Chapter 142: Talent Radiating, Failed!

On the court.

After Tezuka hit a Zero-Style Serve, he placed his tennis racket at his side.

He was extremely confident in this move of his at the moment.

Back when his arm was injured, Tezuka could actually hit this shot too, but because this shot placed a heavy burden on his arm.

Tezuka was not satisfied with the Zero-Style Serve at that time.

Although to others, the tennis ball appeared to be hugging the ground.

He himself understood that the ball would bounce for a split second, and players with strength comparable to his could utilize this moment to return it.

But now, having healed his arm injury and having undergone training intensity at Germany U17 comparable to professional players, his arm could already handle the burden brought by the Zero-Style Serve very well.

Therefore, the Zero-Style Serve he was hitting now was a perfect existence.

He had thought that by relying on this shot, he could smoothly take the first game.

He did not expect that by just the second ball, Takahashi would be able to return it.

Moreover, the method of the return made Tezuka feel dumbfounded.

At this very moment, the sound of the tennis ball landing heavily reached them.

"15-15!"

"Point to Takahashi of Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School!"

Tezuka took a deep look at Takahashi.

A sharp gaze pierced through from beneath his lenses.

"Bang!"

Another Zero-Style Serve.

Takahashi ran to the net again and swung his racket at the air.

A dazzling halo simultaneously entered Takahashi's line of sight.

One could see a white aura suddenly surging from Tezuka's left arm.

Then, dots of white starlight gradually enveloped Tezuka's entire left arm.

The Limit of the Thousand-Hammered Refinement!

"Bang!"

Takahashi swung his racket and, after successfully sending the tennis ball into Tezuka's half, observed Tezuka's movements carefully with both eyes.

"Bang!"

The tennis ball transformed into a yellow stream of light and shot rapidly toward Takahashi.

Takahashi's figure flashed, and as the tennis ball landed, he swung his racket successfully.

"Bang!"

The tennis ball flew back toward Tezuka's half.

Tezuka's brows furrowed slightly.

The landing point of the Zero-Style Serve was not far from the net, and after hitting the Zero-Style Serve, Tezuka immediately activated the Limit of the Thousand-Hammered Refinement, doubling the power and speed of the incoming ball, and hit it toward the baseline on Takahashi's left side.

He had thought that Takahashi, who was still at the net, would not be able to arrive in time.

He did not expect that it was actually him; he had not noticed how Takahashi had moved over.

It was a bit like the Shrinking Ground Method of Kite Eishiro, who had played against him before.

But back then, after Tezuka activated the Limit of the Thousand-Hammered Refinement, Kite's Shrinking Ground Method could no longer keep up with his rhythm.

Takahashi being able to shut out Echizen indeed meant he possessed quite good strength.

Tezuka moved rapidly to the left, raised his arm, and returned the tennis ball at the baseline.

"Bang!"

This power!

Tezuka felt his wrist go somewhat numb.

Adding power on top of a doubled return of the tennis ball?

There was no time to think; Tezuka moved his position rapidly again, swung his tennis racket with force at the landing spot of the ball, and sent the tennis ball into the opponent's half with no danger.

This speed, it must be approaching 220km/h!

Before Tezuka even had a moment to catch his breath.

The tennis ball headed toward the dead corner on Tezuka's right side again.

"Thud!"

The tennis ball landed heavily.

"15-30!"

"Point to Takahashi of Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School!"

Seigaku rest area.

Oishi said with some surprise: "The Limit of the Thousand-Hammered Refinement was actually broken by Takahashi just like that?"

Fuji said with a serious expression: "Adding speed on top of a doubled return of the tennis ball; it seems Takahashi's base strength is even more powerful than we imagined."

Echizen pressed down on the brim of his cap and said: "Even the Captain's Limit of the Thousand-Hammered Refinement might not necessarily be able to score points off Takahashi."

Fuji said: "I know, I just didn't expect Takahashi to break through the Limit of the Thousand-Hammered Refinement head-on so quickly!"

On the court.

Tezuka watched the tennis ball still bouncing within his own half of the court, his expression gradually growing grave.

And at the spot where the ball had landed, a dark, clearly visible ball mark had appeared.

This power, this speed, truly exceeded Tezuka's expectations.

Tezuka silently turned and walked back to the baseline, taking a tennis ball out of his pocket.

He lightly bounced the tennis ball.

Accompanied by the rhythmic sound of the bouncing, Tezuka stared fixedly at Takahashi's body.

The limit of Talent Blooming was also activated along with it.

Tezuka wanted to know where Takahashi's limit was.

Exactly how many shots would it take to score?

Half a minute later.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

Only the rhythmic sound of the tennis ball striking the ground could be heard.

Tezuka maintained the action of bouncing the ball, showing no intention of serving at all.

The others watching the match were somewhat puzzled.

"The Captain must be using the limit of Talent Blooming!"

Momoshiro said.

"That should be it."

Fuji replied.

"But why hasn't the Captain announced the number yet? Why hasn't he announced how many shots it will take to score?"

Momoshiro continued to ask.

Fuji fell silent and did not respond.

On the other side, in the Rikkai rest area.

"The master explained the limit of Talent Blooming before. If two people of similar strength use the limit of Talent Blooming, this number will be quite large; calculating it multiple times will only waste one's mental energy and focus in vain."

"Nearly half a minute has passed, and Tezuka still hasn't made a move or said a word. Just how large is this number, and can it even be calculated?"

Kirihara asked.

"Perhaps it cannot be calculated at all."

Yukimura replied.

"What?"

Kirihara was very confused.

"Talent Blooming works by activating the brain to simulate the match scenarios that will occur in one's mind. The premise of this move is to have a rough prediction of both the opponent's and one's own strength."

"If one is facing an enemy whose strength is unknown, even if the brain is activated to the maximum, it cannot be calculated!"

Yukimura said.

"Is the difference in strength between Takahashi and Tezuka that great?"

Yanagi Renji asked.

Yukimura recalled the practice match he had with Takahashi yesterday, pondered for a few seconds, and said: "Before the Kanto Tournament, I could still see Takahashi's limit, but now, I simply cannot see where his limit is."

Time passed second by second.

Beads of sweat the size of beans kept sliding down Tezuka's cheeks.

His expression gradually turned gloomy, and his brows were tightly furrowed.

Had the limit of Talent Blooming actually failed against Takahashi?

Tezuka was unwilling to admit this fact, but the fact was just that!

Was it because the required number was too large?

Was it so large that it exceeded his brain's calculation capacity?

Or was it that he hadn't seen Takahashi's true strength at all!

Without the opponent's true strength as a basis, even the limit of Talent Blooming could not make an absolute prediction!

Not only the limit of Thousandfold Mastery, but even the limit of Talent Blooming could do nothing to the opponent?

Takahashi Yanichi is truly a terrifying opponent!

A good mindset allowed Tezuka to quickly calm down from his agitation.

A burst of dazzling light suddenly radiated from Tezuka's body.

Specks of white light enveloped Tezuka's entire body.

"The limit of Peerless Perfection?"

Atobe Keigo in the spectator stands blurted out, extremely surprised.

Not only Echizen Ryoma, but even Tezuka Kunimitsu had opened the limit of Peerless Perfection?

Wasn't it said that apart from Echizen Nanjiro, no one had opened it in the last twenty-plus years?

How did Seigaku suddenly produce two?

"Tezuka had never used the limit of Peerless Perfection in previous matches!"

Mukahi, who was to the side, was also somewhat horrified.

"Was Tezuka intentionally hiding his strength before?"

Oshitari said in a deep voice.