Chapter 5: A Match Decided by One Ball

Bang!

Bang!

The intense sound of the hits kept echoing over the court.

How amazing, both of them are amazing!

As the match heated up, the opponent, under Bu Er's direction, went into a frenzy, almost unleashing his full power like never before.

The occasional brilliant returns made the surrounding spectators gasp in amazement, shouting how thrilling it was.

But the moment he fully displayed his power, the match began its countdown at that very instant.

Bang!

Bu Er no longer deliberately restrained his power.

The racket face spun, cutting swiftly and sharply; the tennis ball sliced like a blade across paper, fierce and rapid.

The sudden ball caught the opponent, whose grip was still warm, with a direct, crushing hit.

He didn't even see the ball's shadow, only a wisp of smoke rising where it hit the ground.

Game, Bu Er Zhou Zhu takes this set.

Bang!

Game, Bu Er Zhou Zhu takes this set.

Game, Bu Er Zhou Zhu of Youth Academy wins, score 6-3!

After getting serious, Bu Er finished the match in under seven minutes.

"A splendid match." At the net, Bu Er raised an eyebrow and smiled, the light breeze ruffling his hair, already savoring his own pleasure.

It left the opponent with a bewildered expression.

Wh-what's happening?

What happened?

Just a moment ago we were neck and neck! How come I lost in an instant?!

Outside, in the C Qu spectator stands where the Seigaku team sits.

Wearing the same white‑based, green‑trimmed uniforms, Da Shi and Ju Wan clapped and congratulated Bu Er on his victory; Ju Wan's dark‑red wavy hair bounced cheerfully with his jumping gestures.

At this time, Da Shi was not yet as steady as later; he showed his joy openly in his eyes.

Gan Zhen Zhi, standing nearby, lifted his black‑rimmed glasses and silently recorded Bu Er's performance data from the match.

Among the first‑year Seigaku members, Shouzu, dressed in the blue‑white formal uniform, stood out; his expression was calm, his gaze deep as he looked into the distance.

"In your generation, who knows, you might actually make it to the nationals, Shouzu,"

The round small sunglasses slipped halfway down his nose; Seigaku's current captain, Da He, said to Shouzu in a lazy, off‑beat manner.

Shouzu said nothing, gave a slight nod in response, but he knew in his heart his goal was more than just leading Seigaku to the nationals.

After Bu Er's match ended, the others also smoothly secured their respective matches.

Jiecheng Wu watched several matches in a row.

Data Tennis has taken shape in Gan Zhen Zhi's hands; Ju Wan's agile, versatile specialty shots can occasionally produce dazzling trajectories.

Da Shi's overarching perspective and his consistently calm demeanor in adversity are worth learning from.

However, although their strength is not weak, it still falls short of Bu Er's by a considerable margin.

Jiecheng Wu, while watching, pointed out each person's strengths and flaws, and compared them meticulously with his own.

Gan Zhen Zhi still couldn't gather complete opponent data during the live matches.

Ju Wan's mental and stamina shortcomings were glaringly exposed; in the story, these two aspects aren't fully overcome until after the third year.

Although Da Shi possesses a sufficiently calm mindset, he lacks a knockout technique; the prerequisites for the Moon Intercept are still too many.

As for He Cun Long, Jiecheng Wu didn't see him; perhaps his match was already over, it's uncertain.

Watching these several matches, a restless feeling stirred in his heart.

Besides the joy of seeing in person the characters he loved in past lives, his desire to compete also became hard to contain.

At this point, all Seigaku matches were over; Shouzu and the others regrouped and left the venue.

Watching the figures recede, Jiecheng Wu instantly rose and, without hesitation, chased after them.

He wants to find someone to spar!

Who will be his opponent?

Naturally, it will be the just‑now‑impressive Bu Er Zhou Zhu!

Bu Er classmate, Bu Er classmate, please wait a moment!

Jiecheng Wu struggled to push his way out of the crowded stands; Bu Er's group had already gone far. He ran and shouted all the way, chasing for a long time before catching up with the Seigaku team.

The team was stopped.

Looking at the fair‑skinned, handsome black‑haired youth before him, Bu Er's face showed a hint of doubt.

"Classmate, who are you?" He examined closely, confirming he didn't recognize the newcomer.

"I watched the earlier match; it was fantastic!" Jiecheng Wu pointed toward the direction he came from and got straight to the point.

"So please have a match with me!"

"Thank you for the compliment. Huh?!"

When Jiecheng Wu spoke, Bu Er was about to thank him, but the sudden turn left him stunned.

"Match?"

Bu Er wanted to decline; he didn't mind competing with others, but the timing seemed unsuitable.

"Classmate, although I also want to accept your invitation, the coach and senior are still waiting for us outside the venue.

Therefore, I may not be able to have a match with you right now."

Bu Er looked at Jiecheng Wu with a hint of apology.

"Sorry."

"If you're in a hurry."

"One ball, just one ball is enough!"

Jiecheng Wu made an immediate decision to change the challenge, his tone sincere and his expression very serious.

He just wanted to see the gap between himself and a true genius.

So, one ball is completely enough!

Seeing Jiecheng Wu's resolute gaze, Bu Er hesitated a bit.

If it's just one ball, it really doesn't seem to take much time.

"This."

"Great!" Before Bu Er could respond, Ju Wan, who loves a good show, leapt out from the side.

"A challenge is a challenge! Meow!"

"If it's just one ball, it's no big deal, Bu Er, just agree!"

"Ying Er, stop messing around," Da Shi quickly pulled the overexcited Ju Wan back.

Shouzu's gaze was calm, as if he saw Bu Er's thoughts: "I'll handle the side with Coach Ryuzaki and Senior Oishi."

"Shouzu?" Da Shi looked at Shouzu in surprise; he hadn't expected Shouzu to agree to a match between Bu Er and an unknown person.

"Thanks, Shouzu," Bu Er said.

"Great!" This was Ju Wan's excited cheer.

The group found an empty court where the match had already ended.

Shouzu left early, reporting to Coach Ryuzaki, who was waiting outside the venue, while Kikumaru, Oishi and the others waited outside for the two to begin their match.

"I couldn't find any information on this person, but after watching the match, he still dared to challenge Bu Er; his level must be unusual."

Carefully recalling the gathered intel, Gan Zhen Zhi, with his black sea‑urchin hair, said.

He silently took out his notebook, ready to record the upcoming match.

"Ah Gan, you really are diligent!"

Ju Wan propped his chin with both hands, leaning his weight against the railing, eyes full of anticipation as he looked toward the court.

New book sets sail, please give us your support!

(End of chapter)