Chapter 184: Sanada vs. Chitose, Shade and Thunder vs. the Two Doors of No-Self!

Tap, tap!

With a light step of his toes on the ground, Chitose Senri landed nimbly at the net, knees slightly bent, elbows thrust forward, while his racket executed a clever slice.

Peng~

"The 46th shot."

With a soft murmur, the tennis ball traced a small arc and dropped in front of the net, bouncing twice before rolling to the feet of Sanada, who had rushed up to save the ball.

"Game, Bing Di Xue Yuan, Chitose Senri, 4-2."

The umpire's voice came without the slightest pause.

Under the arena lights, Chitose straightened up and looked up at the cold-faced Sanada.

"If things continue like this, you're going to lose, you know?"

Chitose narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a cold laugh; he did not grow lax or careless despite his lead in the score.

Yukimura nodded slightly, his light brown eyes lowering to look at Sanada; in the shifting light of his gaze, he seemed to have understood the thoughts of this close friend who had grown up with him.

As his fluffy hair swayed slightly, a flash of cunning light crossed Chitose's eyes: I won't let you keep experimenting with a distracted mind.

What is he planning?

Chitose glanced at Atobe outside the court and nodded gently. If Bing Di wants to defeat Li Hai Da, then this opening match is crucial; they absolutely cannot lose.

At the same time, he issued a cold inquiry: "You seem to have superimposed me onto someone else, haven't you!"

Tossing the tennis ball into the air, the seven-colored radiance of Talented Radiance surged. Chitose Senri leaped into the air, his racket enveloped in a milky-white aura, and he struck downward fiercely.

Therefore, upon encountering Chitose Senri, who also mastered the Limit of Thousand Hammer Hundred Tempering and the Limit of Talented Radiance, he hoped to use the pressure from his opponent to reshape the situation from the Kanto tournament and thus shatter the shadow.

"The 56th shot!"

Although the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain techniques the opponent used displayed a very high level in both defense and offense, Chitose knew this was not the true strength of this Li Hai Da vice-captain.

"It's just that it doesn't seem to be going very smoothly."

Hearing the cheers for Bing Di in the audience, his veins bulged, and his eyes turned red.

To tolerate an opponent scoring so many points up to this point in the match—this is simply not something you, Vice-Captain Sanada, would do!

He didn't know what the opponent's goal was, but at least one thing was certain: up to now, Sanada had not yet achieved his purpose.

After suffering a crushing defeat to Tezuka, and then another crushing defeat in the Kanto tournament to Yuuki Satoru, who had transformed into Tezuka's likeness, even someone with a will as firm as Sanada's would likely find it difficult to easily walk away from it in a short time.

Why?

Isn't Vice-Captain Sanada's Shade and Thunder created specifically to counter the Limit of Thousand Hammer Hundred Tempering and the Limit of Talented Radiance of the No-Self Realm? The opponent is clearly using these two moves, so why doesn't he use his?

And besides.

"What is Vice-Captain Sanada doing?"

So.

"A word of advice: stop holding back. Use whatever moves you have, Sanada."

Kirihara didn't understand.

Kirihara had several bandages on his face, looking as though he had undergone very grueling training after the Kanto tournament, but his expression was now full of confusion and bewilderment.

Peng!

With an explosive sound, the tennis ball tore through the air like a speeding arrow.

"Sanada is now... attempting to recreate the scene from the Kanto tournament."

Recover the score, or continue to experiment?

If you don't make a choice quickly, even the slightest hesitation will be enough to cost you this match.

Hearing this.

Sanada, who had been indifferent and silent, suddenly narrowed his gaze. The muscles in his legs tensed instantly, and with a crackle, sparks of electricity exploded around his feet.

Zzzzt!

A bolt of electricity flashed across the court. Sanada appeared instantly at the ball's landing spot, raised his racket above his head with both hands, and shouted sternly.

"Movement Like Thunder!"

Peng!

The God-Hiding shot, boosted by the Limit of Thousand Hammer Hundred Tempering, disappeared with incredible speed, yet Sanada's swinging racket was a step faster, truly as fast as lightning.

In an instant.

A twisted, leaping bolt of thunder crossed the court. The brilliant electric light illuminated Chitose's cheeks, and the light in his pupils trembled.

"This is Movement Like Thunder. It really feels completely different from watching from outside the court."

A wisp of black smoke rose slowly from the landing spot. The rally that Talented Radiance had predicted would end at the 56th shot had already been broken on only the second shot.

"Li Hai Da Affiliated Middle School, Sanada Genichiro scores, 0-15."

Sanada straightened his body and turned his head slightly before returning to the baseline, as if to answer Chitose's previous question: "No, you are still far from it."

"Oh, is that so?"

Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Chitose's eyes. Since that's the case, then by all means, let's try it out.

Raise hand, toss ball, lift racket.

Peng!

Peng!

The true contest of this match finally unfolded on the court, with both sides engaging in an incredibly fierce battle of offense and defense.

"That guy Sanada's Shade and Thunder completely counters the Limit of Thousand Hammer Hundred Tempering and the Limit of Talented Radiance. This is very disadvantageous for Chitose!"

Oshidari frowned. If this match could be won, then Bing Di would truly see a chance to surpass Li Hai Da.

Likewise, if they lost...

"So Chitose, you must win!"

Peng!

Chasing the ball, braking with his toes, body slightly arched, Chitose turned and backhanded the tennis ball away.

After hitting the ball, Chitose pushed his Talented Radiance perception to the limit, attempting to reawaken the Absolute Prediction, but in an instant, he perceived several possible strategies for Sanada's return.

"The 46th, the 69th..."

No, all wrong!

With the existence of Hard to Know Like Shade, Talented Radiance had completely lost its effect.

And besides...

"Movement Like Thunder!"

With another low shout, Chitose only saw a flash of electricity, and that dazzling thunder exploded at his feet.

"Game, Li Hai Da Affiliated Middle School, Sanada Genichiro, 4-4!"

Hard to Know Like Shade sealed Talented Radiance, Movement Like Thunder scored effectively; in the blink of an eye, Sanada had pulled the score back.

"What a troublesome guy."

The opponent seemed to have abandoned his plans from the first half of the match, and now that he was truly facing the Sanada who was showing his real strength, Chitose finally understood why the other had the title of Emperor.

Conquering everything, his aura was overwhelming.

Hu...

Chitose let out a long breath, a faint smile returning to his face.

"The first time trying to use this move without being in a state of Synchronized Resonance, I didn't know if it would succeed. I didn't expect..."

He looked toward Sanada on the opposite side, and quietly, the milky-white aura in Chitose's light yellow eyes began to blend with the seven-colored radiance.

"... that it would go so smoothly!"

In an instant, an inexplicable threat loomed in his heart; Sanada suddenly felt as if Hard to Know Like Shade had been pierced through.

And the next moment.

Peng!

A sharp whistling sound shot from the opposite side, and following closely behind it was Chitose Senri's absolutely certain Absolute Prediction.

"The 37th shot!"