261-265

Chapter 261: Fierce Battle, A Clash of Wills!

“The cross racket is broken!”

In the coaches’ room, Takuzo’s spirits lifted.

“It was expected,” said Saito, crossing his arms and shaking his head. “Oni-kun must have anticipated this too.”

Oni had claimed he wouldn’t warm up.

But by bringing out the cross racket, he was clearly testing Ishikawa.

However, this wasn’t entirely Oni’s fault. His strength was simply too overwhelming. If he hadn’t tested Ishikawa first and gone all out from the start, Ishikawa might not have been able to handle it.

As it turned out, Ishikawa’s abilities were well above average in every aspect.

In front of the screen, Kurobe, with his fingers interlocked and resting on his chin, watched as Oni switched rackets. Calmly, he remarked, “The real battle is just beginning.”

---

“You’re not bad.”

On the court, Oni glanced at Ishikawa after changing his racket and nodded. “Since you passed the test of my cross racket, I won’t hold back anymore!”

His words carried a hint of arrogance.

But neither the U-17 high schoolers nor newcomers like Marui and Genichiro had any objections to his confidence.

“Alright,” Ishikawa nodded in response. “Then let me see what your tennis is really made of, senpai.”

Thud!

Suddenly, Oni served the ball.

The serve was incredibly heavy. Before the ball even touched the ground, the sheer force of it sent a powerful gust of wind, blowing away the dust on the court.

In an instant, Ishikawa was shrouded in a cloud of dust.

Bang!

However, with a crisp sound of the ball being struck, Oni’s serve was sent flying back. Upon landing, it generated a swirling gust of wind, lifting the dust from the ground once more.

“This…”

The spectators outside the court tensed up.

This scene was eerily similar to the one from Ishikawa’s match against Inui not long ago.

Clearly, the match had entered a realm that was beyond the comprehension of most onlookers.

The difference was that in Ishikawa’s match against Inui, such intensity had only emerged in the later stages. Here, it was only the second point of the first game.

This was a clear indication that this match was far from ordinary!

Swish!

Suddenly, Ishikawa made his move.

A lightning-fast Shinten Battoujutsu sliced through the dust in front of Oni.

Thud!

But Oni blocked it effortlessly.

“Good speed, but the power is lacking,” Oni said calmly, holding his racket with one hand. For someone who could lift a one-ton boulder, this level of power was nothing more than a tickle.

Whoosh!

Immediately, Oni swung his racket with force, sending the ball hurtling back.

Hum!

On the other side, a red aura began to emanate from Ishikawa’s body.

“Huh?”

Marui, Genichiro, and the others were visibly surprised. “What’s this?”

As far as they remembered, Ishikawa’s signature move was the razor-sharp Kendo Shingi. What was this overwhelming aura?

Step!

Ishikawa took a step forward, raising his racket as if drawing a bow. He struck the ball with the center of the racket, sending it flying like an arrow.

Bang!

The ball shot forward at an incredible speed, its friction with the air causing it to gleam under the sunlight.

“A Lightning Strike?!”

For a moment, many mistook it for the powerful light ball that Inui had used in their previous match.

“This isn’t a light ball.”

On the other side, Oni calmly swung his racket, focusing on a single point. His right arm suddenly exerted force.

Boom!

The ball and racket collided.

The immense force contained within the ball surged into Oni’s racket.

“This level of power?”

Oni, who had initially been indifferent, showed a flicker of surprise. “Interesting. Using advanced techniques to concentrate power within the ball, causing it to explode upon impact. If the opponent’s strength isn’t sufficient, their racket would be sent flying!”

This move was Ishikawa’s Four Gods Martial Arts: White Tiger, a technique that combined his strength and skill.

Even against a prodigy like Akutsu, this move had been overwhelming. But against Oni, it only managed to create a slight ripple.

Swish!

With a flick of his wrist, Oni sent the ball flying back.

“As expected of the strongest power player in U-17!”

Ishikawa’s expression grew serious. His eyes gleamed with determination as he channeled his martial arts techniques into his swing, striking the ball with full force.

Boom!

This time, the ball shot forward like a cannonball, trailing a blue streak of light.

“Oh?”

Oni’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.

He hadn’t expected his opponent to have such mastery over power and explosive force.

“In that case!”

Oni leaped into the air, his arm muscles bulging as he swung his racket with full force.

Boom!

The sound of an explosion echoed.

The power behind Ishikawa’s shot was instantly crushed by Oni’s overwhelming strength. A dark glow flickered for a moment.

“Is he getting serious?”

In the coaches’ room, the three coaches exchanged glances.

This level of play was far beyond the earlier exchanges. A single misstep could result in a shattered racket, or even a broken arm.

“Bring it on.”

However, faced with Oni’s overwhelming power, Ishikawa simply smiled. He swiftly swung his racket, and upon making contact with the ball, he spun around, using the momentum to send the ball flying back.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, Ishikawa had rotated 180 degrees and sent the ball hurtling toward Oni.

Boom!

The next second, the ball, moving at an incredible speed, slammed into the ground beside Oni, leaving a web of cracks.

“0-30!”

“Using my own force against me?”

Oni raised an eyebrow.

He looked at his opponent with newfound interest. Ishikawa was only the second player in the camp who could counter his strength.

At this moment, Oni recalled the information he had on Ishikawa.

Above-average physical abilities.

A calm demeanor.

A versatile playstyle.

A player who defied conventional expectations.

“It seems I’ll need to take this seriously.”

With that thought, Oni’s body began to emit a dark aura.

“This pressure…”

The high schoolers around the court instinctively felt a heavy weight pressing down on them.

“Is this the true form of Oni Juujirou, the 5th court’s leader?”

Marui and Genichiro were stunned.

This meant that earlier, Oni had been holding back, relying solely on his physical abilities to counter Ishikawa’s moves.

“Well,” Marui couldn’t help but mutter, “It’s only natural that he has the upper hand in raw physical strength.”

“Of course,” Genichiro nodded. “There’s a two-year age gap. Oni-senpai definitely has the advantage!”

Two years?

Marui shook his head internally.

If it were just a two-year difference, he wouldn’t be so worried.

Thud!

Oni served again.

The powerful serve slammed into the ground, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

Ishikawa returned the shot, stirring up dust around Oni and once again shrouding the court in a thick haze.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The two continued their fierce exchange.

Within the dust cloud, Ishikawa’s expression grew more serious.

Oni’s shots were becoming increasingly powerful. Under the influence of that dark aura, each strike carried more weight than the last.

“Is this the strength of the former U-17 champion?”

Ishikawa activated the second stage of his red martial aura, pushing his abilities to their limit.

Boom!

With a loud crash, the ball shot forward like a blue streak of light. This was Ishikawa’s ultimate technique—Four Gods Martial Arts: Azure Dragon.

“Hmph.”

On the other side, Oni remained unfazed. He swung his racket with precision.

Bang!

The dust around him was blown away by the shockwave, but Oni himself didn’t budge an inch.

“Not bad,” Oni said calmly, a glint of interest in his eyes. “But this level of power is still far from enough.”

Sizzle!

A dark glow emanated from Oni’s racket.

In an instant, the ball shot forward, enveloping Ishikawa in a sense of being locked in place, unable to move or dodge.

Boom!

The next moment, a massive ball of energy, larger than the one Inui had used, came crashing down toward Ishikawa.

At the same time, a blue-green light flickered, casting an eerie glow on Ishikawa’s face.

Pop.

But suddenly, the overwhelming force of the shot seemed to vanish, as if it had been swallowed by an invisible void.

Hum!

In reality, as the dust around Ishikawa was blown away by the shockwave, the spectators saw a black mark on the court.

Oni’s shot had come to a complete stop right on top of it.

“Is that… Black Hole?!”

The high schoolers around the court stared in disbelief, their eyes wide with shock.

“Black Hole?”

The three coaches, Tokugawa outside the court, and even Oni himself were equally stunned.

Especially Oni.

He never expected his opponent to have mastered this technique.

Bang!

Ishikawa swung his racket, and the ball landed precisely on the line.

“0-40!”

“Hmm.”

Oni narrowed his eyes.

He studied Ishikawa closely, his sharp gaze seemingly trying to pierce through him.

At this moment, Oni’s perception of Ishikawa had shifted once again.

In less than a week since his match with Inui, Ishikawa had already mastered this technique. Such talent was nothing short of terrifying.

In fact, it was possible that Ishikawa had learned it even earlier.

“Ishikawa Shin…”

Oni muttered his opponent’s name, his expression growing more serious.

He now saw Ishikawa as an equal.

“It’s been a while since I’ve faced an opponent who could truly make me go all out.”

Oni looked directly at Ishikawa.

“Hmm.”

In that instant, Ishikawa felt an overwhelming pressure, as if a towering presence was watching him from above.

For anyone else, this pressure would have been crushing.

But Ishikawa’s gaze only sharpened. He looked back at Oni, his own aura flaring up—a sharp, cutting presence that sent chills down the spines of those watching.

Crackle!

The clash of their auras created a visible tension in the air, as if sparks were flying.

The atmosphere grew even more intense, and the spectators could feel the mounting pressure.

Tokugawa, with his keen intuition, sensed that a storm was about to break.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 262: Dimensional Showdown, The Immovable Demon God!

Boom!

A loud explosion echoed across the court.

A flash of black light streaked across the court, followed by a thunderous impact. The sheer force of the ball sent a cloud of dust swirling into the air.

"This power...!"

The high schoolers surrounding the court all had a change in expression.

It was only the fourth shot of the match, and yet it had already reached such a terrifying level.

However, no one had time to dwell on it, as Ishikawa's return shot came flying back.

In an instant, the air was thick with dust, which only grew denser as the two continued their fierce rally.

Boom!

The ball landed in Oni's hand.

Oni's brow twitched slightly. "What a powerful shot. That sharpness... It seems he's quite skilled in swordsmanship as well."

Once upon a time, Oni had battled a certain arrogant blond on this very court. The scar on his face was a souvenir from that match, inflicted by the sharpness of his opponent's return shot.

Now, facing Ishikawa, Oni could feel that old scar tingling faintly.

Whoosh!

With a flick of his wrist, Oni sent Ishikawa's return shot hurtling back.

"His talent is truly terrifying," Oni thought, his eyes narrowing as he observed Ishikawa's every move. "Even I and Byoudouin weren't this strong two years ago."

Given time, with Ishikawa's talent, he would undoubtedly rise to challenge the top of the world's high school tennis hierarchy.

"So..."

Oni's gaze sharpened, and his aura surged once more.

Boom!

The ball shot forward like a cannonball, carrying the weight of a mountain.

"This shot...?!"

Ishikawa's expression shifted slightly.

Oni's shot gave him a sense of danger. This wasn't just an ordinary deep-level tennis shot.

However, Ishikawa didn't retreat. Instead, he stepped forward, swinging his racket with precision.

Boom!

The sound of the impact echoed, and the dust in front of Ishikawa was blown away by the explosive energy.

Thud!

To everyone's surprise, Ishikawa's return shot barely grazed the net before falling back.

"15-40!"

"Did it hit the net?"

"Was that a mistake?"

"What just happened?!"

The high schoolers around the court were baffled. Especially Mori and Oshitari, who couldn't understand how someone with Ishikawa's control could make such an error.

"He returned it?!"

But some were more shocked that Ishikawa had managed to return the shot at all, and that his racket hadn't been knocked out of his hand.

Tokugawa stared at Ishikawa in disbelief. "This guy's technique... is on another level."

After all, that shot had been one of Oni's serious moves. For most people, simply holding onto their racket would have been an achievement.

"Did you see that?" Tōzō asked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Oni's intense expression.

"Yes," Saitō nodded. "No doubt about it. He just used that move."

"One of the forms of dimensional tennis."

In front of the screen, Kurobe slowly uncrossed his arms. He narrowed his eyes as he watched Oni, who seemed like a completely different person now. "The dimension of supergravity, huh?"

Dimensional tennis, in general, is an extension or evolution of a player's physical abilities or playing style. The dimension of supergravity is the evolution of sheer power.

When a player's strength surpasses a certain threshold, they can tap into this realm.

And Oni's strength is undoubtedly the strongest in U-17. Even among high schoolers worldwide, he stands at the pinnacle.

After all, how many people in the world can do squats with a one-ton boulder?

"Dimensional tennis, huh?" Ishikawa mused on the court. "The power behind that shot was impossible to counter with technique alone."

If it weren't for his mastery of martial arts and his ability to partially neutralize the force of Oni's shot, his racket would have been sent flying.

"Of course," Ishikawa thought, adopting a serious stance as he locked eyes with Oni. "For someone like you, who can rival professional players in the original story, I can't afford to hold back."

"Oh?" Oni noticed Ishikawa's focused gaze and nodded. "It seems you're ready."

Boom!

Another cannon-like serve shot forward.

Swoosh!

As the black light spread, Ishikawa, preparing to receive the serve, felt the air around him grow heavy.

"Is this Oni's dimension?"

Suddenly, he looked up and saw a terrifying, ghostly figure with fangs and a menacing aura.

Boom!

In the next moment, to everyone's shock, Ishikawa was pushed back by the sheer force of the shot.

His feet dragged across the ground, leaving two long trails until he nearly hit the wall.

"Whoa..."

Mori and Oshitari couldn't help but gasp.

"Ugh..."

Tokugawa's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

It happened again! Oni's devastating shot hadn't knocked the racket out of Ishikawa's hand.

"Grip strength," Oni immediately realized, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Ishikawa's hand. "He's trained his grip strength specifically. It must be at least 80 kg."

The average grip strength for teenagers is between 18 to 29 kg, while adult males typically range from 43 to 50 kg. Oni himself only had a grip strength of 90 kg. For Ishikawa to reach 80 kg was already an impressive feat.

"Not bad," Oni said, preparing to serve again.

Boom!

The explosive serve shot forward like a black streak. From Ishikawa's perspective, the black demon god raised its fist and came crashing down.

At this moment, there was no retreat.

Facing such a powerful opponent, Ishikawa angled his racket like a sword, combining his swordsmanship with his tennis skills. As Oni's serve bounced up, Ishikawa slashed forward.

Slash!

In the mental space, the demon god's massive fist was split in two by a silver light. The sharpness of the sword cut through the mountain-like fist with ease.

Boom!

In reality, a silver arc suddenly appeared in front of Oni.

"He returned it?!"

Tokugawa's pupils contracted. He had already thought highly of Ishikawa, but he had still underestimated him.

"Not bad," Oni said, his eyes showing a hint of approval. "Your tennis has also entered the realm of Asura."

The path of Asura—a realm in tennis that only those who break their limits can touch.

Oni himself had crossed that threshold during a life-and-death match with Byoudouin.

And now, this young man before him had also touched that realm.

"I wonder what your Asura will be like," Oni thought, his eyes gleaming.

With a powerful swing, he sent the ball flying back.

"Bring it on!" Ishikawa's eyes burned with fighting spirit as he charged forward to meet the ball.

Hum!

In an instant, a silver light erupted.

The sharpness of Ishikawa's third-level sword intent easily tore through the black light. A dangerous gust of wind swept toward Oni.

Boom!

Oni swung his racket to meet the ball.

The moment the ball and racket collided, a sharp burst of energy exploded.

Rip!

In the next moment, to everyone's shock, a strand of Oni's red hair was cleanly cut by the gust of wind.

"Gulp."

Someone unconsciously swallowed hard.

Many noticed the scar on Oni's face, which seemed to twitch slightly.

"Could it be...?"

Mori and Oshitari exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Whoosh!

In the next instant, Oni's powerful return shot came flying back.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

On the court, the two engaged in a fierce exchange.

The speed and power of their shots were beyond anything the spectators had ever seen.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In the dimensional space, the fanged demon god clashed with a shadowy figure in a straw hat and cloak, wielding a sword.

The demon god's punches were heavy, each one causing the space around it to collapse.

The shadowy swordsman, however, was equally skilled. His sword left afterimages as it struck the demon god repeatedly.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

On the court, the ball flew back and forth, skimming just above the net.

The speed of the shots caused the air to heat up, and soon, the friction reached a critical point.

Sizzle!

Suddenly, as Oni's return shot passed over the net, the temperature spiked. To everyone's shock, the net burst into flames.

In an instant, a wall of fire separated the two players.

"Is... is this really a high school match?"

Someone muttered in disbelief.

The others remained silent, their eyes glued to the two figures on the court, who showed no signs of stopping despite the blazing net.

"Ishikawa Makoto!" Oni called out, his gaze sharp. "I never expected you to push me this far!"

Once again, Ishikawa had exceeded Oni's expectations. Even with his Asura realm activated, Oni felt a sense of frustration at not being able to overpower his opponent.

Boom!

Oni's aura surged once more.

The demon god's figure grew more solid, roaring as it threw a punch that seemed capable of crushing Ishikawa into dust.

"This pressure..."

Ishikawa's heart raced.

He felt as if he couldn't move, locked in place by the demon god's fist.

The world around him seemed to darken, and the air grew heavier.

"It's here—the dimension of supergravity!"

In the coaching room, Kurobe and the others watched intently as the black aura spread across the screen.

"Rumor has it that players in the supergravity dimension are so powerful that the air around their shots becomes dense, as if gravity itself has increased."

"In other words, the power of their shots is multiplied by two, or even more."

"Indeed," Kurobe explained, his expression serious.

This was Oni's true strength.

If he hadn't been focused on nurturing new talent, his abilities would have far surpassed this level.

"Ishikawa..."

Saitō glanced at Ishikawa, a hint of worry in his eyes.

A shot like this would be difficult even for a professional player to handle.

If Ishikawa tried to return it recklessly... Saitō shuddered at the thought.

Whoosh!

At that moment, Ishikawa moved.

He raised his racket and swung at the ball without hesitation.

"Is he crazy?!" Tōzō exclaimed.

As the U-17 physical training coach, he knew exactly how terrifying Oni's strength was in the supergravity dimension.

For Ishikawa to try and return such a shot was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Hum!

But then, a black light appeared.

"Black Hole?!" Kurobe exclaimed.

"It's useless," Tōzō shook his head. "In the supergravity dimension, even a Black Hole will be shattered instantly."

Crack.

As if to prove his point, the black void began to crack, and the ball shot straight through.

"It's over!" Saitō thought, his heart sinking.

But it was too late.

Oni's shot was something only Byoudouin, who was currently on an overseas expedition, could handle.

It was ironic.

A year ago, Oni had saved Tokugawa from Byoudouin's wrath.

Now, Saitō found himself wishing Byoudouin were here.

But that was just a foolish thought.

Even if Byoudouin were here, he might not be able to handle this situation.

All Saitō could do was pray that Ishikawa would survive this shot.

"Even if he's seriously injured, that's acceptable... Huh?!"

Suddenly, Saitō's eyes widened.

Hum!

Behind the shattered Black Hole, a second black void appeared.

"A second Black Hole?!" Tōzō exclaimed.

It was a double Black Hole!

Kurobe gave Ishikawa a deep look. It was clear that Ishikawa had anticipated this and had prepared accordingly.

Hum!

At that moment, a black-and-white aura erupted from Ishikawa's body, merging into a chaotic energy.

Boom!

In the next instant, a blur of color flashed before Oni's eyes.

"What?!"

The demon god's pupils contracted.

In the dimensional space, the demon god's massive body froze as a sword light descended upon it.

"I... I can't move?!"

---

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Chapter 263: Ishikawa Breaks Through, Entering the Realm of Hyperspeed Dimension!

"Game!"

"Ishikawa leads 1-0, switch sides!"

As the smoke cleared, the referee's voice rang out. The spectators around the court were wide-eyed in disbelief.

"He broke serve?!"

Tokugawa's eyes flashed with surprise.

This was unbelievable!

That newcomer had actually managed to take a game from Oni.

This was Oni, the "Demon"!

Oni Tojiro, one of the two towering peaks of Japan's U-17, standing above all other high school players.

Even Tokugawa himself couldn't guarantee he could score against Oni when the latter was serious.

Whoosh...

At this moment, the smoke had completely dissipated.

Everyone's eyes fell on the cracked court where the ball had landed. Both players appeared calm, but the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

"I never expected him to actually break Oni's serve."

In the coaches' room, even the three seasoned coaches were deeply shaken.

Saito looked at Ishikawa with a complex expression.

During the national middle school tournament, he thought he had seen Ishikawa's true strength. But this match had once again shattered his expectations.

"Indeed," Kurobe nodded solemnly. "To be able to withstand Oni's Asura Path: Demon God and counter his Hypergravity Dimension tennis... He's clearly been holding back before."

That flash of silver light earlier had been unimaginably fast.

Even through the screen, Kurobe could sense that the speed had surpassed anything Ishikawa had shown in his match against Inui.

"So..." Tōzō narrowed his eyes. "Has he developed his own Asura Path through his swordsmanship?"

"That's hard to say," Kurobe shook his head.

He had reviewed Ishikawa's match records. The boy had never been pushed to the brink, never faced a life-or-death situation that would force him to break through his limits.

From the regional preliminaries of the national tournament to the finals, every recorded match had been a one-sided domination by Ishikawa.

The closest match was the 6-3 against Tezuka Kunimitsu from Seigaku during the metropolitan tournament.

But as far as Kurobe knew, the Asura Path required a true life-and-death struggle, a battle where one risked everything.

"However," Kurobe paused, then nodded. "His mastery of swordsmanship has reached an unimaginable level. If he can further integrate his swordsmanship with tennis, then..."

He left the rest unsaid, but Saito and Tōzō understood his implication.

"Second game, Ishikawa to serve!"

After switching sides, Ishikawa, now with the serve, tapped the ball a few times before gripping it firmly.

He looked up, his gaze locking onto his opponent.

Oni Tojiro.

In the original storyline, Oni had only lost to Q.P., the so-called "God of Tennis" from the German team, who was even more ridiculously overpowered.

Facing Oni, even after using nearly all his abilities, Ishikawa still couldn't be certain of victory.

This was unlike any match he had played before.

It wasn't a one-sided domination but a battle filled with immense pressure. The feeling of having every move countered, every space closed off, and every return feeling like a struggle—this was a first for him.

However, facing a top-tier player like Oni had ignited Ishikawa's fighting spirit. Oni was like a solid whetstone, his immense pressure sharpening Ishikawa's understanding of tennis.

Under such intense pressure, Ishikawa's swordsmanship, ancient martial arts, and even his strategic thinking from Go were merging more seamlessly with his tennis.

Vaguely, he felt as though he was touching the threshold of a new realm.

"What's going on with him?"

Outside the court, Ōishi and Nakagauchi exchanged puzzled glances.

Logically, after winning the first game, Ishikawa should be brimming with confidence. But instead, he seemed to be trapped in some kind of dilemma, hesitating to serve.

"Is the pressure getting to him?" Ōishi speculated. "Under extreme pressure, a player's judgment can be affected, leading to poor decision-making and reduced shot quality."

Some players thrive under pressure, while others crumble. Even among professionals, such cases are common.

"True," Nakagauchi nodded. "Oni's playing style does have that effect. Many players break down mentally before the match even ends."

In U-17, Oni had been relatively restrained.

During the national tournament, when he led the unknown team Okayama Oka, Oni had been an overwhelmingly dominant and fierce player.

It was precisely because of this that Okayama Oka had swept through the national competition, claiming the championship.

In Nakagauchi's eyes, Ishikawa was likely being affected by Oni's pressure, leading to a mental block. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hesitated so long before serving.

He even predicted that Ishikawa might double-fault or make a serving error.

"Player Ishikawa," the referee called out, frowning. "Is there an issue?"

Swish!

In an instant, all eyes turned to Ishikawa.

"Sorry, I was a bit too focused," Ishikawa looked up, smiling at Oni. "Senior, please evaluate this next serve of mine."

The crowd perked up.

In the coaches' room, Saito's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"If I recall correctly, Ishikawa's serve is one of his strongest weapons."

His serve?

Tōzō raised an eyebrow.

The speed of his previous serve had been impressive, but against a player of Oni's caliber, even the fastest serve might not make a difference.

Whoosh!

At that moment, Ishikawa tossed the ball into the air.

He bent his knees slightly, his body coiling like a spring. His eyes locked onto the ball, and as it reached the perfect height, his wrist snapped forward, the racket slicing through the air like a sword.

Swish!

In an instant, a blur of motion flashed across the court.

Before anyone could process what had happened, the crisp sound of the racket striking the ball echoed.

Then, a silver arc of light streaked across the court.

In the wake of that light, the surrounding space seemed to darken. A trail of shimmering starlight appeared before everyone's eyes.

For a brief moment, time seemed to stretch endlessly.

Tap-tap-tap...

By the time everyone regained their senses, the sound of the ball hitting the ground came from behind Oni.

"What... just happened?"

Outside the court, the high school players were stunned. Even Tokugawa's pupils contracted in disbelief as he stared at the scene before him.

Swish!

He quickly turned his gaze to Oni, only to find the latter standing motionless, his expression unreadable as he stared at the spot where the ball had landed.

"This speed..."

Oni himself was equally shocked.

Unlike the others, with his professional-level skills, he had managed to catch a glimpse of the moment Ishikawa's racket made contact with the ball.

But after that...

The scene before him seemed to stretch and distort, as if being pulled backward. He could see the ball's trajectory, but he couldn't move.

He could only watch helplessly as the ball landed and bounced past him.

It was as if his body had been frozen, unable to react.

"Could this be..."

Oni looked up at Ishikawa. "The legendary Hyperspeed Dimension?"

Hyperspeed Dimension!

An extension of the five-dimensional speed. Legend had it that once a player entered this realm, their opponent wouldn't even be able to touch the ball.

Compared to the Hypergravity Dimension, this was the other extreme.

"This serve... it's on par with Mōri's Mach Serve!"

In the coaches' room, Tōzō was visibly shaken.

Kurobe and Saito were equally stunned. Even though they had known Ishikawa's serve was strong, they hadn't expected it to reach this level.

"Before this, his serve was impressive, but it wasn't at this level," Kurobe narrowed his eyes, watching the replay on the screens.

One of the screens showed Ishikawa holding the ball, deep in thought.

"Under Oni's pressure, he seems to have had an epiphany, breaking into the realm of the Hyperspeed Dimension."

"In other words," Kurobe's gaze fixed on Ishikawa, "he has now reached professional-level strength."

Professional-level!!!

Hearing these words, Saito and Tōzō couldn't help but shudder.

This boy wasn't even a high school freshman—he was just a first-year middle schooler!

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A middle schooler with professional-level skills?!

This was beyond unbelievable.

"Asura Path versus Swordsmanship."

"Hypergravity Dimension versus Hyperspeed Dimension."

"This match..."

Kurobe's expression grew solemn as he watched Oni's tense face on the screen.

Saito and Tōzō understood what he left unsaid.

This match...

Oni might suffer his first defeat.

"Serve is valid!"

On the court, the referee, after reviewing the slow-motion footage provided by the coaches, made the call. "Ishikawa leads 15-0!"

"Sigh..."

The players from Court 5, who had held onto a sliver of hope, felt their hearts sink.

"Not bad," Ishikawa, holding the ball, glanced at Oni and smiled. "Senior, pay attention. Here comes the next one!"

Whoosh!

He tossed the ball again.

Contrary to what others might have expected, Ishikawa's serving stance had changed slightly, yet it still appeared effortless.

Crack!

Another crisp sound.

The light around the court dimmed once more.

On the other side, Oni's expression shifted again.

The same sensation of time and space being pulled backward returned.

This time, it felt as though an invisible force was pushing him away.

Even though the ball was landing less than twenty centimeters in front of him, Oni knew he couldn't reach it.

Tap-tap-tap...

Light returned.

The ball landed behind Oni once more.

"30-0!"

The referee announced.

This time, he didn't wait for the coaches' feedback. Kurobe had instructed that if neither player disputed the call, there was no need to review the footage.

However, after calling the score, the referee cautiously glanced at Oni. Seeing no objection, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is this for real?"

"Oni can't even touch the ball?"

"This serve of Ishikawa's... it's almost as good as Mōri's, isn't it?"

Around the court, the high schoolers whispered among themselves.

Most of them were still processing the fact that Oni had been aced.

The rest looked at Ishikawa with even greater respect.

Oni Tojiro.

That name carried immense weight in U-17.

And now, Ishikawa, who could go toe-to-toe with Oni, score against him, and even deliver consecutive aces, had effectively risen to Oni's level.

"Again!"

Oni took his stance.

His cold, piercing gaze locked onto Ishikawa, like a predator sizing up its prey.

"That look!!!"

Outside the court, Nakagauchi's expression changed.

He had only seen that look twice before—once during Oni's match against Byōdōin two years ago.

This was the second time.

Clearly, Oni was serious now.

He was treating Ishikawa as an equal.

Crack!

Ishikawa served again.

Oni's aura surged, a dark energy rising like smoke around him.

As Ishikawa's serve shot forward and the light dimmed, Oni moved!

Swish!

He swung his racket.

With sheer force and willpower, he broke through the temporal constraints binding his body.

But...

He was still a fraction too slow. His racket missed the ball.

"40-0!"

"He's making his move?"

In the coaches' room, Saito was both surprised and impressed. "As expected of Oni. He managed to break through the temporal limitations."

"Oni's willpower is terrifying," Kurobe nodded. "For the past two years, he's been like a sleeping lion. Ishikawa has awakened him."

"True," Tōzō agreed. "In the past two years, no one has been able to push him to his limits. Without participating in the overseas tournaments, he's missed out on facing top-tier opponents. His physical condition and reflexes have somewhat declined..."

Kurobe and Saito nodded in agreement.

Just as Oni's strength had ignited Ishikawa's potential, Ishikawa's pressure had reawakened Oni's dormant power.

Two players, both stepping into the realm of tennis's other dimensions, had found in each other a worthy rival and a stepping stone.

Crack!

Ishikawa served again.

The Hyperspeed Dimension enveloped the court, but Oni's aura erupted in response. Like a awakened beast, he lunged forward.

Bang!

As his racket swung, he finally managed to catch Ishikawa's serve. A deafening explosion echoed.

A black arc of light shot across the court.

However, facing this impossibly fast and destructive shot, Ishikawa's expression remained calm.

Whoosh!

To everyone's astonishment, the ball flew past Ishikawa and slammed into the wall behind him, creating a massive crater.

Crash!!!

Debris scattered everywhere.

The shockwave from the impact spread, but Ishikawa stood firm, his gaze steady as he watched Oni.

"Out!"

"Game!"

"Ishikawa leads 2-0!"

As the referee's voice echoed, the entire court fell into complete silence.

---

Chapter 264: The Defeat of the Demon God, The Shattered Court!

Ishikawa secured two consecutive wins.

This achievement was so astonishing that the entire audience felt as if they were in a dream.

"Is this... his true strength?" Harahiko Gen spoke with a trembling voice.

He knew Ishikawa was strong, but he never imagined the other's strength could reach such a terrifying level.

His gaze shifted to the massive hole torn open by the tennis ball behind Ishikawa. Harahiko's understanding of tennis was being completely overturned, and his shock grew even stronger.

"Facing that 'explosion' earlier, he remained so calm?!"

If it were him, Harahiko believed he would have already collapsed to the ground in fear.

Of course, before that, he would have likely been blown away by the terrifying shockwave of the explosion!

"He's so strong! Unbelievably strong!"

Mouri's body couldn't stop trembling.

From what he could see now, during the Kanto Tournament, when Ishikawa faced off against Echizen, he definitely hadn't used his full strength.

Of course, there was another possibility.

That Ishikawa wasn't this strong back then, but had improved to this level in just two months!

But compared to the first possibility, this one was even harder to accept. Especially for Mouri, who had made significant progress in a short time.

When facing Ishikawa now, he couldn't even see the other's back anymore.

"These two... this match..."

Mouri muttered to himself.

He knew very well that the duel between these two had reached a level beyond the imagination of others.

Anything could happen next.

"Third game, Oni to serve!"

The serve alternated.

Holding the tennis ball, Oni glared sharply at Ishikawa. Although he had managed to touch the ball earlier, entering the ultra-high-speed dimension was extremely difficult, and every step forward was a struggle.

The current situation had far exceeded Oni's expectations.

This match was originally just a way for him to test Ishikawa's strength and evaluate the training results of the others.

But he never expected things to escalate to this extent.

Now, Oni was in a difficult position. If he made even the slightest mistake, losing the match was a real possibility.

"Ishikawa Shin!"

Oni's gaze focused, his mental energy highly concentrated.

Buzz!

Then, the black aura representing his own power exploded outward. Oni tossed the ball and slammed it with all his might.

Boom!

In the next moment, the area in front of Ishikawa looked as if a meteor had crashed into quicksand, sending dust flying everywhere.

Bang!

A silver flash appeared.

Ishikawa decisively countered.

Oni, like a ferocious beast, pounced forward.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two clashed fiercely.

The dust cloud expanded, covering the entire court and even threatening to spill over.

"Everyone, step back!"

A stern voice rang out.

Everyone looked up to see Kurobe, his expression serious, holding a megaphone. "Maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the court!"

Hearing this, the crowd quickly retreated.

Whoosh!

At that moment, the whirlwind generated by Ishikawa's counterattack sliced through the air like a blade. With a thud, a chunk of the solid concrete ground was shattered.

"Tsk..."

Seeing the flying debris, many people's faces turned pale.

Some of the high school students who had been standing close to the court earlier now felt a chill run down their necks.

So, they retreated even further.

The court, aside from the referee sitting on the high chair with a troubled expression, was now occupied only by Ishikawa and Oni.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As the two exchanged shots, the chaotic winds collided with the steel pillars beneath the referee's seat. The crisp sounds made him feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

Boom!

Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted from Ishikawa's side.

Oni's powerful strike, combined with the super-gravity dimension, greatly increased the ball's force. It tore through a corner of Ishikawa's court, cracking the ground and sending the ball flying out.

"15-0!"

Boom!

Ishikawa countered.

He incorporated his newly understood techniques, elevating his light strike to the 7th level.

Combined with the third-level sword intent, he unleashed a strike that destroyed a section of Oni's court.

"15-15!"

Bang!

Oni remained expressionless as he served again.

Ishikawa met the ball head-on, his fighting spirit blazing.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the two unleashed their full power, their strength surpassed the limits of their techniques, spiraling out of control.

This match was no longer an ordinary team shuffle battle.

It had become a duel where both sides, driven by their pride and determination, were betting their lives.

Thus, even though things had spiraled out of control, neither showed any sign of stopping.

"This match..."

Saitou watched in stunned silence.

The duel before him was even more dangerous than the one two years ago. Both players had stepped into the realm of tennis's otherworldly dimensions.

Such players, unless one was truly defeated, would never stop the match.

This was also why the head coach and the others had tried so hard to prevent Oni and Byoudouin from facing off again.

Because once it started, it couldn't be stopped.

Someone would inevitably get hurt, or worse.

"Notify the medical team," Kurobe said gravely. "Be prepared for emergency treatment."

"Understood."

Takizawa nodded solemnly.

He then returned to the room to prepare for the worst possible outcome.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

On the court, the two continued their high-intensity duel.

But as their power spiraled out of control, their inability to control the ball led to more frequent mistakes. The score remained tight, constantly shifting.

As time passed, the results of individual games began to emerge.

Boom!

"Game!"

"Oni, 1-2!"

With the advantage of his serve, Oni successfully held his serve, securing a game.

Boom!

"Game!"

"Ishikawa, 3-1!"

After the serve switched, Ishikawa maintained his aggressive play, steadily taking points from Oni.

The gap widened once more.

The match, with both players alternating points, was nearing its end.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Time ticked by.

The spectators outside the court were utterly stunned by the terrifying strength displayed by the two.

Before this match, no one could have imagined that what seemed like an unusual team shuffle battle would escalate to this level.

"This is already a professional-level match..."

Outside the court, Tokugawa stood in a state of numbness and shock, his knuckles white.

Personally, he wanted Oni to win. Not just because of their relationship, but also due to his own selfish reasons.

For this newcomer who was a year younger than him, Tokugawa wasn't ready to accept the outcome.

But reality didn't bend to his will.

After a fierce duel, it was now the tenth game, and the serve had switched to Ishikawa.

The score was 5-4, with Ishikawa in the lead.

In this game, the score was tight, and Oni had managed to return Ishikawa's ultra-high-speed serve.

However, since it was his serve, Ishikawa held a significant advantage.

He was now leading 40-30.

One more point, and Ishikawa would win this singles match.

Oni, of course, wouldn't give up that point.

So, for this crucial point, both players brought out their strongest states.

At this moment, Oni's aura surged. His muscles, after continuous explosive bursts, were swollen and red.

But the intense duel had also awakened his latent potential.

Facing the possibility of defeat, Oni entered an unprecedented state. Behind him, in the void, the demon god with fangs and a fierce expression suddenly grew two more arms.

The Asura, a powerful being from hell, had evolved under the pressure Ishikawa exerted.

At this moment, Oni suddenly understood Byoudouin's mindset.

This feeling of improving through battling a strong opponent made every cell in his body sing with excitement.

Even though this was match point for his opponent, Oni felt as if his blood was boiling with the urge to fight!

Move forward!

Keep moving forward!

Sweep away all obstacles—he was destined to become Japan's number one tennis player!

Boom!

Driven by this thought, Oni's aura surged once more.

A visible black flame enveloped his body.

Swish!

Suddenly, Oni swung his racket, smashing the ball with all his might.

Whoosh!

The high-speed swing caused the metal frame of the racket to create visible air currents as it cut through the air.

Whoosh!!!

The air currents turned into a fierce whirlwind, and the moment the racket struck the ball, a powerful gust swept toward the other side.

In an instant, the dust on the court was blown away.

Now, everyone could clearly see the state of the two players.

On one side of the court, Oni's clothes were tattered, his body radiating a blinding black flame, giving him the aura of a demon god from hell.

On the other side, Ishikawa's clothes were also torn from the intense duel.

But now, facing Oni's full-power strike, he unexpectedly closed his eyes.

"Is he giving up?!"

For a moment, this thought crossed the minds of many high school students.

But Mouri, Harahiko, and a few others clenched their fists nervously, their eyes fixed on Ishikawa.

Buzz!

In the void, within the realm of tennis's otherworldly dimension.

Before Ishikawa stood a four-armed demon god with fangs and a fierce expression.

This was the manifestation of Oni's tennis will.

Compared to before, his tennis will had grown even stronger. Standing before this demon god, Ishikawa felt as small as an ant.

However, just as Oni had awakened his latent potential through this intense duel, Ishikawa's own powers had been fully activated through this life-and-death battle.

Swordsmanship.

Go.

Ancient martial arts.

Even yoga meditation.

The powers granted by his various maxed-out or top-tier sub-skills were now fully unleashed.

Swish!

In reality, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Ishikawa assumed a stance reminiscent of a swordsman holding a katana.

Then, he took a step forward, his movement resembling the footwork of ancient martial arts.

At the same time, his mental energy, honed through yoga meditation, reached its peak concentration.

Swish!

Finally, Ishikawa opened his eyes.

A brilliant light, representing wisdom, shot from his eyes. In an instant, everything in his vision was completely analyzed.

Oni's position, stance, and blind spots.

The weaknesses of the four-armed demon god in the otherworldly dimension.

All of it was laid bare before him.

Swoosh!

In the next moment, Ishikawa moved.

His racket became a blur, transforming into a sword. The metal frame acted as the blade, slicing through the air toward the black ball that seemed to tear through space.

Bang!

The moment the ball and racket collided, a terrifying shockwave erupted.

The court, which had just cleared, was once again engulfed in a cloud of dust.

Boom!

In the otherworldly dimension, the four-armed demon god unleashed four ferocious punches toward Ishikawa.

A single punch was enough to crush the ant-like figure before it.

With all four punches combined, the sheer force created a terrifying shockwave that descended upon Ishikawa with lightning speed.

Boom!

But in the next moment, a silver streak appeared, blocking the demon god's path. The figure of a sword god, wielding power comparable to Asura, stood in its way.

"Hmph!"

But the demon god snorted in disdain.

It unleashed its full power.

Crack.

Crack.

The sound of shattering glass echoed.

Looking closely, cracks began to appear in the otherworldly dimension.

But the sword god, having taken the blow, remained unmoved.

"What?!"

The four-armed demon god, representing Oni's will, showed a flicker of surprise.

Whoosh!

In reality, Oni saw a silver arc of light flash past him.

It was too fast!

The speed of this shot surpassed even the speed of his thoughts. Even at his peak, Oni wouldn't have been able to catch this ball.

"Wait... what is that?!"

Suddenly, Oni looked up.

He stared in shock at the otherworldly dimension before him.

Behind the sword god representing Ishikawa's otherworldly tennis, three more faint figures appeared.

One radiated a dangerous aura.

One exuded wisdom.

The last one, the faintest, seemed to carry a philosophical air.

Clang!

Then, the four different powers merged.

They infused the blade, transforming into a white arc of light that sliced through the four-armed demon god's body, cutting it in half.

Boom!!!

In reality, a white arc of light flashed across the court, followed by a deafening explosion.

The high school students standing over twenty meters away felt the ground shake as if an earthquake had struck.

Whoosh!!

The shockwave from the explosion swept across the court, blowing away the dust and revealing the two players.

Swish!

Immediately, everyone turned their attention to the court.

Oni's racket had a hole torn through it, and the ground behind him had sunk significantly.

"Gulp."

Seeing this, everyone involuntarily swallowed hard.

"Ma-match over," the referee on the high chair said with a trembling voice. "Court 3, Ishikawa Shin wins, 6-4!"

Chapter 265: The New U17 Legend

Ding!

The player has defeated the boss-level opponent, Oni Juujiro, and gained 21,000 experience points.

The player has obtained the advanced tennis skill dropped by Oni Juujiro: Black Hole.

"Black Hole again?" Ishikawa raised an eyebrow slightly.

He wasn’t sure whether to consider himself lucky or not. The Black Hole technique was a god-tier skill for defensive players. Especially for someone like Ishikawa, who could keenly observe the changes on the court and even use the Eye of Truth to foresee the future, he could maximize the potential of Black Hole.

However, unlike Irie, who relied heavily on it, Black Hole felt somewhat redundant compared to Oni’s overwhelming strength. What Ishikawa really wanted was Oni’s special ability from the Asura Path—Oni God! After all, the saying "greed leads to indigestion" didn’t apply to someone like him, who was essentially playing with cheats.

Ding!

Detected that the player already possesses the skill: Black Hole Lv7. Skill merging is available.

"Merge," Ishikawa decided without hesitation.

Ding!

The player’s advanced skill, Black Hole, has leveled up. Current level: Lv9.

"Huh?" Ishikawa was momentarily distracted. "It’s already... max level?!"

In that instant, a flood of knowledge about the max-level skill poured into his mind. Already proficient with Black Hole, and even capable of effortlessly layering multiple effects, Ishikawa’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"So this is the power of a max-level Black Hole?"

With the max-level skill now in his arsenal, Ishikawa was ready to face the most intense moments of the match. He no longer needed a breakthrough during the game to perfectly counter Oni’s Super Gravity Dimension Tennis.

"Hmm?"

On the other side of the court, Oni, his clothes tattered and torn, was about to approach Ishikawa for a post-match exchange when he suddenly noticed the terrifying glint in his opponent’s eyes.

For a moment, he felt an absurd thought creeping in—it was as if Ishikawa hadn’t even shown his true strength during the match, and what he was seeing now was the real deal.

But he quickly dismissed that ridiculous notion.

Sure, Ishikawa was strong, but aside from the power of the Sword God, the other three figures were still quite vague. The main reason for his loss, Oni concluded, was his own carelessness. Losing the first serve had handed the initiative to Ishikawa.

With a sigh, he walked toward the net, where Ishikawa was also approaching.

Amid the awe-filled gazes of the spectators, the two shook hands on the devastated, hellish-looking court.

"You’re strong," Oni said solemnly. "I hope you can maintain this pace of growth. There will be many more formidable opponents waiting for you on the road ahead."

For many second-string representatives, Japan’s U17 was their limit. But for someone like Ishikawa, it was just the beginning—a slightly larger pond. The true stage for top-tier tennis lay beyond the distant seas.

And Oni believed that with Ishikawa’s talent, he would undoubtedly become one of the most dazzling figures on the world stage, both in high school and professional tennis.

"I know," Ishikawa replied, accepting Oni’s advice with gratitude.

Compared to someone like Yukimura, Oni was more selfless. He had sacrificed his own progress to nurture the next generation. Otherwise, with the strength he had two years ago—when he could defeat and suppress Yukimura—he wouldn’t be at this level now.

Oni was the only person in the camp whom Ishikawa truly respected. His words came from the heart.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior," Ishikawa said with a nod. "I’ve learned a lot from this match. If possible, I look forward to playing against you again in the future."

"Another match?" Oni, who had been about to release Ishikawa’s hand, instinctively tightened his grip.

Then, for the first time, a rare smile appeared on his stern, fierce face. "That day will come."

Losing the match hadn’t shattered Oni’s spirit. On the contrary, the intense duel and the final defeat had reignited his deep-seated desire to grow stronger. He had rediscovered the hunger for power that had driven him in the past.

Soon after, the players from Courts 3 and 5 gathered on the court. Despite the court being in ruins, resembling a post-earthquake scene, no one showed any signs of impatience. Instead, even the winners—Mouri, Hara, and others—wore serious expressions.

Those who had mocked Ishikawa before the match now looked at him with nothing but reverence.

"With this, the group shuffle match between Court 5 and Court 3 has concluded," announced the referee, who had regained some color in his face. "Court 3 has won with three victories and two losses. Due to the ranking difference between the courts, all players will retain their current positions."

"Finally... it’s over."

Not far away, the three coaches standing on the platform sighed in relief.

Saito couldn’t help but remark, "After this match, Japan’s U17 will have another tennis legend."

"Indeed," Taketsugu agreed with a firm nod.

This match had cemented Ishikawa’s status in the U17. Although he wasn’t part of the first-string representatives, his victory over Oni had proven his worth. In a way, his standing now surpassed that of most high school players. Only Oni, who had just lost, and the captain of the first-string team, currently on an overseas expedition, could rival him.

"Hmm," Saito mused, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "I wonder how Yukimura will react when he hears the news."

"And the rest of the first-stringers," Taketsugu added with a chuckle. "I’m looking forward to seeing their expressions when they meet Ishikawa."

The thought of those arrogant high schoolers being utterly shocked brought smiles to both Saito and Taketsugu’s faces.

"Kurobe, what do you think... huh?" Saito turned around, only to see Kurobe walking away toward the coaches’ room. "Where are you going?"

"To call the head coach," Kurobe replied without looking back, his tone calm. "He needs to know about the match’s process and outcome."

"The head coach?" The other two were taken aback.

Taketsugu murmured, "Come to think of it, we didn’t report this match to him beforehand. It should be... fine, right?"

"Uh..." Saito was also at a loss for words.

Imagining the fiery-tempered head coach’s possible reaction upon hearing that Oni had been defeated, Saito couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and smile faintly.

Ding!

Meanwhile, Ishikawa, who had finished the match and was resting in a corner, heard the system’s notification in his mind.

The player has completed the mission: Proof of Identity.

Based on the player’s performance, you have gained 50,000 experience points, 5 skill points, 1 sub-profession point, and the title: Legend of Japan’s U17.

Legend of Japan’s U17: After shattering the gates of hell and surpassing the peak of U17, you have become a new legend.

Effect ①: U17 training experience gain +50%

Effect ②: U17 skill training experience gain +30%

Effect ③: U17 sub-profession training experience gain +20%

(End of Chapter)