Chapter 93: The King's Dominance

Seigaku resting area.

"No way! Momoshiro-senpai's Smash was actually countered, and in such a simple way."

Horio said, feeling very dejected.

"Yeah! The opponent looks so relaxed!"

The duo beside Horio chimed in as well.

"That is a half-volley, a technique where you volley the moment the tennis ball bounces after landing."

Fuji Shusuke spoke up to explain to everyone, then he continued:

"Facing Momoshiro's Smash, which combines both speed and power, attempting to hit a half-volley puts even greater demands on the opponent's timing and control, making it much more difficult."

"And to be able to take advantage of the moment Momoshiro is in the air and unable to move his body to return the ball to his feet—his ball control is also quite formidable."

Just as Fuji Shusuke was marveling.

The situation on the court changed once again.

Kaidoh gauged the timing and swung his arm upward with force.

The tennis ball suddenly traced a bizarre path.

It circled around the outside of the tennis court for half a turn before returning to the inside of the court.

It was none other than Kaidoh's signature move, the Boomerang Snake.

To master the landing spot of this shot, Kaidoh had undergone grueling practice day and night.

Finally, on the eve of the Kanto Tournament, he had fully mastered this shot.

He had thought that this shot, born from his arduous training, would successfully win a point for Seigaku.

But he hadn't expected.

Jackal kept his eyes locked on the tennis ball and quickly turned to run toward the back.

The moment the ball returned to the court, he swung his tennis racket with force.

Only a "bang" sound was heard.

The Boomerang Snake was actually returned.

Kaidoh couldn't believe it.

Looking at the relaxed expression on his opponent's face, Kaidoh froze.

He had practiced this move day and night, spending a massive amount of effort and energy, thinking he could use this surprise move to shock his opponent.

Yet he hadn't expected the opponent to return it so easily.

Without using any technique.

Simply.

It was returned.

Kaidoh was starting to doubt his life!

"Thud!"

"0-30!"

"Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School scores!"

"Kaidoh-senpai's Boomerang Snake was actually returned too."

Several of Seigaku's first-years were hit hard.

Especially since the opponent had only used a plain return, without employing any exquisite or brilliant moves.

This made it even harder for them to accept.

"It's strange!"

Inui pushed up his glasses and continued: "According to the data I've collected, when they don't have the serve, the probability of this Rikkai doubles pair losing a point in the first game is 85%."

"But we have the serve, and they've actually taken two consecutive points. It's so different from my data, it's truly strange!"

In the spectator stands.

Shitian of Fudomine spoke up: "This Marui Bunta seems even stronger than when he played against us last time."

"Could it be that he didn't use his full strength back then?"

Ibu Shinji spoke up: "Although I don't want to admit it, they probably weren't even serious when they played against us."

"Look at Marui's expression now; it's very serious, not at all as relaxed as when he played us."

Kamio Akira said: "Damn it! Are we really that inferior to Seigaku? Are we not worth them being serious?"

Watching the performance of Marui and Jackal, Sanada, standing in the resting area, revealed a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth.

This was the true strength of Rikkai.

Last week, Sanada had issued a formal challenge to Seigaku in the name of Rikkai.

This challenge not only confirmed the match between the first-years of both sides, Takahashi and Echizen.

It also ignited the fighting spirit of the entire Rikkaidai Tennis Club.

They would not let Seigaku take a single point from them, not even a small point.

That was their goal for today!

Sanada shifted his gaze to Takahashi, who was sitting in the coaching seat on the court.

He recalled how, a few days ago, Takahashi had specifically coached every Regular Member.

He had pointed out their strengths and weaknesses clearly and accurately.

They also conducted a detailed analysis of every opponent from Seigaku.

This is what allowed Marui and Jackal to score from the very beginning.

The original characteristic of the doubles pair Marui and Jackal was to carefully observe their opponents in the early stages and begin fierce attacks in the later stages.

Although they might lose a few points or a game at the start, the final victory would surely be theirs.

Now, with Takahashi's help, they have saved the time spent observing their opponents and are scoring directly.

……

"Bang!"

"Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School takes this game, score 3-0!"

After Marui and Jackal broke through the opponent's special move, they scored frequently.

The match presented a one-sided situation.

The members of Seigaku were starting to feel restless.

In order to prepare for this match against Rikkai, they even conducted a seven-day training camp under the leadership of Coach Ryuzaki.

Everyone had improved significantly.

But facing Rikkai, they were still helpless.

Is this the strength of Wangzhe Rikai Da!

The faces of the Seigaku team members gradually dimmed, no longer possessing the excitement from the start of the match.

Especially the three first-years including Horio, who wore expressions of obvious disappointment.

Coach Ryuzaki, sitting in the coaching chair on the court, turned her head and took a deep look at Takahashi, who was sitting on the other side.

……

"Bang!"

"4-0!"

……

"Bang!"

"5-0!"

……

"Bang!"

"6-0!"

"Match over! Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School wins!"

……

"Next, the Singles No. 3 match will begin, between Seigaku's Kikumaru Eiji and Oishi Shuichiro against Rikkai's Yagyu Hiroshi and Niou Masaharu."

The umpire announced loudly.

……

The Doubles No. 1 match has already ended.

6-0!

These numbers hung prominently on the score screen to the side.

Both the Doubles No. 2 and Doubles No. 1 matches ended with a 6-0 record.

Shiba Saori looked at this score, her lips even trembling slightly.

"Rikkai... is actually this strong! They shut out their opponents in both matches!"

"Seigaku, they didn't even manage to get a single point."

Inoue spoke up: "Indeed, this is the strength of the champions!"

"If Rikkai also wins the upcoming Singles No. 3 match, then the entire match will be over."

Shiba was even more surprised and said: "So fast, it hasn't even been 1 hour since the match started."

Inoue nodded and said: "Yes, this is Rikkai's consistent match style."

"Eliminating the opponent in just three matches, and all with 6-0 scores."

"This is the dominance of the champions!"

……

Seigaku rest area.

The three of Horio were greatly struck; the Regular Members they had always worshipped were actually beaten so miserably by Rikkai, without any power to fight back.

Looking at the score, Momoshiro muttered to himself: "Rikkai is actually this strong, the coach's previous analysis..."

Realizing what he was saying, he immediately stopped his words.

But the doubt regarding Coach Ryuzaki had already taken deep root in his heart.

The coach previously believed that Rikkai was making frequent blunders and must have been blinded by victory, becoming arrogant and conceited.

Arrogance leads to defeat.

This statement seemed logically sound.

However, who was the arrogant one: Rikkai, or Coach Ryuzaki?

……

"The Singles No. 3 match is about to begin!"

A voice came over the broadcast.