A brilliant light shimmered before condensing into a dense mist that enveloped his left arm.
Perfect Mastery of a Hundred Refinements!
"What?!"
Fuji's expression shifted.
Aside from pairing Perfect Mastery with Tezuka Zone, combining it with Genius of Limitless Evolution was also an exceptional match.
By using the foresight granted by Genius, the mobility limitations of Perfect Mastery were eliminated, while its rebound effect was amplified.
Compared to Perfect Mastery + Zone, this new combination required far less setup time.
While Perfect Mastery + Zone minimized energy expenditure, pairing it with Genius allowed for faster activation.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! 15-0!"
The moment the ball was returned, Tezuka had already predicted its trajectory—his racket swung out, sending it back with double the force.
The sheer precision of the angle was terrifying, locking Fuji into an impossible position.
With his Absolute Control of Perfect Play, Tezuka could execute flawless returns even under extreme pressure—let alone a standard serve receive!
---
BANG—!
"Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! Game set, 3-0!"
In Fuji's service game, all four of his serves had been countered by Perfect Mastery + Genius.
The overwhelming rebound effect left no room for resistance.
The match was steadily heading toward a shutout.
Third game—Tezuka's serve.
"Fuji… what is tennis to you?"
Tezuka bounced the ball against the court, his voice low.
Just as he prepared to serve, he noticed Fuji extending his free hand, fingertips brushing the air as if sensing something.
The sight made Tezuka frown.
Even now… do you still lack the will to win?
Will you truly betray the captain's expectations?
"What tennis means to me…?"
Fuji lowered his head in thought before answering cryptically:
"The wind in the alleyways is quite strong today."
BANG—!
Without another word, Tezuka fired off his serve, cutting Fuji off mid-thought.
If words won't wake you up, then I'll crush you completely.
Not a Zero-Shiki Serve—at his current Five Dimensions level, he couldn't afford to spam it recklessly, especially while Perfect Mastery already strained his arm.
Instead, a Sharp Angle Serve!
The ball streaked across the court, skimming the net before dipping sharply toward the front corner.
SWOOSH—!
Just as it threatened to fly out of bounds, Fuji lunged forward, intercepting it at the last moment.
While Perfect Mastery enhanced serves, the effect paled in comparison to its rebound power.
But Fuji didn't counter with a drive—he sliced it.
A screeching impact echoed.
"A return?"
Tezuka had already positioned himself at the centerline, Genius predicting the ball's path.
As the ball approached, he angled his racket at 45 degrees, priming a Zero-Shiki Drop Shot.
Under Perfect Mastery, the drop shot's descent would be even faster—Fuji's footwork wouldn't stand a chance!
But then—
The ball, influenced by spin, curved upward mid-flight.
"…A blunder this sloppy?"
Tezuka froze, his swing halting mid-motion.
The ball soared high, clearly destined to land out.
Has Fuji's play really deteriorated this much?
"The wind is picking up, Tezuka."
Fuji smiled softly.
The moment he spoke, the ball—carried by a sudden gust—looped 360 degrees in midair before plunging straight down.
BANG—!
It landed dead on the baseline, then rebounded backward, hurtling toward Fuji's side of the court.
"..."
Before Tezuka could react, a golden streak whizzed past his cheek.
On the opposite side, Fuji calmly opened his palm—catching the ball as it returned to him.
"White Whale."
Fuji's voice was light.
"A technique I've only recently perfected. Still a bit rough, but the wind helps~"
"A powerful backhand slice to send the ball soaring, then using the wind to guide it back into the court—where it rebounds into the player's hand."
"Tezuka… I've prepared something new for you too."
"Fuji Syusuke scores! 15-0!"
---
"White Whale, huh?"
Tezuka's expression remained unreadable as he closed his eyes briefly.
The move was dangerous when unexpected.
But Captain Yoru had taught him:
"After losing a point to a special technique, analyze its mechanics, trajectory, and weaknesses—then counter."
In the past, Tezuka might've needed time to adapt.
Now?
His mind had already dissected the entire technique.
- The upward arc left it vulnerable to smashes.
- The descent speed wasn't fast enough to evade reaction.
- But the real flaw was its most spectacular feature—the ball's return path.
If timed right, Tezuka wouldn't even need to move—just intercept it mid-rebound for an easy counter.
White Whale's strength lies in its surprise factor.
Against someone who's seen it?
It's far less threatening than Tsubame Gaeshi.
"I understand now."
Tezuka reopened his eyes, bouncing the ball methodically.
The rhythmic taps steadied his focus, his demeanor cooling into calm precision.
Whether it's the windup or execution, White Whale has too many openings.
In terms of pure threat…
It might not even surpass Tsubame Gaeshi.
BANG—!
Another Sharp Angle Serve—this time, no holds barred.
A golden streak blitzed the court, landing and rebounding in the blink of an eye.
Though both were under Sigil enhancements, the final boost depended on their base Five Dimensions stats—and Tezuka's were superior.
"Too fast!"
Fuji sprinted to intercept, realizing Tezuka was suppressing White Whale's setup with sheer speed.
The serve's angle forced a forehand return—White Whale required a backhand slice.
…I regret explaining it now.
Had he stayed silent, Tezuka wouldn't have pinpointed the weakness so quickly.
A lesson in "pride before the fall."
With no chance for White Whale, Fuji could only return normally.
BANG—!
The ball rocketed back, but the rebound lacked its usual sharpness.
"You reached it, but the quality isn't enough."
"Without White Whale or Tsubame Gaeshi… what will you do?"
Influenced by Yoru, Tezuka's playstyle had evolved—every move calculated for victory.
He controlled the tempo, strangling Fuji's options one by one.
As Fuji scrambled after the ball, Tezuka murmured:
"Will you finally change… just as the captain hoped?"