Chapter 96: Tornado Smash

On the other side, the Rikkai group.

Marui popped the green bubble gum in his mouth and said, "I don't know why, but whenever Captain Takahashi puts on Yukimura's jacket, it always gives me the illusion that it's Yukimura standing on the court."

Yanagi Renji spoke up, "Takahashi is lowering his return speed, lowering it bit by bit."

Sanada listened to the words of Yanagi Renji and Marui, falling into deep thought.

……

"Boom!"

The match between the two on the court was becoming increasingly intense.

The tennis ball flew back and forth in the air, carrying astonishing speed and power.

"Boom!"

Echizen Ryoma swung his racket hard with his left hand, returning the ball toward the baseline on Takahashi's left side.

Ever since hitting the Twist Serve with his right hand just moments ago, Echizen had decisively switched the racket to his dominant hand, his left.

Takahashi was currently in the right half of the court.

"Tap-tap!"

Takahashi flashed quickly to the left side and swung his racket.

The unease in Echizen's heart grew greater.

Every time he hit the tennis ball toward the opponent's blind spot, the opponent was able to return it quickly.

It seemed there was not the slightest difficulty.

Moreover, the range of motion was not large; he always returned the ball with the smallest steps and the smallest movements.

It was as if these balls were effortless for him, posing no challenge at all!

However, Echizen Ryoma felt a crisis.

With every return, the power on the tennis ball grew heavier.

His wrist was becoming somewhat numb.

This couldn't go on; he had to regain the initiative and launch an attack against his opponent.

The best defense is offense!

"Boom!"

Seizing the right moment, Echizen lowered his center of gravity, his shoes scraping sparks from the ground.

Then, Echizen leaped with force and swung the tennis racket in his hand.

The tennis ball traced the trajectory of the letter "B".

……

"It's Echizen's signature B-Drive!"

The three from Horio shouted out.

"This move combines a forehand strike with powerful spin, and when paired with Echizen's jumping posture, the B-Drive is not easy to receive."

Kikumaru said loudly.

Before Kikumaru's voice had even faded, a "boom" was heard, and Takahashi had already successfully returned it.

Echizen was in mid-air at this moment, having not yet landed.

He watched helplessly as the tennis ball passed by his feet and landed steadily on the backcourt baseline.

"0-40!"

"Takahashi scores!"

……

Mukahi couldn't help but exclaim, "Takahashi is truly amazing, actually breaking Echizen's signature moves one by one."

"And the most incredible part is that he can successfully return them with just ordinary flat shots."

"Compared to back then, I feel like Takahashi has become even more formidable!"

Just as Mukahi finished speaking, a low voice rang out.

"Echizen and Takahashi have played too many balls."

"Takahashi's balls are not that easy to receive!"

Mukahi looked back and saw that the person who had arrived was none other than their Hyotei Captain, Atobe.

Oshitari, standing to the side, listened to Atobe's words and pondered for a long time.

"I never expected Takahashi to be the newly appointed Captain of Rikkai!"

"Just how favored by the heavens is Rikkai!"

"Yukimura fell ill, and in came a Takahashi!"

"Why doesn't our Hyotei have such an outstanding first-year!"

Atobe continued, his tone filled with envy.

Oshitari said, "Echizen has played too many balls; is it that move from last time?"

Atobe nodded and said, "Yes, the Deprivation of Five Senses has already begun."

Having once been a victim of Takahashi's Metsu Gokan, the experience was one Atobe still found hard to forget.

And now, this ominous aura had appeared once again.

……

"Boom!"

"Takahashi scores, the score is 0-1!"

"Change of serve!"

……

Seigaku rest area.

Kikumaru, Momoshiro, and the others all had their mouths wide open.

Not a single point gained!

Another point not gained!

Could it be that this set between Echizen and Takahashi will also repeat the scores of the previous two doubles matches?

This first-year Captain from Rikkai is actually this formidable! This terrifying!

It is completely unlike what Coach Ryuzaki guessed.

Oishi thought of the challenge letter Rikkai issued before the match.

He suddenly understood.

Perhaps Rikkai is not being arrogant and conceited.

But rather, three matches finished, that is their strength!

What a truly terrifying opponent!

Ryuzaki, sitting in the court's coaching seat, also had her face turn completely dark.

If it continues at this trend, it really will be 6-0!

……

The second game is Takahashi's Serve.

Takahashi took a tennis ball from his pocket, tossed it upward casually, and swung his racket.

"Tap tap!"

Echizen lightly performed a Small Split Step, quickly arrived at the ball's landing spot, swung his left hand, and successfully returned it.

At this moment, Echizen could not help but grip his tennis racket tightly, his left hand dripping with cold sweat.

The pressure Takahashi brought him was simply too great!

Even when Echizen competed against Captain Tezuka Kunimitsu back then, he had not felt such pressure!

The problem is, the opponent still hasn't used any techniques yet, just the most basic style of play.

Yet he has returned all of his moves.

Echizen looked at the opponent's casual posture and was very annoyed.

Free and easy, careless, it seems he does not take him to heart, and does not take this match to heart.

Echizen decided, he would use that move from the training camp before.

……

"Bang!"

Seizing the opportunity of the opponent's lob, Echizen leaped upward with force, rotated in the air, and slammed his racket down hard at the tennis ball.

This was not an ordinary smash.

Accompanying the smash.

There was also a materialized Tornado.

"Thud!"

The tennis ball landed on Takahashi's left side with astonishing momentum.

Takahashi held his tennis racket, without making any movement.

"0-15!"

"Echizen scores!"

……

"Well done! Little one!"

Kikumaru opened his arms excitedly.

This was not a simple point.

This was the first point they, Seigaku, had taken in the match against Rikkai today.

This point brought them hope, brought them light.

Fuji, Inui, and the others' expressions also improved.

Oishi spoke up: "This is the result of the training camp, the new move Echizen developed during the training camp, Tornado Smash!"

Ryuzaki, sitting on the court, was also infected by the emotions of the people behind her.

Her gloomy face finally cleared up, and a brilliant smile appeared on her face.

It was she who personally led the Seigaku group to the training camp.

She formulated corresponding practice for everyone.

It is precisely because of her hard work and dedication that Echizen Ryoma has today's move.

She looked at Echizen Ryoma with loving eyes, as if she saw in him the father of Ryoma who brought her endless glory back then, Echizen Nanjiro.

Superior innate genes, Ryuzaki and Nanjiro's excellent acquired cultivation.

Only then can the most outstanding talent be created!

Even if Echizen Ryoma lost a game earlier, that does not matter.

With Ryoma's growth speed and growth potential, Takahashi will one day be left far behind by Echizen.

Even if Takahashi Yanichi's strength is okay now, what about his future development?

Does he have an excellent coach like Ryuzaki to cultivate him?

……

On the other side, Rikkai.

"Master, why didn't you return that ball?"

Kirihara felt very puzzled.

Although that ball had even manifested the Tornado.

But he believed that with Takahashi's strength, it would have been completely fine.

The same doubt also existed in the hearts of Sanada, Yanagi Renji, and the others.

On the court.

Takahashi looked at the tennis ball that had landed behind him and smiled slightly, his eyes showing no dissatisfaction at all.