"What are you planning to do, Niō~?" Yukimura asked from the coach's seat after hearing Niō's words.
"Nothing much. Just been wanting to test something for a while, puri," Niō replied with a smile.
"If that's the case, then go for it. Sometimes worrying too much about the result can actually hold you back. Renji, follow Niō's lead and adapt accordingly," Yukimura encouraged him after seeing the firm resolve in Niō's eyes, asking no further questions.
"I understand. I'll finish collecting and refining the data as soon as I can and support you fully. With my current ability, I probably won't be able to make a decisive impact," Yanagi said, recognizing his limitations in this match.
Against a world-class and a half-step world-class opponent, Yanagi's peak national-level strength simply wasn't enough. So he pinned his hopes on Niō. Though Niō hadn't broken into world-class level, his unique illusion ability gave him just enough edge in doubles to barely contend with such high-level players.
On the other side, at Fudomine's bench, Akashi was pleased with Akutsu and Kintarō's performance and didn't say much. He just reminded Akutsu to watch his ankle and not overexert himself using Eighth Consciousness. Akutsu nodded casually, showing he knew his limits.
Truthfully, Akashi paired Akutsu and Kintarō for this match mainly to help Kintarō get a feel for doubles. And with Niō playing, there was a chance Kintarō might have fun and make a breakthrough. In any case, with Akutsu as backup, Akashi wasn't concerned about the match outcome at all.
That's right—fun. Unlike other players, Kintarō didn't need pressure to improve; he needed fun. That was his purest trait. He didn't care about anything else—he just loved playing tennis with all his heart.
Besides, even though Akutsu had just used Eighth Consciousness, Akashi knew that wasn't his true strength. Akutsu was still hiding his trump card. Right now, he was already strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Oni Juujirō. The only thing he lacked was experience in international tournaments.
"So this is where you're watching the match, Chief Coach," a soft voice suddenly spoke near Mifune's ear. Turning his head, he saw Mitsuya Akuto standing beside him.
"Mitsuya, what are you doing here? Weren't you gathering data from the other match?" Mifune asked casually.
"Well~ of course I had to come check out how my adorable juniors are doing!" Mitsuya replied with his usual smile.
"You mean that brat Yanagi? Doesn't look too good for him right now. Data tennis alone isn't enough to cover up a power gap," Mifune said with a smirk.
"Sometimes the value of data doesn't lie in direct confrontation. Let's see if Renji can figure that out," Mitsuya said with a quiet laugh.
"So you skipped the overseas expedition just to collect data from the national junior tournament?" Mifune asked, suddenly sounding serious.
"Well, the junior high kids will soon be joining the U-17. As the chief strategist, I need firsthand info to prepare the next phase. Besides, with Byoudouin leading the overseas team, nothing major will go wrong," Mitsuya replied. He didn't seem too concerned about the international matches.
"That so? Well, whatever. The main event is the world tournament anyway. I just hope this batch of kids makes it to the training camp soon. This time, we can take them to the world stage fair and square. I can't wait to see the looks on those foreigners' faces!" Mifune said with a hearty laugh, drawing puzzled glances from the crowd around him.
The timeout ended quickly, and the four players returned to the court. They switched sides. The fourth game was Kintarō's serve. He was already bouncing excitedly at the baseline, getting ready.
Kintarō picked up a tennis ball, and the Light of Love flared out from around him, surrounding his whole body in glowing blue particles. Tossing the ball high, he started spinning in place. Flames suddenly erupted from his racket, and he leapt up, smashing the falling ball with full force.
"Here it comes! Super Megaton Deluxe Volcano Serve!" Kintarō shouted.
The ball turned into a molten fireball and blasted toward the opposite court. Yanagi had already retreated to the baseline, fully prepared. As the ball crossed the net and slammed into the ground, it burst with fiery light like a volcanic eruption. But Yanagi gritted his teeth, used the sweet spot technique, and barely managed to return it.
At the same time, Niō's form began to warp again. Gradually, "Tezuka" appeared before everyone's eyes, his eyes glowing with unwavering determination as he locked onto every move on the other side.
Kintarō didn't feel disappointed at all when his serve was returned—instead, he looked thrilled. He charged forward, spinning several times midair, then swung hard at the incoming ball using the momentum.
Meanwhile, "Tezuka" radiated a seven-colored light. His body blurred as he appeared at the landing point, focusing all his power into his left hand and swinging his racket. The ball struggled against the force for a moment, then was launched back with a special spin.
Akutsu didn't use Eighth Consciousness this time—it still placed a burden on his body, even with his physique. Instead, he flashed to the ball's location and smashed it back with brute force.
As soon as the ball crossed the net, a massive white vortex rose around "Tezuka", pulling the ball into a curving path aimed at him. He was already in position, preparing his return.
"Tezuka Zone!"
"Trying to buy time with the Zone so Yanagi can gather data? Dream on. Too bad you're just not strong enough!" Akutsu sneered.
Right as Kintarō was about to rush in, he heard Akutsu shout behind him:
"Move aside, Kintarō! This one's mine!"
Without hesitation, Kintarō leapt high and dodged the ball. Akutsu swung his racket, and a blinding light burst forth. The tennis ball transformed into a massive glowing sphere, blasting across the court like a wrecking ball.
"Glowing Shot!"
The power of the Glowing Shot completely wiped out the Zone's rotational effect. The ball shot straight at "Tezuka". Instantly, the seven-colored glow shifted to his legs. He flashed forward and morphed into Tanegashima, returning the ball with full strength. The force of "Halt Destruction Nothingness" completely canceled out the Glowing Shot's power.
After blocking the shot, the figure of "Tanegashima" vanished again, shifting back into "Tezuka". Not only did the rainbow aura surround him again, but faint starlight shimmered around his hair—it was clear he'd activated Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami once more.
'Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami, Saiki Kanpatsu... Could it be that Niō is trying to...' Akashi speculated silently from the coach's seat.
Although the Glowing Shot had been neutralized by "Halt Destruction Nothingness", with two layers of Muga no Kyōchi stacked, "Tezuka's" return shot was still blazing fast. The spinning ball surged across the net and slammed near the left centerline of Akutsu's side, about to fly out of bounds.
Suddenly, a racket glowing with blue particles intercepted the ball. Kintarō had somehow reached the landing point. Bursting with the Light of Love, he swung down hard, smashing the ball past "Tezuka's" right side. It hit the baseline and flew out of the court.
"15-0!"
"He broke through the Zone directly… I still felt sluggish just now. So I really can't shake off the effect of the Light of Love, huh?" "Tezuka" muttered.
As Kintarō served again, Niō kept up the illusion of "Tezuka", giving it everything he had to counter Akutsu and Kintarō. On the side, Yanagi focused his full processing power, rapidly building data models of their movements in his mind.
"30-0!"
"40-0!"
Though Tezuka Zone was an incredible defensive technique, the gap in strength was just too wide. There was no way it could win points on its own. With the added pressure from the Light of Love, even stalling the match was becoming a stretch. Soon, the fourth game reached game point, but Niō still hadn't changed his illusion—he stayed in Tezuka's form.
By now, even Akutsu had a good idea what Niō was trying to do. Not that he cared. Even if it were the real Tezuka across from him, he wouldn't be fazed. After three years of grinding, he finally felt he could match Tezuka—maybe even surpass him. At least, that's what Akutsu believed.
When Kintarō unleashed his fourth Volcano Serve, sweat was already beading on "Tezuka's" forehead. On the sideline, both Akashi and Yukimura noticed an unusual shift in Niō's mental wavelength.
As "Tezuka" once again used Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami to return the serve, a blue light exploded from his body. His hair started to flow weightlessly, though there was no wind.
"Finally done... So this is the power of Ten'i Muhō no Kiwami?" "Tezuka" said softly after returning the serve.
'I knew it… Niō actually activated Ten'i Muhō just by using Tezuka's illusion. That's gotta be a one-of-a-kind event in the entire Prince of Tennis universe. But still, why do Ryōma and Tezuka's Ten'i make their hair float gracefully, while Kintarō and Oni's versions make their hair stand up like porcupines?' Akashi silently grumbled to himself as he watched Niō's transformation.