"Atobe, he's lost consciousness," Tezuka stated calmly, observing Atobe on the court. Despite this, Atobe showed no sign of collapsing; he clung to his last shred of pride, unwilling to give up even at the final moment.
"Let's end the match here," Yukimura from Rikkaidai stepped forward, looking at the Hyotei team. "I presume you all agree, given that this is merely a practice match."
"Mhm!" Tezuka nodded. As the captain and leader of this practice match, he naturally had the final say.
"Move like Thunder."
"Using a top-down, kendo-like slashing technique, he unleashed a move like a bolt of lightning. The ball's landing point was also peculiar, as swift and unpredictable as lightning."
"Furthermore, it requires mental energy to materialize this technique. Currently, he's only barely mastered it; the trajectory of the lightning is too easy to predict."
Move like Thunder—this was Sanada's ultimate secret technique, one he would master in the future. Like Atobe's World of Ice, it represented the tennis path Sanada had always clung to.
Moreover, in this match, the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain techniques Sanada displayed weren't strong enough. Swift as Wind was too easily predicted by Atobe, the angles of Quiet as Forest's slices were a bit lacking, and Aggressive as Fire and Immovable as Mountain were barely worth mentioning. Given Sanada's high standards, such astonishing evolution in such a short time suggested that Tezuka had truly given Sanada a tough time at the previous Junior Ranking Tournament.
"Next, it's my turn to play," Oshitari suddenly announced. Clearly, Atobe's earlier match had ignited his fighting spirit, awakening the "old fox's" competitive drive.
"Take him down!" Tezuka's tone was decisive. Tezuka himself was inherently highly competitive. However, serving as Vice-Captain and then Captain at Seigaku for so long had gradually made him less outspoken. In other words, he disliked showing his true feelings.
Also, in the previous match, although the score was 40-40 and still at deuce, Sanada had a slight lead since Atobe couldn't return Move like Thunder. Both players were extremely fatigued due to the immense mental strain, and if the match had continued, Atobe would likely have lost.
"Seiichi, let me play this one," Yanagi Renji said, picking up his racket and calmly opening his eyes.
"Alright!" Yukimura simply nodded, understanding. He could see the strength Hyotei Academy was currently displaying, and sending Yanagi Renji onto the court was indeed the correct decision. Yanagi Renji was a master, and also Rikkaidai's strategist. The Hyotei first-year who volunteered to play didn't possess that aura.
"Rikkaidai is sending out Yanagi Renji," Kamikawa's eyes flickered. This would be a good opponent for Oshitari.
"That squinty-eyed guy looks different somehow." Hiyoshi had investigated Rikkaidai before coming here. Among the most talked-about were Rikkaidai's Three Demons, and one of them was Yanagi Renji, who was now stepping onto the court.
"Hiyoshi, that person must be Yanagi Renji, one of Rikkaidai's Three Demons. I heard his nickname is 'The Master,' and he's also the strategist of the Rikkaidai Tennis Club," Shishido, who had gone with Hiyoshi to investigate, said. The two had often teamed up during elementary school, and their relationship had improved a bit since Hiyoshi partnered with Oshitari for doubles.
"I'm afraid Oshitari might suffer a big loss this time," Kamikawa smiled slightly, speaking to Tezuka beside him.
Just then, Kamikawa glanced at the court. Seeing that the match hadn't started yet, he told Tezuka, "The genius doubles pair that caused such a stir in Tokyo previously, almost monopolizing all elementary school doubles tournaments, one of them was Yanagi Renji."
"In the realm of doubles, you say?" Tezuka shook his head; he wasn't particularly interested in doubles. However, what Kamikawa said indicated that Yanagi Renji on the court was indeed strong.
"Yes," Tezuka nodded. "The aura emanating from that person is slightly weaker than Sanada's, but he has also reached that realm."
Hearing this, Kamikawa shook his head. Yanagi Renji's true strength wasn't in his techniques, but in his unique information gathering. From the storyline, Yanagi Renji had already ingrained data tennis into his very being.
"As the strategist and advisor for the Rikkaidai Tennis Club, Yanagi Renji's strength definitely isn't just in his own abilities; more importantly, it's his information. Oshitari, who's called 'the old fox,' might just stumble in the most unexpected way."
"Information?" Hearing Kamikawa say this, a hint of confusion appeared on Tezuka's face.
"Tezuka, just watch, and you'll see," Kamikawa noticed Tezuka's confusion but didn't elaborate further.
While Kamikawa and Tezuka were chatting, the serve and side selections for the match had already been decided.
"Now, we'll begin the second singles match."
"Between Yanagi Renji of Rikkaidai Junior High and Oshitari Yuushi of Hyotei Academy."
"One set to win!"
"Rikkaidai to serve, Yanagi's service game."
As the referee's words fell, enthusiastic cheers erupted from outside the court.
"Ever Victorious Rikkaidai!"
"Ever Victorious Rikkaidai!!"
"..."
The home-court advantage was once again evident at this moment. That tied match not only didn't dampen Rikkaidai's morale, but subtly, it seemed to have boosted it significantly. Most people could see how spectacular Sanada and Atobe's match had been!
On the court, Oshitari focused on Yanagi Renji on the opposing side. One of Rikkaidai's Three Demons, though only a first-year, he possessed National-level skill. This year, he, along with Yukimura and Sanada, had brought about a revolution at Rikkaidai. He had been looking forward to this match for a long time. At Hyotei, he could only play doubles, but in this practice match, he could finally compete in singles. Many times, opportunities are seized by oneself. This point also aligned with the philosophy of the Hyotei Tennis Club.
It has begun!
The Rikkaidai Tennis Club members outside the court all perked up, their eyes fixed on Yanagi. They watched as Yanagi gripped the tennis ball, tossed it, and then decisively hit it.
Boom!
A shimmering yellow streak; the tennis ball appeared on Oshitari's side of the court almost instantly.
"The quality of his serve isn't low..."
Step... step-step...
Almost simultaneously, Oshitari quickly moved towards the ball's landing spot.
Boom!
Oshitari stood at the baseline, turned his body, lowered his center of gravity, and swung his racket! After completing this motion, Oshitari didn't hesitate, decisively moving towards the net.
Return-and-rush!
It was hard to imagine Oshitari, who usually played defensively from the baseline, would actively return and rush to the net in this match. In a normal tennis match, the player with the serve often dictates the flow of the game, taking a more proactive stance. Returning and rushing to the net, however, seizes the initiative from the server and brings it to one's own side. An attack at the net is much more proactive than playing from the baseline. Of course, such an offensive move also carries a certain risk. However, many tennis players enjoy rushing the net on their serve or return, actively seeking to control the match's direction.
Boom!
With a resounding boom, Oshitari, who had been stepping forward, quickly rushed to the service line. Oshitari lowered his center of gravity, hitting the ball with considerable force, sending it precisely towards the sideline. That position provided a better hitting time, allowing Oshitari to get to the net.
Thwack!
Yanagi Renji was already in position, hitting a direct counter-drive, a high-quality line-drive shot.
"This guy..." Oshitari narrowed his eyes, not hesitating for a second, and immediately turned back, sprinting quickly to the right.
It was a very precise reverse cross-court shot. First, he used a slice to land the ball in Oshitari's left service box, and then followed it with a beautiful reverse cross-court shot, forcing Oshitari back to the baseline. Clearly, Yanagi Renji wasn't giving Oshitari many chances to approach the net.