386-390

Chapter 386: The Final Battle – Ishikawa vs. Echizen  

Boom! 

Boom! 

Boom!  

On the court, two figures cloaked in dark auras darted back and forth along the baseline. Every shot they unleashed carried terrifying force, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.  

Destruction. 

Devastation. 

And an overwhelming pressure that defied description.  

This was the realm of Hypergravity.  

The gravitational field around them intensified several times over, slowing the tennis ball mid-flight as if time itself had warped.  

Boom!  

On the left side, Tōyama burned with fighting spirit, launching relentless attacks like a wild predator.  

Boom!  

On the right, Oni loomed like a demonic Asura, his every move radiating suffocating dominance.  

Boom! 

Boom! 

Boom!  

The deafening explosions of power filled the stadium, kicking up a storm of dust so thick that even seasoned players struggled to follow the action.  

Even the top-ranked athletes watching felt their hearts pound in their chests.  

The coaching staff was equally stunned.  

They couldn’t believe that a young player like Tōyama Kintarō could hold his own against Oni, whose true strength was immeasurable.  

"So… this was Oni’s true goal all along?" Saitō mused, his eyes gleaming.  

At his age, if not for the monstrous Ishikawa and the legendary "Samurai’s Son," Tōyama would undoubtedly have become the future pillar of U-17.  

Even so, with his raw talent, he was destined to leave his mark not just in the U-17 World Cup—but on the global tennis stage.  

"Yeah," Takizawa agreed with a sigh. "This kid might be the finest player Oni has ever trained."  

First Tokugawa, now Tōyama.  

In a way, Oni, the "Gatekeeper of Hell," had already delivered an answer that exceeded all expectations.  

As time passed, the fierce battle finally reached its climax. In the end, Oni emerged victorious, defeating Tōyama in two sets—6-3, 6-3.  

"That kid is insane!"  

Outside the court, Kaji, Kimijima, and the other high schoolers stared at the exhausted redhead with a mix of awe and dread.  

"Perfect Harmony." 

"Hypergravity Dimension."  

Either of these abilities alone could propel a player into the professional leagues. Yet Tōyama had mastered both.  

Even more shocking?  

He had not only scored against Oni but pushed him to two full sets. His stamina alone put most high schoolers to shame.  

"Hah… hah…"  

Panting heavily, Tōyama walked off the court, gripping the black custom racket he had borrowed.  

Despite the loss, there was no disappointment on his face—only the exhilaration of a battle fought to the fullest.  

"Hey," he said, handing the racket back to Ishikawa with a sheepish grin. "This thing’s still a bit heavy for me. But thanks anyway."  

"The weight isn’t the issue," Ishikawa replied, taking it back with a smile. "You just need time to adjust. With your talent, you’ll get used to it soon enough."  

"Wait—"  

The surrounding players froze.  

Nakagauchi’s jaw dropped. "You mean… he was using an unfamiliar racket against Oni this whole time?!"  

A monster.  

That was the only word to describe him.  

"You did great, Kintarō," Shiraishi said, patting his shoulder reassuringly.  

"Nah, I’ve still got a long way to go," Tōyama shook his head before glancing back at Oni. "That old man wasn’t even going all out."  

"What?!"  

This time, the middle schoolers were the ones stunned.  

Shiraishi and Senri, both top-tier players among their peers, knew just how far beyond them Perfect Harmony and Hypergravity were.  

Yet Tōyama had lost 6-3, 6-3—a clear gap.  

And now he claimed Oni hadn’t even been serious?  

Impossible.  

Instinctively, the middle schoolers turned to Ishikawa, searching for his reaction. But he only smiled, offering no comment.  

"Not surprising," Mitsutaka, the U-17 strategist, remarked calmly. "Oni was once the strongest player here. Even now, he’s one of the three whose data the coaches can’t measure."  

"Three?" Momoshiro and Hiyoshi perked up.  

"Besides Oni and Byōdōin…"  

All eyes shifted to Ishikawa.  

A heavy silence fell.  

By now, ten matches had been played—three doubles and seven singles.  

Thirteen spots had been claimed.  

Only one remained.  

And among U-17’s elite, only one had yet to step onto the court.  

Ishikawa.  

The undisputed strongest.  

The crowd waited, but no one dared to challenge him.  

"Does this mean… he’ll just take the last spot by default?" someone whispered.  

"Obviously." 

"Who in their right mind would challenge him?" 

"He crushed Oni and Byōdōin. Unless you’ve got a death wish…"  

Murmurs spread like wildfire.  

To them, the final spot was already decided.  

Until—  

Tap.  

A single footstep cut through the noise.  

Everyone turned.  

A boy in a white cap and blue-white jersey stood at the edge of the court.  

"Echizen?!" Momoshiro blurted out, eyes wide.  

Fuji’s lips curled slightly. He had expected this.  

After his defeat at the Nationals, Echizen wouldn’t back down.  

He needed to win.  

To prove himself.  

Slowly, Echizen raised his racket—pointing straight at Ishikawa.  

"It’s our turn now."  

Silence.  

Then—chaos.  

"Is this kid serious?!" 

"Does he even know who he’s challenging?!"  

Even Yamato, the former captain of Seigaku, was stunned.  

But Ishikawa only smiled.  

"Sure," he said, picking up his racket. "I’ve been curious about what you learned on that mountain."  

The crowd erupted.  

The referee, sweating nervously, cleared his throat.  

"The final match of the shuffle will now begin!" 

"Representing Team 1: Ishikawa Shin (1st Year, Middle School)." 

"Representing Team 2: Echizen Ryoma (1st Year, Middle School)." 

"Players, prepare!"  

"Bold kid," Duke muttered, watching Echizen stride onto the court with eerie calm. "He has no idea what he’s up against."  

No one understood Byōdōin’s strength better than him.  

They had traveled the world, crushing elite after elite.  

Byōdōin could have dominated the pro circuit already.  

Yet Ishikawa had beaten him—nearly killing him in the process.  

And now, after months of overseas battles, Ishikawa was even stronger.  

In Duke’s eyes, only a handful of players worldwide could stand against him.  

"He’s got guts," Byōdōin admitted. "But his training can’t have surpassed Tōyama’s."  

In his opinion, this "final battle" would be over before it even began.  

At the net, Echizen met Ishikawa’s gaze.  

"I know you’ve gotten stronger," he said coolly. "But I’ll give everything I have… until I beat you."  

His eyes burned with unshakable resolve.  

"Good," Ishikawa nodded, satisfied. "Show me what you’ve learned."  

He had never underestimated Echizen.  

Talent like his wasn’t just luck—it was real.  

And with the ripple effect of Ishikawa’s presence pushing players like Tezuka, Yukimura, and Atobe to new heights…  

Echizen’s growth had to be monstrous.  

After the coin toss, they took their positions.  

"Best of three sets!" the referee announced. "First set, Echizen to serve!"  

Tap. Tap. Tap.  

Echizen bounced the ball, his focus razor-sharp.  

Then—  

Whoosh!  

The ball soared into the air.  

With a fluid motion, he leaped and smashed it down.  

Bang!  

A Twist Serve—but not just any Twist Serve.  

The ball skidded low, then jumped violently to the side, aimed perfectly at Ishikawa’s weak spot.  

"A Super Twist Serve?!" Kaidō gasped.  

But before anyone could react—  

Flash!  

Ishikawa was already there.  

With a single stroke, he returned the serve with the same spin, sending it rocketing back at Echizen.  

The ball curved mid-air, mirroring Echizen’s own technique—only faster, sharper.  

"Impossible!" Inui choked out.  

Echizen’s eyes narrowed.  

In one smooth motion, he switched his racket to his left hand.  

"Wait—he’s a lefty?!"  

Then—  

Voom!  

A dazzling white aura erupted around him.  

"That’s… Perfect Harmony?!"  

The crowd exploded.  

Chapter 387: A Dried-Up Heart—Seeing Through the Truth!  

Flawless!  

The ultimate secret of Muga no Kyouchi—a technique powerful enough to rival the skills of elite high schoolers. Before this shuffle match, it had been an enigmatic and overwhelming move.  

But now…  

Three middle schoolers had already mastered it. It almost felt… commonplace.  

Bzzzt!  

Yet, as everyone watched the white light surging around Echizen—dense, almost tangible—their hearts tightened.  

Because this power of Muga… was even stronger than Kintarou’s. And it was nearly on par with Tezuka’s.  

"I never expected a middle schooler to possess such strength," Mitsuya murmured, his eyes flickering with surprise.  

Kintarou Toyama. 

Ryoma Echizen. 

And now, the reigning king of U-17—Shin Ishikawa.  

All three were first-year middle schoolers. It was hard to imagine just how much the world of U-17 would tremble in two years when these three stepped onto the global stage.  

"No…"  

Mitsuya’s gaze sharpened as he watched Echizen, bathed in white light, his aura still rising.  

"We might not even have to wait two years."  

This time—right now—high schoolers across the world would be stunned by the sheer might of these three.  

Boom!  

Suddenly, Echizen swung his racket.  

The white light of Muga surged forward, merging with the tennis ball before transforming into a streak too fast for the naked eye. In an instant, it tore across the court.  

"Too fast!"  

Many flinched. Their vision blurred—their minds momentarily swallowed by the brilliance of Muga, leaving them unable to track the ball’s trajectory.  

**"So this is the Perfect Harmony of Selfless State…"**  

Kaji, Kiyosumi, and the others wore expressions of deep wariness. Even though they’d seen it before, the sheer overwhelming pressure of this ultimate technique never failed to unsettle them.  

"His aura is similar to Tezuka’s," Inui observed from the sidelines, thoughtful. "Steadfast, unyielding. Compared to Kintarou’s, it feels more… solid."  

"Mm." Oni gave a slow nod.  

Though both wielded Perfect Harmony, the difference was subtle—something only those at their level could discern.  

Tezuka and Echizen’s light stemmed from an unshakable understanding of their own strength—unyielding, unbreakable. Kintarou’s, on the other hand, was more free-spirited, unrestrained.  

At a glance, Kintarou might seem slightly inferior.  

But Oni and Inui knew better. It wasn’t that Kintarou’s path was weaker—just that Echizen and Tezuka had honed Muga for far longer.  

If they had to categorize it… Tezuka and Echizen had likely reached the second stage of Perfect Harmony.  

"First Ishikawa, then Kintarou… and now this?" Inui exhaled, shaking his head. "Middle schoolers have completely defied all logic."  

Oni, however, disagreed. "Comparing Kintarou and Echizen to him is just unfair."  

Yes, Ishikawa, Echizen, and Kintarou could be called the "Big Three" of middle schoolers. But compared to the first? The gap in talent and strength was vast.  

"The light of Perfect Harmony devours an opponent’s aura, gradually weakening them," Oni muttered. "But look—he hasn’t been affected at all."  

"True." Inui’s expression turned grave.  

Despite Echizen’s relentless assault, Ishikawa remained unmoved—completely unfazed.  

To face Perfect Harmony in his base state…  

Such mental fortitude was nothing short of terrifying.  

Oni had managed something similar, but only against the first stage of Perfect Harmony. Ishikawa, however, was facing a stronger version—and still hadn’t broken a sweat.  

Boom! Boom! Boom!  

On the court, the white light flared wildly as Echizen fought with increasing ferocity. His samurai bloodline ignited his instincts—his adrenaline, reflexes, and focus all sharpened under Perfect Harmony’s influence.  

"This kid is insane!" Kaji wiped cold sweat from his brow.  

He could no longer track Echizen’s shots. Even if his speed matched the ball’s, seeing it was another matter entirely.  

"This match… has surpassed the level of elites," Kiyosumi said grimly. "It’s entering professional territory."  

Professional?!  

The word sent a ripple of shock through the spectators.  

"Not surprising," Oomagari shrugged. "If that brat dared challenge him, he must’ve been confident in his skills. At the very least… he’s at a semi-pro level."  

"…"  

The others—Kirihara, Fuwa, and the rest—froze.  

Did this mean that from now on, only semi-pro players stood a chance against Ishikawa?  

But…  

Weren’t these two just twelve years old?  

Twelve-year-olds at a professional level?!  

Even for veterans like them, the thought was staggering.  

Boom!  

Just then, Ishikawa fired off a flawless passing shot—slipping past Echizen’s guard and landing cleanly.  

"0-15!"  

The crowd fell silent.  

"H-how?!" Momoshiro and Kaidou stared, stunned.  

Even Inui was shaken. "At the Nationals, Ishikawa needed Kendo’s True Intent just to hold his own against Echizen’s Perfect Harmony. Now… he’s doing it barehanded?!"  

"He’s grown stronger again," Fuji murmured, his usual calm replaced by tension.  

No one had ever made him feel so… powerless. No matter how hard he trained, the gap only widened.  

Meanwhile, the others—Kikumaru, Oishi—watched Echizen with growing concern.  

To have Perfect Harmony suppressed by Ishikawa’s base form…  

The psychological blow had to be devastating.  

"So this is how it is…"  

Echizen wiped sweat from his brow, his gaze locked onto his opponent. "Just Perfect Harmony isn’t enough to challenge you now… Hah."  

He exhaled sharply.  

At the same time, the white light around him intensified—condensing into shimmering particles that flickered like starlight.  

Tap. Tap. Tap.  

Then, under the crowd’s watchful eyes, Echizen bent down, bouncing the ball lightly before gripping it tightly.  

"What’s he planning?"  

"His Muga aura feels different now—almost like Tezuka’s, but not quite."  

"Is this… the third stage?"  

All eyes were on him as he released the ball—  

Zzzzt!  

A golden arc flashed.  

"This is—"  

The spectators’ faces paled. Kaji’s eyes bulged.  

"No way… Glowing Shot?!"  

First Perfect Harmony, and now this? Were top-tier techniques becoming trash-tier now?!  

BANG!  

Echizen swung.  

The white light fused with the golden glow, transforming into a blazing, star-like radiance.  

Whoosh!  

A streak of light tore through the air—  

BOOOOOOM!!!  

A shockwave erupted, sending a tidal wave of dust crashing toward Ishikawa.  

"That’s a Glowing Shot?!"  

Both middle schoolers and high schoolers gaped in disbelief.  

Even Hyoutei’s glowing shots had never carried this kind of destructive force. The golden light at the heart of the dust storm made their scalps tingle.  

"This isn’t just any Glowing Shot!" Mitsuya’s pupils contracted. "That radiance—it’s unmistakably the third stage of Perfect Harmony! Combined with Glowing Shot, the two abilities have fused into something entirely new!"  

So then…  

His eyes snapped back to Echizen.  

"Is this his true power?!"  

But if he was this strong… why had he revealed it in the second point of the first game?  

"Unless…"  

A terrifying thought struck Mitsuya.  

"He knows even this won’t be enough to score against Ishikawa?!"  

Thud!  

A crisp impact echoed.  

The raging dust storm collided with Ishikawa—then split, parting around him like a river meeting an immovable boulder.  

"He… returned it?!"  

Inui and Fuji’s eyes twitched.  

They knew Ishikawa was strong, but to deflect that so effortlessly—  

"Wait…"  

Inui’s glasses flashed.  

"He didn’t even use Kendo’s True Intent?!"  

"What?!" Oishi and Kikumaru stiffened.  

This was a third-stage Perfect Harmony combined with Glowing Shot!  

"Gulp." Momoshiro swallowed hard. Even Kaidou, usually so fiery, was trembling.  

This was insane.  

Was Ishikawa even human anymore?!  

Whoosh!  

Meanwhile, Echizen—now in the third stage of Perfect Harmony—watched the ball hurtle toward him, his expression darkening.  

"Still holding back?!"  

He knew Ishikawa was strong, but to face his full power with just his base form…  

For the first time, doubt flickered in his mind.  

Bzzzt!  

But the moment his spirit wavered, the light particles around him flared—Perfect Harmony purging his negativity.  

Refocusing, he locked onto the ball and swung.  

Thud!  

The ball rebounded—  

But the moment it entered the dust-filled zone, it reversed direction without warning.  

"Tch!"  

Echizen’s heart pounded.  

He’d known he wasn’t Ishikawa’s equal yet, but to struggle against his base form…  

Thud! Thud! Thud!  

The rally continued.  

Echizen poured everything into each shot, but the tide never turned. And with every flicker of hesitation, Perfect Harmony’s light flared anew.  

To the spectators, it looked like Echizen’s aura was flickering unpredictably—an erratic pulse of power.  

Tezuka and Yukimura frowned.  

"What… is happening?" Tezuka’s voice was low, tense. Even he couldn’t decipher Echizen’s situation.  

"This feels… familiar." Yukimura’s eyes narrowed. There was something unsettlingly recognizable in Ishikawa’s playstyle.  

"Could it be… that?"  

If Ishikawa had somehow replicated Yips—the ability to erase an opponent’s senses—then…  

But Perfect Harmony should nullify any mental interference.  

Thud! Thud! Thud!  

Yet as the match wore on, Echizen’s movements grew sluggish—even as the white light still enveloped him.  

"Ryoma…"  

Outside the court, Ryoga’s brow furrowed.  

Something was wrong.  

This was only the second point, and Perfect Harmony should’ve shielded Echizen from any psychological attacks.  

Unless…  

Ishikawa was bypassing his mental defenses entirely, targeting his subconscious instead.  

But was that even possible?  

"Wait—!"  

A memory flashed in Ryoga’s mind—the match in Macau, where Ishikawa had defeated him in a single point.  

"That illusionary technique!"  

Echizen’s Mental World – An Endless Desert 

Step. Step. Step.  

Cloaked in black, Echizen trudged through an ocean of sand. No matter how far he walked, the horizon never changed.  

Time blurred.  

The scorching sun sapped his strength. His lips cracked, his throat burned.  

"That’s…!"  

Just as despair crept in, he spotted an oasis in the distance. Heart leaping, he sprinted toward it—  

Only for it to vanish the moment he arrived.  

A mirage.  

His stomach dropped.  

Surrounded by endless dunes, he no longer knew which way to go. Fear gnawed at him.  

"What do I do…?"  

His vision blurred. Hope was slipping away.  

"Hey, kid."  

A voice.  

Echizen looked up to see a man in black monk’s robes standing before him.  

"You still haven’t learned to see through the truth."  

"…Old man?!"  

For a split second, joy surged—  

Then the figure vanished.  

Another illusion.  

Echizen’s shoulders slumped.  

"So… I’m just going to die here?"  

The thought made his spirit recoil.  

"No."  

His experiences.  

His resolve.  

His very being refused to accept that.  

"Seeing through the truth… huh?"  

His eyes sharpened.  

Gripping the wooden staff he’d been using as a cane, he raised it like a racket—  

And began to swing.  

Over.  

And over.  

And over.  

His father’s words echoed in his mind:  

"Ryoma, to see the truth, you must first understand it."  

"This method might seem crude, but if you persist… you will succeed."  

Swish! Swish! Swish!  

Echizen’s body moved mechanically, his mind emptying.  

Ten swings.  

A hundred.  

A thousand.  

He lost track of time, of place, of self.  

Only the motion remained.  

And with each repetition, the answer grew clearer.  

His movements slowed.  

His consciousness—his soul—was draining.  

He was reaching his limit.  

Swish!  

Then—  

A spark.  

The white light in Echizen’s eyes exploded.  

"Got it!"  

In that instant, his entire aura transformed.  

Bzzzt!  

Behind him, the spectral image of a samurai gripping a katana materialized!  

Chapter 388: Ryoga's Challenge – Mifune Appears  

Just as the crowd assumed Echizen had been completely overwhelmed by Ishikawa, a ghostly silhouette materialized behind him.  

A katana glinted in the light. 

A topknot tied high. 

Loose robes billowing as if caught in an unseen wind.  

A samurai.  

Gasps rippled through the spectators. For a fleeting moment, they felt an inexplicable chill—like a blade grazing their necks.  

Ishikawa’s return shot screamed toward Echizen, spinning with monstrous rotation.  

To the untrained eye, it was just a fastball—difficult, but returnable.  

But to Byoudouin, Oni, and the other elites?  

This wasn’t just a tennis ball.  

It was a spiritual strike, carrying a force that could shatter minds. Even a pro player might crumble under its pressure.  

Yet—  

Echizen moved.  

Eyes closed. 

Grip tightened. 

Stance lowered.  

His motion was eerily familiar—  

"Kendō?!" Yukimura blurted out.  

It mirrored Sanada’s "Rai", but with something far more terrifying lurking beneath.  

Then—  

SWISH!  

Echizen’s racket slashed downward, and the phantom samurai behind him struck in unison.  

A black rift split the air.  

The ball, swallowed by the void, exploded toward Ishikawa—wrapped in a blade-like shockwave.  

Byoudouin and Oni flinched.  

Duke, Tanegashima, and Irie paled.  

This wasn’t just a technique—it was a true Otherworldly Strike, capable of slicing through Hypergravity itself.  

"To think…" Oni muttered, "this kid had this kind of potential."  

Even he wouldn’t dare take that shot head-on.  

Dust parted like a curtain, revealing Ishikawa standing calmly at the baseline.  

"Impressive, Echizen."  

He studied the incoming attack, sensing the essence within—  

Resolve. 

Precision. 

The will to cut through all obstacles.  

It reminded him of the stone-splitting technique he’d witnessed on the mountain.  

But—  

"A shame your blade isn’t sharp enough yet."  

With a flick of his wrist, Ishikawa reversed the spin, absorbing the slash’s energy before deflecting it back.  

SHIIING!  

A dark aura flared.  

The ball blurred past Echizen, carving a gash into the court before embedding itself in the wall.  

Silence.  

Then—  

"H-HUH?!"  

The crowd erupted.  

"The ground… got CUT?!" Momoshiro stammered.  

Inui adjusted his glasses, voice trembling. "That’s… a pro-level technique."  

But Fuji shook his head. "No. Ishikawa didn’t create that slash—he just sent Echizen’s own power back at him."  

THUD.  

Echizen crumpled to the ground, unconscious.  

"RYOMA!"  

Seigaku’s team rushed onto the court in a panic, fearing the worst. But upon checking, they found no injuries—just complete exhaustion.  

"He’s just… drained?" Kikumaru blinked. "But the match barely lasted five minutes!"  

Tezuka’s gaze darkened. "Time means nothing in a battle of wills. What we saw wasn’t the real fight."  

The referee cleared his throat. "Due to Echizen Ryoma’s forfeit, the winner is—"  

"Wait."  

A voice cut through the silence.  

All heads turned toward a green-haired man in a red-black jacket—Echizen Ryoga.  

The crowd buzzed.  

"Him again?!"  

"Didn’t he already lose to Ishikawa in Macau?!"  

The coaching staff exchanged glances.  

"What’s his game?" Takizawa frowned. "Revenge for his little brother?"  

Saitō crossed his arms. "No… he’s been targeting Ishikawa from the start."  

Then—  

A gruff voice rumbled behind them.  

"He’s a scout."  

"T-Total Coach?!"  

Mifune stepped forward, eyes locked on Ryoga. "That brat’s testing Ishikawa for someone else’s sake."  

"Someone else?" Kuroto’s brow furrowed.  

Mifune smirked.  

"The Samurai himself."  

Chapter 389: A Clash of Professionals – Dawn’s First Light  

"Due to Ryoga Echizen’s challenge, this shuffle match will continue."  

From his high chair, the referee glanced at the composed young man stepping onto the court and gave a slight nod. "Both players, please decide the serve."  

At the net, Ryoga spun his racket effortlessly on his fingertip, letting it twirl like a top before catching it with a grin. "Your call, Ishikawa."  

"Heads." Shin replied calmly.  

"Alright." Ryoga chuckled, flipping the racket onto the ground.  

Click.  

It landed on tails.  

"My luck’s holding up today." Picking up the racket, Ryoga flashed a confident smile. "Looking forward to your guidance in this match."  

With that, he turned and walked away, his demeanor relaxed yet assured.  

"Who is this guy?" Nakagauchi and Tsutomu frowned.  

No one had seen him before, yet he’d returned with the U-17 expedition team—his background shrouded in mystery.  

And with the surname Echizen…  

It was impossible not to connect him to the white-capped boy who’d just lost.  

The other middle schoolers watched with curiosity. To them, Ryoga was clearly part of the elite group—likely ranked in the lower half.  

But to challenge Ishikawa after witnessing his match against Ryoma?  

That took either immense confidence… or recklessness.  

"He’s strong." Mitsuya, the team’s strategist, spoke up. "In Macau, he defeated Fuwa in a single point. And though Ishikawa later beat him the same way, that wasn’t his true strength."  

"A… single point?!"  

The second-stringers turned to Fuwa, whose icy glare confirmed it.  

"Doing that isn’t easy." Tokugawa rubbed his chin, intrigued. "In this camp, fewer than five could pull it off."  

Ishikawa. 

Hyōtei. 

Oni.  

Then Duke and Inui—both enigmatic powerhouses.  

"You’re too modest, Shūji." Inui smiled. "With Metsu ni Shita and Kokū Mu, even Fuwa wouldn’t last a rally against you."  

"Tch." Fuwa’s expression darkened.  

As the former No. 11, he’d been on the cusp of breaking into the main roster—a position most second-stringers could only dream of.  

Yet here he was, reduced to a measuring stick for the elite.  

Worse, he couldn’t even argue. Tokugawa and Inui were leagues beyond him.  

"Damn it… If I hadn’t let my guard down that match—"  

His gaze shifted to Ryoga, resentment simmering.  

"It wouldn’t have mattered."  

Hyōtei’s voice cut through his thoughts like a blade.  

"You’re no match for him. Even if you fought a hundred times, the result would be the same."  

"W-what?!" Fuwa stiffened.  

For Hyōtei to praise someone so highly…  

"If I’m right," Hyōtei’s eyes locked onto Ryoga, "that guy’s at a professional level."  

Professional?!  

The word sent shockwaves through the crowd.  

"Mm." Oni nodded. "He’s the real deal."  

A stunned silence followed.  

Two legends had just confirmed it—Ryoga Echizen was pro-level.  

"And Ishikawa’s in the same tier…" Inui wiped sweat from his brow. "So this… is a clash of professionals?"  

The weight of that realization settled over them.  

The term professional carried an aura of untouchable mastery.  

And now, they were about to witness it firsthand.  

"Best of three sets."  

"First set, Ryoga Echizen to serve!"  

As the referee’s voice rang out, all eyes fixed on Ryoga.  

"Let’s begin."  

With a confident smirk, he tossed the ball high—then leaped, racket flashing down in a fluid arc.  

Boom!  

The ball streaked across the court.  

"That’s—?!"  

The Seigaku players gasped. "A Twist Serve?!"  

"No." Fuji’s eyes widened as the ball kicked up violently—not to the right, but left. "A Super Twist Serve!"  

Just like Ryoma’s earlier shot—but faster, sharper.  

The spin was monstrous.  

Whoosh!  

Yet Shin reacted instantly, shifting position and swinging—  

Bzzt!  

Then, to everyone’s shock, the ball vanished.  

"What?!"  

Ōshitari and Mukahi gaped.  

Even Atobe looked stunned. "A direction shift and a spin vanish?!"  

Tōyama and Yukimura’s eyes narrowed—this was beyond anything they’d seen.  

**"Now this…"** Ryoga landed lightly, grinning. "Is a real Twist Serve."  

Precision.  

Deception.  

Brutal efficiency.  

A serve only a top-tier player could execute.  

"I know your perception is sharp." Ryoga’s gaze sharpened. "But seeing the ball isn’t enough. You need the reflexes… and the skill to hit it."  

He was confident.  

Yes, Ishikawa was pro-level too.  

But no one countered a true Twist Serve on their first try.  

"An impressive serve."  

Shin’s lips curved.  

"But unfortunately… I’ve dabbled in Twist Serves myself."  

Flick!  

Then—  

He vanished.  

"An afterimage?!"  

The crowd’s jaws dropped.  

Crack!  

The sound of impact echoed as Shin reappeared a meter away, his racket connecting with the invisible ball.  

Whoosh!  

A golden streak tore through the air—  

Howl!  

A gale-force wind followed, rattling the net violently.  

Some spectators shuddered—if they’d been standing there, that sheer force might’ve knocked them over.  

And this was just a casual return from Ishikawa.  

How terrifying would his full power be?  

"This guy…!"  

Ryoga’s smile faltered for a split second.  

He’d already set the bar high, yet Ishikawa had cleared it effortlessly.  

"No wonder the old man took notice."  

His eyes narrowed.  

This wouldn’t be easy.  

Whoosh!  

But as he adjusted to return the shot, the ball twisted mid-air—vanishing again.  

"What?!"  

Ryoga’s pupils contracted.  

That spin pattern—  

It was Nanjiro’s true Twist Serve.  

"He actually knows it?!"  

This wasn’t something you could copy from videos. Without the core technique, even 10,000 tries wouldn’t replicate it.  

Yet Ishikawa had executed it casually.  

Thud!  

Ryoga’s form blurred as he intercepted the ball—  

Grit!  

His racket trembled violently under the spin’s force.  

"So this is your idea of ‘dabbling’?"  

The match had barely started, and Ryoga was already reevaluating his opponent.  

Whoosh!  

He countered, but Shin was already moving—  

Tap!  

A sharp angle shot, skimming the net before dipping hard at the sideline.  

"Incredible!"  

The crowd erupted.  

The ball’s spin was visible even after the bounce—a testament to its absurd rotation.  

Tōyama and Yukimura felt the pressure. Shin’s technique alone dwarfed theirs.  

Flick!  

Yet Ryoga adjusted instantly, matching the spin with his own lethal return.  

Boom! Boom! Boom!  

The rally escalated—  

Faster.  

Tighter.  

More ferocious.  

Dust swirled as the ball’s pressure warped the air, obscuring the players from view.  

Bam! Bam! Bam!  

Ryoga seized an opening, rushing the net to press his advantage.  

"His instincts are terrifying!" Inui muttered.  

A dead-even match, yet Ryoga had created an opportunity out of thin air.  

"Sorry," Ryoga smirked at the net. "But I’m not here for a marathon. This point’s mine."  

Tap!  

A feather-light drop shot arced over—  

"A drop shot?!"  

Against Ishikawa?  

The audacity!  

"Hmph."  

Shin didn’t move.  

"Giving up already?" Ryoga’s grin widened—  

Then froze.  

Flash!  

A blinding white light erupted before him.  

His vision whited out.  

His ears rang.  

"Not good—!"  

He swung blindly—  

Swish.  

Nothing.  

Tap… tap… tap…  

The sound of a ball bouncing behind him was deafening in the sudden silence.  

As his senses returned, Ryoga looked up—  

Shin stood at the net, smiling.  

"Consider that a… welcome gift."  

Chapter 390: Perfect Harmony vs. Perfect Harmony — Universal Gravitation vs. Seven-Star Strike  

"Was that… Vice-Captain Ishikawa’s ultimate move, 'Daybreak'?!"  

Outside the court, the members of Hyotei Academy stared in shock.  

"Daybreak!"  

The others were equally stunned.  

Their minds flashed back to previous matches where Yukimura’s illusionary doubles partner, "Ishikawa," had used the same technique. But comparing the real move to the illusion was like night and day.  

"This is the skill of a true professional," Inoue murmured. "The same technique takes on entirely different levels of power depending on who wields it. For him, even a basic drive shot would seem like an ultimate move to an average player."  

"Hmm."  

Beside him, Tokugawa and Nakagauchi trembled slightly.  

In a way, they weren’t even at the level of what Inoue called an "average player."  

"That Ryoga… He’s too confident," Chōjirō said with a light shake of his head. "To think a surprise attack like that would work on Ishikawa… It seems the rumors of their one-point match didn’t leave much of an impression on him."  

Most of them had either heard about or witnessed that legendary exchange.  

"But his speed is undeniably impressive," Mōri countered. "From what we’ve seen so far, he’s still holding back a significant portion of his strength."  

Inoue, Tokugawa, and the others nodded in agreement.  

Even though Ryoga had lost the point, no one believed this was his full power. After all, he hadn’t even used a proper technique yet.  

"I have to admit, you’re even stronger than I imagined," Ryoga said, his expression guarded as he studied Ishikawa. "At this rate, I won’t even be able to push you to get serious, much less score a point."  

He took a slow breath, his body relaxing.  

"What’s he doing?"  

The spectators held their breath, eyes locked onto Ryoga. Something intense was coming—they could feel it.  

BZZZT!  

A blinding white light erupted around Ryoga.  

"This is—?!"  

Even though the glare made it hard to see, the familiar energy sent shockwaves through the crowd.  

"Perfect Harmony?!"  

Nearly everyone exclaimed in unison.  

Among them, Chitose from Shitenhōji Academy stiffened, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.  

How many is this now?  

First, Echizen. Then, Tezuka. Next, Ryoma. And now, this mysterious player had unlocked the pinnacle of Muga no Kyōchi—effortlessly.  

As someone who had spent years striving for that very door, Chitose felt a numb disbelief.  

Whoosh!  

Ryoga tossed the ball into the air.  

To most, his shoulder merely twitched before his racket vanished mid-swing.  

Sssshhk!  

Only the sharpest eyes caught the flicker of movement. The ball itself was invisible—just a ripple distorting the air.  

But from Ishikawa’s perspective, the trajectory was crystal clear.  

The shot was fast—not quite breaking into the realm of super-speed, but enough to blur slightly at the edges.  

"As expected of the other 'Samurai's Son,'" Ishikawa mused.  

His heightened perception detected the slight distortion—not from raw speed, but from the interference of Ryoga’s Perfect Harmony aura.  

In that regard, Ryoga’s mastery was on another level entirely. Far beyond Tezuka, Echizen, or Ryoma.  

"But that’s all."  

Thwack!  

His racket met the ball with a crisp ping.  

The crowd gasped as Ishikawa effortlessly returned what should have been an untouchable serve.  

"Impressive as always," Ryoga said, though his smirk faltered slightly.  

Even expecting it, seeing his attack neutralized so easily unsettled him.  

Just how strong is his mental focus?!  

BZZT!  

Ryoga’s aura flared, and in an instant, he was at the ball’s landing point.  

"Let’s see how long you can keep this up!"  

As a master of Perfect Harmony, he knew exactly how to maximize its effects.  

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!  

A relentless barrage of shots followed, each strike infused with his radiant energy. His goal was simple—overwhelm Ishikawa’s defenses by combining Perfect Harmony’s overwhelming offense with its ability to consume an opponent’s light.  

"Go on, use it!" Ryoga taunted mid-rally, his gaze sharp. "That illusion technique—show it to me!"  

That was his real aim.  

By forcing Ishikawa into a corner, he could draw out his true abilities—Sword Intent, Four Gods Formation, and most importantly, the hallucination-inducing move used against him in Macau.  

Once Ishikawa unleashed them, Ryoga would take them for himself.  

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!  

Yet, no matter how fiercely he attacked, Ishikawa remained unshaken.  

"You’ve got to be kidding me…"  

From the observation deck, Saitō’s eyes widened. "His base stats are already at this level?"  

"Head Coach," Takashi turned to Mikitaka, "what exactly did you teach him at the mountain?"  

Kurobe’s mind flashed to the weighted rackets Ishikawa had lent Akutsu and Ryoma—equipment so heavy even those two powerhouses struggled.  

Yet Ishikawa wielded them like they were nothing.  

"Honestly…" Mikitaka sighed. "I didn’t teach him much."  

"Wha—?!"  

Saitō and Takashi gaped.  

Self-taught? That was terrifying.  

"Head Coach," Kurobe suddenly realized, "you sent him to meet that person, didn’t you?"  

"Mhm." Mikitaka nodded. "He grasped the basics of mental refinement just from my explanation. After that, I introduced him to my master."  

The others stiffened.  

Mikitaka’s master—the legendary figure who had even trained the Samurai, Echizen Nanjirō.  

Two years ago, after his mountain training, Byōdōin had undergone a metamorphosis under that same mentor.  

And now, Ishikawa—who had already defeated Oni and Inoue—had gone to learn from him.  

No wonder he’d returned with pro-level strength.  

After that, he’d led the team on an overseas expedition.  

A month later, every player who’d crossed paths with him had evolved beyond recognition.  

Just how much stronger had this already-unrivaled monster become?  

"A level beyond Five-Dimensional Analysis…" Kurobe clenched his teeth, watching as Ishikawa stood firm against Ryoga’s Perfect Harmony onslaught.  

"Three minutes… and the aura hasn’t affected him at all?!"  

Thwack!  

Ryoga fired another devastating shot.  

But Ishikawa was already there—waiting.  

"This guy…" Ryoga’s eyes darkened. "Is he really just a first-year?"  

If he hadn’t seen it himself, he’d never believe a 12-year-old could possess such monstrous physical and mental prowess.  

"But… that just makes this more interesting."  

A sharp glint flashed in Ryoga’s eyes as his aura surged again.  

"What?!"  

"His energy is still rising?!"  

"Is this… a level above Perfect Harmony?!"  

The crowd recoiled under the crushing pressure.  

BOOM!  

Ryoga’s racket struck like a meteor, the ball exploding forward in a supernova of light.  

"He’s going all out!"  

Inoue and Chōjirō tensed.  

The sheer destructive force in that shot defied conventional defense.  

"So… how will you handle this?"  

Ryoga’s gaze locked onto Ishikawa, who stood motionless—as if conceding.  

But then—  

BZZT!  

A radiant white light erupted around Ishikawa.  

"That’s—Perfect Harmony?!"  

The crowd’s jaws dropped.  

Chitose and Shiraishi could only watch, numb.  

Was this technique just common now?!  

BOOM!  

Ishikawa’s swing sent the ball streaking like a comet, slamming into Ryoga’s baseline before he could react.  

"30–0!"  

Ryoga’s expression darkened.  

Of all the moves Ishikawa could’ve used, he’d chosen Perfect Harmony.  

"This guy’s a freak…"  

Ryoga had stolen countless pro-level—even world-class—techniques in his travels.  

But Ishikawa was twelve.  

With Perfect Harmony, Sword Intent, and Dark Shot, he could already compete on the global stage.  

Possessing all three? He could turn pro today.  

"I underestimated you," Ryoga admitted, his voice low. "Perfect Harmony alone won’t be enough."  

BZZT!  

White light coiled around his left hand before merging with his racket. With a fierce swing, he launched the ball like a shooting star.  

"Light Ball?!"  

The crowd flinched.  

"No," Byōdōin corrected. "The mechanics are different. But it’s still a top-tier technique."  

Even with his worldwide experience, he didn’t recognize it.  

BOOM!  

The impact sent a shockwave crashing against the wall behind Ishikawa—yet his grip never wavered.  

"Definitely not Light Ball," Ishikawa noted.  

Like Byōdōin said, the properties were different. The power was comparable, but the penetration was sharper.  

It felt familiar, but he couldn’t place it.  

"This technique…"  

Duke, the burly Frenchman, narrowed his eyes. "Rumor has it that Britain once had a prodigy who invented a devastating move—"  

Britain?  

Ishikawa’s eyes flickered.  

Then it hit him.  

"Don’t tell me…" His voice was barely a whisper. "Universal Gravitation?"  

Whoosh!  

He returned the shot.  

Ryoga responded in kind, layering Perfect Harmony with that same mysterious power.  

BOOOOM!  

The soundwave alone was deafening.  

"Feel this—Perfect Harmony fused with Universal Gravitation!"  

Ryoga smirked.  

This combo had once defeated a pro player.  

Now, he was using it against a middle schooler.  

"In a way, you should be honored."  

His eyes gleamed as he watched for Ishikawa’s counter.  

Swish!  

Ishikawa’s stance shifted—a draw motion, like an archer nocking an arrow.  

"Sword Intent? Or that Four Gods Formation?"  

Ryoga had done his homework. He knew Ishikawa’s arsenal.  

But instead—  

BZZT!  

The energy that erupted was neither.  

BOOM!  

Two streaks of light shot forward.  

"That’s—!"  

The U-17 members froze.  

"Rapid-Fire Arrow?!" Mitsuya blurted.  

But then—  

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!  

The two lights multiplied—into seven.  

"Not Rapid-Fire…" Tokugawa’s voice was hushed.  

"It’s Seven-Star Strike."  

(End of Chapter.)