Akutsu really did make rapid progress, constantly evolving during his matches. His evolution curve was even stronger and more intense than Atobe's, but...
A person's evolution has its limits. In this match, no matter how much Akutsu evolved and pushed his boundaries, he couldn't return Kamikawa's Golden Snake Triple Step head-on.
This was the absolute gap between a Kanto-level player and a national-level player!
It wasn't something that could be overcome with just a few words.
"Phew..."
In the next moment,
Kamikawa tossed the tennis ball high, bent his knees, leaped, and his gaze swept over Akutsu.
"The return won't even make it past the center net!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
Akutsu gripped his racket with both hands, his wolf-like eyes never leaving Kamikawa.
At that instant, Akutsu suddenly felt his body grow heavier, his hands unconsciously gripping the racket tighter, his mouth open, and his pupils instantly constricted into pinpricks.
He... he felt a threat at this moment!
An intense threat!
Thwack!
A dull thud echoed in his ears.
When he reacted, the tennis ball had already flown past his feet in an exaggerated curve.
His entire body was frozen in place, unable to take a single step.
The tennis ball's remaining power was undiminished, spinning furiously, smashing into the fence behind Akutsu. It spun relentlessly until the ball was completely deformed and the fence was twisted into a knot before finally stopping.
The curly-haired boy standing in front of the fence involuntarily took a step back, his entire body sinking to the ground, his eyes filled with terror, and his hands trembling uncontrollably.
The short-haired, brown-haired boy next to him couldn't help but look at his companion and stammer, "Mizuki... Mizuki, are you alright?"
The first-year named Mizuki swallowed, shook his head, and said, "I... I'm fine, Akazawa! I... I was just startled."
Seigaku, who had already qualified for the Kanto Tournament, was only here to gather information.
The rumored transformed Hyotei was said to have several first-years in their lineup. They had initially expected this match to be evenly matched, but they never imagined...
That guy named Kamikawa Muzuki could be this strong.
No!
"Strong" wasn't even the right word to describe it.
He was practically a monster!!
"Game over!!"
"Hyotei Academy's Kamikawa wins!"
"Score: 6-0!"
It wasn't until the referee's call echoed in his ears that Akutsu regained his composure. His chest heaved uncontrollably, and he gasped for air, as if he had just been through something intense.
This scene was so similar to the one at Yamabuki a month ago. Akutsu turned his head to look at the tennis ball embedded in the fence, his pupils widening slightly. He took a deep breath, looking at Kamikawa, who was walking towards the center net, ready to shake hands.
Akutsu steadied his breathing, then turned and left the court, showing no intention of shaking hands. He knew in his heart that he wasn't qualified to shake that hand right now.
His pride was strong, stronger than anyone else's. Until he could play an even match against that guy, Akutsu would absolutely not shake hands, nor would he say a single word to Kamikawa.
"Work hard and get stronger, Akutsu!"
Kamikawa withdrew his hand, watching Akutsu's retreating back.
"I hope next time, you can bring me a little surprise."
"Otherwise, playing tennis alone is just too boring!"
Seeing Akutsu walk off the court, and heading in a different direction, Sengoku couldn't hold back any longer and quickly ran after him, "Akutsu... Akutsu!"
He kept calling Akutsu's name, but Akutsu showed no sign of stopping.
Sengoku had no choice but to run directly in front of Akutsu, blocking his path.
Looking at Sengoku blocking his way, Akutsu said coldly, "Get out of my way!"
Akutsu's pale face and the violent aura radiating from him made Sengoku swallow. Still, he mustered his courage and said, "Akutsu! The match isn't over yet. Please stay and watch from the sidelines."
"Don't order me around!"
A hint of displeasure flashed in Akutsu's eyes. He reached out and grabbed Sengoku's collar, pulling him closer, his fierce expression glaring menacingly at Sengoku.
Sengoku was completely terrified, as if all strength had drained from his body.
"Hmph!"
Akutsu sneered dismissively. He had seen too many cowards like this.
"Get lost, don't bother me!"
Akutsu threw Sengoku aside and walked forward. Having lost face, he had no desire to stay and watch any more unnecessary matches.
Kitayama Ya, the club captain, also ran over. Seeing that Sengoku wasn't seriously hurt, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Sengoku, you were too reckless. If that guy wants to leave, just let him go."
"Why bother making trouble for yourself?"
Beside him, Inagaki, who was always with Kitayama Ya, also spoke up, "That's right! That guy, he lost the match and lost face, and he was completely crushed 6-0. He definitely can't accept it."
After saying this, Inagaki subconsciously glanced in the direction Akutsu had left.
Even though Akutsu was crushed and lost the match,
Akutsu's strength was still undeniably the best in Yamabuki Middle School.
It wasn't that Akutsu was too weak, but that first-year from Hyotei was just too strong!
"I just wanted him to watch the rest of the matches."
Sengoku actually understood everything.
But Yamabuki couldn't do without Akutsu.
This was something that Kitayama and Inagaki didn't grasp as clearly as Sengoku.
"Fourth match."
"Singles Two match."
"Hyotei's Keigo Atobe versus Yamabuki's Kiyosumi Sengoku!"
As the referee's words fell silent.
"The winner is Hyotei, the loser is Yamabuki!"
"The winner is Hyotei, the loser is Yamabuki!"
"The winner is Hyotei, the loser is Yamabuki!"
A deafening roar erupted from outside the court. Over two hundred club members chanted in unison.
"It's up to you now, Atobe," Kamikawa said with a slight smile.
"Hm?"
Atobe raised an eyebrow, his lips curving slightly, "Who do you take me, Keigo Atobe, for?! Let's have our generation take this first Metropolitan Tournament championship!"
Under the terrifying cheers, Atobe stood up, took the racket handed to him by Kabaji, and slowly walked towards the court. The Hyotei regulars also fixed their gazes on the young man.
"That arrogant brat, he's so cocky," Kitayama said, looking at Atobe on the court with displeasure.
"He's the young master of the Atobe Zaibatsu, so he certainly has reason to be arrogant," Inagaki waved his hand, not mentioning Atobe's skill, only his status as part of the Atobe Zaibatsu.
"Kiyosumi Sengoku, a name I've never heard before."
Atobe slowly walked to the center net, his gaze sweeping over Sengoku, and said indifferently.
"Atobe-kun. You must be Hyotei's second-in-command, right! I'm so lucky today, to be able to play against a master like you."
Sengoku had a bright smile on his face. He felt particularly lucky today.
To be able to play against Hyotei's second-in-command, Keigo Atobe.
In Sengoku's understanding, anyone who could be Hyotei's vice-captain definitely had skill surpassing Kamikawa.
Sengoku joined the Yamabuki Tennis Club to get stronger. After being coached by Bantaro, in the singles field at Yamabuki, only Akutsu could consistently overpower him.
"Second-in-command!"
Atobe's steps faltered slightly, but he didn't offer much explanation.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, he was indeed Hyotei's second-in-command!
In reality, he, like the recently dejected Akutsu, had once lost to Kamikawa.
That guy, seemingly carefree, might actually be the undisputed strongest in Hyotei!
A guy who loves to play the underdog to surprise others!
"One set match!"
"Yamabuki's Sengoku to serve!"
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