Chapter 33: The Unfathomable Shengzai!

"Senior, what is a half-volley?"

As Zhi Shaori snapped photos of Shengzai, she once again posed a novice question to Inoue beside her.

"A so-called half-volley is a high-level technique where one strikes the ball quickly the moment it bounces off the ground.

Because if your timing isn't precise, you'll either miss the ball or it will bounce directly into your face.

A standard half-volley involves hitting the ball back the moment it bounces, but Shengzai just now hit it back before it even had a chance to bounce.

This is far more impressive than a regular half-volley; it demands even higher speed and reaction time from the player, and could even be called a super half-volley."

The same explanation was currently being given to Inui and the first-years of Seigaku.

After providing a bit of popular science, Inui pushed up his glasses and continued: "To strike a half-volley before Fuji's 'Swallow Return' can even land,

besides having sharp reflexes, the sprinting speed of this guy named Shengzai is also quite astonishing.

Yet, up to this point, I still can't tell which type of tennis footwork he is using."

Tennis has many types of footwork, such as the split-step Ryoma uses, which can make him one and a half steps faster than an ordinary person each time.

The sprinting footwork Shengzai was using now was clearly also a special technique, but Inui, the 'Tennis Professor,' simply couldn't identify which method it was.

"Okuri-ashi... that's the special footwork that guy is using, though it's been modified."

Hearing Tezuka suddenly speak, the Seigaku members wore expressions of confusion, having no idea what "Okuri-ashi" meant.

However, Inui, the brains of Seigaku, and Ryoma, the cool-factor representative, both had looks of realization on their faces: "So that's it, it's Sending-off Footwork? No wonder it felt so familiar."

"Sending-off Footwork refers to a special footwork used in kendo. Since I occasionally sparred with my grandfather back home, I recognized it just now.

Moreover, this Aunt Wenren Shengzai, whether it was his previous swing or his current one, gives me a feeling of sharpness.

He must be a kendo expert who has integrated sword techniques into his tennis; that is likely his tennis style."

"Fudomine's Aunt Wenren Shengzai scores, score 30-15!"

Just as Tezuka identified the essence of Shengzai's tennis, Fuji, on the court, looked at the tennis ball rolling behind him, his previously serious expression now turning even more surprised.

Because his "Swallow Return" this time had been perfectly countered by Shengzai's half-volley!

In just three shots, the opponent had seen through his "Swallow Return" and countered it.

"Fudomine's Aunt Wenren Shengzai, he really is strong. But I won't give up so easily."

Honestly, the talent and strength Shengzai displayed put even Fuji under immense pressure.

This was the second opponent since Tezuka who had made him feel such heavy pressure.

But just as he had said before, he also had reasons he could not afford to lose!

The serve was returned again, and Fuji used the Swallow Return once more; however, Shengzai, having already grasped the rhythm, struck it back with another half-volley before it could land.

Yet, as if he had anticipated this moment, Fuji had already arrived at the landing spot after seeing Shengzai's contact point, and hit the ball directly to the opposite side of Shengzai.

"Beautiful! That shot went directly to his completely opposite side. Even if Shengzai's Sending-off Footwork is fast, it still...

No, is that guy a monster? In the blink of an eye, he's already run to the other end of the court!"

Fuji's risky shot was once again steadily received by Shengzai, who then returned the favor by hitting it to Fuji's other corner.

Fuji, lacking Shengzai's special footwork, barely managed to reach the ball.

The ball, which he had struggled to reach, was now lobbing toward Shengzai's side of the court.

Seeing this, the Fudomine members looked excited, as this kind of lob was a perfect opportunity for a smash.

On the Seigaku side, those who realized Fuji's intent already wore knowing smiles.

Looking at the lob in the air, then at Fuji, who had already appeared at the baseline, Shengzai grinned.

Knowing the plot, he naturally understood what Fuji wanted to do, but facing such an invitation, he truly had no reason to back down.

After a few sprinting steps, Shengzai gripped his racket tightly and leaped high into the air.

Seeing Shengzai's smash, the Seigaku members instantly became excited.

Because they knew very well that among the three return shots of Seigaku's genius Fuji Shusuke, one was specifically designed to counter smashes: the "Brown Bear Drop"!

"Aunt Wenren Style Fourth Form — Breaking the Army!"

Leaping high forward, Shengzai switched from a one-handed grip to a two-handed grip in mid-air. Not only was his grip peculiar, but the spot where he struck the ball was not the strings, but the frame of the racket.

While it was called playing tennis, Shengzai's action as he leaped forward looked more like swinging a blade in mid-air!

The tennis ball, struck directly by the frame, deformed visibly in the air, and then exploded outward in an extremely unstable state!

"Fuji, dodge quickly! You can't return this ball!"

"Fuji, the power of this shot is too astonishing, don't push yourself!"

The moment the ball was struck, Tezuka and Coach Ryuzaki, sitting on the court, saw that this shot was extraordinary and hurriedly told Fuji to give up and dodge.

However, Fuji acted as if he hadn't heard, still stubbornly setting up his "Brown Bear Drop" stance.

Facing Fuji's reckless act, Tachibana Kippei, on the Fudomine coach's chair, while admiring Fuji's backbone, couldn't help but shake his head and sigh: "Fuji, do you intend to take on Shengzai's move with those thin arms of yours?

Even if the Brown Bear Drop can reduce the power of a smash to some extent, Shengzai's shot is no ordinary smash!"

As Tachibana Kippei spoke, he couldn't help but look down at his own right hand.

That's right, Tachibana Kippei had already experienced Shengzai's "Breaking the Army" last night.

Recalling his racket flying several meters away and his arm going numb, Tachibana Kippei couldn't help but feel a sense of lingering fear.

He used to think his own tennis was too violent, but after witnessing Shengzai's smash, he realized he was actually quite gentle.

The high-speed falling ball, like a thunderbolt, exploded down from the sky, accompanied by a cloud of dust, leaving a deep indentation on the court.

Fuji had set up the Brown Bear Drop stance, but the ball changed its trajectory at the very last moment, grazing the edge of Fuji's racket and landing.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 34 =====