Legend has it that ancient martial arts possess a unique realm known as ["lifting the heavy as if it were light"]. This skill allows one to effortlessly neutralize the force of an opponent's attack, and at its peak, it can redirect the force without any residual impact.
This explains why Ryoma, despite his seemingly effortless swing, could easily return the tennis ball with precision.
"Isn't the vice-captain just too strong?"
Hiyoshi was in awe.
His admiration for Ryoma had reached an unprecedented level.
Before this, he had never imagined that he, a senior, would feel such deep respect for a first-year student.
"What a fast shot!"
On the Shitenhoji side, Shiraishi, Chitose, and the others were equally shocked.
Too fast!
Ryoma's shot was devoid of any flashy movements. It was as simple as drawing a bow and releasing an arrow, yet the power it carried far exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Hmm..."
On the court, Toyama's expression darkened as he noticed the slight crack on the ground where the ball had landed.
He was simple-minded, but that didn't mean he was foolish.
The boy before him was undoubtedly stronger than Shiraishi and Chitose.
However, what surprised everyone was that Shitenhoji's super rookie, feeling the pressure from Ryoma, actually jumped up in excitement.
"This feeling... it's so thrilling!"
The boy bounced around, not at all like someone facing a formidable opponent.
"It's happening!"
Seeing Toyama's reaction, the other Shitenhoji players couldn't help but smile.
For their rookie, no matter how tough the challenge, he always responded with even greater determination.
This eternally optimistic mindset was one of the reasons for his strength!
*Bang!*
Immediately, Toyama served again.
The powerful serve dragged a long tail, slamming into the ground like a cannonball in front of Ryoma.
"This guy really doesn't listen to advice," Ryoma thought to himself.
But he wasn't surprised. After all, in the original story, Toyama was known for his stubbornness and relentless spirit. After losing to Yukimura, he challenged him a hundred times, only stopping after winning once.
If it weren't for knowing Yukimura's personality, Ryoma might have suspected that the latter had gotten tired of the constant challenges and let Toyama win.
However, Ryoma had no intention of indulging him.
*Whoosh!*
Watching the ball bounce toward him, Ryoma once again assumed his martial arts stance. Like before, he drew his racket back like a bow and, at the moment the ball rose, swiftly swung it forward.
*Bang!*
The ball shot out like an arrow from a bow.
The spectators' expressions changed, especially the Shitenhoji team. Ryoma's shot, though seemingly simple, carried the impact of a top-tier technique.
"Is this the strength of Hyotei's Demon King?"
Kojirō's eyes trembled.
Even with his speed, if he didn't remove his weights, he probably wouldn't be able to catch up to that shot.
*Thud! Thud!*
However, a figure as swift as a leopard suddenly appeared near the baseline—Toyama.
"Hehe!"
Catching up to the ball, the boy grinned excitedly. He swung his racket, aiming to return the shot.
*Bang!*
But the moment the ball met his racket, Toyama's pupils contracted.
*Sizzle...*
The sheer force of the impact made him feel as though he might lose his grip on the racket.
No—this wasn't an illusion!
Toyama's expression changed.
Immediately, to the shock of the Shitenhoji team, he quickly grabbed the racket with both hands, using all his strength to return the shot.
"This..."
Zaizen and the others were stunned.
They hadn't expected their super rookie, known as the ["Monster Boy"], to be overpowered in terms of strength.
"That's not just raw power!"
Shiraishi's expression turned serious. "Every shot Ryoma makes perfectly combines power and spin. What looks like a simple return carries destructive force beyond imagination!"
"Exactly," Chitose nodded solemnly. "His tennis has surpassed the level of a middle schooler."
"Mind! Technique! Body!"
Coach Watanabe couldn't help but marvel. "It's hard to believe that someone so young has honed their abilities to such an extent!"
At this moment, in their eyes, Ryoma's strength transcended his age. He was now regarded as a third-year player like Shiraishi and Chitose.
Of course, even so, the level of skill and mastery Ryoma had achieved was nothing short of extraordinary!
*Bang!*
Suddenly, the ball landed like a cannonball.
*Crack...*
Just like before, Ryoma's simple swing caused the ground to crack under the ball's impact.
"0-30!"
"Huff... huff..."
On the other side, Toyama was breathing heavily.
Though the match had lasted less than two minutes, facing Ryoma's powerful shots required his full concentration and effort.
As a result, his stamina was draining faster than usual, leaving him momentarily unable to catch his breath.
"This guy is really strong!"
Toyama looked up, his expression turning serious.
This was a game, and losing consecutive points meant he was on the verge of defeat.
"I have to win!"
He glared at his opponent with determination. "I must score!"
*Bang!*
Toyama served again, this time with even more power.
"This kid is a real monster!"
Shishido and Hiyoshi looked at Toyama with amazement. Most players, when being dominated and losing points, would switch from offense to defense.
But this guy? Not only did he not do that, he actually increased the power of his serve and intensified his attack?
*Thud!*
Ryoma swung his racket.
By now, he had complete control over his racket, as if it were an extension of his arm. With a single thought, he swung, and the ball was sent flying with a sharp arc.
*Whoosh!*
Seeing the trajectory, the Shitenhoji team's hearts sank.
Too strong!
To so easily break through Toyama's powerful serve—this guy seemed to have no weaknesses!
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
The two continued to exchange shots.
The ball flew back and forth across the court, the strong gusts of wind causing the net to sway violently.
Toyama's movements were fast but chaotic. Wild and unpredictable, his style would have left most players struggling to anticipate his attacks, leading to a defensive stance.
Coupled with his powerful shots, few would last more than a few rounds before their defenses crumbled.
But Ryoma was different.
His insight was so sharp that he could predict the direction of his opponent's attack the moment the racket was swung.
Seeing the subtle, understanding the whole—though he hadn't activated the full power of his chess-inspired abilities, their passive effects were enough to let him observe every detail on the court.
*Bang!*
Another precise and heavy shot landed.
Toyama rushed to return it, but his racket was just a moment too late. He could only watch as the ball bounced past him.
"Huff... huff..."
Toyama bent over, gasping for breath.
The continuous aggressive play and the effort required to counter Ryoma's shots had drained his stamina rapidly.
This left the Shitenhoji team speechless.
Who would have thought that the boy they saw as having boundless energy would now be in such a sorry state?
"They're not on the same level," Coach Watanabe shook his head.
Though Toyama's talent surpassed 99.9% of players in the world, unfortunately, the boy from Hyotei was part of the remaining 0.1%.
"Kintarō..."
Shiraishi watched as Toyama prepared to serve again and sighed softly.
Before this match, he had felt deeply guilty for placing the burden of Shitenhoji's advancement on Toyama's shoulders. But now, it seemed that not letting him bear that responsibility might have been the better choice.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
Losing consecutive points, Toyama, now backed into a corner, continued his aggressive play. Perhaps due to anxiety, his attacks grew fiercer, resembling Akutsu's furious state.
"This kid is interesting," Akutsu remarked from the Hyotei side.
In Toyama, he saw a reflection of himself. Perhaps because he shared the same ["an eye for an eye"] mentality, he felt a certain affinity for the red-haired boy.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
However, facing Ryoma's impenetrable defense, Toyama's attacks were futile.
"Kintarō is too straightforward," Chitose couldn't help but comment. "As that person said, brute force alone is ineffective."
Toyama's strength was indeed formidable—even Shiraishi and Chitose wouldn't dare underestimate him.
But that was all it was.
Against a player like Ryoma, who had transcended the level of a middle schooler, it simply wasn't enough.
Without realizing this, Toyama would never be able to score!
"This guy is too strong!"
Sweat dripped from Toyama's forehead as he stared at his opponent. "I can't break through his defense, and the moment I show even the slightest weakness, he exploits it!"
As time passed, he felt the overwhelming pressure from Ryoma grow stronger.
Though Ryoma hadn't launched a counterattack, Toyama couldn't shake the feeling that the mountain before him could collapse at any moment, crushing him completely.
And this feeling only grew stronger.
"I can't keep going like this."
Under the immense pressure, the simple-minded boy's mentality began to shift.
He wanted to score, not just play for the sake of playing!
This desire grew stronger and stronger.
*Whoosh!*
Suddenly, a glint appeared in Toyama's eyes.
After a series of fierce attacks, he caught up to the ball once more. This time, he raised his racket high, preparing for a powerful smash.
"This kid is too stubborn," Shishido couldn't help but shake his head. "With such incredible talent, he doesn't know how to use it properly."
As an observer, he even felt a bit of sympathy for this outsider.
If Shishido had such talent, even if he played aggressively, he wouldn't be as one-dimensional as this kid, who only knew how to attack relentlessly.
"It's probably some kind of paradox," Oshitari said with a shrug. "With top-tier talent, you don't need to think about other strategies. Even without effort, you can reach heights others can't. If it were you, wouldn't you be the same?"
"Uh..."
Shishido paused, then nodded with a wry smile.
"Hmm."
Beside them, Akutsu, who had been silently watching the match, raised an eyebrow.
He finally understood why he felt a connection with Shitenhoji's first-year.
They shared the same top-tier talent.
The same disdain for relying on other techniques.
And now, the same struggle against Ryoma, finding it nearly impossible to score even a single point!
"Kid!"
Akutsu looked at the red-haired boy on the court. "You've got more in you than this, don't you?"
*Tap!*
At that moment, Toyama's swing suddenly slowed. His smash turned into a slice, though the motion was awkward and the technique crude.
However, thanks to his innate sense for the game, the shot was still far better than what an average player could manage.
"A drop shot?"
"Wait, is Kintarō really...?"
"Finally adapting?"
The Shitenhoji team, including Shiraishi and Chitose, looked on in surprise and relief.
*Thud! Thud!*
Meanwhile, Ryoma quickly moved to the net.
Reaching the ball before it bounced a second time, he lobbed it high into the air.
"Now's my chance!!!"
Suddenly, Toyama leaped up in excitement.
Then, like a spinning top, he rotated rapidly in mid-air, creating a whirlwind of incredible force.
"What... what is this?!"
The Hyotei team and the spectators were startled by the sudden change.
"It's coming!"
On the Shitenhoji side, the team's spirits lifted.
"Kintarō!"
Shiraishi, Chitose, and the others clenched their fists.
Under normal circumstances, they would never want to see Toyama use this devastating smash.
But now, facing the seemingly invincible Ryoma, if anything could break through his defense, it would be this move!
In the next moment, Toyama stopped spinning and raised his racket, aiming at the ball as it descended. With a mighty swing, he smashed it down:
"Super Ultra Delicious Big Wheel Mountain Storm!!!"
"Hey, hey!!"
Hearing the name, Mukahi couldn't help but吐槽, "What kind of ridiculous move name is that?!"
*Boom!*
But in the next instant, a sound like an explosion rang out.
Accompanied by terrifying pressure, a fierce storm surged downward, with Ryoma directly in its path.
"Is this really a move a human can pull off?"
The Hyotei team's expressions changed.
They stared at the red-haired boy on the court as if he were a monster.
"What's that?"
At the same time, Hiyoshi, standing beside the regulars, noticed something. His gaze locked onto Ryoma, and his pupils contracted sharply.
"Four Gods Martial Arts... White Tiger?!"
*Boom!*
Suddenly, Ryoma swung his racket.
Facing Toyama's devastating smash, he remained calm. As his racket made contact, he channeled the techniques of ancient martial arts, transferring the force seamlessly from his shoulder to his wrist and finally to the racket.
*Whoosh!*
In the next moment, a streak as fast as a bullet shot out, cutting through the dust on the court and leaving a clear path in its wake.
The Shitenhoji team watched in disbelief as the shot headed straight for Toyama!
"Ugh!!!"
Feeling the sudden danger, Toyama's pupils contracted. But at the same time, to the shock of the Shitenhoji team, he swung his racket, aiming to return the shot.
"Danger!"
"Don't do it, Kintarō!"
"Get out of the way!!!"
They shouted, but Toyama's resolve didn't waver. He raised his racket and, without hesitation, met the ball head-on.
*Boom!!!*
In that instant, a terrifying shockwave erupted from the point of impact. The force of the collision sent dust flying, obscuring Toyama's side of the court.
"Kintarō!!!"
The Shitenhoji team rushed onto the court in a panic.
As the dust began to settle, they could vaguely make out a figure.
"This..."
Shiraishi, Chitose, and the others froze.
There, lying on the ground with a smile on his face and his racket still in hand, was Toyama, unconscious.
In his arms was a tennis ball, slightly charred from the intense impact.
"This looks bad."
"Shiraishi, should we take him to the hospital?"
"Yeah, we can't take any chances. We need to—huh?"
*Snore...*
Just as they were anxiously discussing Toyama's condition, the rhythmic sound of snoring reached their ears.
*Drip... drip...*
At that moment, drops of water began to fall from the sky.
"What's this?"
The Shitenhoji team looked up in confusion.
Above them, thin strands of rain began to fall.
"It's... raining?!"
They were stunned, then, as if realizing something, turned their gaze to the other side of the court, where Ryoma was walking away with a smile.
"Gulp."
Kojirō, Zaizen, and the others swallowed hard. Zaizen's voice trembled as he spoke.
"Could it be... that what he wanted to say earlier was this?"
(End of Chapter)
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