" (Fire), it still posed a significant challenge for players who weren't power-focused. And yet, Yukimura, who had just recovered from a serious illness, had no trouble returning it.
What was even more impressive was the spin he put on the ball. It curved outward in a wide arc before sharply curving back inward, landing precisely on the sideline.
Tap.
"Such incredible control!" The Rikkai Dai members were in awe.
This kind of shot, so precise and elegant, was something Yukimura could pull off effortlessly. His control over the ball was undoubtedly among the best in the nation.
"Nice technique," Sanada remarked as he chased down the ball.
It had been years since they last faced each other, and Yukimura's skills were as mesmerizing as ever. But more importantly, Yukimura's shots weren't just beautiful—they were deadly. The placement of this shot would have caught most national-level players off guard, costing them the point.
But Sanada, who knew Yukimura's true strength and never let his guard down, managed to reach the ball.
Whoosh!
As he closed in on the ball, Sanada raised his racket, stirring up a fiery tempest as he slammed the ball forward.
Boom!
The sound of the impact reverberated through the court.
The ball, now blazing like fire, shot forward. A wave of heat spread across the court, making the spectators flinch.
"This is the true power of 'Ka' (Fire)!" Kirihara clenched his fists, recalling his own attempts to mimic the move using the "Muga no Kyouchi" (State of Self-Actualization). In hindsight, his efforts must have looked like a child swinging an axe to the top players.
Thwack!
Yukimura once again blocked the shot with ease.
"This..."
Seeing Yukimura return the ball without a second thought, as if it were a simple warm-up shot, left everyone stunned. It was as if he were effortlessly swatting away a fly!
"Just as I thought," Yanagi murmured from the referee's chair, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Yukimura. "Yukimura used a specific technique to neutralize the power of the shot."
Typically, a powerful shot like that would be too much for a non-power player to handle. But as Yanagi's understanding of technique deepened, he realized that wasn't always the case. The truly elite players could absorb and redirect the force of a shot in an instant.
For them, no matter how powerful the shot, as long as they had mastered the art of redirecting force, they could handle it with ease.
On the flip side, top players also used intense spin to increase the destructive power of their shots.
Like now.
The ball Yukimura returned was loaded with insane spin. Even a player like Kirihara, who was among the best in his year, risked having his racket torn apart if he wasn't prepared.
"But..." Yanagi's gaze shifted to Sanada. "No matter how much spin is on the ball, when Sanada uses 'Rin' (Forest), it becomes useless."
Tap!
Sure enough, Sanada executed a slicing shot, and the heavily spinning ball gently floated over the net like an autumn leaf.
"'Rin' (Forest), huh?" Yukimura nodded in approval. "It's a formidable technique, but Sanada, I think you've underestimated the spin on that ball."
"Huh?"
Sanada's expression shifted as if he'd realized something, and his face tightened.
Tap!
Sure enough, his "Rin" shot hit the net.
"Net ball!"
"0-15!"
Yanagi announced.
"No way!" Kirihara's eyes widened in disbelief. "Vice-Captain Sanada's 'Rin' failed?!"
Marui and Jackal were equally shocked.
If "Fū" represented Sanada's speed, "Ka" his power, and "Zan" (Mountain) his defense, then "Rin" was the embodiment of his technique. No matter how much spin or power was on the ball, "Rin" could neutralize it.
But now, "Rin" had failed!
"The spin on that return was too much!" Niou's glasses gleamed as he spoke, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "As expected, Yukimura's technique completely overwhelms Sanada's."
"Also," he added thoughtfully, "Yukimura's physical condition has clearly recovered well. It seems the purpose of this match is to test that."
"You're as impressive as ever," Sanada said, unfazed by losing the first point.
In all their past matches, Sanada had never beaten Yukimura in terms of technique.
"But... a tennis match isn't just about technique!" Sanada's eyes flashed with determination.
He served again with "Fū."
After Yukimura returned it, Sanada followed up with "Ka." Then he switched back to "Fū," then "Ka" again.
"Fū," "Ka," "Fū," "Ka..."
Sanada alternated between the two techniques, and with each exchange, the wind grew faster, and the fire grew hotter.
"'Fū' fuels 'Ka,' and 'Ka' amplifies 'Fū,'" Yanagi mused from the referee's chair. He hadn't expected Sanada to use "Fūrin Kazan" in this way.
Boom!
The next moment, Sanada struck the ball again, and a fiery tornado shot across the court. The heatwave blew toward the spectators, making it hard for them to keep their eyes open.
"The fusion of 'Fū' and 'Ka,' huh?" Yukimura smiled. "As expected, you've grown stronger since the Kanto finals."
This shot was faster than "Fū" and more powerful than "Ka."
Swish!
Yukimura raised his racket.
His movement wasn't particularly fast, but as he swung, it seemed to leave an afterimage, making it hard for the spectators to follow.
Thwack!
When the racket met the ball, Yukimura's eyes narrowed, and with a twist of his wrist, he redirected the force of the shot.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he sent the ball flying back with incredible precision.
"What?!" Jackal and Kirihara were stunned.
Sanada's signature move had been neutralized in an instant. It was hard to fathom just how skilled Yukimura was!
Thwack!
Sanada managed to block the return.
"That's... 'Zan' (Mountain)!" Niou adjusted his glasses, surprised. "It seems Yukimura's shot was so powerful that Sanada had to resort to his ultimate defense."
If "Fū," "Ka," and "Rin" represented Sanada's offensive capabilities, then "Zan" was his defensive foundation. With this move, unless he was up against an overwhelmingly strong opponent, Sanada was virtually unbeatable.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Sanada successfully blocked several of Yukimura's attacks.
His rock-solid defense, like an impenetrable mountain, left Jackal in awe.
"If I had that move, my doubles game with Marui would be on another level," Jackal muttered.
Marui nodded in agreement. "To force Sanada to use 'Zan' in the first game... Yukimura's strength is terrifying."
"But it ends here," Jackal said confidently. "This move has stumped even the top players. There's no way Yukimura can break through it."
"Really?" Niou narrowed his eyes.
Sanada's "Zan" was indeed strong, but his intuition told him that Yukimura, with his unparalleled technique, might just have a way to crack it.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Sanada continued to hold his ground.
But he wasn't just defending. He was also observing Yukimura, waiting for the slightest opening to launch a counterattack.
Swish!
Yukimura raised his racket again.
"It's no use," Sanada thought, settling into his defensive stance. "The only person who's ever broken through 'Zan' is Ryoma. This match might drag on, but that's the reality. Rikkai Dai doesn't tolerate any weaknesses."
Step!
With that in mind, Sanada focused intently, his mind sharp.
He knew Yukimura's goal was to test his strength and, at the same time, gauge the abilities of that first-year from Hyotei.
But Sanada wasn't just playing along.
If the opportunity arose, he wouldn't hesitate to take Yukimura's position as captain.
"Because that's the rule of Rikkai Dai—the strong reign supreme."
Thwack!
But in the next moment, a faint yellow light exploded at Sanada's feet.
"What?!" Sanada's expression changed in an instant.
To everyone's shock, he didn't react at all, simply watching as the ball flew past him.
"Uh... 0-30!" Yanagi hesitated for a moment, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Logically, Sanada's "Zan" was unbreakable without overwhelming power.
"Wait, unless..." Yanagi's gaze shifted to Yukimura, and his eyes widened in realization. "Yukimura... has he found Sanada's blind spot?!"
---
*Patreon: belamy20*
*Chapter 202: The Powerful Yukimura, the Disappearing Five Senses! (Part 1)*
Within just two balls, the four ultimate techniques—Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain—were all broken! Even though they knew Yukimura was strong before the match, the members of Rikkai Dai still didn’t expect him to suppress Sanada to such an extent.
This made everyone think of Ishikawa.
That terrifying first-year from Hyotei had also managed to break all of Sanada’s techniques.
“As expected,” muttered Kirihara, watching Yukimura, who still had his jacket neatly draped over his shoulders, smiling calmly. “Only our captain can defeat that Ishikawa from Hyotei!”
Though both had broken the four ultimate techniques, Yukimura’s speed was noticeably faster.
Buzz…
At that moment, a dark aura began to emanate from Sanada.
“Nanji no In (Hard to Know Like Shadow)?” Yanagi glanced over in surprise. “That’s right, Sanada’s In is a technique that can counter players with strong insight. If it can affect Yukimura’s insight, it might change the course of the match.”
Thud!
Under the influence of Nanji no In, Sanada swiftly returned the ball.
Whoosh!
The ball, like a gust of green wind, flew past. But in an instant, as Yukimura made his move, a faint yellow light erupted at Sanada’s feet.
“0-40!”
After a moment of silence, Yanagi announced the score.
“Even Nanji no In was broken?!” Kirihara and the others were stunned.
They had thought that Sanada’s Nanji no In might not completely shut down Yukimura’s insight, but at least it would create a stalemate. Yet, it was broken in an instant?
Before this, they only knew Yukimura was Rikkai Dai’s strongest player and the top middle schooler. But now, through this match, they truly understood just how terrifying their captain’s strength was.
“Nanji no In… is indeed a good technique,” Yukimura said, putting away his racket with a smile. “But unfortunately, what’s truly strong is the person, not the technique.”
What’s strong is the person, not the technique?
Yukimura’s words sent a shiver through everyone. Yanagi’s eyes flickered with surprise, as Ishikawa from Hyotei had once said something similar.
“So, is this the shared belief of the two strongest middle schoolers?” Yanagi wondered silently.
If Ishikawa and Yukimura shared the same view, then this statement was worth pondering.
“But,” Yanagi thought, glancing at Yukimura, “after returning from Tokyo, Yukimura must have watched the final match of the Kanto tournament in the video room, right?”
He was curious. Did Yukimura break Nanji no In through his own ability, or did he learn from Ishikawa’s performance in the match? Because this match and that one… were eerily similar.
The crowd buzzed, marveling at Yukimura’s overwhelming strength. Only Sanada remained silent, his head lowered, the brim of his cap casting a shadow over his face, hiding his expression.
Thud!
Sanada served again, his shot as fast as a gust of wind. Yukimura confidently returned it, exploiting Sanada’s weaknesses with surgical precision.
Whoosh!
The ball landed perfectly on the baseline, showcasing Yukimura’s impeccable control.
Crack!
Just as everyone thought Sanada would lose another point, he moved like lightning, reaching the ball’s landing spot in an instant.
“Is it coming?” Yukimura’s eyes gleamed as he saw Sanada raise his racket. “That sealed ultimate technique!”
Boom!
Sanada swung his racket with both hands, delivering a fierce, thunderous strike.
Zap!
Electricity crackled, and the entire court seemed to be engulfed in a sea of lightning. The ball, fast as a bolt of lightning, flew in an unpredictable trajectory. Yanagi’s pupils contracted sharply.
“Dōji no Raikō (Movement Like Thunder)!!!”
Though not the first time he’d seen it, Yanagi still felt a suffocating pressure. This move was overwhelmingly powerful, combining the speed of Wind and the force of Fire. If it were Yanagi facing it, he wasn’t sure he could even see the ball, let alone return it.
Tap! Tap!
But Yukimura appeared near the landing spot in an instant.
“He caught up?!” Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Yukimura, his jacket fluttering in the wind, looked as composed as ever. Kirihara and the others were stunned.
Swish!
Yukimura swung his racket, meeting Sanada’s thunderous strike head-on.
Boom!
A loud crash echoed. For the first time, Yukimura’s racket visibly trembled.
Sanada’s eyes lit up. Dōji no Raikō was undoubtedly his strongest technique. After having his other moves broken one after another, he couldn’t help but feel shaken. But now, his thunder had finally caused a crack in Yukimura’s defenses—or so he thought.
Crack…
Electricity crackled. To everyone’s amazement, Yukimura’s racket didn’t break or fly out of his hand. Instead, with a visible effort, he pushed the ball back over the net.
Whoosh!
Sanada’s thunderous shot was sent flying back.
Thud!
A faint yellow light erupted at Sanada’s feet once more.
“Game! Yukimura leads 1-0. Change sides!”
Yanagi, suppressing his shock, announced the score.
“So, it was the edge of the racket,” Yanagi muttered, watching Yukimura adjust his grip. “It seems he did learn how to counter Raikō from the match footage.”
Otherwise, Yanagi was certain that Yukimura’s racket would have been sent flying on his first encounter with Raikō.
“Is he using Sanada to gauge his own strength against Ishikawa? Or is he studying Ishikawa’s playing style?” Yanagi wondered.
Regardless, Yukimura’s overwhelming strength had lifted Rikkai Dai’s spirits. At least now, they felt they had someone who could stand against Ishikawa.
However, Sanada, now relegated to the background, grew increasingly somber.
Thud! Boom! Thud! Boom!
The match intensified. Sanada launched a counterattack, but Yukimura blocked every move. Despite his powerful offense, Sanada couldn’t gain any ground.
But he didn’t give up. It was as if he had resolved himself, no longer caring about his “Emperor” image. He charged forward relentlessly, trying to break through Yukimura’s flawless play.
Unfortunately, the gap in their abilities was too vast.
Sanada continued to lose points, and doubt began to creep into his mind.
“No, I can win!” Driven by a fierce desire to win, Sanada’s spirit surged, and his momentum grew stronger.
Zap!
Suddenly, Sanada unleashed Dōji no Raikō again. This time, his movements were even faster.
The bitter taste of defeat fueled him, and the humiliation he felt activated his latent potential, deepening his understanding of Raikō.
“Yukimura!” Sanada roared, raising his racket high. “This is my answer!!!”
Crackle!!!
In an instant, lightning surged, and the court was filled with a storm of electricity. The thunderous strike was even more powerful than before.
“The speed of Raikō has increased?” Yanagi noted with surprise.
Had Sanada, after losing so many points, finally broken through his limits?
“This ball…”
Outside the court, Kirihara and the others clenched their fists. Feeling the terrifying power of this enhanced Raikō, they wondered if even Yukimura could keep up.
If he could, their captain would truly be beyond comprehension.
Whoosh!
The lightning-fast ball flew past. Yukimura’s body didn’t move.
“Did he succeed?” Kirihara and the others felt a sense of unreality.
Was Yukimura, who had seemed invincible, finally going to lose a point?
Boom!
The thunderous strike landed.
Sanada’s cold eyes regained a glimmer of hope.
He had done it! He had finally broken through the mountain that had always stood in his way.
“Out!” Yanagi’s voice rang out. “0-15!”
“Out… out of bounds?” The Rikkai Dai members turned to look at the spot where the ball had landed.
Sure enough, there was a clear mark just outside the baseline.
“Gulp.” They swallowed hard, looking at Yukimura with awe.
“Did… did the captain predict that the ball would go out?”
“Too strong!”
“With this level of skill… does Sanada even have a chance?”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, while Sanada’s expression darkened further.
It was all an illusion! The thought of winning, of turning the tide, was nothing but a foolish dream.
The reversal of the situation pushed Sanada’s already strained emotions to the brink. If not for the last shred of rationality holding him back, he might have lost control.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Sanada’s expression changed as he tried to grip his racket. “This feeling… could it be?!”
He looked up sharply, his gaze locking onto Yukimura. “No, that’s impossible!”
Sanada’s face shifted through a range of emotions. Then, as if to prove his fears wrong, he served again with Fū (Wind).
Thud!
The moment the ball left his racket, Sanada’s face twisted in dismay.
“My sense of touch… it’s gone?!”
Touch—one of the most crucial senses for a player. A good sense of touch allows a player to judge the ball’s spin and power accurately, enabling precise returns.
But now, Sanada felt as if his arm had gone numb. He couldn’t feel the racket in his hand!
Was this a coincidence? Or was it caused by Yukimura?
Countless thoughts raced through Sanada’s mind, but he didn’t let up. He chased the ball, relying on muscle memory to return it.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Gradually, he seemed to adapt to this strange state.
Just as Sanada began to feel relieved that the loss of touch hadn’t affected him, the light in his vision began to dim.
“What… what’s happening?!”
Sanada froze, standing still as the world around him grew darker.
Thud!
The ball landed.
“0-30!” Yanagi announced the score, then glanced at Sanada in confusion. “Sanada’s behavior is strange. What did he see? Wait… his eyes have no focus?!”
Yanagi’s pupils contracted sharply, as if he had seen something terrifying.
*(End of Chapter)*
*Chapter 203: The Eruption of Dark Aura, Yukimura's Goal Achieved (Part 2)*
"Is it... my vision this time?"
A pitch-black darkness filled his sight, making Sanada realize that his vision had also been taken away.
At this moment, he no longer held onto any hope. His sense of touch and vision had indeed been stripped away by the person standing across the court.
"So... is this his true ability?"
Feeling the sudden loss of vision and the instinctive fear that followed, Sanada couldn't help but tighten his grip on the racket.
Though, at this point, he had no idea how much strength he was actually using.
"Haah."
After letting out a breath, Sanada inhaled lightly, trying hard to suppress the emotions surging within him. "It's fine. Even like this, I can still rely on my hearing."
For a player like him, using sound to gauge position wasn't a difficult task.
For Sanada, losing to Yukimura was something he could accept, but he absolutely could not accept surrendering before the match was even over!
Thud!
With that, Sanada sent the tennis ball flying back once more.
Tap, tap!
He then moved toward the center of the court.
"Strange."
Watching Sanada's movements, Kaidoh couldn't help but voice his confusion. "Why does the vice-captain seem a bit off?"
"True."
Jackal nodded in agreement.
Sanada's playing style was quite different from his usual dominant and imposing demeanor. But as for what exactly was wrong or why, Jackal couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"It's his eyes."
At that moment, Yanagi adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "Look closely. Sanada's eyes have lost their focus."
What?!
Everyone's expressions changed.
Upon closer inspection, they realized that Sanada's eyes were indeed different from a normal person's. His unfocused gaze lacked any spark, resembling that of someone who had gone blind.
"Wait!!"
As if struck by a sudden realization, Kaidoh exclaimed in shock, "D-does that mean... the vice-captain can't see anything right now?"
"Exactly."
Yanagi nodded heavily.
Gasp!
Hearing this, the members of the Rikkai team couldn't help but inhale sharply.
Sanada had lost his sight?!
This news was simply too shocking!
They couldn't fathom how he was still able to play as flawlessly as usual, returning the tennis ball without any mistakes, despite being unable to see.
Moreover, what terrified them even more was the question of how Sanada had lost his vision in the first place.
"Could it be..."
At that moment, as if struck by a sudden thought, Marui, Kaidoh, and Jackal all turned their gazes toward Yukimura, swallowing hard.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
On the court, Sanada continued to engage in a rapid exchange with Yukimura.
"As expected of you!"
Seeing Sanada's smooth movements and precise shots, Yukimura couldn't help but nod in approval.
Even after losing both his sense of touch and vision, Sanada remained calm and composed, continuing to play as if nothing had happened. In all of Rikkai, only Sanada could pull off such a feat.
"Unfortunately."
Yukimura glanced at Sanada before hitting the ball back. "Your trial has only just begun... Sanada!"
Whoosh!
With a sharp whistling sound, the tennis ball landed precisely at the baseline on Sanada's backhand side. Relying on his ability to gauge position through sound, Sanada quickly sprang into action.
Losing his sense of touch had made Sanada's control over the racket even more delicate. Losing his vision had brought him a sense of inner peace, allowing him to see the flaws in his usual temperament.
As the saying goes, "A loss may turn out to be a gain."
At this moment, Sanada understood this truth more clearly than ever.
Swish!
Having determined the ball's landing point, Sanada calmly raised his racket, preparing to strike.
"Huh?!"
But in the next instant, his expression changed drastically.
The racket that was about to swing froze mid-air.
He hadn't heard the sound of the ball landing!
That crucial auditory cue seemed to have been erased from reality.
Not only that, but the voices of Kaidoh and the others outside the court, as well as the referee Yanagi's score announcements, had all completely vanished.
At this moment, Sanada felt as if he had been completely cut off from the outside world!
"So... this time, it's my hearing?"
Sanada's heart trembled.
The confidence he had just mustered vanished in an instant as his hearing was taken away.
Touch, vision, hearing—three of the five senses most crucial to a tennis player had been stripped from him.
Surrounded by darkness and unable to hear a single sound, Sanada felt an overwhelming sense of isolation.
In this absolute darkness, where time seemed to stand still, he had no idea how much time had passed.
Was it a second? A day? Or even a year?
Gradually, the fear in Sanada's heart began to grow.
The emotions he had been suppressing started to amplify, and the terrifying darkness seemed to engulf him.
Overcome by intense fear, Sanada began to swing his racket wildly, slashing at the darkness around him as if trying to tear it apart.
In reality, everyone was first stunned by Sanada's sudden halt.
Then, they watched in shock as he began to swing his racket frantically, as if he had gone mad.
"Is it his hearing this time?"
Having already realized that Yukimura had the ability to剥夺五感 (deprive the five senses), everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
"In other words," Yanagi said, his expression grave as he watched Sanada's frantic and狼狈 (disheveled) movements, "Yukimura has some kind of special ability that uses the opponent's negative emotions to影响 (affect) their senses?"
The thought was terrifying!
After all, the five senses were crucial to any player. If all five senses were stripped away, not only would it be impossible to play, but even normal life would become a question mark.
Being deprived of the five senses meant being completely cut off from the outside world, as if one had lost their body and was left with only their soul—a soul trapped in its own isolated world.
One could only imagine that such a person would eventually go mad from the overwhelming sense of loneliness and despair.
Thinking this, Yanagi's gaze toward Sanada turned sympathetic.
But the other members of Rikkai didn't have the same depth of thought. They simply found Sanada's behavior too疯狂 (crazy), completely unlike his usual威严 (dignified) self, and utterly狼狈 (pitiful).
"Sanada."
Yukimura narrowed his eyes as he watched Sanada's frantic state.
Just as Sanada had sealed away his "雷" (Thunder) and "阴" (Shadow) techniques, Yukimura had also sealed away his "灭五感" (Destroy the Five Senses) ability after discovering it during a match.
The reason was simple: the "灭五感" ability was too恐怖 (terrifying).
He still remembered the state of his opponent after that match—trembling, as if they had been locked in a dark room for days, afraid of light, afraid of people, and filled with fear toward everything around them.
However, after watching the录像 (recording) of Rikkai's match against Hyotei in the Kanto Tournament provided by Yanagi, Yukimura realized that with Rikkai's current lineup, they might not be able to defeat their opponents.
Sanada was strong, but Hyotei's other two singles players were also at a national-level strength.
Out of the three singles matches, aside from the first singles, Yukimura couldn't guarantee two wins.
And if they lost in doubles as well, Rikkai would be at risk of being defeated.
As the captain of Rikkai, Yukimura felt it was necessary to seal away even the last of his team's weaknesses.
Thus, he chose to play this match against Sanada.
As Sanada's friend, Yukimura knew full well that Sanada had yet to unleash his true potential!
The Kanto Finals had made Sanada taste the bitterness of defeat.
And in this match, Yukimura intended to use the pressure of "灭五感" to further draw out Sanada's hidden potential.
"Now... just one last step!"
With that thought, Yukimura ignored the gazes of those around him and, despite it not being his serve, tossed the ball into the air and sent it toward Sanada.
Thud!
The ball landed, but Sanada, still swinging wildly, hit it out of bounds.
Whoosh!
The ball shot like a bullet toward the spectators, causing them to panic and scramble out of the way.
"Captain Yukimura?!"
After dodging Sanada's attack, everyone turned to Yukimura in confusion, completely unable to understand why he was doing this.
Whoosh!
But Yukimura offered no explanation, simply tossing the ball up again.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Yukimura served again and again, while Sanada continued to hit the ball out of bounds. Several times, he didn't even make contact with the ball.
"What is Yukimura (the captain) doing?"
Jackal and Kaidoh exchanged puzzled looks.
"Hmm."
Yanagi stroked his chin, deep in thought. He glanced at Yukimura, then at the frantic Sanada, and suddenly froze.
"Sanada's aura... hmm!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
As Yukimura continued to serve, Sanada seemed to be stimulated, his aura growing stronger and stronger.
That gloomy and terrifying presence continued to gather, like a balloon about to burst.
Buzz!
Suddenly, a dark aura erupted violently.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Yukimura's serve once again reached Sanada's side.
Bang!
With a loud crash, a streak of ink-like darkness shot out from the black aura.
Thud!
To the shock of everyone and the satisfaction of Yukimura, the ball landed precisely on the baseline.
Rustle, rustle!
Then, the black aura surged upward, revealing Sanada's true form.
"This aura?!"
Feeling the overwhelming,oppressive presence emanating from Sanada, everyone's expressions changed drastically!
*(End of Chapter)*
Chapter 204: Semifinals - Hyotei vs. Rikkai (Part 1)
"Genichiro!!!"
Feeling the intense pressure emanating from Sanada, Yanagi's lightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open.
"His eyes... they've regained their focus!"
The return of clarity in his pupils meant that his vision had been restored.
"What terrifying willpower!"
Yanagi was deeply shaken. "He actually broke through the state of 'Destruction of the Five Senses.' If that's the case, then Seiichi's goal must have been to push him to this moment, right?"
Thinking of Yukimura's intentions, Yanagi turned to look at him.
Sure enough.
Yukimura nodded slightly and said with a smile, "As I expected, you finally broke through that barrier. Sanada, let's end the match here."
"Hmph!"
Sanada's expression changed.
Having just regained consciousness, his momentum had already reached its peak. Like a tiger ready to pounce, he was prepared to unleash his full power and engage in a fierce battle.
"Understood."
But in the end, Sanada held back and nodded to Yukimura.
"That's it... it's over?"
Meanwhile, Jackal, Kirihara, and the others exchanged confused glances.
They didn't understand why the match had come to an abrupt halt just as it seemed to be reaching its climax. The sudden stop left them somewhat disappointed, and for a moment, they even wondered if Yukimura had backed down out of fear.
Of course, that was just a fleeting thought.
They knew better. Their captain hadn't even broken a sweat since the match began. His regular jacket still hung casually over his shoulders.
That alone was enough to solidify his reputation as the top middle school player.
"What's this?"
Sanada turned his cold gaze toward Kirihara and the others. "Have you all finished your training? Kirihara, are you itching for a beating?!"
Whoosh!
Everyone's faces turned pale, and Kirihara immediately bolted, resuming his laps around the court.
"Seiichi... Genichiro..."
On the high chair, Yanagi watched the two who had been Rikkai's core players for the past two years, feeling a deep sense of awe.
Thinking of himself standing alongside them, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of inadequacy.
Without hesitation, he stepped down from the chair and joined Kirihara and the others, continuing the unfinished training.
---
*August 18th*
After a heavy rain, the scorching sun returned, turning Rikkai's courts into a sauna. Despite the oppressive heat, everyone persevered with their training, drenched in sweat.
Yet, not a single person left before the sun set.
On the other hand, Hyotei's atmosphere was much calmer.
As night fell, even Ishikawa, who usually trained daily, was absent from the courts.
In his dorm room, after completing his final yoga meditation session, he fell into a deep sleep.
---
*The Next Day*
*8:00 AM*
*National Tournament Venue*
As the sun rose, the stadium began to fill with spectators. Many were young students, including those from teams like Shitenhoji and Rokakukai, who had already been eliminated. They stayed because today's match was widely seen as a potential preview of the championship final.
Even the organizers seemed to recognize the draw of these two teams. The semifinal between Hyotei and Rikkai was scheduled to take place in the same arena as the final.
By 8:20 AM, nearly 30% of the massive Arena Stadium was filled. Considering the venue could hold nearly 20,000 people, this was an impressive turnout—and it didn't even include the cheering squads from Hyotei and Rikkai.
"It's hard to believe this is just a semifinal," remarked Inoue from the stands. "As many predicted, today's match will likely determine this year's champion."
"Agreed," said Aoi, nodding emphatically.
Though she had a soft spot for Seigaku, her experience covering the tournament had given her a clear understanding of the teams' strengths. This year, Hyotei and Rikkai were in a league of their own, far surpassing the competition.
That's why both reporters had chosen to skip the match between Seigaku and Nagoya Seitoku. The latter, rumored to be composed of elite international students, was said to be a formidable opponent.
"To think these two teams would meet so early," said Shiraishi, captain of Shitenhoji, as he stood with the members of Fudomine.
The two teams had a friendly rapport, with Tachibana and Chitose being close friends, and the Ishida brothers sharing a familial bond.
"If it were us facing this situation," Shiraishi added with a hint of self-deprecation, "I doubt we'd know what to do."
"True," Tachibana agreed. "Both teams are on a completely different level. Whoever wins today will likely go down as the strongest team in history."
This statement all but declared Seigaku and Nagoya Seitoku's defeat, yet no one present disagreed.
Nearby, players from Rokakukai, Jyosei Shonan, St. Rudolph, and Yamabuki began to arrive.
Though this wasn't the final, the atmosphere was already electric.
"They're here!!!"
Someone shouted, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.
From the east and west gates, the gray and yellow teams of Hyotei and Rikkai entered, led by their respective captains.
Both teams exuded an intense fighting spirit, their presence alone enough to intimidate.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the fourth round of the National Tournament is about to begin."
As the teams gathered at the net, Atobe and Yukimura shook hands.
"Yukimura, congratulations on recovering in time for the Nationals," Atobe said.
"Thank you," Yukimura replied with a smile. "But more than that, I'm looking forward to facing you in the upcoming matches."
"Don't worry," Atobe responded calmly. "You'll have a worthy opponent. I'm sure his strength will satisfy you."
"I'm looking forward to it," Yukimura said. "Anyone who can suppress you, Sanada, and Tezuka must be exceptional."
With that, the two exchanged nods and returned to their teams.
"What a shame," Shitenhoji's Kintarou said with a grin. "I was hoping to see Yukimura and that Ishikawa guy exchange words. Atobe's fine, but he's not quite on their level."
Others nodded in agreement.
It was clear that both teams had reserved their top players—Ishikawa for Hyotei and Yukimura for Rikkai—for the final singles match. The question was whether the teams would be tied 2-2, forcing their aces to face off.
"I'm curious," said St. Rudolph's manager, Mizuki, with a thoughtful smile. "How will Hyotei and Rikkai arrange their lineups?"
Just then, the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium:
"Next up is the third singles match. Hyotei's Akutsu Jin vs. Rikkai's Sanada Genichiro. Please prepare!"
The crowd's eyes widened as they turned to the two players stepping onto the court.
Akutsu and Sanada.
Both exuded an overwhelming presence, though their auras were截然不同.
"Akutsu Jin," Sanada said coldly, his tone serious. "I hope you bring your full strength. Don't disappoint me."
"Stop yapping," Akutsu sneered. "I heard Rikkai's vice-captain talks too much. Guess it's true—you sound like an old woman."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
No one had expected Akutsu to openly mock Sanada, a player known for his unparalleled skill and dominance.
"Let's see if you can back that up," Sanada shot back, his eyes narrowing.
While others might fear Akutsu's notorious temper, Sanada didn't. As Rikkai's vanguard, it was his job to crush the opponent's momentum from the start.
"Tch."
Akutsu snorted dismissively.
He had been itching to take on Sanada since the Kanto Tournament. When he heard about Kirihara's earlier provocation, he had wanted to storm Rikkai's courts—only Ishikawa's intervention had stopped him.
As for Rikkai's so-called "back-to-back national titles" and "King of Tennis" reputation? Akutsu couldn't care less.
To him, the only person who could truly challenge him was Ishikawa. Even Yukimura, the so-called "Child of God," would be forced to kneel before him.
"These two are really going at it," Aoi said, snapping photos of the tense exchange.
Akutsu stood with his back to the camera, his posture relaxed yet defiant. Sanada, on the other hand, looked stern and imposing, his expression sharp enough to cut through steel.
"It's to be expected," Inoue said. "As the vanguards of their teams, both have strong personalities."
Sanada was the stern emperor, while Akutsu was the untamed beast. Their clash was like a collision of titans, and the tension was palpable.
"Let the match begin!"
After both players took their positions, the referee announced, "Rikkai's Sanada to serve. First game!"
All eyes were now fixed on Sanada, his presence commanding the court.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 205: The Unstoppable Xu Ru [Lin], Akutsu's Limit-Breaking Idea (Part 2)
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
At the baseline, Sanada lightly tapped the tennis ball with his racket. As he did so, the intimidating aura around him suddenly receded.
Whoosh!
Then, under the watchful eyes of the spectators, he tossed the ball into the air. With a gentle hop, he leaned forward, extending his body, and leaped into the air, swinging his racket with force.
Hum!
In an instant, Sanada's aura erupted, causing his swing speed to skyrocket. In the blink of an eye, everyone felt their vision blur, losing track of his racket entirely.
Bang!
With a flash of blue, the tennis ball shot forward like a gust of wind. The sheer force of the shot even kicked up a few blades of grass from the ground.
In a split second, the ball landed on the right side of Akutsu's service line.
Thump!
As the ball hit the ground, the impact sent a cloud of dust into the air, obscuring the ball's trajectory and making it even harder for the spectators to follow.
Swish!
But at that moment, Akutsu swung his racket.
Crack!
Sanada's wind-like serve was met with precision. With a powerful return from Akutsu, the ball shot back with nearly the same speed as Sanada's serve.
"Incredible reflexes!" remarked Ryoma from the Rikkai Dai side, his tone heavy with concern. "He managed to track Sanada's serve in an instant."
"Indeed," nodded Yukimura, sitting on the bench. "His reactions are as sharp as a wild animal's. In some ways, he's not just relying on his vision to judge the ball's movement."
"True," added Yanagi. "Akutsu's athleticism is exceptional. His reflexes, muscle flexibility, balance, and explosive power are all top-notch."
It was clear that if Akutsu had started playing tennis earlier, Hyotei would have been an even more formidable team this year.
Tap! Tap!
On the court, Sanada quickly closed in on the ball. Once he reached it, he swung his racket with a motion reminiscent of kendo. The sheer strength of his wrist sent the racket flying at an astonishing speed. Before anyone could even see his move, a loud crack echoed as the ball shot back.
"Hmm," murmured Chitose and Tachibana, their expressions shifting slightly.
Sanada's "Wind" technique wasn't just limited to serves. When applied to groundstrokes, it was equally devastating. Even the slightest delay in reaction would cost you the perfect timing to return the shot.
Tap! Tap!
However, on Hyotei's side, a figure darted forward like a cheetah, intercepting the ball's path. It was Akutsu.
"Incredible speed!" exclaimed Kintarou and Kamio, their faces showing surprise. Akutsu's speed was flawless, leaving no room for criticism.
Crack!
Sanada's "Wind" was sent back with equal force.
"Hey, Sanada," Akutsu said with a frown after returning the shot, "stop holding back and show me your real moves. I'm not here to play kids' games."
The representatives from various schools were taken aback. This Hyotei player was way too arrogant! How could he dismiss Sanada's "Wind" as child's play?
Swish!
At that moment, Sanada adjusted his stance, strengthening his lower body. His racket moved as if stirring flames, incorporating even more advanced kendo techniques. He aimed at the incoming ball and swung with full force.
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed as the ball shot forward, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. The heat radiating from the shot made the nearby spectators shudder. The sheer power of the shot was overwhelming! Many were sweating just watching it. If they were on the receiving end, their rackets would have been sent flying.
Crack!
But Akutsu returned Sanada's fiery shot once again.
"Not bad," Akutsu said with a smirk, his tone dripping with disdain. "But if this is all the so-called 'Emperor of Tennis' has to offer, it's pretty laughable!"
Whoosh!
With that, Akutsu sent Sanada's "Fire" technique back with ease.
"He actually countered the vice-captain's 'Fire' so effortlessly?" Chitose's eyes widened in disbelief.
While Sanada's techniques had been countered before, it was always by players like Yukimura or Atobe—players who stood at the pinnacle of middle school tennis. Who did Akutsu think he was, talking like that?
But now, Chitose was stunned. Akutsu's performance was indeed on par with Yukimura and Atobe.
"No," Yanagi interjected, shaking his head. "That 'Fire' was a decoy. Sanada's real move is coming next."
Tap!
As Yanagi spoke, Sanada gently pushed the ball with his racket, using a slicing motion. To everyone's astonishment, the heavy ball floated forward like a falling autumn leaf.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The ball landed softly.
"15-0!" the umpire announced.
"It's 'Xu Ru [Lin]'!" muttered Oshitari from Hyotei's side. "The most terrifying of Sanada's four techniques: Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain."
While "Wind" and "Fire" could be countered with Akutsu's physical prowess, and "Mountain" was a defensive move that signaled Sanada was on the back foot, "Forest" was a different story. Its finesse was something even Oshitari found challenging to deal with.
Any spin or power applied to the ball would be neutralized under the effect of "Forest." It was as if this technique was tailor-made to counter players like Akutsu, who relied on raw strength and physical dominance.
"A technique, huh?" Akutsu's eyes flashed with irritation.
He preferred straightforward, power-based tennis. No matter the situation, one powerful shot was all it took to settle things. But now, facing this cap-wearing opponent, he felt a sense of helplessness.
Spin, technique—these were elements Akutsu had always ignored. But now, they were staring him in the face.
"Tennis is so boring," Akutsu muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. He stopped overthinking and retreated to the baseline, ready to receive the next serve.
Boom!
Sanada's "Wind" shot forward again.
Akutsu handled it with ease. When it came to pure speed or power, he could rely on his physical abilities to overpower the shot.
But then, as the match intensified, Sanada unleashed his slicing technique once more. With a single "Forest," all of Akutsu's previous efforts were nullified.
"30-0!"
"Akutsu's in trouble," muttered the Hyotei team, their expressions grim.
As Oshitari pointed out, unless Akutsu adjusted his strategy to counter "Forest," he was going to struggle.
Boom!
"40-0!"
Boom!
"Game! Rikkai Dai's Sanada leads 1-0. Change sides!"
Just as Oshitari predicted, Akutsu lost the first game. Facing Sanada's seemingly unstoppable "Forest," he was stuck in a loop, unable to break free.
"This guy is just... ugh!" Oshitari wanted to curse but held back. He didn't want to provoke Akutsu. Still, watching Akutsu stubbornly refuse to adapt was frustrating.
Why not adjust your playstyle? Why not approach the net to limit Sanada's short shots? Instead, Akutsu seemed determined to stick to his usual approach, ignoring the match's outcome.
"Vice-captain," Nioh turned to the black-haired boy beside him. "Aren't you going to say something to him?"
"Why should I?" Atobe chuckled. "No matter how sound the advice, he'll just ignore it. Only when he realizes the problem himself will he truly change."
"But what if he never changes?" Nioh pressed.
"Don't worry," Atobe replied with a smile. "I believe Akutsu would rather change his playstyle than lose to Sanada."
After all the trash talk before the match, losing now would be a massive blow to Akutsu's pride. His ego wouldn't allow him to lose to a second player in tennis.
Boom!
"0-15!"
Boom!
"0-30!"
Boom!
"0-40!"
Boom!
"Game! Rikkai Dai's Sanada leads 2-0!"
In no time, Sanada secured another game, extending his lead.
Meanwhile, Akutsu continued to unleash his raw power, attacking like a wild beast. But against Sanada's "Forest," it was like punching cotton—completely ineffective.
"Damn it!" Akutsu's face darkened as he lost his service game. During the brief break while switching sides, he overheard the taunts from the Rikkai Dai team.
"Tsk, tsk," Chitose said with a smirk. "Akutsu, do you even understand the basics of spin? If you keep playing like this, you're going to lose."
Though it sounded like advice, the mockery in his tone was unmistakable.
"This kid really has no filter," Tachibana from Fudomine shook his head. "But then again, even if Akutsu tried spin, it probably wouldn't work against 'Forest.'"
"True," Chitose agreed.
As someone well-versed in the "Muga no Kyouchi" (State of Self-Actualization), Chitose understood the mechanics of "Forest." The technique relied on dissipating force. Unless Akutsu's skill and power far surpassed Sanada's, any technique he used would be neutralized.
Still, they didn't think Akutsu was doomed. After all, he had his "Beast Mode," a technique similar to the "Muga no Kyouchi." Once activated, it enhanced his physical abilities, allowing him to overpower Sanada's "Forest" through sheer strength and explosiveness.
Boom!
But to everyone's surprise, Akutsu didn't activate "Beast Mode." Instead, he relied on his speed to chase down the ball.
"He's too stubborn," many thought, shaking their heads. This Hyotei player was utterly unreasonable. Faced with such a disadvantage, he still refused to adapt. It made those who had thought Hyotei's singles strength could rival Rikkai Dai's reconsider.
In the end, Akutsu was like a nouveau riche—brimming with raw talent but lacking the finesse to handle top-tier players like Sanada. Against lower-tier opponents like Ryoma or Chitose, he could dominate. But against someone like Sanada, his shortcomings were glaring.
Boom!
Sanada's next shot came flying.
Tap! Tap!
Akutsu sprinted to intercept it. As he reached the ball, a thought crossed his mind: "Pure strength can't break his technique, and pure spin won't work either."
Akutsu was well aware of his technical limitations. But then, he recalled the moves Atobe had practiced during training. He also remembered the intense rallies they had shared, where Atobe's shots were neither purely spin-based nor purely power-based.
"Could it be...?" A glint of realization flashed in Akutsu's eyes.
Swish!
With that, he adjusted his racket and sent the ball flying with a powerful stroke.
"It's no use," Sanada thought, confident in his position. With his superior footwork, he quickly reached the ball and prepared to slice it again.
"Akutsu, if you don't use that move of yours, you're headed straight for defeat... Huh?!"
Crack!
But the moment Sanada made contact with Akutsu's shot, his eyes widened in shock.
(End of Chapter)
