"What's a 'half-volley,' senpai?"
Saori continued to snap photos of Seiya, asking Inoue another beginner question.
"A half-volley is an advanced technique where you hit the ball at the exact moment it bounces off the ground. If your timing isn't perfect, you'll either miss the ball completely or get hit in the face. But Seiya's shot was even more advanced. He hit the ball before it even bounced. That requires incredible speed and reflexes, so it's more like a 'super half-volley.'"
Inui from Seigaku gave a similar explanation to the first-years. "To hit a half-volley on Fuji's 'Swallow Return' before it lands, his reflexes and running speed must be incredible. But even with all my data, I can't tell what kind of footwork he's using."
Tennis has many types of footwork, like Ryoma's single-leg shuffle, which can make him one and a half steps faster than a normal person. Seiya's dash was clearly a special kind of footwork, but Inui, the "Data Man," couldn't figure out what it was.
"Okuriashi... that's the special footwork he's using. But it's been modified."
The Seigaku team was confused by Tezuka's sudden comment. They didn't know what "Okuriashi" meant, but Inui and Ryoma's faces showed that they had figured it out. "I see, Okuriashi. No wonder it felt so familiar."
"Okuriashi is a special footwork used in kendo. I used to practice with my grandfather, so I recognized it. And Seiya's swings have a certain sharpness to them. He must be a master of kendo and has incorporated the art into his tennis style. That's probably his style of tennis."
"Game, Wenren Seiya from Fudomine. Score 30-15!"
Just as Tezuka was revealing Seiya's true nature, Fuji looked at the ball rolling behind him, his serious expression now one of complete shock. Seiya had perfectly returned his "Swallow Return" with a half-volley! In just three shots, he had figured out how to return Fuji's signature move.
"Wenren Seiya is really strong, but I won't give up so easily."
Honestly, Seiya's talent and strength were putting a lot of pressure on Fuji. This was the second opponent since Tezuka to make him feel this way. But just as he said, he had a reason not to lose!
Fuji's serve was returned, and he used his "Swallow Return" again. But Seiya, who had already gotten a feel for the rhythm, used his half-volley again before the ball landed. It was as if Fuji had anticipated this. He had already moved to the landing spot and hit the ball to the opposite corner of Seiya's court.
"Beautiful! He hit the ball to the exact opposite side of the court. Even with his Okuriashi footwork, Seiya can't get to it... Wait, is that guy a monster?! In the blink of an eye, he's at the other side of the court!"
Seiya had returned Fuji's risky shot and hit it to the other corner of the court. Fuji didn't have the same footwork and barely managed to return the ball. The ball was now in the air, a high lob headed for Seiya's court.
The Fudomine team was excited because this was the perfect opportunity for a smash. The Seigaku team, who saw Fuji's plan, were all smiling knowingly.
Seiya looked at the high lob in the air and at Fuji, who was at the baseline, and grinned. He knew what Fuji was planning, and he wasn't going to back down. After a few steps, Seiya leaped high in the air, racket in hand. The moment he went for the smash, the Seigaku team became even more excited. They knew that Fuji, the genius, had a move specifically to counter smashes, the "Bear Trap"!
"Wenren Style, Fourth Form: Vanguard!"
Seiya jumped high in the air and changed his grip from one hand to two. He didn't use the strings to hit the ball; he used the racket frame. It was more like he was swinging a sword in the air! The ball, hit by the frame, warped in the air and shot out in a very unstable manner!
"Fuji, get out of the way! You can't return that ball!"
"Fuji, the power of that ball is too much! Don't try to be a hero!"
Tezuka and Coach Ryuzaki, who were on the sidelines, could tell that this shot was extraordinary and yelled for Fuji to get out of the way. But Fuji ignored them and got into his "Bear Trap" stance.
Kippei, who was on the Fudomine side, admired Fuji's courage but also shook his head. "Fuji, are you trying to stop Seiya's move with your small arms? His ball is not just a regular smash!"
Kippei looked down at his right arm. He had experienced Seiya's "Vanguard" last night. He shivered at the memory of his racket flying a few meters away and the numbness in his arm. He used to think his tennis was violent, but after seeing Seiya's smash, he realized his was much gentler.
The ball shot down like lightning and left a deep indentation in the court as a cloud of dust billowed up. Fuji got into his "Bear Trap" stance, but at the last second, the ball changed direction and grazed the edge of his racket before landing out of bounds.