*Chapter 160: Instantly Breaking Three Ultimate Moves, The Terrifying Ishikawa (Part 1)*

Soon.

After determining the serve, both players retreated to the baseline.

"The match begins, one set decides the winner."

Seated high on the chair, the referee observed the two players and nodded solemnly. "Sanada of Rikkai serves, first game!"

As the words fell.

The noisy court gradually quieted down. Everyone's eyes focused on Sanada.

"Ishikawa Shin."

Holding the tennis ball, Sanada looked up at his opponent. Beneath the shadow of his cap, his sharp, blade-like eyes locked onto his target. "Let me see what you're made of!"

Thud!

With that, he served the ball.

The ball landed to the right, not as precise as Tezuka's or Atobe's serves, nor did it carry the same overwhelming pressure.

However.

Sanada's serve was fast and direct. The moment the ball hit the ground, the sheer force behind it was palpable.

"Clearly."

Whispered Oshitari, "Sanada and Tezuka are not the same type of player."

Thud!

At that moment.

Ishikawa's return echoed across the court.

Sanada's serve, though fast, posed no threat to him.

"Nice reaction."

Seeing the direction of Ishikawa's return, Sanada quickly moved to intercept, then countered with a sharp shot to Ishikawa's backhand. "Let's get you moving!"

"Warming up?"

Feeling the increased intensity of Sanada's shot, Ishikawa smiled. "You're right. It's easy to cramp up if you don't warm up before a serious match."

Thud!

As he spoke.

He returned the ball to Sanada's backhand with a straight shot, no spin, but the sheer speed of it made the spectators' eyes widen.

Warming up?

Are they serious?

This level of play is just a warm-up?

Players from other regions thought the two were joking. But when they glanced at the representatives from Tokyo schools like Seigaku, Yamabuki, and Fudomine, they noticed these players showed no reaction.

As if the warm-up they mentioned was exactly that—just a warm-up!

Thud!

Another shot.

Sanada aimed for Ishikawa's backhand again.

This straight shot was incredibly fast. Most players wouldn't be able to react in time. A rushed return would surely cost them the point and any advantage against Sanada.

Swish!

But.

Ishikawa didn't even glance at the ball. His racket met it with precision, and with a thud, he returned it with a half-volley.

"As expected."

Outside the court.

In the Fudomine camp.

Captain Tachibana nodded. "In terms of pure reaction speed, even Sanada might not be able to suppress him."

"True."

Chitose agreed. "Sanada's style is all about fast attacks. As the match progresses, his shots get faster and faster. Most players can't even survive the first round!"

Fast, precise, and fierce!

That was Chitose's understanding of Sanada's tennis.

With his aggressive and dominating style, Sanada had earned the title of the Emperor of Middle School Tennis.

However.

In this match.

Sanada, the master of fast attacks, found himself unable to gain any advantage against Ishikawa's returns.

"Keeping up, are you?"

Seeing Ishikawa return his shots effortlessly, a glint of determination flashed in Sanada's eyes. "If that's the case, let's move to the next round!"

Swish!

With that thought.

He accelerated his racket swing and smashed the ball.

Thud!

Before anyone could react.

A crisp sound echoed as the ball shot across the court like a gust of wind, kicking up dust from the ground.

"Incredible swing speed!"

Mukahi and Oshitari's expressions changed.

They hadn't even seen the point of contact on Sanada's shot.

Hiyoshi's face also showed surprise. "Is this the power of Rikkai's Emperor of Tennis?"

"Sanada's making his move."

Atobe commented. "This is one of his four signature moves—'Swift as the Wind!'"

"This speed and power?!"

At the same time.

The Seigaku team's expressions turned serious.

Compared to the last time when Akaya caused chaos at Seigaku and mimicked 'Swift as the Wind' in the state of Selfless State, Sanada's version was clearly more powerful.

"Is this the real 'Swift as the Wind'?"

Inui's face was grave.

He prided himself on his observational skills, but just now, he couldn't even follow Sanada's swing. Looking at Kikumaru, who was rubbing his eyes, and Ryoma, who was squinting, he felt a pang of realization.

"Even their dynamic vision... couldn't keep up with Sanada's motion?"

Thud!

But at that moment.

A crisp sound of a return echoed.

Sanada's 'Swift as the Wind' was effortlessly returned by Ishikawa.

"How is this possible?"

The Rikkai cheerleaders and other team members were stunned.

Sanada's ultimate move... was so easily countered?

"Senpai."

Returning the ball, Ishikawa smiled. "Sanada-senpai, your surgery is coming up soon. Playing so sluggishly doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

Hmm?

Hearing this.

Sanada's brows furrowed.

His fierce eyes locked onto his opponent.

How arrogant!

No one had ever dared to speak to him like this, and yet this first-year from Hyotei kept pushing his buttons.

"Fine!"

Sanada's voice was cold and low, clearly suppressing his anger. Raising his racket, a glint of cold determination flashed in his eyes. "If that's the case, let me show you the real 'Swift as the Wind!'"

Swish!

Suddenly.

Sanada swung his racket.

In an instant, everyone saw only a blur as the racket met the ball. The point of contact and angle were impossible to discern, let alone analyze in detail.

Bang!

A loud crack.

The ball shot across the court like a green streak, leaving a trail of wind in its wake.

Whoosh!

The gust of wind from the shot swept across the court, sending a chill through the nearby referees and staff.

"Hmph."

After the shot.

Sanada looked up, a faint smile on his usually stern face. "The real 'Swift as the Wind' is three times faster than before!"

"Three... three times?!"

The spectators' hearts skipped a beat.

This was beyond exaggeration!

At the same time.

Ryoma, who had faced Sanada before, was equally shocked. During their match, Sanada had only used a basic version of this move?!

The Emperor of Rikkai Tennis!

This middle schooler named Sanada had reached such an incredible level in tennis?

At this moment.

All the spectators, especially those rooting for Hyotei, felt an indescribable sense of awe.

Could such a shot even be returned?

Thud!

But then.

A crisp sound of a return reached everyone's ears.

"He returned it?!"

Sanada's confident expression turned to one of disbelief.

He instinctively looked up.

Only to see a yellow streak shooting back toward him at an alarming speed.

Instantly.

Sanada's face darkened.

His signature move, the one he used to dominate the nation and defeat countless aces, had been so easily countered?

Not only that.

The return was just as fast.

So fast that Sanada didn't even have time to think, only to instinctively swing his racket.

Tap!

The ball flew back.

But Ishikawa, already waiting, simply tilted his racket slightly.

Tap.

A drop shot gently landed on Sanada's side.

"0-15!"

The referee announced.

The entire court fell silent.

"No way..."

One of Rikkai's team members stared in disbelief at the ball rolling gently on the court. "The vice-captain... just lost a point?"

Other spectators, who had been awed by Sanada's reputation, were equally stunned.

"Surprised?"

On Hyotei's side, Hiyoshi, arms crossed, smirked. "Our vice-captain is far stronger than Sanada."

His words.

Earned nods from Oshitari, Oshitari, and even Akutsu, who had been silent throughout the match.

To put it simply.

If it came down to swing speed, Sanada was indeed fast—perhaps unmatched nationwide.

But unfortunately.

Hyotei's vice-captain was one of the few who could keep up.

"Sanada-senpai."

From the baseline, Ishikawa smiled. "I heard you have four ultimate moves. Since 'Wind' didn't work on me, why not try the other three?"

"Hmph!"

On the other side.

Sanada snorted.

By now, he had regained his usual composure. As the current leader of Rikkai, he knew exactly what this match meant.

His opponent was strong!

Despite Ishikawa's provoking words, this boy was indeed as formidable as Yanagi had warned.

In that case.

There was no need to hold back.

"I'll finish you in one go!"

A cold glint flashed in Sanada's eyes as he served again.

Bang!

The sound of the serve echoed.

Sanada's second serve was aimed precisely at Ishikawa's backhand, right on the baseline.

"Wow!"

Seeing this.

Mizuki from St. Rudolph and Inui from Seigaku both looked surprised.

It was hard to believe that Sanada could maintain such precise control while serving with such power.

Clearly.

Sanada had been holding back earlier.

But after losing a point, the Emperor of Rikkai Tennis seemed to have been provoked, and now he was fully serious.

Thud!

At that moment.

Ishikawa swung his racket.

Sanada's powerful serve was met with a one-handed return, and Ishikawa's racket didn't even waver as he sent the ball back.

"This guy's strength... is insane!"

The Rikkai team was shocked.

In their experience, even the strongest, most brute-force players couldn't return Sanada's serious serves so effortlessly.

Thud!

Then.

Sanada struck again.

A green streak of wind shot across the court.

"'Swift as the Wind' again?"

Mukahi raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "It's a powerful move, but it's useless against Ishikawa."

In fact.

Aside from Tezuka's Zero-Shiki Serve, Mukahi had never seen anyone score a point directly against Ishikawa.

Thud!

Soon.

Sanada used 'Swift as the Wind' once more.

The ball was incredibly fast, aimed at the corner. Even with Ishikawa's quick reflexes, he was forced to the baseline.

"Hmph."

Seeing Ishikawa pushed back, Sanada's lips curled slightly. "Being able to counter the real 'Swift as the Wind' proves you're at a national level. But simply countering my moves won't help you win."

Tap!

With that.

He gently sliced the ball.

The ball floated over the net like an autumn leaf, slow and precise.

"This drop shot?!"

The players from other schools were stunned.

The speed, height, and the gentle arc of the ball were all flawless!

"Is this?"

Atobe's eyes narrowed. "The second of Sanada's four moves—'Forest?'"

Even Atobe, with his discerning eyes, couldn't find a flaw in this drop shot.

Moreover.

He noticed something.

After slicing the ball, Sanada had completely neutralized the power and spin from Ishikawa's return.

In a way.

This drop shot was even more dangerous than it appeared!

Additionally.

Sanada's drop shot was clearly a response to Ishikawa's earlier point. It was clear that the Emperor's pride wouldn't allow any disrespect!

Tap tap!!

However.

From the baseline, Ishikawa had already anticipated Sanada's move.

He sprinted toward the net with incredible speed.

"He's... actually catching up?!"

The Rikkai team's jaws dropped as they watched Ishikawa close the distance in the blink of an eye. It was hard to believe that someone could keep up with Sanada after he used two of his signature moves.

Tap!

Then.

Sanada's drop shot was returned.

Swish!

But the next moment.

Sanada, already prepared, leaped into the air, spinning as he brought his racket down like a flaming whip.

"Invade like Fire!"

Bang!

With Sanada's roar.

A powerful smash shot down like a cannonball.

"'Swift as the Wind,' 'Forest,' 'Invade like Fire!'"

Mid-air, a cold glint flashed in Sanada's eyes. "Ishikawa Shin, you should be proud to have forced me to use three of my ultimate moves!"

To Sanada.

These three offensive techniques were the foundation of his undefeated record.

And now.

With all three unleashed.

There was no way his opponent could withstand them.

Bang!

But the next moment.

A yellow streak exploded behind Sanada.

Thud.

Sanada landed.

But the confidence on his face froze. His fierce eyes now stared at Ishikawa as if he'd seen a ghost.

At the same time.

The entire court fell into complete silence.

(To be continued...)

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