"It's over... it's really over..."
The members of Rikkai Dai's team exchanged glances, each letting out a sigh of despair.
"Fu Rin Ka Zan" (Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain)—the four ultimate techniques of their vice-captain, Sanada, had all been dismantled by this demon king from Hyotei.
At this moment, it felt as though they could already see the fate of Rikkai Dai in this match.
"Game!"
The referee finally announced, "Hyotei's Ishikawa leads 1-0. Change sides!"
As the words fell, the crowd inside and outside the court erupted into chatter. Most of the discussions revolved around how Rikkai Dai was finished, and how Sanada had no hope of winning.
Then, everyone's gaze shifted back to Sanada.
From him, they could sense an indescribable pressure. It was understandable—after all, he was the "Emperor" of middle school tennis, a player who had once dominated the national stage without equal.
But now, he was facing an unimaginably strong opponent.
It was only natural that he was struggling to come to terms with it.
"To think..."
Sanada stared at his racket, which had been twisted and deformed by the sheer force of the shots. His emotions were a tangled mess. "Even 'Fudoumyouhou' (Immovable as a Mountain) was useless?"
He took a deep breath, bent down to pick up the racket, and placed it back in his bag before pulling out a spare one.
After switching sides, Sanada looked up at his opponent, his gaze slightly dazed.
He had initially thought that the boy across the net was like Yukimura from two years ago—still growing, still unpolished. But now, he realized how wrong he was. The speed, the power, the flawless technique... Even with his current level of skill, he couldn't find a single flaw in the boy before him.
At this moment, Sanada felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
Thankfully, this boy was two years younger than him and Yukimura. Otherwise, Rikkai Dai's back-to-back championships might never have happened.
"Haah..."
Sanada exhaled softly and took his position to receive the serve.
Even though he was trailing and at a disadvantage, his spirit and determination remained unshaken by these unfavorable circumstances.
"The second game begins with Hyotei's Ishikawa serving!"
"His serve is impeccable, perfectly targeting the service line and sideline. It's astonishing to think that a 12-year-old middle schooler can pull off something like this!"
"It looks like Sanada is on the back foot. He's searching for an opportunity, but Ishikawa is too cautious, leaving no openings for him to exploit."
Inside the team bus, the atmosphere was deathly silent.
The six members of Rikkai Dai all wore grim expressions.
"How is this possible...?"
Yanagi subconsciously clenched his fist.
Even though he knew that Sanada's "Fudoumyouhou" wouldn't be enough to stop Ishikawa's attacks, he hadn't expected Sanada to lose so quickly. They hadn't even passed the traffic light yet, and Sanada was already defeated.
"Yanagi... Yanagi-senpai," Marui's voice was low and hesitant. "What... what should we do?"
He was completely lost.
Ever since he joined Rikkai Dai, they had been invincible. No school had ever managed to push them to a fourth match. Even last year, Shitenhouji—the team with the second-highest chance of winning after Rikkai Dai—was sent packing in the semifinals after just three matches.
But now, they were facing the biggest crisis in their history.
"Uh..."
Yanagi didn't know how to answer Marui's question. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have left the match. At least if he were there, he could see what was going on.
Just then, the traffic light turned green, and the bus started moving again, heading toward the highway.
"It's over."
At that moment, Jackal's radio crackled to life once more:
"The second game ends with another victory for Hyotei's Ishikawa. Sanada from Rikkai Dai hasn't scored a single point. Has their streak of consecutive Kanto championships finally come to an end?"
The bus fell into an even deeper silence.
"Two games down already?"
At the tennis park, near the steps leading to the match venue, Inoue watched Sanada, who was breathing heavily, with a look of surprise. "The 'Emperor' of Rikkai Dai is in such a passive position?"
"Isn't that normal?" Shishido, standing next to him, chuckled bitterly. "Even Tezuka, who unlocked the deeper mysteries of the 'Muga no Kyouchi' (State of Self-Actualization), couldn't defeat this Ishikawa."
"Muga no Kyouchi?"
Inoue suddenly remembered. "That's right! Sanada has also mastered the Muga no Kyouchi. Why hasn't he used it?"
Before Tezuka revealed his abilities, and before Echizen and Marui had their breakthroughs, there were only three middle schoolers in the entire country who had mastered the Muga no Kyouchi: Rikkai Dai's captain, Yukimura; Kyushu's Chitose; and the third—the boy on the court right now, wearing a black cap, Sanada Genichirou!
But for some reason, this "Emperor" of tennis hadn't used the Muga no Kyouchi, even in such a dire situation.
At least in Inoue's eyes, the Muga no Kyouchi could potentially turn the tide for Sanada.
*Thud!*
Sanada served again.
But as expected, his return was met with an even fiercer counter from Ishikawa, the ball landing perfectly on the baseline.
The two engaged in a fierce rally.
Sanada's movements were swift, his racket speed increasing with each swing. To the onlookers, it was almost impossible to track the trajectory of the ball.
But that was all.
What seemed like an unstoppable shot to others was easily read by Ishikawa.
Similarly, Ishikawa's returns were just as sharp.
Even a casual swing from him sent the ball flying at speeds beyond what the human eye could follow.
The referee himself was struggling to keep up with the match.
But from the looks of it, Sanada's indecisive play—neither fully attacking nor defending—was being completely suppressed by his opponent.
*Thud!*
Three minutes later, Ishikawa delivered a devastating smash, piercing through Sanada's defenses.
"Game! Hyotei's Ishikawa leads 3-0. Change sides!"
In the blink of an eye, Sanada was down three games.
The glaring score difference made the Rikkai Dai members lower their heads, unable to meet the gazes of players from other schools.
Sanada's expression was equally grim.
He had tried everything, only to realize that his opponent truly had no weaknesses.
If Sanada had once believed that Tezuka from three years ago had the strongest defense, that title now belonged to Ishikawa.
"To defeat him, I'll have to break through his defense head-on," Sanada thought as he switched sides, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "But even 'Shin' (Invasion like Fire) couldn't shake his defense. In that case, the only option left is..."
"Swift as the wind, gentle as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as a mountain..."
As Ishikawa walked past Sanada, he muttered something under his breath. Then, looking up at Sanada, he said, "Senpai, I seem to recall that there's more to that quote, isn't there?"
*Huh?!*
For a split second, Sanada's expression changed almost imperceptibly.
"So that's how it is," Ishikawa said with a smile, noticing Sanada's reaction. "Your techniques correspond perfectly to that ancient military text. It seems you've been hiding more than just 'Fu Rin Ka Zan,' haven't you?"
The moment those words left his mouth, the crowd—especially the Hyotei members—erupted in shock.
"What?!" Shishido exclaimed. "There's more to Sanada's techniques beyond 'Fu Rin Ka Zan'?"
"Wait," Oshitari chimed in, curious. "What text was Ishikawa referring to just now?"
"The Art of War," Oshitari explained. "An ancient Chinese military treatise. Even in modern times, it's considered a highly philosophical work."
"Oh, I remember now!" Choutarou added. "During the Warring States period in Japan, Takeda Shingen, known as the greatest military strategist, once said, 'Swift as the wind, gentle as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as a mountain.'"
"Exactly," Oshitari nodded. "But that's not the full quote. What Ishikawa mentioned is a six-line excerpt from the text. The first four lines correspond to Sanada's 'Fu Rin Ka Zan,' and the last two..."
"Hard to know as darkness, moving like thunder!"
Atobe, who had been silent until now, suddenly looked up, his gaze locking onto Sanada.
Coincidence, or was there more to it?
But given Ishikawa's personality, he wouldn't have brought it up without a reason.
"Or is he just trying to bluff Sanada... Hm?"
Suddenly, Atobe's eyes widened as he noticed something.
*Buzz!*
A faint, blue-purple aura began to emanate from Sanada's body.
"What is that?!"
Players from Seigaku, Fudomine, and other schools were equally stunned by the powerful aura radiating from Sanada.
At this moment, Sanada's presence was completely different from before.
A swirling, blue-purple energy surrounded him, rippling like waves. From a distance, it looked like arcs of electricity crackling around him.
"Ishikawa Makoto."
From the baseline, Sanada looked up, his eyes gleaming with an intense, almost terrifying light. "I had planned to save this move for the national tournament. But it seems your talent has far exceeded my expectations."
"But that's fine."
"Even so, Rikkai Dai—the kings of tennis—have no weaknesses!"
*Boom!*
With those words, Sanada's aura surged to its peak.
"So this is 'Moving like Thunder'?"
On the other side of the court, Ishikawa calmly observed Sanada's transformed state.
There was no denying it—Sanada was undoubtedly the most imposing player he had ever faced among middle schoolers.
Unlike Tezuka's unshakable resolve, Sanada's presence was like the scorching midday sun, radiating a domineering intensity that could melt everything in its path.
"Then let me see just how powerful your thunder is."
*Thud!*
Ishikawa served the ball.
Sanada quickly moved to intercept it, his movements as swift as the wind.
*Buzz!*
But just as Ishikawa tried to analyze Sanada's movements, a dark, shadowy aura enveloped Sanada once more.
"Hm?"
Outside the court, Chitose—who had been watching intently—felt his right eye twitch uncontrollably, as if sensing something ominous.
Atobe, too, seemed to realize something, his expression shifting dramatically.
"Hard to know as darkness!"
On the court, Ishikawa instantly recognized the technique.
Sanada's presence had become completely obscured. No matter how hard Ishikawa tried, he couldn't read any information from Sanada's movements.
This technique not only sealed Chitose's "Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami" (Ultimate Insight), but it also countered any ability that relied on perception or prediction.
*Thud!*
Unable to read Sanada's movements, Ishikawa's return lacked its usual sharpness.
*Crackle!*
Seizing the opportunity, Sanada dashed to the ball's landing point.
*Swish!*
He raised his racket like a sword and swung it down with all his might.
*Crackle!*
In an instant, a flash of lightning erupted, and a trail of blue-purple light streaked across the court.
*Bang!*
The ball landed on Ishikawa's side of the court before anyone could react.
"0-15!"
"What... what was that?!"
The Hyotei team stared in disbelief.
It was too fast!
Sanada's shot was like a bolt of lightning—before they could even blink, the ball had already hit the ground.
"So it really is thunder," Atobe muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Combined with the shadowy, unpredictable aura Sanada had displayed earlier, Atobe felt a growing sense of pressure.
"Hard to know as darkness and moving like thunder, huh?"
Atobe realized just how formidable Sanada truly was.
Previously, he had believed that his "Hyoutei no Sekai" (World of Ice) could break through Sanada's defenses and defeat him.
But now, seeing Sanada's true power, Atobe's confidence wavered.
"Hard to know as darkness" countered his "World of Ice," and "Moving like Thunder" was an even more terrifying technique than "Invasion like Fire." Its speed far surpassed "Swift as the Wind."
Even Atobe wasn't sure he could return such a shot.
On the court, Sanada—having unleashed his full power—dominated the game. With lightning-fast movements and thunderous strikes, he quickly gained the upper hand.
*Bang!*
Another flash of lightning streaked across the court.
"0-30!"
*Bang!*
"0-40!"
"How... how is this happening...?"
Seeing Ishikawa lose point after point, the Hyotei team grew restless.
"Stay calm," Shishido said firmly. "Have faith in Ishikawa. He'll find a way to handle this."
Not just Shishido, but the rest of the Hyotei team—and even players from other schools—quietly believed that Ishikawa would turn the tide in this critical moment.
"Moving like... Thunder!"
*Crackle!*
With a roar, Sanada unleashed another thunderous strike.
A blue-purple flash of light zipped past Ishikawa, but he made no attempt to return it.
"Game!"
"Rikkai Dai's Sanada, 1-3!"
The game ended with Sanada claiming the set.
Encouraged by their vice-captain's performance, the Rikkai Dai team erupted into cheers.
"No way..."
On Seigaku's side, Momoshiro stared in disbelief. "Ishikawa... can't even touch the ball?"
"Hmm."
Tezuka, Inui, and Fuji exchanged uneasy glances.
They, too, could feel the overwhelming power behind Sanada's thunderous strikes.
In this situation, it seemed only natural that Ishikawa couldn't return the ball.
"So?"
Sanada, standing at the baseline, smirked coldly. "Ishikawa Makoto, why aren't you returning the ball? With your reflexes, you should be able to, right?"
In truth, Sanada had even hoped that Ishikawa would try to return the shot, only to have his racket blasted out of his hands—a fitting revenge for earlier.
But alas, Ishikawa didn't even seem to be able to keep up with the ball's speed.
"Or is it..."
Seeing Ishikawa remain silent, Sanada's smirk grew colder. "That you can't even touch the ball?"
"Actually... it's not that complicated."
Ishikawa finally spoke. "I was just thinking that, as a senior in the tennis world, it would be too embarrassing if you didn't win a single game."
*Huh?!*
The crowd was stunned.
Especially the Rikkai Dai members, who looked at Ishikawa as if he were insane.
"Heh."
Sanada chuckled.
But he wasn't angry. Instead, he was amused by Ishikawa's audacity.
"Senpai, you've practiced kendo, haven't you?"
Just as Sanada was about to retort, Ishikawa suddenly changed the subject. "I can tell—your kendo skills are at a national level."
National-level kendo?
The crowd was once again shocked, their eyes darting between Sanada and Ishikawa.
No one had expected that, aside from tennis, Sanada had another skill that placed him among the nation's elite.
"Coincidentally," Ishikawa continued, a sly smile spreading across his face, "I've also dabbled a bit in kendo."
With that, he adjusted his grip on the racket, holding it like a sword, angled diagonally against his body.
*Buzz!*
In an instant, Ishikawa's entire demeanor changed.
*What?!*
Sanada, who had been dismissive just moments ago, felt a chill run down his spine. His instincts screamed at him—this was no ordinary opponent.
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**pat-reon: belamy20**
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*Author's Note:*
Regarding Sanada's strength, the original story had some inconsistencies. It was said that he sealed "Thunder" and "Darkness" for Tezuka, but he ended up using "Thunder" in the semifinals against Nagoya Seitoku.
My interpretation (trying to make sense of the original logic) is that Sanada believed he could defeat Echizen (as shown in the manga), but he didn't anticipate Echizen's "Cool Drive" technique, which caught him off guard.
In short, he got too cocky and paid the price.
Of course, the more objective explanation is that it was simply an oversight by the original author.
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*(End of Chapter)*